The Andersons

New Years Eve...And Grandpas 90th Birthday Party

2011-12-31T14:45:00.001-08:00

We celebrated New Years Eve with one of my all time favorite people. Grandpa Ted turned 90 years old!! I love him so much. He is such a great example to everyone he meets. He has a lot of spunk, and a lot of great wisdom. I have tried to take the kids often to go visit him. He is a very grateful , humble man. He has been inspired to write many poems for his grandchildren. I pray they remember them.

Happy, Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Is he not just darling?

Nancy Jo and Tasha came from California for this special event! Caitlin and Tasha decorated the church perfectly. There was music playing from the good ol' days, and food galore. We had a nice turkey and all the trimmings.

We had a program given by Ed, Jeff, and Nancy Jo. They retold his wonderful life. I could not believe how well Drew did. He sat and listened so well for only being the little two year old he is.

Grandpa really wanted a talent show. Sage played the piano, Tasha and Hallee sang. Lindsay did a puppet show, Raegan and my two girls danced, and I played a song on the harp. Grandpa ended it will his own little solo. It was hilarious.

McKenna and Aspens dance might have been the cutest thing you ever did see. We made big hearts with pictures of them with Grandpa on it. The song was "Last Christmas I gave you my heart". They ran and gave their "hearts" to grandpa with a big kiss. It was darling. Nate and I were very pleased with our beauties.

I had not played the harp for two years, so needless to say it was a bit rough. I am excited to start playing again. It inspired me to have McKenna take harp lessons. We are so excited about it.

The party was a hit. Everyone had a great time. I love the cute mustaches they had for everyone. Cause good ol' grandpa always sports the cutest mustache in town!

Cute Nate and Grandpa

Grandpa danced with all his girls. I kept thinking how badly I wanted to freeze time. What a special man he is, and what a special part he has in my heart.

Aspen and Mckenna with their "hearts" that they gave him.

Family Christmas Party

2011-12-29T11:16:00.000-08:00

With all of the family in town, we decided to have a party. What better way to celebrate the Holidays right? Right. Nate rounded up all the fun toys from our house. We brought Drew's new little car he got for Christmas so he could drive his little heart out. We all got together at Ed and Lorna's church. Family mixed with great food is going to turn out fun. And so it did. We brought the Xbox and Just dance. We had everyone playing and trying to out dance each other. Nancy Jo and Ed competed against each other. It was hilarious.

McKenna, Sage, Tate, Addie, and Drew

McKenna and her darling dad Nathan

The Fam: Jason, Eden, Brooke, Ed, Lorna, Tasha, Matt, Nate, Katie, Drew,
Abby, Lindsey, Addie, Hallee, Raegan, McKenna, Aspen, Sage, Tate

Raegan, McKenna, and Aspen danced all night long.

Aspen and her Daddy

I love my girls!

I seriously don't know what I would do in this life without my Sage.

Katie and baby Drew. Yep he is two but he is still baby Drew to me.

I love this man! I am so grateful as the year comes to an end that he is still by my side. We have been though so much and I am so grateful we are loving each other and raising beautiful children together!

Temple Square

2011-12-12T15:56:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas time! One of our favorite things to do is to go down to temple square and look at the lights. We went with Ed, Lorna, Jason, Brooke, and all of our kids. It was FREEZING. Went went to JB's after for some good ol' hot chocolate. Drew about died and went to heaven.

McKenna, Raegan, and Aspen

I really don't think there is a word to describe how cold we were! Thank heavens I had just gone to Dicks and bought my new puffy coat. Nate has a thing for puffy coats and really wanted me to buy one. It was a good day to have it!

I am so greatful to live buy this beautiful temple. We are so blessed to live in Salt Lake City. I love this city and all the wonderful things it holds. We are having a wonderful Christmas season. There is nothing like the spirit of Christ during this amazing time of year.

Aspens Birthday

2011-08-09T15:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to our Aspen! I am so grateful for my little beauty. We don't know what we would do with out her. Aspen is so smart and with it. She gets the big picture and is so wise for her age.

Here are some of our favorite things about this darling girl...

1. She is sharp as a whip and nothing gets past her

2. She knows what not to eat. She has always known that chocolate gives her headaches and that red dyed candy does the same thing. She knows how to limit her self with sugar and treats. She worries about her food and if it is healthy.

3. She is our rule follower. She does not deviate from what she has been told to do. She is very much black and white.

4. She is determined

5. She has about the cutest laugh you have ever heard

6. She is an amazing sister and daughter. She loves her parents and siblings.

7. She is very talented and I can't wait to see all she does in her life

8. She loves to cuddle

9. She is sugar and spice topped with some sass

10. She is so beautiful and is such a standout

11. Every year her teachers confess she is their favorite kid in class

12. She is very serious. She is always thinking deep.

13. Life would not be worth living without our Aspen

We had a great party for Aspen. We love living at Highland Pointe and it has been an adventure. One of the major highlights is all of the friends Aspen has made. Lucky for her, there are about ten little girls her age. We invited them all over for a pinata and cake.

Aspens friends are seriously some of the cutest girls ever. We love them and I hope she always remembers this summer with her great friends.

Aspen, McKenna, and Brinlee

Ashley has been a huge blessing for Aspen. She had a hard time leaving her darling group of friends behind from Navigator Pointe. Ashley loves Aspen and invites her everywhere and her mother is a godsend and takes Aspen all over the valley doing fun things. They have totally become two peas in a pod.

Aspen with the twins

Aspen and Everly

Aspen and Raegan. We are so happy Aspen and McKenna have a cousin so close to their age and someone who they both love and adore.

Aspens very best friend at the apartment, McKenzie

There is nothing like a darling little girl and her handsome daddy. They both put smiles on my face.

Youth Confrence-Zions National Park

2011-07-28T11:21:00.000-07:00

Nate and I were both called into the youth programs for our church. Nate is an advisor for the Young Men and I (Katie) am also an advisor in the Young Womens.
We had our annual Bear Lake trip planned with our family, but last minute decided to go with the Youth. We LOVE Bear Lake so much. But decided we might not have this chance to get to know the youth and be apart of such a great trip.

We went down to Richard Paul Evans "Timepiece Ranch". It was a blast. It is barley outside of Zions National Park. He has two houses about a fourth of a mile apart. We had the women in one house and the men in the other. There was so much to do. Richard owns about 200 acres and there are four wheel trails everywhere. He had several four wheelers for us to ride and golf carts and dirt bikes. He had a man bring in hundreds of trout to stock his pond for the weekend so we could fish. It was awesome watching the fish being put in the pond. They built an outside movie theatre. We had a huge screen with eleven blow up mattresses outside to lay on. It was so amazing laying under the starry sky watching movies. We ate like kings the whole weekend. It was so much fun.

This is a view from faraway of our movie screen.

I could not believe how beautiful it was up there.

It was really nice for Nate and I to be able to spend so much time together not chasing after kids. We missed our kiddos a ton, but we needed a vacation together.

The first day we drove about five hours to get to "Timepiece Ranch". On the way we ate in Beaver at a surprisingly yummy Mexican restaurant. The Young Women all came the second day. So first things first with a bunch of men was....playing paintball for hours. Richard and I were on a team an won the first came. It was awesome. The second game, I was defiantly a target seeing how I stole the flag the first round. This picture is of my arm being shot at by Richard (now not on my team) . It turned really blue on day two and three through...hmmm um seven!

We decided to go into the park on day three. We took the older boys and girls and left some of the younger ones behind with leaders. Everyone was happy. The kids who stayed behind got all of the toys to themselves. I had never been to Zions, so I was very pleased to be able to go.

Nate and Katie

We hiked up the Narrows and took a swim in the river.

Swimming at the Narrow.

We were super excited that we were able to go spend time with the youth and our good friends Holly and Eric Fairbanks. Holly and I shared a room and stayed up until four thirty in the morning talking about everything you can think of. It was the best.

We have awesome youth in our ward.

Nate and I covered in paint.

Richard made us his famous crepes and pina colada smoothies every night. We had the best lasagna and salads for dinner. The Evans took care of all of the food. It was to die for.

It was so neat to get to know Richard Paul Evans. He has such a wonderful family. His two daughters are in young women's and his beautiful wife and I get to work together. He has a new book coming out soon and it was so cool to hear how he came up with it and how he is so inspired. He had so many neat stories that he shared that were right up my alley. He gave me a copy of his book and I think there are only two that were printed early, so I felt very spoiled. The new book Michael Vey is going to be a big hit so it was fun to see all the neat things that are starting to happen with it. While we were up there Amazon called and chose it to be the number one best seller on their website for young adult reading for the month of August. Pretty cool.

Rich has a really neat assistant named Diane. We really hit it off and it seemed we had been friends forever. We plan to go to lunch "quarterly". Isn't that darling of us? I loved meeting her and getting to know so many people better. I went home from this trip feeling so blessed in my life. I am so happy I moved. I never would have grown how I have and met all of these wonderful people. And I still get to keep my friends from where we came from. Life is such a gift.

Boating up at Pineview

2011-07-25T13:25:00.000-07:00

We LOVE going boating!! It is our favorite thing to do as a family! We went for Sages birthday and brought Sam and Zack! It was so much fun for the brief time we had. The weather turned horrible and we had to leave. We went up to my dads house for a wonderful dinner. Then we decided to ride his horse Gypsy. We all LOVE that horse so much. As McKenna was riding her, she tried to lay down. It was so sad. We got her saddle off and got her up to the barn. My sister Jess, Nate, Jeannie and I all were with her for five hours. We tried to keep her walking. She got really sick. The vet came and we had to put her down. It was so sad. My dad was in Colorado and didn't get to be there to say goodbye. It was so sad. We all cried and cried. Gypsy was the best horse my dad has ever owned.

Drew LOVES boating!

We loved the hot driver!

Isn't she a doll?

Sage loves his cousin Zack. They have such an amazing relationship. They are such great examples to each other!

McKenna and Sam laughed and laughed on the tube. They were in complete heaven.

Happy Birthday Nate!

2011-06-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

I was so happy my brother Brady could come. We had just found out he is moving to Florida. I cried and cried. So at least we had on big last party first.

Happy Birthday to our wonderful husband, father, and friend. Nate LOVES huge birthday surprises (okay not really, that would be me) so we decided to throw a surprise party!

My cute brother and his darling wife Morgan. We were so happy they came!
Nate LOVES the chocolate cake from Costco. I was excited to surprise him with it. Drew sat and worked on this huge chunk of cake for a bit. I was sure he was going to throw up. To all of our great surprise, he didn't. The kids had so much fun with uncle Scott. He played with them non-stop.

