How to Say Thanks

Many of you know that I have had quite the year, with 3 major surgeries, and the many complications that can come along with them.

We have been so very blessed to have such a wonderful support system. Chris is great and goes beyond the extra mile when he's home. My children are very blessed to have special relationships with my parents, my sister and her family. I have been able to count on them day and night, no matter what. My kids love Hyrum like he's their own little brother and I'm quite certain the feeling is mutual.

How I begin to say thank you? I wouldn't have made it through this last year without each one of you. I love you all so very much and hope and pray for all of us this that this is the end of Natalie's Drama.

Thanks

Big News

I just thought the world should know that Lylee is potty trained!!!!! Yes, it's true! no more diapers until grandkids!!!

Happy Holiday Season!!!

Things have been crazy around here. I can't believe this is the first post since school started!! Lylee moved back to her old preschool and LOVES every day. Taylor loves everything about being in Kindergarten and going to school with big kids. He's started reading and adding. It's so fun to watch him grow up! I usually help out in Taylor's class one day a week and I have really enjoyed sharing that time with him and his new friends. About 3 weeks ago I had surgery on my left shoulder that has been nagging at me for years. Recovery has proved to be very challenging with 2 little ones, but Chris is Mr. Awesome and the kids are trying to understand. Taylor is scared of my owies and Lylee likes to give them kisses. It's pretty funny.

Yesterday we got out for a change. We went to Macy's and put the kids letters to Santa in their special mailbox. We let each of the kids pick out their ornament for this year. Taylor got a silly football dressed up like Santa and Lylee got a hot pink purse with lots of silver "bling". Last we headed towards Santa. As we were walking down the mall, we passed Santa walking away from his seat so Taylor decided to stalk the poor old guy to the potty. Chris went after Taylor and Lylee and I went towards the line. We were happily suprised to find out that pictures with Santa were half off. Taylor was very excited and climbed up on Santa's lap and had a nice little conversation. Lylee was terrified and clung tight to Daddy. It was a fun trip.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday season like we are! We're still looking forward to seeing the nativities, going to the live nativity at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, a trip to Apple Hill and the zoo on Christmas Eve!

Lylee's First Day of Preschool

Lylee was completely excited and also very leary of going to a new preschool, so she clung on to Daddy.

Taylor needed to pose by the tree, to show everyone his "new pose". He's such a silly boy.

I was able to get an ok picture of Ly outside her new school. As soon as I snapped it, she bolted to Daddy.

We went inside and were first to arrive and Lylee was giving me very sad looks. I told that Id stay until another kid came. Once that first kid got there, all was wonderful in preschool land!

Daddy wants to know why the kids don't finish their food all the time. Now if you had a peanut butter and a chocolate chip cookie on your plate, what are you gonna choose???

This is Ally Alligator. Alligator is Lylee's favorite word today!

Lylee and I picked a team together in the annual Anderson Family Hockey Pool. We won the honor of having my name engraved on this little Stanley cup and we get to keep the cup at least until next year (unless we win again!!!)!

On Fridays, the kids are encouraged to wear red to show their school pride for their Kaseberg Hawks. Taylor was so excited to get dressed in his Kaseberg shirt this morning. He even went through his closet to show me every red shirt that he has, for future Fridays.

Each week there is a prize for the class who wears the most red. Taylor really wants to win!

Taylor's First Day of Kindergarten

Today was Taylor's first day of kindergarten. Things started off awesome. I got donuts and chocolate milk for everyone. Taylor finally got to wear his new rock 'n roll monkey shirt and his "running shoes". We had heart shaped peanut butter sandwiches and juice in T's new camo backpack for snack. We had all of our supplies. We were ready to go.

First we took Lylee to preschool and put gas in the van. Taylor got to go thru the carwash at ARCO for the first time and he thought it was awesome. He couldn't stop telling me how excited he was and how he couldn't believe the first day of Kindergarten was finally here.

He did great when I dropped him off at 8:30. He gave me a kiss and went straight into his new class ready for adventure.

By 11:50 the world had changed. Taylor didn't make any new friends. He was mad that I picked him up instead of Dad. He was REALLY mad that I thought it would be fun to walk home. I was starting to feel like I was trapped in Alexander's "terrible, horrible, no good very bad day".

I made Taylor take a picture with his Clifford listening ears. He was not happy.

I made him take a picture in front of the school sign. I wasn't going to let Taylor's terrible mood ruin the memories of the day, good or bad. He almost looks happy. That's because the sun is shining in his eyes.

I also made him take one last picture in front of his new school. Aren't I a mean mom? Taylor said I was. He moaned and groaned the whole way home. I was trying hard to find positive parts of his day. I kept reminding him how badly he had wanted to walk to Kindergarten.

Finally we rounded the corner of our street and all I could think was that there was one cold Coke in the fridge and it would be my reward for being so nice to such a grumpy and ornery little man. There was hope.

As we got closer, I noticed that Chris was not back from getting Lylee from preschool. My heart sank. No Coke for Mommy, more grumpy Taylor. Chris had, of course locked the door. After several splinters I found that all 3 doors were locked. After a fight with the gate, I got it closed and planted myself on the rocker on the porch (thanks mom and dad!). Taylor sat on top of the cozy coupe and let me know just how many things he was missing out on by being locked out of the house.

After about 15 minutes on the porch, Chris came home and let us in. I have rarely been so grateful for an adventure to end.

Now Lylee is cranky and not taking a nap...