Sunday, January 11, 2009

December 2008

December 2008

We start December in late November actually with the annual tree cutting Thanksgiving weekend. Then there's the first snow, ice skating, visits from Grandparents and cousins and a whole lot of fun and snow in New Hampshire. Enjoy!



Kate enjoying picking out our Christmas tree.

Kate and Daddy have found it and Mom thinks it is just perfect.


So when we got our first snow it was supposed to melt the very next day so we had to go out and take pictures in the dark. Kate was thrilled that we FINALLY had snow!



Ice skating on the pond just down the street from our house.


Daddy and Kate enjoying the ice.


You may have heard about our little windstorm in New Hampshire around Dec. 12. Our power was out for 3 days which is good fun when the temperatures were below zero at night. Thankfully we do have a fireplace to heat the place but the power finally came back on. Here is a picture of the tree limbs we lost all around our house. Thankfully only minor things hit the house.



The ice was beautiful.


In the midst of the power outage we enjoyed a morning on the Polar Express Train Ride.



Kate loved riding the train and doing so many things the Polar Express book talks about including drinking hot chocolate and eating candy.



Uncle Gregg and Auntie Bec had their baby Andrew Charles dedicated a few days before Christmas to maximize the amount of family that could be there.


Kate and Daddy out skating again. This time it took A LOT of shoveling and snow blowing to get the pond clear.


And Kate loved it!


A little hockey player!


Kate thoroughly enjoyed each morning of December getting to count down to Christmas by getting out a chocolate candy kiss out of her lighthouse advent calendar.


Kate loved making her ginger bread house.


Kate and Mom hard at work on the gingerbread house.


We had Grandma and Grandpa Hansen visiting for Christmas. There's nothing like Christmas with a three year old!


Kate with her brand new stocking made by Grandma Hansen...so pretty and SO BIG!


Hanging the stocking with the help of Mom on Christmas Eve.



Grandma enjoyed reading all the Christmas books to Kate.


Christmas morning, this is what Kate woke up to...


She loved her present that was as tall as her...snowshoes, you'll see more pictures later.

Kate is enjoying Christmas to the fullest.


Kate and Grandma enjoying her new rocking horse.


Uncle Gregg, Auntie Bec and Andrew came up to join us for Christmas dinner. Our whole Hansen side of the family all together. It was wonderful!


Kate loves her new rocking horse ... and her purple tutu.


After Christmas we had a visit from Aaron's cousin Rod and Natalie from San Diego.


Kate is loving the snow and fun trips with visitors.


We went to Manchester, Vermont to the Orvis factory and Kate enjoyed feeding the very large trout in their fish ponds.

Rod helped her with her casting technique.

Mom, Kate, Dad and Rod in Manchester.


Kate's a cowgirl!


Kate and Daddy riding the horse.


Rod & Natalie along with Daddy and Kate in the cold snow!


Sadie had a rough life during the holidays with all the attention and someone was always sure to make sure she was wrapped up on a blanket on the sofa.


Kate's first snowshoe on her own.


Never fear, Mom can still carry her with snowshoes and 21 weeks pregnant.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

November 2008

November 2008
This was a very busy month. We started with Kate's 3rd birthday and a 9 day visit from Grandma Swenson. Kate and Mom then travelled to Washington to visit friends and family. We came home in time for Thanksgiving with Daddy and there goes the month. Enjoy the pictures!


Kate's all ready for her birthday party.

Kate and Grandma Swenson


Kate and her friend Elizabeth all ready for her cake.

Kate enjoying her new bouncy ball.


Uncle Gregg made it up the day after to celebrate.

Kate and her beloved Doggy all ready to go get pictures taken in her brand new Christmas dress.


Running for joy!


Kate and Grandma Swenson


Now we're out in Oregon visiting my friend Celeste formerly from San Diego.

Kate and Tessa Doerr enjoying some playtime.

Christina and Tessa and Kate and Mom.

Kate and Tessa enjoyed pressing the remote for the picture taking themselves.


Kate and Mom enjoying a visit with good friends, Christina and Tessa.

Then we were off to the Washington coast with Grandma and Grandpa Hansen. Out for a walk.

Playing in the sand dunes.


Kate and Grandpa Hansen.

Kate's not so sure about that crab Grandpa is holding.

Kate explains all about crabs to her doggy.

It's one BIG sand box!

Loving the ocean!
Riding on Grandpa's back is fun!

Kate and Grandma cooking.
Then we were off to Auntie Shelley, Uncle Joel's and Troy and Megan's house. Here's Kate and Megan in the dog bed.

Kate, Troy and Megan. So fun for the cousins to play. We went to the acquirium and many fun play times but sorry, not many pictures.

We spend Thanksgiving with the O'Laughlin / Gerendas family. Sadie was a hit with Hannah and Aiden.

Kate on Thanksgiving.

After dinner we visited Uncle Gregg and Kate's newest cousin Andrew, only a few days old.

Auntie Bec with baby Andrew.

Andrew Charles Hansen