Field Trips

I just found this on the list still living as a draft.  I don't remember why I did not post it, maybe it was waiting for pictures, but I don't think it need pictures.  -

Thursday, May 5th was the day Troy and Ethan left on a field trip with 60 of his classmates for Oahu.  They had so much fun sleeping on the USS Missouri and Troy came home with a new respect for how good Ethan is.  He also came home unbelieving how different 5th grade maturity can be.

Monday, May 9th, 2011 was the day I left with Sydney and 14 of her classmates for the Big Island.  It is always an education traveling with the kids that have been part of the dinner conversations over the past year.  Puting faces with the stories and the names.  Puting the parents with the kids.  We have a good kid, there are other good kids out there and it is the parents that are creating these good kids.  There are also plenty of screw-balls out there and that too is the direct off-ect or lack of effect of parenting.

So I feel that if I am to have an opinion on the status of parenting, and if I do not like what I see, then I need to have some suggestions for improving them:

1.  Learn to control your tongue.  Swearing is not cool.  Swearing is offensive, dirty and trashy.  If you don't allow trash to come out of your mouth, then hold your children to the same standard.  There is beauty all around, talk about the good you see.

2.  Respect.  Saying "yes" or "no" when asked a question,  looking the person in the eye when you are talking, smiling at everyone and being friendly.  Not hard.  Good Manners.  Respect.

3.  Be willing.  Try.  Do.  Accomplish.  Help.

That is all, just three little things that I think will make us all better parents and examples.  If we can teach these things to our kids then the world will be a better place.

Santa Barbara

 I love Santa Barbara.  I could very easily live there.  We rented a small townhouse and went out to see the sights.  We visited the mission and took in the history and the beautiful views, we ate on the pier, shopped on state street, visited UCSB, went to my favorite zoo (twice) and played at the beach.  All in 2 and 1/2 days!!!

 Established on the Feast of Saint Barbara, December 4, 1786, the

Santa Barbara Mission was the 10th (of twenty-one total) 

California Missions founded by the Spanish Franciscans during the 1700's.

 Little Friers. 

 Portions of five units of its extensive water works, built by Indian labor, are preserved in this park, a filter house, Spanish grist mill, sections of aqueducts, and two reservoirs. The larger reservoir, built in 1806, is used today as part of the city water system. Ruins of the pottery kiln and tanning vats are here, also. The fountain and lavadero are nearby in front of the Old Mission. A dam, built in 1807, is located in the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 

one and one-half miles up Mission Canyon.

The Zoo

 Otters.  The thing I learned about otters is that they are latrine animals.  Meaning that they all go to the bathroom in the same place.  One stinky rock and everywhere else is clean.  Pretty cool!

 The SB zoo is clean, casual, fun and it has lots of cool animals.  It is not too big and the paths are shady and nice.  The kids also like the play ground.

The weather was beautiful on our last morning there, so we went down to chase some seagulls and feel the water.  We played jump rope with the seaweed and played tag, but true to the Anderson way, pretty soon all 4 of my brave little kids were in the water....BURRRR!!!

Just a note on the jump rope kelp:

Kelp only grows on rock, except above Santa Barbara, where it seems to grow in the mud. It is used for food by only about 3 fish. Indirectly it is used by other fish to allow them to extend their range by letting them know where the rocks are. They follow the kelp down to the rocks like divers do. Fish population is dependent on the rocks under the kelp, not the kelp. In a rocky kelp forest, the fish population may be up around 35 pounds per acre. This is also true in a rocky reef where there is no kelp such as Guadeloupe Island. In the Santa Barbara area, where the bottom under the kelp is not rocky, the fish are about 3 pounds per acre. Fish need hiding places from predators and kelp helps, but is just not what it takes. The invertebrates, urchins and mollusks (abalone) are the ones that really eat the kelp. They mostly eat the kelp leaves that have broken off and drifted to the bottom. Over populations of urchins may destroy a kelp bed by attacking the holdfasts of the kelp plants.

Hanging out in California

I have not blogged for along time.  We have done so much that I don't know where to start.  

We did just have a wonderful Family vacation to California and Arizona.  We are so lucky to have so many wonderful Familys around that love to play and allow us to enjoy their company in their cozy homes! 

