Soccer, soccer and MORE soccer!

Whew, if I was Leanna and Jared I would be crawling in to bed at 8:00 pm every night, man their schedule with the kids is CRAZY!
Last night two of the Things had practice and one had a game on opposite ends of town, so we dropped off Thing 2 and 3 at practice only to find out it had been canceled.  But they hung out, along with Willie, Popi and Jared and played at the fields while Kenz finished homework and we waited for the Cool Cafe to open up and went to dinner before Kenzie's game.  Fried pork chops were on the menu as Kenz requested for her outing!  And they sure lived up to the hype!  Along with the best mac n' cheese, creamed corn, mashed potatos and gravy, yeast roles, cornbread and green beans - good southern, down-home cookin' and it was amazing!  Also, the bread pudding wasn't too bad either.
After loading up on all this great food, we headed to Thing 1's game in Brentwood, about 20 minutes away - stopped for coffee at Dunkin' Donuts first though as we felt we could snooze at any moment --
Here's some pics from the game!  Kenz has some speed and touches the ball with great finesse, but was unable to score last night (maybe it was the fried pork chops!), but it was still fun watching!

Here's a few pics of the kids' playing around on the field at the game.

Also, the moon was full and was shining through the trees so brightly that I had to capture it!

Nothing like a moonlit Tennessee night!
More adventures to come...... Carter house, Delaney vs. Gillian and tattoos?

WE DID IT!!

 Leanna, me and Otto on our way to the car after the race

 We did it - Leanna and I ran our first 1/2 marathon and Otto ran his second.  Leanna killed it for her first time 2:26, Otto ran 2:35 and me, well I brought up the rear with 2:52 -

We started off about 7:30 this morning amid some clouds and chance for severe thunderstorms around 10, but once we started I didn't give the weather another thought, until I saw a sign that said "Run like  a tornado's coming" that I thought about it again because it really was.  At that point I felt a rush of wind and knew that God was prompting me to get a move on if I wanted to beat the storm, so I ran.  The next sign said "Starbuck's in 4 miles", well that got me going plus thinking about the weather coming in I thought I'd better take it up a notch and try to finish before it started raining.  The course was more hilly than I anticipated and that kicked my butt a little, so my time wasn't that good, but I wanted to finish strong.  So, I thought about the kids at the finish line and a free beer!  Okay, yes there was a free beer, but that didn't play into my burst of energy at that point.  But, running across the finish line did, so that was what kept me going.  Well, I barely crossed the line when there was a big clap of thunder (I like to think that God was congratulating me) and then it started pouring, really, that is no lie.  The guy handing out the medals said, "Don't hold your medals over your head because of the lightning" followed by "I'm serious".  Whew, just in the knick of time.  So, I headed to the family reunion to meet up with Jared and the kids expecting to see Leanna and Otto there as well.  Well, by the time I got there, I was soaking wet and starting to shiver - "I hope I find them soon" I thought, but it wasn't to be.  We didn't all re-connect until about an hour later.  I kept running from the S's to the H's because we didn't specify where we would meet!  LOL, yeah laughing now, but not then!  Leanna was still at the finish line waiting for me and of course thinking the worse!  She missed me as I shuffled across I guess.  Otto was wandering around looking for both of us and Jared and the kids were huddled under an EZ up -  The kids spotted popi (he found the beer tent) and, finally we all connected but had to walk to the car about a mile away!  Walk? really, after we just ran 13.1, okay I guess so if I have to!  Really, I don't feel as bad as I thought I would, allow my muscles are sore, I feel great!  It was an awesome experience that I will (maybe) do again!  More on the course and my thoughts later!

Eleventh Hour

So, we have about 11 hours before we begin our trek of 13.1 miles and completion of running my first 1/2 marathon - I have mixed emotions, I think I'm ready, then I think I can't do it.  Then I remember something someone told me once, if you think you can't you won't but if you think you can, you'll try!  So, tomorrow I am going to try to run the entire 13.1 miles, but we will see how it goes.  My goal for this one is to finish!  There are severe rain showers predicted for tomorrow so, we are hoping for 'light rain', when are those forecasters right anyway?

26.2 for Thing 4, 3 and 2

We just got back for LP Stadium where we watched the Kids' 26.2 Marathon sponsored by the YMCA of Middle Tennessee.  It was so awesome and sooo organized.  The kids were to run 25 miles in March and April on their own or with an after-school program and then tonight complete the last mile at the actual Marathon Finish Line - so we all piled in the van (minus one 13 year old who was at the street fair with friends) and headed out to the stadium at 4pm this afternoon.  Forgot to mention that Otto, Leanna and I headed to downtown Nashville this morning to pick up our race numbers and timing tags too.  Got pumped up and saw the course which only has a few hills (thank God) so we are ready to go.   Headed out tomorrow am at 5:30am! 

