Hansen Girls' Get-together

What a fun tradition! Those who missed out can hopefully be with us next year. On August 18-19, 2009 we met at Marenda's place where we just enjoyed being together without husbands or children. Those present. Janice (the mom), Serena, Trina, Marenda & Shanda (daughters) and Kalen & Trysten (granddaughters).

Making Apple Cider

While we were in Michigan the latter part of September and the first part of October, we helped Thayne with his first ever experiment on making apple cider. This first picture looks into the back yard from the garage. It doesn't show well, but there are two good sized apple trees - one has red apples and one has yellow apples







This is only about half of the apples we actually got off from the trees. This is what we had to work with the 2nd day we did the cider.


I mostly worked in the house cutting up the apples and getting them ready to run through the press. On the bar are freezer containers already filled with fresh apple juice.

Thayne borrowed this rather simple apple press from a friend.




Thayne first ran the apples through a cutter that chopped them up into small pieces.

















When the basket made of open slats in a barrel shape with a mesh bag within is filled with chopped apples, the bag is closed and a round wooden disk was placed over it and, under pressure, the juice is squeezed out and runs into a pitcher that is below the tray.


The apple juice was then taken in and strained and put into bottles and frozen for future enjoyment.

Paxton's Baptism

On Saturday, October 3rd, 2009, we were privileged to be in Michigan for the baptism of Thayne's son, Paxton. This was a choice time for us and we are so grateful we could be a part of it.



















Paxton is backed by powerful men.
Here his grandfather - David Stanley, his father, Thayne Hansen and his grandfather - Garth Hansen gratefully share in this special time.




Add the women to this distinguished group -
Annette Stanley, Jenny Hansen & myself - Janice Hansen and Paxton is surrounded by a lot of love & joy.





Even his sisters -Dana, Shelby were very happy for Paxton






This is truly a lovely family - gathered for a very special occasion.
Dana, Jenny, Thayne, Shelby and Paxton Hansen on his baptism day




No special day for Paxton would be complete without Paxton's Aunt Serena, Uncle Blair and Stephanie.

Harding Birthdays

We have been privileged to be invited to join the Harding family for several birthday celebrations in the past month and a half.


It started on August 16th with Caleb's 6th birthday. Trina made him this beautiful aquarium cake.




























On September 23rd Sheridan celebrated his 12th birthday. He wanted a cheesecake and Trina out did herself on this beautiful, yummy delight.











Mitchell turned 3 on October 7th and he had a "pumpkin" birthday.


Here Caleb, Mitchell and Addie are painting pumpkins.








Here is a close-up of Cale and his creation.
















Addie chose a large one and used every color she could to make it "beautiful".

















Here are the finished products.












Next, there were fun games with pumpkins out on the deck.

Caleb is tossing a ring to get it to land on the pumpkin










Caleb and Marcus do "pin the stem on the pumpkin"























Candy pumpkins were hidden around the living room and the children went on a hunt for them.












Addie found one up on top of the piano.












Mitchell is very happy to join in the hunt.


















The last activity was to create their own "beautiful" pumpkins by putting shapes and colors on the sticky side of a pumpkin cut out of clear vinyl.





Marcus is showing off his creation.





It's time for the treasure hunt and Mitchell was very sharp as the clues were given him on a pumpkin. He ran to the spot and found another pumpkin with a clue and finally found his gifts.








Mitchell is a very happy boy. .











He had a special meal of make-your-own pizzas with finger jello and vegetables









He had a wonderful day BUT . . .






The thing he was most excited for of all, was to be able to have everyone sing Happy Birthday and let him blow out the candles on his pumpkin shaped cake.

Kasen's Two Year Birthday

Birthdays are always fun. Marenda had her patio decorated with the birthday signs I had made for them and with balloons.


Garth was helpful and cooked the meat for our luncheon meal.





Marenda and our Happy Birthday Boy.













Garth was the "man on rope" for the car pinata. It was a challenge to make sure the little ones got equal chance to hit it.






























And then- much to the children's delight - there was candy everywhere!


















I was very pleased with the cute birthday cake Marenda had made with her cake decorating set she received for her birthday.








Kasen is having a lot of help to blow out his candles.