Our first stop was at the Allen's in Torrance.  We felt the emptiness without our cousin Ryan there and we made a special trip to Redondo Beach to visit his memorial bench.  

Then we went to find a warm place to play as the cold wind was blowing.  We found a fun indoor playground with an outdoor ropes course and rock climbing wall.  My 3 big kids loved the outside stuff and the little ones had fun with cousins on the inside.

 Troy     Sydney     Ethan

 Ethan

 Troy

Sydney

Some how I don't have any indoor pictures, but it was a fun day and we made lots of fun memories. 

We rented a minivan and I was designated driver.  Troy was a great navigator and apparently I was born to drive in California...fast - crazy and faster.  We drove north to Santa Barbara and it was so fun showing Troy the sights and history of my parents home state.

Christmas Letter 2011

Christmas 2011

Can it really be time to write another Christmas letter?

This year has flown by for me and my little family. We have had a good year filled with great things from above.

I can not tell you how grateful I am for our Savior Jesus Christ.

Baby Jesus was born in the most humble circumstances, his example of love, service and sacrifice, inspire us to do more, joyfully and better.

I smile as I think of the world preparing to celebrate his birth once again.

Family Update:

Sydney is now 13! She is a wonderful A - student, sister, swimmer, pianist, and daughter. She reached a new milestone this year as she is now taller than me. She is 5'8”!!! Sydney loves to read, ride her bike, draw and especially loves to swim for the Maui Dolphins swim club.

Ethan is now 11 and he has graduated from elementary school. He is an avid surfer, and also enjoyed trying cross country and volleyball this year. He is enjoying middle school and he has also discovered that girls are cute. Like his mother, he excels at playing and has had to work on developing some new study habits this year.

Ember is now 7 and she is so busy. My house is always filled with 3-D scenes that she has made, or rock walls that she is building, pulley systems and doll accessories. She learned to use the sewing machine this summer and made a little quilt. She is a great and happy little girl, but never content unless she is creating.

Sophie is now 4 and she is so fun. Sophie learned to ride her 2 wheeler bike this year and almost every evening we end the day with a bike ride through our neighborhood. I have a Preschool day every Tuesday for her and 5 friends and it is lots of fun. Sophie can write her name now and she is always ready for a treat or a surprise. She believes life should always be full of fun and friends.

Troy has had another busy and productive year with his business. It is the 5^th child of the family. He is a great dad, he still enjoys regular rides on his road and mountain bike and has somehow given up sugar which makes him amazing in my book. He is also a major player in our ward family and spends lots of time at church.

I am a busy wife and mother. I figure that there is not a better job. I am self employed, self motivated and the faster I get all the “chores” done the sooner I can go play. My favorite play themes tend to be outside, so I am an advocate of sunscreen and a good strong core. I also get to play at church with all the primary kids so that fits me well.

We are so blessed to be apart of your lives and to have you in ours.

We look forward to the day when our paths cross again.

Much love and Aloha from the Anderson's Family to Yours!

Merry Christmas.

The Time Capsule

I have not posted in so long it is hard to think of what to post.  My keyboard is getting stiff and some keys are sticking so it is not very pleasant to type, but I miss the cyber connection of my blog.

The Anderson's are doing well.  We are progressing, learning, growing and having fun.

Sydney is taller than I am and is practicing her teenage attitude which I am enjoying - memories.... I was there once too.  It is amazing to watch the beautiful young lady develop in that body and mind.  She is a good girl.
Ethan loves surfing and skateboarding and that's about all he talks about 24 hours a day.
Ember is always creating and busy.  She makes rock walls and mixes dirt and water to make her own concrete, makes pulley systems for lifting the cat, macadamia nuts, or lilikoi.  She is always on a project...and always leaves a trail of evidence.
Sophie is a handful.  I love that kid, she is so dang cute that I will keep her, but she does try her mother.  She has just regressed to communicating with one word or hand motions.  Hungry.  That is her favorite word.  She is 4 and has the vocabulary equal to most high school kids, but hay!  Why bother with all the added mess of words when one verb can do it?
I hurt my shoulder trying to surf with Ethan.  Rehab is my new game.  I love acupuncture, PT, and the chiropractor and they love me!  I also have discovered barefoot running thanks to my brother Aaron and I love my vibram 5 finger running shoes.
Troy is constantly looking at road bikes and can't decide which one to buy.  I say go with color, forget all the geometry.

