The end of the SCHOOL year (I guess thats MAY)

You know its been an interesting few weeks...both VERY GOOD and VERY BAD...for now I think I'll leave the bad out...well maybe. With me you never can tell what I might say or do!  I kind of have a mind of my own...well and a mouth of my own...it kind of has gotten me in trouble over the year......

Oh well, life does go on!!

But to start with the GOOD!! 

Its really a CRAZY thing!!  As many of you have probably have heard by now and if you haven't well then you must have your head in the clouds... you might want to come down...cuz its kind of exciting... the Gassaway house hold is going to be getting a VERY FUN and SPECIAL Christmas gift from Santa this year...thats right!! My Baby girl is going to have a BABY.....

DID YOU ALL HEAR ME!!!! 

CAYLA IS HAVING A BABY!!! Isn't that so EXCITING!!!  OK, not to leave Craig out he did help!!  But Cayla, my baby!!  No, really, its the best thing EVER!!  Well until the next time!!  So they are due December 23...So Seth is hoping for a December 17th day cuz he thinks it will be kind of cool if the baby is born on his birthday, cuz then he thinks he will be the coolest Uncle around.  So who knows we just might have a Christmas baby!  Guess we'll all have to wait and see! Seth was due on Christmas but I had him early and he's kind of hoping for the same thing...lets wait and see what happens together!!  Who knows maybe Seth will get either the BEST birthday presnt ever or the BEST Christmas gift ever...either way December is gonna be FUN this year!!

The next big thing is Joshua's 8th grade promotion.  ------- (I'll work up to that for you)

It was a pretty big end of the year for him...you see he decided to play for his school baseball team this year...the COMETS!!  They took second place in the district!!  Pretty AMAZING if you ask me...but of course you didn't but I'm a mom so I told you what I thought anyways!  He played outfield...usually right field but every now and then he played left...his favorite place is Right, lots of action out there he says. 

He was also very active in NJHS this year...Thats National Jr Honor Society...is pretty much been active in this since 6th grade... he did  have fun with some of the volunteer work they did, like when he worked in a haunted house during Halloween time!  He came home every night looking pretty gross...grosser than normal for a boy his age! 

His 8th grade class took a lot, and I mean a lot of trips this year but I think the coolest and the funnest trip for him was the last trip they took which was to Catalina Island!  Of course it was educational but it was also FUN as he put it!  They showed him that education can be fun!  They did so much stuff...snorkeling, hiking, there was animals, they learned about the environment.  They left at midnight and got home 3 or 4 days later at the same time. 

Then the next day was promotion day.  It was a bit more relaxed then I thought it would be but all the same he was glad it was finished!  The next chapter to his life begins and he starts HIGH SCHOOL!   Hes very excited!  Of course after the promotion we headed out to his favorite eating place...of all the places on earth my kid could go to...where does he always want to go...for birthdays...for anything...lets see...ummm...RED ROBIN, YUMMM...yep thats it!!  What a typical GUY!!! 

Not to leave Seth out but on the last day of school they has an awards Assembly and during the months of April and May our school was doing a bike safety program...they were having people come from the Goodyear police department and from the Phoenix Suns and the Coyotes and just everyone during different times. During the month they would give out awards if you were waring your helmet and stuff like that.  You had to walk your bike in the cross walk and everything.  Pretty much everyone would do what they needed to do.  It was a pretty good program.  Well, how do you pick winners then if everyone one is doing it, I think it would be pretty hard, well somehow Seth got pick for always being polite and he won an award, plus a gift card to one of his favorite restaurants, applebees.  Your probably wondering why its his favorite restaurant.  Well, my kido loves soup and salad and they serve a soup and salad during lunch.  But at times Seth can be very charming to others and can win anyone over with those dimples of his...well anyone BUT his mother and father that is!! 

So during the month of May as you can see we did have so pretty good things happen...like I said there was some pretty bad things, but adding in the good I'd say it was a wash...well maybe...I'll have to wait and see.......CUZ everyone who knows me...knows I see the glass as half empty instead of half full...I know, I'm working on it...ok really I'm  not but I thought I would add that little bit to make us end on a postive not!  Yeah Me!!! 

Those songs....

We all have those certain songs we hear that remind us of our youth, places we lived, those we had curshes on, places we visited, etc...don't say you don't cuz I know you do, we all do!  Well one of those songs came on tonight and it got me thinking, again, I know thats hard to believe...

BUT...

