Happy Gotcha Day, Anth!

Tonight we celebrated Anthony's Gotcha Day with pizza (requested by Anth), cake (also requested by Anth) a new superhero and time together as a family.

Four years ago we brought our little Bubsa Boo home.
He's home!
Four years ago we had supper for the first time together, had bath night, read books as a family and Anth slept through the entire night while I kept waking up to check on him.
I felt like I needed to pinch myself that he was finally home.
Four years ago Mark and I became parents and our lives changed absolutely for the better.
What an amazing gift!

Thank you to everyone who continues to show your love and support for our family.  YOU are the reason we continue to get stronger and healthier as a family and move into the future with so much hope.

Just Because....

When I was younger I always wanted more friends.  Back then I equated more with better.  Since then I have learned the lesson that I was suppose to learn from the beginning --- quality is better than quantity.  As I look at my life I have been undoubtedly blessed when it comes to friendships.  There are true people in my life who really know and love me.  What a gift!

- Growing up I had a wonderful best friend, who was more like another sister, and really helped me through all of the trials and triumphs of those early years --- bad hair, acne, crushes, etc. 

- In college I meet some beautiful souls who will always be an important part of my life regardless of where life has taken us now.

- Throughout the years my sister crossed over from being a sibling into a confidant and close friend.

- Sprinkled in between the years have been some wonderful people I have met along the way.  Some have stayed while others have gone, but all of them have made an impact in one way or another.

 Some who've made a forever impact in my adult life has been my Becker-amily.  What a surprise to find a group of girlfriends (as well as their husbands and kiddos) who have crossed over from co-workers into such an important part of my life.  

Yesterday after school they surprised me with a visit in my classroom that included chai tea for everyone and this thoughtful, perfect Hanson household gift.  (One that I had been eyeing up on Etsy as of late.)  

Why?

It wasn't a friend-vention.

All has been going well, really well with Anth these past few weeks.

Their visit and thoughtfulness was just because.

I LOVE just because visits and cards and surprises and moments in life!

I am absolutely convinced that God knew I would need all of these wonderful individuals in my life to support, love and help me through all the moments of my life.  I give thanks for these friendships and wish all others could experience the joy of all this love and acceptance.  

The 7 (months), 6, 5, 4 Club

Anthony's superhero squad!

Ash and Miss Tai Tai

A few weeks ago the Tuttles came down for a Sunday visit.  Even though I am thankful for our little town, our house and all of the roots we have planted right here, I've decided that I would much rather be an auntie that lives close to her two cutie patooties.  Miss Tai Tai and the former Chubby Chubberton are two special little kiddos that I love dearly.  I guess I'll just have to hope for more weekend visits in the future!

Rewind: December

The lost chapters of December...

Anth was very specific about what he would like Santa to bring him.  So much so that he brought a page right out of the Target ad.  While A didn't mind sitting on Santa's lap at all, Ash really wanted NOTHING to do with it.

In school Anth had dress up day as well as bring Baby Bear to school day.  We found out that our Bubsa Boo LOVES wearing a tie and would like to dress up more often.  Who knew?!  This is coming from the kid who would only wear comfy pants just a year ago!

Ash turns TWO!  

Anth got to make the annual wreath and pick out all the decorations with Uncle Airwick.  He also got some use out of his Papa Willie "work clothes" and helped Papa outside.

These two are quite the pair.  I cannot wait to show them this one when they are older!  Potty time together!

A month cannot go by without having some dress up days or two!  The pirate and skeleton are two popular ones.

Johnson Family Christmas

Hanson Family Christmas

Cutting "ood" with Ashee and Uncle Damon.

 Eating "dog food" with Papa Willie before heading back home from the Christmas weekend up north.

Celebrating Auntie Manda!

Auntie Manda is the absolute best and we love her dearly!  Today she joins the thirty club, which leaves me wondering.  How in the world is my little sister THIRTY?!  I remember shopping at Kmart after she was born and picking out a pair of special booties just for her.  Now she's the big 3-0?!   WOWZERS!  

Leech Lake

Favorite camping spot of all time

Beautiful sunsets

Lots of memories

Back when Ned was a puppy and a crowned Prince

Oh, how you have been demoted in rankings, Prince Nedward Ogie!

A box of cigars

found by the Johnson kids

Must be tried out

Right?

Grab the matches and the camera, Mom

Auntie and nephew love

Kings Courtyard

Loving up the Booger

A day of make-up, hair, nails and wearing a dress!

A day of celebration

Happiness

New beginnings 

Love

My favorite individuals

Wonderful siblings

Christmas morning

Clara Church - Yuletta services

Beautiful northern woods

Rewind: November

The lost chapters of November...

The Carhartt gear that Papa Willie got Anthony for Christmas last year fits and he's determined that he needs to wear it outside.  (Mind you there is no snow.  November started just as mildly as October ended.)  However, when Anth has his mind fixed on something there's no diverting from his plan.  He sure wishes, though, that snow would finally get here...

Dressing up continues to be a daily/weekly phenomenon at our house.  The dress up bin gets used all the time and old costumes cannot be packed up just yet for Asher.  There are many nights he will go to bed with his mask and/or work gloves on.

Zoey got a rash on her belly that she constantly scratched/licked/gnawed on until it become a bleeding open sore.  One Thursday night I brought Anth to therapy while Mark brought Zo to the vet.  On the way home Anth had fallen asleep so I was carrying him into the house to put him to bed.  This is what greeted me at the top of the stairs.  I wasn't expecting the Wonder Dog's new fashion accessory and had to try really hard not to (1) laugh too loudly and wake up the kid and (2) drop the sleeping kiddo from laughing too hard.  Luckily Mark was there to scoop up A.  What a scene!

SNOW!  It finally came!  Now Santa can come any day!  It snowed!  The five dollar shovel from Mills Fleet Farm got lots of use "helping" daddy and one little boy was in snow heaven.  (Although I see he didn't wear his Papa Willie outfit????  Hmmm...)

Unfortunately, Mr. Puke and Mr. Squirts wouldn't leave Anth alone over the long Thanksgiving break. While decorating the Christmas tree Anth got sick and we spent the next four days quarantined away from our family up north trying to kick the icky bug to the curb.  All of that wasn't fun; however, for the first time in THREE YEARS we were able to decorate the tree & listen to the Muppets belt out carols as a family without any breakdowns.  It. was. fabulous.

Arts and crafts were (and for the most part still is) a daily occurrence.  For awhile half of the table was dedicated to crayons, paints, glue, construction paper, etc. until I got organized and found a new home where he could easily find everything he needed.  I love the ideas that he comes up with and that it's never the same thing twice.

Anthony continues to have a great personality and can make us laugh with his crazy antics.  One night he should have been getting ready for bed, but decided to put on the antlers and then went and grabbed the foam fingers from downstairs.  He was showcasing his "Moose Hearing Aids" with lots of dance moves & crazy faces all the while sans underwear.