introducing....

Brecken Christopher Hansen

born March 10, 2011

8 lbs. 2 oz.

21 1/4 inches

we are so thrilled that our little guy is finally here! We are all adjusting very well! He is the sweetest thing, very mellow! Sky & Ari just love him! They always want to hold him and are constantly talking and singing to him!

We feel very blessed that we have yet another beautiful healthy baby!

growing and waiting....

so whats new since last week... well for one I am growing, well my belly anyhow~ we have 2 1/2 weeks till D-day. I however won't complain if he decides to still be a Feb. baby! He has 3 days to decide!

this is what 37 1/2 weeks looks like on me...I don't think its my best look but it could be worse :)

last week the girls also had their 2 & 4 year well child check ups!

They are both growing like weeds...

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Skylar weighed in at 34 lbs (40% for a 4 yr old)

she is 41 1/2 inches tall (90% for a 4 yr old)

Ari weighed in at 30 lbs. (90% for a 2 yr old)

she is 37 inches tall (51% for a 3 YR OLD, ya and she's 2! We will have a tall girl on our hands)

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as a reward for being brave at the doctor the girls got the treat of spending the afternoon at Chuck 'E' Cheese. They had a blast! Mom and Fred met us there for an afternoon of fun...we all slept good after (pretty sure mom and Fred did too)

sky riding with Chuck 'E'

Ari playing a game with Fred's help!

Other than that no big excursions for us...we had another good snow storm this week, but today its beautiful and sunny! Although we love winter we are also looking forward to spring so we can get out and walk, go to the park and maybe even hit up the ice cream shop (the girls fav part of walking to town)

here is a sweet pic from yesterday of Sky 'teaching' Ari to read!

Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend! I am really hoping my next post is a BIG announcement :)

::ash::

little boys room

I have been working hard to get everything done around the house and had seriously been procrastinating on the little guys bedroom! It funny when I was expecting Skylar, Chris and I had the room done within 3 weeks of knowing we were having a girl!

I knew when I started planning his room I wanted something a little different and I didn't want it to have a cutesy baby feel but rather a clean, simple and vintage feel. We decided on an auto themed room (since Chris kinda likes cars :} )

I found most of the wall decor online, hobby lobby or good will. The crib and dresser are the same ones the girls had in their nurseries but I decided to refinish them to make them look more 'boyish', SUCCESS! I painted them in colonial blue and finished them with an antique glaze (MY NEW OBESSION, its so easy to use and I love the finished product!) Then Haley and I were out thrift store shoping and came across the coolest find at Salvation Army! It is an old Steamer trunk (early 1900's) we are using at as a book shelf in the room!

the full room view

here is our special find! can you believe we found it at salvation army?!? It has stickers from all over the world...switzerland, rome, egypt, japan, portugal, argentina, france...and several other places....and the best part we picked this beauty up for $18!!!!! All I did was recover the shelves with a cork contact paper, and I put lacquer over the stickers so the kids don't peel them off!

the crib and dresser I refinshed...and I made the curtains for his room!

here's the wall decor!

I still have a few odds and ends I am working on collecting to decorate but its done enough that he can come out now!!

The girls bedroom

So I finally finished the girl's bedroom! YAY! I love how it turned out! Fun with a little funk, perfect for my spunky girls!

some of the details.....

1. jewelry/dress up clothes hanger that I made out of all the left over fabric and an old frame, the only thing i bought were the drawer knobs... for less than $1 each at the hardware store

2. the cute shelves found on clearance at JoAnne fabrics...a little pink paint and they were perfect

3. of course...the sign, it doesn't surprise you does it?

4. the silhouettes of the girls ...I did this project one afternoon, really easy and I LOVE how they turned out!

more details:

1. the frame/mirror collage wall....found all of these on ebay for super cheap, less than $3 per lot of 3! sprayed them pink added fabric and ribbon to a few and wa-la!

2. the wall stripes over the beds!

3. the headboards! I also love how these turned out! And they were cheap to make, definetily makes the bed! Chris bought the wood and cut the pieces with a jig saw to give me the rounded tops, I covered them with batting and fabric!

