GOOD INTENTIONS

I posted this on my facebook but I thought I really should post it here too. I really had good intentions on getting Christmas cards sent out but alas the keyword is "intentions". I didn't do it and I am going to try not to beat myself up over it. So, I'll just say to all of my wonderful family and friends out there, Merry Christmas! I hope you all enjoy these precious days with your loved ones and make memories that will last a lifetime. May the new year bring peace on earth and in our hearts. May we all be healthy, happy, and able to enjoy and endure what 2010 brings.

ONE LITTLE PIGGY STAYED HOME

Well, Cameron is sick! Don't know if it is the "Swine" or not but he has all the symptoms of it. I'm keeping him down for the most part and giving him plenty of liquids. Not to mention Advil, Mucinex, and lots of tissues. He is miserable. The headache and congestion are the worst. I called the doctor and they said that if the fever lasts for more than 3 days to bring him in. If the congestion lasts more than a week to bring him in. Or if he just gets worse in general to bring him in. So, I'm guessing there really isn't much they can do until he is really bad off. That is scary. Anyway, I am trying to keep things sanitized wherever he goes and touches. I've emailed all his teachers to let them know what is going on and to see if they will email his assignments. (Not that he would do them anyway, but it was his idea so what the heck). So, all of our wonderful friends and family might want to stay away from our house for a little while. Sorry, I think we were going to have FHE here tonight. Better reschedule that one. I hope that you all can stay healthy and if Cameron has been around you I am so sorry. This didn't come on until Saturday night. I hope that no one was around him to catch it from him.

NEW MOON

Okay, I know that a lot of people are sick of hearing or reading about "New Moon" so this will be the last time I mention those two words on this blog. (I hope). But, I saw the movie twice and when I saw it the first time I came away liking it. Not loving it. Then I went to see it again and I liked it more. I stopped trying to compare it with the book and decided that the movie was better than the book. The special effects were amazing. Jacob might be really cute and as Bella said, he is really "Buff", but I am still Team Edward. I wish that he would work out a little more. Work on those abs like Jacob did. So, if you are still debating on whether or not to go and see the movie? I say DO IT! It is better than Twilight. You will be entertained for a couple of hours and please don't forget the popcorn with extra butter. :)

I SHOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN HIM WITH ME...

WHY I SHOULD NEVER TAKE TROY SHOPPING....

One of my favorite passtimes is to shop....unfortunately, it's not one of Troy's. He prefers to go in and get out without wasting time! I however like to browse and have begged him to accompany me on my shopping trips. Target happens to be one of my favorites as I can shop for food and wonder around in other departments for other treasures...until today, when I received this letter.....

Dear Mrs. Hanson,

Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Hanson, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.

3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.

4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money.

5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway.

6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.

8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were called.

9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.

10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.

11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.

12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.

13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'

14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'

15. October 25: Asked a cashier, while holding several boxes fleet enema's, "where's the restroom"?

And last, but not least:

15. October 27: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.' One of the clerks passed out.

Sorry, we know the holidays are just around the corner so we ask that you please, please, please, shop at Walmart.

THE HELP

I am reading this book that Cookie gave me for my birthday. I can't put it down (although I have to). Here is a synopsis of the book and a review from the Washington Post.

"Synopsis

Be prepared to meet three unforgettable women:

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town...

The Washington Post - Sybil Steinberg

Southern whites' guilt for not expressing gratitude to the black maids who raised them threatens to become a familiar refrain. But don't tell Kathryn Stockett because her first novel is a nuanced variation on the theme that strikes every note with authenticity. In a page-turner that brings new resonance to the moral issues involved, she spins a story of social awakening as seen from both sides of the American racial divide."

We had a sweet lady who was our "help" while I was growing up and her name was Pansy. We loved her so much. I know she loved us too. We were not among the "White, snobby society" that was obviously there in the south. Pansy died many years ago and the last time I saw her was at Cookie or Lorna's wedding reception. A long time ago.

Thanks for the book Cookie. I really have enjoyed it. I highly recommend it.

