Almost there....

I am getting closer and closer to actually getting back on track with my blogging.


I am sure you are all excited.

Flashback Firday: Western Days

Last weekend, Valley Center celebrated Western Day's. We celebrated it up again with our church's parade. In honor of that, I thought I would share some "Western" pictures from Gunnar's past.

When I met Gunnar, he told me he "rode horses when he was a kid." I thought. "Big deal, I've ridden a horse before." A few years ago, when visiting my grandparents, we were sitting around having dinner and Gunnar started talking to my grandparents about horses. When he started throwing around terms like "stallion*" and "mare*" I knew he obviously had ridden more horses than I had becuase I don't really know horse terms. I put the * next to those words becuase I doubt those are the actual words he used. I don't really use horse terms and don't really bother to store them in my head, and therefore don't really remember what he really said.

Maybe a year or so ago, my wonderful mother-in-law, Carol, gave me a couple photo albums and a big stack of loose pictures from Gunnar's childhood that she thought we might enjoy. I was so excited. As I looked through the pictures, it became clear to me that when Gunnar casually said he "rode horse" he really meant that he spent years ridding horses and has horse skills.

For the purpose of this post I am only putting in pictures that are specifically western looking. Some other day I will post the pictures that are generic horse ridding pictures or from when he rode "english."

So here he is. The cutest little cowboy you ever did see. He rode in competitions, as did his sister, Sonja. Carol kept them looking sharp.
Up on his horse, who's name I forget, but I am sure Gunnar knows. Maybe Ironman?
I think these last two pictures are from Warner Spring (I think?) where they spent a lot of time and rode horses.
I LOVE this picture. The light, the horses, the cute kids.
Last, but not least, quite possibly one of my very favorite pictures of Gunnar EVER. I love it! Possibly it is my love for John Wayne, possibly it is my love for a great poser, or maybe it is just some recessive cowboy loving gene inherited from my grandparents. Anyways, I love love love his picture.
Obviously, God was already preparing him to pastor at Valley Baptist.

Flashback Fridays: 33 years ago today

Thirty-Three years ago today, in San Diego CA:

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

First Hair Cut

Grace had her first "real" hair cut. Maria gave her a little trim. Grace did a great job sitting still.

Why do we have all those toys?

Sometimes you wonder why we have all those baby toys. Especially when daddy's shoes and school books are right there for the chewing.

Purple People Eaters

There is a Hanson family tradition or legend about purple people eaters. I don't know the extent of it, but it involved everyone wearing purple at the same time.

We are kinda keeping the tradition alive. Except of course, I don't know the whole extent of it, of course. But we did all wear purple on good Friday to church. And we looked adorable.

Elizabeth was looking so stinking cute in her purple hat, I tried to get a couple pictures of just her. She was so happy and excited that it was hard for her to sit still.
Must be hard, being so cute!

Going postal

The week before Easter Grace and I mailed the Easter cards she and I had made together using potato stamps. We have so much fun together, and she is just so incredibly cute! She has enjoyed putting the cards in the mail the last three years, but this is the first year she could reach on her own....just barely!