I always think about these really deep issues, or thoughts, or subjects to dive into.. But by the time I sit down to actually get anything written I have a "derrrrrrr" sort of moment and just wind up filling you in on the Hansen family happenings.
Which is mostly my way of jogging my own memory so I don't forget everything, all the time.
Bear with me..
We had a pretty amazing end of 2013 and start to 2014. Wonderfully busy, like we tend to do.
Nic and I celebrated our 3rd year of marriage. Kind of hard to believe it has only been 3 years! Ha. I mean that in a good way, of course. It feels like we have been through and walked through so many things together... It just seems unreal that it has all taken place in such a short amount of time! If this is what we have already seen in 3 years, I am so excited to see what the next 50 look like! We had a lovely night at home with some ordered in sushi and homemade pav's. In case you didn't know, we actually served pavlova at our wedding instead of traditional cake. We didn't save the top tier or anything like that, because frankly, pavlova is too delicious to even THINK of not eating it in its entirety from the moment it leaves the oven. It's true. Don't believe me? You should try it. Nic bought me some amazing new shoes (that I only just became brave enough to try out in public) and I surprised him with a special wedding album! We do pretty well when it comes to surprising each other.
Thanksgiving brought some visitors to our little corner of Manhattan, with lots of fun moments. Early morning rushing around for the Macy's parade, forgotten important details (ahem, like plugging in the crock pot over night.. And charging the air mattress blower ahead of time..Guilty on both counts) lots of good food with lovely people, city sight seeing, game nights and plenty of laughs to go around.
{Lottie Love's first Times Square Experience... She was unimpressed..True New Yorker, I tell ya ;) }
Then came December! We did lots of online Christmas shopping, some potty training and travel like you wouldn't believe. Lottie had her first airplane ride and it went much better than anticipated. There were some still tears shed but nothing that couldn't be solved with a little bouncing and walking around in the back of the airplane. And in his true form, Hudson took to having his first trip with his own guaranteed seat (that we had to cough up full fare for each time.. Ouch.) like a pro. Sat in his seat, watched Cars or practiced his alphabet and puzzle games on the iPad, sipped on some apple juice, colored, played with Hot Wheels on the tray table.. You'd think he'd been born to do this sort of thing!
First stop was Oklahoma where we got to see Dallas dwelling newlyweds Mark and Laura, and Kenny for a fun day of pre-Christmas festivities including go kart racing and playground time. We "endured" a week of hotel living with two young babes while Nic worked a busy week of meetings and Christmas parties. Room service, movies on demand and maids every day? I can't complain.
Then came the treck to Albuquerque, what is usually about a 6.5 hour drive turned into a 13 hour fight against Mother Nature. Luckily, we'd rented a Tahoe. So we had the upper hand. But we started the morning off with about an inch and a half of solid ice covering the roads, foliage, street signs, Starbucks.. everything. Thankfully Nic had thought ahead and parked in a garage the night before so we didn't start off needing a chisel and a hammer to get ourselves into the truck! We inched our way out of Oklahoma into the panhandle, where we briefly stopped in Amarillo to see an old friend from our time in Kansas City.
We'd met him at his work and it started to snow so we set back out to head into New Mexico all the while trying to plan a spot to meet up with my cousin who was making her way from California to Texas with her hubby. Which we did, after picking up a stranded young couple and their baby who was not much younger than Charlotte! I am so thankful God was able to use us to get that little family to safety. I can't imagine being stranded in freezing cold weather with young babes. We were the only people to stop in over 2 hours of them being stopped on the side of the road! After getting them squared away we found a funny little truck stop that had an antique car museum inside to meet Michelle (Faye!) and her honey, Noah! I wish the visit could have lasted longer, I mean MUCH longer, but it was so so great to see them nonetheless. I am related to easily some of the most outstanding people on the planet. You can quote me on that one.
We finally arrived in Albuquerque where we kicked off the 2 weeks with a big scare (thanks a lot Kenny ;) ), a surprise drop in from the newlyweds, and the first family photo NOT taken at a wedding in years. Ha! We had a few days with the whole family all together (all 13 of us!), complete with the most magnificent rendition of O Holy Night to ever hit Albuquerque, a train set to bond 3 generations of males (Pops, bros, Nic and Hud), grandparent babysitting, Gravity Park, epic Secret Santa and stocking gifting, annnd eating. There's always lots of eating.
After Mark, Laura and Kenny made their way back to Dallas, the rest of us ventured up to Taos for some long-awaited slope adventures and overnight trip. I hadn't been on my board in 4+ years, Matt and Bri were about the same, and Nic had never touched skis... After some gentle coaching from Kev, and a bit of patience from all parties we all made it down and got our bearings reigned in for a really fun day! My parents were kind enough to hang around at the hotel with the kiddies so we could venture out on our own. Turns out the magic mixture to calming Charlotte down is dancing and bouncing around in the front seat with Pops to really loud 1970's rock.. That's my girl. Here's to hoping it doesn't take another 4 years to get me back on the slopes!!
The rest of the trip included, but was not limited to; Cards Against Humanity, an obscene amount of boxed wine, Mexican ribs, the pungent smell of pipe tobacco, wood fired pizza, guns, visits with old friends, ice skating, target practice, playground time, car seat anxiety, car borrowing, coffee, unnecessary break downs in communication, family time, sibling time, movie time, unsupervised Redbull consumption by a minor, hiking, discussions, wiener dog wrangling, UFC fights, RONDAAAA, buffalo chicken, New Years Eve sans babies, grandparent bonding, aunt and uncle bonding, brunching annnnnd eating. There's always lots of eating. ;)
{these kids were spoiled by all their aunties and uncles!!}
{Ba-nana and her Lottie girl}
Suffice to say, I really love my family. I have some amazing brothers and they picked out some really wonderful sisters for me. (Take your time, Kenny. There's no rush!!) You don't realize it much growing up but your years all spent together, living under one roof, really are priceless. We'd never make it out alive if we tried to do it now, of course, but it is really nice when we all get back together.
I am so thankful to have been able to go for so long and be with my family! It was so great to see my children getting to spend time with my parents and siblings.. They're just such precious moments that we can never get back. So I am thankful for that. Can't wait for the next big Mullaney family get together. Maybe by then one of my bro's will have finally hopped on the baby bandwagon and have made me an auntie!! A girl can dream, right?
Anyways, just as we had left NYC in a blizzard we tried to return in a blizzard.. I don't know what we were thinking. Travel on the East Coast this time of year is just crazy.. We made it home around 4am on the 4th and have since made efforts to adjust back to our routines and life.
I think that should be all for now. Much love, and God bless!
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