Happy New Year

Resolutions are stupid - so I made some. No one else is going to set me up to fail. It's all up to me!

-Find joy in every day

-Lose 30 pounds (I make this one EVERY year) THIS IS THE YEAR BABY!

-Go to church at least 2 times each month

-Grow a plethora of green beans & bottle them

-Bottle Peaches & Carrots (Taylor & Rylee LOVE both)

-Exercise MORE!

2011 was so freaking exhausting. I hope that in 2012 I can get some more sleep!

On New Years Eve we invited Shelby, his girlfriend Christel, & Shayden over for a night of fun. We put Caleb & Shayden down on the pull-out bed for a fun sleepover - but that failed. Caleb ended going to his own bed around 11:30. They wouldn't fall asleep! The adults (& Rylee) stayed up past 2:00 playing Texas Hold Em, Last Word & Battle of the sexes. I had a really fun evening. I love playing games.

Taylor has decided that Rylee is her new obstacle course. These 2 are constantly kicking each other, stealing toys from each other & just being typical sisters.

I love Rylee's face in this one. It says, "Are you freaking kidding me??"

Taylor seems to be a step ahead of Rylee in learning new things. I guess that is what happens when you are 5 minutes older!

Starting to pull herself up to her knees.

And she's all the way up! (Don't worry Grammy....dad lowered the cribs this afternoon)

She loves her sippy cup!

Merry Christmas

Santa definitely found us this year! Caleb was so excited to see his new red 4-wheeler. He didn't want to open any presents. He just wanted to sit on his "4-leeler" and drink his chocolate milk.
He eventually started to open some presents. He got some binoculars and he LOVES them.

Taylor & Rylee just loved whatever was handed to them. They got some cute new toys & clothes & a toy box.

Caleb thought his slinky was fascinating. He also got some books and games.

My 3 cuties in their new Christmas clothes! (Rylee left, Taylor right)

Taking his new ride out for a test drive. He was kind of crazy - but he's getting the hang of it. I guess it's good that it wasn't a white Christmas this year so that he could play with his new toy!

Last Christmas Casey's parents threw out the idea of doing homemade Christmas gifts this year. We all agreed. It was stressful for everyone I think for different reasons -but in the end I really think EVERYONE came up with some great ideas and they were all executed well. I will say this though - Brad & Mona cheated!!! Unless they secretly own Bath & Body works & Winchester & some major toy companies. They made AND bought gifts. :) I personally had more anticipation & excitement for the gift opening. What did everyone think of to make? Will they like what we made? We started off by having a delicious ham & funeral potato dinner & then the present opening began!

Casey's parents made Tamara & I our very own quilting frames! Now I won't have to borrow Mona's! I'm excited to find a quilt that I just can't live without & get started. I still can't believe how nice of a gift it is!

Brad & Mona gave Caleb a mirror with some vinyl on it that says 'I AM A CHILD OF GOD'. I think it is adorable. Caleb also got a homemade snuggie & matching slippers from Grandpa Grandpa, homemade playdhoh from Nathanael & Logan, a knitted hat from Kaetlyn, and goodies from Shelby & Shayden. Brad & Mona also gave Caleb a book & a car transporter. Taylor & Rylee slept through all of the gift opening (such perfect angels). They also got snuggies & matching slippers & some toys.

Casey with his gun cleaning station. His dad is still in the process of making a gun cleaning box for him. It's going to be very nice. He also got some socks.I love this picture. There was A LOT of commotion & wrapping paper flying & talking & laughing & my sweet little Caleb was sitting on the floor in the middle of it all enjoying his new book. He was as content as could be.

Casey made Kaetlyn, Logan & Nathanael the golf game (aka cow balls). I hope that they love it. Nathanael put the golf balls on his head for some 'curly hair'.

Colby made us a fabulous marble board & I've already kicked Casey's butt a few times (he has won a couple of games). Shelby made us a beautiful bench. I love both gifts very much! Now - I need a bigger house to put everything. Tamara made us a whole bunch of soap which so far has been awesome. Here are the party animals with their sign that we made for them.

We made Shayden a coloring book that was all about him...Shelby a fire starting kit for his mountain man collection...& Colby & Tamara some 8x10 picture frames so that they can display all of their cute kids. I hope that I got all of the gifts accounted for. It was a crazy & fun afternoon with presents being opened and taking care of babies and I'm not quite sure if I missed things.

After the Freeze festivities we came home and my parents & brothers & Angela's family came to see our haul. Christmas was - as always - a success.

Christmas Eve

Caleb & I made some fabulous sugar cookies for Santa a couple of days before Christmas Eve. Santa is LUCKY that we saved 2 cookies for him! It was a struggle. Caleb is a little cookie lover! Actually - he's more of a frosting lover.

On Christmas Eve we headed to Casey's Grandma's house in Mantua. We had soup, breadsticks & desserts. TONS of desserts.

Here is Grandpa Brad helping Taylor open her present. She & Rylee got stuffed animal dolphins. Rylee was CRACKING up at hers.

Grandma Sorensen gave Caleb a cute lion. He loves it.
Caseys' Grandma made EACH girl in the family a knitted poncho. They are wonderful. I think that they are so cute & so warm! I also love the color of mine. What a woman!