We had a great time! I ordered a ton of pizza and we ate and visited on the lawn. We had a ton of family come and a lot of our friends that live at Highland Pointe. We are extremely blessed to live by so many great people. Do you love my glasses? I had pink eye for two weeks. Then I decided to share the fun, everyone got it. It has plagued us. We have had it running through our family for two months. It is enough to drive some one mad! But at least Nate's Birthday was a hit!

2011-04-08T12:53:00.001-07:00

Pictures of my little guy...

Our darling baby Drew

McKennas Birthday..

2011-03-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

I can NOT believe my baby girl is NINE. It is so crazy how fast time goes by. McKenna is such a delight to our family. She is so SWEET. That is how everyone describes her to me. She is just so sweet and kind. I really do not think her mind knows how to think anything that is not good. She is so easy going and pleasant. I always will remember her giggling out on the tramp in the back yard when she was three. She lived in her butterfly swimsuit and petticoat slip. She has such an infectious laugh. She is best person to cuddle with. She is incredibly lovable. I have so many of her friends parents say that they love her example and want their daughter to take after my sweet McKenna. She is FUNNY. She can get everyone going and laughing. She has such a desire to do good. She is such a great student. Every year her teachers express how she is the model student. I can always count on her to do what I asked and she is so efficient and is on top of knowing what she needs to do next. I love listening to her play in her room, sing, and play the piano. My world would end without my McKenna. She loves helping me with Drew and loves him how I do. I can not even imagine the mother she will make. She comes in my work everyday and sticks a sticky note to my shirt and walks right out. Its always the sweetest love notes. The other day I came home from work and she had a treasure hunt for me. In the end I found a pop up home made card telling me she knows she chose me in Heaven to be her mom. Wow and I so indescribably lucky. She is the meaning of pure joy.

She was so excited for her Birthday this year. She gets to have a party with friends every other year. This year it was a family party, but I let her invite her great friend Kelly. She will be moving soon and McKenna will really miss her. Her mom complements me on McKenna all the time. She expresses how not very many children have manners anymore.

We went to Classic Skating for her party. She was so happy and loves to roller skate. I had so much fun skating with her and her cute self. She bobs her head and swings her arms and has a perfect smile the whole time while her sweetness shines through her whole body. I love my McKenna!

Drew LOVED the lights and music and had so much fun!! He wore himself right out. he was getting really grumpy when I took this picture. I told him to say cheese and he did.

Brooke and Jason came with all of their girls. McKenna was so happy they came. She LOVES her cousins.

Kelley, Aspen, and Mckenna

Raegan, Abbie, Brooke, Eden, Jason, and Haley Maxwell

Once again the crutches have come in handy. I have never known a child to love and keep using their Christmas present like its brand new every day. But McKenna has loved these babies and grabbed them to help keep her steady with her new roller skates on. Our cute mail lady Wendy tells me all the time how much she loves watching my girls play outside. She says it makes her chuckle and brings a smile to her face when she sees McKenna outside happy as can be playing with her crutches. The novelty has not worn off. Wendy tells me my girls act like everyday is the best time of their life. McKenna does have a gift at being able to have fun and really enjoy life.

Look at these beauties. Grandma and Grandpa Anderson always pick out the perfect gift for McKenna.

We had a special dinner at our house and some, sadly not all, of the grandparents came. We had a Roast and Mash potatoes, jello salad, green salad, breadsticks, broccoli, and cake all for the birthday girl. We went in a circle and I asked everyone to share a memory of McKenna. McKenna went from person to person and sat on our laps while we told her our memories. I wanted to cry when it was Sages turn. He wanted McKenna to sit on his lap. He looked her straight in the eyes and went on and on about why he loves and needs her. Wow, is was such a special moment. He told her how she was his very first friend and how he couldn't wait for her to be born. He has always loved her so much. They are truly best friends. I love it! I was so overwhelmed and proud that they are mine.

I was so proud of Aspen today. It is always hard to be little and watch all of the attention on someone else. She handled it great and was genuinely excited for McKenna. She only struggled when Nate told McKenna she was the sweetest person he knows. Then he had to go down the hall and get something. Aspen quickly got up and ran after him and I could hear her saying "Daddy, Daddy, you think McKennas the only sweet one?" It was so cute. he reassured her she was as well. But that is one of Mks special talents.

Me and My girl

McKenna and her grandma Corinne

McKenna and grandma Lorna

McKenna and grandpa Ted

Nate and McKenna. These two are a lot alike.

McKenna and grandpa Ed

15 March..

2011-03-18T14:39:00.000-07:00

Eating at Outback with my guy...Its was SO yummy..

Nate, you are the best and always make my Birthday so special...Thanks!!

My cute friend Holly

Can you believe those flowers...Seriously??

Aspen, Sage, Katie, Drew, Mckenna

Well its that time of year again...My birthday. My family has always called it 15 March. That is what I called it when I was little and it stuck. It was one of the best Birthdays I have ever had. It started out being quite the day at one in the morning. Nate, my friend Holly, and I stayed up late watching the bachelor. I went to bed around midnight. As I was laying in bed, I started to think about my Birthday and I got really excited. I have always loved birthdays! I started to think about being alive and all of the people that I love. I really miss my friends from my old neighborhood and planned my own party for Wednesday. Pretty funny of me, I know. But sometimes you have to make things happen. So as I laid there, I started to get REALLY excited about everyone that I was going to see. Well then I started crying a little bit. I started to see each face in my mind and a rush of emotion went through my body. By now I am really crying. As I saw each persons face, my mind was in overdrive thinking of all of the reasons why that person was so special to me and why I loved them so much. I could see myself sitting with them and telling them all that I was feeling. I really felt like God was letting me feel how he loves each of them. Not one person can be replaced in my heart by someone else. Everyone is so unique and so special in such a different way that anyone else. I realized that's how God feels about us. It was quite the experience. I cried for two hours straight and never went to bed. All I could think about was what amazing people I have in my life and I would not trade anything for that experience. I am so blessed.
By seven am I had received SO many text messages. My friend Kandice called around eight. As soon as I heard her voice, I started bawling. I told her about my night and told her why I loved her so much. Talk about a great friend. I have known this girl for sixteen years. She has been so unbelievably loyal and by my side day by day. I could NOT be where I am as a person without her. She is such a great example to me. The endless hours of her listening to me and giving advice, laughing, crying together, and just loving each other are priceless. I love you Kandice, and you have no idea how much.
So by the time I get to work, I have had hours of crying. Well then my darling Friend Holly comes in with balloons and a diet dew (which was so needed because I had not slept all night) and it just made me so happy!! We were visiting when in walks a guy with the most BEAUTIFUL flowers I have ever seen. Holly and I started screaming with delight! It was so fun!!! She has been such a blessing to me. It is always hard to move but when God gives you a new friend like Holly, life seems so easy!! She has been a shining light in my life. She is always helping me with everything. She is one of those people that you know you can count on.
Then I got to go to lunch with my Zildy...talk about an amazing person. She is perfect. She is so amazing I can't even express why. It would take me a year to list why I love this girl. We of course cried at lunch. Wow I'm getting emotionally exhausted by this point with all my overflowing emotions for these girls.
Well you think it can't get better right?? Oh but it does. I get of work and go get Drew and go home. When I walk in my house I have a million kids (probably at least twenty) screaming Happy Birthday. My house is decorated with balloons and crate paper. There is a cake on the table and tons of cards. My darling kids planned a surprise party for me and cleaned the whole house and invited all of the cute kids that live here over. I was dying. Holly was there snapping pictures. Absolute cutest thing they could have done. I am so blessed to have such darling kids.
The night ended just perfectly. Nate took me to dinner and gave me the cutest card. My family all knows hes the cutest card writer. He is so good at expressing his feelings in such a romantic way. He gave me Les Miserables ticket!!! Whoot whoot. I was basically dying with excitement.
It was such an amazing day.
Wednesday I had lunch with all my friends. And yep, you guessed it...I cried. I went in a circle and told each of them, one by one, why I loved them all so much. I knew it was something I was inspired to do. Pretty incredible feelings rushed though out my whole body. We all cried. What a birthday. One like I have never had before. I am truly blessed and grateful for all I have. I am so grateful for my family and friends. I will never forget the amount of love I felt for all of the people that are so special to me. Love you all.

Our Anniversary at Yellowstone..

2011-02-15T15:20:00.000-08:00

Well Nate did it again....Surprised me with an Anniversary getaway to Yellowstone. It was SO much fun. He asked my boss for the time off and it was such a surprise. He arranged all of the babysitting for the kids and everything. It was such a nice break from work. It was funny though, now that I am working, I really struggled being away from the kids. Nate is a lot more involved with them with me being gone, and he really really missed them too. He has gotten so attached to Drew because they are always together on his days off. He really struggles when he is away from that little guy. Can you blame him???

We had so much fun just playing it low key. We ate at a different restaurant each meal so we could try them all out. This was our favorite. It was the best breakfast I have ever had. The service was amazing. I was just a little whole in the wall place, but those are always the best. They served the food on fun china and it was to die for. It was so fun to have so much time with Nate alone. That does not happen very often.

We were so amazed at all the snow. It was crazy. It was such a fun town to be in. There is so much snow, so people just drive around on their snowmobiles all day through the street. This was the most snow West Yellowstone has had for thirty years.

The first day we got our sleds, we went all around Island Park. We rode for forty miles. It was amazing. Nate let me drive the most seeing how I am kinda nervous about getting hurt because of my car accident a few months ago. It was funny because I was going really fast and went off some huge bumps and Nate got scared and wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me off the sled. I was laughing so hard. Just never thought I would have him telling me to be careful and slow down.

I was really excited to see the Wildlife.

It was so cool seeing the Grand Tetons!

Nate lookin great at Old Faithful.

The second day we had the sleds, we went on a days ride through the park. We totalled 140 miles that day. It was so indescribable. We saw all of the main things people go to see. The waterfalls, geysers, hot spots, wildlife, ect... I smiled the whole time on the snowmobile thinking, WOW a trip of a lifetime for many. Lucky me!!

We saw so many Bison. They were everywhere!!

I saw some of the prettiest sunsets of my life in Yellowstone.

What a great trip. I was scared I would be cold the whole time. But the sleds had seat warmers and hand warmers, so I was OK. One of my favorite parts of the trip was the drive down. I was so full of excitement and Nate and I had the BEST conversations. He was so cute the whole trip and just kept saying that it was all about me, and he wanted to do whatever I did. He was so worried if I was having fun and if I was cold. It was so nice to have all of his attention just focused on me. I'm very lucky to be married to such a great guy. Nate is very romantic and always puts alot of time into our Anniversary's. I'm happy my kids have that example so they can treat their spouses the same way someday. It really means so much to me. Its crazy to think we have been married eleven years.