We have had an attack of mice.  They are everywhere.  They are cute, creepy, messy, stinky, and hopefully dead or leaving.  They have prompted me to clean out cupboards, wash, disinfect, bag, and organize everywhere I have seen them.  We have changed the eating rules of the dog and cat, bought electric zappers, set traps and employed the cat, but we are still visited by furiously fast fuzzy rodents.  I am so ready for them to be gone.

We had a fun summer.  We did not go anywhere, but we played everywhere.  It was a nice summer.  I am loving every minute of having my kids with me.  They are growing up so fast and I am just trying to keep up.  One of the things we started this summer were quilts.  Ember is the only one that finished hers.  It is a small doll size quilt and she is so focused that she got done first.  It was so fun to see her using the sewing machine all by herself.

We witnessed miracles this summer.  Our little friend Lanea fell off our roof this summer while the kids were playing hide and seek after dinner.  It was dark and she fractured her skull.  It was horrible.  Troy and another friend gave her a blessing while we were waiting for the ambulance.

Doctors were amazed that she lived.

Miracle #1 - She was very alive.
Miracle # 2 She didn't have a lot of pain. 
She lost use of 1/2 of her face for a few days.
Miracle # 3 The paralysis was not permanent. 
She has a beautiful smile that I will never tire of seeing.  Her family (she has a lot of extended family) was so amazing.  They actually came to see if we were doing okay and gave us love and support.
Miracle # 4 Learning lessons: Life goes on.  Healing occurs.  Friendship is made stronger.  Life is precious.  God hears and answers our prayers.

The outpouring of love and prayers from everywhere was huge.  I still thank my Heavenly Father each day for the miracles we were given.

Kids are also required to wear helmets at all times when playing at my house.  Okay, maybe not at all times, but we are definitely advocates of head safety.

Well, that was good.  Writing that emotional roller coaster was hard and I am done for tonight.  I will try to get some pictures up soon and some more Anderson stories.

Youth Conference 2011 - Healthy Lifestyle Class

I thought about my neice and nephews all day as I was writing this talk for our stake youth conference.  It would be so fun to all be in the same stake together.  So here is the outline if you want to read it.  Wish you were here to participate in the class with me.  Love you!

Living a Healthy Lifestyle

I am very excited to have the opportunity to talk with you young adults today.  I am so happy to see what valiant people you are.  I can tell that you know that you are children of God.

Before I start my lesson I would like to remind you that your Heavenly Father loves you and he wants you to be happy.  We know from reading in 2 Nephi that Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they may have joy. 

I promise that living a healthy life will bring all of us joy.

How many of you have felt JOY?

Did you like it?

Would you like to feel it all the time?

I believe that you can, I also believe that it takes 3 important “D” words.

1. Discipline
2. Dedication
3. Determination

First, what do you think of when you hear “healthy lifestyle”?

I think of fun, good food, a clean house, being outdoors and exercise and feeling good.

Doctrine and Covenants 93:33-34 teaches:

For the man is spirit.  The elements are eternal, the spirit and element inseparably connected, receive a fullness of joy.  And when separated man cannot receive a fullness of joy.

I think this is reminding us that for our lives to be full of joy we must have balance with all the elements.

Elements?  What are elements: Like the last air bender: fire, water, air and earth.

Or is it the elements of Spiritual, Mental, Physical and Social

Think for a minute about what areas you feel good about and what areas need more balance.

I feel good about my physical and spiritual balance.  But I need some more Mental exercise.

Remember your areas that you want to add balance to?

Throughout life we frequently need to re-assess our lives for balance.   We cannot improve if we are not humble enough to look at ourselves and see where we need to change.

Having fun in life is very important.  Remember:  Men are that they may have joy.