Tell Me Why -

My sister Kay sent this to me and I thought it was amazing and wanted to share it. "This is a video of a 13-year old boy singing a song for which he wrote the lyrics and composed the music. Incidentally, he also has a very nice singing voice, into which he puts all of the nuances of emotion, pathos and passion that he can muster at his tender age. This boy gives this song, which has a very strong message, ALL he has in his presentation. Bravo! Enjoy!"

FLASHBACK FRIDAY - Halloween 1994

Here is a picture of Michael (8) as a Ninja, Mallory(6) as Fairy Princess, and baby Cameron (8 months) as a bumblebee. Aren't they cute?

Cameron's School Picture

I love technology.... (I'm not going to sing the song). Anyway, this year I ordered the CD that came with the picture package. So all I had to do was copy it to my hard drive without having to scan it. They put the pictures in color, black and white, and Sepia. They are so cute I have to put all three on here. He actually looks like a High School kid. That means he is growing up. What a happy day...... :)

Jib Jab Chippendales

Zane Rigby put this together and it is hilarious. All the men in it are in my ward. It's so hilarious because none of these men have these bodies and probably never did. (No offense guys). But it is fun to watch anyway. Enjoy!

FOOTBALL DANCE - AWESOME!

College Roommate Reunion

The other night I drove up to Layton to have dinner with 2 of my college roommates. It was so nice to get together with them after so many years. (too many to count) Candy and I have been friends throughout middle school and high school and then college. Irene is a sweetheart. She was born with a disability and has never let it get her down. She is like 3 feet tall but has a giant heart. We were so blessed to have a roommate like her because she always had a positive outlook on life. Now she lives in Logan. Candy just moved back to Utah after living in Virginia for over 20 years. It is great to have her close by. Even though Clinton isn't close by but it is a heck of a lot closer than Virginia. I loved our little reunion ladies and I think we need to get together more often now. Here are few pictures from our evening. I wish I could find our college pictures but they are in a box who knows where. Or if Troy got hold of them they are in a landfill long filled over with the rest of my sentimental things he throughout while I was in the hospital for 2 months. MEN!!!

Wendy, Candy, Irene

Mallory's New Blog

Mallory has decided on a new career path and she is going into photography. She started taking classes as SLCC and she is building up her portfolio. I am so proud of her and I know that she is very passionate about doing this. She really looks up to her cousins who have been very successful in this area and hopefully they will give her some tips. I am happy for her and I know she will be successful in anything she attempts. If you want to add her to your blogs to follow her new address is: www.photographybymal.blogspot.com Be sure and check it out. She just put it together today so it is still very new but should improve daily. We are hoping that our sweet friend Laura will help her with a really cute header. hint hint. By the way, I will give her cousins a shameless plug here. I must say, they are AWESOME!
Brooke Moon: www.brookemoonphotography.blogspot.com
and Hailey McGuire: www.hayleebeanphotography.com

HAPPY "21ST" BIRTHDAY MALLORY

Our little Mallory was born on Thursday Sept 1st at 6:08 p.m. She weighed 6 lbs 7 oz. and was 18" long. We were so excited to have a baby girl. We loved having Michael and he was all boy but I wanted a little girl so I could do all the "foo foo" stuff with. Trust me, she was very "foo foo" until her dad got hold of her and took her fishing and hunting and stuff like that. So, she is well balanced. She can sing, dance, cook, look beautiful, and she can also, fish and clean the fish. Hunt and not afraid to clean the deer and also enjoyed disecting the heart because she was curious. That's my girl. Now she has a new passion. Photography. Good luck sweetie with this new venture in your life. I know you will be a great success. We hope you have a wonderful birthday. WE LOVE YOU!

Mom, baby Mallory and Nannie (My Mom before she died)

TIC TAC TESTIMONY

Last night I was searching the internet for LDS Humor to find a joke to put in our Relief Society Newsletter. While searching I found this cute little story about a woman and her ward testimony meeting.

