VACATION

Emotionally attached children.... I was simply trying to talk to the cable guy and they were being too noisy so I sent them outside the office doors. You'd of thought I told them that I was abandoning them forever. Holy Cow!!!

On June 25th we hit the road headed for Utah. Just a teeny tiny 21 hour drive away! I have to pat myself on the back, it was the most prepared I have ever been on a road trip, my first with two children and I am happy to report that it went GREAT. Seriously. It was smooth sailing. We were on the freeway at exactly 5am on Thursday and after a few hours driving and some travel estimations, I told Eric that my goal (even thought he drove 90% of the time) was to pull in to his parents driveway at 12:42 AM Friday. We pulled in at exactly 12:44 AM!!

Lego fun.

Popsicle stick fun.

June 26th

As always, Utah is full of fun and go go go...

Greetings.. Hugs.. Kisses.. Chit-chat.. Then down to business. AF Canyon Race Against Cancer packets needed to be picked up. Team Atticus shirts needed to be picked up, and Sarah's baby shower was that night.

The kids and I picked up 12 packets. We were quite a sight. It was kind of silly. First you got your packet number for each participant. Then the next section was bags. Then the next section was t shirts. So each station I had 12 participants to gather for while Isaac is freaking out because their is a horse size dog one row over from us and Isabel is trying to run away wanting to play with the horse sized dog. It was madness. Once finished and headed back to the car, I got to meet a "Stranger now Friend." I always love and appreciate it when people take the time to introduce themselves. Hugs to you friend!! Hope the race was as good to you as it was to us!

We left a very mild summer inTexas and came to a roasting hot Utah.

Sarah's baby shower was that night from 6-8pm and absolutely adorable.

Isabel spent much of the night taking out, putting in then taking out the flowers...

again and again.

June 27th

AF Canyon Race Against Cancer

The half-ers ready to go!!

To this AMAZING "Stranger now Friend" you brought tears, smiles, gratitude and love to each one of our "Team Atticus" half-ers as they ran past this sign. We have NO IDEA who did this but we love you. THANK YOU for doing this. Once they had finished the race, Bethany showed me this picture, and we were all brought to tears. The effort made... the picture, the balloons, the placement. We cannot thank you enough. We don't know who you are (we'd love to!) but we LOVE YOU!! People are amazing. Truly truly amazing.

The 5K-ers ready to hit the road and start our part of the race!

Man we have an incredible family!

Two of my almost four beautiful kids. Isaac wanted to participe in the race, so we brought two strollers. 3 miles is a lot for little legs!

THIS is as good as it got for this picture. Such a goof ball.

Isabel was a little more cooperative!

Pop Pop telling Isabel about the Utah mountains.

I'm old now and don't know whats cool or not, but apparently, this is a "cool" shot.  So says my 14 year old niece Kennedy!!

On your mark, Get Set... GO!!

Man I love this kid. Everything about this picture is so, well, him. Power arms. Too cool for school strut. He was all business and of course refused to take a break and ride in the stroller.

Grandma Lori and Grandma Becky! Grandma Shawna was waiting at the finished line to cheer us on as well as Uncle Spencer and Sasha!

Grandpa Jim, Auntie Jenny and her girls Jacie and Kennedy

He seriously ran almost the ENTIRE way. He was cracking us up and got Jenny and Grandpa to do lunges with him in between sprints!

I kid you not there was maybe 20 people behind us. We truly wrapped up the 5k. 

Apparently, talking and walking is too much for us ladies.

Pop Pop finally convinced Isaac to take a break and rode on his shoulders!

Emmie. Michelle. Grandma Lori. Isabel.

Almost to the finish line!  I love that even the kid participants got metals!

Emmie anxiously waiting to cheer in our team members.

Livvy and G. Becky

Emmie.. Parker.. Lexi..

Pop Pop. Isabel. G. Lori

Zach was the first to finish the half and to our TOTAL embarrassment, he even beat those of us doing the 5K. No I am not kidding. And yes, this is the best picture I could get of Zach. He is a picture idiot. Good thing we love him so much.

Bethy claiming second place for Team Atticus!!

Livvy girl was very proud of her mommy!

 Eric actually hates running, but does this for our Atticus.

You did it daddy. We are SO proud of you.

Aunt Sarai. LOVE this picture.

 Livvy girl congratulating her daddy!

Way to go Uncle Brett.

Uncle Dustin.. "Bill".. Aunt Sarai

The HALF MARATHON-ers Representin'

Isaac adores being around all the family. 

And all the attention that comes with them.

