What you've been missing

It looks like I definitely slacked off on the blogging department this month.  Here are a few things you've missed in the Hansen household...

Rachel had her 8th birthday!  It seems weird that she is getting so old.  She is trying to finish reading the Book of Mormon before her baptism on the 2nd of February, and as a result she is reading every time I turn around.  I am so proud of her dedication to this goal she has made.  We asked what we should do to celebrate once she accomplished her goal, and her idea was to buy a Bible.  Ah Rachel -- she puts us all to shame.  What a sweet little girl.

Instead of a neighborhood friend party Rachel chose to have our families come over for a pizza party.  We had play practice after school and barely made it back in time for the party.  Rachel walked in the door, raised her hands in the air and said, "Oh yeah.  Birthday girl is in the house."  It made me laugh so hard.  She is truly a Hansen.  

So, with half the Hansen clan and the Snarr family, we proceeded to have a rockin' party with pizza, decorations, and games.  And of course, some presents.  Thanks family for coming and making Rachel feel so special.

In other news, the girls had their recitals this last weekend.  I always get most nervous for the class recital because I have to be in charge of the talking, etc.  But, as always, it turned out just fine, and the girls played their songs flawlessly.  I was so proud of how hard they have worked this semester.  Sky had to miss her recital because she was too sick.  But, since she still got the treat, she didn't seem to mind too much.

In the last week...

 

We spent time with the Mumford's and Snarr's doing some sledding (on the forbidden hill).

 

After our sledding adventures we went back to Becky and Ryan's for hot chocolate and cookies.  Then we all headed home to get ready for the date night.  We left the kids home with sitters, and went to see Les Miserables.

 On Friday our Hansen family came over for our annual party and sleepover.  Every Hansen was there from sweet little Sydney (Dan and Jessica's new baby) to Steve and Anita -- that put our total at 28 (with 2 more on the way -- Andy and Brittany & Matt and Ruth -- hooray!).

 Ruth was in charge of games, and she came prepared with so many fun ideas.  We had 4 (possibly 5) teams, and each person took turns representing their team.  The games were really creative like: blow up a balloon and try to have the air blow a cup off the table, blow a cup across the table using a straw, using a straw to suck up a jelly belly and then passing it from one plate to another, putting a cookie on your forehead and trying to inch it down to your mouth without using your hands...there were tons more,but I'm not explaining them very well.  I'll comment on the pictures that we do have and that can help you get a better idea.

 Every team had one roll of toilet paper and they had to get it wrapped around one team member faster than the other teams.

 In this game we had to slather our noses with vaseline and then try to stick cottonballs to it (without using our hands) in order to get them across the room to our team members plate.  It was pretty disgusting and yet super hilarious.

 The kids had to pull all the tissues out of their box with just one hand.  Then, once the boxes were empty, the adults tied them around their waists, put little balls inside, and tried to get them out without using their hands.  This one was super crazy and way funny to watch.

  

 Marmee and Papa gave all the kids Christmas PJ's.  My kids have worn them every night since.  They love them so much!

Not pictured, but still thoroughly enjoyed, was our New Year's Eve celebration with the Mumford's and Ruth and Blake.  We enjoyed delicious homemade pizza (compliments of Nathan) and then spent the night playing games.  The kids celebrated the new year around 9 with the help of some youtube ball drop and fireworks from last year.  It was the first year we even thought to have our kids have a mock midnight celebration.  It was perfect.  Our last week of December was filled with tons of fun with family, and we're looking forward to this new year and all it will bring.  Happy New Year!