I am a professional goof off.  I love to have fun.  There are not many sports that I do not enjoy and our garage is full of fun toys.  Every week I have a routine of exercise that I am determined to do and I do something different every day because I enjoy so many things.  I have the discipline to get up early so my activities do not interfere with my other responsibilities.  I also have the dedication to keep up my activities each week.

My favorites are Mtn. Biking and surfing.  I also have taken up yoga, Pilates and swimming.

What activities do you enjoy?

Why do you enjoy them?

What gets me out of bed?

Enjoyment

Health benefits – Heart health, healthy weight, low blood pressure, no diabetes.

Endorphins

Strength

See new things

Learn new things

Meet new people

The sense of accomplishment when I finish

Missionary opportunities

Expand my knowledge

Challenge myself

Be scared

What kinds of things would you like to try?

Did you know that it is healthy to get out of your comfort zone?  I said I like to be scared.  I like the personal growth that I feel when I take on a new – scary challenge and succeed.  It is a personal victory in Amy’s world.  A time for a mini celebration!

You are all good at something.  You may not have tried it yet, but if you stay open to taking the chance and opportunity then you will grow and become great at many things.

Now although playing is very high on my priority list, I am very aware of my responsibilities and other obligations in my life.  My dad reminded me of the “Allen Family Motto”, which is:  Work hard and Play Harder. 

I play hard, but I also work very hard.  I love a clean house and a mowed yard. I try to be frugal and not be wasteful so there is not a strain in the family finances.   I also know my kids need lots of time and attention, I teach them to work and to play and I teach them to be spiritual.

One of the greatest sources of peace in my life comes from being spiritually fed.

How do you feed your spirit?

Scripture study

Prayer

Seminary

Going to church

Family home evening

LDS. Org/youth  -  I love the videos!

Service

For my birthday this year I turned 36, so I decided to do 36 random acts of service.  It took me about a week, but together with my kids we did lots of fun things.  One of the things we did was to pay for the person behind us in the McDonalds drive through line.  She was so excited that she was waving and blowing us kisses.  It was very fun!

Okay we have covered exercise or I like to call it playing and spiritual strength, what else goes into a healthy life style?

Eating!

This is another area that I am passionate about.  I love to eat.  I love to try new things and I have quite a sweet tooth.  I am working on my self-control and it is proof that a balanced life style works because my exercise and eating habits are maintaining my weight.  I don’t go up and down much, which is okay with me.  Consistency is a good thing!

In college I took a nutrition class and I loved the professors advise on eating healthy. 

She said 90% of the time, eat healthy. 

What are healthy foods?

What are unhealthy foods?

Be educated on what you put into your body.  You are all too smart to put drugs and alcohol into your body, but what about prescription medications or artificial sweeteners or even trans fats.  There are so many things to learn about.  My favorite rule is to keep it as close to nature as you can.

Now what about my professors other 10%?  That is the reward for eating 90% great; you can eat 10% of what you want.  If spam musubi is your thing – great – but it is in the 10% category.  Same as ice cream and soda pop. 

Be smart when it comes to what you will let go into your mouth.  Make sure every meal has a fruit or vegetable or both and use moderation.  Read D & C 89 for a word of wisdom review.

Now how do you implement all of this into your life?

How do you become more amazing then you already are?

1. Figure out your priorities.  What is most important to you?  Become passionate about them.  Find the dedication.
2. Set goals.  How are you going to achieve what you want?  Become determined.
3. Make a schedule or routine.  If you do not plan your day, it will not be a productive day.  You need discipline.

You will get where you want to go.  You can do it.  Enjoy the journey.  Aloha.

Sister Amy Anderson

Activity Smoothie

1. Can you tell me one thing that you are bananas about?
2. An apple a day keeps the Doctor away.  What is your favorite healthy food?
3. What keeps you spiritually cool?
4. Is eating your veggies the hardest part of having a balanced life?
5. How do you keep your goals from melting away?

1 banana
1 cup apple juice
1 cup frozen mixed tropical fruit
1 handful of fresh spinch
1 cup ice
Blend and enjoy....it should never be hard to eat your veggies!


