Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Alphabetical Woes
A recent conversation started by Brett stating that he wished our last name was in the middle of the alphabet. When I asked why here are some of the responses he gave me: At school, you are always first in line so, if you forget your belt or don't tuck in your shirt, a teacher always notices. And, if you are leading the class line to enrichment and forget if you are going to music or p.e., you might go the wrong way. You always have to go first, so you don't get to see how anyone else does anything before you have to do it. He is fully aware that there are two boys in his grade that have last names that come before his and he wishes he was in their class.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Hall-o-lame
"This Halloween is so lame!" Paige told me in the middle of trick-or-treating. I admit I kind of have to agree. We didn't get the Halloween box out of the attic until Friday afternoon and then only to get the plastic pumpkins for collecting candy at the Trunk-or-treat. We had fun at the ward Fall Fest. Games, food, spook alley and lots of candy...no complaints. Except from Bryce who arrived late after a marching competition and didn't get any food :(
The kids wanted to all dress like Napoleon Dynamite characters. You see we ended up with Napoleon and Deb. Kip(aka Ty) and Pedro (aka Bryce) backed out as they were arriving late and then helping in the spook alley. We did not even buy pumpkins this year. But Paige and I did fit in a couple of holiday crafts.
When it came time for trick-or-treating, Bryce and Ty were at band practice and Dave was working late, so I made Paige come with us (not wanting to leave her home alone with all the crazies out). Several years ago our neighborhood was a trick-or-treating hot spot, but with the Trunk-or-treat take over it has died down considerably. Not many porch lights on and not many kids out. We hit enough houses to collect an acceptable amount of candy before the boys called to be picked up. Back at home we passed out candy to handful of "people" most of whom were too old to be trick-or-treating. About the time we turned out the porch light, Dave arrived home from work. So, yes, it was kind of a lame Halloween. We will do better next year.
The kids wanted to all dress like Napoleon Dynamite characters. You see we ended up with Napoleon and Deb. Kip(aka Ty) and Pedro (aka Bryce) backed out as they were arriving late and then helping in the spook alley. We did not even buy pumpkins this year. But Paige and I did fit in a couple of holiday crafts.
When it came time for trick-or-treating, Bryce and Ty were at band practice and Dave was working late, so I made Paige come with us (not wanting to leave her home alone with all the crazies out). Several years ago our neighborhood was a trick-or-treating hot spot, but with the Trunk-or-treat take over it has died down considerably. Not many porch lights on and not many kids out. We hit enough houses to collect an acceptable amount of candy before the boys called to be picked up. Back at home we passed out candy to handful of "people" most of whom were too old to be trick-or-treating. About the time we turned out the porch light, Dave arrived home from work. So, yes, it was kind of a lame Halloween. We will do better next year.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Here and there, now and then
Now that I have high school students, I find myself commenting on differences in our high school experiences. Is it because we live in the south and I was raised in the west? Or is it because I went to high school in the 80's vs. today? Maybe some of both.
Some recent examples: I have been telling the boys about football games when I was a teenager. A football game was a school event, I am sure there were parents and other adults there, but I really don't remember them. But, the majority of students attended the games. Our band did not march but we did play from the stands and we sat on the 50 yard line. Our school song was written by our band director and everyone sang along everytime the team scored. Cheerleaders did just that--lead cheers (we even had two male cheerleaders). Students loudly participated in cheering on the team. For Homecoming the queen and her two attendents (all seniors) were announced at half-time of the football game.
Here there is much more community support, there are even season ticket holders. But, the student section is way at the north end of the bleachers. The marching band is awesome. Their director has a real talent for creating a great program and the kids work soooo hard. They always do great in their competions. Here several schools have the same fight song and I am not sure if there are words, but the crowd does clap along. I haven't seen any crowd participation with the cheerleaders, but maybe that is because the football team is having a tough year. The Homecoming court consists of girls from all classes and they are presented with their parents or other escorts at half-time. The queen is chosen from one of the seniors in the homecoming court and is announced at the football game.
Tonight we are all going to the final homegame of the season. Paige and her middle school band will get to play with the marching band so Brett will be coming along for the first time this year. He will probably complain and be bored. I guess I better go charge the DS and my phone in hopes of keeping him occupied.
Some recent examples: I have been telling the boys about football games when I was a teenager. A football game was a school event, I am sure there were parents and other adults there, but I really don't remember them. But, the majority of students attended the games. Our band did not march but we did play from the stands and we sat on the 50 yard line. Our school song was written by our band director and everyone sang along everytime the team scored. Cheerleaders did just that--lead cheers (we even had two male cheerleaders). Students loudly participated in cheering on the team. For Homecoming the queen and her two attendents (all seniors) were announced at half-time of the football game.
Here there is much more community support, there are even season ticket holders. But, the student section is way at the north end of the bleachers. The marching band is awesome. Their director has a real talent for creating a great program and the kids work soooo hard. They always do great in their competions. Here several schools have the same fight song and I am not sure if there are words, but the crowd does clap along. I haven't seen any crowd participation with the cheerleaders, but maybe that is because the football team is having a tough year. The Homecoming court consists of girls from all classes and they are presented with their parents or other escorts at half-time. The queen is chosen from one of the seniors in the homecoming court and is announced at the football game.
