BY...THE...WAY...

MY KIDS DID HAVE BIRTHDAYS LAST YEAR!!!

Check out the fun all three of them had in 2008...below!

Audrey's 7th Birthday Times!

AUDREY ELIZABETH HANSEN

SEPTEMBER 25TH 2008 - 7 YEARS OLD!

Here you are with our gifts to you - a puzzle, tons of books and a "My Generation" doll - an Amercian Doll knockoff from Target sold for $20!

(That's about 1/5 the price of a real American Doll!)

At your friend b-day party - loving painting your pony!

Your friends and you painting their ponies or dinosaurs!

With coaching, yet no real help from your Grandma Susan, I made this by myself!!!

Blow them all out, baby!

You made this sign for your party, you are so cute!

Of course Ky had to make a sign too!

You with one of your "girlie" presents!


Candy with presents is always a plus!



Here you are with a message I wrote on the paper "tablecloth" at Grandma Susan's for the birthday party for you, Grandma and Grandpa!

You loved drawing your own pictures too!

Great Grandpa and Grandma Hansen gave you an adorable stuffed animal - but I can't find the picture right now!

I love this shot of you and Great Grandma Walton!

Later that week, Grandpa and Grandma Hansen brought you your bike and you were so excited!!!

Kyle's 4th Birthday Times!

KYLE CHRISTOPHER HANSEN

APRIL 28TH 2008-4 YEARS OLD

My funny and cute 4 year old!


You loved your mater toy from Mike and Josh!


The phonics computer games from Grandma Susan were a hit!


Love that "I'm serious about opening this present" face!


You were excited about your game and book from Grandma Bonnie!


There was a lot of money given for your wallet!

You helped me make the caterpillar cupcakes and did so well!

They tasted as good as they looked!

Your party guests!

BTW, I am bummed that I can't find the pictures of the lego table you got from us. Dad took a lot of time spelling out "Happy Birthday Kyle" with the legos on it!

AND this fall you started preschool! Here we are in front of "Kristagarden" on your first day. You've done well although you have your days where you are a momma's boy and don't want to go. But, I know you really love your teacher, Ms. Krista and your friends! Your teacher often tells me how blown away she is by how smart you are (you are reading on your own now.) We just need to get the social thing down and get you over some of your shyness and you'll be all set for Kindergarten!

Kaden's 2nd Birthday Times!

KADEN MICHAEL HANSEN

JUNE 15TH 2008 - 2 YEARS OLD

Nope, Kaden, not a "tele"phone a "micro"phone!


There you go, babe!




Always full of cute faces!



So happy to open presents!



Whoa, you are some rich 2 year old!



Always lots of help from you sister and brother!




And you said "Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!"

And you said "Woooo - Hooooo!"

You are always full of animated expressions!

You got his nose!

Someone's excited again!

Of course you had to have a cake with balls on it!

You did it!

What will I do if your cute chubby cheeks ever go away?!

You loved your bike!

Posing at the Hansen Family party for you!

The bubble maker you got from Mike and Josh was a big hit that day!

It's Been One Month....

...Since Josh's Passing. I can't believe it, it seems like it was last night when we got the call. We are all adjusting but not because we want to, of course. We will be o.k. but I do worry about Steve, Mindy and Mike. I know they are strong but I can't imagine what they are going through. I know Valentine's Day was rough for them so I can only imagine...I sent a card to them hoping it will get there today...

My kids have their moments. Audrey cries about it almost once a day, sometimes once every other day. Kyle asks a lot of questions about death or has deep conversations about it randomly. Kaden is obsessed with talking about it and when he sleeps with his pillow one way it is "not like Josh", when he puts it on the other side of the bed it is "like Josh, really dead." We have been to the grave site twice since the burial, I think it's good for us to talk to him there.

Kevin and I have been doing things for his brother and family each week. We knew we would need to do more after that first week than during it. So many other people were there for them then. It's our turn to help them get through this first year. We spent many hours making a scrapbook for them with all of the messages we got from anyone and everyone to them and also included positive quotes, pictures of Josh, and copies of the artwork the kids drew for him and put in his casket. We also gave them a c.d. of all the pictures we ever took of Josh throughout the years. Below are some of my favorites.

Josh, when you finally came home from the hospital, I was so ecstatic to actually be able to hold you! You were tiny and incredibly cute!

Josh, your blessing day was very special. It was fun when Kyle was trying to introduce himself to you. You were less than a year apart and you would eventually become great friends!

Josh, it was so fun seeing your Dad with you. He is a great father! He used to throw you around like you were a feather!

Josh, I know you know this, but your mother is the best mom you could have ever had. She gave you so much through her service and teachings to you, and I know she will be able to give to you even more when she sees you again.

Josh, I remember that Easter Sunday when we were having an egghunt and you said forget about it, I'm going to play on the slide!

Josh, it was funny when you were over for Kaden's birthday party and you, your brother and your cousins got in the pack and play so I thought I'd take a picture. You looked at me like a deer in the headlights.

Josh, it was so fun watching Kyle and you getting sprayed with the water by Grandma on the 4th of July. You were laughing hysterically.





Josh, when you and Kaden were trying to find a way into the cookies that day, it was funny too!

Josh, it was really cute when you climbed up on the t.v. tower on Thanksgiving, although your mom had to try not to show a smile when she had to reprimand you!

Josh, you always gave the best hugs and I am so thankful we have this picture of you giving Audrey one of your alltime best. She misses you so much!

Josh, you always made us smile or laugh with how busy you were getting into everything, cribs included.

Josh, I remember the day I took this picture, 3 short weeks before you left this earth. I am so glad I have this shot of you to remember just how you looked the last time I saw you with a mortal body. More importantly, I'm glad I got to see you, visit with you and hug you shortly before you died.

We all love you Josh, Till We Meet...