(The Hand Out)

Living a Healthy Life Style

Youth Conference 2011

Men are that they may have joy – 2 Nephi

It takes:                               Balance the Elements:                                 Fire - Spiritual

1.       Discipline                 ____________                         Water - Mental

2.     Dedication                          ∆                                   Air - Social

3.     Determination                                                       Earth – Physical

The elements are eternal. D & C 93:34

 

What elements in your life do you feel good about? ______________________

What elements need some additional balance? _____________________

Remember that we regularly and frequently need the re-assess our lives for balance.

Did you know that it is healthy to get out of your comfort zone and try new things?

(It is also fun)

You are Great at things you haven’t even tried yet!

What did you feed your Spirit today?_______________________________

Fun Spiritual food at lds.org/youth

The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of god.  Romans 8:16

Food Rule:

90% good Whole foods how god made them not processed

10% Anything you want –

(Just stay away from Artificial Sweeteners and Trans Fats)

To become more amazing than you already are:

1.  Figure out what your priorities are?

What is important to you?

2.  Set Goals.

How are you going to achieve what your want?

3.  Make a Schedule or Routine

Just Do It!

Discipline                     Dedication                Determination

 

Kanaha WIndsurfing...Again

There is a sport in our family that gets neglected.  Yes, neglected and ignored.  It took the invitation of our neighbor to get us back out to the windsurfing mecca Kanaha.

History.  My parents came to Maui on vacation in the late 80's or early 90's.  They laid on the grass over Hookipa and watched the windsurfing.  It did something to my dad.

He went home to Arizona and bought used windsurfing equipment.  He wanted to do it.  He invited Troy to come do it with him.

Windsurfing is like a drug.  Windsurfing is an obsession.  I have seen my father and my husband, Troy, while living in the middle of Arizona, feel the wind, load the car and drive any given distance to find a body of water big enough to sail on.  Calling these lakes, bodies of water...is a stretch.  One year there was more snow run off than usual and a normally dry prairie filled with water.  It is called Rogers Lake, and I had never been there until it filled with water.  I had to be amused at the sight: A van full of equipment, wet suits, and adrenalin seeking men.  Outside: a prairie filled with icy cold snow run-off, spring wind, moderately warm weather conditions - 60 degrees and the determination of two windsurf infected men.  They sailed in Ashers lake, Mormon lake, Lake Powell and the Cholla power plant cooling pond.  Yes, a power plant cooling pond.

Then we moved to Maui.

Maui is one of the best windsurfing locations in the world.  People come from all over to sail.  Kanaha beach offers some wave sailing, and great slalmon or speed sailing.  Hookipa is all about the waves.

Troy now having constant wind, real equipment and warm conditions, became a real windsurfer.  He loves it.  He loves speed.  He started competing in 2003 winning the championships in his class every year that he raced.  It was fun, he was awesome.   He practiced after work and between the births of his children.  One baby girl was born the morning of one of his races.  He was torn, to race or be present?  His wife won.  I think he regrets missing the race.

I admit I have tried, I have been blown away, I have had to be rescued by a lifeguard on a jet ski.  I have mostly tried to be the good wife, supporting my windsurfing infected husband.  Playing in 25 mile an hour wind with little children and showering them off in a shower that blows sideways because of the wind.  Yes, I have been cold at the beach in Maui...lots.  I have taken the approach of lessons to try and get hooked, but addictions are different for everyone.

Fast forward to present day.  Troy has taken a long leave of absence due to health issues and work demands.  Life has been hard for him.  It is not fun when you can't play.  Today life is getting better and although Troy has sold all of his equipment, (to our neighbor) our neighbor is generous with his time and equipment.  He even has a little star board that is perfect for Ethan.

So we accompanied our neighbor to Kanaha.
Ethan and Sydney were amped to try out the little board.  Ethan did great, but as the board was not big enough for Sydney or I we took to running the beach, building forts and swimming.

Troy got to sail.  He was happy.  Life seemed to slow down and be a good throw back into the past.  Ethan got to sail.  He was happy.  Troy is stoked that his kids want to sail.  The kids had so much fun.  We only froze a little bit and we all want to go back...with a bigger board for Sydney and I to play on.  Maybe Troy can race this summer - 2011.

See you at the beach!

