Utah's Hogle Zoo

Julie and Mariah

The Baby Elephant...Zuri

Live Bats...EWW

Mariah and I were able to go to Utah's Hogle Zoo with Ping Ping and Wen. They decided that they wanted to be with their group and so we did not get any pictures with them. It was very hot that day but we had a good time.

Skyler's First Concert

Skyler's Skull Candy Tattoo...at least it is not permanent

This is what you get when you let your son go to his first concert. Need I say more. He went to see the "OFFSPRING" and "311" at Usana Amphitheater.

West Valley City Cultural Celebration Center

Wen and Ping Ping

My favorite piece of artwork

Filming

We visited the West Valley City Cultural Celebration Center. While we were there they filmed the group for a video clip on the Cultural Celebration Centers website. The exhibit they had at the time was all artists from Utah. They had 2 of the artists there and they talked with the students about their work. Next, they went downstairs and learned about different elements in art. They were able to make their own artwork out of styrofoam. Wen made a Converse shoe and Ping Ping made a heart.

Float Preview Party

One of my favorite floats...for obvious reasons

Chinese Dragon Float

Face Painting...Cayden, Ping Ping, Wen, and Mariah

We took Wen and Ping Ping to the Days of 47 Float Preview Party. Their favorite float was the Kentucky Fried Chicken float...go figure. I would have thought the one with the Chinese Dragon or something else. We got our faces painted and had fun voting for our favorites. One of my favorites was the Boy Scouts of America float, it celebrated 100 years of scouting and reminded me of Skyler receiving his Eagle Scout.

Swimming at West Valley Fitness Center

Wen and Ping Ping

Cayden... close up and personal

Cayden, Ping Ping, Wen, and Mariah

Ping Ping and Wen had an excursion swimming at the West Valley Fitness Center. Mariah, Cayden, and I were able to go with them. We had a fun time splashing and playing around on such a hot day.

Youth Conference at Utah State

On July 19th, Skyler and Kaylee left for Youth Conference at Utah State. Skyler was not very happy with me. I took his cell phone before he left. I wanted him to have no distractions so that he could have a better experience and feel the spirit. I hope it worked. When they returned they seemed to have had fun. Skyler came home sporting a new baseball cap with an "A" on it. He says it stands for Anderson. They told me they had the best testimony meeting ever. The young mens president in his testimony told the youth that it doesn't matter how strong you think you are or how tough you think you are... there is no one tougher or stronger than the lord.

His testimony touched many of our youth.

Family BBQ

Cayden rolling on the ginormous ball

Kaylee, Joe's Dad, Valesca

Ping Ping choking Wen

Skyler and Armand... 2 peas in a pod

Joe's Parents... I love this picture

We decided that we wanted our families to meet our foreign exchanges students. So we planned a family BBQ at our house. Most everyone was able to come. We had good food and fun. Afterwards when most everybody had left, Ping Ping decided she would demonstrate some Chinese Kung Fu for us. Don't have any pictures of it because she moved too fast. It was very entertaining. Thanks to all who came.

Over the river and through the woods...

This is the whole crew...Our crazy face picture

Wen and Kelly

Cayden, Julie, and Mariah on the 4 wheeler

(trying to take our own picture...in case you couldn't tell)

Mariah, Ping Ping, Wen, and Cayden doing his tough face

The students learning to play UNO

Over the summer we had 2 Chinese foreign exchange students stay with us. Their names were Ping Ping and Wen. On the first weekend we had them we took them to our neighbors families cabin. We rode 4 wheelers, played games, went to the lake, and ate lots of food. Thanks to the Dawson's our good friends for taking us. It was beautiful and relaxing.

The Anderson's are Alive

We are alive and well. So, yes I know that I have not posted in quite some time. Things have been very hectic and I have not had much time to even get onto the computer. A lot has happened in our lives over the last few months. I am currently going to try to get it updated. So please bear with me as I try to rapidly catch up our blog. Thanks for your patience.

Fortune Cookie

A few weeks ago, Skyler was feeling really overwhelmed with everything. He opened a fortune cookie and it said, "Your path may be difficult, but will be rewarding." He was really frustrated and could not believe that his fortune was directed so much towards him. I don't know if this was luck or if this was meant to be his fortune. Maybe in small ways that we never expect the lord lets us know that he is aware of us and knows what we are going through.

We're Having a Boy...

We are expecting a boy from China to visit our family on February 8, 2010. He will be staying with us for 1 week. His English name is Felix, he is a foreign exchange student and he is 14 years old. Our school is working on having his school in China be a sister school with Monticello Academy. We are excited for this opportunity to learn about the Chinese culture and make lasting friendships.

P.S. I will post pictures of Felix as soon as I figure out how to get them off his letter he sent. Also, sorry for the joke of expecting a boy. I had to have a little fun.

