Pumpkin Patch

Last night after Family Home Evening, we carved pumpkins. Taysum was so excited!! Bailey didn't completely understand what was going on, but she liked being involved. Ken and I had to do most of the work, but it was fun. Taysum drew a scary face and Ken cut it out. Their favorite part was taking them outside and lighting the candles.

Bailey wanted to take a picture of the pumpkins, but she didn't hold the camera very still; this is how it turned out

Ken thought it was pretty cool, so he gave it a try. He pushed the button and then moved the camera around as much as he could while it was taking the picture.

Then Taysum

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Just sick, but...

Not the way you would think though! My morning (more like all day) sickness has been gone for a while now; and other than a bout with the Croup a couple weeks ago (T) and a cold (Ken), we, VERY thankfully, have been pretty healthy.

No, I'm just sick, like disgusted with myself sick, because of something that happened last night...or rather early this morning. Lately, Taysum has been soaked at night and needs a complete change. I kind of think it was because of the medicine he was on because that's when it started and it's not happening as often since he's been off of it. So, he came into our room and said my name. I just kind of grunted a "Huh?" because I was still mostly asleep. By the second, "Mom?" I was awake, but not excited to change him again, so I just made another, "Huh?" sound. I was hoping Ken would wake up and take a turn because I was really tired. After the third, "Mom and Huh?" (I know...I'm getting more and more disgusted with myself the more I think about this!!) my conniving worked and Ken woke up. He asked T what he needed and he said, "I want to talk to Mom." Ken said, "Mommy is sleeping." T still sleeps in our room sometimes and we have a pillow and blanket on the floor for him, so Ken got him settled. Again, "I want to talk to Mom!" I was still thinking he was wet, so I didn't say any thing.

After the third, "I want to talk to Mom!" and not hearing Ken or T saying anything about being wet...it hit me that he wasn't wet and he wanted to talk to me! Ken had gotten him settled and I said, "What?" Very kindly (thinking I had really been asleep) Ken said, "Nothing...it's OK." I felt SO bad and it was killing me wanting to know what Taysum wanted to say. He started coughing a bit, so I asked him if he was OK and if he wanted some water, trying to strike up a conversation. He said (kind of sadly) he was OK and that was the end of it!

It just breaks my heart thinking of it now! It took me awhile to even fall asleep again because I felt bad and was so curious as to what he was going to say! So, I guess Ken is out of getting up with the kids for awhile!!

Blog-A-Thon 14 ~ I Love to See the Temple

Hooray! I'm finally caught up!! I made 14 posts and listened to all 4 sessions of General Conference and the Relief Society session in two days!

Last weekend we went to the temple. Our kids were SO excited to see the temple! Our wonderful Young Women babysat for those who wanted to attend a session. It's pretty rare for Ken and I to attend a session together and it was wonderful! T & B really enjoyed "the girls." They both ran up and hugged one of the YW that babysit them every once in a while. They really love Makenzie!

After that, we went and got some lunch at A&W. Then we took the kids to see the temple. We dropped Ken off for the Youth Baptisms. We went to Wal Mart and the bread store. Then we went to pick up Ken.

I wish I could remember who, but one of the leaders of the Church encouraged us to take our children to the temple grounds and let them touch the temple. T really loved that idea.

That night when we got home, Ken took the kids outside to play for a bit. It was such a beautiful day! T struck this pose and said, "I'm a temple!!" Something I remember from his baby blessing was that he would love the temple and he sure does! He can always recognize a picture of a temple and he know what it is even though some of them look so differnt from others. Bailey follows his example in everything and she gets just as excited! I hope they always keep this love and excitement for the temple. He doesn't quite understand Moroni on top of the temple. He always askes about it. This time he said, "What's that man?" I tried to explain, but I don't think I did it to his satisfaction; we'll have to keep working on that one.

This is another "temple" he built. Whenever he has blocks or anything he can stack, he always builds a "temple."

Blog-A-Thon 13 ~ Oh! I See! & VIP

Now we are caught up to last week! On the 13th, Taysum had an eye appointment. Our latest, biggest news is that Taysum is getting glasses!! I think he looks pretty handsome, but it's going to take some getting used to! I'm just curious to see if he will wear them or not! It turns out he is VERY far-sighted and has some astigmatism in both eyes. His right eye is worse than his left. The doctor said that one of his eyes would have turned in, but it's in both eyes, so it balances out. I am also far-sighted, but I only have an astigmatism in my right eye.

