DANVILLE — When Chris and Christy Hanson moved to Danville 12 years ago, Christy had some reservations, having grown up in the Chicago area.

Today, after expanding their family to include five daughters and a Yorkiepoo, the Hansons are happy living in Danville.

Chris had always wanted to “come home to Danville” after he and Christy had lived and worked in Columbus, Ohio, for a number of years. “My family moved to town when I was 2 years old, and my parents still live here,” Chris said.

“I love Danville and so many things about it,” he added, citing the beautiful parks, the hospital, and the many cultural opportunities.

Christy added, “I’m sold on a smaller community now; it’s nice to have everything within a 10-minute drive from home.”

Chris sometimes feels outnumbered, living with six women. “Even our dog, Lily, is female,” he said, grinning. “But I can’t picture life any other way.”

The Hanson children are Mariah, 13; Hope, 10; Katelyn, 7; Esther, 5; and Rachel, 6 months.

Chris graduated from Danville High School in 1987 and from the University of Illinois in 1992, with a degree in civil engineering. He met Christy at the U of I, where she earned a degree to teach English and Spanish. The Hansons were married five years before they started a family, and during that time Christy taught in a public school.

“After Mariah was born, I officially became a stay-at-home mom,” Christy said happily. But when it was time for their eldest child to enter kindergarten, the Hansons decided to home-school, so Christy became a full-time teacher, too.

A right choice

The Hansons chose home schooling for several reasons. “The main advantage is that we can use a Christian curriculum, and our children are free to talk about God and Jesus,” Chris said.

“Every spring we sit down with the kids to evaluate home schooling, and we make a conscious decision whether to continue with it or not,” he added. “So far, it’s been the right choice for our family. It’s not for everybody, though.

“An extra benefit of a home school calendar is that we can all pack up and go to Disney World whenever I can take my vacation.”

Because she is fluent in Spanish, teaching her children a second language has come natural to Christy. She frequently converses in Spanish with the girls just to keep them in practice. She also conducts a formal class for them once a week, along with seven other students.

Even though Christy appears calm on the surface, raising and home-schooling so many children can get pretty hectic.

“The older girls are a big help with the younger ones,” Christy said, “and everybody has chores.”

For example, Mariah had wanted a dog for the past four years.

“We told the girls if they could pay for the dog and all its needs, and also take care of her, then we would consider it.”

The girls ended up saving hundreds of dollars that they earned from doing chores, from birthday and Christmas gifts, and from the tooth fairy.

Last November, after researching the spectrum of small dogs, the Hansons welcomed a Yorkiepoo into their home.

“Taking care of Lily is completely the girls’ responsibility,” Christy said.

Even though the girls don’t have to leave home to go to school, they are all involved in many extracurricular activities. Mariah does soccer, dance, Keepers (similar to Girl Scouts), takes private piano lessons and is in the church youth group; Hope does dance and gymnastics, and she plans to take violin lessons. Katelyn and Esther take dance, gymnastics and swimming.

All the girls have sung in the St. James children’s choir, and they have taken art lessons and participated in children’s theater. They also enjoy the Kennekuk Road Runners’ fun runs at Winter Park. This summer the family co-purchased a ski boat, and they enjoy tubing and skiing on Lake Vermilion. As a family, the Hansons attend Danville’s Vineyard Church.

“When you have such a large family you have to learn to let some things go,” Christy said. “Everything can’t be perfect all the time. Our girls are my hobby right now, and that’s just fine.”

Pedal power

Chris is vice president of operations for White Construction of Clinton, Ind., where he has worked for six years. His company specializes in renewable energy construction, including projects involving wind, solar energy, biomass, alternative fuels and other segments. Their work includes developing, constructing, and maintaining many of these energy systems in the United States and Canada.

Chris has been supportive of the successful wind turbine technician program at Danville Area Community College, adding, “We hire some fine interns from this program.”

Chris feels it’s important for him to participate in the community where he lives. He serves on a number of boards, including the Danville Symphony Orchestra, the mayor’s zoning board, and Vermilion Advantage.

Chris also bicycles between 60 and 80 miles a week with a group of local businessmen who get together to tackle the country roads in the area. Chris admitted he owns several bicycles, saying, “I collect bicycles just as some women collect shoes.”

But Chris’ favorite pastime is spending time with his wife and daughters. The girls have bicycles, and they enjoy taking long bike rides as a family. Lily and Esther sometimes ride in the pull-along behind Chris’ bicycle, and for now, Christy stays home with the baby.

“With such a large family, I always have something to do back at home,” she said.