Hey guys! So I thought it would be my turn to share on about the Anderson life...so here go's!! Well, this morning I woke up to the Commander and Chief (My mom, my dad's just chief) completely tearing up the living room. She decided it was time for a new color, because, you know, we've only had the last color for four years. Anyway, Commander, Olivia, and I headed off to the trading post to retrieve some paint. We did have to return back home though because Commander forgot the paint swatch. But now she is happily painting away. It does look nice i must say. The only problem is that it clashes with the kitchen. So that will be a project for another day! Now if we can only keep Squid (a.k.a Meredith. She has named herself) out of it. She really likes to help...for about two minutes. But those are some dangerous two minutes. Well i better get back to work!

Britt

Joel's Project

I wanted to show a little of what Joel has been up to this summer.

One of the contractors he works for wanted cherry flooring in the home he is

building for himself. The guy is also an artist and is quite a perfectionist.

I didnt even have to help and I dreaded it. He spent a great deal of time on it but

it turned out so beautiful it was worth it! Better yet, they loved it!

Thats my man!!

Independance Day 2008

Okay, I lied here is a picture of our beautiful girls all ready to watch the parade!
Meredith demonstrating how to roast a marshmallow in Grandpa's wheelbarrow gone fire pit!

The Fourth of July

Dad, Whit and Joel waiting their turn to throw
Kevin(trying to keep his head from burning) and

Mitch, showing them all how its done!

This was the prettiest of the paint pots I thought!
And we made it time for....Old Faithful!!
Of course it started to rain as we got out to see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone but that cant stop us!
Okay so now that I figured out how to put pictures on...I managed to get two of the same one! I tried to get all of the girls watching the parade on the fourth but the sun was shining in their eyes and they didnt want to cooperate!

Yellowstone

What an awesome tree! Find these kids... Eliza, Lillie, Jaynie, Noah, Grace, Hannah, Taylor, Meredith, Olivia, Claire, Lance and Mitch!

I was just checking out everyones blogs and love what I learn about them that i wouldnt otherwise. I havent updated in such a long time...I still have not figured out the picture thing so journaling will have to do. We just got back from our vacation to visit my family in Idaho. I didnt have enough time to do all that I wanted to do but I absolutly relished the time spent with everyone. It was so good to get a chance to spend time with Whit and Stacie and their girls. North Carolina is so far away and it makes me so sad that they dont get a chance to learn what a cool aunt I really am!! I was just checking out their blog and teared up when I saw little "AddieLion" Then there is Eliza and those twinkly eyes! Lillie and her quiet independant nature and then Jaynie what a talented little girl! I love you guys! Everyone needs to spend at least one day with Claire. We always say she is just like her mother...those that know and love Brooke would agree but at the same time, Brooke is one of my favoritest people so thats all you need to know. There is nothing that an Oreo cookie and a chair at the sink can't cure! Reese is such a happy baby. Brooke would say, "Oh she is getting fussy" It was more like sound to me. She is an angel. Lance is getting so independant and knows more about cars than I ever will! Little Mitch has grown up so much. He can carry on any adult conversation and has such a gentle heart. Noah has the cutest freckles on his nose and has muscle definition that any body builder would kill for. Grace makes a boys hair cut look so cute! I even got to spend a little time with Seneca and I hope that next time she will remember my name. I love to see the kind of parents my brothers and sisters are becoming. I guess that means my younger siblings because my older ones have done become!
I had a chance to go to my 20 year class reunion. It was fun to see how people have changed and how some really havent. There were those who didnt seen comfortable out of the old groups and those who seem comfortable with everyone. I enjoyed seeing everyone but realized that those people are not really the ones that influence my life anymore. People come and go.
We spent the day in Yellowstone. There were like 26 of us.! We made it in three SUV's and still managed to feel like we were all together. We didnt get to see bears or wolves but there were plenty of bison. The wild flowers made the entire day worthwhile. There were gorgeous! Everyone worked so hard to make sure the day was fun for everyone. A trip to the Playmill Theater in West Yellowstone to see "Hello Dolly" topped the day off so well. It makes me sad that my girls dont get more opportunities to see things like this. I love the theater and we dont have many opportunities to enjoy it.
The Fourth of July was spent watching the Rexburg parade. It was long and hot but Dad had gone really early and saved our seats so we were all able to sit together and enjoy it. Mitch smoked pork ribs and everyone pitched in for the bbq that afternoon, it was delicious. Horseshoe tournaments entertained the men for hours and hours. It was fun to sit in the shade and watch their expertise! Dad made us a fire pit in the wheelbarrow so we could roast marshmallows for s'mores and that was a blast. Some of Becky's family spent the day with us and they blend well so it was fun for all. The kids had such a great time lighting fireworks it was the perfect end to a perfect day.
I do have to say the highlight of the trip was the temple. Mom and Dad led the session and Brooke, Shaunna, Mitch and Becky, Whit and Stacie all went with us. I kept looking up to see if it shocked me to see my Mom and Dad up there. I have to say that it didnt. It seemed so natural. As we sat together in the Celestial room for a long time afterward my heart about burst. Eternal Families are what this life is all about. How I would have loved to have the rest of my siblings there but I thought we did pretty good to have five of us there. The Temple is gorgeous and the view from Mom and Dad's is amazing.
I love mom and dads yard and I hope that as mine grows up and matures it will offer the same refuge for my kids and grandkids that theirs does for me.
Hannah is 11 and now qualifies for "Grandma Camp" So...we left her there. Driving away without her almost broke my heart. She is kind of the glue that holds our family together. She is having such a great time I feel better.
Comming back to Colorado was comming home. And as much as I loved our time in Idaho I am home now! Its late and I am going to go to bed!