VACATION

We had a blast visiting Miles and Tom in Ohio. Tom was great at making Tatem smile, but we had to say goodbye to Tom and get on the road to Indiana.

Miles, Tatem, and I drove to Indiana to visit Keith, Lindsay, and Hannah. In true Anderson Style, it was my job as co-pilot to sleep the whole way. Oddly enough, I was able to stay awake with great conversation and boisterous laughter with Miles. Tatem thankfully was the one who slept the whole way.

Arriving in IN, we were lucky enough to see Karen, Julie, and sweet Isabella for a day before they returned to AZ.


That lil' "Izzy K" is so adorable! Check out those amazing blue eyes!


We've been enjoying good weather, picnics, and feeding the ducks.










Lindsay and Keith had to speak in church on Sunday. Lindsay asked me and Miles for suggestions on her talk. Miles suggested talking in a loud British accent the whole time. I suggested she step up to the mic and promptly make farting noises in her arm pit to get the congregations attention. Then she told us her topic was REVERENCE thus rendering our suggestions useless! The both did a GREAT job on Sunday!

Miles had to go back home on Monday so Monday morning we tried to fit in as much fun and running around as we possibly could before he had to go. Tatem and Hannah showed Miles first hand that their schedules rule the world, and all other adults intentions/plans are pushed aside. By noon we were still trying to fit in "brushing our teeth" and for some of us, it still never happened.

We miss you already Miles! Thanks for being such a wonderful brother and uncle!

Picnic Dinner along the Ohio River

This Little Piggy...

click HERE. I dare you!

We Miss You Daddy!

Lil' T and I are in Columbus Ohio visiting Uncle Miles and Uncle Tom. Miles called us from work this morning to see how we were doing - and from the time I ran to get the phone to the time I returned to the chair, Tatem had rolled from her back to her tummy and, of course, I MISSED IT. She's a little stinker!

TATEM & FRIENDS

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

4th of July (the sequal)

4th of July continued:
The whole weekend was a whole bunch of fun with family and friends. Ian had to drive back to Twin Falls by himself to get back to work, but Tatem and I stayed for another week. For the next week, we stayed with Rachelle and Bob, and their beautiful kids, Brayden, Zach, and Ashlyn. Tatem was very popular at their house. It was fun to see the kids (and Rachelle) fight over who was going to hold/feed Tatem each time. We spent some time at the pool, got ice cream, went on a few walks, and had a major relaxing week. I LOVED IT!

I also had the chance to meet up with some of my friends while on this little vacation. My friend JAMIE from our Flagstaff AZ days, who now lives in Tacoma WA was able to come to Vancouver and play with us. Jamie has two of the cutest girls ever, Hallie and Braidee. It was great seeing her again after about 5 years!

I also got to have lunch with my PAMMY WHAMMY who I used to work with in Portland Oregon 10 years ago! Pam also has two amazing kids but unfortunately, time didn't allow me to see them. They are teenagers now- Pam showed me pictures and WOW!!! They grew up! They are beautiful! Pam is such a great mom, and one of my very best friends!

After lunch, Pam took me back to where we used to work and I got to see some of my long lost friends. If you've ever seen the "OFFICE" on Thursday nights, then you would have an appreciation for where I used to work and all my friends there! I got to see BECKY and her husband JAY. I worked with Becky BEFORE my mission (13 years ago!) That was so much fun! I just love Becky so much! I was sad "mean Jeff" was not there but thankfully, NICE JEFF was! Jeff is a relentless tormentor - and I love it! I probably stayed too long, but I loved my visit and loved seeing EVERYONE again. I forgot to take my camera in with me and now I'm sad I don't have any pictures of my visit with my friends.

Our 4th was GREAT! And now Tatem and I are on our way to visit UNCLE MILES and UNCLE TOM in OHIO! Then we will head to INDIANA to play with HANNAH, LINDSAY and KEITH. We are getting pretty good at this traveling thing.

