Progress!!!

Hannah is down for a nap after a fun trip to the park. I thought this would be a good time to catch everyone up on all that's going on with us. Life is good! Kev got a promotion at work about 6 months ago and is absolutely loving work. Hannah is growing like a weed. She is a ball of energy from the moment she wakes up to the instant she finally falls asleep at night. I'm still at Sutter on the High Risk Maternity floor and loving it!
Our biggest news, most of you have probably already heard. For those who haven't, here it is: We have bought a new home! We are sooo excited to be moving into a bigger place. We are staying in the area, just moving farther into Elk Grove. It's a fairly new development, with several builders in the area. It's a perfect time to buy, we are getting a lot of house for a good price. It's also a bad time to sell, so we'll be renting out our existing home. The house is being built for us so we got to pick out the lot, pick out the cabinets, the carpet, the whole shebang! That has been a lot of fun!
We started this whole process in late January. We were told to anticipate the whole process to take around 6 months, pending weather. Well wouldn't you know its rained straight for what seems like the last 2 months!!! Anyway, I'm happy to say that things are finally starting to move and we're hoping to be in our new home by July, August at the latest.
Here are some pictures of whats happened so far:

This is a picture of what the outside of our house will look like.


This was our lot before anything was started. We will have a 20 foot side yard...Kev was very excited about this. We have some actual space between us and our neighbors!

Trenched!

Hannah in the trenches...

Frame up and plumbing and electric box in place


gravel down and covered...ready for the big rain front coming through. As of today, the rebar was in place, the foundation should be complete by the end of the week! Then comes the REAL fun of watching the house take shape!

last but not least, a shot of our granite, carpet, cabinets and tile for the house. We will keep you all posted with updates and pictures as things progress!

Hello Sunshine!

Things were looking pretty dreary around here for awhile. I know anyone who does not live in California will probably laugh so hard they'll have tears streaming down their face, but I'll say it anyway. IT'S BEEN COLD AROUND HERE!!! It's been foggy, rainy, and REALLY cold. We have been staying inside trying to stay warm, only leaving the warmth of our home when truly necessary. Ok, so that may have been a little dramatic. Any way you slice it, it's been cold and dreary around these parts for quite awhile.
Then a few days ago, the clouds parted, the wind stilled and (drumroll please) the sun came out!!! Woo hoo!!! So needless to say, we have been outside enjoying the fresh air and sunshine! Hannah has found a new favorite place to play.

Hannah has had a blast sliding and running and climbing her little heart out. We found a new park that's geared toward toddlers. It's perfect for her. There's nothing there that she can't play on, slide down or climb up.
She's also become quite the little socialite. There hasn't been a day at the park where she hasn't made some friends. It's been so fun watching her play! Last year Hannah definately had a blast at the park, but she was much more timid about the slides and such. Those reservations are gone! Now our biggest problem is leaving. There hasn't been a trip to the park that hasn't ended in big fat tears. She never wants to leave! She would stay there all day and night if you'd let her. Every conversation begins with the park or sliding. She wakes up in the morning, and the first words out of her mouth are "park, Momma?" I fear I've created a monster.
There is an upside to all of this. This great little park is just a quick little walk from our new house....

2011 already??

So here it is the 4th day of the new year. I have been keeping up on all my beautiful friends blogs and everyone has beaten me to the punch with blogging about their goals and desires for the year to come.
Honestly, I'm not sure what to say. A new year always seems to bring a fresh start. New beginnings, do-overs if you will. What stunk in the last year that I want to change in the coming year? If I listed every goal that has run through my head, you all would still be reading this well into 2012. So instead of putting us all through such torture, I decided to simply list my top 3. So here it is. Hang on to your hats, people because here is my wish list for 2011:

1) Get a maid. This goal seems far more attainable to me than wishing for 4 arms, 8 legs and 2 heads to get my house clean myself.

2)Get a cook. But not just any cook! I want one who can whip up pizza, cheeseburgers, french fries (an occasional salad would be alright)and all kinds of desserts that will taste fabulous and all remain under 500 calories. Total.

3)Win the lottery. This goal is truly for the loved ones in my life. I promise when this goal is fulfilled, I will share the wealth. Literally.

So there you have it. It's not to much to ask, is it? My thinking behind this list was if these goals were fulfilled it would simply leave me that much more time to be the mother, wife and friend that I need to be; and if these seem to out of reach to attain in the next 365 days, here are my runner ups:

1) Love better.
I have an amazing family. I love them more than I can say. Where I struggle is showing them that love in a tangible way on a daily basis. I never want to stop trying to be a better mother, wife, & friend.

2) Play harder.
It is our family's goal to get out and play. Every day. Whether it be 5 minutes or an all day thing, playing together is important, and we don't do it nearly enough.

3) Smile daily.
"A smile confuses an approaching frown."
Studies show that smiling (whether you are feeling it or not) makes you happier. Who wouldn't want to be happier?

My hope and prayer is this:
That the Lord will truly bless and keep you in the year to come, no matter what gets thrown your way.
All my love!
~Annika

Merry Christmas!