Kauai

Today is conference Sunday. I love Conference. What could be better then laying in bed and listening to inspired messages and beautiful voices singing my favorite hymns? Not to mention the occasional dozing that can be done and the immense amount of snuggling that bonds our little family together.

Speaking of family, the kids and I had the opportunity to go to Kauai over spring break and see lots of family. Family is a funny thing. We love them, or we feel compelled to love them. We hope that they love us or feel compelled to love us. We go to great lengths to please them, prove our love and make lasting memories. What creates that bond? I know that there is a bond, because the absence of a bond creates a painful void. Is it parental familiarity, womb envy, DNA sharing, common ancestry or just sibling rivalry in a spirit of kindness? I don't know. I am pondering the very subject as I write. I really do not expect to ever understand it, but I do know that I love my family.

My parents just finished a beautiful house right on the beach so we literally jetted off to visit the new abode. Me and my little crew of 4.

My highlights included a Kayak paddle to Hanalei bay. This was accompanied by my dad, my son Ethan and my nephew Griffin. We started in the calm, reef protected bay of Anini Beach and explored the coast line. We found a small water fall entering the ocean and climbed up the smooth black lava rocks to a small pool of fresh water. There were huge crawdads in the small stream. As we attempted to leave the shelter of the reef, the bottom or our kayak's drug as the swells retreated into the ocean. It must have been comical to watch my father and I paddle, push and bounce our way over the barrier. Once outside the reef, the ocean was rolling with awesome swells. I love the feeling of being on top of the wave. Feeling that the ocean is breathing and I am on the chest of a watery giant. The view was amazing. Deep green mountains, creased with white paths of long waterfalls, the blue breathing ocean, the white foam from the waves and the smiles of my family. Griffin and Ethan caught a wave on the way into Hanalei bay and had a fantastic ride.

When we got to the beach, we watched a group of spinal injury patients have a surfing clinic. I borrowed some sun screen from one of the event coordinators and she offered us some refreshments which were welcomed by Ethan. It was neat to see the recovering patients have the incredible opportunity to get out on a surf board and ride the little waves.

Later Grammy arrived with the rest of the crew. They brought surf boards, so even though my arms were tired, I paddled out with Ethan to the big waves of Hanalei bay. It was a long paddle and painful with my sore arms, but that is what Mothers do for their surf crazed children. We didn't do too well, as Ethan was on a beginner board in advanced waves and I was just not committing as the waves were big and the crowd was dominating. I did manage to take a direct hit to the side of my shin bone with a board and I am still sporting a mangled muscle, 3 weeks later. Thanks to arnica gel it did not get too discolored and by the next day I could hardly feel it, but it hurt so bad when it happened.

All the cousins went crabbing one night. That is such a fun activity for the kids. I love walking behind them, watching the flashlights, listening to the squeals and screams and looking up at the stars. One of my nephew's came to show me how to hold a crab (which I may have taught him 10 years ago) it was very sweet and then funny as he accidentally squished the crab while telling me to hold it gently. Thanks Morgan.

Going to Uncle Greg's Playground, I mean house was the highlight for my kids. There are skateboards, bikes, ropes to climb, rings, swings and best of all a boat. We all had alot of fun wake boarding, water skiing and surfing behind the boat. Ethan and Sydney wake boarded. Ember surfed with me and Sophie liked doing doughnuts in the back of the boat. Sydney was impressed that her mom could ski on one ski and make walls of water. I love that I can still out perform my kids. I know that they will be teaching me new things before too long so I better enjoy my last years of superiority. I loved being behind the boat. I have missed that. Thanks Greg.

Ember and I were both up early one morning and we made a mechanical bird. The idea was in the Family Fun magazine and Captain had all the supplies organized on his work bench. I love that he keeps everything, and keeps it organized. I bet he didn't even know that he had everything to make a mechanical bird! (Okay, he probably did.) Thanks Dad.

There was also the yummy food, friends that we had not seen in a long time and new friends. 

Family is good. Bonds. Kindness. Love. Patience. Fun. Learning. Adventure. Kauai.

