Baby Hold On!!!

I'm not sure how all this started. I think Jeff picked Kathy up for a picture first and everyone else then had to roll with it! Even mom got in on the action, HAHA.

I think Poppy and Gram are the only two that didn't!

Hang on mom!!!

Steve and Stephanie

Jeff and Kathy

Mike and Deb

Family Christmas 2008

Well, it's that time of year again! Christmas is winding down and family is returning to their homes. It's starting to get a little bit quiet and the routine starts again tomorrow. We truly are blessed to have such an incredible family and we did have a wonderful Christmas, despite the obvious void felt by us all. Each year we spend Christmas Eve with Steves side of the family and have a big dinner and open gifts. My mother in law asked me what the plan was for Christmas morning and just out of habit I said "mom and dad will come over early watch the kids open gifts"... Though he's gone, he's still so very much here. Several traditions in our family have been centered around Dad. Dad would say "the prayer", Dad would serve communion to our family, Dad would divide up his Christmas bonus and share it with us. He wasn't a perfect man and if he were here, he would absolutly be the first to tell you that. But he was a good man, a hard worker, a great dad and a FANTASTIC grandpa. And Christmas was just not the same without him. I had a really hard day despite all the efforts of my sweet husband and kids. No ones fault. I just miss him so much. That being said, he would have been really ticked that I was sulking at all... So, let's get to the good stuff.

As I said Christmas Eve was at Steves parents house with his sister and her family. The bigger kids all got Nintendo DS's and I don't know why we didn't buy them before. They were literally entertained for HOURS! They were so quiet - it was unreal!! I highly recommend them for any stressed out parents! LOL.

Christmas morning, the kids got up and opened presents with Nana, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Kathy. And I have to say, Santa was VERY GOOD to mommy this year!! Bas got a bb gun and several games and hats and sweatshirts and lego toys etc etc. Savannah got a 'Reborn Doll', new bed, lots of clothes, boots, a purse, and Aunt Kathy made a sign for her to use in her room that says "Miss Savannah's Classroom" accompanied by lots of school stuff.

The family came over for brunch and we opened "grandkids gifts" and then headed out to Steve's aunts house for another get together.

Saturday we had the Anderson family Christmas at moms and I'll share some pictures from that.
Anderson Family
Poppy & Gram
Anderson "originals" (or as Bas says "The OLD FOLKS")
Steve, Steph, Bas, Savannah, Mom, Kathy & Jeff
Mark, Lynette, Jordan, Kelsey & Caleb
Mike, Debbie, Shane & Shaun
Jim and Mavonne

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Wreath

I could really get into making these! FUN!!

Bas with Uncle Jeff's deer...

Steve took Bas to see Jeff's deer this afternoon. Jeff has dads blazer (which was Jeff's to begin with) and he uses it to hunt. Bas was so excited to see the deer and can't wait to go hunting again. Bas's words when he saw the deer "SWEET!"

Happy Halloween

This is "SHARPAY" using mom's golf clubs as a prop... For more pictures of Savannah, check out her blog. http://smartgirlygirl.blogspot.com
Sabastian wanted to be part of the S.W.A.T. team for his costume this year.

My sweet kids! They are growing so fast.
Mom & Dad get their picture taken too!

Sabastian's first HUNTING trip!

Sabastian spent Friday night with Justin B and Justin took him hunting EARLY this morning. He's been so excited about it for weeks! They got up at 6 and stayed out til 11 but never saw a deer... I thought Bas might be discouraged from going again since he didn't even see one, but he didn't care. He was so excited, he can't wait to go again. Next trip will be with Uncle Jeff. Sabasitan's gun was actually bought by G for Uncle Jeff when he was young, and it's been handed down to Bas, which made it EXTRA SPECIAL!

FIREPROOF

We went to see the movie FIREPROOF... and we definitely recommend it. It was a great movie, with a great message. Bring your tissues though! You will need them.

Check out the website: http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com

Cardboard Testimony

We had cardboard testimonies at church Sunday morning and it was so powerful. See below for an example of a cardboard testimony service. None of us know what people have been thru or are going thru. I don't know your past heartaches or struggles or pain and you don't know mine. But God does and He is the mender of broken hearts. He is our Healer. He is our Provider. He is our Peace. For several weeks now I've been so wrapped up in things that I have absolutely no control over. All we can really do is pray over our situation and turn it over to God. "God grant me the serenity, to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."

I would have to have a HUGE piece of cardboard to write all my battles on but thank God the flip side would be full of all the victories. Isn't God good?

