Off to the Zoo!

Here's a little video my trip to the zoo last weekend with my cousins!

Fireworks!

Wow I don't even know where to begin. So much has happened in the last week! On Tuesday, I met my mom at work and we decided to go see the Addison fireworks on top of the Galleria parking garage! This was our first time to go to the top of the garage to see the fireworks and there were tons of other people there so we figured we had landed a prime spot! Well to our dismay, the fireworks ended up being behind the buildings to the right of my head in this picture! Lame! So we left a little after they started and I got stopped in THE WORST TRAFFIC EVER!!! I kid you not. I am usually pretty patient when it comes to traffic but I was so irritated. All the traffic lights got turned off and were directed by cops. My car was literally in park cause it was so bad.

 

Then, the next day was 4th of July! We had a bomb lunch with burgers, hotdogs, corn on the cob, potato salad, etc...with the fam. Then we all went to the movies. Some of us went to see Brave and some to see Spiderman. I went to go see Spiderman since I'm not a big Disney Pixar fan. I don't know why "adults" get so hyped about little kid movies. Anyways, Spiderman was pretty good. I think I liked the first one better though considering I fell asleep at the end...idk why I fall asleep in movies! I am becoming like my mother!  Then we went back to my aunt's house and celebrated Dulce's birthday! I used a Martha Stewart recipe and made a bomb trifle cake with raspberries, blueberries, and cream! I was so proud of how it turned out!

Then...we to Stewart's Peninsula by the lake to watch the fireworks! I saw like 20 people I knew from high school. Joy -_-. Reminds me of why I left The Colony after graduation. But anyways the firework show was super long and was really good!

Minnesota Roadtrip!

Wow so last week me, my grandma, uncle Kelsey, uncle Jimmy, and auntie Dulce went on a road trip to Minnesota! The whole reason we went was because my uncles used to be part of a group called The Singing Strings when they were youngins and they were having a reunion! But we also had many other agendas and adventures! I basically went along since I don't do anything all day and so I could play with the group so my grandma could brag about me :). So here is what we did and saw...


 Once we passed the Minnesota border my grandma INSISTED that we go visit Faribult Wollen Mills Co! I vaguely remember going there when I was little and it used to be a HUGE warehouse but it closed in 2009 because of the recession and just recently opened back up. Now it is puny little blanket shop. When you first enter the store you can smell the unpleasantness of the wool. The blankets were super expensive too! Like, $237 but they were gorgeous!

In Minnesota everything was green and the sky was so blue. The weather was absolutely perfect!

 We stayed at a family friend's empty house and everyone morning they would come over and make us breakfast! Denise, the wife, makes jams from wild berries she picks on her property in another town. She also had legit syrup she got from an actual maple tree! It was sooo good omg. These were our toppings to these whole wheat pancakes she made for us! They were the best healthy pancakes I had ever tasted. Usually whole wheat/buckwheat pancakes are disgusting and have no flavor. But these were so good because she put in coconut oil to make them sweet! I am dying just thinking about it. Then another morning her husband made us some mean omelets with peppers, bacon, broccoli, onions, and everything else you can imagine. For dinner another night he grilled cheese sausage, ham, turkey, and beef, and we ate it with corn on the cob and omggg it was better than Texas Roadhouse. IT WAS SOO GOODD. Okay, I'm done talking about the food now.

This is the log cabin my mom, aunt, and uncles grew up in! My grandpa and grandma built it all by themselves! I'm not sure what year though. Anyways, we were poking around and the current owner found us and he was super nice and let us see the inside! It was absolutely gorgeous! 

 Now to The Singing Strings part. My uncles played their violins, danced, and sang in this music group when they were young. A Finnish lady named Ms Paccella (sp?) and her twin sister started it in the 80's and still run the program! Boy are they characters. Anyways so since the sisters are Finnish the kids in the group wear traditional Finnish clothing. I am so glad I didn't have to dress up like a little peasant girl when we performed. The kids even sing in Finnish! It is soo funny. I still even have one of the tunes stuck in my head. 

My grandma is sooo proud of her outfit! By the way, she played the accordion with the group! Hahaha soo funny.

 I cannot wait to torture my kids like this! Hahaha! Poor things..

 Finally, on our way back we stopped at an Action Figure Museum in Oklahoma. I didn't think it was very interesting but my uncles are into that kind of stuff. I was bored and found a little dress up area and decided to put something on...haha.

Congrats Grad!

This weekend my cousin Daniel graduated from Little Elm High School! It was probably the shortest graduation I've ever been to. His class only had 250 graduates, but I'm not complaining. I can't believe these two years since I graduated have gone by so fast! I hope these next two years go by that fast! Our family has six grads down and two to go! Anyways, congrats Daniel we love you!

Turning Twenty!

