Our primary President challenged us to take a trip to the temple as a family.  The kids had some paperwork to do too.  Jeremiah took his job very serious and brought my clipboard with him.

We had a great time finding different things on the temple grounds and explaining about the Temple to the kids.  They seemed to really enjoy it too.  Jeremiah asked if we could come more often.  I couldn't help but wonder why it had taken a challenge to get us there.  Matt and I go but we never bring the kids.  We have decided that needs to change.

Bryce loved the fountain and all the flowers.

I think this is the happiest they have been hanging out with each other all summer.  Most of the time the fight with each other but not when we were at the temple.

My cute little family!

I had hoped to get some beautiful pictures of the kids at the temple.  I was not very happy with the photos I got.  I wasn't surprised that they didn't really turn out.  My camera battery was going out and I only got a few photos before it died on me.  It was taking me some time to get the shots I wanted because I was trying to work in manual (a new thing for me).  You can see a few of my photos are a little over exposed.  The more I try to work in manual the more I realize just how important LIGHT is in photography.  I mean, of course, this is something I have always known but I understand it on a new level.  I share this with you because as I entered the temple that night (after my Mom took the kids) I felt so little light with me.  I have been overwhelmed with life changing decisions lately.  As my time in the temple progresses I kept thinking back to the way light can change a photo.  It changes the mood, quality, perspective, depth and feel of the photo.  Lighting can make all the difference in a photo and without the right light sometimes you cannot even get a shot.  I realized the light in my life brought in by my Saviour and the gospel changes everything.  When I am in tune with Him my perspective, outlook and even mood are greatly affected.  I need to be sure I am allowing enough light in my life so I can see the big picture.  I am so grateful for the temple!

A little GYM time to beat the heat!

Bryce holding on...

Looks like he is giving himself a pep talk.

My little monkey!

Brayden and Jeremiah had fun taking kids out with the foam blocks.

Father's Day 2009

We served Matt breakfast and lunch in bed.  The kids wanted to join him for lunch so they had a picnic on the bed... I had to wash the sheets but they had fun.

Then we made him giant cookies to enjoy after his steak and lobster dinner.  It was fun to pamper him for once as he is always spoiling me.

Hope you had a wonderful day!

SPAAAAAH DAY

For my Birthday this year I went to Glen Ivy with my Mom and some girlfriends.  It was a much needed day of R&R!

We treated our skin in the Mud...

Soaked in Watsu hot tubs, mineral baths, and floated in saltwater pools!  Had a healthy and YUMMY lunch!  And most importantly just enjoyed some girl time.  We even got shushed a couple times for talking so much in the "quite zone":) 

When I got home Matt and the kids had made a yummy dinner for me!  All my favorites: lobster, fillet Mignon, shrimp pasta and salad!  What a wonderful man I have.

My Mom and Dad (Anderson) sent a to die for chocolate cake to top of the day!  And of course my MIL posted her famous Birthday blog post!  All in all a wonderful day of celebration with family and friends.

Men who Mean the Most to Me

Starting with the man who took me to feed the ducks, taught me to swim, ride a bike, enjoy everyday to its fullest, compassion for others and to always get back up....

My Grandpa was one of the best men I have known.  He had a quite but strong way of caring for the women in his life.  He was a busy guy who really had a love for life.  He had many stories and adventures to share with me.  He was one man I always knew I could count on to pick me up when life got hard.  I miss him often and wanted to share my memories of this great man on Father's Day.

Then of course, there is my own father.  He too has a passion for life.  At this moment he is off in some remote part of Canada fishing for 10 days!  He has always had a LOVE for nature and adventure.  He has been surrounded by girls his entire life with 4 sisters and 5 daughters!  I think it works well for him.  He loves to spoil us and treat us like a princesses but he has also taught us the importance of hard work, roughing it a little and how to catch a ball and a fish!

This is a shout out to my (FIL) AKA BIG DADDY DAVE!  He is the man!  He hikes all over the US... he has a gaol to see all the National Parks and I think he is well on his way.  I am not sure how he finds the time as I know he is always busy.  He is the kinda guy who takes each and every task given to him and makes sure the job is done right even if it take all night!  Even though he is getting to be one of the older guys on the court I have been told he is a strong competitor.  His passion for life doesn't end with nature and sports.  You can see what matters most to him when you watch him with his children and grandchildren.  He loves to share little secrets of life and makes everything seems magical.  He is a ROCK to all around him.  He tells us to stand sure and it is a lot easier to do just  that when you have a Dad that is so supportive.  I love him lots and hope he knows on this Father's Day just how much I think he ROCKS!

 

And last but not least my very favorite guy....

 

Matt is one of the BEST Dads I know.  As you can see in the photo his kids make him smile!  He is the proudest Daddy I know too.  He would rather hang out with the kids then pretty much anything.  He enjoys everything about them and is patient to the end!  He knows how to make anything fun... even cleaning! He takes them to the Dr whenever he is around.  Actually, he doesn't seem to mind a lot of those "yucky dad" jobs. And the kids find him calming when they have something awful they have to do. He loves to cuddle with them and read them to sleep each and every night.  When it comes to Dads I think he is the number one and I know my kids would agree!

