2010

I hate to say it, but I am sad to see 2010 go. We had such a great year. Really, it was awesome. Of course some highlights would include the almost month that we spent in South Africa digging into our Zulu roots, our trip to Canada, day trips in South Dakota, Itasca and weekends at the lake. We also enjoyed watching the Olympics, and The World Cup together. We had huge family moments... baby Bryleigh was born, and we celebrated Fred and Esther's 60th anniversary, and our own 10th Anniversary! But I have to say the best parts were the little things, the everyday things. Abram learned to read, and lost a few teeth! Owen is getting so big and our dinner conversations are too! It is so much fun to talk to him... last weeks conversations included hiv and aids and also how babies are born.(wow!) Then there is Solomon. His imagination amazes me daily! I swear he never really puts on clothes, and is a full time super hero. If only he could get paid for such hard work! We would be set!


I tried to pick a few pictures. I finally just had to stop looking!

I hope that you all had a great year! I am so excited to find out what this coming year will bring!

Happy New Year everyone!!

Last Christmas

On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, we got to spend some much needed time with Jared's brother and his family! We also had our last Christmas celebration of the season, which included two sets of great grandparents, one set of grandparents, great aunts, aunts, uncles and cousins!
The cousins had such a great two days together! One morning Grandpa Keith and I took the biggies (Owen, Abram and Tanner) to the Golf Bubble. They loved the driving range and mini golf. Owen and Abram had fun trying out their new golf clubs. The littles (Solomon and Hayden) went with Grandma Pam and Uncle Jesse to Dino land! They all had fun!
The boys (and Hayden!) all shared their love of airplanes, Star Wars and video games! It was fun to watch them pick up right where they left off!
Of course, there were presents. One of the things that Owen had asked for this past fall was a spark scooter. I clued Grandma into this, but was especially surprised when Grandpa thought to heat up the garage so that Owen could go out and play with it for awhile!
The best present of all was Solomon's quilt! One of my favorite and most cherished Anderson traditions is that on Christmas Eve everyone's name goes into a hat and a name (or 2) are drawn. The winners get homeade quilts. Great Great Grandma Landenburger started this quilt ( I was lucky enough to win one of her quilts my first Christmas with the Anderson's 14? years ago!) Great Grandma Esther and JoAnne has helped this tradition continue and this year only two names remained (until this round of names was complete). Solomon was one. Tanner was the other. These quilts are so very special, and are truly cherished at our house. Whether this tradition is able to continue or not, I do not know. It is so much hard work. I can not imagine. But these quilts are so proudly displayed, used and loved. Each quilt holds so much love! Solomon has given up all other bedding the last two nights to use his special Grandma and JoAnne QWILLLT. He says it so sweetly.
All of our Christmas' this season have been so much fun. We are surrounded by so much love!

We tried

One of the things that I haven't done since I was in high school, that I have been looking forward to trying again is cross country skiing. Since Solomon is three...almost 4, I thought we were ready!

Well, kind of.

It started off great. Solomon got the hang if it very quickly. It was actually Abram that had the most trouble. Only because he tried to move the skis like skates. He got it...after awhile and some whining. Owen took off. Loved it really!

All was going great, the boys were all getting it and we were heading down the trail... when...

It got dark and cold! The wind was blowing (harder than what I could feel from the parking lot) Solomon's fingers got cold and he was done! Only one problem, I couldn't just pick him up and carry him back. Eventually, he did it. We all got back to the Chalet. There was some crying, and his fingers were REALLY cold when we got back. Thank goodness for the nice lady at the chalet that brought the boys hot chocolate right away and they were quickly recovered!

Next time, and there will be a next time, we will:

Start earlier

Wait for higher temperatures

And wear Toe and finger warmer

So, not what we thought, but most certainly a memory!!

Christmas Day!

Soon after we had children, we knew that we needed to start some holiday traditions for our new family. Our first new tradition was that on Christmas Day we stay home. No traveling. No looking at the clock. No showers if that is what we decide! Basically, we are just together all day, and enjoy being that way!
First we opened presents.The boys woke up around 830. We opened a couple presents, played with them, then took a break and had our traditional coffee cake breakfast! We then continued opening presents and playing with new toys!
The boys decided that we should go ice skating, so we did! What a different a year makes. Solomon did a great job. I decided not to skate so I could help him more, but he did awesome! The guys all played a game of hockey. After skating for over an hour we started to get cold. Solomon wanted to stay longer though. It was a great time!
We ended the evening with hot chocolate and a Christmas movie!
Perfect!

Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve started with a visit to B! Christmas Eve is her birthday and while we were spending Christmas with Jared's family this year, it was fun to spend even a short time with her that morning!

The past few years we have been trying to make Christmas about the memories and not the gifts. Spending time together, celebrating the birth of our king.

Success!

First, we attended the family service at our church. It was wonderful! We have grown to love that service. It has tons of music, and the main message is geared towards the kids!

After church we headed to Jared's grandparents. We started the night by caroling! We (Jared's parents, Joanne, Great grandma and us) all dressed in our coats and mittens and we finished off our wardrobe with crazy Christmas hats! Our intention was to go to two different homes. The second was not home. We were so happy that we were able to carol for Jared's other set of grandparents! They were surprised and loved it! Not sure if they loved the singing, but they loved the Christmas wishes that we brought! We all had a great time!



The boys did get a couple special gifts. Great Grandma had a line of snowmen on the window ledge. Great Great Grandma Landenberger had sewn the scarves and hats for them. Each of the boys got to pick one to have. Owen, Abram and I had just been talking about Grandma Landenburger that morning. Owen remembers her the most, and Abram likes to look at pictures of them together. Solomon will learn of all the Grandma Landenburger stories, but I am so sad that he will never get to meet her. This is a gift that they will never forget and will cherish forever.



Owen played and we sang. Solomon even sang a solo to his favorite, Away in a Manger. Owen's music certainly has been a gift to us this year!

The boys recieved a special book, that their grandparents had recorded themselves reading a Christmas story, they will be able to listen to it over and over... and they have!


We decorated a gingerbread house! Solomon and Abram especially got into this. This year, we went with premade and essembled! Thanks to Grandma B, we were set! I think Solomon ate more than he put on, but it was fun.
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Grandpa Keith, Grandpa Fred and Joanne taught the boys the joys of "simple toys". The boys loved playing with a button and string!

Reault Farm

We were surprised when time allowed us to have a last minute stop at Santa's Village! Just a few hours before Santa's departure, we were there. The big hits were not Santa, but his reindeer, and the small trains! Solomon and I wrote a letter to Santa, the boys put together ornaments. It was a good time!

Just a few more

Just wanted to post a few more about that first trip to Ethiopia in 2004! About that boy!

When we recieved Abram's referral, we already had Abram on the door. I had bought the letters very soon after we started his process. When we recieved his referral and his birthname was Yohannes Abrahem we new that this child, becoming ours, was a God thing. Both Owen and Solomon have double names sort of. Their first name and middle name (birthname) sort of just come out together a lot of the time. We actually call Abram, Abraham, a lot of the time. He likes it.

I know I have mentioned it before, but Abram swears that he has seen angels before. When we talk about it he just says that they are Jesus' helpers and these angels were given to him by his birthparents. I mean, since he was little, he has told us this. I totally believe him.

I love this boy, all my boys, more than words could ever say. Love you Abie!

Simons' family Christmas

This Wednesday, we celebrated Christmas with my family. My sister's family, and my mom and Dad came over for dinner, fun and presents.
To say we had a great time would be an understatement!

Abram took good care of Bryleigh. He even let her suck on his finger, which is a huge feat for this germ a phobe little boy. He fed her, and held her for quite a while. I am sure they had a conversation and Abram was really surprised that she has started cooing. It is fun to see their bond grow.


Jared and Bryleigh

I absolutley love being an auntie. Besides being a mother, this is one of life's biggest joys. Here I am with four of my nieces! Boy, I love these girls!

Uncle Joe almost went horse reading Christmas story after Christmas story to Solomon! Solomon loved every minute of it!

Oh, and I can not forget the program! The kids presented us with the Christmas story! Earlier in the week, I suggested to Owen and Jaylyn to be the nativity. Well, they took it farther and spent the whole week putting together a program for us.

It was a little chaotic.

They were careful to include everyone. Even Molly and Lucie had a part.

They were creative with costumes. They found a way to use the clown wig, Michael Jackson's thriller jacket, Buzz's suit, Owen's robe, and Annikin's jedi outfit. That took talent.

Owen played piano as the kids sang.

And their were parts written out.

But you know what?

The story of Jesus's birth was there. They told his story, and it was so fun to watch.







The kids had fun exchanging presents and eating way too many sweets, and we all had a great time! A really great time!