Valentines Day

2011-02-15T11:25:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Valentines Day. I love it because I LOVE to be with people I love and show them how much they mean to me. It is one of my favorite Holidays with my kids. I love playing cupid and going all out. I love decorating their doors with hearts with reasons why I love them on each cut out. We call it heart attacking. I love putting streamers on their doors for them to walk through when they wake up. I love telling them and Nate.."I love you" five hundred times in a day. It the best. I also love that my Anniversary is the next day. It just feels like Love is in the air. This year we went on our wonderful adventure to Yellowstone but I still what to do something the day of. So my brother Brady and Gena came with us to the Melting Pot. Seriously....HEAVEN. I loved it. We had SO SO much fun laughing. I always love being with them. We just have so much fun. And I loved being with Nate, hes my guy.
Nate looks so handsome in this picture. I'm a lucky Bride.

Look at this food....AHHH

Brady and Gena

Drew was so excited when he woke up. He quickly pulled off each streamer from his door and ran to the kitchen for food. But to his great surprise...there was balloons everywhere. He was so happy and kept saying OH WOW. The kids and I were laughing so hard.

I love how my kids think Valentines is like Christmas. They get so excited for this Holiday. Its a day of them writing I love you notes all day. They left them in my bathroom, my dressers and mirrors. I love making big huge yummy breakfasts. We had heart shaped waffles and the whole works. I am so lucky I have such a wonderful family. I count my blessings, I really do.

Sage and McKennas ballroom class

2010-12-15T19:58:00.001-08:00

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2010-12-13T17:18:00.001-08:00

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Christmas piano recital

2010-12-13T17:15:00.001-08:00

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2010-10-30T14:52:00.001-07:00

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Moving

2010-09-13T10:59:00.000-07:00

Its official. We moved! After being in Taylorsville for ten years, it is time to move on. We will miss our white house. I don't know if I will ever love a house as much as that one. I will miss the fun swing sets and tramp in the back. I will miss my long porch and my beautiful plants and flowers. We put a lot of work into that house. We are hoping to rent it out. We will keep it as an investment and who knows, we could move back someday. I will miss my friends and our wonderful ward. We have such great memories. I loved being so close to the library, pool, and park. But we had felt for quite awhile that we needed to move for our kids. Sage really didn't have any friends and it was really starting to get hard on him.

Everything happened really quickly. We have been very blessed. My cousin Savannah knew we wanted to move. But houses are not selling in this market. She told me that I should come take her job up at Highland Pointe. At first I thought it sounded crazy. I have always stayed at home with my kids, so why would I go work if I didn't really need to? Well, my first reaction was "no way". But I couldn't stop thinking about it. So I called and talked to her boss. She said she would get back to me. I thought that was the end of it. Two weeks later she called and said the job was mine. No interview, resume or anything. I told her I needed the weekend to think about it. I fasted and prayed like crazy. One night I went to open my scriptures and it just happened to open to D&C 111. The whole section was relating to my situation. It talked about moving to a new city and not worrying about anything and how blessings were awaiting and you can get to the new city by way of being hired. Well that was a direct answer to me. So we started packing up and moved. Sadly, I got in a bad car accident with all of the kids. So my sweet sister flied out and my mom, sisters, and aunts, and in laws moved us. We have been so blessed. I couldn't believe I really did it. Packed up and moved to a new place. But it has been the best thing ever for our family. I remember laying in my house thinking, "I will be so scared not to do this because I would never know what could be out there waiting for me." And that is exactly it. I have grown so much and learned so much about faith. I have loved being here and my kids are in heaven. They have the best school and teachers and have more friends than they know what to do with. I am so grateful!!

Baby Drew loved sitting in these drawers.
Aspen with her cute new friends Mckenzie and Brinley

The kids have each been invited to so many birthday parites. Aspen was invited to this party before we even moved in.

I was amazed and how cute this party was. The mom Aline is so talented. Look at this table! Each flower has a little homemade treat in it. I was blown away!

McKenna and Aspen playing at the park.

Drew LOVES to swing.

Baby Drew

2010-08-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

We all love our Baby Drew. He is SUCH a special part of our family. He has taught us all alot, and is here for a very special purpouse. He brings so much joy to our home.

I took the kids to Wheeler Farm to show Drew the animals. I loved watching him see all the animals like it was for the first time. He loves horses and cows. It is so cute to watch his little personality grow. You can tell by watching him play that he really likes to be clean an organized. Everyone laughs when I tell them this. But after being with him for twenty minutes, they all say how true it is. He loves to open cupboards and reorganize the canned food. He hates messes. He will go in the girls rooms and pick up cloths on the floor and put them in drawers. I tried to read him some books the other day. He would not let me read the next one until the first was put away. He is a very sweet and cuddlie baby. But he definetly has a spicy side. He gets really excited about things and loves his siblings.

Ten Year Anniversary

2010-02-15T16:26:00.000-08:00

I can not believe Nate and I have been married for ten years. Its crazy to think about how fast it went by. We have created so many memories, and have four children. To think that ten years ago I was just nineteen, getting ready to start a whole new life. I have done a lot of reflecting back to that day so many years ago. We were married, went on a honeymoon and then started our new life. I remember so clearly having our babies and all those "first" new experiences. Our first new home, my first delivery, first new baby, first new car, first family vacation, first new ward. Experiencing all the changes in life. Trips to the hospital when I have been in labor or kids needing stitches. The good times and the hard times. All of it shaping who we are today and our love for each other. So profound and woven together by all of the trials, tears, laughter and happiness we have experienced together. Its amazing to look back and see where we have been. And to imagine that we still have so many more things to come. I look forward to the future with a husband who is always by my side, supporting me and loving me unconditionally. To think that it all started one night at a dance. I asked him to dance. I was only seventeen then. To know that one dance would lead to a life with someone so special, and someone who I would create so much with is pretty amazing and indescribable. I love our story, our lives, and our children. Specific just to us. Something only we know and share. This was a wonderful anniversary for me.

To think, it started ten years ago. Just us. Nate and I. And now we are a family of six.

Nate had to work on our actual anniversary. Even though we celebrated it the weekend before, I really wanted to make it special for him. I planned a really nice dinner. With candle light and everything. I explained to the kids that it was an extra special occasion. And that if they wanted to be invited to the dinner, they had to be on their best behavior. It was as if we were eating at a really nice restaurant. They were thrilled beyond measure that they were included in this wonderful date. As my plans were progressing in my head, I had a wonderful idea. I wanted to get in my wedding dress and surprise Nate. I was not expecting to fit into it. I did, so that of course mad me very happy. The girls were heaven. Seeing mom all dressed up. They ran and got in the flower girl dresses they had worn for my cousins wedding. When Nate got home, it was perfect. He walked through the door and saw me standing there in my dress. I was not expecting the emotions that suddenly ran through me. I got very emotional. He just stared at me. He said he was not expecting to come home to anything special. And was very caught of guard, in a good way. We ate our dinner in the candle light. It was so incredible. There was a silence as we ate for a bit. It was as if we were all taking in the magnitude of how amazing that exact day was ten years ago. All that it meant then and what has become of it. After dinner I told Nate to stay where he was. I turned on the song we danced to on our wedding night. Faith Hill and Tim McGraws "Its your love". The kids sat so quietly watching. They were memorized. It was so indescribable having us all there. It was so perfect to me. I remember so clearly the night we met, and the day we were married. There is a look in Nates eye that I often see. I saw it when I met him, married him, and still see it today. Its like I can see through him and know he is home to me. Such a great anniversary. We have been through so much together and it seems there is a magnetic force that pulls us to each other. I love him. I loved having the kids with us to celebrate such a special event.

Ten years baby, eternity to go.

Nate did a great job at planning our getaway. He had everything planned as a surprise. I was very impressed. He had everything arranged with his family to watch kids and carpools to be driven. Down to every last detail. Friday morning he told me to pack my bags and pack something warm. I have been wanting to go skiing SO badly. He took me to get skiing at Powder Mountain. Then we went straight to my favorite place. The Alaskan Inn. We got cleaned up and went to dinner at Maddox. We had never been there and he wanted to surprise me and take me somewhere new. It was SO much fun.

In the lobby of the Alaskan Inn.

I really liked this wooden picture because it says that these bird mate for life. So I am being Vanna White.

Baby Blessing

2010-02-07T16:08:00.000-08:00

My little nephew Kamden got blessed. This is my brothers family. Brady, Gena, Keegan, Kamden, and Kennedy.

Ember and Katie

Aspen, Drew, Uncle Scott, and McKenna

2010-02-01T06:48:00.000-08:00

I love this baby boy. And he is loving his baby biscuit.

Update...

2010-02-01T06:46:00.000-08:00

Things are going really well for all of us. The kids got their report cards and all had practically straight A's. Only one B+. We were really excited about that. They have all been taking school a lot more serious this year. We have been so impressed with how they are staying on top of their own responsibilities with out being nagged.

Sage is really loving Brazilian Ju Jitzu and piano. He is doing so well at both. He is memorizing two pieces for Federation this month. He is really into this big silver dollar he has. It is pretty funny. He always has it with him, he cleans it and flips it all day. I have to guess heads or tails all day long. I am so grateful that he is the oldest. I never knew a brother could love his siblings as much as he does. He will do ANYTHING for them. He is so sweet to them and his parents. He has an extra amount of love to give. We all hear "I Love You" at least several times a day, seriously. He is always coming and hugging me while I am cooking or cleaning and just says "mom I love you so much." Its pretty touching. And my favorite is hearing him play with the girls, and out of the blue hearing...I Love you McKenna. He is always telling me he thinks Aspen is so cute and pretty. And oh how he loves his brother. I am always amazed how quickly he makes friends. We can go anywhere and he will end up with kids just falling in love with him. He is so nice to people and knows how and what to say. He has a way of making people feel SO special and important. I love my time with him. Sage out of all the kids needs my time at night. I love to lay in bed by him and talk. He could talk for hours. I will always treasure the time we spend together talking late into the night. I am so grateful for Sage.

McKenna is still her same sweet self. I have people telling me all the time that she is the sweetest child they have ever met, with the best manners. That is so accurate. McKenna just radiates sweetness. She has a gift for being grateful. She prays every night with lists of what she is grateful for and for people. Bad guys, people in Haiti, and never forgets people who are handicapped. She has always been so sensitive to people with handicaps. I will not be surprised if she does something with them as a career later in life. McKenna is SO smart. She is ahead in math and reading. She hates if she has to miss school and spends alot of time making sure her homework is perfect. McKenna has a great sense of humor. She makes us all laugh. She gets into trouble for this sometimes. Sage can't go to sleep because she is just SO funny. I go try to get her to stop but I just end up giggling too. She is a great second mom to Drew. She is going to be a Fantastic mom one day. She is only seven, but takes care of him like she was twenty. She cries if she has been too busy to spend a lot of time with him. She is a great big sister. She is a great example to her family. McKenna is pretty busy with dance and piano. She has struggled with the piano but will not give up. She has improved so much and has been working hard for federation.