I wouldn't want to relive my youth or childhood, I'm not saying it was bad at all, but I wouldn't want to relive it...

...but sometimes I wish I could have the less complicated life I had back then!  Looking back at some of the things I had to deal with during my childhood and youth years, my life was so much less stressful and less complicated than it is now!  Sometimes how I wish for those days!  Back then I thought my would would fall apart over the littlest things, if only I knew!  If only I knew then how life would be as an adult! 

Leave it to an old song to bring back old memories! 

Deep thoughts while driving...

I know, me have a deep thought...well it has been know to happen sometimes, not often mind you but sometimes.

This thought came to me Sunday on our way to church.  So at around 1 a.m DJ got called out to a pretty bad accident.  He got home at around 8 a.m.  Which is when we usually leave to church but of course we decided to wait for him when he said he was on his way home...currently we are a one family vehicle, with our one vehicle that's working have problems (that's a long story for another day)...but anywho....

We waited for DJ to get ready.  He shaved and showered, which trust me after working an accident all night is an important thing to do.  Then he got dressed for church and we were out the door within 20 minutes...not bad at all, we were only 5 minutes late for church.  Now DJ barely went to bed at around midnight.  Its a bad habit hes gotten into so you can imagine just how tired he was.  But he was ok on our drive to church...it was when he started slowing down that the lack of sleep started catching up with him...sacrament was very long for the poor guy, but lucky for him he had to run to a few other wards to meet with some Bishops so that kept him awake til we got home!  

As we were driving to church, DJ started telling us about the accident, mainly cuz he wanted to use it as a teaching tool for the boys.  

The accident was actually two different accidents connected together.  A drunk was involved in the first accident, which was pretty bad and then someone using drugs was in the second one, hitting into the first accident causing it to spin out of control.  But in the second vehicle involved there was a lady who may not live and if she does she wont be able to breath on her own ever again...why, one reason, she wasn't wearing her seat belt.  

So of course DJ took this opportunity to talk to the boys about the importance of always wearing their seat belts.  

But it got me thinking...no comments now about thinking...but wearing your seat belt is such a simple law, which we have to protect us.  When we obey this law then we will be safe, but if we break this law, there are consequences, such as a loss of life or something simple like a ticket.  In this girls case it might be the latter.  

Its like the laws our Heavenly Father gives us to help protect us.  Most of these laws, commandments, guidelines, rules, whatever way you want to look at it are so very simple...like reading our scriptures, saying our prayers, attending our church meetings.  If we don't obey these very simple laws from our Father in Heaven then we can't return to him, we wont have his spirit with us always, etc...BUT if we obey these laws we will receive the greatest gifts ever...the gift of eternal life, to return home to our Heavenly Father, to be an eternal Family, to have the atonement in our lives!  And so much more.  Just by doing the simple things our Heavenly Father has asked us we will be protected!!!  

So why is it these simple laws sometimes can be so hard to follow, when there is so much at stake!?!?  Like this girl, it was such a simple law to follow but she took it for granted and now has to deal with the consequences of her actions, however sad they may be.  Its the same with us. We sometimes take these simple commandments for granted.

So there you have my deep thought for the day!  Follow the commandments our Heavenly Father has set for us.  Really they're not that hard, we just make them hard!   

One month down-11 to go...

Hard to believe we are already over a month into 2012!!!  Already this year has been a busy year for our family and if it continues this way then maybe...just maybe this year will go by fast!!  Which by the way I'm hoping for cuz then Josh will be in high school and maybe life will be a little bit less stressful and crazy for him...oh wait, poor guy, hes my son...life will always be crazy and stressful!!   

The month of January had DJ having surgery (he recovered just fine, so no need to worry about him), me heading to Disneyland with my Aunt and cousin (fun fun fun), pinewood derby for Seth (might I add his last one!!), I think 4 maybe 5 major projects Josh needed to do for school (over kill if you ask me!), issues with our truck and the engine we got but now need to return, which now makes us a one vehicle family.  Plus Scouts (they seemed to have something every time we turned around, merit badge stuff), cub scouts (that in itself is a very long story but one I don't think I'm ready to share yet), long work outs with Teresa and it seems like tons of other stuff!  This was just the month of January! Crazy busy month!!   

It really seemed like something everyday and every week during January.  I'm telling you if the rest of the year is like this...I'll be happy that its going by fast...but at the same time I will be stressing wishing for a time to slow down!!