Tonight we are all going to the final homegame of the season. Paige and her middle school band will get to play with the marching band so Brett will be coming along for the first time this year. He will probably complain and be bored. I guess I better go charge the DS and my phone in hopes of keeping him occupied.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Time Flies
Summer has come and gone and the kids are all settled back in school. But, me, I guess I still wish it was summer. I am usually glad to get back in the routine, but we were so busy this summer I kind of feel like I missed out on our hanging out at home, nothing to do summer. The kids on the other hand enjoyed their many activities from scout camp to girls camp, youth conference to band camp and Philmont and Anderson family time in Indiana and Arizona. Maybe it is also the missing out on seeing my family that has my wanting for more summer. The neices and nephews are growing so much. Wish they could come see us!
Anyway, our summer was rounded out by Dave, Bryce and Ty going on the Stake High Adventure trip to Philmont National Scout Ranch. I worried a little bit that all the hiking would outway the fun activities, but I was wrong. They had a great time. They made new friends enjoyed the horseback riding, and other activities and hiked to the top of Baldy Mountain.
It was some good father/son bonding time, doing the things that I am usually happy to miss out on!
While they were gone, Paige participated in our Stake YW mud run. It was a blistering hot day, but she enjoyed the activities especially jumping in to the lake and crawling in the mud.
The boys are now in the middle of marching season. They have a great band director who has a gift for producing an awesome program each year. We are looking forward to their first competition in about a week and a half and enjoy watching their half-time show at the football game.
Anyway, our summer was rounded out by Dave, Bryce and Ty going on the Stake High Adventure trip to Philmont National Scout Ranch. I worried a little bit that all the hiking would outway the fun activities, but I was wrong. They had a great time. They made new friends enjoyed the horseback riding, and other activities and hiked to the top of Baldy Mountain.
It was some good father/son bonding time, doing the things that I am usually happy to miss out on!
While they were gone, Paige participated in our Stake YW mud run. It was a blistering hot day, but she enjoyed the activities especially jumping in to the lake and crawling in the mud.
The boys are now in the middle of marching season. They have a great band director who has a gift for producing an awesome program each year. We are looking forward to their first competition in about a week and a half and enjoy watching their half-time show at the football game.
Friday, August 12, 2011
The Party
The week culminated in a big party to celebrate Larry and Gayle Anderson's 50 years of marriage! The grandkids tried to recreate some of the wedding decorations. Dave and I put together a "three truths and a lie" game from the years of letters that Dave's mom wrote to her family. And Robin put together a fun slide show. The food was so good and it was so good to get (almost) everyone together.
The night began with a fun surprise...Dave's parents arrived wearing their original wedding clothes. It was really amazing and so fun to get pictures of them with all of their children and their grandchildren.
It is not very often that we get all the Anderson's together, so we really enjoyed all the time we got to spend with them this summer. And what a special occasion to end the trip with!
The night began with a fun surprise...Dave's parents arrived wearing their original wedding clothes. It was really amazing and so fun to get pictures of them with all of their children and their grandchildren.
It is not very often that we get all the Anderson's together, so we really enjoyed all the time we got to spend with them this summer. And what a special occasion to end the trip with!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Arizona activities
I was not the best at taking pictures on this trip, but I stole a few from other photographers in the family! We spent a day at Slide Rock State Park. This is a fun place, where the "waterslides" are part of the river. They are smooth and slick and you can slide right down. But, the water was COLD and the sliding could be a little rough, so most of the kids spent time jumping. Dave and Wayne snuck away at one point and were jumping off the big cliff. When Ty found out he really wanted to give it a try. I will admit I was a little nervous, but not Ty. When his turn came he didn't even hesitate, just went for it, and loved it!
It is hard to tell in the picture but the spot he jumped from is where you see a person at the top right of the picture.
Everyone else spent a lot of time jumping from this smaller cliff. Here Bryce is waiting his turn behind his cousin Corrine. Paige did not try it this day but went back another day with some cousins and had a great time jumping too. One day we drove to Sedona. We stopped at another state park (Red Rock, I think) with Dave's sisters Wendy and Beth and their families. The sisters families headed out on a hike, while Dave, Bryce and Ty decided to try the bike trail. Paige and Brett did not want to hike so we hung out at the visitors center. The bike trail ended up being really short so we headed back to Flagstaff and discovered that the A/C had gone out in the van. Not a huge deal in the mountains of Flagstaff, but not good for the long drive home. So, we took the van in and spent the next day and a half divided among the others Anderson siblings and their activities.
We spent another morning driving up to the ski resort, where some played disc golf and rode the ski lift, which went up to 12,500 ft above sea level!
The ride up took about 30 minutes. Paige, Brett and Ty spent a few minutes at the cold top with their cousins and Aunts and Uncles, before heading back down. They ended up with pink sunburned noses and cheeks after the long ride.
It is hard to tell in the picture but the spot he jumped from is where you see a person at the top right of the picture.
Everyone else spent a lot of time jumping from this smaller cliff. Here Bryce is waiting his turn behind his cousin Corrine. Paige did not try it this day but went back another day with some cousins and had a great time jumping too. One day we drove to Sedona. We stopped at another state park (Red Rock, I think) with Dave's sisters Wendy and Beth and their families. The sisters families headed out on a hike, while Dave, Bryce and Ty decided to try the bike trail. Paige and Brett did not want to hike so we hung out at the visitors center. The bike trail ended up being really short so we headed back to Flagstaff and discovered that the A/C had gone out in the van. Not a huge deal in the mountains of Flagstaff, but not good for the long drive home. So, we took the van in and spent the next day and a half divided among the others Anderson siblings and their activities.
We spent another morning driving up to the ski resort, where some played disc golf and rode the ski lift, which went up to 12,500 ft above sea level!
The ride up took about 30 minutes. Paige, Brett and Ty spent a few minutes at the cold top with their cousins and Aunts and Uncles, before heading back down. They ended up with pink sunburned noses and cheeks after the long ride.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