Before bedtime the kids all got to open their Christmas pajamas. I love these kids. I can't believe that Taylor & Rylee look almost as tall as Caleb in this picture! We sat out Santa's cookies and milk and then went to bed.

Ho Ho Ho

One of my childhood Christmas memories is of my mom & sisters meeting my Aunt Sandra & her kids at Ogden's Christmas Village to walk around & see Santa. I think that I am going to start doing this with my little family. The city sure has spiffied the place up! This year it was way to chilly to take the girls out to wait in line, so Casey stayed home with them while I took Caleb. We met my friends MaLynda & Jess & their darling daughter Aliyah.

Checking out the baking display. Caleb wanted to eat a cupcake SO BAD!

I love these next pictures. I remember loving looking at all of the different displays & being so excited to see what was going to be in the next one. Here they are watching Santa's elves hard at work.The baking window.

These kids were so good. I was an idiot mom & forgot mittens for Caleb & his hands were freezing. Aliyah's coat was a little to big, so she let Caleb wear her mittens & she stuffed her hands up her sleeves. HOW NICE! What is mind blowing to me is Aliyah is a whole year YOUNGER than Caleb. She's at least a whole head taller & 20 pounds heavier. My kid flat out won't grow!

Caleb LOVED this train.
As soon as we got to Santa's door (after waiting in line for an hour & ten minutes) Caleb looked at me - his eyes full of tears & said "I want to go home." He was DONE waiting. Once we got in & he saw Santa he was okay. He didn't want to sit on his lap - but did tell Santa that he wanted a 4 wheeler & trucks for Christmas. Hopefully he's been a good boy & Santa can get him what he asked for.

Anderson Christmas Party

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL (busy, weight gaining, dramatic, stressful, magical, family fun) TIME OF THE YEAR! The Anderson Family Christmas party has come & gone. I look forward to it every year. We had a delish dinner consisting of funeral potatoes, rolls (from Kneaders...Y U M), halibut, salmon, beef roast, peas, veggie tray & cheese ball. It's weird how as the years have went by - we just don't seem to consume as much food as we use to. There were a TON of leftovers.

One of my favorite Christmas party activities is the yearly pictionary tournament. It's fun to see everyones " ART " skills. Here is a picture of Caleb & Blake. Blake's picture was "I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus".

Still playing pictionary. I love how Dylan & Griffen both look super special.
Taylor (left) & Rylee (right) in their party cardys & baby legs from Aunt Ida.
Caleb got a Thomas the Train pillow pet from Grammy & Papa Don. He LOVED it...until he saw that Blake got a shark pillow pet. BUT - Caleb has since forgotten about the Shark & sleeps with Thomas every night.

Opening up a toy from Griffen & Blake to Taylor & Rylee. They were sleepy little girls during present time.

Caleb got the RIO DVD, some finger paints & a sucker from Baby Bodine.

My cute scarf & head warmer *WITH* a spot for your ponytail from my parents. Casey got some nice sunglasses.

All of the Anderson grandchildren. Griffen is holding Taylor & Blake is holding Rylee.

Super sporty Angela showing her new head warmer.

My parents got all of the kids these fabulous sleigh bells. I think that they are my favorite gift. My Aunt Marchelle made them & I think that she did an outstanding job.

The party was the day after my birthday...so my mom got a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting for us to enjoy.

Taylor (left) & Rylee (right) in their new pajamas holding their baby dolls from Grammy & Papa Don.

Happy Birthday to Caleb!

My Caleb turned 4 years old! Really? F O U R? It's been a lot of fun watching him grow. He is talking so much more. His new thing (which annoys me greatly) is when I talk to him & he doesn't want to have a conversation, he will say "Shush mom!" I'm attempting to get him to ask me NICELY to please be quiet.

Caleb was excited to help decorate his cupcakes. He LOVES frosting. He would barely get some frosting to come out of the bag & onto the cupcake & then he'd lick it off.

He wanted a train cake this year. Wish granted.

We had Casey's family come over & then my family came over a couple of hours later. Our house is not large enough to accommodate all of the love! Caleb helped each group sing 'Happy Birthday to Caleb' and was the loudest one singing each time. He would then applaud his awesomeness.

After he blew out his candles on his cupcakes with my family he exuberantly said "That's my boy!!!" It was hilarious!

He got a lot of great gifts. A basketball hoop, clothes, a nursery rhyme book, puzzles, a Thomas movie, slippers, a matching game, a Go Fish game, a tape measure, a James train & Sir Topem Hatt.

He loved his construction truck puzzle!!

Rylee, McKenna & Taylor partying it up. McKenna is 6 weeks younger than Taylor & Rylee. I love to see other babies. My little sister is going to have a baby any day & I am so excited to see her as well! My dad & Taylor relaxing.

Caleb & his birthday dinner - mac & cheese, fish sticks & corn.

I said to Caleb after I took the first picture "Let's take one more where you aren't being silly." You can guess why I didn't bother trying again.

He had a fabulous birthday surrounded by everyone that he loves. He is one lucky boy. His favorite color is blue & his favorite movie is 'How to Train Your Dragon'. He weighs a whopping 30 pounds. He loves to play with trucks, cars, trains....anything that can go. One thing that cracks me up is I will say "Caleb....you are so handsome!" He'll respond "NO!! DAD is handsome...I'm cute."