Remembering fall colors...

One day this past fall we went for a hike in Whitewater State Park and enjoyed the colors that are evident in God's beautiful creation. We hiked to the top of a bluff and from there we were able to see some beautiful displays of our wonderful land around us. Some of the scenes included a large water crevice created so that the waters that fall on the top of the bluff can apparently flow down to the low-lying areas around.

Another scene is of the gorgious Whitewater valley with the water area below that the campers of CWW swim in and make many memories each year. The scene you see here prablaby looks out at least a good 3 miles to the horizon line.

Later we walked up what seems like the a zillion steps to get to the top of the fire tower bluff, which overlooks the entire Whitewater Valley. Wow did the legs get a workout, but what a view from here too!! This is the little town of Elba, which is right outside the boundries of Whitewater State Park. Looking down the buildings are so small and the trees so short...but oh not so true!!

Then, when we did get to the top, Tony realizes that this is the only place inteh Whitewater Valley that his cell phone will work sooo...

he discovers that YES it does work!!! Only Tony would think of climbing this high and then use his phone at the top, maybe just a bit to brag that we made it to the top!!

So, during this time of snow, snow, and even more snow, that our paths are only set by the shovel or plow, we enjoy the recent past of colors and God's paintbrush and look forward to the Springing up of flowers and the warm days ahead!

God's richest blessings to you!! Take a moment to enjoy God's beauty in your lives as well!!

A Birthday Boy's Weekend

Valentine's Day around the Hansen household isn't your normal cupid-flying-arrow-shooting lovey dovey holiday. Around the Hansens, February 14 is Josh's birthday! And this year it was really special for the following reasons....

1) It was Josh's golden birthday. Yessiree, Josh turned 14 on the 14th. He reminded us of this a NUMBER of times.

2) Josh got to spend his birthday in the Winona area. Usually we had been at a basketball tournament in New Ulm, MN, at Martin Luther College. This year we're home, but Josh's grade school team was in a different tournament at Luther High in Onalaska. (He's number #34)

3) Everything Josh got for his birthday was actually on his B-day list. He got some Diet Mt. Dew, three long sleeved t-shirts, and a very warm fleece hoodie with a zip front. Nice!

And #4) Josh's BB team played for the championship but achieved second place (not on Josh's list at all) and he was totally OK with this! (Cool!! Attitudes like this are always on Mom and Dad's wish list)


Happy Birthday to JOSH! May God give you PLENTY MORE!

A Night At Home - YIKES!!

OK. Granted, there is a old saying, "While the cat's away, the mice will play." However, our children, Josh, Katy, Nick and Sam, took this to a new height while Cindy and I were able to go out on a little "date" to watch Ben and Erik at their basketball games.

Just take a look at what happens at our hacienda and is captured on the camera when we're gone.... (Oh, yah, before I forget... N.B. -- Disclaimer: No one nor the house was hurt or injured during the photo session that follows)

I'm guessing that this is Sam is checking himself out in the reflection of the window.

Could this young man be the culprit??? Did this young man have the itchy trigger finger? Hmmm. We may never know.

But...truth be told, now we know what really goes on!!! Oh, just a side note... Ben and Erik both lost their games.

Hope your day is as much fun as these guys had last night.