And this piece goes where???

"HIGH ABOVE"


Skyler has been very into puzzles lately. He has been working on this one for quite some time now and has finally finished. I think he does so well at them because he is so smart. My brain

just doesn't work that way.

Footballs, Skateboards, and Popsicles

Cayden Riding Skyler's Skateboard
Cooling Off

Skyler, and Joe playing football

On Sunday we went outside to play football with Cayden. He said that he was in charge because it was his football. He told us that if we dropped the ball we were out but, that if he dropped the ball he was not out because he was in CHARGE. Joe tried to teach Skyler how to hike the ball two handed but Skyler was too embarrased to put his hands that close to Joe's back end. Then, Cayden decided that he wanted to try and ride Skyler's skateboard. I thought he sure looked cute on it. He says that he wants a small one for Christmas. Afterwards, we had popsicles to cool us off. It was sure nice to spend some quality time together.

Folding Laundry

The other day there was a basket of laundry laying on the floor in the family room. Cayden sat down and started folding laundry. I thought it was so cute that he would do that all by himself. I don't remember any of my other kids folding laundry at the age of 5. He is getting so big.

I lost another Tooth...

After a long day at Webelos scout camp, I decided to lay down on the couch for a few minutes. I was awaken by Mariah telling me she lost another tooth. I didn't think she had anymore to loose this year since she has lost so many. Our poor tooth fairy is going to be broke. When her tooth came out it busted off and left part of the tooth in her gums. I have tried to get it out but can't. We will try and get ahold of the dentist to see what we need to do.

Webelos Day Camp...Camp Tracy

"The Boys"

Doing the skit, "The Invisible Bench"

Quinten, Taylor, Dallin, Andrew, Chris, and Seth

Last week I spent 2 days at Camp Tracy with my Webelos Scouts. We did the Showman, Artist, Readyman, Sportsman, Naturalist, Forester, and Communicator pins. Each day I could hardly wait to get home and have a shower. My kids said the van stunk and I told them to imagine what the boys smelled like. Anyways it was fun (if you like that kind of stuff) and the boys learned alot. Hopefully this calling will not be mine for long. I know I shouldn't say that but this is not my favorite thing.

Notebooks...

Our neighbors Craig and Collett Dawson brought down 40 notebooks to donate for Skyler's eagle project. Thank You so much.

Skyler's eagle project update...

Gloves, Hand Sanitizer, and Batteries
Emergency Blankets

First Aid Kit bags and supplies

More...First Aid items

Shield Safety owners and Skyler

Skyler has had a lot of success with his eagle project. He has been working hard at getting donations from businesses, ward members, and family. Joe delivers to Shield Safety a company on his route and asked them if they would be able to help us. We got a very generous donation from Shield Safety. The items they donated were medical gloves, batteries, hand sanitizer, and all the first aid kits with supplies. They also gave us the rope, poncho, emergency blankets, flashlights, and glow sticks at cost. We would like to Thank Shield Safety for their support and help with this project. We appreciate it more than words can say. Lastly, if any of you need any kind of emergency supplies for your home or business, I would recommend looking up Shield Safety. It was well worth it for us.

Float Preview

Mariah's favorite float
Cayden, Skyler, Mariah, Kaylee, and Joe
in front of our families favorite float.

This year for family night we decided we would go to the float preview party since Joe was going to have to work on Pioneer Day; July 24. It was much nicer to look at the floats in an air conditioned building than in 100 degree heat. We decided that float #6 was our favorite. We had a fun time and even got some balloons from the clowns. Cayden's was supposed to be a spider but looked more like an Octopus.

Riding 4 wheelers

Skyler, Mariah, Cayden, Joe, and Kaylee

(Can you see how black the sky was??)

The day after the temple open house, we went to our friends the Franz's for a barbeque. After the barbeque the kids and Joe went for a ride on the 4 wheelers. Me and Tiffanie were in the house and we heard a whistling sound and went outside to see what it was. A storm had blown in and it was windy and raining very hard. Christian, Joe, and all the kids were nowhere to be seen. So, me and Tiffanie got in the car and went to rescue them from the rain. We were unable to find them and so we went back to the house. When we got back to the house we saw headlights coming our way and it was them. They had all rode up to the highway and were drenched and wind blown but at least they were OK. Thanks for a fun time on the 4 wheelers.

