Witchy Party

Lori Vest, Jeannie Simmons

Amy D.

Kara, Natalie, Lisa

The triplet witches Kristie, Marla and Des

My Gang: Angie, Lynette, Lori, and Char

My cute girls and Maddie

Kellie and Angie

Tonia and Amy had their annual witch party. It is so fun and they put forth so much effort. There was lots of yummy food and deserts...This year we did a scavenger hunt and it was fun. The entire city thought we were crazy. We had to do all kinds of crazy things. We had a fun team, Kristie Miles is as competitive as I am....YES of course we WON!!

Bowling Party

Me and my awesome team, Char and Lori
The kids in the nursery come treat or treating and wear their costumes..Anna holding April's baby, August.

Me and Denise, she is a sweet heart..

Me and Angie

Fall bowling party...it is always a good time. I love my team. We have such a great time together. I have no idea if we are winning or not. I only go to see my friends and talk. We solve a lot of the worlds problems there...well it makes us feel better anyway.

'Cuz I'm Kinda a BIG Deal

The VFW came and presented each boy with a flag that has flown over our Nations Capitol. The boys loved that and it was very neat.
Stockton and Ryker with their seminary teacher, Bro. Robbins.
Who they love and thinks is way cool.
They had the grandpa's of each boy come up and assist them in
folding the flag 13 times, which has significant meaning.

2 out of the 3 of Stockton's grandpa's were there, but Grandpa Scott was out of town, he would have loved that too, because he is a former Marine.

Grace with Zoey, they LOVE each other.

Stockton receiving his pins and award.

Stockton starting his speech.

Everyone laughing at his comment and him tell me to 'shhhh'.

As I was hunched over behind a board telling them I was going to pee my pants.

Giving his dad his pin, and me still laughing.

I couldn't get a decent picture with all of them. But Stockton with his favorite cousins.

Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, they gave him an awesome

picture of an Eagle. Thanks for coming!!

Grandma DaNece gave him $$. Thanks for coming.

She kept saying "I am so proud, it makes me teary".

Stockton and his mom, who gave birth to him..

Him and his dad, who helped!!

I previously posted the big day when Stockton officially got his Eagle Scout, but today he had the Court of Honor. It was delayed because there were 6 boys who received them at the same time. Way to go Sandridge Ward Scout Leaders!! So Stockton has been waiting only for the other boys to get their paper work in, because they had their projects, and merit badges earned (except Dalin Moss, and he got everything finished in 1 month). This is quite an accomplishment, we were told that only 2% of the boys who enter the scouting program actually receive their Eagle. Way to go boys. One of the speakers said they had never been to one where 6 boys got theirs at the same time. It was a long meeting but it didn't come without the Larsen family totally making fools of themselves. Each boy was called up individually and got their awards and then they have to give a little speech and give out a mentor pin. Stockton was 4 out of 6. He thanked everyone for coming and pointed to his extended family, that fully supported him, and then said "thanks to my mom, for giving me birth, I wouldn't be here without her, and my dad who helped out with that." Oh my heck, I started to laugh and just about peed my pants. No one knew whether to laugh or not. I laughed so hard I cried. I have no idea what else he said, because I couldn't stop...so mature. He gave his mentor pin to his dad, because his dad has been his leader throughout the scouting program and plus he is the perfect example at home too. What a good kid, if I so myself. He got this award with his best buddy Ryker and Ben. They have loved going through the program because they have had each other. Every month, for 2 years, they camped out together. Most boys hate that, but because they had friends, they looked forward to it. It was a great night and I am so proud of the boy and young man Stockton is becoming. He really wants to do whats right and he is making great choices in his life. GREAT JOB Stockton!

My newest adventure

Theresa Gleason (I went to elementary and up with her), KyAnn Bradshaw, Pleshette and me. They actually have stripper names too..
This is no joke, we are constantly wiping the poles so you can grip it..

My first time...these ladies are so much fun and spontaneous, I need to hang out with them more.

They had some 'outfits' in the back, we just put the hangers over our heads for the picture.

Pleshette just bought this car for her 16 year old daughter, we went to Ogden in it...It was awesome!!

DON'T JUDGE ME. Ok, this is a bit controversial, but I haven't changed any of my standards in living, I just decided to live a little... I have arthritis in my hips, I was diagnosed when I was 30. The doctor said that my exercise should be low impact because at some point I will need hip replacement and the easier I am on my body, the longer I will go without surgery. Well it hasn't been a problem, because I don't exercise, but I have tried to make a few goals for myself, since the big 4-0 is coming in 1 year and 11 days...So I would like to get in shape. I have seen some friends from high school were going to a pole fitness class (pole dancing-stripper). I thought it would be fun...I love to dance, and it was something I wouldn't have ever done. I made contact with these fun ladies and I have gone 3 times and loved it. I have never laughed so hard as me trying to hang from a pole. I am so sore every Tuesday, my arms, my stomach, and my back. I have bruises on my knees, the tops of my feet, I have burns on my wrist and legs. It is hard! I do have a new respect for the ladies who actually do it with grace and make it look pretty. I am like a 2 ton elephant trying to do something that is impossible. I would NEVER try to do this outside this class of 6 ladies, but it is an adventure. Brad is thinking about installing one in the house though? Well, it wouldn't be what he thinks. The funny thing is my parent both laugh and call to see how it is going each week, but I have a few friends who say they are worried about me? I really am doing it to have fun, to reconnect with old friends and hopefully get STRONGER.

