Nov 23, 2012

It was Black Friday today.  And we decided to take the kids to the Planetarium in Salt Lake for the afternoon for our adventure out for the day.  Jake and I shake our heads we had not thought to take Kate their sooner.  Most kids change their minds from at least year to year about what they want to be when they grow up, but not Kate.  When she was two she decided to be an astronaut, and has stuck with that decision- only briefly adding math teacher for a few months, to her desires.  We didn't tell the kids where we were going.  In the car Kate kept asking "when we get there will you tell us"  I kept telling her she would see, and that I picked out today's special adventure just for her.
We arrived at the Clark Planetarium.  I was surprised to find that he museum was free- we only had to pay to see a movie in the Dome Theatre   Which we did.  After running around "the moon" and "mars" for a little while, and looking at some models of space shuttles, astronauts and planets we headed into the Dome Theatre   They showed a little movie for kids that lasted about 40 minutes about an alien family who goes on vacation to each of the planets in our solar system.  It was pretty cool even for an adult, with stars all around you.  The kids thought it was awesome.  Kate sitting next to me kept touching my back at certain parts, and then saying things like "look how beautiful"  Sam asked if we were in a space ship.  Marianne was completely delighted and may have enjoyed it more than anyone.  She has recently been on a dance kick and loves to dance to music, and the movie had music.  She was literally squealing in delight, grabbing for the astroids in front of her and clapping.... until she was done .  And then she was done.  That was the kids favorite thing up to that point.  We saw some more exhibits, then they changed their mind to the cloud maker- which they kept calling the smoke thing.
After we had seen all we could we walked outside to the shops and restaurants.  The Planetarium is right in the middle of the Gateway- and part of Salt Lake with lots of shops and places to eat.  We picked Rumbi's for dinner.  We had never eaten there.  The kids were elated.  The kids menu had both chinese chicken- for Kate, and noodles for Sam.  I'm not sure if they were just worn out from the museum, but they were perfectly behaved and ate almost every bite of their meals.  Marianne too seemed famished and ate more than usual and was also hilarious, as she often is during meals. She was even licking her bowl.   Part of her happiness comes from her newly perfectly skill of eating with a real fork.  She is very proud. I guess we will be eating there again.  On the way back to the car, we passed Santa's workshop, with Santa inside, welcoming children to come and see him.  So we did.  Kate and Sam a little weary with my help had a conversation with him.  He told them his reindeer were up near us having  a vacation before Christmas visiting their deer friends-  when we got home, Sam kept reminding us to look for the deer and let him see the dear.  They both reported a gift they were interested in.  But before Kate told Santa her request, she put in a request for her little sister- for a doll. I thought that was so sweet.  Marianne walked up with the kids to Santa, and then started screaming at the top of her lungs.  The attendants said that happens all the time, but we were still surprised.  M will often go to strangers at church and usually flirts with everyone- just minutes before she kept saying hello to a man at the planetarium.  It was sad, and funny.  She cheered up when as we left Santa's helpers gave us candy canes, bear hats, and cookies.  Did I mention there was no wait and we were the only ones seeing Santa.  It was free, but there were picture packages to buy. And we couldn't take any pictures with Santa if we didn't buy the package.  Even still, I think we will be visiting Santa at the Gateway in the future.  In fact, an afternoon trip to the Gateway on Black Friday may be a new tradition.  We didn't even step foot in any of the shops advertising deals, ride the free trolley or go ice skating- for which we also got coupons for from Santa but didn't use, or go to the Children's Museum that is also there.  Nor did we drive around the newly lite Temple Square just around the corner.
That is it.  It is settled.  I choose to repeat this day after Thanksgiving as often as possible.  It was delightful.

Nov 21, 2012

Some house progress.  It seems there is still a ways to go, but last week the builders projected finish date was January 10, so we will see.

1. Front view- they framed up the porch this week.  I've been waiting for those timbers to go in.  I think it is one of my favorite parts of the house

2.  View from the front door

3.  Great room- that giant hole in the floor is the staircase to the basement.

4.  Fire place.  I was excited when I walked in and the fireplace was in.    The tubs and showers are also all in too.  I went by on Thanksgiving  I was surprised  they were working, and even more surprised they were already putting the drywall on the ceilings.

