Merry Christmas from our House to Yours.

Pickles First Christmas.

Santa even brought Pickles a few goodies this year. Her favorite Christmas cookies and treats, some braided raw hide and a stuffed reindeer (which she already chewed off an ear and antler).

The Christmas Elf cooks up Christmas goodies.

As you all know, Dylan loves to cook and Christmas is the perfect time to be in the kitchen. Dylan made a few things before she tired out, or ate too much dough. She whipped up a funfetti cake, mini cheesecakes and snowball cookies all before our big Christmas Eve dinner. Dinner was yummy too- rosemary beef tenderloin, garlic mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus.

ICE!

What's Christmas without a little nip in the air? Since the weather outside was delightful and far from frightful, we decided to go out and find a little winter chill. The Gaylord Texan had an ICE exhibit and we headed there for a little boost of the holiday spirit on Christmas Eve. They keep it 9 degrees inside and everyone has to wear a parka to stay warm. Even all bundled up, Dylan started freeeeeezing toward the end.

All I want for Christmas...

Dear Santa,

We've been very good this year and hope you will reward us for all our hard work.

Hunter's Wish List:

• Wii Nerf Game
• Nightvision Goggles
• 39 Clues Book 2
• Sea of Monsters Book 2
• Lazer Tag

Dylan's Wish List:

• Pink Camera
• Gourmet Cupcake Maker
• Martian Matter Alien Maker
• Glitter Lava
• Hair Crush
• Two front Bottom Teeth

TWOthless.

Dylan lost her second bottom tooth while turning a cartwheel at her TNT class. She quickly stood up and spit it out. Now she is all snaggle on the bottom. Two cute!

Gobble 'til you wobble.

This year we hosted Thanksgiving at our house. A full feast and all the trimmings.

The day started with reading the paper and looking for all the goodies on sale and things to put on our Christmas list.

Two Gravies, One Bird

Chef Greg prepared the bird and tried a new gravy recipe (that wasn't very good and stunk up the house) as well as the traditional gravy (which was much better). Auntie Lavonda supervised.

Guest List

Grandma

Papa

Vic and Aunt Julia
Alec (no photo available)

and last, but not least..... Auntie Lavonda
the blonde in red who wouldn't look at the camera, but cooked up a mean Green Bean Casserole, Buttered Corn and a salad to die for.








And yes, we like pie - Pumpkin, Chocolate, Cheesecake Pie

What's Turkey Day without football. We were so excited the UT vs. A&M game was back on Turkey day and a win, a big win, made it dessert. Way to go Longhorns! What an exciting season.

Nutcracker

Karen and Dylan kicked off the holiday season by going to see Nutcracker on Sunday. A friend of Hunter and Dylan was selected to perform with the Moscow Ballet, so Dylan and I thought it would be fun to go see her dance. The ballet was at the old Majestic Theatre downtown Dallas and was a nice way to get into the spirit of the season. Emmerson did a great job and performed in our favorite ballet of all.

Happy Holidays!

Texans end winning season with 7-1 record.

The Texans wrapped up the fall football season Saturday morning with an 8am chilly game. Taking down the opponent 9-0. Both teams had only one loss going into the final game and the Texans finished on top. It was cold and early, but they fought through and won! Awards ceremony is Monday night where they will receive their Trophy. Great job! Way to play Hunter.

Keepin' it up!

The air was right for football on Saturday - a very cold, windy morning - and the Texans bring home another win. I think the score was 13 - 0, but I was blinded by the sun, freezing from the wind and totally lost track. A win no doubt. Only one more game to go and the season ends. It's been a lot of fun to play, watch and hang out with the other team families. But most importantly, Hunter loves it and has grown so much over the season. He realizes there is more than just a QB on the team and loves defense. He's great at sackin' the QB. That's his favorite move.

But to keep us going on Saturdays, Dylan started TNT (tumbling and trampoline). She was a bit shy at first, but ended up getting in to it. She took a bad fall on the mats and really twisted her neck, but she was a trooper and got going even before class was over. She loves the trampoline! and I think has a crush on Coach Andy. Don't tell her I said that.

Hunter has decided to take a break after football and not play basketball this winter. So now he will be free to clean his room and do more chores around the house. ;) He'll probably wish he was playing basketball.

Football. TNT coming soon. Basketball?

The Texans took home one more victory, winning 7-0. It was a really early game (8am) and it took the boys a while to get going, but they did it. Only two more games and both are early. Season tally 5-1. Go Texans!

Thankfully the Longhorns took home a victory against Baylor and are still #3 in the nation.

Dylan starts TNT (tumbling and trampoline) on Saturday. Football and TNT should keep us busy a few more weeks. Hunter is deciding if he will commit to winter Basketball. Times ticking and he needs to commit by Saturday.

Texans Win Again.

The Texans (in blue this week) got back on track this week with an 18-0 shut out. Hunter played awesome on defense, kept the offense at the line and eventually forced them to turn over the ball. He had three amazing sacks in a row and was on FIRE! He was also full-time on the offensive line insuring the receivers they move the ball to the goal.

The Texans are keeping a winning season 4-1. Too bad the Longhorns didn't pull off the win against TT or should I say even bother to show up. Geez! Not what you expect from the number one team in the nation.

Trick or Treat?

Halloween 2008 was lots of fun. Dylan dressed up as a Bratz Bat and Hunter was a giant skeleton and our house was the scariest on the block. Pickles even got in the spirit. We started our trick or treat stroll about 7pm and met up with Karen, Zane and Charles to Trick or Treat through our neighborhood. We made it back home about 9pm. It was lots of work, but everyone came home with a bagful of treats.

We survived...