Let me take you back to August 4th 1993

15 years ago today, Ian entered the MTC in preparation to serve his mission in the tiniest corner of the world, the Micronesian Islands. I wish I had a scanner so I could post some early missionary pictures of Ian. They are great for anyone who needs a laugh. It's believed Ian hit puberty while on his mission. He left a little boy who never shaved a day in his life, and returned 2 years later with a 5 o'clock shadow by noon. He served on many islands and speaks Chuuckees, an Islander language only about 45,000 people in the world speak, 99% of which still live on the island. Now, 15 years later, today, living in obscure Idaho, working for the County Public Defenders Office, Ian is doing his best to recall the Chuuckees language because he has a couple "clients" from the Chuuk Lagoon in the Micronesian Islands. WHAT ARE THE ODDS???

Happy 15 years Ian!

P.S. by Ian: Here sweetie, I can help you with some photos . . .

I have got to post about the 4th of July
before the 4th of August gets here.
For the 4th, we took a family vacation to Vancouver Washington to see our family and friends. We especially wanted our little Tatem Jane to meet her Great Grandmother Louise McAllister, (whose mothers name is Jane) and get a 4 generation picture. Success!Thanks to my cousin Todd, of Julie and Todd, we were able to get the PHENOMENAL above photos, and many more. J and T even put us up for a few nights in their Hilltop Sha-Toe. They have two beautiful baby boys and two huge dogs and have the knowledge and knowhow to make a huge vat of amazing vanilla syrup! Very tasty! We found out how delicious it was at a pancake breakfast at the park where we all enjoyed pancakes and eggs.
Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, Friends, and dogs all got reacquainted with each other.In the evening, my cousin Rachelle put on a great BBQ dinner at her house as we geared up for the fireworks. A friendly game of 500 ensued in the back yard. And inside, my Dad, and his brother, Ned, played a few rounds of Mario Kart on the Wii. They were totally getting into it! Swerving! Vering! Speeding! Wrecking! We were all cheering them on! Then, after a few rounds, one of them finally asked,
"Am I the BLUE car of the RED car?"
No one could stop laughing!!
The 4th of July was a BLAST!!! Literally!
Thanks to Bob, we got to witness the best fireworks show this side of the Mississippi! Bob and his crew put on a great show of flames, fire, and fun! Bob brought Shock and Awe to all of us...and to all the neighbors! We all got an educaiton on what ill-eagle fireworks really are!
IT WAS AWESOME!!!

The next day was filled with even more family events. My cousin Nathan was able to baptize his eight year old son, Tyler. Nate and Mere hosted a huge family party at their house afterwards. The "big boys" went golfing and left the rest of us to be creative. Thus, a not-so-friendly game of touch football ensued. (We've got some very competitive players in this family - and they are all under the age of 9.) Team 1: Tyler, Todd, Aunt Liz/Liam, my friend Jamie/Braidee.
Team 2: (not pictured, all members) Zach, Brayden, Teener, Natalie

We didn't want the "grownups" to be left out of any fun so inside the house, Rachelle and I made them play a game of "Telephone" . Rachelle started it. And from the looks of it they certainly must be relaying a very misinterpreted message. Aunt Sandra and Grandmother

Swinging Sleeping Baby

I guess this is my big hint to start using the buckle.

Baby Giggles or is it a cat?

I thought I heard an angry cat outside. I went outside to scare it away and found my sister Marci and her kids making Tatem laugh. Some times you can't even hear her laugh because we are all laughing too loud at her. Then, my niece Alecia and her friend we making her laugh by almost doing nothing. Also, UD and Aunt Lora paid us a quick visit. Tatem gave some great giggles for Uncle David but I was a little slow with the camera. It's so fun to hear her laugh!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Hey Lansing Ladies!

Remember this?
Almost one year ago - All pregnant, in order of due date. (R to L)

Now I need the UPDATED PICTURE!

I need everyone to get back together (before anyone skips out of town) and retake the pictures with everyones little baby's, in born order. My request is that the picture include the ladies who were missing (Dianna, Megan, and Amy. I hope I'm not missing anyone)
If this could be done at your earliest convenience, I would appreciate it!
Man, am I bossy or what?

* BEEP * *ALERT * *BEEP * *ALERT *

We interrupt this current program to announce:

TATEM CAN ROLL OVER!
Now, back to your scheduled program.

By the way, what is your honest opinion about this
new generation of 90210'ers?

