Rockin' halloween geriatric-style

My grandma Tink lives in a retirement community (Summerfield) in Orem and they were having a halloween carnival, so we thought it would be fun to take Sienna for her to show off. Her youngest grandchild is in Jr. High, and Sienna is the only great-grandchild who lives nearby, so she is loving being to hold her and show her off to her friends. They went all out with the refreshments and had finger eclairs, graveyard pudding with "worms," chocolate brownie mice, and tons of other creative, tasty desserts. It was a pretty impressive spread they had. They also had a costume contest and door decorating contest and then all the kids got to go trick-or-treating at the resident's apartments, which my grandma loved. It was fun to spend time with my grandma and she really seemed to enjoy having us there.

Uncle Brad feeding Sienna....a bottle! ;)

Cutest pumpkin ever

Love this girl! (It doesn't look like she's lovin' me, though, does it!?)

Sienna's not so great at smiling on cue.

She has amazingly huge smiles until the camera shows up!

How cute are these mice?

Get your mind out of the gutter!!! They are owl cookies. (Funny picture, though, huh?!)

The gang

California, here we come!

We thought it would be awhile until we could justify a trip back to So Cal (even though we really have wanted to come back to visit) but now we have a great excuse! Dan's cousin (who he is really close to) and his wife are being sealed in the San Diego temple on Saturday, November 8th, so we are coming to So Cal for that weekend. We'll be staying at Amber & Matt Sim's and can't wait to catch up with everyone. We're thinking of leaving Thursday night and staying in St. George, then getting up early Friday to drive the rest of the way. We want to hit disneyland late Friday afternoon/early evening, so anyone who has passes, please join us! Saturday day we'll be doing stuff with family, but we are excited to be able to spend time with friends that night. Anyone up for a bonfire? Sunday morning we'll be going to our old ward in HB before we make the trek back to Utah. It'll be a very quick weekend, but we're looking forward to it. We can't wait for you all to meet Sienna!

Diapers, schmiapers...

I sent this email to some friends, but thought I'd post it here as well.
Who hates buying diapers? I've only done if for a few months and I'm already hating it. It just seems like such a waste of money. Anyway, I ordered diapers from diapers.com and got a great deal, so I thought I'd pass along their info, just in case any of you are interested.

Use the code GOODDEAL and you get $10 off. You also get free shipping on orders over $49 (so I just bought some baby wash as well, which bumped it up to the free shipping amount). I bought a 234 case of 1-2 pampers swaddlers for $41.99, then I got $10 off with the GOODDEAL code, plus free shipping, so the diapers ended up being .13 cents each, which is way cheaper than even Costco. It depends on the diaper size you are buying, but overall I think the prices are still some of the best deals. Oh, and if you're a Pampers fan, this is definitely the way to go. The shipping was fast, too. I think it was just 2 days.

FYI, they sell all sorts of baby stuff, including wipes, but I did notice that the Kirkland wipes are cheaper at Costco.

Anyway, just thought I'd spread the word. Enjoy the shopping! Right..... ;)

Oh, and since we're talking about good deals, at http://www.freeshipping.org/ they have free shipping codes on over 800 stores. Good to keep in mind for Christmas shopping.

Happy Halloween!

Pretty stinkin' cute pumpkin, if you ask me...

Madeline Grace Hoagland

We love having the Hoaglands close by and were grateful to be able to be there for Madeline's blessing. Maddie is such a cutie! You can't tell in this picture, but she has these huge dimples that I just can't get enough of. I can't wait to see her smile!

Baby boutique

My friend Sara (from San Clemente) has an on-line baby boutique you need to check out. She makes these adorable tutu's, beanies and headbands. She has tons of cute costumes for babies and toddlers. Check it out at http://www.babadooboutique.blogspot.com/

Here's just a few of my favorites.

pumpkin princess

angel princess

pirate princess

American Fork Canyon

For family home evening a few weeks ago Dan, Sienna and I went for a drive up American Fork Canyon. Although it was a bit chilly, it was still a beautiful, clear day. It was the week after it snowed, so unfortunately many of the trees were pretty bare from the snowfall, but it was still beautiful. It was getting dark, so the lighting wasn't great for pictures. The pictures definitely don't do justice. Dan was a good sport and let me take a few "armpit" shots (those are the only ones I seem to like these days!) After taking a couple of pictures I checked on Sienna and she was just sound asleep with her beanie half way down her face. It was so funny. The last picture is one that Dan took from our balcony when we got home from the drive. We thought the snowcapped mountains looked really cool with the moon. Although I really miss California and the beach, I do love having the mountains so close. Dan and I agreed that as much as we love the smell of the ocean, there is nothing better than the smell of the mountains!

