Gingerbread House

Our sweet friends, Troy and Becca, gave us a gingerbread house kit to do as a pre-Christmas activity.

Brian was in charge of the frosting and he got to decorate one side of the roof. The kids got to do the rest.

The kids with their masterpiece!

Brian with his beautiful finished product.

Boots

On Sunday the 19th, Wes and Sydney decided they were going to play around the house in my boots. Here are some pictures I took.

Pretty awesome.

They did this when I said, "Turn to the side!"

Strike a pose in those sweet boots!

I love these kids. They often make me smile. :)

Merry Christmas 2010

The Hanks Family Top 10 of 2010

1. Brian graduated with his MBA from University of Michigan where President Obama was the commencement speaker.

2. Brian accepted a job offer from Bank of America.

3. We moved to Charlotte, North Carolina.

4. We visited 15 states all across the country.

5. Wes ran his first race, Brian finished a half marathon in less than two hours, and Natalie qualified for the Boston Marathon.

6. Sydney joined Wes in nursery and in being diaper free.

7. We fostered a kitten, named Minnie, for a month.

8. Brian and Natalie celebrated their five-year anniversary.

9. Brian celebrated his 30th birthday by racing NASCAR stock cars.

10. We found out we're moving to Seattle.

Love,

Brian, Natalie, Wes, and Sydney

PS: Family picture by Katie Rees.

Playing Wii

The kids were helping Brian beat the ping-pong champion on the Wii.

Sydney was sporting some sweet glasses that Wes got from swimming lessons. I just think she looks cute in anything.

SPWS Christmas Program

I just noticed this is post number 500! That's 500 posts in about 3.5 years. That also means that I (we, occasionally) post an average of 2.7 times per week. Just in case you were interested. :)

Wes had his preschool Christmas program on December 16th. The 2-year-old class and both 3-year-old classes sang some songs and then they all sang together. After the program, we had a classroom party. Wes was really excited to have us there...especially his dad!

All smiles and ready to sing!

One of their three class songs. They are wearing jingle bell bracelets.

Singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" with the whole group. I'm not sure who he's pointing to. The girl with the Christmas tree shirt and blonde hair, Lizzy, is in our ward. She'll be in my Sunbeam class with Wes in January.

The potluck party. Sydney was most excited about the "mock-a-molee" we brought. (Wes calls it "brockin-molee" and he's not a fan.)

Wes with one of his teachers, Mrs. Hulighan.

Wes with his other teacher, Mrs. Morlacci.

Today as we were looking at these pictures I asked Wes if he was going to miss his teachers when we moved to Seattle. He said, "No, because they're happy." I don't think he meant they're happy he's moving, but they're happy people in general so they'll be okay without him. I know he really is going to miss them and his preschool though!

Birthday Number 29

This is the 5th of six birthdays that I've celebrated knowing that my next birthday would be celebrated in an entirely different city. The change definitely makes each birthday unique!

Since Brian had to work, I had my normal, day-to-day task of taking care of my kids. Luckily, I don't mind that too much, so it wasn't a big deal. I got a bunch of cards, texts, calls, emails, and Facebook messages, so that was great. (I, for one, think Facebook is awesome for wishing someone a happy birthday. I don't think I've had that many birthday wishes since high school!) It's nice to feel loved.

In the afternoon, I took the kids to the library and then Brian met us there for a bit. We all went home together and Brian and I made Caprese sandwiches (at my request, of course) while the kids played.

My sweet friend, Becca, brought over a birthday cake she had made and it looked way more awesome than the half of a lemon cake I bought at the grocery store bakery, so we used it to blow out my candles. Then we opened presents. Brian went above and beyond and with other family presents, I had plenty to open!

We spent the evening playing Just Dance on the Wii, which was one of the gifts Brian had given me. To my utter disappointment, Brian totally whooped me. I thought for sure Just Dance was a game I would totally dominate. Brian's just too good of a gamer, I guess. :)

During the day, we received a Christmas box from my Swensen grandparents that had this gumdrop tree in it. The kids had a great time putting on the gumdrops and only snuck a few.

My birthday song.

Me and my cute kiddos. Here are previous birthday pictures with them for comparison: 2009, 2008, and 2007.

The kids enjoying some yummy chocolate cake before heading to bed!

The Grass is Always Greener...

Let me preface this post by saying I think all of these pictures of me look pretty unfortunate. However, it's not a beauty contest, right?

I'm one of those fortunate few that can have the green grass on both sides of the hair-fence almost anytime I want. It just takes a bit a work for one side of the fence (straight) and I don't necessarily like the results on the other side (curly). I'm really grateful to have the options though.

So, for an early birthday present to myself, I got my hair semi-permanently straightened with a Brazilian keratin protein procedure.

The process took about 90 minutes. My stylist washed my hair, dried it 90% of the way, sprayed on the treatment, blow-dried my hair, and then flat-ironed it which seals the treatment into the hair cuticle (apparently).

The hardest part? Not being able to wash, get wet, or put my hair in a pony tail (or any clip or anything) for three days. Yike.

