Trip to NYC

Living in Connecticut, we have access to several cool places and things to see and do. (A great reason for you to come visit us!) We recently went to the first place on our list, New York City. It was awesome. Mark's brother, Matt, came up for his birthday so we decided to celebrate big. We were also joined by one of Mark's friends that grew up here and knows anything you want to know about the city. He was a great tour guide and showed us some great places to see and eat at. Adriana loved all the excitement. We didn't get to see any Broadway, but we'll be back again. We walked around Times Square and we even saw Samuel L Jackson while they were shooting a movie. Fun to be around all the action.

We took the Staten Island Ferry and got a great look at the bay and the Statue of Liberty.

It also gave us a great view of Manhattan!

Time Square

We went to the Toys R Us store and stayed for about 2 hours... Adriana heaven.

We had fun riding their huge Ferris wheel with all different characters,

and HAD to stop off at the Candy Land section.

This was interesting. A new way to park when you don't have much room. Why not go up, just like the buildings.

Rockefeller Plaza

St. Patrick's Church

A fun walk in Central Park. We also did a carriage ride through the park.

Miss Abigail

This great trip took place over Easter weekend so thought we'd add a few of Easter.

E & A

Celebrating Matt's birthday

Elena & Abigail turn 1

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ELENA & ABIGAIL!!!!

Can a year have passed already? They turned 1 on April 16 and have changed so much in the last 12 months. We went from this...

to this....

... and now!

Abigail & Elena

We had a fun little party for them with a few friends. They didn't quite get opening presents, but luckily got a lot of help with their big sister.

Then as family tradition goes they each got their own cake to eat. We had to do the block cake and we put an A & B for their in-utero name.

Elena is not sure what to think at first, but then digs in with full force.

Abigail felt about the same. She loved the frosting!

It has been so fun to watch them learn and grow and interact. Their personalities keep changing and they take turns a little on who they are. Usually this is how it is. Abigail is our adventure girl and is the doer, but she is talking a lot more now. She started walking a few weeks ago and can't get enough. She loves to put things on her head, hats or anything else she can find. Elena is the social one and loves to talk and talk. She has the cutest looks and loves to be shy when others are admiring her. She is also walking, but still likes to hold on to things. Each day she gets braver. She, like Abigail, loves to climb up the stairs. Luckily they have both outgrown the stranger anxiety they had for 5 months. Each day has its funny moments, and difficult "am I going to make it?" moments, but they are great girls and we love having them in the family.

Their latest stats are:

Elena is 29 inches, 20 lbs 4 oz, some hair and 2 bottom teeth.

Abigail is 28 3/4 inches, 19 lbs 9 oz, some hair and 2 bottom teeth. (Her teeth came in last)

Trip to Atlanta and California

We had a great trip and wanted to share some... a lot of our pictures. First we joined Mark in Atlanta for a conference he had to complete all of the requirements for receiving his FSA (Fellow of the Society of Actuaries) That is so exciting and quite an accomplishment for him! All the years of studying paid off. Way to go Mark! While he went to classes we had fun and enjoyed the warm weather.

Then we continued West to the sunny cost of California where the Hansen Family Reunion was being held! A grand total of 31 of us were there! The most ever at a reunion (and that's not just because of all the twins born in the family since the last one.) Mark has an awesome boss so he was able to stay the whole week with us! We had tons of fun and were sad to go home. Here's a sample of all the fun we had!

The Atlanta Aquarium

I was able to see Jessica, my Freshman roommate, for the first time since school. It brought back some great memories!

Of course we had to enjoy the pool. This was A& E's first time swimming... except for the bathtub.

Adriana turned 3 in Atlanta so we went to Brewster's Ice Cream and tried about every flavor. She was in heaven!

E & A

Mark received his Diploma from the president of the Society.

"Can life get better than this? I submit that it cannot!"

We visited the Newport Beach temple which was announced before I was a missionary, but not started until after I left. It is beautiful!

Lots of fun in the sun with the cousins

The princesses are ready for Disney!

This is Sleeping Beauty waving

Adriana's favorite part

And back to the beach

Drew & Mark's Lord of the Rings sand castle

E& A loved the sand. We couldn't get them to stop eating it

Some of the girl cousins wearing the skirts that Grandma Hansen made them.

It was a great trip with lots of fun and memories!