caught in the act

This young boy often gets caught in this exact position. Usually everyday. When I hear that stool getting slid across the floor I know that 9 times out of 10 Austin is pushing it over to this spot in the kitchen. Why might you ask? M & M's :)  He knows I stash the m &m's in the cupbaord above there for baking with and he meddles his way into at least 1 handful a day. I had to snap a picture of him doing this because it's just one of those little memories I don't want to forget. This kid would eat candy and chips and cake all day if we let him. Gheesh! I have found him many times hanging off the counter after he attempted to jump up or climb up and failed. He doesn't yell for help though. He would rather dangle there then risk getting caught! Oh Austin... you make me smile.

A New Set-up

How cute is it that our two boys begged us to share a room?!?! We didn't think they would share for at least another year or two, but they had been asking for a bit now and we gave in last week. We have bunks and Austin has just used the bottom bunk in his room for his bed. Jaxon uses the loft in his room. The first night we just stuck the crib mattress on the floor for Austin, figuring it wouldn't work out. Wrong. We found Austin laying with his body off the mattres and his bed nestled in perfect on the mattress as a pillow :) By the third night we just moved the whole bunk set back together and ta-da! We have two boys in one room!! They are LOVING it! We love sitting out in our family room and listening to the two chit chat before bed. It is so stinkin cute! It taks them about 20 minutes to fall asleep, but we just bump bed time up a bit. It's working out fabulously and I love seeing two brothers bond the way they are. What sweet boys. What sweet, sweet days with two little boys in our home!

sweet friends

These two are such sweet friends. This day they found themselves in an empty toy box having snack :) The sweetest dialogue during this play went like this...

Austin: making driving noises he said this in between "I'm going to get Ben"
Mom: Not sure I heard right, replied "You are going where?"
Austin: "To get Ben"
Mom: 'Well, where is Ben?"
Austin: "He's at heaven with Jesus"
Mom: "Aw, that's so nice Austin. Tell Ben I said hi.
Austin: "I'm gong to get Ben. But Jesus not coming with me. I go get him. Will play cars. Wanna come mama?"
Mom: "Yes, Austin, I want to come with you to get Ben."
Austin: "Okay, get in!"

The sweetest part about this is that the Ben he is talking about is the special little Ben that is the son of our friend's and who passed away in May. Thanks Austin for remembering your little buddy. It makes me and Ben's mama happy :) Thanks Ave's for going along for the ride! You are always a great partner in fun at our house!

Help build a school!

The Des Moines Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 5K is less then 1 month away! Check out my fund-raising page for this year...

http://www.firstgiving.com/jessicahansen1

I wish I were...

... going to the Junk Bonanza this weekend!!! Seriously, this looks like one of the coolest Junk Fair's around! Of course, I would probably need a trailer and some money and someone else to go with me who likes to find cool junk :) Maybe next year? Any takers?

 http://www.junkbonanza.com/index.php

What's new?

Jaxon started flag football this fall. It's a 6 week session with 1 practice a week and a game Saturday mornings. This kid came out of the womb holding a football practically, so you can imagine his enthusiasm to be playing on a "real team" finally. I'm not going to lie, it's been pretty fun watching him. I can not believe we have started the sports in this house with him. Time is flying by and it's so fun being here to watch them grow up!!

 

Another new thing... well, not a thing, but a new person at our house! Madison is our new play friend on Tuesday mornings! As you can see, she is fitting right in :) Welcome Madi!

 

Also new...Learn & Play Time! Wednesday mornings 5 little friends come over for a Learn & Play Time with Austin and me. It's mini-preschool and just so fun. Austin already looks forward to "my friends" coming over as he says during the week to me.

 

And, besides the four of us all having the stomach bug the last 2 weeks, not much else is new other than doing some canning and freezing for this winter. So far I've froze sweet corn, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, ground meat, taco meat, and home-made ice cream cake. Our tomato plants are filled with fruits, so I have canned spaghetti sauce, salsa, and whole tomatoes. I'm secretly hoping the tomatoes are done producing! Canning is not my favorite chore, but I hate to waste them! :)

Of course with football season in full swing the Vikings cheering section has resumed in our house and at least half of us can be seen at a CF game when they are in the area. Fall is settling in and the new routine is becoming a habit. So here it is... the latest at the Hansen's!

Thanks Mama!

I just celebrated my 31st birthday and my mom spoiled me with a big gift this year.  She has wanted to help me find a hutch for our home for a couple years and I finally spotted a great deal AND a sweet find! I know this is just a thing and has little importance in life other then helping me make my house feel like a home (plus some great organization areas in my living room), but I was so excited for it to arrive! It is an original baking cupboard/cabinet from probably the 40's or 50's. I love it. Vintage and in great condition. I have rearranged it 3 times since I got it and it has different stuff on it now, but I took this picture after I got it and had it set-up within about 20 minutes :) Thanks so much, Mom!!!!!!!!!!!