TP for Babysitting

It has been a long week. Longer as we are starting to feel better, but not well enough to go outside and play. I was so ready for a break from being in my house that I snuck away Saturday and had a fun haircut and bought hair stuff, which is a good change from my norm. The Lady who cut my hair was named Stacy and I really liked her. She took a good 45 minutes to blowdry my hair and tame the frizzys out of it. It was just the pampering I needed after pampering everyone else all week. At the end she exclaimed, "You look georgous! Call up your husband and tell him to take you to dinner." (See why I really liked her) Not one to be disobedient when someone tells me to do something enjoyable, I called Troy and told him to get ready to go out.
Now what to do with the kids? Usually a movie is the easy enertainment, but we have really over played the movie card this week, so I told the kids that they could all play with Toliet paper while we were gone. I have a history of decorating with TP. It is in the cosmic genes that I feel obligated to pass on to my children. It is clean, white, soft, biodegradable, long, handy, educational and fun! Here are the homecoming pictures:






So next time you need an easy entertainment...Remember...it is under the bathroom sink!

Flu inspired: Lemon Veggie Soup

We are all sick. I think it is the flu, but we are all experiencing different symptoms: Sore throat, headache, achy legs and back, runny nose, tired, grumpy, throw in some vomit and we have a stay at home date for several days. I am glad that we are all sick at the same time, but it is quite an adventure. I really wanted a yummy Lemon veggie soup that they make at the Makawao Garden Cafe, but she did not have any today, so I thought, I guess I will have to make it myself.

After consulting several online recipe's, I came up with a plan, making it with what I had on hand. It turned out so yummy I am blogging the recipe, so I won't forget it.

Saute 1 onion, 3 cloves of garlic and 2 inches of ginger (crushed) in 2 T olive oil and 2 T butter.
Add 2 1/2 T of Better that Bouillon Chicken Stock and one quart of water.
Add 1/2 C wheat berries and simmer for 1 hour or until berries are tender.
Chop whatever veggies you have, I had celery, carrots and broccoli.
When wheat berries are done add additional water and veggies just until done not too long.
Salt to taste and add the juice of one lemon. Feels so good on a sore throat and gentle on the tummy!

I would have taken a picture, but what is the point, you can't taste a picture, or smell a picture...so when we are not all sick, come over and I will make a fresh pot!

Whales and Ember's First Grade Class

Ember's class had a field trip this month to go out Whale Watching with the Pacific Whale Foundation. It was a great day, beautiful weather, calm seas and lots of whales. I didn't get much action on video, but I did get 2 baby breaches!

Amy's Day Out

My Friend Laura called Thursday morning and asked if I wanted to go fly to Hana in a Cessna 172 with her and her husband and brother in law. I believe that you should never pass up an opportunity to do something new, so I said YES! I called another friend to take Sophie for the morning and I hurried to the airport.

On the way out, we flew above the ocean and watched the beautiful coast.

Then we landed in Hana, hiked to the State Park and went for a refreshing swim. The weather was perfect: A little overcast and not too hot.


We flew over the mountain on the way home and I could not count all the waterfalls we saw. The trip home only lasted about 10 minutes...which was way too short for all the beautiful things to see, and so amazing...in a car it takes a good 2 hours.


This day and this week was a reminder of the amazing friends that I have. I am so very blessed, spoiled and loved!

Hana Waves of Fun

2011 Christmas Letter

This year has been a whirlwind of fun, learning, challenge, and change. We are very blessed to have our sweet family to grow with. Everyone is doing well and happy. We have really been trying to focus on the important things this season and I love that my kids are all growing a love for our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that he knows and loves each of us. We love the stories of his birth and the examples of his life. I found this quote that sums it up so nicely: "The greatest man in History, Jesus, had no servants, yet they called him Master, had no degree, yet they called him Teacher, had no medicines, yet they called him Healer, had no army, yet kings feared him, won no military battles, yet he conquered the world, committed no crime, yet they crucified him...He was buried in... a tomb, yet he lives today." We celebrate his birth!

I asked the family to each share a summary of the year in their own words, followed by their favorite thing about Christmas:

Sophie (3) I loved playing at my friend Makena's and our tea parties. I like to hike in the woods and go to the beach.
Favorite thing about Christmas: I like goats and I like to get one.

