Behind the times

It's been a while so I'm going to play a little blog catch up.

We had Thanksgiving with some of Chris's family (Yeah I'm that behind). It was a lot of fun to visit and of course eat. My sister in law Megan hosted and she made some magnificent food. We all ended the day sufficiently stuffed but still wanting more. It's been a couple of years since we've had family pictures and we took advantage of my sister in law Kim who kind enough to take some for us while she was here. I think they turned out pretty cute. I know it's a picture overload, what's your point?

Our Christmas was pretty low key this year. I finally learned my lesson and wrapped the presents two nights before Christmas instead of the night before. I know my efficiency is astounding. But Christmas eve was much more enjoyable for me. I heard the pitter patter of impatient feet starting around 2 am, but they didn't wake Chris and I up until 4:30 (at least not intentionally).

Christmas morning

Chris had a birthday and we went to his favorite restaurant Texas de Brazil. It's a carnivores dream. There are servers carrying around skewers of meat that they keep serving you and serving you until you burst. It is really good, but I only had two pieces before I was done. We celebrated with the kids by having Claim Jumper cake.

If you're going to give me pose like that, you know it's going to get posted:)

We got free tickets to the circus. I'm not a fan of the parts with animals because they always look so sad, but the rest was pretty fun. Chris and I decided that Aiden can be a professional fan when he grows up because he was certainly cheering his heart out for every act.

Ashton was not impressed with the elephant smell

The cannon for the human cannonball

Walmart Car

While we were in Salt Lake for the funeral I had an unfortunate meeting with a yellow parking lot post (at least I missed the car I was trying to avoid;). I let out an appropriate "CRAP!" and Aiden was sure that is going to affect my standing with Santa. Kaylee made the comment that "now our car looks like one of those crummy dented up cars you always see in the Walmart parking lot." The next day Chris was driving and the car in front of us came to a sudden stop, so we did as well. Dalin said "Fhew I'm glad we didn't crash, I don't like to crash." I replied, "I don't like to crash either." Without missing a beat he said, "Yes you do!" (Thanks pal!) I still feel smarter than the ladies we saw in the parking lot wearing only sleeveless cocktail mini-dresses in the 29 degree weather!

Grandpa Romney

Last week Chris's grandpa passed away (his mother's father). Grandpa Romney delighted in his family. I loved how happy he would be every time we came to visit. He loved to be kept up on what his grand children and great grand children were doing and he could tell you what most of them were up to. He was a lover of learning and passed that quality onto his posterity. He was literally a genius and took every opportunity not only to learn new things for himself, but teach us. He graduated from high school at 16 and had originally wanted to be a lawyer, but he tested to well and the military picked him and trained him to be a doctor during WWII. He always made me feel welcomed and loved. He had been in a wheel chair for about 25 years but he never let that slow him down. He was an adventurer and he loved to travel and U never heard him complain. We love him and we will miss him so much, but we are happy that he will no longer be limited by his earthly body and can be with our Heavenly Father again.

Ralph & Patricia Romney on their wedding 1949

Grandpa was infamously frugal. Instead of using air conditioner he would put nickles in the freezer, then stick them on his forehead to cool off. Here is most of his family paying tribute to that eccentricity.

A bakers dozen

On Monday Chris and I celebrated our 13th anniversary! We went to Mesquite and took advantage of their hotel/spa package. It was supposed to be a surprise, but Chris had been doing something to my phone so he checked my e-mail to see if it had worked, and he saw the confirmation I got from the hotel (oooh so close!) We had a choice of a massage, seaweed wrap or facial. Neither one of us are massage fans, and I feel claustrophobic if I'm wrapped (no I never tried it, but just thinking about it makes me panic a little bit) so a facial was our choice, or mine anyway. When we got there they sent us to the "quiet room" to wait for our appointment. We chose just to keep our clothes on rather than get a robe, but there were several old bodies in robes in the quiet room. Fortunately we waited less than five minutes before they called us out. The look on Chris's face was priceless as he went one way down the hall for his appointment and I went the other. I kind of loved it, Chris not so much, but for my benefit he told me he liked it. It was fantastic just to be with each other for a whole 24 hours (Chris even held true to his promise not to talk football with any of his fantasy leaguers). I love him and that he is my best friend and can still make me laugh after 13 years!

A great heritage

After the soccer festivities we moved on to a family reunion with my dad's brothers and sisters. Most of them live here or in southern Utah, but my dad has one brother who lives in northern Utah and he and his family always make an effort to come to the reunions and I really appreciate that. It gives my kids a chance to know my cousins and aunts and uncles. I'm really terrible at knowing who my parents relatives are so I'm really happy that my kids get a better chance, even if they only mumble out a quiet hi. There was lots of food (we are Hafen's after all) some Bunko fun and reminiscing about our grandma and great grandma. Everyone told a memory, but what impressed me the most was how much my grandma's daughters-in-law loved her. They all agreed that they had the best mother-in-law. I knew she was a wonderful grandma and it was nice to hear she was fantastic to everyone.

My niece Abby and my cousin Courtlin. They are only three months apart. Aren't they cute

My cousin Trevon giving the kids a ride

Le Fin

Soccer season has come to an end. Actually it came to an end a couple of weeks ago, but I'm a slow poster. My team the Ghost Hunters had a 2-5 season, but at least everyone had fun. They said that was the whole point in our coaches meeting to I'm going to hold tight to that one:) A lot of the parents asked me if I was going to coach again. In the end I enjoyed it but my friend, who actually knows about soccer, is moving and I was worn out by the last game so that would be a no.

Ashton's team the Wildcats did better with 4-1-2 season and she really enjoyed herself as well. They have both told me they would like to play again next year so I count the season a success!

Not everyone can be Spiderman

I know my stories primarily revolve around Dalin, but let's face it I spend probably 95% of my waking hours with the boy. Currently his super hero obsession is Spiderman. He imagines a world where every one has been bitten by a radio active spider. Where sticky hairs growing out of our fingers give us the ability to climb walls and holding your fingers in just the right configuration will cause webs to shoot from your wrists. The other day after pumping gas I got into the car and noticed a spider crawling on my shirt (crazy right?!?) After a yelp and some flailing hands, I sent that spider flying out the door. Dalin, who was sitting behind me, asked what happened. I told him there was a spider crawling on me. Excitedly he told me, "Quick try and shoot a web!" I don't think he's fully convinced that not all spiders have the ability to give you super human powers.

Correct!

This morning Dalin had a grape Kool-Aid Jammer and Aiden was trying to get him to trade it for his tropical punch Kool-Aid Jammer. The deal was almost done when Dalin decided Aiden need to work for his prize and he told him he had to answer a few questions first. This is the conversation that followed:

Dalin: "Aiden, I'm going to ask you some questions and you have to get them all right if you want my grape Kool-Aid Jammer."
Aiden: "Okay."
D: What is my favorite color?
A: Green
D: Correct!
D: Who is my favorite super hero
A: Spiderman
D: Correct!
D: What is my favorite tree?
A: Uh...um...a tree?
D: CORRECT!