a new blog

I'm moving.
Well, my blog is.
The title of this blog has bothered me for quite some time.
1) I have two babies now so knitting for my baby isn't really true.
and
2) I don't really knit as much as I do other things.  Like sew, quilt, bake, take pictures, and play with my kids.  So I'd rather write about all those other things.

So come follow me at:
http://emilymargarethansen.blogspot.com/

The title of the blog is
Not without my...

Each post will be a fill in the blank of either something I can't live without or something I had to have for the project I made.
Fun?

Family Camping Trip

What a lovely weekend we had! 
Friday night was super hot- like it would have been in the high 80's by the time we were planning to put the girls down, so we stayed in and decided to leave Saturday morning.
We got up early and the car was already loaded so we just packed the food and left.  I found this campground that is part of the Three Rivers Park Area so it was close- only 45 minutes, and cheap- $30 for two nights.
Upon arrival and set up we learned that our friends weren't going to be joining us.  So we embraced a weekend with just the four of us.  And it was wonderful.
Also- I just got on Instagram- this is going to be fun! I love all the edits I can make to my pictures immediately! 

Audrey cooling off after a swim.  She loves playing with cell phones.

Greta has curly hair!  Really curly!  It's so sweet to see.

The mosquitoes were rough but we pushed through and managed to have a delightful time at the fire- just the two of us!

'merica

2009 Pregnant with Greta (6 months or so)

2010 Our first fourth of July with Greta (9 months old)

2011 And the four of us! (G was 21 months old and Audrey was 7 months old)

2012 Greta is 2 1/2 and Audrey is 18 months

Memorial Day, 2012 style

I can't believe I haven't written about our fabulous camping trip this past Memorial Day!  (and to think it's almost Father's Day!)

Anyway- I have to start with a financial story.  Another true testimony to God's faithfulness.  As we were preparing for our twice a year camping adventure I realized that we were quickly running out of cash as the weekend was approaching and that we wouldn't have money to pay for groceries ahead of time.  My plan was to buy the food on Wednesday or Thursday even though we weren't leaving until Friday as I like to make a bunch of food ahead of time.  Less prep to worry about while camping and more time to relax.  So, I let go of that option and decided I'd just have to go shopping first thing Friday morning and bring the food, as is, to camp.  My man was fine with using the CC for the night and then paying it back but I feel like it's a slippery slope I really want to avoid. 

Then.  An unexpected check came in the mail. 

You see.  We benefit from something called Medical Assistance.  Audrey is covered by MA because even though we have health insurance, the premiums get expensive, and the state has deemed us as qualified recipients of such a blessing.  And so they reimburse us for her premiums.  But we always forget when it's coming.  It's kind of a fun game we like to play with ourselves!

And so.  We had cash.  Enough to cover all the groceries, drinks, and gas on the way down.  It was such an answer to prayer. 

So after cooking and chopping and baking all night Thursday we loaded the car Friday am and drove to Cresco, IA for an amazing weekend!  The girls slept outside in our new tent (which was more than fantastic by the way) and never cried at all.  We sat in the river and enjoyed the sun on Saturday.  We heard a new band from Iowa for our first ever live music concert by professionals.  Feel free to check them out- incredible group of musicians.  The Comfort Kings. We had a fun wine tasting that was Mexican themed.  We laughed.  We cried.  We spent a lot of time in the rain.  It was great.

And this is the only photo I have to show for the weekend.

A peaceful Audrey Lou asleep in her Daddy's arms

Mother's Day

I think I've come to love the month of May.  First of all- it's a beautiful time of the year! Second of all, my birthday is in the first week.  Third of all, Mother's Day is the following weekend.  And then to top it all off, Memorial Day weekend comes and I get to spend an entire weekend with some of my favorite people on the planet.

This morning I woke up to two sick little girls.  I promptly went back to bed.  An hour later I woke up to the smell of strong, dark coffee and monkey bread.  Yes!

Then, the card.  How sweet! I look forward to many more years of homemade cards!

Then, the gift.  I wasn't expecting anything, not after last week and the gift of our new tent.  But my man knows me well.  And he bought me not one but two new stock pots for all the soup I make.  I no longer have to borrow my friend Mel's pot!

So, we're skipping church, since the girls are sick, and laying low, but I kind of love it.  All four of us are still in our pajamas!  We'll have dinner with my mom and dad later on but for now, it's just us.

So- Happy Mother's Day to all you Mom's out there! Hope you find a way to enjoy this lovely day!

Yes, Mama, I'm ready for my rest

I've always heard stories of people who's kids fall asleep in the high
chair and I think to myself, "how does that happen? My kid would never do that".  Until one day, when she did.  Audrey Lou. You crack me up.

Greta "reading" You Are My Sunshine

This video was taken on February 8th but it still melts my heart every time I see it. 
Plus- check out Audrey hanging out on the couch.  Q.T.Pie.
And don't check out my hair/pajamas.  It's the way I roll. Don't judge me.