Sunday, November 20, 2011

A little early ;]

Alright, yes! Its not even Thanksgiving yet and we are putting up the tree! I could not hold my excitement in any longer! I dont care how old I get or what people say, Christmas is the most AMAZING time of year. I could care less about getting gifts, or how much money we are gonna spend on giving gifts... It feels like its the one time of year where we all celebrate togetherness and being merry and having traditions. Its so much fun! I wish the world was like this all year round! Sucks that we don't have our family close to us to really celebrate with, but we do have some family about 4 or 5 hours away, or even just a call away ;] And a couple of great friends right down the road! This house is starting to feel like a home more and more every day and I love it! Cant wait for family to come visit!

So, Joel and I decided we'd get a little head start on the Christmas decorating, we needed some inspiration so we bought a Christian Christmas CD and ELF =] Whats Christmas spirit without Elf!? The second we got home we blasted our Christmas music and went to town on the tree! Something about decorations that brings such a warming welcoming feel =] Its kinda crazy to think this is actually our second Christmas together as a married couple when it totally feels like our first, just because we finally have our own place, our own tree, our own decorations... Its just finally US. I love this crazy little life of ours... we are always here and there and everywhere... so its nice to have a cozy home to come to every day to just relax and spend time together =]


Im telling you... The second he walks in the door... shirt off... pants off... luckily he kept his pants on for the tree decorating lol my silly boy =]

HAHA I thought he looked so cute straddling the tree like this! Like a little kid!





Favorite ornament from my pa last year =]


I have to admit that I really wanted the 9 foot tree and didnt even think about the star not fitting... Shh dont tell Joel... he will give me the good ol' "I told you so".

It. Is. Finished. (so far) ;]

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Rehearsal Extravaganza!


FINALLY! We are finally, completely, and officially, married... again ;] I have to say I am a little glad its over... The stress of a wedding is insane! It was all completely worth it though! My wedding day turned out to be one of the most amazing days of my life. I couldn't have dreamed of it being any better. Not only was this weekend about mine and Joel's love for one another, it was about all of our friends and family reuniting again. I almost want to say that was the best part about it all. I felt more than blessed to reconnect with my family, and to catch up with old friends. Sometimes it is so hard to believe we have such incredible people in our lives, it almost feels too good to be true. As soon as I get our wedding pictures from our photographer, I will definitely get more into detail about our amazing day =] As for now... REHEARSAL!.....

The centerpieces for the rehearsal dinner... Aint too shabby ;]

 Completely forgot my bouquet from my bridal shower =[ 

Back at the house for some good grubbin! My bridesmaids are freakin gorgeous =] Love all of them! (missing Morgan and Justyne in this picture)

Part of the Dillner family! I cant even explain how good it was to see everyone. There wasnt that much time to catch up or do much, but just seeing them, and knowing that they came for Joel and I was awesome. Hopefully we will get to see them more often being that we are on the same coast now! ;]

I cant actually speak from experience on this night, but everyone had a fun time from what I heard. I was a stressed and witchy bride haha so I went to bed like a poor sport. But I mean common... I WAS STRESSED... one of those great traits I get from my father =] Cody, Casey, and Erickson were practically family right when they walked in the door! I have been waiting for FOREVER to meet Joels other-other half Cody and Erickson, and I have to say, they all should be married. I wish I was in a better mood that night, but Im glad Joel got to spend time with all his buddies! (PS those piggy banks are the best most funniest wedding gifts I have ever seen! You cant walk into the Hanson house without paying the college fund piggys for our kids!! lol)

After the wedding everyone came back to the house and we continued the celebration with more eating and chatting and yes you guessed it, more drinking around the fire! 

Morning after the wedding, got to spend the morning/afternoon hanging out with our cousin Taylor =]

Sweetest people on earth. Don't know what we would do without them <3

Saturday night went to see Jack and Jill with my side of the family... It was alright... not the funniest movie Ive ever seen but decent =]

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The Laundry Lottery!

Alright... I admit it... I am guilty of doing the laundry and letting it pile up until its overwhelming! I'm also guilty of having to run the washer more than once because I will forget there are clothes in it! I just feel like we have so many dang clothes, you'd think we have a family of 8 or something! So I came across this wonderful idea, The Laundry Lottery! So when the clothes pile up like this... I can whip out the cards ;]


Here's how it works... I toss these cards in the dryer and let them roll around for a second (just like the lottery balls ;]) and let him pick a card. One card, in my favor says folding duty. The other one, in his favor, says lucky you! (which could be anything I designate prior to the draw...whatever might lure him in the best!) ;] Now, this could be a lose-lose situation haha but I think its fun! And as the wife, I am always folding the laundry anyways, so I am willing to take my chances lol.

Unfortunately it's a sad day in the Hanson household hahah! I whipped the cards out on him today and it just flat out BACKFIRED! lol! Oh well. Ill get him back next time! =]


Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies

    I sorta made a tinnie tiny mistake of using an 8x11 baking dish so my cookies came out a little undone because they were so thick, but... I am big fan of undone cookies so Im not complaining haha. However, next time I will definitely do it the right way lol!

1 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

    For the cheesecake layer:

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla


    To make the cookies:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the salt, baking soda, and flour.
  4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed butter. Mix until just combined.
  5. Stir in the chocolate chips.
  6. To make the cheesecake layer:
  7. Mix all ingredients together until well combined.
  8. To assemble:
  9. Line a 9x13 baking sheet with parchment paper. Press half of the cookie dough in the bottom of the baking sheet.
  10. Pour on the cheesecake layer and spread evenly.
  11. Place the remaining dough over the top of the cheesecake. It's easiest to take small handfuls of dough and press them out in your hand before placing them on the cheesecake layer. The cookie dough doesn't have to cover the cheesecake layer completely, but should come close.
  12. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Cool completely before serving and store in the refrigerator.


Marine Corps Ball 2011

Its that time again, for the Marine Corps ball! This year was sorta tricky for us because we have been in wedding mode for so long that I almost forgot that we had the ball to go to. I even forgot to request the day off at work and they scheduled me on that day so I had to search around for someone to cover it. All went well and we were on our way to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina! We got an ocean front room which was amazing because during the day the weather was PERFECT so we had the door open just listening to the waves crashing and wind blowing. The ball this year was pretty much just as lame as the year before, if not worse, but it turned out to be a really nice relaxing trip for Joel and I. It also made us realize what an old married couple we are turning out to be HAHA. After the ball everyone went out to one of the bars and we just went back to our hotel and called it a night (we were hoping to get in the indoor lazy river at our hotel.... but figures they closed 10 minutes after we got there!). The next morning I woke up at the crack of dawn and saw the most beautiful sunrise. I wish I would have snapped a picture of it (call me crazy but the first thing I think of when I wake up is definitely not taking a picture haha). It was at the most perfect time though because the sky was still really dark but the reds and oranges that were just starting to rise were reflecting off the water, and we left the door open over night so not only could I see the beauty, I could hear it as well! After sleeping in for a bit we went down to the beach and took it all in before we had to go home, and before I had to work in a few hours =/ As much as I was dreading going to the ball this year, it really did turn out to be just what we needed =]



My lovely ladies =]

Love her by the way!



Too cold for this now, but how fun for summer!