Holiday Fun

We have a Christmas Break tradition. We pull the kids in sleds behind cars with some of our best friends. This year was as fun as always. The kids are getting big enough that we can take the corners really fast and after their wipe outs they will get back on the sled.

The pants are actually blue underneath the many layers of snow.

Our elementary school puts on a program for the lower pod (K-3). This was the last year we will have someone young enough to be in it. Coleby was an Abominable Snow Man. He did an Awesome job.
And of course we had a nice Christmas also. It was a year for "lasts". It was probably the last year to have all BELIEVERS. I hope I am wrong but Cole will be 10 yrs. old, and most kids that age have been told by many friends and classmates the true facts about the Holidays.

He asked for only one present, a RIP STICK. He has yet to stand and balance on it but I'm sure he'll make some real progress by spring.

We, of course, all had a nice day. Paige really got into the spirit of giving and it was such a good experience for her. The boys got more hunting stuff. They couldn't have been happier.
We hope you all had a nice Christmas as a kick off to a Wonderful New Year!

Self Control ! What's that? Merry Christmas Tummy tum.

Okay. I am having serious issues here. Heaven help me. I love making Holiday goodies. The taste testing is the bestest part of all. But this year I can't seem to stop after I test. I keep tasting and tasting and tasting some more. My gut is so full, but it's "Oh So Happy".

Tis' the season too be joyful though. And I am definitely joyFULL. Here is a small sampling of the gifts I've given to my tummy today. Merry Christmas to my taste buds and my tummy.

Winter Wonderland

The first big snow storm is always so Beautiful. I had to take a few pics. of this one. I know you all probably have your own snow but I still wanted to post how pretty this was. Too bad it had to be 11 below zero when I was out there. That is Too DANG COLD.

Look- This snow really does Glisten. It looks like glitter or diamonds are all over.

Our own little Winter Wonderland!

Light all a'glow

It's amazing how crazy my house is on Decorating day.But I love how it makes me feel . I love the twinkle of the white lights. I love the festive music. I love the smiles on kids faces. I love all the guessing that goes on and the fun secrets. I love hot cocoa stirred with candy canes. I love garland intertwined around my hand rail. I love the homemade stockings my Grandma knits. I love opening boxes to once again see special ornament. And I love the tangible excitement in the air. It's just a nice time.

Like everything in life, it takes time to make things really nice. After 2 days of trading out French Country for Holiday Deco, my house does look really nice .

Thanks kids for your help, what a fun Family Home Evening!

Just maybe you were even nice enough for Santa to visit.

How much turkey can 25 people eat? Lots!

The young and the old; all together for Thanksgiving. Life doesn't get much better than that. We had 26 in my house for the holiday and it was so much fun. The entire Anderson family was able to be together and that doesn't happen often. We ate 2 turkeys with all the fixins', laughed harder than should be allowed and got a years worth of visiting in. IT WAS A GREAT DAY!

Dig in kiddos

G-ma A. -93 yrs. old

Baby Piper- 12 days old

Cute little Bella and Ticia

Aymree loved the "big girls" attention

Kevin- need I say more!

TWILIGHT at MIDNIGHT

Last night I went with some friends to the midnight showing of TWILIGHT. It was a blast!

The movie wasn't quite as good as I'd hoped but the experience of staying up all night and being with all the Twilight fans was so much fun. We ate tons of popcorn, drank too much diet coke(3 trips to the potty room), and loved being together. The 4 hours of sleep wasn't so fun but it was Totally worth it!

I just wish I'd bought the BITE ME shirt. I still might-(grin).

We were lucky, they let us inside at 10:15. Brrrrr, it was cold outside. Hmmm,"cold", makes me think of EDWARD baby!

IT WAS WAY TOO MUCH FUN!!!!

I can't wait for #2!

Punk Rockers

It's amazing how a little makeup and elmers glue can transform a person. This is Paige, Dallin, Amy and Shawn before Sadies Hawkins Dance. The dressed up like Punk Rockers.

They actually used elmers glue to make there hair stand up. It worked great but wasn't fun to wash out. Ouch!! I don't think she'll do that again.

They did a picture treasure hunt in the mall and then came here for a nice dinner before the dance. It brought back fun memories of when I was dating. Hmmm,... so long ago.

