The Anderson Family: December 2008

12.31.2008

More Christmas Pictures!

I thought that I had already uploaded these pictures with the other Christmas ones. So here are a few more pictures from our Christmas this year.

Every Christmas morning, we have a Christmas breakfast with the Andersons. This year it was at Grandma and Grandpa Anderson's house. We had an awesome breakfast with belgian waffles, sausage, bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and fruit. It is always really yummy. Then after we eat we get to open more presents from all of the Anderson family. It was really fun again this year. It was like another Christmas for the kids. Grandma and Grandpa really spoiled all of us again this year.

I thought this was so cute of Kate and Grandpa. She really does love him so much. He is so good to her and she loves being around him. I think that he kind of likes her, too!!

12.30.2008

Playing in the snow!

We got so much snow last week, that Uncle Jared decided to get out his snowmobile. So we took the kids down to Steve's parents' house to ride the tubes and sleds behind the snowmobile. It was so much fun. They pulled the kids around in the field behind their house. Sharla and her kids came too and the kids had a blast.

This is Lilly after getting dressed in her snow clothes. She was so puffed up that she had a hard time walking in her clothes and boots. It was hilarious.

The kids decided to build a snowman while they were waiting for the snowmobile to be ready. Of course, Grandma Anderson was right in the middle helping them.

She is so great to be involved and do stuff with the kids.

This is the group after getting the snowman built. Kate was a little camera shy for this picture. She was mad about something, but I can't remember what.

Josie wanted to pose just like the snowman. She had so much fun!

After the snowman was done, they all got in a snowball fight. It was fun for everyone, except for one of Taylor's first snowballs hit Josie right in the face.

She wasn't to happy about that, but got over it quick.

Josie was just excited to be outside playing in the snow. I think that she had the most fun!

Here is Josie and Noah getting pulled by Jared. I didn't notice while we were there, but look at the beautiful mountains in the background. Sometimes I forget the amazing scenery we have from our front porches. We just take it for granted.

Here is Kate riding on Taylor's lap. She really loved it!

Now, she is riding on Brenden's lap. Fun, fun!

Another picture of Noah and Josie. They both LOVED doing this. They had a blast!

Brenden decided to go down the slide off of Grandma's deck. Brenden and McKenna kept doing it and landing in the snow at the bottom. It was alot of fun for them while they were waiting for their turn to ride.

What a great look on Brenden's face. He was obviously enjoying himself!

We added a sled behind the 2 tubes and this is Taylor trying to stay on. He did a great job and lasted almost the entire ride.

Steve decided he wanted to get in on the action. I think he really had lots of fun, too.

Another pictures of Noah and Josie. This time they are both on the sled in the back. I think they stayed on most of the time.

McKenna and Brenden can have fun no matter what they are doing, as long as they are together. They are such good friends.

Brenden and Kate went inside to get warm and were watching from the window.

Sorry, if all of the pictures got boring. I just thought they were some fun pictures and wanted to post them. I am glad that the kids got to have so much fun. We dread winter because of how cold it is, but times like this make us remember how lucky we are to have so much snow.

We all had a really great time.

Thanks, Uncle Jared for letting us use your snowmobile.

And of course, Grandma Anderson always takes care of all of us when we go there.

She had donuts and hot chocolate for all of us to eat and get warm.

Christmas Morning!

Christmas morning was so much fun at our house this year. The kids were really excited to open all of their presents. Santa definitely came and left a ton of gifts. We were very blessed again this year. Taylor got his Ipod Touch, some Wii games, an ITunes gift card, to go to a pitching camp this week, and some other fun gifts. Brenden got his Ripstick G, some Wii games, an Itunes gift card among other things. Josie got her Nintendo DS, some fun games for it, a case for it and some fun clothes and other stuff. Kate got a digital camera (it really takes pictures), a table and chair set, a tea set, a new baby and some other fun things. Santa did really spoil them again this year. Here are a few pictures of the fun morning:

We hope that all of you had a very Merry Christmas, as well!!!

12.29.2008

Christmas Eve!

On Christmas Eve we always get together with my family. We go to the cemetery and light candles on my dad's and grandpa's graves, have a good dinner, and then open some of our presents to each other. My mom always buys all of the kids new Christmas pajamas. They love it and look forward to it each year. This year Kate and Savannah got the same ones. At first Kate didn't want them because she thought they were baby pajamas because they had feet in them. She kept saying that she is a big girl and not a baby. But once Savannah opened hers and started putting them on, she decided she liked them too. It was so funny.

Here is a picture at the cemetery. It was so cold and there was so much snow, but I think it is such a nice tradition to go to the cemetery to remember those who have died. There were tons of people there lighting candles and it makes me sad to know that there are so many others who have experienced losing a loved one, like we have. We couldn't stay for long, but I am glad that we can just take a few moments on Christmas Eve to remember my dad. I can't believe how long he has been gone. I miss him so much. My kids talk about him all the time, but I think Taylor is the only one who actually has a memory of him.

12.22.2008

The Douglas Family Christmas Party!

Last night we had our annual Douglas family Christmas Party. We have been having this party every year for my entire life. We have been lucky enough to have Santa Clause come to our party each year. This year we also had a visit from Mrs. Clause. The kids absolutely love going to this party. We had the party at our house this year and the kids really had a blast. Grandma-Great, Aunt Cindy, Brian & Colleen & their kids, Grandma Linda, Jon & Allyson & their kids, Pat & Kelli & their kids, and my family were all there. It was really fun. I look forward to this party every year. My Grandma really loves it when we all get together and I know that this party helps her to have a great Christmas each year.