Ember (6) This past year, I accomplished soccer and the year was pretty good. We did some really exciting things like going on an airplane with my dad and he drove. And we went to the Big Island.
Favorite thing about Christmas: I like giving other people presents and their expressions and even more I like getting presents. And sometimes we do plays and I like that too. And I really, really like to wake up on Christmas morning and see how many presents are under the tree

Ethan (10) This year was fun and long like always. I surfed a lot and learned how to short board. I got a Kazuma for my birthday and I did my first surf competition. I got better at soccer and swimming and my ears got bigger - hopefully.
Favorite thing about Christmas: I like that there is no school. It is fun getting presents for other people, but funner to get presents.

Sydney (12) If I had to put a price on this year it would be priceless. I learned a lot. Learning can be really fun if you have a good attitude about it. Anything is good with a good attitude. I got better at mountain biking and swimming. I think it is really exciting to be in Young Women at church and I enjoyed giving my first talk.
Favorite thing about Christmas: When you see everyone open presents that you give them and how much fun they like and enjoy them. And I like when friends and family come to celebrate.

Amy (28) I am learning to let things go so I can get the important things done. I am also learning some discipline and self control. I can keep to a schedule - (almost) and I have made a meal calendar that is making my dinner life easier. I am looking forward to going to disneyland...anytime! I also learned that it is next to impossible for my family to take a good family picture.
Favorite thing about Christmas: The smells of pine needles, gingerbread cookies and peppermint. Having my kids home to play and their enthusiasm for everything. Drinking eggnog. Relaxing.

Troy (30) I really enjoyed my time in Moab discovering the desert. I had fun training and competing in my first bike race. Learning to enjoy where I live more and I really enjoyed my calling at church and learning so much.
Favorite thing about Christmas: Music

So there you have the Anderson Christmas letter. We love you all and miss you. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Big Island Trip 2010

Troy was working over on the Big Island quite a bit this summer and one weekend
we got to go and visit him and play!
The kids and I flew into the Hilo Airport, got some Taco Bell and then headed towards the volcano and found the funnest, free, zoo! It was the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo. It is free to get in and it has a white tiger, ant eater, deer and lots of strange reptiles which Ethan loved and lots of other neat animals.

Looking at the Tiger

Namaste

Ethan didn't get to hold any reptiles, but he did catch a baby chick.



Then we left the Zoo, got into the cool air conditioning of the van and headed to the volcano!

We could not see the lava, but the kids thought that all the smoke and the steam vents were so cool!

After our fill of the Volcano, we decided to head to Kona side. A 2 hour drive give or take some. We did drive through Hilo town and I had forgotton how beautiful the Japanese park, river and little harbor was. I would like to stay over there some day!

The drive is beautiful. Very lush and green all the way to Waikoloa where the landscape drastisticly changes to brown, dry and lava fields. It is quite a change. Painful on the eyes after all the green beauty.

We made it to Troy in time to go to dinner at the Macaroni Grill. It was yummy, but the best part was seeing Dad and going to our fun hotel. One day we went to the Hilton Waikoloa and did all the fun things at that resort. Troy and I had not been there since Sydney was about 2 years old.

There are these great vintage boats that take you around the resort property.




One of my favorite things is watching the Dolphins. There was even a 3 week old dolphin that we got to see nursing and swimming with his momma.


Then we decided to play in the lagoon. There are kayaks, paddle boards, bike boats, paddle boats, snorkels, and sand. We all had alot of fun trying everything out. There were turtles and lots of other sea life in the lagoon. Ethan and I even saw an eel out swimming!


The Lagoon...Sophie and I are sitting out there on a paddle board. Ethan and Sydney are swimming.
Sydney on a paddle board.

Troy and Ember on boards.

Ethan loved the kayaks.

Troy and Emmy on the bike boats. Ember could barely reach but she did it. She did get down on the side and try peddling with her hands on a single bike!



Sophie love it all, but she is also happy in the sand.


Sydney on a bike.

Ethan charging the waterfall.


Cycling with Daddy

There are so many neat statues!


So that was the summer 2010 Big island trip...can't wait for the next one !!!