Annual Fall Picnic

I think our new 'spot' for the Anderson family fall picnic is going to be second dam.  It isn't very far into Logan canyon...they picnic areas are nice, there are potties (a must with all the children), walking trails, plenty of ducks to feed and we can fish too!

 

These girls were so excited.  We went on a Sunday afternoon after church.  So for the next couple of weeks after the picnic they would say, "So, after church we're going on another picnic, right?"  They were mad once they figured out it wasn't going to happen every Sunday.  They loved everything.  The food, the exploring, the ducks, and they love to pose for pictures.

 The ducks are definitely NOT hungry once our group leaves! 

 I love that my grandparents are still able to take little adventures.  I am lucky to have such stellar genes running through me!  Little Jack is walking about.  He takes the tiniest steps that I have ever seen.  He is super careful!  Blake & Griffen need to work on their smiles for next time.  Teenagers!

 I felt like I said, "Where's Lexi?!" a bajillion times.  She was EVERYWHERE.  She visited with everyone, followed whoever was going on a walk, and had a blast.  Caleb got to do a little bit of fishing.  But fishing is so boring unless you get a bite within the first 5 minutes.

Casey eventually got a fish on his line and all the kids thought that was pretty neat. Luke was terrified to touch it.  It also took that little guy about an hour or so to stop crying.  Is social anxiety hereditary?  He sure didn't want me to leave him.  I was sitting by him on a rock away from everyone and I thought it was safe to walk away to get my drink.  I stood up and he put his hand on my leg and said in the sweetest little voice, "No no mom.  Sit down."  So, I sat.  He then leaned in and said, "Give me a kiss."  Adorable little schmoozer!

 I love when Eva gets to play with my group.  She is so excited to get together.  Could her smile be any bigger? 

Yet another successful picnic.  This time EVEYRONE was there!  Happy fall!!

September

My little boy got a REAL big boy haircut!  I didn't think I would like it at all, but I actually love it!

My little spitfire melts my heart when she is so sound asleep.

We met Toni, Jerrad and RJ on main street for the Peach Days parade.  All of the kids had a lot of fun!  Lexi thought some of the trucks were so loud!  Luke & I have the same chin....I never really noticed until I took this picture of us together.

We took a little road trip one day in Logan canyon and "Found Fall"!  I loved it at first...but the farther we followed the trail the steeper the edge got.  I thought someone was going to trip, fall & die.  I am my mother's daughter.

Everyone enjoyed the beautiful walk. We even took off our shoes and socks and walked across a spot where the river was flowing...it was so cold!!  Luke hated how cold it was!

This little miss wanted a piece of taffy one night after she was all ready for bed.  So, I let her have one.  A little while later she asked me, "Where did my taffy go?"  I said, "I don't know.  Didn't you eat it?"  She said, "I think so."  Case closed, right?  So - they next morning after breakfast I go to brush her hair and her taffy that had disappeared was in her hair.  It was a mess!  I was talking to Angela and said I was probably going to take her in for a massive hair cute - Angela was not going to let that happen.  She saved the day with some olive oil and some patience.

Three Years Old

 These little lovelies turned 3!  It has been a blur...a crazy, cute blur for me. 

Lexi, Lexa, (or ALEXA when she is being super sassy) and Little Lex.  She is a total girl.  She loves to have her 'lips' which consists of any lipstick, chap stick or lip gloss.  She loves putting on fancy dresses so she can be a princess.  She loves to pick out her clothes every day and picks a dress if there is a clean one.  She is one smart cookie too!  She speaks in pretty full sentences, knows exactly how to throw a mini tantrum, can count to ten, is potty trained and can put on her own pants and shoes.  She even gets them on the right feet 90% of the time.  Her favorite movies are Frozen (Elsa & Anna are talked about daily), Sleeping Beauty and Finding Nemo.  She LOVES to be with her sisters.  She wants to do whatever they are doing.  She is a pretty picky eater.  She likes cereal, cheese, candy corns, strawberries, and toast with peanut butter.  Her features are so dainty, but don't let that fool you.  She is a girl who will get what she wants.  She will be our biggest 'three-nager' for sure!

Lukie Pookie, Lukster Pookster, Little Luke.  He is MY BABY BOY!  He loves me.  A LOT.  Potty training is right around the corner for this big boy.  He is a genius when it comes to maneuvering his way around games on the kindle.  He loves to watch bubble guppies.  He isn't much of a movie watcher.  They don't seem to hold his attention.  He does like to watch The Good Dinosaur sometimes though.  Whenever we go outside he manages to find a rock or 2 or 3.  He is a rock lover/thrower.  Maybe he'll be a geologist (are they the rock people?)  He is so funny when he sees Lexi - he calls her Luke.  "Hi Luke!!!!"  He can't tell Taylor & Rylee apart so he just calls them TaylorRylee, but Caleb he knows.  He loves to play with his big brother.  Meal time isn't much of an issue with this guy. He loves just about anything.  Except for cheese....what a weirdo!  He loves grapes & blueberries and prefers toast over cereal.