Skyler's Puzzle

Last week while Skyler was grounded, he used his time to work on some puzzles. He had actually started the "elephant" puzzle before he got grounded but it gave him time to finish it.

Dr. Elison's Patient Appreciation Party...

Cayden coming out of the bounce house slide

Kyrsti ready to Roller Skate

Kaylee and Kyle ready to Roller Skate

Cayden, Kaylee, Kyle, and Kyrsti in line for Laser Tag

K*Y*R*S*T*I

K*A*Y*L*E*E* AND K*Y*L*E

Last Monday our orthodontist had his annual patient appreciation party at Classic Skating. The kids were able to do many fun things which included...roller skating, skooters, bounce house, blast zone, and laser tag. We had nachos and hot dogs for dinner. Skyler was grounded and was not able to come. However, Kyrsti still came with us and joined in the fun. Mariah was home sick throwing up and was not able to come either. Joe stayed home with the two kids. We had a good time and really appreciate Dr. Elison having this party. Thanks, Dr. Elison.

The Power of One...Inspirations 2010

At our school they have a program called "Inspirations". The program is similar to the reflections contest at public schools. This year the theme was "The Power of One". Kaylee entered in two areas photography, and visual arts. For photography she did a picture of an american flag and titled it, "The Power of One Nation". For her visual arts entry she did a collage of photographs of the american flag and titled it "Freedom". Last week we found out that she won in the photography division and is going on to region. Congratulations, Kaylee!!!

How long have had your glasses?

On Monday I took Skyler and Cayden to get their hair cut. While we were there the lady cutting Cayden's hair asked him how long he had his glasses. He replied, " Ever Since I Couldn't See". All the ladies in the salon were laughing because it was so cute. He makes me laugh all the time.

Drive-In Movie

Last night our YM/YW had a drive-in movie. They told the kids to make their own car out of a box. Kaylee made hers into a "BUG" car literally. She made it look like a ladybug. She put a license plate on the back that said,"BUG OFF". It sure turned out cute. She even matched her clothes she was wearing to her car. She was the only YW that made one. She won the "Most Creative Car Award". Good Job, Kaylee.

P.S. Skyler was unable to go because he was home sick throwing up. He was going to make his car into an Army tanker.

Making Taco Soup

The other night while the kids were at dance, Cayden decided to help me make dinner. He helped pour the cans of various ingredients into the pot. All of a sudden I look over and Cayden is sampling our dinner we made. Yummy!!!

Toilet Papering

The morning after the dance we woke up to our house being toilet papered. Kaylee wasn't very happy with me because her and Skyler were going to have to clean it up. I knew it wasn't my friends that did it (because I don't have any) LOL. So Kaylee and Mariah went out and cleaned it up before Skyler was even out of bed. Skyler says that if you get toilet papered it means you are popular. Woot, Woot, for the first time in my life I am popular (I am thinking its not me though). Boy am I glad that we don't have more trees. Oh, the joy of having teenagers. Just think its only just begun.

P.S. If you know who toilet papered us, a reward is being offered. LOL.

Watching Movies

Here are Skyler and Kyrsti watching movies after the dance.

A Winters Night Dream...

Skyler and Kyrsti

Skyler...he's the bomb diggity

Kaylee... watch out boys here she comes

Kyle and Kaylee

Last week Skyler and Kaylee went to their first official semi-formal dance at their school. It was called "A Winter's Night Dream". Kaylee got a new dress, sweater, and shoes. It was rather stressful picking out a dress for Kaylee that was modest. She picked this dress out and I told her she needed to wear something over the top. When we got to the cash register, her dress was on clearance for only $5.90...what a steal of a deal. I would have liked her to get a slightly bigger size. However, I figured that at that price she could only wear it only a few times and we would have gotten our money's worth. Luckily she is small and fit in the only one they had. Skyler got new pants, shirt, and a tie. Skyler's outfit on the other hand, was more than Kaylee's outfit even with shoes. Who would have thought. They seemed to have a good time. Afterwards they came home and watched a movie together.

Missionaries for Dinner

Elder Hancock, Piper, Skyler, Kaylee, Mariah, Dexter, Joe, and Elder Pearl

(not shown...Julie, and Cayden)

A few weeks ago we had the missionaries over for dinner. The kids really enjoyed having them come. Elder Hancock was from Virginia, and Elder Pearl was from Africa. We are grateful for the spirit they brought into our home.

Our New Cousin...Alivia

Alivia

Kaylee and Alivia

Mariah and Alivia

Skyler and Alivia

Here are the kids holding their new cousin for the first time. They weren't able to see her at the hospital because they don't allow children in the hospitals anymore due to illness and the Swine Flu. They were pretty excited to finally get to see her.