Spencer's the Big 6

Spencer turned the big 6 on the 28th of April. Seriously, I have no idea where the time has gone! We celebrated by having a birthday party at the bowling alley last Saturday. It was a Star Wars theme so they did cosmic bowling. He had some friends from school there and they bowled, played games, had cake and ice cream, and opened presents. They had fun! Spencer and his friends got to go "behind the scenes" and see the "backside" of the lanes.

Spencer waiting to see how many pins he knocked down.

They even put pictures of him and his friends on the screens.

Spencer and his cake....yummy!

The kids enjoying their cake and ice cream.

He sat on the pool table to open his presents.

Wait for it.........wait for it..........

........ a new bike!!

He couldn't wait to get home and try it out.

On Tuesday (his actual b-day), we went to the Pizza Barn for dinner. Usually we'd have a family dinner at home but since Ali had a softball game, we went out instead. Nana, Grandpa, and Uncle Corey tagged along, too. We had dinner and a little cake and he got a couple more small gifts.

Spencer and Uncle Corey

Blowing out the candles.

Spencer, you are smart, sweet, and kindhearted. You are sensitive and truly care about other people's feelings, even though you still haven't mastered that sharing thing yet. You love almost every sport there is. Happy birthday, buddy! We love you so much and are so happy that you are part of our family.

Easter

Better late than never! This year our Easter was relatively small. Dave had to work and Tanessa was with her dad. Ali woke up in the middle of the night and was wide awake wanting to go check out her Easter basket. I was not very happy and commanded her to go back to sleep. Then Spencer came in at 6 and woke Ali up and it was all over after that. I was still not very happy but agreed to get up. At least Dave got to see them dig through their baskets before he left for work. After we hunted for eggs and got ready, we headed to church. I was met with a little resistance. Spencer said, "Do we have to go to church today? It's Easter!" My first thought was I am a failure but I KNOW my son knows why we celebrate Easter. So I had to bring him back to reality and tell him that if Jesus wouldn't have died on the cross to save us, then there would be no Easter. And if he couldn't remember that and be thankful then I would make sure that the Easter bunny never came to our house again. That kid! Tanessa got home in the afternoon and we went to my mom's house for dinner.

Spencer and Ali coloring their eggs the day before Easter.

Helping me make Easter cupcakes for the kids at church.

Spencer and Ali checking out what the Easter Bunny left in their baskets.

Hunting for eggs in the front yard.

Tanessa and her Uncle Corey hanging out......what's with the goofy face?

Fishing Derby

The weekend before Easter was the annual fishing derby. Spencer had been looking forward to this for a couple months. He loves fishing and was really hoping to catch the big money fish. I think he would've been happy if he'd caught ANY fish. Actually, they did end up catching a couple little fish on the last day but of course they weren't tagged. Dave even took him and Trey fishing the day after the derby ended to see if they could catch something. And.....still nothing! Spencer was glad to hang out with Trey though. At least they had some good father/son bonding time over the weekend. It was way too cold for the girls and I to be out on the boat that weekend and we weren't into fishing anyway. This was the only picture I got since we weren't out there with them.

Spencer's Egg Hunt

Last Friday, before spring break, Spencer and his class went to see their big buddies at the high school to go on an egg hunt.

Spencer was seriously running so fast, I could hardly keep up with him. Funny.

I made him stop and smile for me. He found the most eggs (hard boiled). There was candy all over the ground and he passed it all up for the eggs. I told Marcie he didn't even like eggs and I was surprised he wasn't grabbing any candy. Guess it's all about the thrill of the hunt.

Spencer and Trey stopping for a second to say cheese for the camera. After the hunt, Spencer was bummed that he didn't get any candy. The irony! So, he and Trey traded an egg for a candy.

Spencer and his big buddy, Carla.

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Last week was my birthday......the big 32. To start off, Marcie took me out to breakfast (kid free) and then to get my first ever pedicure. I have issues with feet but it wasn't bad. On the contrary, it was enjoyable. Who knew? Thanks Marcie, I loved it! Then I went to the Pizza Barn for dinner because Dave was working and the kids had practice. My mom gave me a gift certificate to go tanning. I always say tan fat looks better than white fat. And since my efforts to ditch the fat are constantly failing, I may as well tan it. Thanks Mom! I told Dave I wanted a hot tub for my birthday but he stood his ground and refused. I know......the nerve!! So, my second pick was to go to my favorite restaurant, Tokyo Hibachi, in L.A. by his mom and Disneyland for the day. We left Saturday night (after baseball all day) and played hooky from church (gasp!) on Sunday. But when we got to Disneyland, the line just to pay for parking was forever long and I said I'd rather stick needles under my fingernails (ouch!) than fight a crowd like that all day! So we went to Knott's Berry Farm instead. Spent more money but much less crowd. We did everything we wanted by 5 so we headed to his mom's and then to dinner. The most fabulous dinner ever! Fillet Mignon with the best fried rice. And they cook it right in front of you. Delicious! What a great birthday!

The Hansens

American Bobsled Team

Ali and Tanessa with Sally

Spencer, Ali, and Tanessa

Doing the hat dance

(Knotts' version of the tea cups)

Opening Day

Saturday was the kids' opening day for softball and t-ball. It turned out to be a beautiful day. Spencer is on the Giants this year and his dad is coaching his team. We have a really good group of kids and parents. Ali is on the Bulldogs and her coach is Steve. He is a good, but tough coach. Ali was bummed that Tayah wasn't on her team but overall she is happy with her team. Saturday's games were just practice games but both of them won and were excited about that. Spencer more so than Ali. We don't even have winners and losers in t-ball but you can be sure that the kids keep track. Everyone had a great day. Here are a few pictures.

Spencer is so excited!

Ready to make a play

Ali (2nd from the left) and team

Ali running to 3rd

Happy Birthday Brother!!

Last Monday was my "baby" brother's birthday. His 21st birthday. He came over and and we celebrated with his favorite meal....chicken enchiladas. Then we had his favorite cake.....chocolate! Which worked out good for me too since I love chocolate cake. And it was an "off diet" week which made it even better! For his birthday, he got money.....to help pay for his car's registration. Oh, the joys of being an adult!

Happy Birthday, Corey!