Here's a pic of the kids each sprinting the last 100 yards and then at the Finish with their medals - how cool was it to watch!

Gill, Will and LuLu with their medals after the mile run!

Willie J

LuLu

Gill Beans

Life in Franklin

 The dogwoods in bloom

Everything in Tennessee is blooming! Especially the grandkiddos, oh my gosh!  They are getting so big, popi and I have been enjoying taking care of them.  Well, really they take care of themselves, we've just been shuttling them everywhere.  School in the morning, soccer practice or games in the evening and a trip to the airport to get popi.  This friend's house to that friend's house - ohh the energy they have!

The kids and I outside their house after they got home from school

Last night we got to see Will in action in the goal and on the field, he is such a go-getter.  He had one save in the goal and a few assists on the field, more games this weekend.

Willie warming up before the game

After school today we are headed downtown to watch the younger Things run the last mile of their marathon!  During March and April they participated in the YMCA Country Music Marathon and ran 25 miles either through the after school program or on their own and tonight they will finish their last mile in Titan stadium.  Then tomorrow, Otto, Leanna and I will run the 1/2 marathon!  It is supposed to rain!  The unskilled runner in me asked "what do we wear if it's raining"? and Leanna says "a pancho"!  Well, of course I thought, a pancho!  What??? Well, anyway, rain or shine I guess we will be running - humidity 97 percent!  So, I will be signing off for now and will report our success and times to you on Sunday after the run!

Watch out Sonoita/Elgin Here We Come

We are headed down to southern Arizona for a little wine tasting, game playing and hopefully a fun, laughter-filled weekend!
For the past four years, come Spring time, this group has traveled to Temecula for a tasting weekend at the many vineyards there.  This year, we decided to investigate the vineyards in our very own home state of AZ!  We're leaving this afternoon and our riding companions will be Lynda and Tom (I'm stretchin' my stomach and cheek muscles now, cuz I know we're in for a  belly laughin' and cheek achin good time!)
We've been planning this trip for months, started out with 10 couples, and has now dwindled  to 5, but no worries we are still set for a good time with the couples that are going - all are a hoot and we always seem to enjoy ourselves no matter the occasion.  We are the guenia-pigs and will return with stories of buttery chardonneys and spicey cabernets I am sure!
After we return from this weekend, I will be headed to TN Monday, a whole week of Hanson-kid-time before Jared and Leanna return from Turkey.  Otto will follow on Wednesday, Nashville 1/2 marathon - 13.1 (looks like another tattoo may be in order) on Saturday, then a week with the entire Hanson family!  Woo Hoo!  What a wonderful 14 days we have ahead of us.  We are so blessed to be able to share time with friends and family and are so thankful for our health and jobs, and the ability to enjoy all of this!

With a grateful heart, signing off for now!

The Wine Princess

How can we bless others?

Bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14

What?  When do I curse others?  I don't do that, do I?  Yes, I am often tempted to respond in a really negative way to others if I am feeling anger towards that person, or if I feel I have been attacked.  But I also realize that my response or anger takes  a lot of energy and shouldn't I be putting my energy toward the greater good, not my own reward?  And what reward is there in making someone else feel bad about something they did?  None -

I am trying to use kindness in response to a challenging situation and when I do this, I may bless the person instead of harbor ill feelings and curse them!

Why don't you try it?

Easter Baking

I wanted to share the pics of the cookies Tina and I baked on Friday - I have also included the recipe I found that is closest to Nana's.

Italian Easter Cookies
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup vege oil
3-3/4 cup flour
5 tsp bkg soda
In large bowl cream butter and sugar until fluffy then beat in eggs one at a time.  Stir in vanilla and almond, milk and oil.  Combine flour and baking powder and stir into mix.  Roll dough into balls to create ropes and make letters, shapes, etc.  Preheat oven to 350.  Place on greased cookie sheet 1" apart and bake until slightly brown.  Remove from oven and dip into icing or brush on while hot.

Icing
Cream 4 cups confectioner sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp almond extract.  Beat in 3 tblsp milk.  Add food coloring if desired.

Easter Hike

After church on Sunday we came home to change and head out to Cave Creek for a hike on the Overton/Go John trail -- we had a quick breakfast of eggs/sausage and mom's infamous coffee cake, then finally we were on our way.  Cindy and Jesse joined us along with their dog, Buddy.

Here are some pics from the hike.... enjoy!

Spring is Here

This is one of my favorite seasons, mostly because of the wildflowers and gorgeous blooming trees and plants, the weather isn't too shabby either!  I have posted some of my favorite wildflowers, critters and springtime pics for you to enjoy on this beautiful spring day.