DISNEYLAND 2009

Last week we took advantage of a military discount at Disneyland and spent 3 days there, we had a beach day in the middle to break the stimulation up. We had such a fun trip, Dusty was a bit nervous with our three young kids, but everything really turned out great and went as planned. Isaac and Emma are at very fun ages - it was a very magical time for them. The kids really got a kick out of all the characters and truly felt like they were actually meeting "Belle" and "Ariel" and a "Jedi" ect. They had a fun time going into the houses of Minnie and Mickey.


Spending the three days in the park was a lot of fun. It was great to have enough time to see all the parades and shows, they were really "spectacular". One of our favorite shows was the Musical Aladdin. Emma also really liked the "High School Musical" production.
"Look Mom no hands" -- Isaac helped Dusty get through some of the more scary rides!


I know this sounds a little dorky, but I made these fun Mickey bibs that I had my kids wear with our phone number on the back (Mickey's smile) in case they were lost. A lot of other parents were impressed with this - it made me feel good. Our cell number has a Utah area code, so a few other people from Utah noticed this and we were able to talk to them during some lines.
The Andersons- yes our last name starts with the letter "A" - this reminds me during college an Asian friend wrote me a card that was spelled Jandee and Erson. Kind of funny.
Pirates of the Caribbean was the family favorite, we rode this a few times. We all loved it including Sophie. The last time we had been to Disneyland was when Isaac was only 3 months old, so it has been a while. Dusty and I were really impressed with all the productions and coordination that takes place from the parades, blocking off streets, to all the shows and character meetings. They really do a great job- know wonder it is the happiest place on earth!
Did I mention it was really fun to meet all the characters, I know I posted a lot of pictures, but we actually meet over 20 different characters. TOTALLY AWESOME!!
Beep Beep Honk Honk . . .coming through.
The Jungle Cruise was another family favorite, the jokes and puns were great. It was pretty impressive.
The Tea Cups - riding these with my family when I was only 4 years old is one of my childhood memories, I hope my children will be able to have some fun Disney memories from this trip that will last a life time.
Emma was able to meet a lot of Princesses - Dusty realized that their hair (they wore wigs) wasn't the only thing that wasn't real. . . I am not sure why he jumped into this picture!
Oh, how sweet . . .Emma was so excited to meet Belle, she is Emma's favorite princess.
This one is for Uncle Tig!
Isaac meets a Jedi, for his souvenir he was able to make his own light saber, a special kind from a Tomorrow Land gift store. He really loves light sabers and was real excited about it.


For our "beach day" we drove south about 30 miles to Laguna beach. We had a fun time, but it did end up being a little chilly -mid 70's (I guess we are just use to our Phoenix 115 degrees). Emma was a bit timid with the waves, she had fun running from them.
Sophie had fun eating the sand.
In this picture you might notice a couple of things one: Isaac's eye is a bit red and irritated and two: the small speed boat by his side.
The story is, I was sitting with the two girls in the sand and I looked over toward Isaac and Dusty, I noticed Dusty's shirt was completely wet, my first thought was 'that was dumb to get his shirt wet, that is the only one he brought to the beach'. Then I noticed he was looking at Isaac with a pretty concerned look on his face and the beach life guard was running toward them. My next thought was 'ok, they are safe on the sand'. What had happened was that small speed boat that cost a dollar was floating away, Isaac kept getting deeper and deeper when a strong wave sucked him in- Dusty quickly rescued him getting pulled out a ways too, he saved the dollar boat. . . and lost his $100 Nike sunglasses:(. Isaac was fine other then an irritated eye full of salt water, he was just happy to have his speed boat back. The waves were very strong and coming in at and angle that really pulled you, it really wasn't very safe, but still there were quite a few people out- I guess they were like us and didn't know any better. In the beach picture with Dusty and Emma, Dusty is looking for his sunglasses to wash up on shore . . .they never did. The kids think a sea turtle is wearing them! And now I know what Dusty needs for his birthday!
All in all we had a great trip (other then the lost sunglasses)
many wonderful memories!

Good Times in Utah

Part of the Anderson Family Fun Run
The cousins all race 400 meter and are rewarded with one of Grandma and Grandpa's medals (from a post race that they have ran). The adults race 1 mile, Dusty's parents had some traveling trophies made up a couple of years back the winners take them until next time.-There are no pictures, because we were all running.
Emma had great form and ran the entire way! That's my GIRL!

"The Boys" warming up for the big race. During the reunion I asked some of the boys what they had been doing all summer, one reply was "practice running" -I sense a little competitive blood in the Anderson Family!

