This is what Christmas is about!

I LOVE this!

Temple Square

When it comes to the few traditions we have in our little family I am serious about them. So today wasn't the best day and our whole family is sick but this week is also the last week we are in town before we head to Reno. We hadn't gone to see the temple lights yet downtown and I was determined to get it done. I packed up all three kids in the car and headed downtown to meet up with Ben who works across the street from the temple. We bundled everyone up and walked around temple square. We saw the nativity, the Christ statue, a man playing his bag pipes, all the beautiful lights and had hot chocolate at Ben's office. We all had fun and for this I am glad I push myself to get these things accomplished!

More Projects

I made the welcome sign for my grandma and the Noel for my mother-in-law, Kathy. I have stayed up way too late trying to get these projects done. I can't possibly do them when my kids are awake though because they both want to "Help". At least they are done now. I made another one for my mom but I forgot to take a picture before I wrapped it up so I will have to post that one later!

The Annual Anderson Christmas Party

Well those of you who know the Anderson's know what a party like this might be like! A lot of people, LOUD, tons of food, and tons of FUN! The night started at 6:30 and everyone left just before midnight! We had a Cafe Rio dinner with lots of chips and dips and salsa and fruit and cookies and cupcakes and so much more! We of course had to watch the video Ben made of Zach's big horn sheep hunt, followed by a Nativity put on by all the cousins! How cute they were dressed up as Mary and Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, and of course the wise men! My little nephew who is now eight, dresses up as Joseph every year and this year he says to me, "I am pretty sure Joseph wasn't missing a tooth!", referring to his front missing tooth! I busted out laughing and told him he was probably right but that it was okay! Then we all went upstairs to listen to the walkie talkie to Santa! Every year we have been so lucky to have one of Santa's elves drop off presents for EVERYONE! But this year Santa came himself along with his wife Mrs. Claus! Oh the kids couldn't have been more excited. Especially the older kids! :) Each kid was called by name and Santa told him what he knew about them and also some things they needed to work on to stay on the nice list! Ethan the entire time just stood there with his mouth wide open. It was hilarious! All in all, it was a great night filled with lots of love and laughter with family. Thanks to everyone who helps put these parties together every year!

Projects!

My somewhat "NEW" found favorite store is Wood Connection! I LOVE that store! I have made so many projects and have so much fun every time. I have definitely become much better at it then I was when I started last year but that's like with everything I guess…the longer you do something the better you become. I made this decoration for Aidan's preschool teacher for her Christmas present. I was so happy with the way it turned out…I kind of want to keep it for myself but I won't! I am going to be making more for my mom and grandma, so I will post pictures when I finish those.

Keaton's Baby Blessing

On Sunday we were able to bless Keaton. Our church is at nine in the morning and I was apprehensive about asking people to come because we ourselves have a hard time getting to church on time and we live just down the street. To my gratefulness we had a lot of our family come and support us. My aunt and her family, my brother Andre' and sister Roxanne, Ben's sister Jill and her husband Eric, Ben's brothers Zach and Justin and Justin's wife Katy and their family, and Ben's cousin Andrew. The blessing was beautiful and Ben and I were able to bear our testimonies. Afterwards I had two thoughtful sisters come up to me and give me the notes that they took during his blessing so that I could have hopefully enough to be able to put his blessing in writing. We left church after sacrament and had breakfast at our home and it was so nice to sit around as family and visit with each other! Thanks to everyone who came and helped on this special day!

baby Keaton is two months old!

I couldn't have asked for a better baby for my third child! Keaton has been such a joy to have. I really just love this guy. My favorite part of the day is going into his room in the morning when he has woken up and peering over into his crib and having him smile so big at me! He has the biggest smile and he loves to talk. After his bath at night while I am getting him dressed he just smiles and coos at me and I just talk to him back and he will coo back. This goes on for awhile and I LOVE it! Keaton has been sleeping through the night since he was a month old. When he was first born he would sleep sometimes until 5 or six and I was happy about that. But as time passed it got later and later and now he sleeps until 9 or 10 in the morning. He goes to bed every night at 9 and I get him up one last time to feed him at 10:30 before I put him back to bed. I don't hear from him until the next morning, 10-12 hours later! He really is the best baby. Time really does fly by…and with every child I have it seems to fly by even faster than before. I can't believe I had him 2 1/2 months ago. I took him to the doctor a week ago Monday and the doctor said he looks great!

