Thanksgiving in Hawaii............and some news!

I didn't have my boys this year for Thanksgiving, so I decided to go spend Thanksgiving with my brother Stephen, who is attending BYU-Hawaii. It was the perfect way to spend my first holiday without my children. This was my view from the balcony, it was gorgeous!
Stephen is one of my favorite people! He just makes me laugh, and he was such a great sport, and took us around to all the touristy spots, and he even braved Wal-Mart with me in the middle of the night on Black Friday!
His apartment was in need of some major help! So I helped him and his roomies make their place more bearable to live in. They had no window treatments, so we hung curtains, rearranged furniture to maximize the living space, I had them get a toaster, george foreman, vaccum, and some new dish rags (when I got there, the rag in the sink had a plant growing off of it, and I don't mean the mossy, moldy stuff! It was about an inch tall! Nasty) I did all the laundry, fixed Stephen's favorite meal for him, and put some meals in the fridge for him. It was so fun to see where he's been living, meet his friends, and just hang out with him again!
And, well, the news...........as most of you know, I have been dating Brian for over six months now, and a few months ago he decided to join me on my trip to Hawaii (he had never been) and while we were there...............he proposed!!!!!

I am so blessed! He is the kindest, most thoughtful person I have ever known. I am so grateful for him, and the man he is. This has been one of the hardest, craziest years of my life! But I know that all things happen for a reason, and I am so thankful for all the prayers, love, and support from family and friends that have given me the strength to power through the hard times. I am looking forward to starting this new chapter of my life!

Taylor-Made-Baby..........that's me!

Halloween

It was just Talmage and me this Halloween. My mom went to Florida for the week, and because she watches Barrett for me during the day, she decided to just take him with her. They were going to Disneyworld for Halloween to do the Trick or Treat Night. I would have much rather been there with them (and I know Talmage was sad to stay home too!) But we had fun! I was in charge of our ward's Fall Carnival, and Talmage loved wearing his Captain Rex costume all week long!
I took the boys to Mother Nature's Farm before Barrett left

Anderson Family Reunion October 2010

We had a family reunion in Zion National Park over October Break. Only my mom, me and my boys were able to go, so we loaded up the motor home and drove up. I had the pleasure of learning to drive the motor home! But we all had a blast. We did a few little hikes up in the canyon. I was in charge of crafts, and a group activity. We made halloween masks for the kids, and fabric flower headbands for the ladies. Then for my activity I initiated a "snowball fight" (which were really flour filled nylons) but it got everyone involved, and covered with flour!

It was so fun to see everyone, it had been far too long!

My Kindergartener!

It is so hard for me to believe my Talmage started Kindergarten this year. He is growing up so fast!

Havasupai

In July I had a good friend invite me to go on a single adult Havasupai trip. I was a little hesitant, since it would be my first "singles" activity, and I had heard it was a challenging hike! But I decided to go, and had the best time! It is so beautiful down there, and the roughly 10 mile hike wasn't even that bad!

Lake Trip

Fun with Cousins

My sister and her boys were here for most of the summer. It was a full house, having all of us living under one roof, but I love it, and our boys are the best of friends!

Barrett's 3rd Birthday

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."

Gordon B. Hinckley

Adjusting to Change

As most of you already know, our little family has been undergoing some major changes these past few months. I am now a single mom. Me and my two boys moved out of our house about two months ago and moved in with my amazing parents, who have been so helpful and supportive. I recently returned to school to be an ultrasound technician. Grandma watches them while I go to school, which has been such a blessing!!! I am really loving it, however, it has been quite an adjustment going from being a stay-at-home mom to a full-time student. But we are doing great!! The boys love living with Grandma and Grandpa, and they have adjusted fairly well to their new home and routine. We have been so blessed, and are so grateful for all the love and support we have received. Some days are harder than others, but we take it day by day, and we look forward to what the future holds for us!

Easter 2010

Hunting Trip

Ok, we didn't technically go hunting.  We camped while grandpa hunted mountain lion!  Talmage and Barrett enjoyed riding grandpa's mule and climbing on the rocks

Have I mentioned how much I love Disney World?

We just spent the last two weeks in Florida.  Six days (straight) at Disneyworld, and the rest of the time in Ft. Lauderdale at my sister, Sarah's house.  Crazy but fun!!  Six days straight was pretty rough on us, since it was only us girls and all the kids.  But the kids loved it, and it IS the happiest place on earth!! 

Plus the trip was just what I needed.  My kids have been having a hard time with all the changes that are taking place in our lives, so it was nice to get away.   I was desperate to see my sister during this difficult time, and was thrilled to spend time with her. I really didn't want to come home, because now I have to focus on my new life.....  and that is a scary thought!!

We're Having a Visitor Tonight....

Yep, the Tooth Fairy is coming tonight!!  Talmage lost his first tooth.  He thinks he's such a big boy now, and I seriously can't believe that it's true.  He is getting so big!!

I can't wait to see what she'll bring for him....!

Pirate Party

I've always told my kids that they get a big "friend" birthday party when they turn 5, 8, 12 and THATS IT!!!! (yeah, I'm the meanest mom!) So this year Talmage turned 5!  

First of all, I cannot believe that he has been in my life for 5 years.  I am so lucky!  He is my handsome little man and I just love everything about him.  I always say that he is my trial, my challenge but that just makes me love him more.  He teaches me things about myself and about motherhood that I am so grateful for.  Happy Birthday Talmage.  Your "mean" mom loves you!

So back to the party, Talmage wanted a Pirate Party so I tried to make it as big and fun as possible since they only get so many parties!!

Here is the Pirate Ship Cake 
Here is my handsome little man patiently waiting for his friends to arrive
I sent the kids on a Treasure Hunt where they got to find swords, hooks, hats, etc. that would turn them into pirates.  Talmage was so excited to find the "compass"


Here is Barrett playing pin the treasure chest on the treasure map (he peeked)

Here's Talmage taking a shot at the game.I do have to say that I was definitely dreading the whole party thing, but I was pleasantly suprised by how much fun I had, and I think the kids loved it too.  Of course it wouldn't have been the same without the help from Taylor, my mom, and my sister Bethany (THANKS!)