Birthday Pictures

I figured as tomorrow is Christmas Eve, I should go ahead and post my birthday pictures, as I am sure I will be posting about Christmas soon.

We started out my birthday morning by a trip to Starbucks. We just got up and went, which explains the sleepy eyes and messy hair. It rained all day, which is unusual, I have mostly had sunny birthdays.


We spent a restful afternoon and then headed down to my parents to drop Grace off and we headed downtown for a dinner date. I love Cafe Sevilla, my favorite Spanish food restaurant. It was so fun to be downtown in the rain.After dinner we picked Grace up, as my parents had somewhere to be. We headed over to Gunnar's mom house for a visit and to exchange some Christmas presents. Grace loves all Grandma Carol's jewelry and make up. She picked out the earrings she wanted to wear, although they were as long as her whole neck. She got to try on Grandma's rings too. All in all I had a great birthday. It was a happy fun day all around.

Belated Birthday Cupcakes

I was supposed to make Gunnar cupcakes for his birthday. But then the people from church surprised him with donuts. And who wants to eat donuts and cupcakes in the same day? Not me. So I didn't end up making cupcakes.

My memory isn't that great when it comes to things like that, plus I am not really into desserts. Gunnar on the other hand has the memory of an elephant (that is good, right?) and enjoys desserts. Plus, I think he secretly enjoys guilting me into thing. So after a particularly painful guilt trip Saturday I went ahead and made Gunnar cupcakes.

So I am proclaiming it loudly, here on my blog, so there is no doubt. I made Gunnar cupcakes for his birthday. And I was only two months late.

Happy Belated Birthday, Dick!

I first must apologize, because I totally forgot it was my father-in-law's birthday yesterday. I made the critical error of flipping my wall calendar over a few days too soon.

This picture of Gunnar as a baby illustrates my feeling exactly when I realized what I had done.

Anyways, I would like to take this time to official wish Dick a happy birthday. From the first time I met him, he kindly accepted me in as part of the family. He has also always been very generous to us, which I really appreciate, especially his helping out with Gunnar's schooling.Of course, we have had our disagreements, like whether or not labs are the best dogs ever, if blonds really do have more fun, if little planes are fun to fly in or not, or what kind of jokes are appropriate to tell a lady (such as myself) . All in all though, I really do love and appreciate him.

I really appreciate his laid back manor. I am thankful for all the financial savvy that he has passed on to Gunnar, and his helpful advice on our investments and such. I really appreciate that he didn't get upset with me when I scraped the side of his BMW trying to pull into my garage. I also appreciate his patience in answering all my questions about what the world was like back in the "old days". Oh, and I really also appreciate all the times he has taken me to Chinese food. I really like Chinese food. :)

I also must say I am thankful in advance for him taking me to the presidential inauguration (if McCain wins and if he gets invited). On a side note, don't forget to vote for McCain.

Without a doubt, I would have to say the thing I appreciate most about Dick, is his wonderful son. Gunnar is a great guy, and he would not be who he is today without his dad.

Dick, I hope you had a nice birthday yesterday. Sorry I am a day late on the blogging. :)

Happy birthday!

Birthday Fun

First all, I think I need to start working on better post titles. I think that may possibly be the third post with the same title in the last month. It seems like every time I turn around I am doing something birthday related. Oh well, after tonight, there should be a little break from the birthday celebrations.

Yesterday we went to lunch at Olive Garden with my mom, Ann and Elena. It was nice to have time together and to celebrate my mom's birthday. After we ate, we went to Yardage Town to buy some cloth so I can make my cutie niece a quilt. We stopped by Starbucks to cool down before we headed home. It was fun hanging out, although we missed Maria, who couldn't come because of school.

Here are some pictures from our day out.

Elena, slept through most of the festivities. What a party pooper. :)

Grace got to push Elena's stroller. She was SO excited about it.

In front of Yardage Town.

Fun statue on Grand in Escondido.
Girls at Starbucks.

Elena is not so sure how she feels about Grace kissing her head.Is that not the cutest thing you have ever seen?

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday.

I could go on and on about how much I love my mom and how wonderful she is (becuase she is), but I thought I would share two things that remind me of my mom very time I hear them.

The first is Proverbs 31:28
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

I think when you start out being a mom (as I am now) you don't really know how things will turn out. I think my mom tried to follow the Bible and the parenting principles as best she could not knowing then what would happen. Whatever she did worked, and her kids "arise and call her blessed". All four of us dearly love and respect my mom. All those long hours she put in raising us have not gone unappreciated (although I am sure none of us know the full extent of the sacrifices she has made for us) I hope that I can follow her example of a wife and mom devoted to her family. I hope that Grace will know that I love her as much as I know that my mom loves me.

My mom has prayed for me faithfully every day of my life. She has prayed for my future children. She prayed for for my future husband every day as I was growing up, and now continues to pray for Gunnar. I know my life, and that of my siblings (and our spouses and now our children) have been so much better because we have had someone loving us and praying for us faithfully our whole lives.