"My Husband " Tag

1. Where did you meet your husband?
After a Poky Highland basketball game I went with someone to return a "borrowed" car before the owner found out it was gone. Bill was the owner, and he had ALREADY found out. He did handle it quite nicely though.

2. How long did you date before you got married?
Officially, we dated for 2 1/2 years

3. How long have you been married?
17 years

4. What does he do that surprises you?
He brings me flowers- "just because". He also is good at folding the laundry.

5. What is your favorite feature of his?
His eyes and his sense of humor

6. What is his best quality?
He is so easy to get along with. He's a hard worker and Loves us all very much. I don't think there is anything he wouldn't do for us.

7. Does he have a nickname for you?
Babe

8. What is his favorite food?
Chicken alfredo

9. What is his favorite sport?
Football

10. When and where did you first kiss?
Behind Dr. Lees house. Oops, did I just admit that.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Cuddle on the couch in front of a nice chic flick. This is MY fav. thing

12. Do you have any children?
4 sheer delights

13. Does he have any hidden talents?
He tries to shower sing like Elvis. It is hilarious.

14. How old is he?
the Big 40!

15. Who said I love You first?
Bill

16. What is his favorite music?
Anything from the 80's

17. What do you admire most about him?
No matter how crazy or challenging life gets he always shares a positive perspective.

18. What is his favorite color?
It changes periodically

19. Will he read this?
Nope

20. Who do you tag?
Anyone who want to hubby brag!

Sweet Sixteen

Paige finally made it to her Sweet 16th. She has been looking forward to this birthday for much too long (according to her). She is so excited to start dating. She's going to a corn maze on Friday and to the Saddie Hawkins Dance on Saturday.

Yesterday I went take a bouqet to her at school and was informed she'd been receiving flowers all day. What a fun thing. She had flowers delivered 6 times yesterday. The poor secretary needs a huge tip.




Beautiful Flowers for a Beautiful Girl! We LOVE You Paige. Happy 16th.

Oh, to be a teenager

Our family had such a nice morning today! We rose to the warm sunshine and birds chirping. Bill was still in bed with me. The boys were heading outside to enjoy the sunshine. The kitchen smelled like french toast and bacon. It was simply Divine!

We enjoyed a nice breakfast, got the house picked up, cleaned out the car and were headed out to do "Scouting for Food". All seemed perfect except one little thing. You see, Paige doesn't think the sun rises until noon or later. So we hadn't even seen her yet. She claims she gets up easily, but she doesn't. So today I documented and thought I'd share.

First Try- No response

Second Try- Still nothing. Hmm, hope she's alive!

Third Try- Wow, now she's hiding her face. Can you spell HYBERNATION

Then the Phone Rang and a true miracle transpired! Aw, now Paigee is alert and chipper and it's only 11:35. And to think- all it took was a phone to ring. I think next Saturday I'll start calling the home phone around 8:00 and see waht happens!

The Great Hunters in all their Glory

Bill and the boys went on a 6 day hunting trip. This is a yearly tradition and the highlight of all their father son activities. Many of you know that Bill doesn't exactly like to kill, or even harm, ANYTHING. So, of the 17 years we've been married Bill has only shot something 1 time. I love that he is so tender and respectful towards God's creations. Although, hunting is a very expensive hobby and I'd really just rather he went for an occasional hike and didn't buy the tags/license, food, gas, etc.

This year their entire hunting trip was jinxed from the beginning. The camper hit a patch of ice and slid down a hill- pulling the truck with it. Apparently it was quite the ordeal. Our friend had to pull them out with a BIGGER truck. Then Jared lost his 3 day old Blackberry cell phone- OUCH! Bill fell head first into a 5 foot hole- wish I could have seen that. And he also fell on a large stick which made a home in his butootie-P.A.I.N.F.U.L. They'd had enough and decided to come home, only to find 2 flat tires on the truck. So 8 hours later and a trip to Alpine Wyo. I was able to save my ferocious hunters.

Oh, and did I mention that nobody shot anything. I've had to laugh and give Bill a hard time about it. His trips are always a pain in my butt. This year it was for him too-LITERALLY. lol!

I'm glad you're home boys.

Maybe next year!!!!!!!!!

Little time- Big results

We have some friends here in McCammon that are just incredible at growing things. Liz called me today and asked if I could use some apples. I went to pick and found that they had already picked about 10 bushel to share with others. As I picked my apples(from her boxes) I was so impressed with the condition they were in. They were a magnificent deep color, free from worm holes, grocery store size and their flavor was just amazing.