Aspen has a new nickname..."Skippy". She is so full of life and energy. She is always skipping everywhere. But once its seven p.m. with out fail she only skips and hops. It seriously happens every night with out fail. It is hysterical. She is my more serious child. She is very particular and likes to be on task and organized. She has a lot of qualities I wish I had. She is very diligent and you can count on her word. She will do what she promises in a timely manner. She is doing great in school and is ahead in her math class. She worked hard to get to first grade math (she is in kindergarten). She is taking dance and gymnastics. Her couch pulled me aside and told me that she can spot natural talent and really thinks Aspen has a talent there. I was excited, she is the youngest in her class and has not taken very long. She gets discouraged because other kids can do so much more than her. But her coach assures her it is because she just started and they are older and have an extra year of practice. I was thinking about this the other day.....Aspen is only five but she NEVER has gotten into things that she shouldn't. Even as a baby, she never got into cupboards or makeup or anything. She is so responsible. She is also very dramatic and can get pretty bossy. We often laugh at how worked up she gets, its so cute. She thinks its her job to keep me on task. She reminds me in the car to put on my seat belt and asks me to mop, and do laundry. She is very structured and needs thins in specific ways. When we tuck her in at night, it is the same exact routine. If Nate and I try to deviate we are quickly corrected. She has a nac for redecorating. She recently got this big idea in her head how she wanted her room. She planned it all out. So we moved everything where she wanted it, and of course it looks better than how I did it. She is very creative. She loves her "purple room" and needs a good two hours at least in there alone each day to play by her self. She looks forward to it when we are out and about. When we get home she runs up there and closes her door and starts playing. She needs her alone time. I love her spunk that is packed into that tiny little body.

Now our baby Drew. I can not believe how much light and joy he has brought to our family. He touches deep parts of all of our hearts. Everyone is so in love with him. Every time I go out, I have strangers ask to hold him. He is so adorable and lovable. He is so HAPPY and draws attention for this all the time. People are amazed at what a good baby and how good natured he is. A lady at the doctor office yesterday fell in love with him. She said "I bet he is the star in your family right now". She is right. They kids rush in from school asking for him. My favorite thing is when Nate is sleeping during the day after working nights, and when he hears Drew. It doesn't matter how little sleep he has had, or being woke up by him, he wants a quick hug and kiss. There is definitely something very special about Drew. He is different than our other babies. He does everything faster and different than what we were used to. It has thrown Nate and I off guard. He does not require alot of sleep. Our other kids always took long naps. He gets by with one or two quick naps a day. He does sleep a good ten to twelve hours at night, which is helpful. He does wake up in the middle of the night from time to time. Bummer. But when he wakes up at seven he is in full force ready to go. Our other kids loved to sleep in. Not Drew. He is doing everything a lot faster than we are used to. January was a big month for him. He started crawling at the beginning of the month (just barley seven month old!!). And the same day he started pulling himself up to things. He is so tiny to be doing this. He also has two teeth now that just came in. He is so alert and BUSY. He is easy in the way of attitude. But hard because he is so busy, I'm not used to this. I moved Bodies dog food, but of course he figured out where it is and quickly makes his way to it multiple times a day. He started crawling up stairs yesterday. He just turned eight months. He is saying mama and dada and nighnigh. He is VERY ticklish and loves to have his head rubbed. Oh I love this boy. He has brought Nate and I alot closer. He is truly a huge blessing that I am so grateful for.

Nate and I are doing good. We are having a lot of fun working out together. Nates work is going great. We have realized what a huge blessing this job has been for us. I am SO grateful to be at home with the kids. And so grateful Nate works so hard to let this happen. I love that he likes to spend time with me. When we tuck in the kids, Sage needs his time (as I mentioned before.) But Nate will always come down and say "Sage you have had her all day, Its my time with mom." I love that he wants to spend time with me every night. We are of course busy trying to be good parents and staying on top of four kids. It seems we can't stop having car problems, but makes us grateful we have cars. We have a lot to be grateful for. The earthquake in Haiti has made us both realize how blessed we are. We have been talking about service alot and what we can do to help people.

Well hopefully I will get caught up to date and can post shorter more frequent posts in the future. Its not a news flash that I have horibble grammer and can not spell to save my life. It is often pointed out to me, but I guess I would rather post and be judged than not post at all. I think documenting our life will be important to my kids one day. And hopefully the good of it will out weight my spelling and lack of writing skills. Hope you are all doing well.

Fondant

2010-01-29T07:15:00.000-08:00

My cute sister in law Tasha taught me how to make fondant. I was so excited. She planned a "Super Hero" party for Sage and her son Tate. She made them capes and had Super food and games for them. It was so much fun. The night before was my turn for co-op. My friends and I take turn watching each others kids. Tasha came and helped me watch them and we made these cute cupcakes. We were brave to do this with eight kids running around. I am going to try to make a fancy cake for McKennas birthday and use fondant. Stay tuned...

Aspens school performance

2010-01-21T07:31:00.000-08:00

I had fun taking pictures of Drew while we were waiting for Aspens performance to begin.

They did a program about the world and the different continents. They sung "We got the whole world in our hands". They held blue balloons with continents taped on them. They also sang "Head Shoulders Knees and Toes" in Japanese. We were really impressed.

Aspen and her favorite friend Addie. We hear about her on a daily basis.

Nate, Aspen, Katie, and Drew

Grandma and Grandpa Anderson are always so supportive and love to come see our kids in all they do.

He is way to little to be doing this...

2010-01-12T07:48:00.000-08:00

Drew is seven and a half months old but he did not get the memo. He is so sweet, but BUSY. He stands up to everything all day long. Its his full time job. He crawls from one thing to the next just so he can see what standing up to it is like.

Jungle Jim

2010-01-11T07:58:00.000-08:00

The bottom of my table is Drews jungle jim. Its a whole play land full of obstacles. He LOVES it under there. He crawls in and out, over and under, around and through all the chairs and legs of the table. It is funny because I remember being little and doing the same thing. This was the table my siblings and I grew up with. I remember being a little girl playing with my sister Laurie under the table for hours.

He loves to stick out his tounge and twist it sideways.

Drew is crawling

2010-01-06T08:14:00.000-08:00

I can't believe my baby boy is crawling. He loves to rock back and forth, but has now added crawling to his list. He is just barley seven months old. As soon as he learned this new skill, he added another one. I walked into the living room and saw him standing up against his toy box. So crawling and standing, all in one day.

Christmas Party

2009-12-27T08:24:00.000-08:00

Every year my friend Emily puts together a great party for our high school friends. This year we did a pot luck at Heritage Gardens. I always love coming back here, reminds me of my wedding day. I walked down these very stairs to get married. We had a great time.

Christmas 2009

2009-12-25T07:20:00.000-08:00

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas. Seeing the kids see the tree with all the presents was priceless. It was Drews first Christmas, and so it was extra special. The kids all got what they had wanted and a few extras. The favorite present was the singing machine. They all played with it all day.

Sage opening presents

Drews very first Christmas was amazing. He was so cute and LOVED the paper and boxes. Having a baby in the family really brought a lot of excitement this year.

It was SO much funny helping baby Drew open his presents. There is nothing like a "first Christmas".

Oh I love him

Aspen LOVED everything she got. She kept saying she wanted to write Santa to say thank you.

Grandma and Grandpa came over around noon to bring the kids presents from them. They had just finished opening presents from mom, dad and Santa. But we didnt have to twist there legs to open more.

They would have been happy if all they got for Christmas was the singing machine. It was such a hit. They sang some songs for their grandparents.

After we opened presents at home, we went to my grandmas house. It was so much fun. Just like old times. All my cousins and Aunts that Im so close to came. I just kept feeling like I was in Heaven.

Grandma Lorna and Baby Drew

Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T12:45:00.000-08:00

We had our Anderson Christmas Eve party at Ed and Lornas. We did our traditional dinner, soup in bread bowls with bread pudding for dessert. Yummy!! Lorna bought costumes this year for the play and the kids were really excited all day for it. They did a great job. Drew was baby Jesus, Raegan was Mary, and Sage was Joseph. Drew sad in the basket the whole time smiling and giggling. He knew he had the star roll and everyone was laughing at him. He LOVED the attention.

I snapped this picture of Grandpa during the play. I had a ton of fun trying to fiqure out my new camera.

Aspen sat on Hayleys lap while Ed spoke and Aunt Tasha sang. She sings every year and it is something very special that I always look forward to.

Nate and Drew

I was hoping to catch Ed in this picture so I would have Drew with his Daddy and Grandpas. But at least I got this picture.

Drews very first Christmas toy. Jeff and Leslie gave it to him, he laughed and laughed at it.

Christmas Eve always seems magical to me. Its is almost as if you can reach out and just grab the spirit. Every one seems to feel it in the air and I am always a bit misty eyed. It was a GREAT party and we had a lot of fun. We always focus on the Savior and have a wonderful time doing it with songs, the play, and testimonies.

2009-10-03T19:16:00.001-07:00

Baby Drew Loves Mother! from Holly Knudson on Vimeo.

The things they say..

2009-08-03T15:54:00.000-07:00

I can not explain the cutest, most tender moment I had with Aspen a few days ago and give it justice. It was evening time and I was in my room. Aspen walked in and looked at me with her big beautiful eyes with such an intense look on her face. She said "Mommy will you come help me pray to Jesus?" I just wanted to die. She was so serious and really wanted to talk with him. I scooped her up in my arms and said "Yes, of course I will help you pray to Jesus." And what a beautiful prayer it was. I love children. They are so pure in there love and faith. They have total and complete trust and are so Innocent. One of my favorite moments!

It was so funny about a month ago. I had been super busy and was trying to adjust to life as a mother of four. We were in the TV room and Aspen said "Mom thank you so so much for all you do for us. You take us to Snowbird, you do our hair, you feed us, take us swimming, play with us. You need a break, you do to much. You can take the year off". I was laughing so hard. The way she was fluctuating her voice was hilarious. I love that there are those brief moments that my kids appreciate me.

Aspen told me she needed her miracle....she needed her Leapster to reapear. I wish that's what I wanted for my miracle.

Aspens Birthday is next week. Its on a Sunday and we are trying to plan her party. I asked her if she wanted to have a family barbecue. She screamed and said "No way mom, I want to keep the Holly Commandments." I am so happy keeping the Sabbath is important to her and had to explain that would be OK.

McKenna has always had her really cute moments of saying funny things. We were at the pool awhile ago and she said "Mom I LOVE going down the slide. I love going on my tummy and playing in the water and talking to myself." I was laughing and said "What do you say to yourself?" She said "I say McKenna is sweet, McKenna is kind, McKenna means happiness." Wow, wish we all felt that way about our selves and had our own little pep talks.

