Fish Story

Brian and his good friend Trey took their first fishing trip of the season on Tuesday night. They go fishing quite a bit during the spring, summer, and fall. Brian loves to fish at Strawberry because of the fond memories of when we used to "catch" not just "fish". The last few years have left Brian with many fishing stories and no catching stories. But, Tuesday night was an exception. He caught a GIANT fish (this is a fish story so I have to exaggerate a little). Just look, a few more inches and it may have swallowed Brian whole. In fact, that fish puts some sharks to shame. In all reality, the fish was a 20 inches cutthroat trout. From the looks of it probably crossed with some rainbow trout too. That is still a pretty decent catch. Definitely big enough to put up a nice fight and make for a GREAT trip. I am sure we will have may more fish and catch stories as the season continues. I am just so happy Brian was able to catch a fish and have a great evening with his friend!

Say Cheese!!!

Brian has decided our family needs to experience the finer things in life. Well at least when it comes to cheese. He has decided that we are going to buy a new and exciting cheese each week. Something we have never tried. I will take part of the blame for his new passion... if only I never introduced him to brie all those years ago. I am by far the pickiest when it comes to food. Those boys will all eat anything, even if it smells like FEET! This week our cheese came from Deutschland (Germany for all those who didn't take German for a whole year in middle school). It was called Butterkase. Brian, Josh and Xander all had a favorable reaction. Click on their names to watch their critique. Even Taffy got in on the action. She didn't say much though. I think the main consensus was it tasted like a creamy Swiss cheese. I stayed away from cheese tasting this week. Maybe next week I will be more daring.

Josh the Homerun King

2008 05 10 (156)b, originally uploaded by hansenbrian.

Okay... so this isn't a picture from the actual game where the home run was hit. I don't even have a video clip of it. Why? Because I have won the most forgetful mother of the year award and left the camera at home that day.

Our baseball star Joshua Brian Hansen hit is very first, over the fence, home run on Saturday, May 17th, 2008. It was the Astro's (Josh's Team) against the A's. I will set the scene (you will have to make a mental video) Josh told his coach before he went up to bat in the 1st inning that he was going to hit a home run. Coach Brett told Josh that the pitcher was too slow and it would be too hard to hit a home run. 1st pitch... right over the plate, Josh swings and..... MISSES! It's okay, baseball has 3 strikes you know. The pitcher winds up and what I can only explain as a slow motion moment the ball creeps towards the plate. Josh swings his bat from perfect stance and I hear the crack. The ball is headed toward left field... it is going... going... going... WHAT?!?!?!?! It is now bouncing in the parking lot!!!! Did that ball really just go out of the park?!?!?!?! I was so happy I think the next county heard me screaming. Josh hit a home run. He rounded the bases like a pro with a smile from ear to ear. He jumps on home plate to the cheers of his teammates. A lot of hi 5's follow. Then Josh gets to his coach still wearing that big old grin. And in true coach fashion he says "Get that smirk of your face!" Josh got to keep his home run ball and promises he will have many more!

Mother's Day 2008

2008 05 11 (123), originally uploaded by hansenbrian.

Mother's Day 2008 was GREAT! I woke up to my wonderful son's giving me a beautiful card and a necklace with matching earrings. They paid for it with their own money and made a great choice. No pictures of me and my jewels that day. I blame the camera man! All the kids (grown up kids that is) got together and gave Vicki/Mom/Bachan a digital photo frame. Lisa came up with a "This is your life" theme and we all ran from there. Everyone gathered pictures of Vicki over the years and Lisa did a wonderful job of scanning all the snapshots. It took some time but it was fun to go through all the old pictures and order them. In the end, I think the present was a success. We all looked at the frame flip through the pictures. All the grand kids really liked seeing their Bachan through the years. You can check out all the pics on the frame too.

Singing Xander

2008 05 15 (104), originally uploaded by hansenbrian.

Xander has been singing up a storm this spring. He joined the Midas Creek Elementary Choir and has had so much fun entertaining us. He had a patriotic program on April 9th, performed at his school's dedication on 4/15, had the opportunity to sing at Abravanel Hall on 5/7, and wrapped up his singing season with a program at his school on 5/15. They had a pizza party on 5/16 to celebrate the end of a fun year of singing. Check out the video of Xander and his friends doing a little dance. They were so cute the crowd cheered and the boys couldn't stop giggling through the rest of the song. Also, visit our Flickr account to see more pics. Brian and I have had so much fun watching Xander as a budding performer. Thanks to everyone who made it out to see him this year.

2008 05 08 Dodgers @ DRays

2008 05 08 (1014), originally uploaded by hansenbrian.

Xander playing 3rd again. The runner gets away but 2nd is coming fast. Missed the tag at 3rd but threw him out at Home.

Xander was so excited. You can hear Josh cheering on the side.

Josh and Xander have been practicing catching and throwing at home for a few HOURS a day. It all paid off.

2008 05 08 Dodgers @ DRays

2008 05 08 (1013), originally uploaded by hansenbrian.

Xander has been playing 3rd base. He made a great catch but missed the tag. He'll get em next time.

2008 05 08 Astros @ Red Sox

2008 05 08 (1003), originally uploaded by hansenbrian.

Josh had a great hit this game. Brought a runner in.