Santa & Mrs. Clause sang some fun Christmas songs with all of the kids. The kids were so cute. Savannah, Kate, Ben & Cole are the youngest kids and they were so excited to see Santa. Cole & Savannah hated Santa last year so it was fun to see them so excited to see him. They all sat on his lap so cute and he was really good with them.

This is all of the kids with Santa & Mrs. Clause.

They were so cute and fun to see so excited this close to Christmas.

The kids were waiting patiently for their chance to sit on Santa's lap and get a treat from him. Kate's nursery teachers gave her some reindeer food to put on our lawn on Christmas Eve. Well, she decided it would be better to give it to Santa so he could take it to the North Pole for all of his reindeer. It was so cute because she totally came up with that idea on her own.

This time Kate remembered to give Santa a hug goodbye. That made her really happy.

12.20.2008

Once there was a Snowman!!

Kate was so excited to go out and play in the snow today. Steve went out with her and they made a snowman. She had so much fun.

Steve, being the great dad that he is, was worried about her getting cold, so he brought out a heater so that she could keep warm. As you can see, she was SO happy!

This is Steve and Kate after the snowman was built. It was a little, tiny snowman, but it was still a snowman. It didn't matter to Kate, she loved every minute of it.

This is while they were in the process of making the snowman.

Kate love patting down the snow.

And here is Kate with the final product. She was so proud of it. I know she loved playing in the snow, but I think she just loves to hang out with her daddy the most.

She is a daddy's girl!! That's for sure.

Josie's 1st Grade Talent Show

On Thursday, Josie's 1st grade class had a talent show. Josie and her friend, Emily, decided to do cartwheels for their talent. They dressed up in the same dance outfit and did their cartwheels to some music. It was so funny. They did one-handed cartwheels and round-offs and whatever they could think to do. It was really cute. There were some really funny talents from the rest of their class. One kid did rollerblading tricks, another rode on a pogo stick, there was a little boy who told jokes for his talent and few kids showed some of their artwork. It was really fun to see these cute kids showing off their talents.

The entire class sang some Christmas songs and it was over. Short and sweet but very fun. It was a good experience for Josie to have to perform in front of people. Sometimes she can be really shy so I am glad that she had the chance to do this. Way to go, Josie!!

12.11.2008

Brenden's First Piano Recital

Tonight was Brenden's first piano recital. He starting taking piano lessons in September and has been learning very quickly and really enjoying it. He played the song "O Come All Ye Faithful" and did a fabulous job. He didn't even make one mistake. We are so proud of him. I think when he first walked in and saw all of the people there it really scared him, but he didn't let it get to him. He just walked up there and played his song flawlessly and then sat back down. Grandma Linda, Grandpa & Grandma Anderson and all of us were there to watch. It was really fun.

This is Brenden during his song.

I took this picture of Brenden at our house before the recital. He is such a handsome boy. I can't believe how fast he is growing up. He will be 9 next month.

Way to go, Brenden! We love you and are so proud of you!!!

After Brenden's recital we went over to Allyson's house to celebrate her birthday. The kids love getting together and playing with their cousins. Happy Birthday, Allyson! We love you and hope you had a great day!

12.09.2008

Pinata!

In my last post I forgot to include pictures of the pinata at the Anderson Christmas party. I had to steal these from Jessi's blog (thx, Jess). Here is Kate trying to hit the pinata. She looks so cute. McKenna looks so cute in the background cheering her on.

Anderson Family Christmas Party

Every year the entire Anderson family gets together for a Christmas party. It is a HUGE family. We have to all get together at a church to fit everyone. This year it was Joe & Barbara's turn to be in charge of the party so we all pitched in and tried to help the best we could. It is a fun party that our kids really look forward to each year. This year turned out really nice. The food was good and the kids got to see Santa Claus for the first time this year. Kate was so excited. After we left she felt bad because she let Santa leave without giving him a hug. It was so cute. She is such a fun age at Christmas this year. At this party, Santa brings each child a small gift. The kids are always WAY excited to see what they get.

This is Brenden sitting on Santa's lap. He told him that he wants a Ripstick G for Christmas. His gift was a new case for his DS.

Josie was really excited to see Santa, as well. She asked him for a Nintendo DS. Her gift was a Hannah Montana outfit for her build a bear.

Taylor thinks that he is too old to sit on Santa's lap. He wants an IPod Touch for Christmas, but didn't want to ask Santa for it so he told him he wants a skateboard. I told him that if he doesn't ask Santa for things there is no way he will get them. Sharla and I were handing out the presents for Santa to give out and we made Taylor and Kayleigh wait until the very end to get theirs. Taylor could hardly stand it. He couldn't wait to see what his present was. He was not disappointed. It was a ramp for his tech decks.

Kate was so excited to finally see Santa. She was so cute and in awe of Santa Claus. She wasn't shy at all and jumped right up there and told him what she wanted. She is growing up so fast. I can't believe she is my baby!!

Her present from Santa was a really cute outfit for her build a bear. She loved it and couldn't wait to get home and put it on her bear.

The party was alot of work and a little stressful at times, but all in all it turned out really nice. Joe and Barbara did a great job organizing it and I think everyone had a great time.