STATS:
Weight-12.3 lbs.--56%
Length-24.5 in.--90%
Head Cir.-15.7in--38%

Thanksgiving Week Highlights

Our Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. The whole Anderson family was there minus Jerm of course who is in Italy on his mission. The family, the food, the movies, the shopping, all of it was great! We got to see Tangled which I can't wait for that to come out on DVD already! Ben saw The Unstoppable which he enjoyed as well. We went to dinner with Danny and Stephanie Dastrup who we haven't seen in at least three years! We went to dinner with all the Anderson's minus all our kids. On our last day there, the guys went shooting and the girls got taken out to Nordstroms for lunch by Kathy followed by some shopping in the mall! My highlight was when Kathy bought all of us girls a pair of boots from Steve Madden! I absolutely LOVE my new boots! Thanks Kathy and Belmont for everything that week, Ben and I are so grateful for everything you do for us!

Zach's Big Horn Sheep

I have to say ever since Zach got his Big Horn Sheep I don't ever think I will hear the end of it! "IT WAS HUGE!!!", "It definiately makes the record for the books!", "I have never seen one so big!" and so on! Ben said it was by far one of his favorite hunts. Ben's dad and older brother Nate had been scouting the area for MONTHS! When Ben got to Vegas he went out with his brother Nate to do some more scouting before opening day on Saturday. Saturday finally came and not long after they got there and were hiking around they found him. The whopper! Zach opened fire and got it with the first shot. When they got home they started making their video documentary of the whole experience. That took up the entire week of Thanksgiving! They all had so much fun! Don't look at the pictures if you get kind of queasy!

Newport Beach

On Tuesday after Disneyland we went to Newport Beach and yes Ben and the boys played in the ocean, while I sat freezing in my pants and sweatshirt on the beach! I can not believe they were playing in the water! The boys had so much fun with their dad though like they always do.

Disneyland

Our trip to Disneyland was the fastest trip! We only went for one day but I might have made it two if I had known during their off season they close at EIGHT!!! I was so disappointed when I found this out at 3 in the afternoon! We had a lot of fun with all the family. Aidan is now 40in. which Ben looked up before hand to see what he could ride now. He was able to go on Splash Mountain, Hollywood Tower of Terror, Soarin' Over California, and Swinging Symphony to name a few. His favorite was Soarin' Over California which he went on twice! Ben might have snuck Ethan on some of these rides because he wasn't tall enough! :) Ethan just wants to do everything his brother does!

Ben's 29th Bday

Ben turned 29 on the 2nd of November. He was in DC for work but when he got back that weekend we got to celebrate. He got a Sony HD videocamera from us that morning (which has already come into great use!), he took the boys to the BYU football game that afternoon and then we went to the Pizza Factory with his brother Justin and his wife Katy. We had a lot of fun!

baby Keaton

My sister in law Katy took these a week after Keaton was born…she did an amazing job! Thanks Katy!

Halloween Highlights

The week of Halloween was super busy. We had our ward trunk or treat on Wednesday night, Aidan has his preschool party on Thursday, we carved our pumpkins that night, we took the kids trick or treating at Ben's office downtown on Friday, then that night we took them to the Lehi City party, and then on Saturday we went to Gardner Village to see the witches and of course we took the kids trick or treating with their cousins down in Provo! I have never seen so much candy! The boys had a ton of fun in all the activities that we did! Here are some pictures of the highlights of the week….
WARD TRUNK OR TREAT

PRESCHOOL HALLOWEEN PARTY

CARVING PUMPKINS

KPMG TRICK OR TREATING

LEHI CITY PARTY

GARDNER VILLAGE

HALLOWEEN NIGHT