Wine tasting in Cannon Falls

On Sunday we made the pilgrimage to cosmopolitan Cannon Falls for wine tasting with our friends, RJ and Molly. You might not believe it, but Cannon Falls is quite the diverse community. Our master winemaker, Vincent, was a Columbian who was run out of his country by drug lords looking to overtake his winery. And to top it off, our class had several "students" in it from India.

We also had a great time hobnobbing with the barkeep (who wore a button-down KISS bowling-style shirt--no, I'm not kidding) who shepherded us through the wine tasting at the bar.

The tasting included sipping each red, white and rose wine the Cannon Falls Winery had in stock--we even sampled a delicious port toward the end of our run. In all, we sampled a whopping 10 wines during the tasting. Needless to say, the Hansons in the group were a little tipsy after the first session. Angela even coined a new term as a result of our newfound wine-tasting skill--"grapier." Heck, even RJ had a good time, when he wasn't monitoring what I'm sure were intense Sunday afternoon negotiations on his Blackberry. Cheers!

Sleeping in the "Castle"

Just thought we would share yet another Matthew funny. The other night I put him to bed in his race car bed. He yelled for Arik several times before going to sleep, but I had no idea what he needed. I always check on both kids before heading upstairs for the night, and this is what I found when I opened his door.

After I stopped laughing, I asked Arik for an explanation. He said, "Oh yeah, Matthew wanted to sleep in his castle." That's fabulous. Who would have ever thought that a castle could be made with one level of cardboard blocks, every baby blanket we own, a few stuffed animals, and a small rug. I love it! Notice how attention was paid to every last detail. I find this so funny.

One question: Will it Blend?

Before we get to that story, I was watching the NBA draft this evening (surprising the Wolves DIDN'T screw this one up--correction: McHale once again demonstrates his incompetence later that evening by trading the third best player in the draft for a potential 10th man who can throw full-court outlet passes) and focused squarely on the proceedings when I turned around and Amy was two feet up the stairs. I actually froze. If I dart over there, she'll stumble fall and most likely snap a arm. So, I sauntered over to her and gently grabbed her before she attempted to climb up two more steps. Oh well, it's been a nice run...Now, on to the good stuff.

For those of you following our blog, the "Will it Blend?" concept is nothing new. We featured a link last week to Matthew's favorite - the ipod. He watches it almost every night, and the effects are starting to surface. As we were driving home tonight (yes, this is a dual blog), I handed Matthew a small bowl of goldfish. The bowl had a cover on it, and instead of opening it right away, he proceeded to shake it. I asked him to stop, because I was afraid they would be crushed into little pieces. Needless to say, he didn't stop. After the third or fourth request, he finally stopped and said, "I'm not shaking it Mommy, I am blending it!"

That alone made me chuckle. Little did I know the best was yet to come.

About 30 seconds later, he took the cover off the bowl and said, "Oooh, ismoke ... don't breathe this ..."

Are you kidding? I actually called Arik from the car because I was laughing so hard. Matthew apparently has his mother's knack for detail. It was perfect.

If you are having a hard time appreciating the humor in all of this, go back and watch the video again.

When Babies Attack

Our two kids are different in many, many ways. One loves to build towers and castles. The other loves to tear them down. But, one similarity they've both had in their younger years is their love to play, bully and beat up on their Dad. Matthew always loved to be tickled, but then would turn around and attempt to eat my nose. Amy, on the other hand, loves to crawl around on our couch and ottoman and take anything that is attached to my head--glasses, hats, earrings (just kidding). Here's an example of what I'm talking about (note the hat--circa 1988 from a course on the DisneyWorld campus in Orlando; also note the sound you hear at the 24 second mark--it's Matthew using his imaginary "leaf blower", which in reality I believe was a whiffle ball bat on this particular day).

Finn the Fantastic

We journeyed to the east side of the river today to visit our friends, the Martins, who have a relatively new baby boy: Finn. Oh, we did the usual things we do when we visit friends with kids. You know, those old standbys: playing with the hose, running the "orange cord" (also known as an extension cord) around the entire perimeter of the Martin's backyard, and watering the grass with "canny." Good times had by all.

Here's a quick video of our new friend Finn, who's sure to be a heartbreaker someday. Good luck Martins--hope to see you again soon (no more eight month breaks)!

My friend kitty...

