find joy in the journey

embrace the camera // aug 30th

This is us earlier this month.

Sitting in our spot.  The place where we had our first kiss.  The place where we were engaged (14 years ago this month).

While at BYU for graduation we took the kids around to a few of our spots -- our old apartments, around campus, and this spot.

We had just come from dinner at Brick Oven (yum).  It was about 8 in the evening when we sat the kids down and Scott proceeded to tell them our story.  It was a "How I Met Your Mother" moment.  And so cute to watch their smiling faces as we reminisced, I corrected him on a few details, and shared our happily ever after.

Oh what little kids we were back then. 22 and two weeks shy of 19.

This weekend we attended a church meeting for the grown-ups.  One lovely woman spoke on marriage and shared 4 principles to strengthen marriage relationships.

1.  Make a decision that no matter where you are in your relationship, that you are going to improve it.

2.  There is no substitute for spending time together. (Make date night a priority!)

3.  Center your marriage on the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  (Pray for each other, for your love to grow, etc.)

4.  Learn about how men and women are different and how we compliment each other. (Embrace the differences.)

Great points, I think.

. . . . and here's where our camera man (Conner) gets a little shutter happy.

Embrace the Camera with The Anderson Crew

embrace the camera // july 19th

 

A self-timer shot before leaving The Springs Preserve on Monday.

Summer is going really well around here.  We're checking things off the summer fun list.  Our summer chore system is working out very nicely.  The kids show initiative and get their jobs done.  I don't have to nag.  I pay them on Friday and then we choose a place for Treat Day.  The last 3 weeks it has been Yogurtland.  I have no complaints.

An interesting observation . . . . Before, when we went out for frozen yogurt the kids would fill their cups and overload them with toppings.  Now, they are extremely conservative about the amount of ice cream they dispense and selective about their toppings (sprinkles).  And the total comes to $1.60.

It's pretty fun to see them understand and appreciate the value of money.

Last night the kids watched the heavily-anticipated new season premiere of Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu!!!  I popped some popcorn for the event -- they've been counting down for weeks.  They each identify with one of the characters.  Payton is Jay -- because he is funny.  Conner is Kai -- because he likes his hairstyle.  Anna is Nya -- because she's the girl.  

Payton is on a mission to find people in real life with the names of Ninjago characters (first or last name).  So far he has found: Zane, Nya, Lloyd, Jay, Kai, and he claims to have heard Garmadon somewhere.  But there is one that still eludes him . . . Sensei Wu.

Get this . . . .  last night Anna started asking questions about braces.  Oh my.  Please, just stay little!

(see previous post about our college conversations)

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I'm linking up to Embrace the Camera

embrace the camera: june 7th

Just a few pics taken while trying to get out of the school parking lot the other day (moving at a snail's pace). I love how Anna is scowling in the background.

Plus,

A few pics from dismissal today. School's out for summer!!!

I loved it when the principal came over the loud speaker and announced, "Students you are hereby dismissed. Summer vacation begins now!  Have a great and relaxing summer."

I am so proud of these kids for making it through a couple rough months of transition.  They are doing great.  But I think we are all ready for a big break.  Conner came right home and curled up with his blanket and pillow.  

I think we are all craving some calm, normal, stress-free time to just be together as a family.

Welcome to Summer! 

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And thank you so much for the warm response to my Summer Fun List!  I'm flattered that so many people enjoyed it and are going to draw inspiration from it.  Really, everything I post on this blog is just the stuff that I normally do/create/organize/imagine for my family.  And after creating it I sometimes realize that someone else might benefit from sharing.  I know that I benefit from others sharing their ideas every. single. day.  Pinterest, anyone?  Thanks again for your support and nice comments.  It sure does make a girl feel good.  :)

embrace the camera: may 31st

Anna's homework assignment this week is to bring in a picture of her family, to add to her kindergarten memory book.  I sat down and realized that we haven't taken a picture of us, as a family, since last summer! Well, unless you count our 2011 Christmas card photo in which Scott appears via Facetime on the iPad.

