It's been a crazy few days! Tenley stayed with the Madsen's while I was in New York with my family so I had to fly back to Utah to get her and then drive 10 hours back to California so I could get ready to host Thanksgiving at our house...all within 2 days. (I am tired just reading that last sentence.) Not the best planning on my part, but when your Dad surprises you with a trip to New York....you go!

Anyway, the Madsen's made their way to California for Thanksgiving and we had so much fun. I put John in charge of the Turkey and Cathy helped with all of the side dishes and I somehow pulled off a Thanksgiving feast with very little prep time!

This is what happens when you put men in the kitchen. I asked Dave to help me peel all the potatoes and he comes in with the drill! haha! To my surprise, it totally worked. 

Little miss sneaking in some snacks as I was prepping the table.

The next morning the girls headed out early to do some Black Friday shopping.  It was so much fun having the Madsen's in town for Thanksgiving. I feel a new tradition coming on!

New York: Pt. 3 - High Line & Rockefeller

I'm in love with this city and its even more magical when you get to explore during the Holidays! We were hoping the big tree in Rockefeller Center would be finished before we left, but they still had scaffolding all around it. However, little bits of Christmas were starting to pop up all over the city in preparation for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

Just chillin' on the High Line. This park is so pretty and a fun way to see the city. I think its awesome that they turned the old railway into a park. 

Our last stop of the trip was to the top of the Rockefeller! This vacation with my mom and sisters was so much fun! I loved getting to spend so much time with them and laughing till we cried! 

New York Pt. 2 - Central Park & Soho

{DAY 3}
My favorite way to see Central Park is on a bicycle! We had the most gorgeous day for this too. We found a little bike shop and I convinced the guy to give us the bikes for the day instead of just 2 hours for the same price. Looks like Dave's sales skills are rubbing off on me. Ha!

We made a stop at the MET and wandered around the art exhibits for a few hours. All that biking made us hungry and you can't come to New York and not eat at Shake Shack! I didn't skimp and ordered a diet coke, fries AND a milkshake with my cheeseburger. No regrets. 

This was the view out our hotel window. We thought it was so awesome that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had such a huge ad about our Savior right in the heart of Times Square. 

Tonight we went to a show I've been dreaming of seeing my whole life....The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular! It was the best way to get into the holiday spirit. My favorite part of the whole show was at the end when they brought out the nativity and read a few scriptures from Luke.  

Luke 2:11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. 

Christmas has been so commercialized and it's easy to forget the true meaning for the season. It made my heart happy that  Radio City brought the nativity scene into their production and the reminder that Jesus Christ is the reason we celebrate this time of year. 

{DAY 4}

We had Sunday brunch at the View which is a revolving restaurant on the 45th  floor of our hotel where we stayed (The Marriott Marquee).  The pictures didn't turn out great but the views were spectacular! And we stuffed our faces until we pretty much had to be rolled out of there. 

We spent the rest of the day shopping around SoHo and then making our way to Little Italy for a yummy Italian dinner. 

In the evening we went to the broadway show Finding Neverland. I hadn't heard much about the show so I didn't know what to expect but I really liked it! 

Girls Trip: New York pt.1

{DAY 1}
Watch out New York....Hansen sistas (and Momma, who really just looks like our sista) have arrived...on a red-eye flight....and we currently fit in well with the homeless. For reals though we looked homeless as we wandered Central park at 6AM and took a little cat nap on the benches while waiting for our hotel room to get ready. My mom kept her eyes on us to make sure we didn't get robbed, or maybe she drifted off to sleep too. I mean, who's going to rob the homeless anyway right?! Also, top left picture....I was such a zombie walking around the streets that morning we arrived. I don't even remember this! Apparently I turn into a Rockette when sleep deprived.

I've always wanted to see Central Park in the fall. I loved that we were still able to see some of the fall foliage. 

Luckily it didn't take long for our room to be ready to check into so we went back and took a little nap and cleaned up.  It got pretty rainy so we stayed close to our hotel and went shopping and exploring Times Square our first day. 

{DAY 2}

We woke up early and took the subway over to Battery Park where we then got on a boat that took us around the Statue of Liberty. My family wasn't so sure about taking the subway, but I convinced them it wasn't so bad and it's the quickest/cheapest way to get around the city. It's been 5 years since I've lived in New York and I was pretty proud of myself for remembering how to use the subway!

Afterwards we made our way over to the Brooklyn Bridge. We went along South Street Seaport and ate at a fun pub and did some shopping. 

It got dark quick as we made our way over to the World Trade Center.  As we got closer to the memorial site we suddenly realized how quiet it was.  It was heartbreaking to walk around and read the names of all those who lost their lives that day.  We will never forget.

We made our way back to our room and washed up before heading out to dinner and a show. How have I never seen Wicked in my 30 years of life!? It was ah-mazing! I loved it so much I cried. 

Family Pics 2015

I love getting updated family pictures taken and I was so happy I could have Janessa take them this year. She is such an amazing photographer. She came and spent a few days at our house after Disneyland and before she left I made sure we got some pics! Warning: picture overload.

Disneyland with the Parkers

We met up with Janessa and her cute family at Disneyland! We tried so hard to go in October to see all the Halloween decorations, but our schedules just wouldn't work. So happy we finally got to meet up now! I convinced Dave to play hooky from work and come join in the fun as well.

 I promise Tenley had more fun than her face is showing.

These little munchkins play so cute together and it makes my heart happy. I love when I get to see my sista!

Tenley was looking for Pluto ALL day long. When we finally found him, she decided to suddenly be oh so shy. 

Disneyland rule #12: must eat at least 1 turkey leg while in the park.  (most rules involve food. ha!)

So amazed by the parade. She's currently obsessed with Woody and Jessie and she was in awe when she saw the Toy Story float.