We're hoping his glasses will help him with some fine-motor skills he has been struggling with and maybe he won't sit so close to the TV all the time!

He was such a trooper during his appointment! We were there for a very long time, but he was so good through the whole thing! He even had to get his eyes dilated. It was uncomfortable, but he was so good! This is what we did while we were waiting for his eyes to dilate. Taysum took these pictures himself!

T's long day wasn't over with that! That night was his open house at his Preschool, VIP. We brought Grandpa and Grandma Anderson with us and had a great time! His teachers were so kind, complementary and encouraging! They genuinely love and enjoy him and it makes me so happy! They have been learning about Fire Safety and Taysum loves to play at the Fireman Center.

Even Grandma joined in the fun!

My camera is not very forgiving of a wiggly 2 year old on the move!

This is some of T's work that was on display. This is his Jack-O-Lantern wind sock.

This is his candy corn. So far, candy corn and pumpkins seem to be Taysum's and Bailey's favorite parts about Halloween!

This is his pretty fall leaf. We were trying to find it on the board and he remembered that it was a green leaf!

Daddy missed the open house, but they had a lot of fun when we got home that night!!

I am so impressed and thankful that Taysum is so well taken care of at VIP. His teachers are all so wonderful and really interested in his progress. When we first got there, T was so excited to introduce everyone. He put his hand out and said, "Ms. Carol, this is Grandma!" He switched hands and said, "Grandma, this is Ms. Carol!" It was pretty cute! He is learning to write his name and to make choices and decisions, make a plan and follow through with his plan. This is working towards story plans and sequencing. They also teach him that mistakes are OK. It's just a wonderful program! He LOVES to go to school and can't wait until he can go again. He always tells his teachers, "Thanks for school!"

Blog-A-Thon 12 ~ Memorable Moments

These are just some happy moments from early October.

I just loved this and had to get a picture of it! The picture below is of me at about the same age! It is my earliest memory. I remember sitting there and my dad putting the headphones on me. I remember being surprised and my eyes widening (even though they are closed in this picture) wondering where the music was coming from. I also remember I really liked it! When I put them on Bailey, she said, "Music!" She was listening to a You Tube clip of five little girls singing The National Anthem.

Taysum has become such a wonderful little helper! He especially gets excited to help in the kitchen. Here he is helping me make bread sticks. I was really tempted to "fix" the ones he was making, but I was really glad I left them the way he made them. This is a typical Taysum and Bailey moment. Taysum invited Bailey to come sit with him and then he made sure she was covered up, too. They are so sweet to each other! (Bailey really is smiling and not crying! :) )

Blog-A-Thon 11 ~ General Conference

We had a GREAT Conference weekend! Saturday morning we went to the store and stocked up on our food storage during the case lot sale....that's always a comforting feeling! I have a loooong way to go on our food storage, but I'm thankful we've been able to start moving forward with it a little better!

This conference was just extra special. I had such a wonderful, overwhelming feeling of love and appreciation for my family...especially my kids. They had so much fun together and it was so wonderful to hear them laugh and play together. I'm so blessed that they love each other so much! Even our new little one made him/herself known for the first time on Sunday. It was during a particularly joyful moment when I was feeling such love and joy and I felt the first movements of life. It was a perfect moment!!

There was one grumpy moment...well, couple hours on Saturday. Taysum had had school pictures earlier that week, and the lady who did them was taking pictures of siblings and families that weekend. We signed up at a great time...we'd have time for lunch and pictures and get back in time for the second session. Well, they were an hour behind and Bailey was already crabby for lack of a nap. We decided to stay and wait, because they were having so much fun at Taysum's school. I'm excited to see how they turned out, but I felt bad that B was so upset and we missed so much conference.

That night, during Priesthood session, Mom and Lindsay and her kids came over. We've started a tradition of dipping chocolates during the Priesthood Session. This is our third year doing it and it went really smoothly this time; we had a great time dipping, eating and talking!

Sunday was a wonderful day! We really enjoyed the last two sessions of Conference. I find myself getting SO excited for Conference when ever it gets close. I just find such comfort, peace and inspiration and determination to try better. I'm so thankful for the Gospel and a living prophet of God on the earth!

These are some quotes that really stuck out to me:

Ken and I were really touched by Elder David A. Bednar's talk. It gave us...hope!!

"In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes--none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. Many ordinary, individual brushstrokes work together to create a captivating and beautiful painting.
Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. 'Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great' (Doctrine & Covenants 64:33). Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely."