The other thing that reminds me of my mom is a song:

It says:

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

When I see these words I can hear my mom singing them. There is absolutely no question in my mind whatsoever that my mom believes this with her whole heart. So many of the sacrifices my mom has made (and there have been many) she has done because it will be worth it when she sees Jesus. My mom lives her life with an eternal perspective. I know I am not alone in saying that my mom's passion and love for Jesus has been a huge inspiration, blessing and encouragement.





Mom, there is no way to properly thank you for all you have done. I hope you have a wonderful birthday. We all love you so much!

Another Birthday Celebration

We finally finished the last of our month of birthday celebrations for Gunnar. Wednesday evening we had dinner at his step-mom's house. As always the food was good and we enjoyed hanging out and watching Grace be Grace. It was a beautiful evening so we sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful sunset. I love San Diego!

It's isn't as bad as it looks, it is just cranberry juice!

Carol made Gunnar's favorite, German chocolate.

Maria's birthday

For Maria's birthday we all got together for dinner and dessert. We went to Michael and Ann's and had pizza and opened presents. I was super excited because this year I actually thought of a good gift for Maria's birthday. Usually I am horrible at picking out gifts, so Gunnar comes up with the ideas. Gunnar usually goes for the funny, rather peculiar type gifts, so in years past she has been known to get a decent supply of packing supplies from us. This year, things were different. I thought of it months ago, and was even able to contain myself from spilling the beans. Strange I know. It's like I don't even know myself these days.

Here it is. The amazing gift and the amazing birthday girl.
We put some clothes on her to keep her dignity. Maria made the dress the mannequin is wearing.

Silly sisters!

Gunnar got some gifts too, but I didn't take pictures of them. He got a cool book on bbqing that looks like it will come in handy with his new grill that he loves.

After gifts we headed down town San Diego to Extraordinary Desserts. I have always wanted to go there, but this was my first time. Everything was beautiful and delicious.

The whole gang out front after a fun night.

Birthday Celebrations....

We celebrated Gunnar's birthday kind of like a turtle race....slowly and surely. Nothing too exciting, but a lot of little stuff here and there.

Monday we met my father-in-law out at Warner Springs. It is a hot springs resort that splits the difference between our houses. We had lunch, walked around, saw some horses and Grace and Gunnar went in the pool.Dick brought his dog Linus, who waited in the car for him.

Grace found this rocking horse by the real horse stalls. She was a big fan.

The sky was beautiful on our walk over to the pool. So blue with white fluffy clouds.

Thee generations of Hanson's

Gunnar spent most of Tuesday (his actual birthday) at Pastor's meetings. Tuesday evening as we were getting ready to have dinner, a bunch of the leadership from our church surprised us by showing up with coffee and donuts. They sang happy birthday, Grace blew out Gunnar's candle, and they hung around and talked for a while. Gunnar had to go do some stuff after they left, and by the time he got home Grace had already gone to bed. He did open his presents then, but I didn't take any pictures.
Wednesday evening we had his birthday bbq (that we were planning on having on Tuesday). We had stake and corn on the cob and hung out together outside. Gunnar watered his trees and Grace and I played with chalk. It was fun and relaxing being together.All in all, it was a nice couple days. I think Grace and I were more excited about Gunnar's birthday than he was. I hope he felt appreciated and loved, because really that is what birthdays are all about.

18 years ago today

I was standing in the Sandberg's kitchen listening to Daniel talk to my parents on the phone, and I found out the news. I had a sister! I remember being beside myself with excitement.

A while later Mrs. Sandberg took us to the hospital. I got to hold her by myself and was so excited. I remember thinking she was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen, with all that dark hair. Pretty much my opinion hasn't changed over the years.

Maria was the cutest little girl! She has always been super funny and amused us all. I remember Daniel and I lying to cover for her when she was little because we didn't want her to get in trouble. From the moment she was born I think she had Michael wrapped around her little finger. As the family has grown, so has Maria's fan club. Gunnar has known Maria since she was 9 and has loved being able to be a part of her growing up. Especially the part that included giving her lots of caffine and sugar to make her hyper. :) "Tia" is one of the first words Grace learned to say. Grace adores "Tia" and when she is around, really could care less if I am there or not.

2001 on our way to Mexico housebuilding, WAY too early in the morning

At the sing-a-long sound of music

Christmas on the Prado (we have gone every year...for the last 8 years)

Ann and Maria on one of their many photography outings

Maria and Michael last christmas

Maria and Daniel at a wedding this summer.

Grace and Tia share a laugh

Maria is incredibly talented and is generous in sharing her gift with others. Her artwork has brought joy to so many. The tree she painted on Grace's wall, the portraits, the dresses, the many free haircuts, the purses are some of the ways she has shared with others.


Maria is super helpful and hard working. She is compassionate and sweet. She is funny and can always bring a smile to my face. She has a heart after God and seeks to please him in her life and actions. If you know Maria (or if you frequent my blog) you know that it is easy to find good stuff to say about her, becuase she is so wonderful! To know Maria, is to love Maria! :) Watching her grow up has been a joy and a privilege.

Happy 18th Birthday Maria! I love you!