“My wonderful ward, bless its heart. The same motley crew gets up every single month to bear their testimonies. A few of us who are too chicken to ever go up to the pulpit will every-so-often sit together or in proximity to each other and draw blank tic-tac-toe boards. Instead of X's and O's, we write the names of people we think will get up in each square. We then black out the square if the corresponding person gets up to bear his or her testimony. First player to get 3-in-a-row "wins". Yeah, I agree that this seems pretty "sacrilegious", but I still get a lot out of these meetings, I swear I do”.

By Anonymous

I hope I didn't give you all any new ideas for church next week. I already had a friend write me after I emailed it to her and said that she was for sure going to try it. She has a lot of "The Usuals".

HANSON BOYS NEW TOY

It is a known fact that men really never grow up. Today Troy and Cameron went and bought themselves an old Land Cruiser. 1970 to be exact. They are going to work on it together and get it drivable for Cameron. (Who will be turning 16 in February - HELP). It is going to need a lot of work and thankfully we have a friend up the street who knows his way around a cruiser pretty well. Thanks Scott and Laura! Especially Laura for letting Scott play with Troy on the cruiser.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY - Bear Lake 1998

This is the family picture at Bear Lake after working and playing all weekend. Notice how far up the water is. We haven't seen it that way for soooo long. Probably 11 years. ha ha. Now we have about 50 to 75 yards of beach.

COUNTING DOWN

Well, just a week left until school starts. Yahoo!!! Cam went and registered for school last week and came home with his schedule. There was a note for him to go and see a counselor. Wouldn't you know it? School hasn't even started yet and already he has to go and see the counselor. At least it isn't the Principal. Actually, we have a friend who is a counselor over at the school and she said that 75% of all the students have to meet with a counselor. There were problems with the computer system and the new school district. It has been a big head ache for them. So now he has to go and stand in a long line to go meet with a counselor.

HAPPY 25TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Today is our 25th wedding anniversary. We have so many memories of good times, hard times, sad times, and very difficult times. But there has never been a time when I didn't love my husband. (frustrated - YES) He is a wonderful husband and father and he takes such good care of me. We have 3 beautiful children who have blessed our lives in so many ways. Each moment with them has been an experience. We've experienced joy, elation, frustration, aggravation, (I tried to get all the "tions" in there). Tears of Happiness and sadness. Scrapes, scratches, bruises, stitches, surgeries. Basketball games, Baseball games, and football games and some soccer. Gymnastics, dance recitals, piano recitals, voice recitals. Sleep overs, and having to go pick up kids from sleep overs in the middle of the night, night games, water fights, snow ball fights, ping pong games, nintendo games, x-box games and Wii. Carpool, elementary school, middle school, high school, summer school and college. Dating, dances, sweet sixteen, sweet eighteen, and still waiting. Zits, pms, arm pit hair and puberty. Hunting, camping, 4-wheeling, and bicycling. Driver's Ed, Lerner's permit, new drivers. We have also witnessed many miracles along the way. These are just a few of the things that have made up our 25 years together. We have been truly blessed. I know we have so much more to look forward to. I love you Troy! Thank you for making me happy all these years.

Sorry these pictures are about 4 years old.
Time for a new family portrait

FLASHBACK FRIDAY - September 2001

Can you guess who is in this picture? They have each changed so much.
(and no, Mallory isn't choking Cam. He is just being a little dramatic for the camera)

Mallory, Zac Rigby,
Cameron, Madison Rigby
Aren't they cute?

TOP REASONS I CAN'T WAIT FOR SCHOOL TO START

• Maybe I'll be able to keep the house cleaner.

• I won't need to buy as many Pizza Pockets.

• Less arguing with Cameron (I hope)

• The home will be quiet. (at least until 2:45)

• I can go out to lunch without feeling a little guilty (not that I really did)

• The weather will start to turn cooler.

• Cameron will be a Sophomore!

• I'll try to re-organize the kitchen.
  

• I can sleep in without someone to tell on me.

I SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST!

• I GET THE HOUSE TO MYSELF FOR AT LEAST 6 1/2 HOURS!
  

