Easter 2010

We spread Easter over two days this year and it was so much more pleasant that way - we got to spend quality time with everyone and weren't rushing off to our next location. On Saturday we drove down to Kelso to visit with Stephen's family. Stephen and Kaitlin's boyfriend, Brian, spent the morning skiing, so Kaitlin and I drove down together and then met the boys at the house. Apparently, it was an epic powder day - I can't wait to get back up there! Kaitlin and I had a fun drive over, stopping for lunch in Olympia and just talking each other's ears off.

We arrived at the Christian's on Saturday afternoon and had an absolute blast hanging out with everyone.

Kaitlin and Brian

Deb and Jeff had a special surprise for us this year ... they were bringing back the annual Easter egg hunt! I have never had the privilege of experiencing a Hansen Easter egg hunt but I have heard plenty of stories of the fun times they used to have doing this. Needless to say, Deb was VERY excited to announce that the hunt was on...

Jeff explaining the boundaries...

Time to hunt...

Ben is soooo sweet!

I wasn't finding any eggs, so he found one for me and directed me right to it - when I opened it, it was the BIG EGG that everyone was looking for. He didn't want to take it back, but I made him trade me for a regular egg - I couldn't keep it when he was really the big winner!

I love Ben ... I can't believe he's the same little guy who was the ring bearer in our wedding - look how big he is now! Makes me feel old.

All the kids with our egg counts

Dinnertime

Jeff made a delicious dinner of lamb chops, potatoes, and vegetables - delicious!

On Sunday we went to church with my family and then spent some time at my parent's house. Although my aunt Linda and uncle Lew were out of town, Lisa and her boyfriend still joined us for some brunch. It was a low-key morning, but nice to spend time together.

Me and my girlies...

Lisa and Tyler

Later that day, we headed over to my aunt Vickie's house for Easter dinner.

Vickie has the most beautiful backyard and garden. The hummingbirds were out in full force and, even though it was raining, the scenery was stunning.

My aunt Jeri tried her first peep - I don't think she liked it very much!

Me and my dad (aka, Extremely Excited Grandpa Joe)

Sharing our happy news...

We had so much fun sharing our news with friends and family. Our little sprout will be the very first grandchild in both of our families so everyone is very excited. We loved the idea of breaking the news in a fun way, but with some of our family members we just couldn't contain ourselves and spilled the beans a little early. Fortunately, we were able to keep our mouths shut to surprise a couple of people.

Although Stephen couldn't help telling his dad and sister (he works with them and sees them every day - who can blame him!), we took his mom and aunt and uncle out to dinner with the family one night to East West Cafe. Stephen volunteered to say the blessing before dinner. He said a sweet prayer and then, at the end, added "... and we thank you for the new addition to the Hansen family who will be joining us in October". This was followed by a series of excited shrieks from Kathleen and some sweet tears from his aunt Carla. It was a wonderfully memorable moment. I was so glad we could pop it on them like that.

With my family, we couldn't keep it from my parents but decided to spring it on my aunt and uncle at Sunday brunch. Stephen got up to take a picture of our table and, instead of saying "say Cheese", we all shouted "say, we're having a baby!" ... here's the result:

We're Having a Baby!

Well, as most of you already know, Stephen and I are having a baby!

Baby Hansen is due October 7, 2010 and we are crazy-excited for this new adventure in our lives.

Here's a picture of Stephen right after he first heard the news:

This picture is priceless ... I think his face is a mixture of excitement and sheer terror.

I was at work when I found out we were expecting - this was about ten weeks ago (I realize this blog post is way way way overdue, but I've been nauseous for the last three months so,

seriously, get off my back!). I took the test in the office bathroom. I know this isn't the most romantic place to find out you're pregnant, but when you need to know you just need to know. When I took the test, I was already kind of a pro at reading pregnancy tests ... I had stared at more than a few, willing them to turn pink, for a good ten minutes. Well, apparently that wasn't necessary because this test turned pink before the pee even reached the end of the stick! Sorry if that's TMI. Needless to say, I did not get much work done for the rest of that day. I had a secret, but I wasn't telling a soul. I wanted Stephen to be the first to know.

When I got home from work I put out a pregnancy book I bought that day and two positive tests in a spot I knew Stephen would see as soon as he walked through the door. Then I made myself a spot on the couch and, with camera in hand, waited for him to come home. When he opened the door, this is what he saw:

"Are you serious?!?!"

And so, our journey began ... it's already been a bit of a bumpy ride. I have not had the easiest first trimester (although I'm sure it could have been worse). I was constantly nauseous for the first 12 weeks and food was truly my nemesis. Stephen can attest to that - I needed to eat every two hours and never knew what I wanted. Let me just say, I wanted to commit murder when my husband refused to go to the grocery store at midnight on a work-night to buy me sugar-free popsicles (ok, in fairness to Stephen, he did eventually go to the store to buy popsicles for his crazy wife). There was just something about the coldness of those popsicles that I desperately needed! I wish I could say that was an isolated incident, but I can't. What I have learned by now is you never, ever, EVER stand in the way of a pregnant woman and what she wants to eat. I'm pretty sure Stephen has learned that too.