The treatment should last 3 to 5 months depending on how often I wash it. It slowly washes out as my hair grows out. It's nice to have it be semi-permanent to see if I end up missing my curls. I kind of doubt I will because I was pretty sick of them after so many years of dealing with them. Funny thing though, as soon as I sat down in the chair to get my hair done, four women (three of whom were stylists) were oooing and ahhhing over my beautiful curls. And then, poof! they were gone (my curls, not the women).

Before: wet hair.

After: wet hair. Quite a difference even with the same styling product.

Before: Dry (natural) and curly and big!

After: Dry (blow-dry) but not flat-ironed. Pretty straight and quite easy!

Our Next Skyline

This week we found out that we'll be moving to Seattle in February for Brian's next two rotations with Bank of America (16 months). It was our first choice, so we're super excited and really relieved! After five years of gradually moving further east, we'll finally be within driving distance of all of the members of our immediate family (except K&N who will hopefully be moving back west as well...eventually).

Brian will be working right downtown, so the hunt is on for family-friendly housing that's affordable without a super long commute. Sounds easy, right? ;)


Anyone with friends/family or personal experience in the Seattle area are more than welcome to contribute advice about where we should live!

Polk Historic Site

On Saturday morning, Brian took the kids to the gym and my parents and I went to visit the President James K. Polk Historic Site. Then we all hung out at home until my parents had to go to the airport.

My mom and dad on the land owned by President Polk's parents. These are structures from the era, but not the actual ones lived in by Polk.

Grandpa Swensen is reading and drawing for Wes (on a magna-doodle) and Sydney is getting sympathy for a hurt finger from Grandma.

We love you Mom and Dad/Grandma and Grandpa! Thanks for coming to visit!

Christmas at Latta Plantation

On Friday after Thanksgiving we went to the Latta Plantation. In the afternoon, we went to see Tangled. After the movie, we went home and put up our (mini) Christmas tree.

Grandma Swensen, Wes, and Sydney in front of the Latta Plantation house.

Cutie Sydney!

Brian teaching the kids how to shoot guns. No worries, they weren't real.

Grandpa Swensen and Wes.

The kids found a broom and took turns sweeping the empty cabin.

Setting up our Christmas tree. Our big one is in storage in Utah, so this one will suit us while we're here in Charlotte.

Thanksgiving 2010

We had all of our traditional things for Thanksgiving so we had a lot of food for five adults and two kids. (Brian has been thoroughly enjoying the leftovers.) We all had assignments (our personal favorites), so it wasn't too overwhelming. After cleaning up though, I told my mom that Thanksgiving isn't quite the same when you don't get to just show up to an amazing meal and then go take a nap afterward like I did when I was a kid.

Mom prepping the turkey the night before. (She was also in charge of the homemade stuffing.) Sydney was trying really hard to smile.

I accidentally turned off the oven at some point (as far as I can recall, I think I meant to turn on the light). We only had to push back the meal by about 45 minutes, but since Brian was hungry, we all agreed that he could start a new Thanksgiving tradition: pie before dinner. (Brian was in charge of the deviled eggs and Jell-o.)

Mom and Dad finishing up the mashed potatoes and gravy (my Dad's assignment). Sydney and Wes were enjoying their little table.

Dishing up the food. Hay mucho! (I was in charge of the Rhodes rolls, homemade cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, pumpkin cheesecake, and the photography. Costco was in charge of the pumpkin and apple pies.)

The guys - and Sydney - took naps while Grandma and Wes rounded out the afternoon with some puzzle time.

Around Town

On Sunday, we relaxed and then went to church.

On Monday, Brian worked, my dad went to the NASCAR hall of fame, and my mom and I took the kids to Target. In the afternoon, we had our family pictures taken.

On Tuesday, Brian worked, Wes went to preschool, and the rest of us went to Costco to get pumpkin pie and to the grocery store. Then we took the kids to swimming lessons in the afternoon.

On Wednesday, Brian went to work and the rest of us went to Imaginon (the library) and then met Brian for an Uptown tour (what they call "downtown" here in Charlotte) and lunch. Brian's cousin, Eric, came down from Washington, D.C. that night so the guys went to a movie.

Grandpa Swensen introducing Wes to the iPad. Wes was a fan. :)

Sydney relaxing with Grandma Swensen.

Having a puzzle is a tradition during Thanksgiving. Wes wanted Grandma and Grandpa to get the puzzle finished as soon as possible!

Wes and Sydney outside Imaginon. When Sydney walked away, Wes yelled to her: "Sydney, come read me!"

Grandma, Grandpa, Brian and Sydney at the library.

The Biltmore

My parents flew in on the evening of Friday, November 19th to spend the week with us for Thanksgiving. On Saturday morning, we got up and drove 2+ hours west to Asheville to visit the Biltmore Estate. Built in 1895, it is the largest privately-owned residence in the United States.

It was an amazing day. We spent some time outside enjoying the 70-degree weather.

The kids "earned" these giant suckers for being good while we toured the house.

My mom and dad in front of the Biltmore home.

The Charlotte Hanks family.

The kids wanted to ride the dog.

Sydney loved the animals in the little farm. She was really into petting the sheep. Wes tried it once, I think. I figured that was okay because I didn't want to touch them either. :)

Wes riding the tractor with a cool straw hat.

Sydney's turn!

Wes playing catch with Dad. We had a really fun day at the Biltmore estate!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey Day from the Queen City.

Love,
The Hanks