We can't help put go by everyday.  Even the kids ask to go see if they are working on the house everyday.  I find it is better though if  I only go by every four or five days.  Then there is always some progress.  I might try to not go over all week, because I think they are going to do the stucco and stone on the outside this week, and I'd love to see it next looking almost finished on the outside- even though there is a lot inside to go.

Nov 22, 2012- Thanksgiving

A few pictures from Thanksgiving Day.

The day started with me and Marianne up early cooking.  I didn't plan to get up early to finish my cooking, but since she woke up....
Jake went out to play football with some friends.  He returned having had lots of fun, but with a purple finger.  He went in to the insta care today.  He not only broke his finger, he broke it all the way through.  Meaning that his skin was all that is holding his bone on.  Now he has a splint for the next 6 weeks.  It is sad, and some how a little funny because it is a thanksgiving football injury.
We had Thanksgiving with my family.  Only one sister and her family was missing plus my Granmda and her husband were there.  The kids loved the appetizer table, helping themselves to salami, crackers and some chocolate nuts all day. They also loved helping all day.  Sam helped Jake attach a hitch to the Rodeo.  They worked for hours on it.  Sam was delighted.  He keeps asking if they can work on cars again.  Kate was my happy helper with chores and cooking.  Sam also helped with the mashed poatoes with Aunt Ali.  "I think it needs more salt" as he shakes his head discerningly.   Marianne loves Thanksgiving food, and ate as much as I did.  Kate insisted that she dress like an Indian.  Starting with a hat she made at school, requesting braids and wearing a brown coat she thought looked a bit like an Indian dress.  I fell asleep on the couch for a few minutes in the sun.
Wiffle ball and ping pong were played outside.  Was it almost 60 degrees really?
The board game Risk- an Anderson' favorite was played after dinner.
Jake and I browsed online for Black Friday Specials.
I get boots for me and Kate, shoes for M, christmas pj's for the kids, and after much deliberation, a new camera, two new lenses, a new memory card and a new bag to hold all my goods.  Merry Christmas to myself.
Jake and I stay up way to late watching the Fugitive on television just because it is on.
My kids kept calling the day Valentines Day.

October 2012

Missed Fall Happenings

1.  The Duck Pond.  The kids and Jake came along with me to a photo shoot.  They played at this duck pond near by while they waited the 45 minutes for me.  M "quacked" like a duck, the kids threw bread, we couldn't believe our luck at such decent October weather.

2.  Kate and Sam compete at a cousins Halloween Party, wrapping Kate as a mummy.  \\

3.  Our trip to the Thanksgiving Point Pumpkin Patch and Park.  Normally this is a high light of our fall, but I guess we waited to late in the season.  It was so crowded we had to wait 15 minutes for each attraction, it was worse than our first trip to Disneyland.  If we go again it will be early in the season.  The kids didn't seem to notice too much.

Nov, 21 2012

Kate came home from school on Tuesday with this.

It says
I am thankful for my...
she has written "sun- and byu.

I love it.  I wonder what was going though her mind, and why she choose to color a football player and say this is what she was thankful for.  I imagine she was sitting next to a boy who was drawing some sports thing.  Because I didn't know she knew so well what a football player would look like- with the helmet and laces on the ball and all.
She is pretty hilarious either way.
She also came home with a headband with a feather like an Indian and has been wearing it for the last two days straight.  Sam was jealous so they made him one too.

Tomorrow is thanksgiving.  Today the kids helped me clean a little and cook.  We went and walked around the house.  They were working on the walkway.  I wanted to sneak our hands or name in, but we didn't.. We went to the grocery store.  We watched a movie together at night- and I feel asleep because I always fall asleep now if I am watching television.
When I was a kid I didn't always care for school holidays- it just meant I didn't get to see my friends.  But as a mom- I love school holidays.  I love not having to take Kate to school, to pack everyone up the cold, I love having her at home all day.  I already hate first grade and it is still 8 months away.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  I'm grateful for so many things, but I can count what I am most grateful for on the five fingers of one hand.  1. Jake  2. Kate 3. Samuel 4. Marianne and 5. Reggie (or whatever new baby is yet to be named- most certainly not Reggie, but that is what the kids use to always name everything).