My son Matthew, he's a curious fellow. He really loves dogs, but his new BFF seems to be a small kitty who's taken up residence next door. We like to call him our "new friend kitty." Kitty likes to visit us when we garden and mow the lawn. Unfortunately, kitty also has claws so we need to be careful when "playing" with our new friend kitty (read: holding him and dropping him on the ground). We're still friends...for now.

The nutritional value of bathwater

See, this is how we roll at the Hansons. Babies drinking bathwater. According to FDA reports, 6 ounces of bathwater has the same nutritional value as a glass of YooHoo.

Amy's other new favorite bathtime game: Face plants into the tub. Most days, it's all we can do to keep these two alive.

Eating Hay

You will soon see a pattern to the blog content, based on who the author is.  Arik is the creative one.  He is generally responsible for fun stuff like podcasts and YouTube links.  I, on the other hand, am responsible for capturing funny conversation.  

The daily drive to and from daycare is often a perfect breeding ground for Matthew funnies.

Here is the conversation I found myself in tonight as we drove past a small construction site that had just laid down some new grass (not real grass, it was that weird stuff that looks like hay ... and magically turns into grass).

Matthew:  "Mommy, did you see that hay over there?"

Angela:  "Yep.  Pretty cool huh?"

Matthew:  "Yeah ... and horses eat hay, and giraffes eat hay too!"

Angela:  "Yes they do!"

Matthew:  "Mommy ... when I get bigger .... and I eat hay ... "

Angela:  "You aren't going to eat hay goofball!  People don't eat hay, only animals do."

Matthew:  "No ... but Mommy ... when I grow up ... and I turn into an animal ... THEN I am going to eat hay."

Oh...

Someday, Amy. Someday.

I can dream, can't I? Actually, I have pretty simple dreams. For my kids to grow up to be responsible adults. For me to play a round of golf or two with my kids at some point. To retire in St. John with my wife and/or live on a golf course. It's not all that tough.

Dinner @ the Hansons

A brief glimpse into dinner at our house...

Best part of Father's Day?

Watching Eldrick Woods nail a 15-footer to tie Rocco Mediate and go to an 18-hole playoff tomorrow with my son. I've spent so many Father's Days watching the Open with my Dad, that I really hope I can share that same tradition with my kids in the future.

Matthew's favorite YouTube clip

The kid started young with YouTube. He was watching Neil Sedaka videos on YouTube at about one and a half (yes, THAT Neil Sedaka). Now, he's into the popular Will It Blend videos, made famous by BlendTec. Here's his favorite:

Matthew's first podcast

Matthew posts his first podcast. Congratulations, Matthew. You're the most social media savvy three year old I know.

108 holes in three days

That's right. 36 Saturday. 54 Sunday. And 18 Monday. Headed up north to Webster, Wisc. for three solid days of golf with my brother and a few buddies. Played Siren, Voyageur Village, Luck, Frederick and Turtleback over three days. Unfortunately, my game isn't what it once was, but it was a fantastic weekend and we're already planning for 2009 (hello greater Green Bay). Already looking forward to our Brainerd trip later this fall.

A weekend without Daddy...

Arik has left us for a few days to sharpen his golf skills.  We miss him, but we are not without humor in his absence.  Matthew is one funny kid.  This is a glimpse at the conversation we had while he was eating a snack this morning....

Matthew:  "Mommy, I have to go potty."

Angela:  "OK, why don't you go into the bathroom and go in the toilet."

Matthew:  "Mommy, when you have to go potty, there are options.  The options are....that you can go in the litter box, or you can go by the tree."

Angela:  "Interesting (laughing hysterially).  We don't have a litter box, because we don't have a cat.  Your option is to go potty in the toilet."

Matthew:  "Uncle Rocco has a cat.  I think he is going to be mad."

Angela:  "Why is he going to be mad?"

Matthew:  "Because the cat puked all over the floor."

Who would have thought that a three year-old could lead such a thought provoking discussion?  I was dying when told me there were options.  I often feel like he doesn't listen to me.  Apparently he is ALWAYS listening - he is just selective about when he responds!

Welcome to Hanging with the Hansons!

Hi--my name is Arik Hanson and this is the story of my brood. My wife, Angela, and I are writing this blog for a few reasons:

* To chronicle our lives and our kids lives.

* To provide updates on our lives to friends and family across the country.

* To have a little fun.

So, you we'll try to keep you up-to-speed on the fascinating life we lead. While just tonight, I went to the grocery store. We read the kids stories. And we even managed to empty the dishwasher. Yes, hanging with the Hansons is sure to keep you on your toes. 

Stay tuned!