Party Hardy

This week was a week of partying in the Hansen house. First, we had Joe's birthday. While his birthday was technically on Thursday, we celebrated it on Wednesday because Joe had a football game on Thursday.
Generally speaking, Joe isn't a picky man. He doesn't really care what he wears, how his hair looks, things like that. But there are certain things that must be "just so" on his birthday. As many of you know, I am a girl/woman who likes to cook. I like the joy good food brings to people. I especially like making special birthday treats (Amanda's key lime pie, Becca's rice crispy creation). However, my husband prefers to have something as non-homemade as possible for his birthday cake. In the past, I have bought him a cake from the store. This year, I got him to let me make a cake from the box, with icing from the can. So here's a picture of this birthday travesty (sorry I don't have a better shot):


But I'll do anything for my honey on his birthday. We also went bowling for Joe's birthday, which was something he's been wanting to do for a long time. Craig and Em came with us, and I must say that the Weed girls weren't as pathetic as you might think. We played two games, and although I got last place the first game, I got first place in the second game. Em was always placed somewhere in the middle, and Birthday boy won the first game. It was a good time for all. Even Dottie had fun, although she got a little overambitious and tried to lift a bowling ball all on her own.
The second party of the week was on Joe's birthday, Thursday. Since my husband was gone, I had a girls' night at my house. We watched "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton" and ate lots of food. I think most of the girls didn't really watch the movie. We mainly talked. Dottie got to stay up until 9:30. I was amazed she went to sleep, because the party was still going until 11.

Party #3 was just with me, Emily, Joe, and Dottie. It was really a continuation of Joe's birthday. On Saturday, we went to a fun little amusement park called Santa's Workshop. It's located at the North Pole! No, really. The town is called North Pole, CO. Everything at the park is Christmas-themed, although some of the rides seem oddly familiar (i.e. Santa's Christmas Cups, which are really just the Tea Cup ride painted in Christmas decor). Joe's student teacher at Wasson has worked at the park for ten years and was able to get us in for free! That was a really good deal, because normally the tickets are $17. This was Dottie's first amusement park experience. At first, she didn't know what to think of the rides, and she didn't smile at all on any of them. Gradually, she got the idea that this was "fun," and lightened up. Here are some of the highlights of that excursion:

Dottie and Aunt Mimi on the purple ladybug.

Dottie rode this ride twice, and insisted on the purple ladybug both times.

Believe it or not, Dottie was really enjoying herself. She rode the carousel twice, and each time she had a completely serious face.

Dottie and Daddy.

The Hansen family at the "North Pole." It was a frozen pole of ice . . . I'm not sure how they keep it frozen year round.

This is Dottie's favorite ride, and the one ride she rode solo. As you can see, she's merrily dinging the bell. This is the one ride she smiled on.

Em and Dottie having a tender moment on Santa's train.

Party #4 was later on Saturday. It was our friend Hallie Hinckson's first birthday. She had a Tinkerbell themed party. Her mom, Michelle, even dressed Hallie up as Tinkerbell. It was a fun party, watching Hallie demolish her mom's pretty castle birthday cake.

Dottie and Hallie.

Dottie thought it was her party since she got to wear the cool hat. She even helped Hallie open her presents.