Our yellow baby

2009-05-29T16:07:00.000-07:00

Surprise Drew has Jaundice. I don't know what it is, but everyone of my babies gets it. You would think I would be used to it. But I cry every time. Drew however had it the very worst. When we left the hospital they told me to go to my pediatricians the next day. I did and she called me and said It was up to me to put him on light therapy. Her advice was to hold off and wait one more day. So what do you do? Follow your doctors advice and wait one more day for it to maybe get better, but maybe get worse. Against my better judgment I followed her advice. The following day I went in again for more blood to be drawn. I immediately got a call letting me know that Drews levels had sky rocketed and were in the very dangerous levels. If it did not go down one point quickly we would be getting blood transfusions. I was not loving my doctor at this point. The IHC man was quickly at my door teaching me how to use the light bed and light blanket. Usually they just use the blanket or the bed. But because of his high levels and the danger we were in, they double treated my little guy. I was so scared. I had to go back twelve hours later to get him checked. Needless to say, the longest twelve hours ever. But to my great relief his levels dropped two points. YES!! So we kept him on for one more day. I was so tired of getting his heal pricked and the many trips to the hospital. He had a total of six pricks. Poor baby. But of course being Jaundice they are so sleepy, so he never even knew they pricked him. Thank goodness.

See how different his skin color is than mine.

Drews first few days...

2009-05-28T15:51:00.000-07:00

McKenna and Sage wanted their pictures taken with Drew sleeping. We are all loving him so much. I thought I would have a hard time coming home to four kids all needing me. To my surprise I am doing so well. The kids are SO careful with him and are so helpful. Aspen is always asking what she can do for me. She is my runner. If I need water, a burp cloth, diaper, or anything I ask her.
I was worried about Bodie. I didn't know how he would act. He is super protective and knows the baby is part of the pack. He guards him and has gotten a bit more aggressive to anyone who is not our family. Not that a five pound dog could do anything, but he sure tries to protect his pack.

I am so happy Drew is so good. He NEVER cries. He makes a grunting noise to let me know he is hungry. He is doing great at night. He sleeps four to five hours and wakes to nurse, but goes right back to bed.

Coming home...

2009-05-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

McKenna and Aspen could not contain their excitment! They were SO excited to show Drew his new home. They kept telling me all the things they wanted to show him. I was so nervous to drive home. We had two cars at the hospital because I had driven myself there. I'm sure everyone on the road was frustrated with me. Its funny how that first time driving with a new baby, your so careful. The kids kept yelling at me to drive faster. Pretty funny.

One day old

2009-05-26T19:09:00.000-07:00

I have been amazed at how calm and relaxed Drew is. There is nothing like the first few hours and days with your new baby. I feel I can sense what a strong wonderful person he is going to be. Through out my pregnancy I had many priesthood blessings. They all made me feel the same. That everything would be ok and Drew has a very special mission here. I know that he does and can not wait to see the impact he has on people for the good. He is so special. He is like a little light and just warms me.

Welcoming Baby Drew...

2009-05-25T18:27:00.000-07:00

Drew Jerome Anderson is finally here. I can't believe it. This was the LONGEST pregnancy ever. We have all waited so long for him to come. I am so happy everything went so well and he is so healthy. Nate was working the night shift and I was home with the kids. About two in the morning I woke up and was having really bad back pain. My brother does a paper route in the night so I have gotten really used to calling and talking to him through this pregnancy. It seems I never could sleep due to stress and just being sick and uncomfortable. So I called him and told him my back was really really hurting. I thought I might be in labor. We talked for an hour and the pain never let up. He was laughing at me and didn't think it was labor because I was talking just fine and not really suffering. I decided to go clean out Aspens room. It was now three in the morning. I cleaned her room for an hour. The pain was not going away. I could not time my contractions because they seemed to just be constant. I called the nurse at the hospital. She thought I was fine too. I called my brother back and said "Ok I can't do this I think I'm going to go in." I couldn't call Nate because were not supposed to call out there unless an emergency. Well this kind of was one but I didn't even know the number. I figured I would go in and they would send me home. I have never been early like this before. Drew was not due for three more weeks. Well I called my mom and she came down to watch the kids for me. It was about five when she showed up. Then I drove myself to the hospital. When I got there, the nurse asked who was with me. I told her I drove myself. She said "well either your crazy or really not in labor." They hooked me up and there it was. My contractions were every two to three minutes apart and lasting one minute. Ouch is right. The pain was all in my back because Drew was posterior. At this time it was now six thirty in the morning. Nate was driving home from work so I called him. He came right to the hospital. It was a perfect day. I had wonderful nurses. Nate was tired so he laid on the pretend couch and slept and got a good nap. It was Memorial Day and no one had appointments to be induced. And no one else was in labor. So it was just me in the hospital delivering. It made it so nice. No one was in a hurry and my doctor came and hung out and kept checking on me. This was my longest labor, but it was great. The nurse I had does not like giving to much medicine to make you go to quickly. The doctor did not like her for it. She was cute to me but argued with the nurse. She told her to give me more and the nurse would come in and say "The doctor want me to up your meds but I don't believe in it. I think its better for the baby to come at his speed not ours." Well at Two in the afternoon he was ready to come. They got me all ready and i pushed four times and by Two ten he was out. I could give birth everyday. He was so beautiful and perfect. They let me nurse him right away. Then Nate got to give him his first bath and everything. It was perfect. He couldn't have come on a better day.
Through out my pregnancy I really felt my Grandpa with me. Seeing how Drew was born on Memorial day, we gave him the name Jerome because it was my Grandpas middle name and my uncle who passed aways middle name as well. It seemed so fitting.

Drew was six pounds six ounces and nineteen inches long.

Our family is now a family of six. Three girls and three boys, perfect!

Apen was SO excited. She was so great with him. She didn't need any help holding him. I hope these two become as close as Sage and McKenna.

It was SO cute when McKenna came to the hospital. She saw the two bulbs used for suctioning out the fluid from the baby and said "Oh look mom the baby has merocas". It was darling. We laughed and laughed.

Sage has waited so long for a brother. His primary teacher just told me that a few years ago he told her that when he is eight his mom will give him a brother. I never knew he said that then. I quess he just knew because he was right.

Last outing as a family of five

2009-05-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

This was our last outing as a family of five. It was Nates day off and I really wanted to take the kids to the Children's Museum. My friend Zildy gave us free passes. Nate's dad wanted to go fishing with Sage and have me go later to the museum. I'm glad I pushed for this day because Drew was born three weeks early. There would not have been another Saturday to do it with Nate being able to come. There was a really cute area that had a stage. The kids put on the cutest performance for us. Sage was being so funny. He kept getting in costumes that were way to small. Nate and I were laughing so hard.

This was a really cool helicopter. It used to be used as a hospital life flight helicopter. The kids LOVED it and played in it forever.

I don't know what was going on with the kids on this day. But they were so funny all day. I'm so happy that my kids love each other so much and are truly each others best friends.

McKenna age 7, Sage age 8, Aspen age 4

End of School performances and programs

2009-05-14T08:34:00.000-07:00

At the kids school they have an amazing music class. Every week they have music and art classes. I was very impressed with the songs Sage performed. They performed several songs and they sounded SO good. Sage is in the end of third grade. His teacher was Mrs Baize. She was very interactive with the parents. It was great. Sage did well in all of his subjects. He improved on his math and reading. He surprised Nate and I this year with his awesome piano skills. He is so good. Great Job Sage!

McKenna is ending her first grade year. She loved her teacher Mrs Stoll so much. She thrived this year. I don't think we could have asked for a better teacher. McKenna is ahead in math and reading. She completed Saxon math 2 and Reading mastery 2. We were so proud of her. She learned all of her times tables and is amazing at grammar. We went to her program and they showed us everything they had learned during the year. She showed my what she had learned about electricity and how it worked. Im so proud of you McKenna!

They performed a few songs for us as well.

Aspen is finishing her last year of preschool. It was so fun for her to be in Jasmines class. She loved her teacher Mrs Karen. They put on a darling performance at the Library. Nate and I could not believe how many songs they all had memorized. She loved it. They made all the mothers really cute cards. Thanks Aspen.

Derby

2009-05-07T07:50:00.000-07:00

Sage had his first Pinewood Derby with the Scouts. He was SO excited. Nate and Sage worked for a few weeks on his car. It payed off. His car beat everyone that he raced. I was really impressed. The girls came and sat on the front lines and cheered everyone on.

The winning car!

These are all of the cars that Sages car beat.

Ready, set, GO!

Sage is so lucky that he has grandparents who love him so much. Ed and Lorna love to come to everything they can to support their grand kids. Ed took Sage early so they could weigh in the car. They were able to add a few pennies.

Aspen, McKenna, and Raegan were Sages cheerleaders.

This is a horrible picture of me. I am pregnant and so sick. It reflects perfectly how I was feeling. If you notice Sages lip is huge. He had just been through a terrible bike accident. I wish I would have taken pictures, but I am still in shock. Sage was riding his bike outside and Nate and I heard the most horrible, loud, terrifying scream. We ran outside and Sage was standing in the street bawling hysterically. Nate ran to him. I froze. Nate came running to me yelling to find a Dentist and handed me Sages two front permanent teeth. I about collapsed. Sage came in the house with Nate. He was screaming "I'm dying, I'm dying." Nate and I were in total panic mode. I told him we needed to just go straight to the hospital. He wanted me to call a Dentist. There are two in the family and my best friend Kandices husband is a pediatric Dentist. I called Brent, no answer. Called Kandice, few she answered. She was talking to Paul and they told me to run up to the hospital. As I was driving she told me to pull over and put the teeth back in. I couldn't. I get the bad mom award. I just knew there was no way I could pin him down and put teeth back in his gums. So she told me to put them in milk. Sage was screaming the whole way "I'm going to die mom". I was trying to keep it together. We ran into the emergency and everyone was staring and it was packed in there. Sage had blood all over him, and so did I. I gave the nurse the teeth and instructed her to put them in milk. We waited a minute or two to be seen and thank heavens Nate arrived ten minutes behind us. The nurse took us to a room off of the Emergency room. The Dentist was on his way but told her to put the teeth in. They had four people come in to hold him down. I couldn't keep in together anymore. I walked out of the little room am lost it. I cried and cried. Everyone was staring at me and I didn't care. I kept thinking "nothing could be worse." Then Nate peeked his head out and said "Katie come look at his teeth". Giving me that look that means be careful what you say. Sage opened his SO swollen mouth and I felt sick. His teeth were put back in backwards. I'm not aggressive but I wanted to strangle the nurse and yell really mean words. I had to go back out and I put my face to the wall and cried hysterically. I thought for sure I would go into labor. The Dentist came and put Sage in a chair with laughing gas. He finally was able to settle down. They had to put me in a chair to lay down because I was going to pass out. He took the teeth out, cleaned out the gums and broken pieces of bone, and put the teeth back in. He put a splint on them for the next few weeks. We were told the teeth will probably die. So we are looking at root canals in the future, gum grafting, and implants. Its going to be a long haul with these teeth. Too bad his braces had just come off and they were all straight. But I'm so thankful my boy is OK and I do know things could be so much worse. It was just so hard. I really struggled for a few days. I wanted to put all three kids on my bed and lock my door and not go any where. It just showed my how in the blink of an eye things can change so quickly. I had nightmares for a week and felt in shock for a few days. I think being so sick and pregnant made my hormones crazy and I just didn't handle this well. When Aspen had her fingers cut off when she was two, I did OK and held it together. This just pushed me over the edge.

