Christmas 2008

Christmas Eve Daddy had to go to work for a few hours. Dillan was up extra early and found that Santa had visited our house a little early. But, we had to wait until Daddy got home. Finally, when Daddy came home we opened a bunch of presents quickly, set them aside and headed over to Grandma and Papa's house. Roxy and Dono had flown into town earlier in the day and we couldn't wait to see them.



At Grandma's house, she unveiled the amazing new kitchen playset in the playroom so as to maximize playtime altogether. Then we all opened our matching jammies, played some more, and settled in for a peaceful night. Oh yeah, that would be TOO nice.

Leah decided to start PukeFest (PF) that night. Luckily, it subsided throughout the day. Try taking video, pictures, opening a Mac Truck, all while holding a puking toddler. Yeah, I failed. Then we headed to AL for Christmas with the Taylors. Delicious breakfast, as always. Spoiled Rotten, as usual. Then over to Grandma Mary's for Dinner. Full tummies, toys coming out our ears, we headed home. Dillan stayed with Roxy at Grandma's house while we were up late packing our suitcases. SNOW here we come!



Besides being up all night with stomach issues, I couldn't wait to get out of town! We had Roxy in the van with us the whole way. PF #2. The kids were good, considering the drive. I don't know how people travel long distances without a DVD player. Saved my sanity!



We finally arrived at Ruby's Inn, near Bryce Canyon. Oh the snow! Oh the trees! It's amazing!
The rest of the weekend was spent eating, blazing sled trails, PF #3,4, and 5, eating white snow only, swimming, playing cards, and having fun fun fun!





Grandma and Papa had planned for all of us to be there altogether to help them celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. Thank you, Mom and Dad for EVERYTHING! We had so much fun, and can't wait to do it again!

Fun Holiday Times!

A few of our recent holiday festivities...



Too bad I couldn't show our dancing elves, but
many laughs, a promise!




Dillan's preschool had their Christmas program.
He learned his part so well and knew all the words
to most of the songs



It was all captured on video, "The Dillan Show"



Ward Christmas Party. Dillan excited about his
candy cane. Leah screaming full force, trying
to escape!

Merry Christmas 2008!

2008: A year to grow,
with 2 little firecrackers
always lit and on the go!
As we move on ahead
we take a quick look
at our year full of fun,
an Anderson family book!


Dillan turned 3,
a new bike he rides,
we enjoyed soccer, Sea World,
and a Thomas surprise.
Preschool he digs,
letters & numbers galore,
he's quite the smarty pants
and his friends he adores.
Boating and camping,
with Papa, of course,
saying prayers on his own,
bedroom rules to enforce.
This little man stays busy,
as he cuddles and plays,
a great lover of music,
missing Roxy most days.

Little Leah with her 'tude,
turned 1 this past year,
running after big brother
with no sense of fear.
Tantrums she's learned,
trying to climb up the slide,
swings all day long
and plays hide-and-go-find.
Meal times are fun times
as long as Mommy knows,
that she can do it herself-
independence day woes.
Pigtails have sprouted
many laughs they invite;
as well as 4.3 teeth
she's quite the cute sight!

Daddy works hard,
all day and some nights,
with Best Buy going strong
will he soar to new heights?
New opportunities
we hope will be near
prayers have been offered
for the start of next year.
Mostly all work
and very little play
he got his bachelor's degree
and started his MBA.
Football with Dillan,
some family time, we're glad,
church callings, homework,
he really is our SuperDad!

Mommy, a regular CEO
of this crazy little clan,
cleaning, cooking, errands ran
in her stylish (everclean!) mini-van.
Food storage- a new hobby-
must be always in checks
after Prop 8 and it's drama,
who knows what is next?
Busy with Primary,
kiddoes' welfare concerned,
computer nut, nay, maniac
organizing, good lessons learned.
Jogs with headphones,
and Wicked good times,
find time to unwind,
learn homemaking skills,
try to become more refined.

In a nutshell, that's us,
and all that we've done,
ever learning, and laughing,
and loving-each one.

So this time of year,
we reflect upon those
whose lives have touched us
and much love they all shows.



Merry Christmas!
to all, wherever you are!
And gratitude although sometimes forgot,
please know you are blessed and loved a whole lot.

(I'm in a Dr. Seuss phase at the moment. I can't get enough!)

Let It Snow!

We are gearing up for our trip after Christmas, so there better be some SNOW for us to play in!

Practicing our Snow Angels!

I was rolling so hard with laughter after I got Leah in her suit, and it was difficult to get the picture before she got upset with me. It was "A Christmas Story" classic when Randy "I can't put my arms down!" and "I can't get up!" as he lay on the ground. So many great lines from that show. I can't wait to watch it!


