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Snow Days!

What are snow days for??  Playing and tearing up the house.  Some of Sophie's friends came over to play and wanted to dance to Christmas music and wear twirly skirts (of course, not Jackson!).  Here are some photos of some very silly kids!

Plugs for friends and Family!

I haven't written in over a month.  I have been busy with the holiday hustle and bustle.  I just wanted to put a plug in for my friend Jamie's cute website.  She does Christmas cards (maybe next year) and announcements, DVDS, websites, etc.  Check her out: www.myprincesspie.com or myprincesspie.blogspot.com

My brother has also  started a website for all you bicycle enthusiasts so check that out too.  Some really cool apparel.  You can find it at www.singlespeedrevolution.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving week.  The Sunday before Thanksgiving my family came over to our house for a pre-Thanksgiving meal.  The food was great and we had a great time crammed around our kitchen table.  The cousins had a blast running all around  the house with each other. The only one not happy was Lucky (our dog)  he got to stay in the basement penned up so no one would be bothered by him.  I am sure he was thankful to get out at the end of the evening to clean up the scraps.  Thursday we went to Shawn's parents where all the family was there.  The food was great and the kids had a blast.  Grandma and Grandpa had them sleep over so we came home to quiet and peace and Lucky.  I got up (for the first time in my life) and joined the rest of the world of Black Friday Shoppers!  We met at 4 AM and headed to Walmart to claim our items. It was insane!  I can't believe the frenzy and the craziness when it was  5 AM.  We next headed to Target which had a line wrapping all around to the back.  We got in and were able to get everything we needed.  We hit several stores and McDonald's for breakfast and then to the mall.  I finally got home around 11:30 AM.  I had so much fun.  We were laughing at ourselves trying to figure out how to fit all of our purchases and our bodies in Stacey's car.   I had so much fun and the deals!  I am planning for next year already and saving my money!  Thanks Stacey for inviting me to join the party!

I had better let you all know what I am thankful for.  I could not let this great holiday get swallowed up in the food and the shopping.   I know it sounds so cliche to say that I am thankful for Shawn and the kids but it is sooo true.  I am so glad to have Shawn in my life to put up with my crazies and be my friend and think I am hot with braces on my face, a little 'junk in my trunk'  -so thanks!

I love Connor who is so sweet and obedient and helpful.  He so often gets pushed to the side because of the needs and attention his brother and sister have.  He is so creative with his legos and hot wheels. There is nothing he can't build with that stuff.  

Jake-is my trial and my joy.  He is the giver of great hugs and kisses.  He loves to be silly and make you laugh.  He is passionate!

Sophie-what a cheeseball!  She knows that she has us wrapped around her fingers.  She is our princess.  Life without each of these kids would be very lonely!

I love you all!

St. George

Shawn, finally enjoying some leisure time.  He has a book in his hand but he may be sleeping!
Connor has become such a fish.  He loves the water and is a great swimmer.
Jake, all personality, what a cheeser!
As always, here is miss attitude!

Here are some more photos of our trip.  I can't move on from our trip because I am so cold and these pictures are what we have left of the not so distant warmer days!  These photos were taken an hour before we had to leave for home and the cold weather.  Brrrr

More Disneyland

   Here are Jake, Connor and Sophie in Mickey's house.
Mickey stopped to pose with us before retiring for the night!
Sophie in Minnie Mouse's chair.
I get Shawn and Sophie to pose in Minnie's kitchen and wouldn't you know it Jake decides to walk right into the picture.  He does have a cute head.

Here are some more photos of my cute kids in Disneyland.

Disneyland

Here is Sophie having fun in Disneyland by her beloved merry-go-round.
The kids enjoying Bug's Land in California Adventure Park.
This is at the end of our Trick or Treating party.  Sophie has crashed!
Aren't they cute?
Here we are getting ready to go home at the end of the Trick or Treat Party!

We decided that we needed a vacation so we packed up the car and the kids and headed to Disneyland over Halloween.  We survived the drive by stopping in St. George to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Anderson.  The first night we got to Disneyland we went to a Trick or Treat Party in California Adventure Park.  The kids had fun riding the rides and getting lots of candy.  One of the nights in Disneyland we headed into Toon Town and it was completely deserted. We got to enjoy Minnie and Mickey's houses without the crowds of people.  Last year we went to Disneyland in July.    We didn't have the best experience.  It was hot and very crowded.  This year was much better, no lines and great weather = happy kids and happy parents.  Connor and I spent 9 hours one day at Disneyland and California Park.  Connor loves amusement park rides.  We did Tower of Terror and this year he was able to ride California Screamin'! He loved both rides.  Jake loved the rides too.  Sophie loved the carousel and tried to ride it as many times as she could.  She isn't a fan of 'scary' rides.  I forced her on them anyway telling her they were 'fun' scary rides.  I don't think I scarred her too much.  She enjoyed Disneyland too.  Shawn was patient with me dragging the kids all day throughout the park.  One day we decided to have ice cream cones for lunch.  Shawn was the only one not keen on the idea but I reminded him we were in Disneyland so that is what we did and the kids were a terrible mess but they were happy.  Each day the kids wanted to leave Disneyland and go swim at the hotel pool.  I think next year we will save some money and spend time in a hotel close to home so the kids can swim in the pool and eat breakfast at the hotel and get cereal out of the really cool cereal dispensing machines!