Need a cut or color?

A really cute girl in my ward recently started working at a new salon in the area, so if you need a cut or color, you should check out it out. It's a brand new salon called Studio Enizio that just opened last week. The address is 3300 N. Running Creek Way in, Lehi, Utah. If you want to schedule an appointment, call Allie Shortt at 720-341-5026. Since it just opened I haven't gotten my hair cut there yet, but Allie has fantastic style and an adorable haircut, so I'm sure she does a fabulous job!

Just because....

...she's so cute.

Happy Birthday, mama Hanson!!!

This is a belated birthday post for my mom. Happy Birthday, Mamacita! Her birthday was last week ago on Oct 22. To celebrate we met up with my family in SLC for dinner at a great restaurant called Gepetto's. Everyone was there but Jeff & Carolyn and their kids (who we always miss!). I love that I have joined the world of easy gift giving because when you're a parent you can always give pictures of those adorable grandkids! My mom is the best grandma in the world. She seriously can't get enough of Sienna and just spoiled us both. One reason I love being in Utah is that I get to see her so much. I've always had a close relationship with my mom and I so grateful for that. She has always been a constant in my life--someone I know I can always count on, who loves unconditionally and always seems to know just what to say to make everything better. I am grateful for her example of compassion and love. Both she and my dad have such big hearts and are constantly thinking of others. She is faithful and devoted to the gospel. For that, I am most grateful. I have watched her serve faithfully in so many callings and live the gospel to the fullest. I hope to someday be the kind of wife, mother and friend that she is. I don't know what I would do without her in my life. She is simply the best! Love you, mom! The Birthday girl, Sienna and my dad "blowing" out the candles (this is a reenactment, since the photographer--I won't name names, Janelle--was too busy looking at pictures on the camera and missed the real thing!)

Frame of all the grandkids for my mom to put in her office at work (to make everyone jealous that her grandkids are cuter than theirs)

Brad & JanelleRob & Grandma Tink My grandma just loves holding Sienna. All her grandkids are grown up, so it's been fun for her to have a baby around

Grandma and the boys

Me & Dan (trying to get some sympthy the day after my surgery). Oh, and that's my really mature brother Brad. Somehow one of my lame brothers always ends up in the background of my pictures.

Surgery update

At least I'm well enough to type, right? The day I had the surgery I felt like a rock star (still numb from the anethesia), then I woke up at 3:00 a.m. and realized that I actually did have my wrist sliced open. I don't know if any of you felt the same, but I had the same experience after I had Sienna. You feel great when you're all numb, then you wake up in the middle of the night feeling all sorts of pain. My wrist is definitely still very sore and now I have the incision from the surgery, but I'm doing pretty well. Although I feel pain from the incision, I no longer feel the pain that I felt before, so I think the surgery was a success. It's actually been easier than I thought it would be to take care of Sienna. I'm lucky she is such a good baby, otherwise I'm sure the recovery would be a whole different story. I'm suppose to keep using my hand/wrist otherwise I could end up having to do physical therapy, so I figured a little blogging would be some good therapy. A big THANK YOU to all my friends and family who have helped with meals, cleaning, and babysitting...and for making my life SO much easier! Love you!

Surgery tomorrow....

So...I'm having surgery at 10:15 tomorrow on my left hand/wrist. I guess technically it's this morning, since it is 1:00 a.m. Any insight as to how to care for a baby with just one hand? I'm particularly interested in how nursing is going to work out. This will be quite the adventure! Once I'm able to use my hand again, I'll let you know how it's all working out!

Fantastic recipe & weight loss blog

My friend Jen started an awesome weight loss/recipe blog with great low-fat, healthy recipes and tips for weight loss. Many of my favorite, "old reliables" are recipes that I've gotten from Jen. Check it out at http://skinnyhabits.blogspot.com/. With all this fabulous baby fat that Sienna left me with, I need all the help I can get! Thanks, Jen!!!

8 weeks and counting...