Happy Father's Day to all these awesome guys who make my life a little bit better because they are in it!  Love ya ALL!

June Birthday Bash

June is always a little crazy for us.  It starts with my Birthday and a week later is my Dad's Birthday with Father's Day always right in the middle... and sometimes we have graduations to add to the mix!  My Dad is going to be away on a fishing trip for his Birthday so we had a big JUNE CELEBRATION with all the family over for dinner.  It was so fun to have all the kids here together.

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Nothing makes a little boy happier than a ball and a buddy to play with!

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My nephew wins the biggest, cutest checks EVER award for sure!

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My lil' sis 

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so pretty

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We tired to get a photo of all the grand kids.  Carli wouldn't get in the photo.  Jeremiah was so busy making Bryce laugh that no one wanted to look at the camera.  Oh well, they are cute anyways:)

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My Dad and his girls! Happy Birthday Dad!

In the Desert you can't remember your name...

For the first day of summer we went to the Living Desert with some friends. We saw creatures BIG and SMALL!  There was so much more then I expected.  Everything from butterfly gardens, giraffes, leopards, snakes, coyotes, birds, bulls, goats, foxes and more!

Bryce tried to make friends with a goat.  He thought it was a dog or at least that is what he kept signing to us.

Carli really enjoyed brushing the goats.

Carli and Ashley hanging out in a "birds nest".

Jacob and Jeremiah were the leaders of the pack.

Bryce was such a good baby he sat in his stroller for hours without complaining.  He was signing about all the animals to his new buddy Taylor.   

Taylor not only helped out with Bryce but he also made sure our day was educational.  He read all the facts to the kids and he knew a ton of fun facts about the animals.

Carli took control (surprise) of the map and directed us around the park.  She really enjoyed telling us where to go next.

Braving the Beach

We went to Corona Del Mar today.  It was only the second time I have taken all 3 kids to the beach without Matt.  I was a little nervous at first. Jeremiah is getting older and he was such a big help with his little brother.  I am sure we will visit the beach often this summer.

Most f the day the kids were off in opposite directions so I love this picture of all 3 of them together on the beach.

Bryce spent most of his time stealing other people's food.  I guess that's what happens when you are so busy playing that you fail to get to the grocery store in the summer!

Jeremiah really enjoyed playing football with his buddies.  They must of played 2 on 2 tackle football for hours... 

Fast Friends

Carli made a friend at the beach today.  Her and Becca searched for sand crabs all day together.  It was fun to see Carli hanging out with another girl.  She is usually surrounded by boys.

Play me a Song

Jeremiah was in his 4th recital this week.  We are so proud of him.  He worked so hard all year and it shows.  He played Star Spangled Banner and Zippe-de-do-da.  He has a love for music and it is inspiring.  

Do you remember when....

...when you proposed to me after FHE in SLC when we were at the UofU and I felt like I was walking on clouds for weeks?

...when we had our wedding dinner the night before the BEST day of my life?

...when we were sealed in the SD temple on June 12th 1999?

...when I knew my life was about to begin?

The past ten years have been amazing, what a journey we have taken together.  To think it all started at a UVSC dance!  Then a trip to Beaver UT and move to UofU... the rest is history. We have seen each other through hard times and grown together.  We have held hands, laughed and enjoyed the many blessings our family has brought us.  There is no one else who loves me the way you do and I am so happy to be Mrs. Anderson.  I am excited to say after 10 years I still find myself falling in love with you more and more.  You really are my best friend!  You are amazing to me and I LOVE YOU!  Happy 10th BABY!!!

Other Half Found

As you may know there is a MAGIC TREE that lives in Grandma and Grandpa Anderson's yard.  When we visit it always bears gifts for the children.  It is the only of its kind that we had seen until Carli found this one at her preschool.  It does not bear gifts the same way the other does.  However, this tree is most definitely magic.  It provides shade and comfort to preschoolers who pass by each day.  Some run, walk and climb while others whizz by on trikes.  This beautiful tree (that looks motherly to me) stands sure and watches over these growing children as the play.

Happy Unbirthday to Carli

Carli has been waiting all year for the chance to celebrate her Birthday at school.  She and all of her classmates made a birthday crown the first day of school.  She watched as each child got the chance to use the crown.  Finally, around May she expressed her concern that she may not get to celebrate her Birthday because she has a summer Birthday.  I went to her teacher who after doing this for years was well prepared.  She told me they NEVER missed a birthday and that they had Unbirthdays for all the summer kids.  Carli was very happy with this news.

So, off to the 99cent store!  We walked up and down the store as she searched for the perfect partyware.  She is a funny little girl with taste all her own.  She did not pick form one theme but 4 different themes and made a very fun collection all her own.  I love that she thinks outside the box.  Carli has always been my creative girl!

The finished product was perfect!  

I think Carli was pleased with herself.  She was SO excited that morning on the way to school.

When we went to make her cake she had plans for that too.  She wanted a giant chocolate chip cookie cake... and she decorated it on her own.  We had a great time preparing and celebrating! Happy Unbirthday to my sweet little girl!