Easter

2009-04-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

I love Easter. We had a good one this year. It is always nice to have time to reflect on our Savior and all he has done for us. I love the feeling that comes this time of year. I love conference and feeling uplifted and renewed. We always try and have a wonderful Easter dinner as well as having a Bethlehem dinner. We eat simple foods for that meal to remind us how our Savior lived.

This is one of the very few pictures I had taken while being pregnant. Looking back I wish I would have taken more. But when your pregnant you feel so awful.

McKenna, Aspen, and Sage in their new Easter cloths. They loved finding their Easter baskets.

Nate and his sisters Tasha and Brooke.

Raegan and Aspen

Grandma Lorna had an Easter egg hunt at her house. This is all of the cousins on the Anderson side. Tate, Addie, McKenna, Aspen, Sage, and Raegan.

McKennas Birthday

2009-03-22T19:34:00.000-07:00

I can't believe McKenna is seven. She is really one of the sweetest, most angelic people I have ever known. She reminds me and everyone that knows her of her Grandma Nancy Anderson. She was truly an angel. Soft spoken, kind, giving, gentle, serving, sweet and angelic are words that describe these two amazing people. McKenna is so loved by her siblings. Sage and her have a bond that can not be broken. They are two peas in a pod. He always asks me "Mom why is McKenna so cute." And Aspen will always say "I want to be nice like McKenna". She is so sweet. She keeps me going. I am always so amazed at how nice she is to me. She tells me almost everyday how much she loves and appreciates me. She always tells me how cute my shirt or hair or eyeshadow is. She notices everything people do for her. She is very in tune with the spirit. I don't know what I would do with out this little girl. Oh how I love her.

Zack, Sage, McKenna, Aspen
We had a family party for her up at Grandma Myrlenes house. It was so wonderful how many people came and all the nice gifts they gave her. She was so excited and hugged and kissed everyone as she said her thank yous.

Aunt Holly, Jen, Natalie, Sammy, McKenna, Aunt Heidi

Grandma Corinne, McKenna

Aunt Heidi, Hailey, Kenna, Emily

McKenna and her Great Grandma Myrlene.
McKenna loves grandma Myrlene so much. She has grown up visiting her every Sunday. It is one of our favorite traditions. Grandma is not a huggy type of person. But she loves McKenna to hug and kiss her. McKenna loves to hug and kiss everyone she loves.

We went and had ice cream with Grandma and Grandpa Anderson and Great Grandpa Ted. McKenna loved having two parties.

Grandpa Ted and McKenna

Nate, Ted, McKenna

Winter activities

2009-02-20T20:17:00.000-08:00

Winter is always kind of boring being stuck inside. We tried to take the kids to do a few fun things to feel like they got out and about. We went swimming, to movies, rock climbing, the Children's museum, and the Museum of Natural History.

Sage rock climbing

This is the Dinasour exibit at the Museum of Natural History.

Valentines Day

2009-02-14T13:58:00.000-08:00

Nate and Aspen eating fondue.

We had a really fun Valentines Day. I was super sick being pregnant. But I pushed through it and went a little crazy this year. I heart attacked the kids door with hearts everywhere. On each heart I wrote something I loved about them. They were so excited. We spent forever reading every ones hearts. It was so fun. Then they ran to the table to see what cupid had left for them. They were spoiled. I made them a huge breakfast. Pancakes died red and eggs and juice. Then we had a wonderful lunch. And last we had a fancy dinner ending in fondue. The kids loved it. We had all kinds of fruit, angel food cake, and marshmallows. It was so yummy. Then I had to spend the next two days in bed from working so hard. But it was worth it.

Grandma also came a few days before Valentines and helped them decorate cookies and make Valentine cards. They were so into it.

Christmas

2008-12-26T08:02:00.000-08:00

Christmas was a bit different this year. Nate had to work so we celebrated it on the 26Th. We hid the toys from Santa on the 25Th, and laid them out the next morning. The kids probably loved it more this year because the anticipation was endless. It was a hard Christmas for me. It was really lonely having Nate at work. And to top it off my family party on my side was cancelled. Every year my siblings and Aunts and Cousins come together and have a party on Christmas. Well there was a terrible snow storm and nobody went anywhere. So the kids and I stayed home all day with no presents to open and waited until Nate came home. The kids couldn't sleep and were so excited for Santa to come. They had a great Christmas despite all the disappointments I felt. It took me almost a full year to post this because of how depressing I felt. Being pregnant and sick never makes any Holiday fun. There was not one picture taken of me because that's how crappy I felt. I wish I would have had just one.

Sage and McKenna got new bikes for Christmas. They were a hit.

Aspen LOVED all her toys. She got a CD player and tons of toys.

McKenna and Daddy

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T07:51:00.000-08:00

Every year there is an annual Christmas Eve party at the Anderson home. Nate took the kids for two hours while I stayed home sick and pregnant. They had a good time. They ate the traditional soup in bread bowls, did the annual play, and opened presents. Then they came home and showed me all their wonderful presents and we put them to bed. Nate and I had not wrapped one present, so we stayed up all night getting ready for Christmas.

Aspen got another "Life of Faith" doll. She was so excited.

McKenna, Raegan, Aspen, Sage, Grandpa, Tate

Matt was McKenna's ride to Bethlehem.

McKenna was Mary this year in the annual play.

Sage, McKenna, Raegan, Aspen.

Aspens Preschool Christmas Performance

2008-12-20T09:05:00.000-08:00

Aspen Loved preschool this year. She was able to be in preschool for two years with her best friend Jasmine. Aspen just loves her. They were so cute in the Christmas performance. They sang at the mall and had a cute performance at the Library and were visited by Mr and Mrs Clause.

Allen Christmas Party

2008-12-18T07:44:00.000-08:00

We got smart this year. We went to Classic Skating for our party with the cousins on my side. It was perfect. They ran around, ate pizza, and opened presents.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-25T08:52:00.000-08:00

We headed up to Antler Ranch (aka my dads house) for Thanksgiving. Brett, Brady, Jen and Laurie all came with their families. It was fun to eat yummy food and think of all we need to be grateful for. It was sad Nate had to work and we did not get to spend the day with him. The kids and I missed him. I spent most of the day thinking about him and wishing he was there.

Grandpa Terry let all the kids take turns riding his horse. McKenna was more nervous than I thought she would be.

Sage was in heaven. He wanted turn after turn.

Aspen was so funny. She kept slipping off the saddle. She was so brave and loved it.

Veterans Day

2008-11-11T10:34:00.000-08:00

Sage and McKenna had a Veterans Day program at their school. They invited Grandpa Ted to come. It was such a neat day. They had all the Veterans sit on the stage. Each grade stood before them and sung a few songs. It was really special when Sage and McKenna classes sang. Grandpas eyes welled up with tears as he watched his grandchildren perform. Then they had a man speak to all the kids about freedom. He told them about all the places he had been in war. He talked about how many kids suffer from having no shelter, food, or parents. Sage and McKenna really realized how lucky they are to have so much.

After the program Grandpa showed McKenna and Sage the old Book of Mormon that he carried all through out the war.

More Halloween Fun

2008-10-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

The kids had a wonderful Halloween season. They went to a party at their Grandpa Teds retirement home. They had fun with their cousins.

Sage and Tate

Aspen, Raegan, and McKenna

For Halloween we went trick or treating with our good friends the McEuens. First we all went and had some yummy chili at Nat es parents house. Then we went to a nice neighborhood by our house and it was full of people. The weather was great and people were everywhere. It was one of our favorite Halloweens ever. It was so nice having so many children running everywhere and all the houses were decorated so fun.

Halloween Party

2008-10-28T11:47:00.000-07:00

My good friend Zildy and I signed up for this great Halloween party at my one of my favorite places...Sunflower. Its a natural grocery store that has fun activities for kids. I was so impressed with the party. They had a station for decorating pumpkins, decorating their own trick or treat bag, making pretzel necklaces, and face painting. Now this lady was amazing. She did some serious face painting.

Sage is some scary Halloween guy.

McKenna is a pirate this year for Halloween.

And Aspen is a "Scary" witch.

They took the kids through the store to trick or treat. Instead of junk and candy, they got healthy treats. Apples, organic crackers, organic juice and milk boxes, natural cheese and yogurt sticks, etc... It was awesome.

Zildy sat down while the kids were decorating their pumpkins. She started having contractions that were really hurting. Sure enough she was in labor and went home and called and had the baby. It was really exciting. I'm glad I was able to spend the day with her before the baby came. We went to lunch and took the kids to this party. It was a great day with her. Thanks Zildy.

Aspens Preschool Program

2008-10-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

Aspen really impressed Nate and I with how well she knew every song. She put in all her own actions as well.

Aspen with one of her two teachers.

Jasmine and Aspen.

I'm so happy my friend Zildy and I got our daughters in the same school. Its been nice for the girls and for us to trade driving.

Cornbellys

2008-10-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

We went to Cornbellys with Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, Raegan, and the Snow family. It was so much fun for the kids. Nate really wanted to do the corn maze. It was really funny, Nate and Matt kept tackling each other and trowing corn at everyone. Then it got the kids all wound up and everyone started hiding from each other in the corn. So we never really used the maze how it was intended, but it was still so much fun. I'm so happy I have a husband that makes the little things so fun and enjoyable. It was fun to see Tasha and Matt and their kids. We don't get to see them to often. We celebrated Mat ts birthday with a cake Lorna brought. The kids thought it was pretty cool to eat cake at Cornbellys.

The kids had so much fun together. They kept running from one thing to the other as fast as they could.

McKenna, Aspen, Raegan

Nate and Sage really wanted to be princesses.

Aspen was in LOVE with the pumpkin princess.

