Movie review

How long's it been since you've seen "Up" or did you ever see it? Here's a review from a family who has seen it three times now.

Up, The Hanson Family Review

Snowman

They crossed the border

Hank and Hope and I had six hours of peace and quiet while the wild ones went to Progreso, just over the boarder in Mexico. Grandma promised me she would take pictures for me and she did. This is my favorite of Gary and his sister embarrassing themselves at lunch:

I guess I didn't miss too much not going to Progreso since another brother and sister duo pretty much re-enacted the Mexican lunch:

Activity schedule

I guess they take the blood pressures before the jam session and bingo game to make sure everyone is good to go, or, as my brother-in-law said, to eliminate some of those who shouldn't even be there.

Texas flora

Heart-in-Waiting

Jesus walked through whispering wood
I am pale blossom, I am blood berry
I am rough bark, I am sharp thorn
This is the place where you will be born

Jesus went down to the skirt of the sea
I am long reach, I am fierce comber
I am keen saltspray, I am spring tide
He pushed the cup of the sea aside

And heard the sky with breathed and blew
I am the firmament, I am shape changer
I cradle and carry and kiss and roar
I am infinite roof and floor

All day he walked, he walked all night,
The Jesus came to the heart at dawn
Here and Now said the Heart in Waiting
This is the place where you must be born

-- Kevin Crossley-Holland

Music by Bob Chilcott. Performed by VocalEssence Ensemble Singers.

One goal for 2010

One of the great things about my middle school job is my close proximity to the band teacher. Finally gonna learn how to play this.

Gary's promising to call me Squidward.

PS: The picture was taken with our Christmas tree in the background and the clarinet on the kitchen table, about 10 ft. in front of the tree. No flash. I used my Canon 50/1.8 which I haven't taken off my camera since I bought it.

Sit still and behave

Hope has a particularly hard time sitting still in church when there is some up tempo music being performed.

There was a lot of it today.

(Whispering loudly): I'M DOIN THE MACARENA!

(Replying exasperatedly): I can see that. Please stop.

Overheard at breakfast

Hank came home with instructions for his big school project, the famous 4th grade "Culture Box," in which each student interviews someone from another country and puts together a display box representing that culture.

Hank decided to interview his cousin-in-law Bahri from Turkey. Hank and Gary are putting the box together this morning.

Hope: "Hank, you know if I was from another culture and you actually liked me you could interview me."

Nesting?

Gary has been making things happen in the Bickerson household which has resulted in a huge decrease in bickering in recent days. The clean, organized closet and entry? Gary's doing. And did I mention there is new drywall up in the basement? The dude is kicking some home organization and repair ass. It's great!

Frustrated

I think my camera is trying to kill me. Slowly.

Running

Takes longer to get everybody ready in the morning so the alarm goes off 10 minutes earlier. But it's worth it.

Peggy (Fleming) Hanson

Peggy (Fleming) Hanson
Originally uploaded by WkHanson08.

The littlest angel from pageant rehearsal

Christmas Cards?

Expect them around Mother's Day at the rate I'm going.

What Sweeter Music

I have to say that I am so grateful to sing in this choir. It makes my Christmas every year.



What sweeter music can we bring,
Than a carol, for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King?
Awake the voice! Awake the string!

Dark and dull night, fly hence away,
And give the honor to this day,
That sees December turned to May.

If we may ask the reason, say
The why, and wherefore, all things here
Seem like the springtime of the year?

Why does the chilling Winter's morn
Smile, like a field beset with corn?
Or smell, like to a meadow newly-shorn,
Thus, on the sudden?

Come and see
The cause, why things thus fragrant be:
'Tis He is born, whose quickening birth
Gives life and luster, public mirth,
To heaven, and the under-earth.

We see Him come, and know Him ours,
Who, with His sunshine, and His showers,
Turns all the patient ground to flowers.

The darling of the world is come,
And fit it is, we find a room
To welcome Him. The nobler part
Of all the house here, is the heart,

Which we will give Him; and bequeath
This holly, and this ivy wreath,
To do Him honor; who's our King,
And Lord of all this reveling.

Unimpressed with her

I got nuthin.

Crankier than EVER, ladies! Steer clear.