• YAHOO! YIPPEE! HURRAY! WAHOO! YAY! OH YEA BABY! HURRAH! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN ABOUT! AND ANY OTHER WORD THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR MY EXCITEMENT!

DISCLAIMER: I don't want in any way for Cameron to feel offended or sad by my feelings because he is probably just as happy to be away from me and the chore list. I love you Cameron!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TROY!

Happy Birthday to a very wonderful man, husband, father, son, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend, etc. (This almost sounds like an obituary). Oops. We love you Troy and hope that you have a great birthday!

NO MORE BRACES!

Cameron is a very happy now. He got his braces off last Tuesday. He said it was weird and that his teeth feel a little slimey. He has had those dang braces on for a little over 3 years. He would have had them off sooner but he wasn't very good about wearing his elastics. Neither were Michael and Mallory. Let's hope that he will wear his retainer. Unlike his older siblings who didn't and therefore their teeth shifted a little. Anyway, Cameron has a beautiful smile and beautiful teeth and is ready for high school. (Well, not really ready for High School, but you know what I mean.) So, we are done with our Orthodontist forever! We don't have to pay for braces ever again! Yahoo! I'll add pictures of his cute smile later. I am at the mercy of Mallory's camera since I lost mine. (Guess what I am going to ask for for my birthday....A Camera!) But I have to wait until October for that. :(

ABBY

Okay, since Lucky is gone, we have decided to let Abby be in the house more. Well, it is looking like it is not such a good idea. She is getting into all the garbage cans and shredding the garbage in them along with the garbage bag. I know that she is 13 years old and has been an outdoor dog mostly all her life and that we can't expect her to just change her ways over night but, I don't think I can do this. She also found a bag of m&m's somewhere and was found eating them on Mallory's bed. She also threw up on a blanket in the living room (probably because of the m&m's) WHAT DO I DO? Oh, and did I mention that we recently realized that Abby is deaf? Yep, we are such great dog owners that we didn't even realize she was deaf. Whenever we called the dogs for one reason or another she always followed Lucky so we had no reason to think she was deaf. It's sad! But I'm thinking I need to let Abby outside a little more than we have been. But we will still let her sleep inside (with Mallory). She has both Abby and Kobe sleeping in her bed now.

SAD DAY! WE WILL MISS HER!

Today is a sad day because we had to put our sweet dog, Lucky, down. She went to sleep today about 3:15 p.m. this afternoon. Lucky has had a really bad week. Her hind legs gave out on her completely a couple of days ago. It was like she was completely paralyzed in her lower back yet she was still in a lot of pain. Lucky was keeping herself under our deck where it was cooler and yesterday Troy had to crawl under the deck and practically drag her out and then he put her on my wheelchair and we got her into the house and laid her on her little bed. That is where she stayed until we took her to the animal hospital today at 3:00. Lucky was an awesome dog with a very distinct smile. A lot of people weren't sure if she was growling or smiling. But it didn't take long for people to realize that Lucky was extremely friendly and she smiled to let you know she would be your friend. She smiled the most for Troy. She loved Troy. She will be missed. Especially by her pal Abby. Abby is our little Britney Retriever (Britney Spaniel/Golden Retriever). I am going to make a slide show of Lucky but for now, here are a few pictures of our sweet Lucky girl. WE WILL MISS HER!

SMILING LUCKY

HAPPIER TIMES FOR LUCKY

LUCKY AND ABBY

FOR MICHAEL

Mallory sent me an email that was called smile. It was really cute and it did make me smile. I scrolled down to a quote that is so funny because it is something we tell Michael often to help him with his self confidence. (He needs it sometimes.) So here it is. (Sorry it's a little blurry, it came that way.)

A MAN OF EXAMPLE

I was reading on Laura's blog and she wrote a wonderful post about life and not taking it for granted. To start living for today. She is related to the Cardall family who recently lost a son/brother. They also have a son Paul who is waiting for a heart transplant. If you want to read a truly inspiring blog, go to his. (I'll list it below) It shows his incredible faith and endurance. There is also a beautiful tribute to his brother Brian. This is the family of Duane Cardall who is a Sr. Executive with KSL. Anyway, I will leave you with this quote that was on Laura's, that was on Paul's. I hope it is okay that I am borrowing it. Anyway, here it is.