Happy Homemaker!

I have been home cooking today because I joined a freezer meal group in my ward and I put on my cute apron that I got recently.  I bought it from a local company called 'Flirty Aprons'.  I know most people could sew these cute aprons, but not me.  Anyway, I decided that every time I put on this apron I feel like Martha Stewart and I tend to cook better and my house gets cleaner!  So I thought I would share a photo of how cute this apron is.  I converted my friend Jamie to these aprons.  Our husbands don't get it but we don't care.  These aprons are just plain cute!  If you would like to buy or sew me another cute apron then I would not turn down the gift!  Ha ha!  Doesn't every happy homemaker need something cute to help her get through the endless piles of laundry, dirty dishes, muddy floors, dust, bedmaking, ironing, etc.?

Disclaimer:  This apron has been known to make you whistle while you work or even break out singing a happy working song!  

Pumpkin Land

Connor, Sophie and cousin Andy.  Jake is standing to the left of the pumpkins.  Doesn't Connor look pleased to be there?
Andy Stevenson, Hailee Larsen, Sage, Sophie,  Connor in the back (again thrilled to be in a photo) and Jake reading the sign.

Jake looks so sweet.  Don't let that look fool you!
  Connor really did have a good day.  I am afraid for the teenage  years!

We didn't do much over UEA because we are heading out on vacation next week.  We did take time to head to a not so local pumpkin patch so the kids and cousins could spend the day together and play and enjoy some fall festivities.  

Life cut short and the blessings of struggles

This morning after I sent the kids off to school I got dressed for the gym and went in for a cycling class.  About half way through the class a rush of overwhelming sadness took over me as I thought about my Uncle Kent who's life was cut short last week as he was riding his bike in Arizona. My uncle was a triathlete, marathoner and an avid bike rider.  He was doing what he loved when a drunk driver hit him, took off and left him on the side of the road to die.  Meanwhile his wife was left wondering where he was.  When he was found he had no I.D. on him so he was listed as 'John Doe' until his family put the pieces together and were able to identify him.  We are still waiting for the release of his body so the family can start the healing process.  I have not been in close touch with my uncle or his children since my childhood.  Our cousins were our greatest playmates.  We grew up with countless sleep overs at each other's homes, at Grandparents, and vacations together.  I have so many fond memories of Jenni, Julie, Laura, Uncle Kent, and Aunt Madilee.  I feel the loss as I try to find understanding in this and can only try to understand and grasp a bit of what they might be going through.  So my prayers and thoughts go out to Julie, her kids and Jason, to Jenni and her girls, to Laura and to Cheri, my uncle's wife.

As I was talking to my neighbor about this horrible accident she commented about the year that we have been through.  It has been the hardest year of my life.  With the loss of Shawn's job, a horrible bombshell about my family and family secrets, the loss of a beloved pet, and my uncle's death -to say the least it has not been an easy year.  But I realize that in this year I have found that I am stronger than I have ever known and that there is so much support and love in good neighbors, friends and family.  I have learned the strength, compassion and love of siblings can teach and help heal broken hearts and start the mending.  So to all those that have helped through  support either in a listening ear, prayers, taking kids off our hands, or any other way, Thank you so much.

And thanks to My Heavenly Father that gives us these struggles so that we can grow and learn about our own potential and remind us that there are wonderful people all around us to lift us when we can't do it ourselves.

First day of school photos

 Connor and Jake's first day of school.
              Connor's first day of 4th grade.
   Jake's first day of 1st grade.
             Sophie's first day of preschool.
I thought I would share the photos of the cute kids on their first day of school.  I know I am a little slow but enjoy them anyway.

I'm a Glass 1/2 empty gal!

Sophie playing soccer!
Connor and Jake enjoying Sophie's soccer game
All the kids and Shawn playing together
Jake taking a break at his game.

I used to think that I was a glass 1/2 full kind of person until I paid attention to my thoughts and all the complaints that seem to come out of my mouth.  With this being admitted I decided to change my focus and share with you that I do see the great things in life too.  I seem to always complain about my kids even though life without them would be very very very boring (and quiet!).  