He also really enjoyed the metals that he convinced everyone to let him wear!

Isabel too, was shocked at the many many metals around his neck!!!

Auntie Stacie and me-- so, I cut my hair (8 inches) and colored it. As much as I miss doing all the fun hair styles, Im a short hair girl and thankfully so my husband loves it short too.

The proud parents of one incredible cancer fighting hero.

We love you Atticus. You are ALWAYS in our hearts.

I like to picture Atticus standing right next to me.

..TEAM ATTICUS..

Post race BBQ at Grandpa and Grandma Romera's.

Lots of laughter. Story telling. And people walking around like they were 80 years old!

Sunday June 28th

We opted out of church (aka, Eric flew back to Texas early that morning and both the children were melting down). Grandma came to check on us after sacrament meeting, just in time to read Isaac books, snuggle up together and take a nap!

Monday June 29th

Sunday night we slept at the Trevino's. Isaac was sooo excited. We got the three boys all set up in their room and I though within 15 minutes Isaac would want to sleep with me (that's what happened last time we tried the sleepover thing) but he didn't. He slept in the boys room the entire night. That's a big deal for Mr. Attached Isaac. 

In the morning in I asked all the boys what they thought-- thumbs up all around!

Charlie and Isaac have SO much fun together.

The boys wanted superhero paint... Isabel had been carrying a basket of chalk all morning so I painted her nose and my cheeks to show the boys how awesome we girls could be too! Pretty soon we all had chalk on our faces!

Isabel was in love with the Trevino's chickens. She helped Charlie feed them breakfast.

Then she tried to get in...

And tried to hold them...

And tried to get closer and closer..

LAGOON- It may have been the hottest day ever, but it didn't slow these boys down!

Boston (a utah friend whom is super sweet to Isaac) and Jay! 

These boys braved the BIG rides.

Auntie Stacie took multiple hits for the team and accompanied Isaac on many rides!

He did NOT like this ride..

So we decided we'd stick the the smaller ones the rest of the day.

I braved "Petes Dragon" figured it was fine for the baby right?!

Lego play. All day.

Grandpa and Grandma Romera's House

She was upset because she couldn't fit herself and 4 dolls in the bouncer.

Movie/snuggle time with Grandma and Grandpa Romera

Jay's Baseball game.

I was getting her ready for bed and she totally fell a part, not wanting to be separated from her babies... bare bum and all!

No Utah trip is complete without one of us getting sick. This time it was me and Isabel. She had pink eye and I tested positive for Strep Throat and a Sinus Infection. Not to be lame, but I have not felt that sick in a long time. At night I would hold my head and neck fighting back tears..

Papa Jim giving Isabel a "ride."

The HANSEN HOUSE....

Bethy brought over stuff to do giant bubbles...

SO MUCH FUN

Water fight!

Livvy and Isabel eating lunch

Isabel "sharing" with Liv. Yikes!!

The perfect spot to get cozy and read a book.

Splash Park with the cousins.

And yes, splash parks require goggles :/

Isabels typical pose.

Pineapple Dream Whips

One of the best days EVER.... After 3.5 years of fb-ing, texting, and talking on the phone I finally got to meet my other favorite TIFF!!!! It was a quick lunch, in which I came in my swim suit (thats when you know you have REALLY bonded with someone, when upon your first meeting you wear no make-up, you're sweaty, and in shorts and a tank top to cover your swim suit!). We ate a little and talked a lot. 

Man I love you Tiff-- I WILL make it up to Seattle one day! And of course, our door is always open.

Uncle Shad letting Isaac wear his police badge!!!

Isaac loves his baby cousins!

July 3rd

Enjoying Grandpa and Grandma's beautiful backyard and cousins!

William- "Bill"

Ty and Liv

More bubble fun.

Parker.. Isaac.. Isabel.. Lexi.. Emmie

Isaac and Lexi are buds!

Ty. The newest cousin until Sarah has her baby!

Oh Lexi-- Is she not the cutest thing? A peanut just like Isabel.

Daddy gettin' crazy!!

Sarai.. Will.. Dustin.. Isaac

Livvy.. Bethy.. Isabel..

Great Grandma Lonczyna and Ty

The Hansen Kiddos'

Sarah.. Zach.. Bethany.. Dustin.. Eric.. Chris

Homemade snowcones!

July 4th

Happy Independence Day

Notice a little extra color on her left arm and face? She had woken up from her nap (she sleeps in Grandma's craft room) and to all of our wonder, found a marker and decorated her arms, legs, a bit on her face and lots of the pack 'n' play...