What's this? A smile? No way! Witness!

Leah's suit was actually an amazing find. I got that one plus a second for $5 on Ebay. Dillan's was a little more, so I got a bigger size intending that he can use it at least one more year and get good use out of it! I'm hoping to take him skiing sometime soon. Just the two of us.
We're currently looking for snow boots and gloves. We better not get cold! Not one smidgen of cold better touch our skins or so help me!



Utah here we come!

There is no one alive who is Youer than You.

With Daddy home with us today, we decided to brave the cold and get out and do something apart from errands. We decided to drive up to the Elsinore Outlets to walk around a little. Unfortunately, my Christmas shopping is finished, which kind of took the fun out of it, but we still got to browse around and enjoy the holiday festivities.

We waved to Santa from his North Pole store, although it took us awhile to trust him, but didn't dare say hello. Then we saw the FAKE ice rink that is set up. Yup, it's fake. From far away, I thought it was real. I had to get up close to be able to tell. Apparently it's made from some kind of recycled polymer compound. But, there were kids on it, with ice skates and short sleeves, falling down like it was the real thing. The piece de resistance, however, was the Christmas tree.


Dillan has become very fond of Christmas trees. He notices them everywhere we go! So, the 60-ft monster was right up his alley.
This is what happened when he looked up at it.

Dillan: Mommy, that tree is giant! It's bigger than Daddy!

Mommy: I know, Dillan. It's bigger than Daddy, that's amazing!

Dillan: But, you know what Mommy? It's NOT bigger than the Hulk! (pronounced HOAK)

I believe this obsession with the Hulk comes from his undies. He has a few pairs titled "Spiderman and Friends." On his absolute favorite pair is the Hulk, right smack on the toosh. Bulging biceps and all. Anytime Dillan talks about strength, or his Daddy, the Hulk is always brought up, and always unbeatable.

I've noticed, however, that when we see some of The Hulk's merchandise at a store, he doesn't really seem interested. I guess the Hulk on his undies is more "classic," and the modernized Hulk is slightly frightening.

But back to the tree. 60-ft-tall. 42-years-old. The tallest live tree in the Inland Empire. Came all the way from Mt. Shasta. Unbelievable.

Anyway, while driving home, Dillan was sure to practice his good manners for us.

Dillan: Mommy, I burped!

Mommy: What do you say?

Dillan: Excuse me.

Mommy: Thank you.

Dillan: (moments later, apparently a little gassy.) Mommy, I pooted!

Mommy: Did you say "Excuse me?"

Dillan: No Mommy, you only say "Excuse Me" when you burp! Remember, when you poot you say "Whew! That's stinky!"

Silly me. I should have known.

I'm hungry Mother, I really am!

This is the face I see at least 6 times a day. Before and after meals. She's most persistent in the morning. When she knows I'm following, she runs to this door, points, looks up at me and waits. And waits. And waits. Even though there are no spoken words, she definitely gets her message across loud and clear. What's a mama to do? She's just got to fill up her hands with something. Usually animal crackers takes care of it.

This little girl, lately referred to as "Peach," is so ready to grow up and be big, it drives me crazy! Of course, I can't discourage the growth, and I can try to delay it as much as I can, but it's inevitable. She's growing up. She loves to copy big brother and play what he plays. She's 10 times braver than he, which scares me...but only just a little.

Those darn pigtails on her head attract so much attention wherever we go. People are constantly making comments to me about her hair, or just pointing and laughing. I wonder why a little girl's hair is so catching? Really I don't know what else to do with it. I like it out of the way and "up," but one ponytail is so long on top of her head and it looks silly. I guess for now, until it grows some more, her piggies will just have to take on the responsibility for all the attention.

Last night, during their bath, she decides she's had enough and gracefully dives out of the tub to the floor. She then assumes "the position" and does her business right there in front of me. She missed the potty. Was she aiming? I'd like to think so. Who knows. Maybe I should bring out the little potty and she what she does.

Come What May, And Love It

Monday morning I pulled myself out of bed and went for a refreshing walk/jog. It felt so good. Then, when I got home, everyone was still in bed. Perfect. I pulled out my Nov Ensign and read Elder Wirthlin's talk, Come What May, and Love It. So simple, but powerful. It is exactly those words that I want to live by. I decided I wanted to put that phrase up somewhere in my house so I could see it often.

I found out this morning that Elder Wirthlin had passed away. I am so grateful that he was able to deliver that message and that I got to hear it. I love how he often spoke of his days when he played football and lessons he learned from those experiences.I feel that it spoke mountains to me and I will never forget him nor his service as an apostle.