Our late Christmas present - Maui!

Boy, do we love Matt. Did I mention that we love Matt? We had so much rain through January that I thought I would cry! I am a sun loving girl and boy did Matt pull through. We were able to finagle a trip to Maui right in the middle of the huge storms that were pounding the heck out of California. It was pure happiness for me. Love you, Matty!

The bugs in Hawaii are amazing. The boys found a huge preying mantis and had so much fun "playing" with it.

They even managed to get it to eat ice cream from their spoon. Gross, I know. (In case you are wondering, preying mantis' are spelled "preying" instead of "praying." We had one as a pet and named it "Enos" for the "Praying Mantis." The more we studied them we found out they are pretty serious carnivores and got the name "Preying Mantis because of it. There's your science lesson for the day.)

While we were there, the Skins Game was going on and Matt was in heaven.

The boys managed to get signatures from all the players and were even called out on the course - during the game - for this one!

Can you see how pumped they were? :)
Gracie hated every second of it. She didn't like being told to be quiet while the players were hitting. She complained that it was hot and she wanted to either go to the pool or go shopping. That was lovely for all of us.

Matt likes to think he makes good sandcastles - but I'm the master. Anyone up for a challenge?

The boys loved doing crazy back flips off the hotel rope swing.

Gracie didn't shy away from the challenge, but was a little more traditional in her entry.

Thanks again, Matty! Love you.

A Day in the "City"

We started out with a hike through Muir Woods to see the amazing redwood trees.

Then stopped off at the Marin Headlands for a beautiful look at San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. I never get tired of this view!

Isn't this an awesome view? It's taken from the WWII bunkers that were built to protect the San Francisco bay from attacking ships. You can still walk through the bunkers on both sides of the bridge. The boys loved this!!

Of course a day in San Fran isn't complete without a stop at Pier 39, a view of Alcatraz (see it in the background?) and . . .

Boudin bread bowls filled with clam chowder and an ice cream sundae at Ghiradelli's. Yum.

Where have we been?

December found us . . .



At the Oakland Temple organizing a ward "hot cocoa and treats" night.
(Don't you love how we know how to close our car doors?)


On the roof, hanging our Christmas lights. (Gracie was FINALLY allowed to help, and she loved every second of it.)

Ben and I spent the greatest night volunteering at a kids toy drive. We spent hours helping organize toys for over 25,000 needy kids in the bay area. (We are organizing a group visit next year so let me know if you want to join us! Space is already filling up fast!)

Below is the "wrapping room" that was buzzing with activity.

This is 1/3 of the toys that we helped organize. There were warehouses filled like this one in numerous parts of the building. It was the most amazing way to feel the spirit of Christmas. Every single homeless shelter in the bay area had a specific gift for every child there. It was awesome!

Mom and Dad joined us and hustled just as fast as the 7 year old! We were sweaty when we were done!

We braved the rain and trekked through the Santa Cruz mountains for our annual "Chopping of the Christmas Tree."

Found it!!

The rain wasn't bothering Gracie!

Christmas night also found Gracie, and her best friend-in-the-whole-wide-world-partner-in-crime-cousin, Kate, in Mom's bathroom with her brand new, Christmas gift make-up ALL OVER their faces.

It was a moment to remember.

(We owe you some eye cream, Mom.)

A New Year . . . a little late

I've avoided this little baby (myblog - not Brik!) until I felt like I had a better handle on my crazy, busy life. Baseball is about to start, basketball is just winding down, swim team forms are due this week . . . Laundry, dinners, poopy diapers, whiny crying, school work and a stack of papers to go through can't touch what I "enjoyed" today. A huge puke in the car. (Thanks, Brik.) Anyone been there? After today, it looks like it will be another month until I get a handle on things. :)

Thanks for listening. :)

A "not so jolly" Santa

As we walked away from Santa, Brett leaned over and while chuckling said, "Santa sure wasn't that jolly today!" I think it must have been a long day, and the sight of Brik sure didn't put a smile on his face! :)

Halloween - "Hansen style" - part 2

Erika - this one's for you! :)

Halloween "Hansen style ". . . over the last few years.

My kids are already on the prowl for next year . . . :)

Halloween "Hansen style"

Ever heard of Half Moon Bay?

It's half way between Santa Cruz and San Francisco on the coast and is called "the Pumpkin Capital of the World." It's beautiful. It's full of organic farms, rolling hills and coastline that takes your breath away. It is home to Maverick's - the biggest surf waves in the continental U.S. and happens to be our favorite Halloween tradition.


(There's also a Ritz Carlton there that offers pumpkin facials, pumpkin massages, pumpkin wraps, . . . Unfortunately, I couldn't fit that one in this year!)

This is always where we start out. Barbara's Fish Trap. Hole in the wall, right on the water, doesn't accept credit cards (?!!), and the BEST crab sandwiches on earth. The harbor is a 30 second walk away and you can watch them catch crab practically as you eat.

Brik making friends.

This little guy wasn't quite big enough and just walked right off the pier and dropped back into the water.

Here we are!! :)

Gracie and I at our ward party.

It was a good Halloween. :)