Nov 8 2012

Maize colors, with a baby in hand. Her hair is looking very Strawberry lately  She is such a delight.  Happy and playing all the day long

Nov 4, 2012

Little Marianne is growing up quick around here.
She has lots of new words including saying "mine a mine a mine a minea" with her arm stretch out and her hand making a grabbing motion when ever she wants something.  At least it is usually followed by several "tank you" as well.  Today it seems her "mine a" and "more" words are all about frosting.  She had a cinniman roll for breakfast.  with some eggs and sausage.  Then found her plate and fork and carried them around licking them saying "more" for the better part of an hour.  I let her have another. When it was finished I put the plate up.  And she stood near the counter with her hand saying "mine a mine a mine a" over and over again, until I gave her her plate and fork with residual frosting left over on them.  And she has been walking around licking the frosting off the fork and straight off the plate again all morning.  It is true that other than her birthday perhaps I don't recall giving her frosting.  She just can't seem to get enough and I am finding it very humorous this morning.

November 2, 2012

We went to have an ultrasound today.  To see what the next member of our family will be.
It was early, but my OBGYN makes you wait until 22 weeks, and that just seems like so long, especially, well mostly, when I have a 5 year old and  a 3 year old that ask me what the new baby is every day.  If I accidentally call it a girl or a boy Kate will call me on it and say "you should just call it baby"
I had never "cheated" before.  And gone to a pay for a gender check ultrasound before the 22 weeks.   But usually I had a decent guess because I was so sick (with the girls) and not as much (with Sam).  This one has been somewhere in between so I couldn't be even somewhat certain.
We had never taken the kids to an ultrasound either.  But since it would be quick and we planned it a bit last minute, we let them all come.  So we piled in the car and drove down to Provo.
We all made guesses on the way down.  Jake, Crystal and Sam all guessed girl.  Kate guessed boy.  Her reasoning that it would of course be a pattern "girl boy girl..."nThen at the last minute Kate and Sam both changed their guess. Based on my pregnancy I would have likely leaned towards boy, but based on my own though and intuition, I would have said girl. We talked about name choices.  Kate's "lucy, sarah, lilly, porter, kyler"  Sams "leafy, mountain (he was just looking out the window making up stuff and of course), johnny- we don't have a johnny yet" he says.  Jake and I have a boy name we like- left over from Sam.  but we are flat out of girl names.

I've heard some strange stories about the ultrasound places- like the one at the mall with theater seating and sketchy techs.  But this place was excellent, and I would recommend it.  It was in the Physician's Plaza next to the IHC in Provo.  My tech was a kind mother herself and the ultrasound was done in a obgyn's office by their normal tech, who just takes patients not with the practice as well for additional fees.

It only took a minute.  She showed us a face.  Two eyes Two arms, Two legs.  And then explained she would do her best to get a gender for us (that was the whole reason we were there).  And she had a few different ways she would try to get a good look.  She started and  then said "nope 100%"  then wrote GIRL POWER on the screen.

There you go.
Three girls   One Sam.

GIRL BOY GIRL GIRL!

Thinking this may be our last kid, we would have liked to give Sam a brother, but the idea of a gaggle of blonde haired girls all in a row sounds might cute too.  He will just have to be the brother they all adore.  We are already coming up with ideas for when we finish the basement on our new house, to include one giant girls room with  an enormous closet to hold all the Prom dresses and ballet costumes  and perhaps a triple vanity bath attached.


We finish the evening with dinner out and a trip to buy a booster seat for Sam.  We gave away our baby seat when we moved, it was technically expired I think.  So I've ordered a new baby seat.  Which means we currently own five car seats.  And will soon have four kids sitting in car seats in our car.  That is a load I tell ya.  Then went and walked around our house, which is now framed up.

Great day!