Tate and Aspen

Canning

2008-10-05T17:33:00.000-07:00

My sister Laurie came into town for two weeks. We decided to be productive and accomplish something instead of just gabbing. My sister Jen and I wanted to learn to can. So we took a trip up to my grandmas to see if she had any jars. It was like Christmas. She had a TON. She gave us each more than we needed. She also gave me my own food dehydrator, pressure cooker, and the thing that seals the jars. It was awesome. Our whole goal was to can Brigham City peaches. But that turned into canning homemade salsa and peach raspberry jam. It was awesome. I felt very domestic and Nate was super impressed. It was a few of the funnest days, laughing and spending time with my sisters.

We had so much fun being silly and talking. My sister Jen and I talked about how we felt something so good while we canned. That is one time I almost always feel the spirit is when I cook. I don't cook as much as I should, but when I do I always get a very overwhelming feeling. Like there is nothing better I could be doing at that moment than doing something wonderful to take care of my family.

Look at all the peaches I got to take home!

Camping

2008-09-27T17:24:00.000-07:00

Our friends Holly and Brian called and invited us to go camping. We had a homecoming the next morning, so we just went up for the night. It was really fun to be out and enjoy some of the few warm days left of the year. Our kids were busy the whole time trying to "rock climb" as they called it.

Nate

Sage

Aspen

Remembering Grandpa Roylance

2008-09-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

As a tradition growing up, I have always gone to my Grandparents house on Sundays. As I have gotten married and had children, it is still something we try to do every week. My grandpa Dirk passed away about four years ago and I really miss him. As the kids and I were driving to my grandmas, I decided to make the day about my grandpa. I remember when I was little, he would often take me, my siblings, and cousins to McDonald's to get ice cream cones. Then we would go over to Sugar House park and play. He didn't talk alot, but it was always a very special activity to me. So before we made it to my grandmas, I stopped by the same McDonald's and started to tell the kids how I used to do this with my grandpa. I told them alot of stories about him on the way to the park. When we got there, we played and played. It was so fun to think about him and remember him. Not because it was his birthday, or a Holiday. But because we can turn any day into a grandpa day and remember people we love.

He taught me many things that I am so very grateful for. I remember his always showing me his National Geographic books. He always wanted to have fun and go boating. Even though most of the time the boat didn't work. It was fun to be on the lake anyway. I love and miss you grandpa!

State Fair..

2008-09-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

It is our tradition to go to the State Fair every year. Nates parents work at a booth there, so we always go visit them. They give us passes to go, and the kids just LOVE it. This year Nate worked so I took the kids and their cousin Raegan. We usually just look at the animals and go down the huge yellow slide. But they had wrist bands for a great deal. So we changed things up this year and rode all the rides. I could not believe how fearless they all were. They went on everything. Poor Aspen was too short to go on all or them. She cried and was so mad she is so little. But it all turned out great in the end. We held hands and raced from one ride to the next. I was so grateful for such sweet kids. They kept hugging me and thanking me for taking them between each ride. I love my kids so much!!
They have a little village that is so darling. Its made up of different houses. The kids go from one to the next, planting a garden, collecting eggs, and milking a cow. At the end they sell there goods to the general store and get to buy a treat.
This is where they collected apples. McKenna planting her seeds, and picking vegetables.
Sage and McKenna

Family Retreat

2008-09-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

We went up to the cabin again and brought our good friends Katie and Ken Wirfs. It was a quick stay, but so needed. It was so beautiful with all of the leaves starting to change. The air was so clean and crisp. The kids had a wonderful time getting dirty and running where ever they wanted.

The two Katies

Nate had fun taking the kids back and forth across the river.

Even our dog Bodie loved being somewhere different for a change.

Sage loves it when I take his picture, can you tell?

Sage was in pure Heaven, the only thing he wished was that he brought his fishing pole.

Aspen and McKenna

Aspen and I tried to get some near by horses to come visit us. Their food was more important. But she watched them for at least half and hour. Thanks Aspen for sharing my love for horses.

We watched movies and had a great ping-pong competition. Nate and I lost to the Wirfs. They are some serious ping-pong players!

Family Reunion

2008-09-06T18:00:00.000-07:00

My Grandmas brother Ardell Brown invited the Brown family clan to his estate. It was so fun to see so many people we are related to. He had a wonderful catered dinner for all of us. Nate had planned to go hunting this weekend. I told him he would really enjoy seeing Ardells cars. I explained how many hundreds of hot rods he has, and how much fun it is to tour his barns full of them. When we got there and Nate walked in, he stopped in his tracks and stared. He looked at me and said "Wow Katie I have to say I thought you were exaggerating, but you didn't even give the cars justice." It was so fun to see them. My favorite was the 1969 fully restored Shelby Mustang.
The only down part of the day was Sage getting shocked. He shares my love of horses and went to pet them. We didn't know there was an electric fence. As he reached for the horse he somehow touched it. He jumped back crying hysterically and screamed in front of everyone "Why did you do that mom, that was so mean!" I asked him what he was talking about and he yelled "you just threw a boulder at my back." It was so sad. I explained to him he had gotten shocked. I asked him why he thought I would ever hurt him. He explained that when he turned around, I was the only one there, and he was sure he had something big hit his back. It was sad that he really thought I threw a rock at him. He was pretty shaken up for the rest of the day. I cried too, it was so scary watching it happen when there was nothing I could do.

Zacks Baptism

2008-09-06T15:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Zack! I have five little nephews that all turned eight recently. Its been fun to see them all make the choice to get baptized. Sage loves his cousins, and I am so happy he is such great friends with all of them. Even though they can not see each other all the time, their friendships remains so strong. The are all so strong and spiritual. In a blessing Sage had, he was told that they were all sent together because they will accomplish many great things together. I look forward to when they all turn 19. Hopefully we will have five amazing missions to watch unfold.

Colorado

2008-08-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

Nate was so nice and let me fly to Colorado. He stayed home and watched the kids. I will be getting my paybacks later when it is the Elk hunt. My nephew Hunter turned eight and got baptized. I was so glad I was able to be there. My brand new little niece Elsie also got blessed. Thanks Laurie for getting it all in on one big weekend.

Hunter James Morrill

Elsie Jayne Morrill

My sister Laurie and Elsie

The Morrill Family

Ember, Jeanie, Dad, and nephew Zack

Ember, Katie, Jen

Katie, Laurie, Corinne (aka mom) Jen

It was so fun to have time with my sisters and family. It was a short trip, but very fun. I enjoyed staying a few nights at Laurie's house, and a few at my dads. I was so glad I was able to be there for those special events. That's whats most important!

First Day of School

2008-08-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

Aspen started another year of preschool. She is going to a new school with her friend Jasmine. I have been so impressed with her teacher Mrs Karen. She uses a lot of music and singing. Aspen loves it. It is really weird to be alone three days a week.

Sage started third grade and LOVES his teacher. He was really lucky and has almost all of his friends in his class. It surprises me how much he loves school. McKenna started first grade and really enjoys it. She has made a lot of new friends and loves lunch time.

I thought I would really enjoy the kids going back to school. I was really surprised by my own reaction. After I sent Sage and McKenna off for the first day, I really enjoyed spending alone time with Aspen. But after I took Aspen to preschool, I had a major breakdown. I came home and cried and cried. I felt really lost. For eight years all I have done is kids. With them gone all day it is way to quiet and lonely. I felt like I got a glimpse of how it will be when they all move out. I will probably become one of those crazy moms that bugs her kids all the time. I keep asking Nate "what should I do all day?" I'm not crafty and fall asleep if I read, so what should I do. So I got a great idea....I want to go back to school. I am going to slowly get my nursing degree. That way I will have something to do when they get older. I think it would be so rewarding to help people and be somewhere where I can talk to people. I have my call list when the kids are at school, I go from one person to the next. I always have to be talking to someone. Kinda crazy I know.

Carpool is now what I do most of the time. Taking Aspen to preschool, picking up the other two from school, then off to dance or piano lessons. Sage and Mckenna are taking a hip hop class together and love it. Aspen is loving her classes. She is taking a ballet-tap combo, and a jazz-tumbling combo. McKenna is taking quiet a few and hopefully will drop a few. Sage still has his huge passion for piano which is great. It will be a very fun but crazy school year.

Girls Night Out

2008-08-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

It was that time again for our monthly girls night out. We went for ice cream around seven and talked till midnight. It was so much fun. I am so lucky to have such great friends. All my friends from my ward, my co-op friends, my cousins, sisters, mothers, aunts, just everyone!! Its something that I have been thinking about alot this last month. I am so fortunate to have so many wonderful women in my life. I treasure all of the friendships I have and hope I am half the friend to them that they are to me. Every day lately I have been waking up in the morning and I cant stop thinking about all the people in my life and how much I love them!! Thanks everyone who is apart of my life. I love you!

Some new dews

2008-08-14T14:46:00.000-07:00

The girls were wanting me to make up some new hair styles. So here are the results. McKennas I created somehow. Aspens was inspired by the X's on the hair blog. Kinda fun. So now I hear everyday "I want my hair in X's" or "I want my hair in an S".

Hunts Cabin

2008-08-12T14:12:00.000-07:00

My cute friend Chandelle invited my kids and I to her cabin. We had a blast. My friend Zildy and her kids came too. The cabin was up Weber Canyon and had a gorgeous view. We had so much fun visiting while the kids played. We took turns taking kids on four wheeler rides and saw Moose and Deer. It was so nice for the kids to have one last vacation before school started. We did a kick off for the Olympics and Zildy helped the kids create their own flags. I could not believe what the kids came up with.

I saw this sign and loved it. I was laughing so hard. I told the kids I was going to make one and hang it in our kitchen. Mckenna burst into tears and cried "then you will never feed us again and you will use the sign everyday." Then I called Nate and told him about it and he was funny too and said "well babe I think you have to cook to be sick of it." Sad statement but true. I go through spurts with cooking, and definitely have tried to avoid it this summer. But no worries I have plans to repent and cook again.

This was the other sign I fell in love with. I was laughing so hard and called a family meeting. I had the kids sit down and told them we were making some changes. I read them the new rules and all three started crying. Mckenna said "our life won't be fun anymore, cause all we will do is clean clean clean." It was seriously funny. I was being quite a hoot. Later when we got home from our trip McKenna came to me and said "I have thought about the rules and they don't seem so bad, its what we already do anyways." Pretty funny stuff!!

Me (Katie), Chandelle, Zildy

Here is the group of our kids. These are the same kids we do co-op with every Friday night. Christine was not able to come with her two darling kids, they are also in our co-op. We missed them.

Happy Birthday Aspen

2008-08-09T13:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Aspen. Aspen is growing up so fast. I can not believe she is four years old. She is so much fun and has such a spicy personality. I don't know what we would do without her sassing all of us all the time. It makes me so sad she is growing so fast. I will never forget my pregnancy with her. I am so grateful to all the people who helped our family during that time. I really was surprised I lived through it. All the pain and sickness and IVs and staff infections were so worth it. I would do it again for her in a heartbeat. She is like a little light that brightens our family.