I'm sure you're wondering why I am rambling about apples. Well Liz takes that extra time to care for her trees. It's just a matter of making sure they are sprayed for, watered and looked after. The amount of extra time she spends is simply minutes, but the difference it makes is huge. It's kind of like an extra 5 minutes talking with the kids after we're done eating. A couple minutes spent tickling Coleby. A minute in the morning to iron Paige's pants. A moment at bedtime to really hear about Bill's day. A couple minutes to check on my neighbor. A quick batch of cookies for my boys after school.


I seem to run like a mad woman and forget to take time for the small things. And sometimes I don't slow down long enough to do anything that isn't on "my list." I'm approaching the years that my kids will begin leaving home. It makes me nervous how little time I have left with them. I have slowed down but I still need to take the time to do the little things that really matter.

So here it is... my challenge to you. For the next week spend atleast 10 minutes a day with each of your family members doing little things that are important to them.

One of my favorite quotes from Sis. Hinkley is.. "The grand and the simple. They are equally Wonderful."

I'm grateful to receive big lessons in seemingly small moments. Thanks Liz for taking the time to properly nurture your harvest. Thanks for the apples and thank you for the reminder of how important little things really are.

The "Monster Ball"

Bill and I went to a Qwest Part last night. I made a complete fool of myself but "all is good". It was fun getting my hair and nails done. I actually wore a formal and Bill wore a tux. We haven't dressed up fancy since our wedding so it was kind of exciting. I even had butterflies in my tummy. Or maybe it was just my inability to handle anxiety! Anyways, our pics aren't very good but here they are.

Coles B-Day

Coleby had his 9th Birthday. We had an Indiana Jones Party. It was a Blast! We started with a Wrap the Mummies Contest. Then we dug through an archeological site for treasures. We hid from our Nemesis and pretended to be bad Guys, and we even braved snake guts and Lizard eyes. Cole had a blast and all of the kids were cute. Here are a few party pics.

Corn, husks, and earwigs

Coleby was such a trooper . He helped me pick plums, apples, and corn. Then we husked and canned 60 ears. And you wouldn't believe how many times he stomped around like a mad man trying to get away from the ear wigs. It was so funny.

I, being the cool and brave mom that I am, told him to just smash them in between his fingers. Of course I did it to show him how easy it is. DON'T follow my instructions. OUCH! They can still pinch, even when their guts are being squished out. Dirty Rotten Little Thumb Pinchers. Thank goodness Coleby was smart enough to NOT follow my advice. Instead he'd just holler until I stepped on them. What a brave warrior he'll be (grin).

Thanks Coleby for helping mommy. You are a little angel with a huge heart!

The Most Amazing Mother in the World!

There are four of us here on earth that can say we have been blessed with the most amazing mother ever, and we're actually right! I know most of you believe you have the best mom ever but I have to say... My mom beats yours, even if by just a hair.

Marcia Marie Jenks Anderson wanted Motherhood more than any woman I've ever known. And she certainly had to work hard to get her children here. But her hard work didn't end there. I can't imagine how many hours she must have spent on her knees asking how to BEST raise us. No decisions were come upon lightly and her example was impecable. She was an incredible mother that gently guided us in righteousness and never failing love.

It's been six years (yesterday) since she passed away but she is still with us often. Her essence and her example will never die. Mom- We love you. We'll never forget the role you played here on earth. You are what motivates us to Choose the Right. We look forward, with earnest anticipation, to the day we're all together again. All the good we do is for you.


I LOVE YOU MOM!!!!!

CLICK HERE to watch a Beautiful Video!

I absolutely love this video! I've played it many times and appreciated it for a different reason with each viewing. It makes life seem so simple. I hope you enjoy it too!

Go Team, Go!

We had so much fun Saturday. We started with an energetic game of 3rd grade soccer, or better referred to as "mob ball". Go Coleby!!!

Then off to Snake River to watch the Cowboys cream their opponents. Hooray Cooper, nice tackle.

Then we stuck around for one more brawl with the Browns. Nice hustlin' Cameron. Way to play!

Saturdays can be pretty crazy, but I am really enjoying them. There's nothin' better than being able to witness the success and hard work of your kids.