This past week has been pretty hectic trying to prepare for a wedding (Shawn's sister got married, although with all the clothes shopping/hunting I was doing it felt almost like mine) and then Jake's 7th birthday the next day-not to forget soccer practices, dance class, scouts, canning, homework, preschool, soccer games, piano lessons, etc., etc., etc.  

Saturday morning we got up and Sophie actually decided to go to her 8:30 AM soccer game w/o too much of a fight.  Either Shawn or I have to run down the field with her holding tight to her hand.  It would be my habit to complain and moan about my child being the one crying and walking off the field or insisting on holding her hand if I were being the 1/2 empty kind of girl.  But I decided to see the joy in my child loving me and Shawn so much she wanted to share every second of her soccer game with us!

A few hours later we got to go to Jake's soccer game.  He really likes to play and does really well.  Luckily with him we can sit on the side lines and enjoy.   Did I mention that every season soccer starts Jake screams and cries at us for signing him up even though after the first game every Saturday morning Shawn and I wake up to Jake coming in our room completely decked out in his soccer gear ready to play?  I won't complain about the frustration of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and his soccer struggle.  Did I mention that while sitting at Sophie's game last Saturday Jake said to me-'I wish I was playing right now, mom.'?  I will look at this in a positive light-my kid loves soccer and there is great satisfaction in sitting on the side lines watching Jake (once he has come to the conclusion that he really does love the game) have a really good time!

I will just be glad that my children have a wide range of emotions and are not afraid to explore them even if they give me stress and grief-at least they aren't robots-right?

I may have mentioned that I was so happy that my kids went to school a couple of weeks ago and now I miss them.  Even though right now all 3 are screaming my name right now.  Sophie is telling me the neighbor girl peed her pants on our floor.  Connor and Jake are driving each other crazy as they empty the dishwasher.  I am going to be glad that my kids have healthy lungs and vocal boxes!

I have attached some pictures so enjoy how adorably cute and lovable my sweetest angels are!

School Days!

The boys started their second week of school today.  About a month ago feelings of anxiety kept overwhelming me every time I drove by the school (which of course is everyday-or looked out my back kitchen window).  The funny thing is I was at the same time excited for school to start.  I finally came to the realization that the anxiety was coming from the realization that Connor was going to 4th grade, which in my opinion, is a big deal-soon he will be going to Junior High.  Not to mention that Jake was going to 1st grade (I think that is where the excitement came in).  The night before school started I was outside talking to a neighbor when Connor and Jake came running out calling each other 'poop head' and 'fart' something or other.  I sent them in to brush their teeth.  I followed about 2 minutes later to find Jake on the kitchen floor covering his face and crying.  Connor had dragged him across the floor for some reason.  Monday morning (the 1st day of school) Jake came out and after something I said he lost it and pitched one of his famous fits.  We headed off to school and as I was walking home after dropping off the kids at their classrooms  I could not shed a tear.  Not even a droplet!  I was soo happy that my kids were now the teacher's problem!  It has been a week of school and I am still happy they are in school even when it is too quiet and way too clean in the house.  Maybe things will change in a week or two-who's to say.

Europe! Europe! Europe!

The above picture is of Westminster Abbey.  We couldn't go in because of services but we got to walk around the building and lawn.  I loved all the design elements on the building that you rarely see anymore in modern architecture.  The gargoyles, the flying buttresses, the cinqefoils!  The grounds were covered with people relaxing, reading, talking, taking photos and having picnics.
Here we are in front of Buckingham Palace.  We didn't get to see the changing of the guards because we didn't plan our time right.   Nor were we invited to tea with the queen.  Check out the guy to my left.  Do you ever wonder how many photos you are in of strangers and what you are doing in them?
Here is Big Ben and the Parliament building.  Again the architecture was magnificent.  You can also see the Thames.  We did take a boat tour along the Thames.
I went to Stonehenge without Shawn.  The day was rainy and cool.  I really enjoyed Stonehenge. I love the fact that there are so many theories and yet no definitive answer as to how the stones were put here.  All I know is that must have been some back breaking work!
This last picture is a street in Lacock Village.  If you like to watch Pride & Prejudice (the BBC version with Colin Firth) then you will recognize this street (picture it w/o cars and dirt roads) as Meryton where Elizabeth and her sisters and Darcy have a chance meeting!