Love this sassy girl.

Alexander..  Ava.. Isaac

Livvy.. Will.. Isabel

The Hansen Family 4th of July tradition is to have a big picnic right outside the BYU football stadium. Play baseball, cards, do a bit of fireworks, the WATCH the fireworks. SO FUN.

The boys take it very seriously :)

Oh you know, just chillin!

Isabel wanted to get in the picture too.

3 very cute and patriotic girls!

Isabel adored Lara and wanted to play with her all night.

Bubble blowing contest.

She was one happy girl!

Uncle Rusell- a favorite for sure!

Isaac doesn't love the noise of the fireworks so we came prepared with noise canceling head phones.

He refused to believe that sparklers don't really make noise.

Lara reading a story to Isabel.

These 3 had a ball together.

Jocelyn sent me this text... IM so grateful for amazing friends for both me and Atticus. He and Noah were buds. Thank you for visiting his "special spot" we love you guys.

 July 5th- July 11th

LAKE POWELL 

No rest for the weary... it's always sad to say goodbye to family but looking forward to spending a week with our friends! Eric has been best friends with these guys since middle school. And I got super lucky because I absolutely adore their wives and kids.

WE MADE IT--- One of Daddy's favorite places in the whole wide world.

 May I introduce you to, "Jus Chillin."

Eric has some very fond (aka: wild, crazy, out of control teenager fun) memories on this boat. He and Brandon spend summer after summer wake boarding wake skating and goofing off. One summer they went down SIX times. The stories they tell... It's a wonder they are still alive. And that Mitch  still agrees to "take them!"

Play hard. Sleep hard.

DAY 1

Sunscreened up and ready to go!

The Little boys have FUN

Water Slide Craziness.

The goal was to kept the football before entering the water...

Paddle Board Wars

Luke and Zach are two of the most well behaved kind fun boys you will ever meet.

Exploring.

DAY 2

First boat trip of the day. It pretty much never stopped.

I was little worried about Isabel and her life jacket but she did great. Like really great.

Every after noon after lunch we would all go summer then put babies down for naps and swim some more. It was seriously one of the best weeks of my life. SOOOO FUN.

She spent an hour sorting, moving and organizing her sand toys. In and out of the sand bucket. In and out of her little raft. In and out of my hands...

Zach and Lukes first time tubing- watching them was the best. They had the time of their life.

This boys put up a good fight. Too bad their dad, as well as the other dads (... Eric and Brandon) wanted to "see where their limit was!" Im telling you, these so called "dad's" and "professionals" Doctor, Dentist, Lawyer, you get them together and its 10th grade all over again. 

Oh Isaac-- this cute blond haired blue eyed boy talks a big game, "I wanna wakeboard. I wanna tube and go over the waves..." Ummm... How about we end up having to go 2 mph straight down the middle. Such a goof troop.

He's showing me how fast the boat was going.

Ahoy Matey!!

Did I mention how much I love my friends kiddo's. Luke and Zach are BFB- best friend brothers. It was so sweet to watch them support one another as they tired wake boarding for the first time.

And Zach's up!!

Eric helping Luke!

Love these two.

Daddy taking Isaac for a paddle board ride.

DAY 3

More swimming. Isaac and Carter are FISH

Isabel more brave than I felt comfortable with.

I could swim at Lake Powell every day all day.

Taking a break from the sun and watching a movie...

... .which led to a nap.

Camping out on the top deck of the boat.

DAY 4

The little boys played a card game called  "President, "and Monopoly in the morning

Then the water fun began again!!!

Daddy's still got skillz. I had Isabel in my lap so I didn't get very many pictures. All of which are poor quality. But let me just tell you, the man can get some air. Even in his old age :)

Another paddle board trip

And this girl.... we played photo shoot!!

Carter and Isaac swam and jumped for a very, very long time!

This kid wears me out, but I see that smile and melt. He's been through a lot in his little life and as much as he tries me, I'd do anything for him.

Canon Ball!!!!

Afternoon paddle board exploration! Which may or may not have led to cliff jumping.

DAY 5

This was during lunch! This kid played hard. All. Day. Every. Day.

Soaking in some rays. 

Her own personal cruise. 

Men doing what men do... checking out the best spot for fireworks...

The Daddy's put on one heck of a show!

We watched from the top deck loving ever single one. A perfect way to spend our last night in heaven.

THANK YOU.. THANK YOU.. THANK YOU..

For one heck of an INCREDIBLE week.

We love you all so much. Until next time!!