The past few months... in pictures

He is super impressed with himself, can't you tell?
Adjustable mop = Chephren's new favorite toy!

'Reading the paper'

Self-feeding continues to be the bane our our existence in terms of keeping the floor clean, however, he loves it.

Doing the dishes with Grammy.

Family time in Canmore.

His new favorite spot in the house - the big chair in his room with a stack of books!

The pics should say it all... we have spent the past three months (actually, the past 18 months) chasing after Chephren. He is getting busier by the day (I didn't think that was possible!). He is now talking more, running, 'reading', 'cleaning', and spending as much time outside as he can talk me into! (which is quite a lot!)

All is well on the Hasse front... my only regret is that we haven't had as many 'adventures' as I would normally like. The 'living with less' philosophy has kept us closer to home as of late. Up next on the horizon for us is building in Nordegg this summer and a trip to the Okanagan next week for me (for some much-needed time OUTSIDE)! I can't wait.

Big hugs from our family to yours. Thanks for checking in!

Love, the Hasses xoxo

The Neglected Family Blog Finally Sees Some Action!

HEY! So sorry to those of you who have been trying to keep up with the Hasse's, I have been terrible at keeping this one up to date, but this time I have an excuse! (It's a good one, believe me). If you don't already know, I started up another blog in January about a new challenge that I (and increasingly we, as in Trent and I) are undertaking. The challenge is to 'live with less' for 365 days. Specifically, no purchasing of new items, except for the essentials such as groceries for one full year. I won't rant about it here, but if you are interested in checking it out go to: http://marebarenecessities.blogspot.com/

Okay, so, what else have we been up to? I have done a few trips to Calgary for work over the past few months. One of them was to cover a presentation by Brian McKeever to a group of parents and professionals of students with visual impairments, and of course, the students themselves. If you didn't already know, McKeever is the first Canadian Athlete to be competing in both the Able-bodied Olympics and the Paralympics during the same year. Brian is visually impaired and will be competing this upcoming Saturday in cross-country skiing. He was a wonderfully motivating speaker and it was just awesome to hear him talk. Go Brian!

It is Olympic fever in this house. Trent and I have been watching religiously over the compter at ctvolympics.ca (which is FREE)! We have been loving the games so far and are feeling so, so proud to be Canadian! Go Canada Go!

As for the little man, he is doing just awesome. He is getting super tall and as a result is thinning out quite a bit, making him look much more like a boy than a baby. It kind of makes me sad to see the baby go, but I am delighted to have such a happy and busy toddler on my hands. He is an absolute riot, and Trent and I enjoy playing with him as he has such a great sense of humour. As you can see from the photos below, he is a gooooood sport!

Don't worry, we don't torture him ALL of the time...

That's all for now, lots of love from our home to yours!

The Hasse's

Christmas and New Years 2009

Whew! Am I ever glad to see January 2010! Christmas was just a crazy, crazy whirlwind for us, as it always seems to be. Have you ever seen the movie 'Four Christmases'? Let's just say that I can strongly identify with the couple who is trying to escape to Figi! On the other hand, now it is January, which is the LONGEST and DARKEST and COLDEST month of the year. Not that I am complaining (well, I guess I am, just a little bit). Bring on the cold and snow then!

Yeah! Bring it ON!

So, what exactly have we been up to for the past month or so... We hosted an open house on December 12 which was super fun, even if Edmonton was the 'second coldest place on the planet' on that particular day. Just our luck! Oh well, it was sure memorable because of the bitter, bitter cold. Our friends and family stayed just long enough to make sure that their cars would still start before they left again! Luckily, everyone made it home safe and sound. The evening was also memorable because Trent's dad played Santa for the kids: Chephren and Mya. Both of them cried hysterically (which, admittedly, was kind of funny)! Oh, the things that we do to our kids...

See? They are loving it!

Chephren and I both got sick right after that, so that time period is a bit fuzzy. Trent and I did manage to get away to Nordegg with some friends for a few days before Christmas which was such a great, great time. We had such a blast and it was a wonderful break from the daily grind. Chephren stayed home with his Grampy so we even managed to get in a few days of activity.

Family photo during the open house

After Nordegg (ahhh, Nordegg), the hustle and bustle of Christmas set in. We made the rounds to the four families and ate too much, drank too much and were spoiled rotten. Just what Christmas is supposed to be about right? I won't rant about it here, but just know that next year we are planning to start some 'new' family traditions...

This is my brother Ben 'babysitting'. Cute hey?

After all of the extreme fun of Christmas, I needed a break, so, rather than go to Canmore with my husband to ice climb and ring in the New Year, I stayed back with Chephren for a few days of rest and recovery. It was great. We bought a ski attachment for the chariot so I have been out pulling my son around the farm like the donkey that I am. And yes, that is my idea of a fun time.

I think he enjoys it too, don't you?

Now that the new year is here, I have made some resolutions for myself as I do every year. I put them right on my pantry door where I will see them EVERY DAY. Do you think it will help? I hope so. If I can follow my plan, I should be a rich, skinny, fit, yogini with another triathlon or two under my belt by the end of the year. Oh, and the house in Nordegg should be just about done. HA! Wish me luck! And good luck to all of you who have delusional resolutions as well!

Catherine agrees that my resolutions might be a bit of a stretch!

Cheers everyone and all the best in 2010!