I have to share with you some of my pictures and experiences of England and France.  With Shawn's current job as senior consultant he spent a month in England working.  I was lucky enough to get to fly out for 10 days to be with him.  On the weekends we toured London, England and Paris, France.  During the week days Shawn worked and the first days I lounged and enjoyed the hotel and it's gorgeous landscape.  I finally got itchy and went into Bath, England for day trips and had a blast touring some of the beautiful english countryside and it's villages.  It was sooo gorgeous.  For a dork like me that loves Jane Austen, going to Bath was a dream come true.  Bath was amazing and quite an experience.  Shawn and I would wake up at 5:30 am.  We would drive to a cark park and I would take the bus into town.  The first morning in Bath, I got off the bus headed down the street with a map in hand and no sense of direction.  I found a coffee shop (I have to be honest, it was a Starbucks!).  I got a hot chocolate and muffin, checked out the map, did some Sudoku and waited for shops to open and the city to warm up a bit.  The first morning was typical english weather-rainy.  I found the location of a day tour and was lucky enough to grab the last spot.  We headed off to Stonehenge, Avebury Henge, Lacock Village (where we had lunch and saw locations shot in Pride & Prejudice BBC version, and Harry Potter), and Castle Combe.  I found a friend Mari, (japanese, mother of 3 adult children) who had been traveling alone for 4 months (visiting Germany, England, France).  We had a great time.  She was so sweet and kind and a great conversationalist.  After touring all these sights I returned to Bath and visited the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and walked around the city.  The second day in Bath I walked around (at one point I was walking through an alley and stepped over a bum sleeping in a doorway!).  The architecture was such a sight.   I cannot even explain how beautiful (so check out my pictures instead!).  The abbey in Bath was so beautiful.  There is so much texture, depth in the design that your eyes and brain can't possibly take all of it in.  I did go into the little Jane Austen museum.  If I couldn't make it to Pemberly in Derbyshire or the birthplace of Jane then this was good enough.  She lived in Bath and wrote about Bath so it was fun to actually see the streets and buildings and stores that she actually wrote about and experienced.  

Paris was a dream.  I don't think Shawn and I realized how big Paris is!  Again the architecture was the best eye candy!  I love America and we have beautiful landscape and architecture, but it doesn't compare the history and the design that we saw in England and Paris.

I have at least 395 more pictures but don't you worry, we won't torture you with all of them.  You can check more out on Facebook or wait for an update!

Connor

I was sitting on my bed with my laptop  not doing the laundry, the dishes, the ironing, etc. and Connor came in and wanted to be on my blog so, how could I refuse?  Especially when he is so cute.  I find it bittersweet that in a couple of weeks school is going to start and although I can't wait I did find myself driving past the school the other day with tears in my eyes.  I guess I really do love having my kids around.  I am excited though, too that Jake is going to be in 1st grade this year (yeah!  all day ) and Sophie is going to preshool.  I am going to have about 2 1/2 hours a day Tues-Thurs all to myself.  Do I nap, go to the gym, run through the house naked?  I guess I will have to let you know.  Meanwhile, enjoy a picture of the cutest and sweetest soon to be 4th grader in the world!

Lucky Dog!

This is our boston terrier named 'Lucky'.  Santa named him 'Lucky' because of the lucky spot on top of his head.  I say he is lucky because I haven't shipped him off to some far away land or done worse to him.  I do love him.  There is something sweet about a creature that loves you unconditionally!  My kids are already proving that their love is conditional.  And Lucky doesn't talk back!!!

An Announcement!

This is for those who haven't seen me in a while.  No it is not what you think.  We did have an addition to the family about 8  months ago but more of the 4 legged kind!  If you are checking this photo maybe you will see.  If you look closely at my teeth you may think that I need to clean the plaque that has built up, but no, I had braces put on about 8 months ago!  Aren't they cute?  Just call me 'Brace Face' and call Sophie 'Jelly Face'.  Don't we make a pair?!?  I tell young kids that are wearing braces now that if they don't wear their retainers then when they get old they will end up like me-looking ridiculous when they smile with a mouth full of metal!  My orthodontist said they should be coming off in November.  Yippie  yi-yeah!  Shawn says I will be so happy and grateful when it is all done.  I guess I can endure them just a little longer.

Well, I thought I might as well join the world of bloggers since everyone else is doing it, I guess I might as well do it too!  For all those out there that haven't heard (which may be no one) I recently went to England and France!  How lucky was I?  Shawn and I spent 10 days together in England and France.  Shawn had to work in England for a month so I went out for 10 days to visit.  We spent 2 days in London.  We saw Wicked, the musical (yes, I cried a couple of times but I blame it on the exhaustion and jet lag!), Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, etc.  In Paris we saw the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Couer, Moulin Rouge, the Louvre, etc.  Yep, pretty exhausting.  It was nice to get home and see the kids, I missed them tons but by the next day I was ready to head back out again!  C'est la vie!