Go Isaac Go Isaac Go Isaac

There they are, all lined up, ready for the start of the big race!

Emma and cousin Davian show off their new medals! Nice work girls!

Four Generations

My Mother and her sisters all in black and white - Classy ladies.
In picture with their Mother, "Grandma Leavitt"

My step brother Derek returned home from his mission in Tampa, FL while we were visiting Utah. We had a fun time at his home coming and teasing him about "the Sister Missionary" who he has a crush on!
In picture my sisters Jonique, Me, Jentry, Tawni, Jessy, and Derek.

Throughout the visit we walked, rode bikes, and played in the creek by my moms house in Cedar Hills. Here the cousins join Dusty in the
cool creek after he finished a run.

Emma having fun dressing up at the Gibson's house in Logan, UT. We loved their house and we are so glad we were able to make it up for a quick trip to visit them.

I watched my kids and two nieces and a nephew while Dusty went on a long run with Jocelin and Keith. The kids had non-stop fun playing together. This was the only fighting the entire 3 hours!
Isaac and Michal-Anne "crossin' swords"

How sweet Keith and Dusty sharing music before a run.

Brother and Sister
Ready to Run!

All in the blue. . . or were they feeling blue at the in-laws!
"The Guys" Zak, Dusty, Tig and Greg @ Uncle Derek's homecoming.

We were able to go bowling a couple of times, the kids had a great time; but most of the pics are a little dark.

Isaac and Emma helping Grandma in her garden.

The Dinosaur park in Ogden, Utah.

KiNdErGaRtEn

WOW, MY BOY, MY BUDDY, MY ISAAC - has started kindergarten! The elementary is three houses down the street (it is the building behind him in the picture- he is standing in our driveway). It will be nice to be able to walk or ride bikes as the girls and I take Isaac to school. Isaac has been looking forward to attending kindergarten for a while now -this past year he has been playing with the older neighbor boys and is excited to be in elementary like they are. The night before school started he had a hard time sleeping; in the morning he told me he kept waking up thinking it was time to get ready for school. :). I had bought a few new "school shirts" for him and had shown him a couple of days before school started, he was excited to wear them. On Sunday night I set the shirt he is wear in the pictures out for him to put on in the morning, he informed me that he would rather wear the shirt with the "cool" diesel on it. I said that would be fine and I set the diesel shirt out, then Dusty came up to say good night, Isaac asked him which shirt he would wear, Dusty said the striped shirt. A while later I went to check on Isaac, he quickly informed me that he was going to wear the striped shirt because "Dad" thought it would look nice. Isaac really looks up to and loves his Daddy. Morning came and Isaac got dressed right away. He was ready with plenty of time to spear, he ate his favorite breakfast of pancakes with some heart sprinkles to show my love and we were off. As we walked to school, I thought about how "ready" we were for this big day. And suddenly I felt very nervous and realized I wasn't ready at all. As we walked through the gate and entered the school property Isaac reached out and took hold of my hand. It was such a sweet and tender moment. (Which was quickly interrupted by Emma yanking on my other hand, which then nearly caused me to drop Sophie). I looked down at him, at his chubby little baby face and thought about how young and innocent he really is and I hope that he can stay that way for a very long time. He gave me plenty of hugs and kisses goodbye and I cherished those- because I know in a few short years he probably won't be wanting to do that in front of his entire class. Dusty and I love Isaac so much and we are so proud of him. We hope he has a year full of learning, growing, developing good friendships, and fun memories. Best of luck Isaac.

Mt. Timpanogos Hike

During the Anderson Family Reunion in July Dusty hiked Mt. Timpanogos with some of his family. It was 18 grueling miles which took 6 hours up and 3 hours down. They had a great time. They saw moose, mountain goat and great views of Utah Valley. A lot of work going up and a lot of knee pain going down.

I love to see the temple. . .

I'm going there someday. . .

My mom lives right by the American Fork LDS Temple so when we visit Utah the kids sing the primary song "I love to see the Temple" every time we pass it. It is always so cute to hear. Emma is already looking forward to marrying Prince Eric (our friend Eric Brown) in the temple someday.

So when we had the opportunity to visit the new Oquirrah Mountain Temple for the open house we didn't pass it by. Isaac and Emma were very curious and were excited to be able to actually go inside. Emma was especially excited when we went into the brides room.



My good friend from high school and roommate in college Kelly and her husband Curtis actually live three house from the temple HOW AWESOME. We were able to go to dinner at their adorable house and let the kiddos play. We had a great time.