She wanted to have a pool party just like Sage did. So we had a small family party. It was perfect. She had the time of her life. She loved that the whole day was about her. She was so pleased with all of her presents. We also had a mini party up at my grandmas house with all of her cousins, grandmas, and Aunts.

Zack, Sage, Aspen, Katie, Sammy, Mckenna. Up at grandma Myrlenes house.

Aspen with her pink princess cake

Aspen, Cayson, Tylan

Aspen with her pony "Pinky Pie"

Nate and Aspen

The chips might have been the highlight of her day!

2008-08-02T16:12:00.000-07:00

It was my moms 60Th birthday. We had a huge party for her, and it was so much fun. All four of my siblings were there with all of their kids. We watched a DVD of my moms life, had a huge dinner, and went swimming. My Aunt took family pictures and I cant wait to post them. Happy Birthday mom!

Happy Birthday Sage

2008-08-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

I can not believe Sage is now eight years old. I remember being pregnant with him like it was yesterday. I remember Nate and I on our date at Letherbys when my water broke. I loved the whole experience of labor and everything in between. I could not sleep for two days because I was so excited he was finally born. He was such an amazing baby. I remember the day I had a really strong feeling come over me... and I felt I knew he was going to be very tenderhearted and close to the spirit. That has come true. Sage is the one in the family that is always feeling promptings and wanting us to do family building activities.

I am so proud of Sage and feel so blessed all the time that he is my little boy forever. It has been a wonderful birthday for him. Celebrating it up at Bear Lake, getting baptized, and having a little friend party. He invited his cousins and friends from school. We had cake and ice cream and went to the pool for his party. It was so much fun. I love you Sage!!!

Nate playing with the kids at the pool

Kami, Nick, McKenna

Bear Lake finale

2008-07-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Bear Lake ended perfectly. After the Killpack and Knudsons left, my sisters family came up. We spent the next few days having so much fun. Brent took us to a beautiful place called Bloomington Lake. They have a huge rope swing. I was scared to death, but was so proud of myself for trying it. And one turn.. turned into a few more. Nate, Brent and Sage hiked up to the other side of the lake and enjoyed cliff diving. I stayed back with the little kids. It was so gorgeous there. The whole Bear Lake trip was so surreal. Our kids loved playing on the beach together. It was great for them to have a vacation with some of their cousins. I am so grateful to Nate for all the work he put into this trip. It will always be one of my most treasured trips. With Sages baptism, being with my kids, Nate, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, dad, brother and sisters....Wow is all I can say. It was a few vacations rolled into one.

Family Photo Shoot-Bear Lake

2008-07-24T20:22:00.000-07:00

Sages Baptism and Birthday at Bear Lake

2008-07-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

Sages baptism was one of the neatest experiences our family has had. We were going to do it at our ward and changed our plans last minute. It was a little stressful getting everything arranged, but well worth it. Sage was so excited and it was such a wonderful day for him. We are so grateful for all of those who came. We are sorry so many of you could not be there because of how quickly we planned it. We missed you there.

Sage and his Grandpa Ed

My cousins and I sung the Sisters in Zion Army of Helaman duet. It was amazing. I dont know if there was a dry eye.

Bear Lake

2008-07-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

Bear Lake is heaven on earth. It is our favorite place to be.
This is our family's favorite vacation of the year. We stay at my Aunts cabin with her twin sister and all of their 10 kids, extra friends, and our family of five. The cabin is stuffed full of people and that's what makes it so much fun. We were up there for a week and had the time of our lives. We all agreed it keeps getting better each year. We had three boats, so we were all out all day skiing, surfing, wake boarding, and tubing. At night we all sit in the living room and laugh and tell stories. My uncle Dave made smoothies for us all every night from avocado to banana.

My cousin Emmy and Sam

Savannah and Wren Withers

Dave and Heidi Killpack

Nate and I finally learned how to wake surf without the rope. It was so much fun....We love it. My whole family agreed that this is the best family vacation we have had up here. The weather was perfect everyday, the kids are all at perfect stages, and we laughed and laughed. When the Killpacks and Knudsons left, Aspen stood on the porch and cried for hours. She hugged and kissed everyone goodbye and bawled. She kept saying how much she was going to miss everyone because they don't all live at her house. But she new the Morrills would be coming up soon. Its what kept her going.

Mona Lake

2008-07-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

Nate decided to be super spontaneous and decided we were going camping. So we hurried and packed our swimsuits, a tent, and PJ's. We went down to a little reservoir called Mona. It is pretty small, only about four miles wide. When we got there, we were one of three boats. It was great. The water was so smooth. It was our first camp out with our puppies. They had so much fun and the kids LOVED having them along. Lexi kept jumping off the boat and swimming. It was really funny.

This is a picture of a Lavender field surrounding the lake. The picture is not great, but we always want to remember how neat it was on the boat seeing this huge beautiful purple field.

Daddy and Aspen

Sage and McKenna loved fishing. They were really funny and wanted to collect rocks from the beach.

Sage Knee boarding.

No hands!

McKenna starting from the end of the boat knee boarding.

Here she goes, out a little farther. Nate slowly let the rope get longer.

Look, no hands! McKenna is our little water baby. We can barley keep her in the boat. As soon as we stop moving, she is out overboard swimming. She is the family dare devil.

McKenna, Katie, Bodie and Lexi, Sage, Aspen

As we were leaving to go home we passed these horses. I begged Nate to pull over. I love horses and can't pass up a chance to pet some.

I ran to the car and got some apples to feed them. My "quick" pull over turned into a half hour horse visit.

Field Trip

2008-07-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

For our field trip this week, we took the kids to the park for lunch and bowling. It has really made our summer fun having these fun play dates to look forward to.

Aspen won our bowling game.

This is the field trip group. Also the same bunch of kids that we do co-op with. Each Friday night my friends and I rotate houses and watch each others kids. We have done this for almost two years and it has been an incredible experience. The kids are more like family and love to see their friends every Friday night.

Sage and Shayden Mckenna and Aspen

Aspen age 3

Sage loved climbing the trees at the park.

This is the Place

2008-07-12T22:02:00.000-07:00

I took the kids to This is the Place Heritage Park. I was so surprised at how much it has changed. Its like a whole village. We took advantage of all that they had to do, crafts, wagon rides, tours, and food. It was such great day with the kids. They were so sweet and thanked me a dozen times for taking them. They loved hearing the history of Brigham Young and Joseph Smith. On the way home we stopped to visit Grandma Roylance. I love days like this.

The 4Th of July

2008-07-04T21:52:00.000-07:00

We went to my sisters Gym to go swimming for the fourth. It was so much fun except hitting her Jaguar with my car, and loosing Nates face to his stereo. Once I was over the not so fun part of the day, we had a great time. After we went swimming we had a great cook out in our backyard and watched Nates firework show. He had to have the huge package of fireworks from Costco. It was so fun to sit on our lawn as a family and watch fireworks together.

Aspen got really brave and kept dunking herself. She was being so dramatic.

My kids LOVE their cousins

McKenna on the slide
Sammy and Aspen

Cousin time

2008-07-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

We spent the 3rd and 4Th of July with my sister Jen and her kids. It was so much fun! We took the kids to a city carnival. They had a rodeo, Jen and I were excited about the idea. The kids saw some of the cowboys roping a cow and thought it was mean. They didn't want to go because they didn't think it was fair the animals were thrown on the ground and roped. So no rodeo for Jen and I.

Sammy, Aspen, McKenna

The best part of the day was the kids singing. McKenna and Sammy did Karaoke and it was out of control hilarious. McKenna was being so funny, she had so much spunk. Sage did a solo. I couldn't believe they were so brave to sing on a stage in front of so many people. Sage sung I am proud to be an American which happens to be is favorite song.

Sage and McKenna rock climbing.

Some great moments

2008-07-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

We have had some great moments this week. My blog is more like a journal, my whole point is to put it into a book for my kids. I want to make sure I document all the darling things they say. This week Sage and Aspen overwhelmed me with the things they told me.

We were driving in the car and this is the conversation I had with Sage...

S: Mom do you know why I tell you I love you so much?

M: No why?

S: Because I just love you so much and so I want to tell you all the time. And when I think of telling you I love you, I say it but I love you more than the words mean. I can't even describe how much I love you because it is just way to much!

Wow, I was so overwhelmed, I pulled the car over so I could look at him. I can't believe how well he can express his feelings.

Aspen has been saying really big words this week. When we were laying in the back watching fireworks she said "Wow mom this is so exciting isn't it." It was so cute. I always say to my kids "why did I get so lucky and have the best kids sent to me?" Well the other night Aspen said to me "Mom you don't know why Jesus sent you such gorgeous kids huh?" It was such a big word for her to have put in there. I do feel so blessed to have such sweet kids. They have not played with there friend to much this summer. Maybe 3 times. I told them yesterday to go ride there bikes to a friends and they said "No we just like playing with each other better." I'm so happy they are each others best friends.

There are always opposites so I worry for when I will get the opposite behavior from the kids. Last night we went on a late bike ride. When I got home and put the kids to bed, Sage was still up wandering the house. I came downstairs to see what he was doing. He is amazing. He had loaded the dishwasher and started it, organized my desk in the office, and cleaned the bathroom. I asked him what he was doing and he said "I just feel so bad that you have to work so hard right when you wake up so I am cleaning so you won't have to do anything tomorrow. And I started the dishes so when I get up early I can unload them for you." So cute. I didn't know if it would carry over but this morning I come down and all the dishes are done, he watered the garden, took the dogs on a walk and fed them, and had the dishwasher started again with only his cereal bowl in it. He just amazes me. What else can I say?

2008-07-02T18:24:00.001-07:00

Candy Factory

2008-06-30T15:52:00.000-07:00

Kandice told me about a blog that shows new ways to do hair. I was excited, I get sick of princess crowns, bumps, ponytails, and french braids. The girls loved it and Aspen asks everyday, "Can I have my hair in X's?"

Sage loves being the camera man. He is getting really good at taking pictures. He loves to zoom.

I love summer. I love that we have no bedtime, no homework, no alarms, no carpool, just pure freedom. We are having a blast this summer. Our kids are at great ages to do such fun things. I have a huge list I hope we can complete.
My friends and I have set Mondays aside as field trip days. Our first was to go to the candy factory. It was a forty minute tour and the kids loved it. They saw the workers make salt water taffy, chocolate covered cinnamon bears and jelly beans. They got a prize at the end and it was a hit. Aspen was so amazed, I think she thanked me a dozen times for taking her.

I know this is such a great look for all of us. Everyone who went on the tour had to wear hair nets.