They are definitely buddies.  They help each other find their puppy & kitty, when one gets a snack or a drink they always get the other one as well.  Whenever they watch a TV show they will sit by each other on the couch.  I hope that their bond is always strong!

Seriously - they were the biggest surprise of my life so far, and I can't imagine not having them as my babies.  Happy Birthday Cuties!

First Day of School!

CALEB'S 3rd GRADE FAVORITES

TV Show:  Wild Krats

Movie:  Batman vs Superman

Song:  Take me to Chruch - Hoozier

Color:  Blue & Red

Food:  Mac & Cheese

Activity:  Going to the pool

When he grows up:  A race car driver AND a killer whale trainer

Rylee's Kindergarten Favorites

TV Show:  H2O Just Add Water - a mermaid show on the kindle

Movie:  Snow White

Song:  She just loves them all.  She loves to sing along too.

Color:  Purple & Red

Food:  Lunchables

Activity:  Learning and swimming

When she grows up:  A teacher

Taylor's Kindergarten Favorites

TV Show:  H2O Just Add Water - a mermaid show on the kindle

Movie: Happy Feet

Song: Heartbeat Song, and ROAR

Color:  Pink

Food: String cheese

Activity: playing outside

When she grows up:  A dance teacher and a mom

Twins!  2 sets of twins!  It's crazy to think about (yes, still)...but it would be so sad if anyone was left home alone!  I'm glad that Luke & Alexa have each other after their big siblings are gone at school.

I hope that they make lots of memories & have a fantastic year!

August

Apparently August was boring because I don't have many pictures to share!

 

Once there was a snowman!

This girl. She is going to keep me on my toes.  She LOVES to have her 'lips'.

My mom got the girls some new dresses.  They look adorable!!

Keeping toddlers entertained without a screen in front of their face is challenging at times.  Beans anyone?

My budding little artist is fascinated with killer whales.  This drawing makes my heart smile.  There is a lot of detail!

Lexi is Taylor & Rylee's long lost triplet.  My big girls don't look super identical in this picture.  I can't decide how I feel about that. :)

Anderson Family Vacay

My parents were able to get a couple of timeshare rooms in Bear Lake for the end of summer.  It was pretty PERFECT weather!!   Casey would say perfect, I would say add on 5 more degrees.  There isn't a whole lot to tell - so the pictures will do most of the talking.

 

We played on the beach for 2 days.  The kids were so content.  Except for Luke - I love that kid, and he REALLY loves me.  I can't leave his sight.

 I had this cheap inflatable sting-ray form Smith & Edwards that was a HUGE hit!  I should have bought a million more of them!  Lexi was Grammy's sidekick the whole weekend.  They were besties.

 Eva is non stop energy.  No wonder Ashley stays so skinny!  She was having a blast and is chill to do whatever.  I think Taylor had the most fun on the beach.  She was always smiling.

 On day 2 there were a couple of frogs on the beach.  They were a fun surprise.

 Brad & Angela got a boat this year.  EVERYONE was excited when it was their turn to go for a ride.  Blake loves the boat.  I didn't really see to much of Angela's family because I was taking care of the littles on the beach.  She said that Taylor & Rylee loved finding new spots to stop the boat and jump into the lake.  I am so grateful that no one had a life jacket malfunction.

 Angela's family had to pack up and leave, Dylan left too.  But the rest of the boys rented jet skis for a bit.  Caleb loved it.  I think the rest of the boys did too.

 We had a couple of pools to choose from to play in at the timeshare.  It kind of seems silly to play in the pool when you have a beautiful lake right next to you - but it was nice.  Lexi was a pro.  I'm not joking.  By the end of the trip she was kicking and maneuvering around in the water - I was shocked at how quickly she caught on.  She's one smart cookie.

 Taylor & Rylee love their Angela.  I guess they are little back seat drivers on the boat sometimes though.  They kept telling Brad to slow down.  I'm so proud of Caleb for trying something new!  He had fun on the tube.  I guess at one point the tube was completely vertical and Derrick & Griffen were thrown off, but Caleb held on for dear life and didn't fall in! 

Ashley, my mom & I took some of the kids to the arts & crafts center one afternoon.  Caleb LOVES his shirt that he got to color.

It was a fun vacation.  It must have stressed me out a bit because the day after we got home I had a giant cold sore brewing.  I'm grateful for the memories that were made and happy that my family still likes each other enough to hang out like this!!  Thanks ma & pa!