Merry Christmas

We wanted to wish everyone near and far a very Merry Christmas. Rich and I were just reflecting about the last year and how many wonderful things have gone on for Our family. Here are just a few. First and foremost the birth of our 3rd child. A beautiful girl Erica Catherine. Second Drew starting Kindergarten and loving it and Paige starting Preschool and wishing she could go everyday like Drew. Third Rich's website up and running check it out at hansendalton.com. No major accidents to report everyone has been healthy. We still all love eachother and we can't wait to see what is in store for us in 2009. (photos taken at Rich's parents last Sunday)

**8 More Months**

Friends

We get to see these people next week!!! One thing Rich has always said to me is, how thankful he is for good friends. Rich has many friends some near and far and in between and for the most part he keeps in touch with most of them on a regular basis. He considers his friends apart of his family he would do anything for them. OK almost! When Rich and I started dating I knew there would be a day I would get to meet his friends and I hoped I would get along with all of them because I knew how important they were in his life. I never struggled feeling uncomfortable they all have treated me very nice and I have appreciated this. So cheers to good friends!!! In these photos are Mike Benson(again), Jason Lane, and Rich This was the night before Jason got married in Oregon June 2000. The second photo was Nov.1999 PF Chang's in Tempe Rich, Liz, Shaunasey Oberly Lane(who is married to Jason in the other pic(Rich set them up)),And Mike Benson.

**Only 9 months till the BIG party I hope you are making arrangements to be in Mesa, Az.

BOO!! Happy Halloween

Have a safe and Happy Halloween! Halloween wasn't always may favorite holiday I think Rich would agree with me on this.I think we have only dressed up once back in 1999 when we first started dating. My brother John and his wife Rebecca had a Halloween/costume party and we didn't want to be party poopers so we went as Deputy Sheriff and a inmate. We thought it was pretty clever. I think we won for most original.(see 1st photo)
Of course when the kids came along it has become a fun holiday that we look forward to. In Mesa thats when we finally start feeling the cooler nights and it is a kick start to the rest of the year with the Holidays! Family, good food, and all around great memories. The pictures are from last year at Halloween. Paige was a 50's chic (i made her skirt) and Drew was SpiderMan Black and Erica was still cooking in my belly.
10 MONTHS TO GO!!!

11 Months To Go!

I know sounds crazy but 11months goes by fast. Our baby(Erica) will be 9mo on the 27th and I can't believe how fast that has gone by. So it will be here before you know it. You probably will be sick of me by the time the date arrives but I want you all to plan on being there. I would hate to do all this planning and preparation and the day comes and there is only a handfull of people there. So if I start now by drilling the date and info in your head I am hopeful you will never forget. And you will be so curious about what is all going to take place that trust me you will want to be there.

Also Rich and I just wanted to give Mike and Marissa Benson a big Congratulations on there new baby boy. Mike and Rich have been long time friends and once even shared a Condo together. The same Condo Rich and I lived in when we first got married. (sorry Mike we had to kick you out.) Side note about Mike: every once in a while when I am buying groceries at Safeway and they hand me my receipt they will say thank you Mrs. Benson for shopping at Safeway. At first I almost want to correct them but I smile & walk away thinking to myself why did they call me that then I quickly remember that Rich and I kept the same home phone number that Rich and Mike had while they were roomates. Now when I go shopping I always wonder who are they going to thank Mrs Benson or Mrs Dalton. I don't mind either one would be fine. Mike is hailarious and I know Rich would be happy to see him at his big shin dig it's been awhile . Mike and Marissa reside in Massachusetts now. We miss you guys!! The picture is of Mike,Rich, and Drew(taken about 4yrs ago) When Mike came to visit.

Life Is Good

If you talk to Rich today this is what he would say,"Life is Good!" I hope that is what he would say. When Rich and I go out with are children most people assume we are in are late 20's because of the ages of are children 6, 3, and 9mo. I guess that is one benefit of getting married later in life. We don't mind we like that people think we are younger. But most recently I asked Rich if he thought he was looking older? He said, "I didn't think I did until I looked at our wedding pictures." Then he said, "we do look older." I will have to post a wedding picture(8yrs ago) and one that was taken in Florida this year at an insurance trip they took of us and you tell us what you think.(the photo above was taken on the same Fl. trip in March 08 of course that is Rich and our baby Erica at 3mo I think there heads are the same size) On a regular basis I like to ask Rich if he still likes his life, work, me . And he always tells me that he does. "He WE have so much to be thankfull for!" He would say. "We have a home, a good job, our faith, 3 healthy beautiful kids, eachother, good friends & family." "What more could I want?" "Life Is Good!"

What Would I Do Without My Baby!!

Happy 39th Birthday!! I just wanted to give a big shout out to my best friend and husband. Just a little tidbit about Rich. Rich was born on a Tuesday the 19th day of August 1969 in the wee hours of the morning 4:02am to be exact in beautiful Falls Church Fairfax Virgina. He weighed in at 7lbs 3oz and 21in long. His full name is Richard Bryan Dalton after his grandfather. Aren't these baby photos priceless?!! Does any of are kids look like him? What do you think?

It took me almost an hour to post this one. I have never done this before with pictures and all. Hopefully I will do better. I have a year right?! Look for new postings on the 19th of every month. Oh and one more thing next time you see Rich ask him to see the inside of his wedding ring!!

I LOVE YOU BABY!!

Shh! This is a SUPRISE!!

Ok if you are reading this it is because Rich Dalton considers you a dear friend. When Rich and I got married 8yrs ago I was already planning his big 40! I know he said the same thing, "that is 9yrs from now." I asked him, "if I were to throw you a huge 40th Birthday celebration and make it a suprise who would you want to be there?" And he said, "you!!" So I hope you highly consider making an effort to join us for the biggest party of 2009! Yep that is right Rich turns 40 August 19th 2009 a year from now. But most of his closest friends live far away. So I wanted to give you enough time to plan your next family vacation in 2009. The party will be in Mesa, Arizona and will be right around the 19th of August (the exact date will be posted at a later time) I am still working out the location it will either be a Harkins theatre or a conference room at a local Hotel. But you don't need to worry about that now. My plans for this celebration is to gather... oh I bet you thought I was going to share that part with you. Sorry TOP SECRET! Let's just say the only thing I want from each of you is to be there. Everything will be taken care of. Be prepared to share your favorite memories, stories, I want the entire night to be all about RICH. Oh yeah and wear only BLACK!! Also at a later time will be more postings so check back soon and when it gets closer to the big night you will recieve a personal invatation and this will be your ticket in. I am looking forward to this I have been for 8yrs and I know the only way for this to work is for you to be there. Oh yeah and did I mention this is a SUPRISE!!!