Babies Don't Keep...

So many of our family and friends have not seen the changes that our little Leah has gone through. She's growing like crazy! She's definantly got the Anderson look complete with fiery personality! We couldn't ask for anything more from our Little Lady! Look! Dark eyelashes and red hair!

Go Dillan Go!

Yes yes yes, I know that all of my blog posts are focused around my kids. I am envious of all you out there who have lively opinions on politics, baby food, cooking, literature, sewing, cleaning, preschool, birthday parties, and of course, motherhood. I promise to get my thoughts out there soon on some interesting, inspiring topic. Till then, hey, all I have is to observe the amazing growth in each of my kids. Lately, Dillan has been the superstar.
Up until now I wasn't sure what to get for his birthday. Since he decided to start pedaling, a bike it is!
We have a "Wiggles" DVD that he loves to dance with. The funny thing is that he runs to his bedroom to put on his special hat whenever he dances.
I love this picture and can't wait to show it off when he's older!
I've titled it "Potty-Trained Victory Dance."

Prince of Potty!

Yes, it's true folks. For all those out there who I've whined and complained to when talking about potty training my son...it's all over. He's done it and he loves it! Maybe not as much as I do, but he is doing sooooo well! Last summer when I was pregnant I tried, failed. Soon after Leah was born I tried, failed. Twice since then we've tried and failed. I let him have an accident and then he'd cry for a diaper, I'd give in. I was praying that he'd be trained before his mission! I think it's required. Then, success. He's a potty champion. It's so much fun and I feel such a sense of release! Of course I'm bragging even after the day we had today. An old pal, Sergio, was in town visiting. We met up at the park for a little while to visit. I went on and on at how well Dillan was doing with potty training. Just as I say that-splash! Number 1 in his pants. Then, soon after Number 2. Oh the humiliation! It was my fault, I admit it. We were out all day with Chris off work looking at mini-vans (drool, drool) and he was out of his element and away from the potty. Lesson learned. Hey, he's my first kid! My first Potty-Trained kid! That's a title he'll forever have!

OK...back to the beach!

Thank you to all of you who read my tribute to San Clemente and if you missed it, well, what can I say? So these are some pictures of our week at the beach. It was a little chilly, even for Utah raised, winter-loving, snow missing Chris (note the hoodie). Maybe he's finally acclimated!
Anyway, we took a break from the sand one morning and went to the park. Dillan has always hated the swings, since he was a baby. But Leah? She loves it! And Dillan loves pushing, so it works out great.

Water Babies!

I couldn't be more proud of these little tykes, they LOVE the water! We took Leah for her first boat ride on Papa's boat. Even with a life jacket that was a little too big and squished her cheeks, she didn't make a peep and even fell asleep comfortably. With the weather being so perfect, we had to take advantage. Dillan loves the boat as well. He has jumped off the swim deck, held the towing flag, and even drove! He talks about learning how to wake board, maybe someday! Let's shoot for swimming without Mommy's help this summer first!

Now what?

So we got back last night from spending 4 days camping at San Clemente. For those of you outside of Southern Cal, that would be the beach. But it's so much more than that. It's where we spent every spring break and some summerdays growing up. It's where my sister, brother and I all learned to ride our bikes (Show-off Chad wasn't quite 3 when his training wheels got taken off). It's where we'd dig huge holes in the sand one day and boogie board the next. It's where we'd get sunburned to a crisp but didn't care! It's where we walked to the local deli/market and buy candy WITHOUT our parents! Where we looked for sand crabs and seashells. Where we ran from the waves or tried swimming far just to be tossed around and swallow gallons of saltwater! Where a hot shower cost $.25 for 2 1/2 minutes and more than once you were stranded with bubbles in your hair and no spare quarter! Where we learned how to make Jan Brown's campfire biscuits (so yummy)! Where you watch the beautiful sunsets as a teenager and imagine being there with that guy you had a crush on. Where the adults stayed up late around the fire long after we went to bed. Where you got to bundle up in your sleeping bag at night exhausted from the long day, just to do it all again the next day! Oh the memories! I could go on and on! I don't even know if any family members read this blog, or if they even understand my feelings for that place, or just think I'm strange.
Anyway, being back there with my kids and watching Dillan enjoy everything that I did...wow. It defined for me happiness and having joy and rejoicing in my posterity. It's a commandment! I don't want the San Clemente tradition to die away. I want Leah and any other kids I have to make many memories there, too!
This morning Chris returned to work and I had 6 loads of laundry staring me in the face and all the beach stuff to put away. Tears came to my eyes just knowing there was so much hype and excitement to this trip and now it's over!
Dillan came up to me and asked, "What are we going to do today?" I told him sadly we needed a little recovery time from the beach, but he's right. What's next? We need something else to look forward to! Am I spoiled? Oh well. It's what keeps me going. I love making memories and seeing my kids experience new things. There's nothing like it.

Gone to Carolina in my mind...

This is a quick shout out to Sydney, Amber, and Uncle Detta! Thank you for our Daddy back, we sure missed him! Can't wait to see all y'all! Utah perhaps? We'll rendez-vous at Mi Ranchito. Amber, you HAVE to get Sydney started on Mexican food! It's important. Till then...lots of hugs and kisses from all of us!