Skylar & Ari's Birthday Party

Wow, their birthday's were already over a month ago! It really is hard to believe that they are now 4 & 2! It really seems like we were just welcoming Ari's arrival...now we are anticipating a little boy!

This year we did the girls party at a place called The Blast Factory. It is such a cool spot for kids, a warehouse full of inflatables and bounce houses! SO the kids just run and bounce and most importantly burn off some energy! We had 15 kids join us this year for an afternoon of fun! The girls both had an amazing time celebrating with their friends!

There is a huge like maybe 12 ft slide, this is of the first time they went down, love the look on Ari's face :) I even went down once and it did make your stomach drop, it was a big slide!

the butterfly cake Sky requested

lovin' the cupcakes :)

present time!

A big thank you to everyone that joined us! You made the girls have a very special day!

::snow day fun::

We survived the blizzard of 2011! We have crazy amounts of snow...2nd largest 24 hour snow fall on record! This morning we had about 2 1/2 feet against the doors, which made it a little difficult for the dogs to get out this morning, and seeing as how the snow was deeper than Bruiser is tall he was less than thrilled!

Skylar was super excited about the snow...she loves being outside and thinks the snow is just fantastic! We spent almost 2 hours this afternoon playing outside while Ari napped....it was a little cold but the sun came out and it was beautiful...I think we both needed the fresh air!

here is the little path that chris made to the front door

it was a great day with my girls!

they really do love each other

aren't they just precious!

and we had to have some bed jumping fun....the only casualty was chris' reading light...opps!

::preview of the girls bedroom::

Here is a little peek at the girls bedroom...I started on it (quite) awhile ago but its been needing the finishing touches...which I am still working on but its getting closer. I am now in crunch time because I need to work on the little man's room :)

Thanks to my fabulous husband who cut the wood for the headboards, then I upholstered them. What do you think? The cute the flower night lights are from IKEA.

found all of these frames and mirrors on ebay

then sprayed pink and added my fabric and ribbon

i found these cute shelves at the fabric store on clearance ...a little paint and glaze they match the room perfectly.

i still have some things I am crafting for the room...I'll update when its TOTALLY finished :)

::ash::

just a few recent pics...

we have been enjoying life....here's a little peek into our world!

Sky turned 4 on Jan 10...where have the years gone!?!?! She has turned into quite the cool kid. She is my social butterfly, always making friends and up for new adventures!

Ari turned 2 last week...she is very much a mama's girl and VERY shy around those she doesn't know....and she's still a drama queen, in a HUGE way! :)

and here is the little guy...

6 weeks until his due date (this was taken at our ultrasound on Jan 13) He is growing right on track and we can't wait to meet him! Oh and no name yet...still working on that :)

and here is my growing belly...33 weeks in the pic, I am feeling HUGE!

Sky :: our little skier

Chris and I are so proud of our little girl! Since we both LOVE to ski it is only natural we want our kids out there too! I am bummed that I can't go out with her right now, but just maybe by the end of the season depending on when little boy arrives....

And these mad skills she has developed are totally the work of her GRANDMA FRYE....Chris works Saturdays at his new job and I can't ski because of being pregnant so Grandma Frye has worked with her the last couple of weeks and Sky has nailed it!! YAY so proud of her!

makes me laugh

fall is here...

I know we (ok, I) have been doing a terrible job on keeping this updated! To be honest it gets the least attention because of well....life, work, facebook and my photography blog. But life is good. I am so happy that fall is in full swing, it is definitely one of my favorite seasons. The cool temps, beautiful colors, and of course all the fun fall activities :: apple picking, football games, pumpkin patches, baking (for some reason this is the time of the year I usually start up again!)......we have been having a blast!

Lots has been happening: here is a brief update::

We are adding to the family! Yup, thats right....a third and final hansen cutie will be here in early March 2011. And we are excited that the newest addition is a little BOY!! No names yet, well at least Chris and I have not agreed on any :) Skylar however has decided that she will be naming her baby brother CINCO DE MAYO....good one right?!?! Its so funny, from the time we told her we were expecting she was determined it was a boy and she would name him Cinco. In fact when we would discuss the possibility of another sister her response was very serious:

"God knows I already have a sister, and he knows I don't need another!"