This morning I had my mom snap a quick photo of us on the patio before we scattered for work, school, and CA (she was just passing through -- stayed the night last night on her way home from visiting grandpa Blain in Utah).

So I thought I'd share a little snippet about each of us, in our world today:

Payton:  The good quotes just keep on coming.  This morning while watching tv he said, "When my wife has a baby do I have to watch?"  

Conner: He was awesome in his class play today.  He got into it with lots of emotion while the other kids did the typical smile & giggle because I'm embarrassed and on stage act.  Afterwards a couple parents (who we don't know at all) told him he did a good job.  He felt very proud.

Scott:  He's preparing to take Conner on a scout campout.  Which is tricky when all your camping gear is buried in storage.  Oops.  Should have put some orange duct tape on those boxes.

Anna:  After lunch she wanted to watch a movie.  So she popped in Star Wars Episode II.  Each day this week it has been a different Star Wars movie. Her dad would be so proud.

Shannon:  I have a love/hate relationship with Target.  I go inside with a small list (cream cheese, socks, razors) and somehow they convince me that I need a woven tray, new essie nail polish , and kitchen towels.  Resistance is futile.

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embrace the camera // march 15th

Making it through another day . . . Anna had some melt-downs at and after school and wailed through target (reminded me of when I had a 2 year old). We talked things out, met Scott for lunch, and visited the park. She has gained her composure back and I'm enjoying it because we could slide back at any time.

I love these moments when she is sweet, and girly, and cooperative.

On the drive to the boys school for pick-up she stared out the window and asked, "why is this place so pretty?". As we discussed this I realized she was pointing out the fact that the yards and parks and roadways are so well manicured. :). Yep, pretty yards makes for a pretty town.

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Embrace the Camera

embrace the camera: february 9th

Today I'm embracing the camera with Payton.

On his birthday I handed the camera over to Conner and asked him to take a photo.

Love this boy.

He's popping up in a lot of blog posts lately, I know.  And I've got 2 more in my head that will make it onto the blog when I have time.

Embrace the Camera

embrace the camera: dec. 22nd

99% of the time my morning hair routine is shampoo, conditioner, blow-dry, flat iron, done. Every once in a while I get in the mood to go curly.  Sunday was one of those days.  And after watching several online video tutorials the last few months I think I've finally figured out how to do it.

And when I've gone to the effort of doing up my hair and happen to be wearing a new dress I think that a photo is requirement.  Not doing so would be a waste.  See this pin.

And the next morning, it still looks somewhat done.  Albeit a little frizzy.  

(Anna and I after morning scriptures, in my robe, taken with my iPad & edited with Instagram)

I am anxiously awaiting Christmas morning when I get to unwrap a new little toy and I'll be instagram-ing all over the place.  Watch out.  For now, here's another one from my iPad.  

a foggy morning today

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embrace the camera: dec 1st

after the kids were tucked into bed (which couldn't come soon enough), I put on my flannel victoria secret pajamas, turned to a christmas station on pandora, prepared a bowl of honeycrisp apple slices and caramel sauce for dipping, and began my christmas ritual of decorating the tree.

I usually end up doing this by myself in the evening.  Lights low.  Scott on the couch to keep me company, only letting one or two comments slip (with a smile) regarding my OCD in this culmination of christmas decor.

  

And don't worry that the kids are being left out.  They have a smaller tree in the playroom which they get free reign on.  As well as an even smaller tree in each of their rooms.  They will be decorated and re-decorated about 20 times this month.

It's a soothing process and I enjoy it.  I love unwrapping the ornaments from tissue paper, one by one, and being reminded how much I love the reds and silvers and sparkles.  And yes, I even love Darth Vader.  He puts a smile on my face all month long.

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Embrace the Camera

embrace the camera: april 28th

this one captured by Scott on Easter Sunday after church.  After a couple "nice" pictures he said, "okay, give mom a kiss."  Anna is always mooooore than happy to offer a smooch.  I was laughing at just how quickly she swooped in for a kiss - not quite ready!