I have always been quite a fan of Christmas. I love the lights, the carols, the decorations, everything!! This year has been especially wonderful because of a pretty little curly-haired girl named Hannah. Children just add a whole new level to the wonder of Christmas. We had a great Christmas this year, getting to spend time with both Kev's and my family.
This is the first year that Hannah's been excited about all the festivities. Last year she was too little and it was a little overwhelming. This year she LOVED it. Everytime someone would come over for a visit she would point out our tree. This would get her so excited that she break out into a dance in the middle of the living room.
Christmas Eve was spent with Kevin's side of the family. We started the evening with attending a Candelight Christmas Eve service, truly the best way to start out the holiday. It was a wonderful reminder as to what the true celebration is all about: Jesus! Then we headed back to our house for dinner and presents. I have to tell you all the funniest little story from the ride home that night. My 6yr old niece and nephew decided they wanted to ride home with us from church. No problem, hop on in! Hannah was super excited that she had someone riding in the back with her and chattered the whole way at the two of them. My niece finally lets out an exasperated sigh and says " I'm sorry, Hannah I don't speak Spanish!" I'm so used to her 'Hannah-speak' that I forget how hard she can be to understand at times!
Regardless, the kids had a blast. It was a very nice evening.
Christmas day was spent with my family. My older brother and his family were able to come down from Oregon and spend the day with us. It was so fun having the whole family together for the day. This year has been so full of the Lord's mercies and blessings that this was a truly wonderful way to end it.
I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas celebration as well. My prayer for everyone is that the year to come would be one that would bring us closer to Our Savior and each other. Our love to you all!
~Annika, Kevin and Hannah.


Hannah showing Aunt Carrie something very important, I'm sure.


The kids and their loot


Hannah and I...it was my turn to wear the princess crown.

I didn't have my camera on Christmas day, so once I get some of the pictures from family I'll post those as well. Til next time!!

Thankful

Thankful: greatful; feeling or showing gratitude

I know this is all a time of year where we all try to focus on the many blessings our Lord has given us and try to maintain a thankful heart. This past year, our whole family has been trying to live that greatfulness on a daily basis. No matter what the situation, or how we may be feeling at that particular moment, it really does make a difference to make an effort to try and maintain a greatful attitude. One of Hannah's favorite shows is Veggie Tales. In one of the episodes the characters sing a song about having a thankful heart. The lyrics say "a thankful heart is a happy heart. I'm glad for what I have, that's an easy way to start." So I thought I'd start off my grand re-entrance to blogging telling you all about what I'm greatful for.

*I'm thankful for my Lord and Savior. Things are not always easy. I stumble a lot in my daily walk with Him. But He's always there to pick me up. He encourages me. He gives me hope, He is my hope. He stretches me (more than I'd like at times) and I am a better person because He is my center.

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* I'm thankful for my amazing husband. He's an encourager, no matter what the situation. He is stable and steady and loving. He is an amazing father, provider and friend. I am blessed to share this journey with him and love him more than I can say. I am a very lucky girl. He brings to this family a light and love that would otherwise not be here. He is hilarious and there is lots of laughter here because of him

* I am thankful for my beautiful daughter. Hannah has taught me more than I could ever begin to list here, and she's only 2 years old. Because of her I love differently. I am more aware of how simple things can make a big impact. I love how she looks at life, and so wish that innocence could stay with her forever. I am thankful that the Lord chose to bless my life with her. She has a kind and gentle spirit, which I am truly thankful for. She loves life!

*I am thankful for our home. I am thankful for the Lord's presence in our home and the peace that resonates here because of it. I am thankful for the roof that doesn't leak and the heater that works. I am thankful for the food in my refigerator, even if it isn't always what I "feel" like eating at the time, we have never known hunger.

*I am thankful for my job. I am truly blessed to work in a place where miracles are an everyday occurence. I am thankful for the amazing group of nurses that I get to work with and share life with.

*I am thankful for the ability to share my life with a wonderful group of friends. God has truly blessed our family by those people He has surrounding us. They are a source of encouragement, love, and laughter. They are a true treasure to us and make life lots of fun.

I know this time of year can be stressful, especially with all that's going on right now. Hopefully we can still take a little time out to truly stop and look at the blessings we have in our lives.

I have to go now...Hannah's throwing a fit and has started literally throwing things. She knows how to get your attention, I'll give her that!

"Behold! What manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be called sons and daughters of God." 1 John 3:1

Disneyland!

As most of you know we took Hannah for the first time to Disneyland a couple of weeks ago! All in all it went great! Hannah was quite the trooper. She LOVED the parades and I'd say her second fav was The tiki tiki room... it probably had something to do with Kev playing the soundtrack in his car for her multiple times. We had some good friends along for the ride and that made it even more special! Here are some pictures from our trip.

The Christmas Tree

When we first got in the park, Hannah saw Pluto and was soooo excited! So we took her up to meet him and as you can see she wanted to get as far away as possible. After that we loved all the characters from afar.

walking into Disneyland for the first time.

Hannah's excited face

Waiting outside Disneyland... almost time to go!

Hannah's first pair of ears. This is the only picture I got where she wasn't crying while wearing them.

Family picture in front of the castle

Hannah and Daddy watching a parade

picture perfect photo op!

Dinner at Downtown Disney's Rainforest Cafe

Last night in Disneyland, on the CA adventure side!

pumpkin patch cont'd

here are a few more pics from the pumpkin patch trip. Hannah loves animals and they had a petting zoo that she thouroughly enjoyed, as well as some pumpkins almost as big as she is!