The Card Challenge

It's that time of year again. You know, where you take one of these:


and one of these:


and turn them into the best Christmas card ever. I don't want to send out a card that will be "cute" shoved back in the envelope and used as a basket filler. I want my card on the mantel of everyone lucky enough to receive a Hansen family card. High hopes, right? So where will I come up with the perfect card???? Photos are a must for me so I started thinking about all my favorite websites and I remembered ordering my dad a mug from Shutterfly. I have also done all of Bennett's scrap booking with http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books Shutterfly. It is super easy and the cost is affordable.

This brings me back to the card what will it be and how do I choose? http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards
Shutterfly has so many chooses and how will I ever choose just one? I would ask my wonderful husband's opinion but I can predict his answer, "they all look good". While this is true, I am thinking one with multiple pictures in it. I don't think I have time to contain four kids, a mom and a pilot into a group photo. So the decisions begin and I can't wait to get my card to you. You should buy your cards and Shutterfly too and see if we pick the same one? What do you think? I think I love Shutterfly and will have the mantel card I am after.

Did you know school started?

That's right school is in session and I forgot to put up some first day of school pics. So here we go.

5th Grader



2nd Grade. Right after this picture I took him to school and he couldn't do it. After our long trip home from Cali the night before he was too sick. He went at lunch with his sister. Poor kid!


Kindergarten, this is so crazy. She loves every second of school, hates leaving the mama but loves school.


Daddo with the baby girl. Boy does he have a quit the women on his hands.

Halloween

I am not a fan of Halloween on Sundays but we had plenty of fun the days leading up. We went to a school party, I was the ONLY adult dressed up. On Saturday we went Trunk-or-Treating at the church.

MAD SCIENTIST



Indiana Jones. This costume was so popular that he is now requesting Indiana Jones underwear. Do they make that? I guess I will have to Google it!



One Candy Corn Witch. I think her very favorite part is the make-up. Isn't that funny, mom doesn't wear make up and she can't get enough.




I promise Ethan wasn't being left out he was our excellent photographer.


One Wild Monkey! In case this looks familiar, about five years ago Wesley was a monkey. Luckily is was in a box I brought from storage and we were able to use it for our little monkey.

Jill and Amanda

Jill and Amanda, Since you are the only two people, I think, that read my blog I am asking for your opinion. Michael is getting married and these are a few dresses I found. I also like a couple on Shabby Apple but I am having technical trouble so of these what do you like the best. FYI wedding on the beach but I still want to be able to wear the dress to church. One other thing, for a small fee I can have the sleeve changed or the length changed so keep that in mind before vetoing a dress. Thank you for you help lovely ladies!!!

Floral embroidered sash waist dress - eShakti.com



Pleat waist cotton dress - eShakti.com

Sash waist pleat skirt dress - eShakti.com

Tonal embroidered banded waist dress - eShakti.com

Floral applique peasant dress - eShakti.com

ps if you are not Amanda or Jill and have a kind opinion I would still like to hear it!

Baseball

The baseball season is in full swing around here. I am a screamer mom. I try to control it but I just get so excited. I think Wesley actually likes it?

It's Official

no, we are not moving.
no, a I am not with child.

It's official that Private Select Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream and Dr. Pepper make me a better mother. I am flying solo for the first time in quit some time. The Captain is off being the captain. Grandpa is in Cedar City making the airport a better place and Grandma went to Sin City to make sure the Aunties are happy. After giving my kids a somewhat hodge podge dinner, I fed them ice cream. I love ice cream and so I am happy to indulge. Those big slivers of chocolate and burn of a Dr. Pepper cracked open are sweet reminders I can do this, at least until daddy gets home.


When you are the mama this is the best picture you have of yourself. I am smiling and the crazy vein in my head isn't sticking out so I must really be happy!

I love this picture

for reasons I am not entirely sure of I love this picture I took of Lu the other day. In an effort to entertain my littles, I had them chug a small water bottle so we could make snake bubbles and here is Lu trying very hard.



Wes, as he now likes to be called, was also snake charmer



B was the offical bubble chaser and spiller of the soap.