She is a character, always bringing smiles to our faces!

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Skylar has started school. She is attending the local Christian school and LOVES it. She is making tons of new friends and getting a great foundation. Chris and I were so happy to be able to have her attend there! She just wishes she could go every day! She is turning into such a little lady! She amazes me everyday with her smarts.

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Ari is doing her best to keep up with her big sister! She is a sweet mama's girl with an attitude bigger than most adults (Chris jokes she gets it from Haley, Haley however doesn't find it that funny). She really looks up to her big sis and enjoys any and all attention Sky gives her! She is such a wonderful little girl with serious determination.

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Chris is enjoying his new (well 4mos new) job at Prestige Imports as a service writer. It is keeping him busy. In addition to that he is still finding a little time to buy/sell cars at the auctions. He is very much looking forward to the upcoming ski season....he is going to have his hands full though, he is going to have to work with both girls on the hill this year since I won't be able to ski this season!

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I have been staying more than busy being home with the girls and continuing to grow my photography business. I was blest this year with a busy schedule and AMAZING clients. My wedding season is coming to a close but I am staying busy through the fall with family sessions. And I am almost booked for next summer, it is truly amazing to see your passion and dreams become reality!

hope everyone is enjoying their fall season....and only 68 days till Christmas!!!

much love,

ash

;;whoa its been a while::

::updated family pic::

childhood sayings revisited

Growing up my family had a theme song (doesn't every family): "You can't always get What you Want" by The Rolling Stones. As a child my siblings and I were never to amused when we would ask for something and mom & dad would break in to their best rock and roll performance (real embarrassing when you are in public) then as we would sigh and dramatically proclaim, 'it's not fair', their response was "LIFE IS NOT FAIR"......

The funny thing is, although I know its true I still, as an adult, don't like the saying! On this beautiful sunny morning I am so thankful, God has blessed me beyond measure and I am so incredibly grateful.

However, I want to stomp around screaming 'its not fair'; its not for me, its for those who are hurting deeper than I ever have. Two wonderful, faithful, God fearing families that are hurting...2 precious babies and their families...I know that God is holding them tight, surrounding them with his steadfast love. Their strength that is so mesmerizing is from he who created us, their endurance is from our great God, and their faith is from these.

So although I don't think its fair, I can accept that God has a plan, his hand is in this, he sees the big picture and I will trust in his vision.

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of the deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. Psalm 18:32-35

So as we go about our day, remember the big guy's got your back!

He will bless us with what we need, he knows.

see whats beautiful today,

:ash:

{the way God works...}

You know the old saying God works in mysterious ways...but thinking about that I don't think its mysterious, its exactly what we need!

This past weekend was crazy busy...which is a blessing( as I am pushing forward with my passion to work with my photography full time, which allows for me to be home with the girls) because it shows me that my hard work is paying off, Ashley Photography is growing! In fact in just the last week and a half I have booked 3 weddings :)

So with that being said I had an unfortunate circumstance occur this past weekend as I was working an event...another photographer acted very poorly towards me, though this person does not know me she chose to speak negatively about me and my talents...and it just keeps digging in to me, to be honest I am having a hard time letting it go! I actually would love to shout from the roof tops this persons name, but I know that won't get me anywhere...so this morning as I sat down to do a devotional I opened my bible and starring up at me in blaring yellow highlighter was this verse:

"Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character,

come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning..."

1 corinthians 15: 33-34

Yup, I think God was talking to me...although I had only discussed this matter with my best friends and family, I am still sinning and I allowed her actions to affect mine, I should have forgave the other for her actions immediately and moved on...but that is hard, not of human nature...I should have prayed as the situation unfolded instead of waiting till my heart was hardened...lessons learned. So this morning as I reflect on my actions I pray that God strengthens me to be better the next time!