Happy Pioneer Day

Happy Pioneer Day!
In a quiet summer evening a couple weeks ago, a member of the Bishopric came to our home and asked us to speak in church. We accepted, and THEN he told us our topic. PIONEERS. I tried to hide my cringe. I'll be honest, it's not my favorite topic to speak about. Don't get me wrong, it's a great topic, it's just not a great topic for my "speaking style". I like to take a personal experience and turn it into a story using a gospel principle. I don't have any personal experiences about wearing a bonnet, or pulling a wagon, or collecting buffalo chips. Well...I take that back. Miles and I used to wander through the pasture in front of our house with one of those big ice cream buckets and...and pick up cow patties. Miles had a much better eye than me for finding the old ones. It took me a few time to learn that fresh ones aren't easy to pick up. Anyway - so the bishopric member left after a nice chat. Ian and I looked at each other with blank stares. Although we both have Pioneer heritage, we are not current on any personal family stories. I murmured a bit just before going to bed.

In the morning, just a few short hours after being asked to speak about pioneers, Ian went to work and checked his email. And that's when a miracle happened on his behalf. (Probably because he didn't murmur). He opened his email and saw an email from his mother.

"I have had this life history in storage for years. I finally dug it out today and retyped it so I can email it and save it to a CD. I hope you save it and copy it to a CD too, and let your children have a copy. "A MEMORIAL WRITTEN BY TAMMA DURFEE MINER MARCH 13^TH,1881 WRITTEN IN SPRINGVILLE, UTAH"

How is IAN related?

Tamma Durfee had a son: Mormon

Mormon had a son: Albert Uriah Miner

Albert Uriah had a daughter Laurel (married Delmar Dickson)

Laurel and Delmar had 4 children: Dee, Elaine, Diane and John.

Dee had 4 daughters: Diane ,Judy, Debbie, and Janean

Diane (married Craig Service) had 5 children :

Steve, Ian, Tres, Tyler, Holly

So there was Ian's talk for him right before his eyes: Tamma is Ian's Great Great Great Great Grandmother. She was baptized in 1831, was there when they layed the cornerstone to the Kirtland Temple. She attended meetings where the prophet Joseph Smith was speaking. She crossed the plains, had 14 children, 5 of which died. Her 17 year old son, Orson, drove the wagon across the plains for her, and died when he got to the Salt Lake Valley. And much more about Tamma's life as an early Latter-day Saint was there for Ian. It was a miracle...for Ian. It was awesome...for Ian. I still had to come up with something. So I checked my email for the next couple of days looking for my miracle. Nothing. That'll teach me to murmur!Albert Uriah Miner

ON ANOTHER NOTE:
The Blue Angles are in town for the weekend and they are doing practice drills over our house. Lucky us, we don't have to pay $50 for a ticket to watch them.

GIGGLES & HICUPS!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com
Ok, so I know it's a long video. Friends might watch it for 1 min but my family perhaps will watch the whole thing.
Those with kids know you just do, over and over, whatever you think works to entertain a child!!! Even if it is an evil bunny voice.
But, come on, DON'T YA JUST LOVE THAT GIGGLE?!?!

Sparklers

Tatem enjoyed the fireworks...asleep! Teeners booty, Joan Bowe, Grandmother McAllister, Ian, Grandma JayJay, and Tatem.

For the 4th of July our family went to Vancouver WA. Tatem and I are still here enjoying our family and friends. Here is just a picture of the many pictures I plan of posting of our holiday vacation weekend.

My 10 pound sack of Tater!

To our surprise, Tatem weighed in at 10 pounds at her 2 month doctors appointment! She went from our lil' Peanut to our lil' Piglet! I think she gained most of her weight in her eyes! Those things are huge and absolutely adorable. When people tell me they think she's cute, I don't even say thank you. Instead I say, with utter surprise, "I know!?!?" like I'm totally surprised that we could have produced something so beautiful! Seriously, I just love her so much!
Tatem likes to:
*poop after a bath
*blow spit bubbles
*smile at her mommy
*giggle with her daddy
*take naps in her swing
*hold her blankie close to her face
*grunt if you're not looking at her
*smile with her tongue sticking out
*sleep through the night
*and take a morning nap after her morning bottle.
(you'd think I use this perfect opportunity to take a shower, but no, I like to nap during her morning nap too).
I am absolutely in love with this sweet baby girl!