The Stork Beat Santa

Labor is rough! Whew! You have to stand there for what seems like eternity and try not to get in anybody's way. You're just like "Come on! Could this take any longer?" I made it through though. Cory did fine too I guess. Of course she had a nice cushy bed so....

Well here's the story. Cory's number one fear in life is natural child birth. I never ever see her take Aspirin or NyQuil or anything for anything, but when it comes to the epidural she's first in line. She made that overly plainly obviously clear to the nurse and her assistant who proceeded not to take Cory seriously when she said she was ready. You can see where this is going right? Cory was really tough though, and tried not to look like a wimp during her early contractions. The nurses finally ran into the room when they heard Cory screaming during the big contractions and were like "Oh my gosh, the anesthesiologist is almost here, just hold on!" But it was too late. Cory couldn't be still enough when she did get there and a few minutes later we had a kid.

In the nurses defense, Cade came pretty darn fast. The doctor was called to come at 12:15 and Cade was born 3 minutes later. The nurses and substitute doctor told Cory not to push until her real doctor got there, but controlling your body isn't actually an option when you're in that much pain. He said it was the first baby he missed since working at this hospital, and felt really bad. Cade just kept saying "Get use to it people, when I'm ready I'm ready!" in so many words.

There are a lot of other details that I'm sure all the ladies would love to hear. You'll have to get with Cory about them. I started to lose focus when my legs began hurting.

Here's what I did get though:
Cade Allen Hansen
7 lbs 8 oz (exact same as Addi)
19 inches (exact same as Addi)
Appearance: almost exact same as Addi
Born 12-15-08 at 12:18 pm. (Naturally induced by pitocin)

So lets give a shout out for Cory - the love of my life - who conquered her biggest fear! Next on her list - a couple of nurses?

Snow Day

The snow has finally arrived! Addi and Dad had a great time throwing snow and sledding around the flat yard (good workout for dad) while Mom was cozy-warm in the peaceful house!

By popular demand

How could we forget Addi's Halloween pictures? Thanks for the reminder Ariel.



This is at some pumpkin walk that
Addi and Thomas the Pumpkin went to.

This is the look she gives me when she's ready for more candy.
Works every time.

Coolest butterfly you've ever seen?

Latest Photo Shoot

Addi was feeling especially posery today so I caught what I could. This is on our golf course during a Sunday morning walk and in our back yard. By the way, this swing set was given to us by Rick down the street and is Addi's new favorite thing to do. Thanks Rick!

Singing with Jovie

Aunt Mindy taught Addi and Jovie many songs and accompanying actions when she lived with us in August. So, when Jovie sang the ABCs, Addi happily incorporated moves from "I'm a Little Tea Pot", "Pat-a-Cake", and "Once There was a Snowman." Enjoy the performance...

Summer of FOUR concerts

Hey that's a lot for simple people like us. We haven't been to a concert in years, unless you count the Utah County Fair last year but we didn't even know who the Gatlin Brothers were.
Anyway, quick recap:
We went to Ben Folds at Saltaire with Allie and her cute sister Caitlin earlier this summer. It was basically shoulder to shoulder standing room and I think I was the oldest guy there. It was exactly like I expected - which was tons of fun.


Then we went to Steve Miller Band with my sister, mom, and friends at USANA. For some reason I had the reputation in high school of being a Steve Miller Band freak, which is kind of true. I know way too many SMB songs for my age. We took Addi to this one who is now also a SMB freak.

Then came Jack Johnson, one of my current favorite artists. We went with the same group as we did to SMB only we brought some cousins for Addi to play with. It was an awesome concert just laying on our blankets on the grass playing with the kids. Awesome.



Then a week ago I won Weezer tickets by being the 10th caller and naming the four cheesy songs and their artists. Kev went with me and we had a great old time. The best part was calling Dave and letting him know where I was because two weeks ago he called me and let me listen in on a Celein Dion concert. Don't get me wrong, I love Celine, but I had to declare myself the winner.

Adoramos Peru!

Cory's entire family went to Peru to pick up her brother Brad who just finished his mission. We were there for a whole week and it was one of the coolest places on earth!

Let's just start with my favorite thing about Peru...No Rules!!! You could be one step away from a 1000 foot fall to your death and nobody cares. It's so refreshing.

We spent two days sight seeing Lima before we could grab Brad. These are Cory's sisters and mom on the coast. Good luck figuring out which one is mom!

Isn't Lima Beautiful?

Our beautiful hostal, especially if you like lumpy noisy beds and sheets that haven't been changed in months and larry bars and cold water.


Watching this family reunite was phenomenal. Definitely the climax of the week and year and more. Glad to have you back Brad!


We went to see some of Brad's old areas. This little town is basically a big sand hill with humble homes and lots of cute little kids. I'm so jealous of all of Brad's experiences.


Then we went to a city called Cusco (like the groovin emperor). It was way up in the mountains and sort of a base town for the trip to Machu Pichu. Aside from the $7 massages, we loved this ginormous old chapel/structure thingy called Qorikancha. It was a huge building built by the Incas but when the Spaniards came and took over, they made a huge chapel out of it. Notice the difference in architecture between Cory's right side and left. The Incas preferred the new age "groutless" effect.

Most of the people of Lima and Cusco dressed the same as we do (in fact better than I do), but some of them dressed in more traditional clothing. Some of them would get totally decked out and let us take their picture for a sole (pronounced solay - 3 soles equals $1).

Then we were off to Machu Pichu for a day. Amazing!

The whole lot of us. Ken Justen Brooke Brandon Cory Eddie Kelly Rachel Brad.




Can you imagine a better vacation?
Thanks for making this happen Brad!

Baby Boy Debut

We discovered last night that we are having a boy. He is due December 25th. Addi was a little fiesty during the ultrasound, which is probably a small hint of what is to come with the new competition! We couldn't be more excited in our preparations for life as a family of four!!

Season for Reunions

July was the month of family reunions.

Uncle Greg (waving) lets us all crash his place in Sun Valley Idaho every 4th of July and Christmas. Cory jokes that this is the actual reason I married her.

Hiking is one of the major activities every year, whether it be in July or in December. This is atop one of the many mountains overlooking Sun Valley.

On the way down.

Pool parties every day!

Addi loves the 95 degree water. She'll have a rude awakening when she starts swim lessons tomorrow at the Stansbury pool.

This is Grandma throwing a ringer. She's the mother and the v.i.p. of this whole event. Grandpa spent the week in the I.F. hospital, but had plenty of nurses to harass.

Other activities included kayaking/tubing down the Bigwood River, movies in the theater, baseball, lots of tennis, floating in the pond, hearts, and lots more. Cory might not actually be joking.

Two weeks later we went to Morning Star Lake in Northern California and camped the weekend with my extended family. The third cousins split off a few years ago, so we're just down to second cousins.

All the kids made masks and paraded around behind this sign while the adults cheered.

This is Morgan whacking the reinforced pinata.

We have a talent show every year. This year's included dance moves through the ages,

some skits

some sweet songs and more.

Keeping Addison clean was not an option.

Other events included playing in the lake, playing volleyball, and more playing in the lake. Good times cousins! See you next time!

Day in the Yard

I mowed. Justen fixed the chimney. Addi had a grand old time!