Heres to February!!!  BRING IT ON!!!  I just might of dug my grave with that statement...oh well...BRING IT February!!!

2011 Christmas Letter

Dear Family and Friends                                                                                                                   December 2011

                You know it happens every year & this year was no exception…The Holidays kind of snuck up on our family!! Every year we say it’s not going to happen & BAM!! Here we are half way over with December already!

                This year seemed to be a more trying year not only for our family but for many of our extended family and friends.  But isn’t it funny the blessings that come from our trials and tribulations.  As we approach this coming year, I hope we remember those blessings.

                This year seemed to be a busy year for us and the kids…and when I say kids that includes Cayla and Craig.  Between Church, work, sports, scouting, military, school…oh and moving, it’s no wonder the year flew by! And that was only mentioning a few things.

                Yes, it was that time again…time to move.  We find ourselves in Goodyear, up in the Estrella Hills.  This meant a new school for the boys and a new Ward for us for church.  We are really enjoying the area so far.  It’s a very active community.  Everyone enjoys biking and running.  Our family has taken up biking, which we are loving.  Suzi has started running, which she hates but it helps her in training for her vertical marathons she does every year. DJ has always been active so this area is great for him.  The wild life up here is amazing…both good amazing and bad amazing!  So far we’ve seen it all (in our neighborhoods I might add)…rabbits (in our yards even), ground squirrels, woodpeckers (which Suzi has a love hate relationship with), raccoons, ducks, turtles, come kind of giant lizard, tarantulas (yes that’s the BIG spider), coyotes, bobcats(living in neighborhoods), mountain lions, and Suzi’s biggest fear of all time SNAKES!

We weren’t the only ones that moved this year.  Cayla and Craig moved to Tempe to live closer to the college and to work.  They have the cutest little apartment.  They love having their own place. Both of them are working hard in school and enjoying married life.  It’s hard to believe that in November they celebrated their 1 year anniversary.  Both of them work for ASU so living right next to the college makes it easy for them to get to work.  Cayla is also teaching dance, which she loves and helping a family friend who takes professional photos. Both of them are currently serving as Ward missionaries in their ward…it seems they can’t get away from that calling.  They had it in their last ward also, but they really do enjoy sharing the gospel with others!

The boys, Joshua (13) and Seth (10) started a new school this year.  Josh is now in the 8^th grade and Seth in the 4^th.  Both of them seem to be doing well.  The school they are attending has a lot of after school activities for the boys so they are very busy with those.  Seth just moved up into the Webelos in cub scouts.  He really enjoys cub Scouts.  For the last few months his mom has been his Cub Scout leader and he’s really liked having her as his leader.  Josh is working hard in the Scouting program.  This past summer Josh was selected for the Order of the Arrow and went through his Ordeal in the fall. He’s also a member of the Jr. National Honor Society at school and works really hard in that.  Both the boys really enjoy sports and keep mom and dad busy when they are playing games. 

DJ is still a Detective with DPS and for the last two years has been serving as the First Sergeant in his National Guard Unit.  He also teaches a class at one of the colleges here in town.  He’s currently serving as a member of the High Council for our Chruch. Between all of these he’s pretty busy but still finds time to get out and go hunting.  This year he was able to go out and he got his Elk which really made him happy!! DJ got to go to scout camp with Josh for the first time. He moved up to the Brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow. When Josh completed his Ordeal, DJ went and had them use the sash he got when he was Josh’s age for Josh. He’s getting ready the first of the year to have surgery on his left knee…he forgets he’s not as young as he use to be, so his body keeps reminding him!

Suzi just finished doing a vertical climb for the American Lung Association in November.  She cut almost 2 minutes off her time from last year. She works hard at trying to keep everyone’s life as normal as possible.  When we moved into our new ward she was called to serve as the Bear Leader in the Cub Scout program.  As always if Suzi’s life wasn’t crazy and busy she wouldn’t  know what to do with herself.  But sometimes she dreams of a less stressful life!

As always we hope this next year is less stressful for everyone.  We pray the Lord will bless your family and watch over you always. From our house to yours we hope you have a Merry Christmas and May your New Year be Fun and Happy!

All Our love, DJ, Suzi, Joshua and Seth Hansen

A day feeding the ducks...

We live in an AMAZING place...people riding bikes everywhere, people walking, running, you name it!  But one of the coolest things about this area is the two lakes we have...North Lake and South Lake.  At North Lake you can take small boats out on it and at South Lake you can walk around the lake, fish and feed the ducks...and thats what we did.  We met up with our best friends the DeGraffs and took a walk, played catch and feed the ducks!