Oquirrh Temple Open House

Julio, Lucero, Sandra, Cassandra, Kaylee, Skyler, Cayden, Julie, Mariah, and Joe
"Our ETERNAL family"

Sandra, Cassandra, Julio, and Lucero

Cayden being silly at Leatherby's

Our family had the opportunity to attend the Oquirrh Temple Open House on July 18. We invited our neighbors who are Catholic to come with us. I think they had a good time and felt of the spirit while we were there. I am grateful we were able to attend and share some of our beliefs with our friends. The temple was beautiful. My favorite part were the chandeliers that were star shaped. Afterwards we went to Leatherby's for Ice Cream.

Me and My Sister's...

Me and Rebecca (youngest)
"All 4 Sisters"
Amy, Julie, Sherrie, and Rebecca

"ME"

I usually don't like pictures of myself but I thought this one was pretty good.

Me and Sherrie (2nd oldest)

Amy (3rd oldest) and Julie

Here are some of the pictures we did as a surprise for my Mom's birthday. As you can see...yes I am the oldest, and fattest out of all of us. I am also, the only one with curly hair. I don't know how I got so lucky...I wish one of my sisters had the luck and not me. I wish we could all get along like we did when we were taking these. Somehow with 4 sisters there is always some kind of drama. We actually really had a fun time and enjoyed one another's company. I hope all my sisters know how much I love them.

Grandma Brown's Birthday party...

Chloe Paige (my neice)
Cayden talking on his phone after pictures

Mariah and Chloe

"ALL the Grandkids"

Alexis, Emma, Kaylee, Cayden, Skyler, Jacob, Mariah, and Chloe

This year for my Mom's birthday we decided to have everyone over for a barbeque. We got it all ready to go in our backyard and when we decided to eat, a storm blew in. We ended up moving everything and everyone into the house. It all worked out good and My mom was very happy to have all her children together. We took some pictures of all my Mom's grandkids and surprised her with a big picture of me and my sisters. We also gave her a photo album with the prints in, so that she could take it to her work and show all the ladies. We hope you had a Happy Birthday Mom. We love you.

Mariah's Swimming Birthday Party

Sherrie (my sister), and Emma (my neice)
Jacob, Sherrie, Emma, and Skyler (he looks real happy)

Joe, Cayden, and Kaylee

Holly (Friend from school), Mariah, and Alexis (cousin)

Jacob (cousin)

Mariah's Cake... hopefully you can see the middle dress lit up

Mariah being silly...she decided to smear pizza sauce all over her face.

This year for Mariah's birthday party, we went to the W.V.C. Fitness Center swimming. The party was great and very easy. The fitness center did everything. They provided the plates, decorations, party favors, pizza (even though it was gross), and cake. All I had to do was deliver the invitations and show up on the date of the party. I din't even have to clean up afterwards. The cake she picked out was a princess one and under one of the princess dresses it had a light. We had lots of fun swimming and going on the water slides.

Mariah's 9 years old!!!

Mariah- 2000

Mariah-2001

Mariah- 2002

Mariah- 2003

Mariah- 2005
Mariah-2006

Mariah- 2007

Mariah- 2008Mariah- 2009

I started this post about 2 weeks ago and have not had a chance to finish it. I am finally getting it the way I wanted it. Anyways, I can't believe that Mariah is 9 years old. She had such a rough start coming into this world that it is a miracle we have her in our lives. People have been telling me lately that she is the one in our family who doesn't look like the rest of us (isn't she lucky). They say that they would have not placed her as an Anderson. However, I know that she was meant to come to our family and that she is a very special part of it. I am so grateful she is my daughter. I love her sense of humor and how she says funny things just out of the blue. Often times we wonder where it came from. She is the peacemaker in our family and is very sensitive to the feelings of others. Mariah has a quiet and soft side to her which sometimes makes her emotional. She is such a people pleaser and tries so hard to do her best. If I ever need help with anything and no one else will do it, she is the first to step forward and help out. I want her to know how much I love her and how blessed I feel to have her in our family.