Gotta run, we are going to be late for gymnastics!

since the blog is better with pics here are my babies:

sky

ari

buster

bruiser

blessings,

ash

{FPU & some prayer requests}

I am so excited that Chris and I have made the decision to start the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Classes...they consist of 13 weeks of study and group discussion. I went to the TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER last week and it was awesome to see Dave live, totally a motivator! So last night we started...

Somethings that we are excited about: to be on the same page financially, (we have never been far apart but I tend to be on page 10 with Chris on page 5, ya he hates reading :) ), to establish a solid budget that we both agree to and stick to it, to be DEBT free, to not let money or lack there of control our lives....

I will keep you all updated as to how its going, sometimes it may not be pretty...but in the end I know we will conquer. We are excited to have already accomplished step 1 of the seven steps, step 2 will take us a little longer - pay off all debt but the house, but we are hoping that with in 7-8 months that will be accomplished.

Our assignment for this week : BUDGET! Sounds fun huh? honestly I think this will be the hardest, we are going to be following the envelope system... and the when its gone its gone mentality must prevail.

After the last year this is so refreshing, to be on the rebound, headed in the right direction...no going back!

*my last thought for the day: I covet your prayers for a friend, her daughter and the rest of her family...they have had a very difficult year and were given some heartbreaking news on Monday. Their sweet baby girl may only have days left here with them. Please pray that she is comfortable and pain free, please pray for her siblings that there maybe understanding, please pray for her mommy and daddy as they cherish these days, allow them continued strength...

The other day I heard Carrie Underwoods "Temporary Home"...it is a beautiful song, and I absolutely love the lyrics, here is the chorus:

"This is my temporary Home
It's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through
This was just a stop,on the way To where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this was
My temporary home."

It is comforting that as christians we KNOW this is true, not only this world is temporary, but remember so are situations...

blessing,

ash

{some winter fun}

so I know have been horrible about posting but also about taking pictures....well of my own family so not only am I going to get better at blogging again, I am also going to take the time to photograph whats happening... these are from a couple of weekends ago at Caberfae. We are still working on Sky's skiing skills....she is a complete chicken sh** this year (totally takes after me) ! It seems as though there is the slightest bit of danger and she wants to bail...this is a good thing though, as Ari is showing us she is scared of nothing (just like her Daddy)! So the girls personalities will compliment each other as do mine and Chris' funny how that happens!

Ari aside from being our daredevil is on the move (for about the last 3 weeks) and is in to everything...so amazing how they go from not being able to walk to practically running in such a short amount of time...and she wants to do everything that Sky does. It is so precious to me to watch them play, although it often turns a little to rough and someone starts screaming :)

Ari is really trying to put her words together..she gabs a lot but we only understand a few things so far, I know in a short amount of time we will have another talker on our hands, watch out Chris!!

Skylar started her second go round at gymnastics yesterday with complete success, she LOVED it and participated in every activity (even the ones she was scared of last time). She is my big girl, my little lady, my mini me...(even if she looks like chris) she really has my personality, very outgoing, but reserved and cautious when necessary! She is so looking forward to spring time so she can get outside more. The other day she totally cracked me up, this was our convo:

me : uncle cam is coming by to see you today

sky: he is! i think we are going to the zoo (he told her almost 2 months ago that he wanted to take her and now every time she is sees him that is what she wants to do)

me: honey i don't think you are going today, you have to wait till its warmer out

sky: ugh! its just so frickin cold!

me: what

sky: its frickin cold

me: can we just say its cold?

sky: but IT IS fricking cold mom!

not to argue with her we do have some cold days, but now we are watching our language a little closer :)

{3 & 1}

so as promised i am posting (and you get pictures)! today we had 'model session' as sky called it. she has not been a huge fan of having her picture taken but she's turning a corner, every time i get ready to leave for a session she begs to come and have her picture taken too....so today i thought i would try to convince her it was a GREAT day to take her pictures...we had decent success. decent because for the life of me could not get an acceptable picture of the two of them together, you get one happy and convinced and the other one falls off the wagon :) so goes life...but i have a beautiful picture of each of them and that is most important! there will be a day for a great picture of the two of them!

today is a beautiful day here in MI! The sun is shinning and its not too cold...so we are headed out to run some errands...enjoy your day!