"Stop waiting for life to come tomorrow, begin living today. Don’t miss what’s NOW because you are looking for what’s NEXT!" Paul Cardall

Go to LIVINGFOREDEN.COM to learn more about Paul and his battle for a heart transplant. Go to http://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com/ for his inspiring words and tributes. You won't regret it.

CRAZY WEATHER & DESTRUCTION

Okay, let me explain. I was sitting at the computer this evening working on the RS Newsletter and I could hear the wind outside just going nuts. It even scared Kobe. I thought I heard noises of the garbage cans being blown around so no big deal. Then sweet Heather Hardle calls me to tell me that our basketball stand/hoop has blown over and into Mallory's back window. Oh, so that was the loud noise I heard. Not the garbage cans like I thought. So I went outside to check out the scene and yep, the back window had a basketball hoop stuck in it and the window was shattered. Meanwhile, my whole family is away. Cameron is at Scout Camp and Troy and Mallory are in Logan doing the MS Bike ride and Michael took the boat up to Bear Lake. So, I am home alone and thinking what can I do? So, I tried to call our great friends the Rigby's and they weren't home so I called our other dear friends the Schroephers. Justin was more than happy to come down and help me take care of it. He was so incredibly helpful that it made me want to cry. He was just so sweet about it. He pulled the hoop out and we both wondered how Michael's car wasn't even scratched by the ordeal because his car was right next to Mallory's. He didn't even get a scratch. Anyway, I was very worried about Mallory's car getting all wet inside because of the rain, but good ole handy Justin, moved things out of the way in the garage and was able to pull Mallory's car into the garage. Then he proceeded to shop vac the glass out of the back of Mallory's car. He went totally beyond the call of duty. We are so blessed to have such good friends. Ones that I can just make a phone call and know that they would do whatever it took to help me. So, bless you Justin for saving me from this because there was no way I could have physically done what he did. You have earned bonus blessings tonight. I would have taken pictures, but unfortunately, I LOST MY CAMERA IN SOUTH CAROLINA! So, I am little bugged about that. So that was my evening. I hope the rest of you were able to weather the storm without any mishap.

OKAY....HERE ARE THE PICTURES....SHEESH!

Thanks to my "nagging" daughter I am finally getting around to adding pictures from our trip. But sadly, I lost my camera while in South Carolina so I had to wait for Mallory to get these pictures downloaded. I had some really cute ones on my camera too. Oh well. Sniff, Sniff. I'm too old to remember exactly what pictures I had on there so I guess it's no big loss except for the camera itself. Enjoy these few pictures of Mallory and I in SC. Remember, I was sick and so these aren't the best of me.

Mallory happy to be there!

If you like Boiled Peanuts, this is the
best place in SC to get them!

My sweet Mallory always happy! I look sick and
ready to go to bed.

"Five Guys, Burgers and Fries" Awesome!

Gary and Lorna. Gary showing you his "5"
for Five guys! (He ate paint chips as a child)

This is the famous "Rocket" at the fairgrounds.
If any of us kids ever got lost, we knew to
meet our parents at "The Rocket".

Beautiful Mallory
(on the way to the reception)

Mother & Daughter on the way
to the Reception! It was so hot
and humid!

Whitney (The Bride) and Grandma Mona

My Dad with a family Friend John Keller

Mallory and Grandma Mona

Bride and Maid of Honor
(The both looked so Beautiful) Did I
mention that Mallory caught the bouquet?

Mallory's first time to eat Real Crab!
(She isn't a seafood lover)

I think this was at Bennett's Calabash at Myrtle Beach.
Best known for their Seafood. Mmmm Good!

Does Mallory look a little sunburned?
Too much playing in the ocean.

Lorna and Mallory. We had so much fun
at Myrtle Beach with them.

Giving my Daddy a big hug and kiss before
we leave for the airport. I always hate to
say goodbye to my Daddy. I love him so much!