RAMS Jamboree 2008

Savannah won TEAM QUEEN for selling the most tickets. She received a sash and a tiara.

Savannah was escorted by Logan.


Rams Football players and Cheerleaders.

Bryzen's a SOCCER player!!

Bryzen started playing soccer this year and he's having a blast! Does a great job on the field!! It's really cute to watch.


This is b after getting a face full of wet grass! He went down fast but he jumped right back up and got back in the game.

Vikings Jamboree 2008

Laiken, Hannah, Bas, Katie

I don't know how we ever got away with just two kids. I've got a baby crazy family! Anyone who knows Savannah, knows she ends every prayer with "and make mommy have another baby!"


The Vikings Football Team and the Cheerleaders... The boys walk the girls after selling a minimum of 25 raffle tickets each. The cheerleaders got to pick which boy they wanted to walk them.

They were very antsy sitting and waiting on their turn!


Laiken, Sabastian & Austin. Best buds!


Some of you might remember Sabastians 'kindergarten girlfriend' Hannah... Hannah walked with Laiken. Bas walked Katie. Per Katie's mom, Bas, Hannah and Katie play together every day at school (this comes as no shock to us..) and she comes home with "Bas stories" all the time. I don't hear any of the same stories but I guess that's typical of a little boy. Anyway, they had a good time last Saturday and were fun to watch.

Kimes family came to watch Sabastians game.

Rams Cheerleaders

Some wild and crazy girls!!!

Gerbils (yes you read right...)

Savannah's class pets are Gerbils... and the momma had babies. Mrs. Key told the kids "the first 8 to raise their hand, get to take them home"... (you see where I'm going with this). Little Miss Sunshine raised her hand and brought home 2 babies today. The black and white one she has named "OREO" and the tan and white one she has named "MILK SHAKE".

Jeff and Kathy

Just wanted to share a beautiful wedding picture of my brother and sister in law.

GO VIKINGS!!!!!!

Bas and his buddy Brayden (rivals tonight...)

WooooHoooo we had a win tonight (now 1-1). It was a good game and the nights are definitly feeling more like FOOTBALL WEATHER which I love!

Steve got a little excited with the ref's tonight (I know this comes as a shock) - he got a 15 yard penalty for sticking up for the boys (after they got 2 holding penalties in a row)... Good thing the ref didn't see Joe (the Asst Coach) throwing his hat down on the field. LOL It was a fun night!

School projects..

I can't even tell you how many POSTERS we've made already! Savannah ran for Class Secretary (and won). Sabastian had to have an "about me" poster... Savannah also ran for Student Council (and won) and had to have SIX posters! I'll post pictures of them later.. But for now, here are the posters we made after the first day of school.

Back To School...

Well, it's that time of year again - back to having a schedule and waking up before 11:00! The kids both have great teachers this year and are loving school. Savannah's teacher gives out Hot Chocolate on Fridays (she's her nana's girl...) and Sabastian's teacher is young with long blonde hair (need I say more?). Savannah got 3 yellow roses and a balloon from Petyon with a note that read "Will you be my girlfriend?"... Sabastian broke up with his girlfriend Hannah because.. "well, she's too short. She didnt get taller over the summer." LOL If only life was that easy.

We are all signed up for football and cheerleading again (both parents suckered into coaching, again). Steve just finished up softball and I've got Combo Team Tennis starting Saturday. We rarely have down time but when we do, we love taking the boat out. Monday was the one year anniversary of taking Dad to the ER and him not returning to his earthly home.. So we took the kids fishing in G's boat and had a blast. We talked about G the whole time. Bas told Steve, "This is NOT where G takes me fishing, and clearly that's why I am not catching them fast." Dad loved to be out on the water and Bas loved to be with him. They had a lot of fun throwing rocks and going on treasure hunts. We miss him soooo very much.. but I'm comforted to know he is in no pain whatsoever - and fishing the clearest water and going on the most fantastic of treasure hunts.

July 4 at Lake Fort Smith

Wow we had a busy day on the 4th! Steve and I went golfing with some friends Friday morning, took mom and the kids for a boat ride and picnic in the afternoon and had the family over to watch all the firework shows at our house Friday night. It was a busy day, but a great one. This has always been one of my favorite holidays. My dad received 3 purple hearts (or one purple heart, 2 gold stars) while in Vietnam and I always am a little more proud of him on this day. Many prayers and thanks go out to all our soldiers.