Time flies, huh? I can't believe Sienna is already 8 weeks (almost 9) weeks old. We had her 8 week check up last week, which means we also got all her shots (which killed me). She screamed for a few minutes and had huge tears, but then was a real trooper and wasn't fussy at all the rest of the day. Sienna now weighs 11 lbs 9 oz and is 22 inches long and is in the 75th percentile for both height and weight. She is a healthy, happy baby. We feel so blessed. She recently started sleeping through the night (most nights), which is a dream for me and I seriously feel like a new woman! Sienna is such a happy, smiley baby. (And she's spoiled rotton!)

Here's a few recent pics from a photoshoot last night.

THE FIVE...

My friend Beth tagged me, so here goes...

THE FIVE
10 years ago I:
1. was a student at Utah State University
2. lived with amazing, fun girls who I've been friends with ever since
3. worked at Bear River Mental Health
4. majoring in Social Work
5. was preparing for a mission

5 things on today's "to do" list:
1. Cuddle with my adorable baby girl
2. Clean (Do laundry, fold clothes, clean kitchen.....good time, good times...)
3. Buy stuff to make caramel apples
4. Buy stamps and send thank you's (which I've had on my desk for weeks!)
5. Make fajitas for dinner

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. string cheese
2. fudgecicles
3. wheat thins
4. any fruit (especially berries & mangos)
5. chocolate (especially with peanut butter)

5 things I'd do if I were a millionaire:
1. Pay off any debt
2. Start a non-profit organization helping children
3. Buy a home, a boat, a beachhouse, a cabin...(lots of toys counts as 1, right!?)
4. Buy a nice camera
5. See more of the world (starting off with a mediterranean cruise)

5 places I've lived:
1. Logan, Utah (Go Aggies)
2. Highland, Utah (Home sweet home)
3. London (mission)
4. Huntington Beach, California (I left my heart here)
5. San Clemente, California (LOVE this place!!!)


5 jobs I've had, (in no particular order):
1. "Zuka"teer (now known as Jamba Juice)
2. Shadow Mountain Junction (grocery store/gas station)
3. Kendall's catoring (as a child laboror)
4. North Eastern Services--Life Skills training with adults with disabilities
5. Medical Social Worker

Now I tag ANYONE who reads this!

TenosynoWHAT!?

I've been having alot of wrist pain over the past month, so yesterday I went to the doctor. Apparently I have something called tenosynovitis, which is basically swelling of the tendon. They can do cortisone shots, but basically I'd be back with the same problem every couple of months (and actually since I'm breastfeeding they couldn't even do the shots for me until I'm done). The other option is surgery, which my mom had earlier this year and has never had a problem since. So, I'm having surgery on Tuesday. This should be fun with a newborn. Good times, good times...

Vote YES on Prop 8!

I had already posted some info about Proposition 8, but this is much more detailed and includes really great information. Some friends of ours posted this on their blog and encouraged everyone to do the same. Please cut/paste this on your blog and/or email it to friends and family. We can make a difference on this critical issue. Vote YES on Prop 8!

Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt children.

If gay marriage remains legal, public schools will put it on equal footing with traditional marriage. Children will likely receive “age appropriate” information about sexual relations within heterosexual and homosexual marriages.

Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt churches.

The court’s decision will inevitably lead to conflicts with religious liberty and free speech rights. Society will become more and more hostile to traditional beliefs about marriage and family. Over time, greater acceptance of nontraditional marriage will be demanded of all people. This could impact the ability of any religion to teach and practice its beliefs. Including adoption agencies.

A YES vote will not hurt gays.

In California, the law provides for marriage-related benefits to be given to civil unions and domestic partnerships. Proposition 8 does not diminish these benefits.

For your information:
On Friday, October 10th, 2008 a first-grade class took a field trip to witness a lesbian wedding in California. Click Here for the article from the San Francisco Chronicle.

A father in Massachusetts was frustrated when his twin kindergartners were taught about homosexuality at school by the teachers. He insisted he be notified in the future before such things were discussed so he could pull his boys out of school.He was taken to jail. Click Here for the story.

A Catholic adoption agency In the UK closed their doors because of the Government's new homosexual equality laws. The Equality Act forbids discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the basis of sexual orientation. The law was forced through Parliament last year despite past Prime Minister Tony Blair's recommendation that Catholic adoption agencies be exempted from the rules. Click Here for more info.

