THE ANDERSON CREW

Sunday, November 30, 2008

A trip to the Zoo

A few weeks ago we decided to have a family day and take a trip to the Asheboro Zoo. It was a beautiful fall day. Poor Annascott was not feeling so well and slept through many of the animals on her first trip to the zoo. No worries though, because we now have a family membership to the zoo. It seems like everywhere we go, by the time we pay for the entire family to participate in something it is actually cheaper to just buy a year long membership there. O well, this does not stop us from going places...it just puts a big dent in the wallet!

My sweet hubby has felt guilty as he has realized we have very few pictures of me with the kids. Here was an attempt to capture a great memory. Unfortunately at this moment, the kids were so hungry and no one was excited about the picture with mommy. Kurt was more interested in the elephant. O well, at least I look like I'm having a good time!

NICE VIEW!

The boys were very easily humored by this picture. I thought it might be the only shot we would see of the gorilla. As I was trying to get a front shot of him...he suddenly decided it was time to go "big job potty!" However, it gets even worse...

I'm sorry to say, that just as I am taking the great front shot...the gorilla catches his potty in his hand and then quickly brings it to the mouth for an afternoon snack! YUCK! By this point the boys were howling! What a great show they thought! I was so embarrassed. We now have a picture to remember this moment. Since then the boys have loved sharing this story with everyone we meet! BOYS!!!

Kurt enjoying Brittian's bird watching binoculars!

What a fun trip! Thank you Lord for family memories like these!

Annascott is everywhere!

So, here is Annascott after she climbed all the way up the stairs!

The kids were so proud of her...following her the entire way up!

Way to go Annascott!

Just a few minutes later I noticed Brittian had tied down his little sister pretending she was a monster. He kept saying, "No monster, I can't let you go!"

I had to come to her rescue, for Brittian had soon lost interest and abandoned her!

A fly on the wall

So, last night I just so happened to stay in the room for a while after we put the boys down for bed. I so entertained by this conversation I overheard.

Drew says,"I can't wait to be a teenager." Brittian says, "No Drew, YOU want to be 18 YEARS OLD." Drew says, "Why do I want to be 18?" Brittian says, "Because then you could eat dessert like right now. You could even eat 2 desserts if you wanted!" Drew says, "But your mommy would not let you?" Brittian says, " Drew...your mommy would not say that...you would be 18!" Drew was very confused? All he was trying to do was figure out what he had to do to get a much wanted skateboard. Brittian, of course, was thinking of food! Apparently those comments, "I can eat this because I'm an adult...have sunk in!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

The Frosty Tradition

"Frosty the Snowman...was a jolly happy soul!"

Well, if you really knew the Anderson crew...you would know that every year it is a special tradition that all the kids have their own pair of Frosty PJ's. So, here they are just a few months early proudly wearing their Frosties! The kids could hardy wait for Annascott to join in the club! I finally broke the tradition of passing down the boy's PJs. I just HAD to buy her PINK!

More Fall Fun...

This weekend the kids enjoyed going to a Fall Festive at Calvary Church.

It was kind of a last minute idea. I'm also cheap about buying costumes...especially when I have to buy 5! So, everyone had to find something to wear that was in the "dress up" closet! Dressing up is not a favorite for the boys. As you can see...Drew and Kurt were not especially crazy about their outfits. However, kids will do almost anything to get free candy!

Giddy up Drew Man!

A skateboard costume would have been a better fit for Drew.

O well, maybe next year buddy.

Here is Adah dressed as an M&M. She did not seem to care that she wore it 4 years ago. I guess it's one of those "one size fits all" things? Little Annascott wore one of Adah's old ballerina outfits!

"Fuzzy little bear all dressed in yellow..."

After bribing Kurt with a pumpkin cookie we finally got him to put on this outfit. Then we had to give him a piece of gum to stop crying so we could take a picture. Three quarters later...we were able to at least get this shot!

Brittian was not able to fit in any of our "dress up" clothes, so he sported his baseball uniform.

The kids had great time playing games and winning candy. Adah and Drew enjoyed the hayride while Brittian was on a mission to come home with the most candy. And...he did!

Friday, October 17, 2008

Camping Out!

It was a beautiful weekend to take the family camping. Evan's mom offered to keep Annascott which made the trip a little easier to say the least. We headed to Pisgah National Forest for our first family camping trip in the mountains. Thank goodness the campsite had showers and bathrooms! The weather was perfect and the leaves were so many wonderful colors. When we arrived Evan set up camp for us and then we took a short family hike before it got dark.

Back at camp we gathered firewood and thanks to Evan's boyscout knowledge...had a fire going in no time. Kurt helped fuel the fire with his "oxygen." We enjoyed a yummy dinner of hotdogs and chips! Then to top it off we roasted marshmallows for our smores.

Finally, it was time for showers. I think the entire camp ground heard our voices echo in the bathroom as we were freezing cold. Next, it was time for a bible story around the campfire. The beautiful fall night with the moon shinning above us was a wonderful example of the Psalm we read. Psalm 19:1-2 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge." After a few songs it was time for bed. Evan and I enjoyed the fire a little longer and then joined the kids in the tent. Well, the first 3 hours were great. Then Kurt woke up disoriented and crying. We finally calmed him down before he woke up the entire campsite! Then, 30 mins later Evan gets up to go the bathroom. Then 30 mins later I get up to go to the bathroom. NONE of the kids ever had to get up to go! Then right when we were about to fall asleep Kurt began to snore. Finally it is got quite. Then Brittian began to snore! The ground was so hard. It was hard to not dream of my bubble bath at home and my nice comfortable bed. Then I realized...this trip was not about a good night sleep...it was about the family experience and the memories made together. I have to say I don't feel quite as cut out for the tent thing as the rest of my family. :)

Around 7:20 the kids woke up ready for another day of camping adventures! We started the fire up again and enjoyed a yummy breakfast of pancakes and hot chocolate.

Starting the fire for breakfast.

Playing baseball while the pancakes cooked.

After breakfast, we packed up and then headed off to go fishing. We decided we needed a fishing pole for each child next time!

While the kids waited for their turn to fish they started a rock throwing contest. The goal was to make the biggest splash.

Drew won throwing the biggest rock!

Why is it so hard to get a "real" smile from boys?

It's Kurt's turn!

After fishing we enjoyed a quick hike in the mountains. It was a great way to release some energy!

After a picnic lunch by the stream we were off to see Looking Glass Falls.

Next, Evan took the boys down Sliding Rock. Brittian and Drew braved the cold water. Kurt wanted to join in...however, Evan talked him out of it for fears of child abuse if he started crying when he felt the cold water at the end. We of course were the only people going down the slide in October! The onlookers were so happy they could watch some "crazy" people go down!

Brittian is the first brave one to go down with Evan. It's a little slippery!

Get ready!