Elder Neil L. Andersen
"Sometimes in our repentance, in our daily efforts to become more Christlike, we find ourselves repeatedly struggling with the same difficulties. As if we were climbing a tree-covered mountain, at times we don't see our progress until we get closer to the top and look back from the high ridges. Don't be discouraged. If you are striving and working to repent, you are in the process of repenting." "Repentance always means that there is greater happiness ahead."

President Henry B. Eyring
"...for all, the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is that we can and must expect to become better as long as we live."

Elder Russell M. Nelson
"'Real intent' means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given."

Blog-A-Thon 10 ~ Just the Kids

These pictures are some fun pics of the kids in September.

Here they are reading some books. I pulled out Bailey's Tinkerbell costume from Halloween last year and she's been having fun playing dressup! I LOVE the way she says "Tinkerbell"...she just has such a sweet little girl voice! Taysum just loves his train table and plays with it all the time! We've found out it's not just for trains either!!
Our sweet little bundle of Grace and joy!!

I was lucky enough that Ken could watch the kids during my first OB appointment. He just kept them outside and let them climb a tree! I thought these pics turned out really great...I just wish T's eyes were open...but he has a great smile!!

Her first climb in a tree!

Blog-A-Thon 9 ~ Lots of fun in the Mountains

Now, we're filling in the gaps of August. We made it up to the mountains quite a few times this summer!

Ken and the Scouts go camping every month of the year without fail! When it's nice, he takes Taysum with him. The scouts are so good to Taysum. They get really excited when they find out T is going, too. One of the scouts chatted me on Facebook one time before a camp out and said, "Are Brother Cutler and Taysum coming?" When I told him they were he was very excited. They always give him high fives in the hall at church, too. It makes me so happy and so thankful for such good youth in our ward!

Taysum fishing with Ethan Fishers of Men
Good old mountain mud!

During one camp out, there were tons of frogs around and T caught this one all on his own! Dylan was pretty impressed!

T showed a little too much love to this frog, so some of the scouts held a funeral for the unfortunate amphibian. Here is the lovely casket they created. They decided cremation was the way to go; however, once they threw the frog in, he hopped right out...so he must have just been "playing dead."

This was a spontaneous trip to Five Springs. We were so happy everyone was able to go! I was a little worried because it was really overcast in town...we got up the mountain though and it was sunny and perfect!! We roasted hot dogs and some people hiked to the falls. It was a great evening!

Grandpa Anderson and baby Celeste

Towards the end of August, we went on the Ward Camp Out. Here's B all decked out and ready to go!

I was able to sneak in some pony tails and I thought they were so cute!! I really wish she'd let me put things in her hair!

S'more time!!!

Jackie, Jessie and James were SO good to Taysum! They would play with him and he just loved them! He kept saying, "I want to see the kids!!" They were so patient and kind with him! We had so much fun with their family! Bro. Ewart let us take his 4-wheeler for a ride. Ken drove and I was on with Bailey, Taysum and all three of these kids, too...we had a great time!

Night time was a little different! Bailey didn't go to sleep until around 3am! I started down the mountain with her once, but I was nervous to drive down the mountain at night...when the week before we nearly burnt out our breaks going down the same mountain!! So we headed back and we ended up sleeping in the van. We missed breakfast, but at least we got some rest...kind of... :S Over all we had a fun time.

In September, Ken and T went on the annual Anderson Labor Day hike to Bucking Mule Falls. They had a lot of fun and it was a beautiful day for a hike!!

Blog-A-Thon 8 ~ Yellowstone, Parade & Five Springs

Over the July 24th weekend, Grandpa Ned and Grammy Penny came to visit us. We met up in Yellowstone.

There were SO many beautiful wild flowers It was really windy that day and made for really large waves. The water was freezing, but it didn't stop our fearless B!
Someone had built a funny little structure out of driftwood and T had a fun time in the "tent"

This is my favorite spot in Yellowstone, Artist's Point

The next day, we went to the Cowley's Day's Pioneer Parade. The kids made out with quite a bit of candy and Pop Ice thanks to Grandpa Ned!

Bailey thought the Pop Ice was great...Ken wasn't sure about the shower, though...

For lunch, we went up to Five Springs and had a picnic. We also hiked to the Falls. It was such a pretty day! We also drove up to the top of the mountain. It was really fun to share our beautiful mountains with Grandma and Grandpa.

We were so glad for their visit. We sure love our Grandpas and Grandmas!!