So whenever it gets closer to my birthday I always forget that it falls on memorial weekend! Last year my birthday was superb. I went to Vegas with mommy and sissy. Then Kyle frickin spoiled me rotten by taking me to the aquarium, The Melting Pot, and giving me a spa/mani certificate! As amazing as it was, this birthday was just as amazing! On Friday, Kyle sent me gorgeous tulips! There was a note attached and when I read it I cried! It made me so happy! I love and miss him soo much!

Then when it was actually my birthday on Sunday, I got a call at 9:00 am from my mom saying she could come home from the hospital! I was so happy! So my grandma came over and we all went to pick her up.

After we just woke up...

 Then...we had a wonderful family party at my grandma's house! As soon as I walked through the door I see this HUGE ORANGE KAYAK!!! I wish someone would've recorded my reaction because grams had been dropping hints all day and I had noooo clue! It got to be played with on the lake buttt I ended up sleeping for a few hours so I didn't get a chance :/. Oh well, for the 4th of July for sure!

Then we had some good food and quality family time. It was nice to be with my family since I've been at school for the past two years!!! I seriously don't think they realize how much I love them.

And below are a few clips! I'm not sure if it's just my family that does this but..the reason I blew out all my candles but one was because however many candles you leave, means how many boyfriends you have. Haha. The last clip is of us doing Jersey Shore dances...the Snooki, JWOWW, and Jersey Turnpike. P.S. Yes I am aware I look ugly and fat -_-. Oh well I don't care!



Now although the video clip doesn't show this, I actually felt wiser and more mature for once on my birthday! Shocking right?! I know I have a long ways to go! :)

Month of May.

On the 14th, was Alice's funeral in Provo. The service was absolutely beautiful. I was so glad that the majority of my family could make the trip to Utah so we could all be there to support each other. I felt the love of my family so strong that day. Alice,  you are an amazing woman and our whole family can't wait to be with you again.

After the funeral I was able to drive home to Texas with my uncle Kelsey and my grandma. My mom had recently gotten surgery for twisted bowel syndrome and had recently gotten home from the hospital. A few days after I got home, she started having pains and we brought her to the hospital again. She ended up staying there for a whole week. It was really hard seeing the person you rely on most having to rely on you. Good news is we have seen much improvement from her and know she'll get back to her usual self!

What I have learned from these experiences...
1. I am so blessed to have a wonderful family that loves me
2. The sacredness of motherhood
3. I need to take care of myself









P.S. It was also my birthday this month but I will have a new post for that!

A Memory of Alice Demske Hansen

On May 8, 2012, my dear cousin Alice Demske Hansen passed away at the age of 33 from an infection after having her third baby. 

Alice, I am so glad I was able to be reminded of your charming personality on two occasions before you passed away. In late March, Kyle and I came over for a dinner in your "really tiny" apartment. You really wanted to wait until the weather was warmer so we could eat outside, but we managed to squeeze in your little kitchen:). As soon as we entered, we saw your desktop was a picture of me from when I was in high school wearing my tennis uniform. This was definitely a hilarious gesture (this just shows the sense of humor she had). Also on your framed chalkboard (as seen in the group photo) read, "Welcome Gwyenne and Kyle!" Being the only family I had in Provo, I felt like it was a loving homecoming :). So for dinner we had salad, lasagna, and lemon meringue pie! Afterwards we started the "grand tour" of the apartment(if you don't know Alice, picture her saying this in a charmingly sarcastic tone). And before we even started, she assured us that we already seen half of the apartment (I just picture her saying this and it makes me smile). So then we caught up a little bit and then we were on our way. 

On the second occasion I saw you, it was just a week before you had your baby girl. My mom and sister were in town for the weekend so we stopped by to have some ice cream! You were pregnant as ever yet chipper as always! Edward and Charlie were running around and horse playing with Hilary while you gave my mom and sister the "grand tour!" Then of course we played with your very squishy pregnant belly. After catching up with you, your family, and Hilary we left your apartment not knowing it would be last time ever to see your beautiful face.

 

Hilary, Charlie, Alice, Edward, Me, Lyenne, Mommy

Alice, I will never forget your beautiful personality and the wonderful mother that you were. I will continue to think about you every day and follow your example. Our family will never be the same with out you and we all love you dearly. 

Charlie, Edward, and Frances, I all want you to know that your mother was the most talented, cheerful person on this planet. Her undeniable love is so strong for you all that it is felt by everyone who knew her. I hope that even though she isn't here physically, that you may feel her love through her wonderful spirit. All of you could not have had a better mother than she. As you grow older and learn about her I know you will be as proud of her as she was of you. I hope that when you are older you will read this and understand what an amazing person she was. I know you all will be as talented, smart, and witty as she was. I love you all with all my heart and may you always carry a piece of her as you go about your life here on this earth. Heavenly Father has a plan for you and your family to be reunited once again, and that you will all be together forever.