Seth and Syd'a are best friends...

They can just sit and talk for hours...

They talk about EVERYTHING...

They follow each other everywhere...

Josh being a pill and chacing the DUCKS...

Fly away duckies, be free...

The kids found this tennis ball while we were walking

and decided to play catch, right over Teresas and my head!

We feared for our lives many times and the ball came sailing at us...

Josh thought it would be fun to throw it right at me...

Austin throwing the ball...

 Brenna getting ready to catch it...

Then the keep away game started...

Teresa proves MOMS are QUEENS of the WORLD...

Its the most wonderful time of the year...

I've said it before and I'll say it again, (I sound like Popeye the Sailor), but I really do love this time of year...Starting in October till December.  Life does get crazy but its so much fun!  I love decorating my house for each important holiday!!

I love dressing my kids up for Halloween and doing our traditional night.  The day starts with cooking the traditional meal...Stew and dinner in a pumpkin!  It cooks all day! Then at around 5:00 its time to get the costumes on and any scary make-up that needs to be added. (Yes, I put make up all over my boys)!  Then its dinner, in costume cuz people might knock on the door while were eating and you have to be ready!  Then its off to trick or treat!  We have so much fun going around as a family!  After trick or treating we head home and its time to sort the candy, and of course eat some!  HELLLLLOOOOOO thats the whole point of trick or treating...the CANDY!!  While we are doing that we watch Hocus Pocus!!  We've been doing this since Cayla was little and its all the kids have ever known!! 

The next day its up with the Halloween decorations and the Thanksgiving ones!  And of course its time to start listening to CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!  And watching CHRISTMAS MOVIES!!  I'm not trying to leave Thanksgiving out but there just really isn't any songs or movies that go with the holiday! 

The day after thanksgiving comes the funnest day of all...BLACK FRIDAY!!!  Now I don't go crazy spending money, but I love it cuz I'm with my friend Teresa having a blast...years ago I use to go with Kimmy when we went up to Idaho and it was a blast...when I stayed in town, I'd go with mom and again, had a blast!!  I just love spending it with crazy, fun people!  Oh and best of all "people watching".  Black Friday is the best day to people watch!  Just saying!

Then when I get home and I'm tired and worn out, its time to put up the Christmas decorations!!  I love decoration my house at Christmas time!  I watch the same movies over and over and I listen to the same songs over and over!  ITS GREAT!!! 

For the last 10 years or so we've been taking the kids to the Forgotten Carols.  Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't go!  Its like not having Christmas Music and Movies...and anyone that knows me knows I love my Music and Movies during this time of year! 

Then Christmas eve comes...all the family at my house for the biggest feast you've ever seen!  Just looking at it you'll gain 20lbs but oh is it sooooo good!!  And of course the traditional one gift  that you get to open that night and as always, since I was a little girl, its PJ's!  After everyone leaves its time to set the goodies out for Santa.  Sometimes our family gets a little crazy and we leave things like Rootbeer floats and things like that for Santa.  Don't think he gets tired of milk and cookies all the time! 

But then the part I hate about Christmas...some how I always have good intentions but I don't get the gifts wrapped so I'm up till sometimes 4 in the morning wrapping gifts.  I know you'd think I would learn by now, but I haven't! Someday!!

Then Christmas morning. The kids are always up by 4 or 5 (sometimes I would worry that they would catch us taking gifts down, but so far they haven't).  But they get up and they are allowed to open their stalkings!  Then they can play, watch TV or fall back to sleep till DJ and I get up around 6 or 7. 

Then its time for me to get the traditional breakfast cooking, cinnamon rolls and monkey bread!  Then while thats cooking off to open presents and trash the already trashed house! 

It takes days before we recover from this mess! 

Then its New Years Eve!  Something we started with Cayla and have just kept going...we prepare a meal, like from Christmas eve, with chips and dips and crackers and cheese.  Put a blanket out on the floor in front of the TV...get some movies and we stay up munching and watching movies till after midnight!  What a great night we have!  Its fun to see who stays awake til midnight...then at midnight we pop the sparkling grape juice and toast the new year!! 

Then the sad part really comes...its time to take the tree down (Forgotten Carols)...I try and hold  out for as long as I can...maybe even til Feb 1st but I do try!  I just love my tree so much I don't want to take it down! 

It really is the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!!