Jackie's Day

Today we had the opportunity to go to the temple with my little sister Jackie. Jackie is just 18 months younger than me and was born with Williams Syndrome. She has worked hard these last few months getting ready and meeting with the bishop and stake president. She got her recommend a few weeks ago and today was the day. She invited just about everyone she knows and was blessed to have many loved ones come. It was definitely one of the best experiences in the temple that I have had. She did really well with everything and was all smiles at the end of the day. She is quite the example to many. It is something that isn't required of those with handicaps, but that didn't matter to Jackie. She knows that it is something to be done while on this earth and was determined to do it for herself. Being in the temple is one of my most favorite things and today is a day to be remembered.

The Grand Finale

Tonight was the final night of wrestling!!! Tallon was so excited for this tournament and was even more excited when he got to wrestle his friends from school. Here he is with the boys in his group.

His first match was with his friend Tavon. They have wrestled each other most of the practices, so it was fun to have them wrestle in the tournament.



These are some pictures from his last match (I don't know why I don't have any from his second match!?!?)


And the reason why we were there... the MEDAL!! They make sure that every child comes home with a medal. I love that they are rewarded for just giving it their all!

Tallon did a GREAT job with wrestling. There were some things that he worked hard to overcome and he was pleased with himself for doing his best. It didn't bother him that he didn't win, or if he got pinned, he was just glad to be wrestling.

What a day for 4 wheeling!!

Our family has needed a day like today for months. We have been patiently watching and waiting for the snow to melt, and the sun to shine. This morning the sky was blue, the birds were singing, and the house was dripping. Yes! Today was the day we were finally able to dust off the old ranger and go for a ride.

We headed up Grover Park and it wasn't long before this...

and this...

and then this...

and of course this, happened!

Soon we were all smiles and everyone was pointed in the right direction...

until this!!

Don't we look like we are having a ball!! It was determined that the snow was a bit soft and that there was no use for the limo to go any further, so we turned around while the rest of the crew headed for the top.

Tallon was having to much fun to be bothered by being stuck. He and Tuff we enjoying all of the bouncing and spinning, it didn't matter what was going on, the sun was shining, they were not couped up in the house. They were outside and were all smiles and loving every minute.

On the way down we were surprised to find our friends!! Tallon and Raf didn't waste any time before they were off exploring and hunting for Griz.

The twins were watched very carefully by little Skylar. She was there when anything happened and healed it with a hug.

We made it back to the parking lot and spent the next few hours laughing and playing. The best part was when 5 grown men and 1 little boy, jumped in the ranger and giggled, yes giggled, the entire ride!! You could probably hear them in Afton, they were laughing so loud.

This picture says it all! If you click on it you can get the full effect of Tallon's excitement.

This little boy never stopped smiling the entire day!! He had sooo much fun riding with the big boys and being part of them.

Here is the whole group. Quite the line of toys and family.
The twins favorite part was the trailer!! Leave it to little boys to find the simplest thing and make it a blast.
We knew we had done something right when Orrin smiled like this. He is sometimes hard to please, but today he was nothing but grins.
Heaven forbid, we leave without one more good stick!!
While everyone was busy watching Dirt and Mike get out, Vivin made a mad dash for the nearest mud puddle and plopped down right in the middle of it!!
Here he is being rescued by his Dad. How could I get mad with two smiles like this!! Only Boys!!
Orrin finally got to ride with grandad...
so then he had to go with dad!
Then it was Vivin's turn...
and while mom was busy keeping an eye on them, someone let Tallon get in with Bobby!!! What a combination these two are.
Bobby was going as fast and as crazy as he dared and the whole time Tallon is yelling, "faster, faster!!" They had a ball together.
We finally got the kids to stop and headed to grandma's for lunch. We hadn't even hit the highway when we looked in the back seat and found this. Vivin sound asleep with his sucker...
Tallon holding onto his medal, and going on about his favorite parts of the day...
and Orrin sacked out with his sucker.
It think Tallon said it best "This is the BEST day of 4 wheeling EVER!!!!"

A night in Rich County

We traveled to Rich County tonight, for Tallon's first wrestling tournament. We loved having our friends Raffers and Kassie come with us and had so much fun wrestling. Tallon was a little nervous and tried talking himself out of participating a few times, but he faced his fears and did a great job. Here are a few of the pictures we got of him with his new wrestling buddies.