...another football weekend.

The Texans (Hunter's team) may have lost the game, but they kept up a good fight until the end. All teams have an off week. Hunter had one great QB sack. Way to go Hunter! Texans remain 3-1 for the season. Thanks Grandma for coming to the game.

The Longhorns pulled out another win, but not without keeping us on our toes. Let's hope they are ready this week for the Red Raiders. We know TTRR will be ready for us. GO HORNS!

Texans remain undefeated.

Hunter had a great game Saturday. He is really getting the hang of it. He played all 4 quarters on offense and defense. He even "sacked" the QB a few times. The Texans got off to a rocky start, but came back to win 20-6. Keeping them undefeated, 3-0. Back at it Saturday morning and home in time to see the Longhorns take on OSU. Hook'em Horns!

Wiggle it. Just a little bit.

Dylan's first loose tooth. It's amazing what can happen overnight. We had just checked her teeth for wiggles and there was not a sign of movement. Nothing. The next night we checked again and one of the front bottom teeth was really moving around.

Dylan is so excited and scared and just can't stop wigglin' it.

Texans go 2-0.

Hunter's flag football team, The Texans, brings home another victory. Final score 6-0. They scored on the final play of the game with a Hail Mary pass to take them 2-0 for the season.

The Longhorns didn't look too bad either. Way to beat the hell outta OU! We ARE #1!

Party #2.

Hunter celebrated his 10th birthday - AGAIN. This time with friends. His first official sleepover birthday party. Andre, Michael and Zane came over Saturday evening to hang out. They played video games, ate up a Chick-Fil-A party tray like real men, devoured chocolate cake, Slim Jims, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, pretzels, candy corn and.... watched Iron Man and goofed off until about 2am. Back up Sunday morning for the breakfast of champions...donuts and sausage rolls. No joke these boys can eat. The 4 of them ate 12 donuts and 12 sausage rolls. And if there were more, they would've put those away.
Oh, did Imention Dylan was right in the middle of all the action.

She's tough enough to take on all 4 boys and Pickles.

19 - 6.

The Texans t'd off Saturday at 3:00pm. It was a warm afternoon, but a nice breeze kept us cool as we watched the 2008 Texans bring home their first victory. Hunter, #19 Red, played defense in the nose tackle position. All the boys played very well for the first game and only three practices. Rumor was the Jaguars were big, tough and expected to be a top team this season. The Texans showed them who was boss and took home a win. Final score: 19 - 6.

Double Digits.

Hunter is 10!

Opting not to have a "party" this year, Hunter went for the cash in lieu of party option and is excited about shopping and spending all his loot. The day started with the Hansen ensemble singing the wake-up birthday song, followed by a special lunch and guest at school (mom brought Chik-Fil-A) and then a birthday dinner at Fireside Pies.
Finally, he opened lots of presents and nibbled on birthday brownie and chocolate mint ice cream.

It was a late Monday night, but worth the smile on his face. Where does 10 years go?

Pickles recovery.

Pickles had surgery a couple of weeks ago, although it seems like much longer. She was spayed, had her do claws removed, had a growth removed and a quick-clip on her nails. Needless to say has been a mess. She is finally stitch, bandage and cone free. And last night even slept without a tranquilizer. She is back to making trouble and acting like a 6-month-old puppy again.

Football is in the air.

Hunter has his first football practice today and is super excited. His first game is on October 4th. Just three practices before game day. Game day should be fun.

Sweet & Sassy.

Hair, nails, make-up, dress-up, dancing, singing - party girls Dylan and Addison.

What's new?

With Greg: Busy at work and interviewing to add to his staff. Trying to lose weight so he can buy a Harley. (Don't ask.)

With Karen: Has been busy decorating around the house, especially in Hunter's room and just trying to stay caught up.

With Hunter: LOVES 4th grade and his new teacher. Getting ready to start his football season in a couple week. Still waiting to find out what team. He also has a big birthday coming up - 10!

With Dylan: Getting in the Kindergarten groove. It's been a challenge for her, but she is showing signs of adjustment and improvement. She loves all the homework and school supplies. She is going to a new friends birthday party on Saturday.

With Pickles: She is going to have her "surgery" on Friday. Maybe it will slow her down a little bit. We can hope, right?

19 Years

Greg and I will be celebrating our 19 year wedding anniversary on September 9. We are celebrating a little earlier and getting away for the night. Just headed across town to the Westin Galleria and a nice dinner at Fogo de Chao and maybe an un-kid movie.

Erica had her baby!

My long-time friend Erica had a sweet baby boy - Drew Hudson. Who knew such a small girl could have such a big baby - 9 lbs. 9 oz. and 21.75". He is super cute.

Labor Day.

We started the day cleaning up the backyard. Afterall, it is Labor Day. Greg cooked a brisket and ribs and we mixed that up with red potato salad, grillin' beans (a huge family favorite), olive bread, squash bake and homemade pineapple orange ice cream. We enjoyed the last long weekend for a while in the pool and watching pickles wear herself out swimming.

Back to School.

Hunter is back to school and Dylan joins him this year. They were both really excited on the first day and couldn't wait to get with it.



Hunter back with a couple of ol' familiar faces.

Dylan waiting to get through the doors.

More time on the lake.

Dylan joins the fun on Lake Waco with Papa and Nana. She even caught a cute little one. Hopefully she doesn't try to make it a pet and keep it in her room.

Should we call him Fisher?

Hunter did some fishin' with Papa at Lake Waco. What a catch!

Braces

Hunter has been living with expanders in his mouth for the last three months and now he also has braces. Poor little guy. His mouth is sore, but he's not one to complain.

Before


After