Earlier this month judges in Conneticut overturned the state law (just as the judges in California did) to legalized gay marriage. This is not just an issue in California. We voted years ago to keep traditional marriage as the only marriage recognized in the state of California, 4 judges overturned our vote…and we need to fight back. That is what this Proposition is about. This is happening everywhere and the leaders of the church and others have warned that the outcome of California’s vote will affect the way the other states vote. So PLEASE…even if you don’t live in California, put this on your blog or email this on. The internet knows no state line. You know contacts in California that I don’t…and so do your friends. Please pass this on as it could eventually have an effect on everyone!

"Occasionally discouragement may darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion. In our ears there may sound the sophistry of Satan as he whispers, "You cannot save the world; your small efforts are meaningless. You haven't time to be concerned for others." Trusting in the Lord, let us turn our heads from such falsehoods and make certain our feet are firmly planted in the path of service and our hearts and souls dedicated to follow the example of the Lord." --Thomas S. Monson

Click Here for excerpts from the Broadcast given by Elders M. Russell Ballard, Quentin L. Cook and L. Whitney Clayton.

Another good resource mentioned in the broadcast: http://www.preservingmarriage.org/

October 20th: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot if voting out of state. Click Here to get one.

October 27th: Last day to apply for “Vote by Mail” Click Here for info.

November 4th: Election day. Polls close at 8:00pm. Vote by mail must be received by this time and can be hand delivered if necessary.

YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED...

Here's what you do: In the broadcast we were asked to "go viral on our blogs, etc" by Elder Ballard. This is my way of going viral. If you feel this is an important issue I ask that you copy and paste this post...and post it on your blog. PLEASE keep it at the top of your blog through November 4th. which you can adjust each time you post under the "edit post" option. The internet knows NO STATE LINE. You know contacts in California that I do not...as do your friends and their friends...and so on. Please do this. If not for your own children and the effect it could have on them some day...for mine! After you have posted this...email this to your contacts and TAG all your blogging buddies to do the same. THANK YOU!

Coconut Chicken

I found this recipe on www.eatinglow.com which has alot of low carb recipes. It was really easy and super tasty. Here's the recipe

Coconut Chicken
1 lb chicken breast tenders
1 egg
1 cup coconut flakes
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup melted butter (I used less. I'm sure you could also drizzle olive oil)

Preheat oven to 400 & coat 9X13 pan with cooking spray. Whisk egg. In separate bowl mix coconut flakes, pepper, garlic powder & salt. Dip chicken in egg, thoroughly coat with coconut mixture and place in pan. Drizzle melted butter over top. Bake for 25 minutes or until done.

Run for a good cause

Check out this website for more info http://5kfornie.blogspot.com/ Spread the word...

You're never too young for Lake Powell...

We figured since Sienna was already 7 weeks old, it was definitely time for her first Lake Powell trip. We went down with my family and stayed on the houseboat. Friday was really nice, but unfortunately the rest of the weekend was pretty crappy weather. Just as we got the boat all packed up on Sunday, the sun broke through and suddenly there was blue sky and sunshine...just in time for the ride home! We still had a great time eating good food, relaxing, reading and playing games. We also celebrated my sister Janelle's birthday. Happy birthday, Nelly! On Friday we took Sienna on her first boat ride and she LOVED it. We borrowed a tiny life jacket that she wore. We thought she'd hate it being all confined, but she loved it. (I guess it's like being swaddled?) It was so funny. She didn't make a peep the entire ride. Dan just held her and she was all smiles. She just looked so cute I couldn't take enough pictures. Everyone keeps telling me how much Sienna looks like Dan or that "she's a Dixon," but after this trip I was happy to know that there is definitely some Hanson in her!

Sienna and aunt Janelle snoozin'. This little one got so spoiled and was held by someone pretty much the entire trip!

I love these pictures! I still can't believe how ok she was being in this life jacket. She just loved it!

The girls!

Dan just held Sienna and eventually she fell asleep in his arms

The Dixon Fam

Here's a few favorites of Sienna's smile. Love this girl!

I thought this was kind of a cool picture. This was taken out the window of my dad's truck as we were leaving. The storm started to break and the sun was shining on this mountain and made it just glow/sparkle. It was really cool.