The best part of the night was when Tallon got his medal!!! He wrestled some really hard kids and had to really force himself to keep trying, but he was so glad that he did. After he was done, he and his dad had a good time cheering on the other kids in his group. It was fun to see the kids cheering each other on, they didn't know each other but were now each others fan club.

Here he is with Raf. They were so excited for each other. They keep looking at the others medal and telling them how awesome they were. They are too cute together.


Tallon really earned this. One of the kids in the group body slammed another little boy and it really intimidated Tallon (not to mention his mom!!), he didn't want to wrestle the boy but knew that he had to. When it was his turn we didn't say anything and Tallon walked out on the mat and wrestled his heart out. He was scared to death, but he faced his fear, and earned a medal. It was a good learning experience and it was really neat to see Tallon being so big.

It was a fun night. The twins loved running around and making Kassie chase them. The weather was so nice and all the kids got to run around on grass!! We had a great time, thanks again Greene fam for a fun time!!!

Two 2 year olds and a Pup!!!!!!!

What was I thinking?!?!?!? The past days have proven to be quite eventfully and having 3 toddlers in the house is starting to take its toll. The twins LOVE the pup and the pup LOVES the twins, so were is the problem? They are constantly bawling or howling because of this love, which leads to me yelling!!! Orrin is always trying to sit on Tuff, it really is cute until Tuff has enough and dumps him on his head and he starts bawling.

I came into the kitchen and found the twins drinking from Tuff's bowl, which caused me to start yelling! (but not before I could get a picture!!)

Vivin is always laying on Tuff, which is cute until Tuff moves and he hits his head and starts bawling! At this point I have had enough and Tuff goes outside, which leads to her howling!! (Heaven forbid she go without being tortured for 5 mins.) I give in and Tuff comes back in the house and we start all over again!! AAHHHH the insanity!!

This morning I go and help in Tallon's classroom, the trio gets to stay home and great grandma comes to watch them. When I get home grandma asks if the dog is always on the table eating the kids food!! AAAHHHHH again. So the disinfectant comes out and some major cleaning occurs. While I am in the middle of that, I hear bawling and howling, and find THIS!!!

Vivin had pushed the kennel over so he could use it for a step to get into something he knows he is not to be into. Orrin wants on too, but gets pushed off (here is he bawling part) and Tuff starts howling because he is crying, and of course, I start yelling!! (You will note in the picture that Orrin has his Binky again. We have lost and found it 50 times and I finally thought it was gone for good but nope, its back!!)

Currently they are all sleeping, the house is quiet, and I am left wondering What was I Thinking!!!

Spring has Sprung!!

Well, for today anyways. We woke up to the song of song birds!! What a better way to begin St Patricks Day. Tallon has been planning his wardrobe for about 4 days and this morning I had to remind him to wear green! He said he had been waiting for so long that he just forgot!! Here he is with his leprechaun hat from school.

He was soooo glad that Tuff has a green collar, he didn't want anyone pinching her! They have really hit it off together. Tallon is "training" her so that they can hunt this fall.

It was a fun St Patricks Day, Tallon's belief in magic added a fun extra touch. He said that he got his wish, even though he didn't catch a leprachaun, he got Tuff!

Everyone...

meet Tuff!! The newest member of the Hansen household. She is a 8 month old, German Shorthair, and the sweetest thing ever. She was abandoned a few months ago, and has been living at the local Humane Society for the past month, and now her home is with us.

Tallon said that he had the best day! He wrote about it in his journal, it is too cute to not share (good luck, we spell the kindergarten way!!).

I got a new dog her name is Tuff. She has wite and bran spots. She is fun. I will ownes love her. We got her todae. We love her.
Translation: We got a new dog, her name is Tuff. She has white and brown spots. She is fun. I will always love her. We got her today. We love her.

Orrin is bound and determined that he is going to ride her. She has proven to be VERY patient with the kids.

Vivin loves Tuff!! He just wants to be where ever she is in the house.

While we were at the shelter, we were visiting with a trainer. He mentioned a good book that teaches how to train dogs. On the way home, Tallon told us that we needed to read that book to Tuff so she would know how to point the birds for him. Wouldn't that be great, just read the book to the dog, no training involved!! Oh, the innocence of children.

It was really a fun day. We have missed not having a dog in the family. Tuff has been with us a whole 8 hrs, and so far so good!!