My Cute Grandma..

I have only known one of my grandparents in my lifetime...Grandma Ethel. For my entire childhood, she lived in Sanpete County, Spring City. My mom was very good about taking us down there and having her come and stay with us (she is my dad's mother, not my mom's.) My grandma loves my mom (even though my parents divorced 32 years ago) and they have a very good relationship. My mom is truly the daughter my grandma never had. My grandma came and lived with my dad for a few years, then because she couldn't sell her home in Spring City, and they opened a Wal-mart, where my grandma was a greeter for 12 years, in Ephraim. Then 4 years ago she finally sold her home and she moved into a cute home in Kaysville. She did work full-time up until 3 months ago. When she broke her hip 5 years ago, she came and lived with us for a few months. My kids love her, she is always so good to me and my family. I have always been very close to her and I am the only granddaughter, so we have a special bond. Recently, she has become very ill. She was admitted to the hospital for dehydration, a very bad infection and many complications. She was sick and I for sure thought we were going to lose her. It has been very stressful, trying to get her the care she needs, my dad has been a trooper..he has taken extremely great care of her. We have been on a roller coaster ride, one time you see her, she is so sick, then a few days later, she seems ok...then a few days later, she is bad again. At the present time she is on the mend, but she is not going to be able to live independently anymore. Today when I went to visit, she told me she knew it was no longer possible. She was very teary when she said she had to move out of her home in Kaysville, she felt worse about leaving this house then she did when she left her home in Spring City after 50 years! I do not know how long she is going to be with me, but I know that I love her. She is a sweet lady, she has loved me unconditional, even when I tried to say crazy things to SHOCK her. She would just laugh and say, "Oh, Kim." When you think you may lose someone it really makes you stop and think of what is important in life. My family is definitely the most important thing in my life. I love everyone of them. I hope my grandma finds peace and no pain. She is tough and I want to work as hard as she has her entire life. I LOVE YOU GRANDMA!

Tom Sawyer Weekend

For Stockton's English class, they have been studying Tom Sawyer, so for extra credit he could be like Tom Sawyer for the entire weekend. He had to wear a collared button down shirt for the weekend, no electricity, he had certain requirements, like he needed to cook over an open fire, split logs, paint a fence or a few other things. Stockton did this with Ryker, now keep in mind through their years in deacons, they camped once each month for 2 years. So on Friday night they went and got Ben. They had so much fun. They talked like Tom, they acted like Tom and they had a great time sleeping out under the stars. I think this is the real reason they did it, because I think they all have A's in the class, but just to have a sleep over and spend a little more time together. We called him Huck the whole weekend too. Way to go and I am looking forward to seeing that A!!

COLD SORE??

I have NEVER had a cold sore before, but I HAVE one, what the heck?? Brad keeps telling me that I "have the herp", (which I know they are in that family), but where did it come from? We have been under so much stress with Grandma, I think that is what happened, I guess I can't handle stress and I freaking got a cold sore. THEY HURT and they are UGLY. Nice picture..

UEA Weekend...

Stockton DOES practice piano, Friday he did have lessons so he hurried got some time in..

The kids swimming at the Aquatic Center..

My girls had fun with Erin, she has curly hair and they loved straightening it.

SHE IS BEAUTIFUL.

The 2 big boys taking notes....sleeping a little.

Kelly and Lynette went to Las Vegas so the Anderson kids came and stayed with us. It was such a great time. They played lots of games of UNO and phase 10... We tried to stay busy and doing fun things. Thursday, Stockton had a soccer game in Sandy, so we made an afternoon and night of it. He has to be there so early so we left at 3:00 and we got home at 9:00, we went to the hospital because grandma Ethel was put in the hospital and we thought she was going to die, so raced there to see her. Then we headed to the game and went to dinner and then came home. Its a lot different feeding a family of 9 instead of 5. But it was fun. Friday, the little kids went swimming, Brock and Stockton couldn't because of Brock's cast. I kept telling Stockton to find something to do, go golfing, finally he got mad at me and said, "Mom, did you notice Brock's cast?" Oh yeah, that did limit their fun, but they hung out with friends every night and had a great time together. Then Friday night, we went to Abby, Jake and Demi's birthday party, then I went to the hospital. Saturday was a day of Brady's soccer game, Brock's football game, we went to lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Fickett and then I went to Sam's last football game. That evening the big boys went to Priesthood session, then to Kennedy's party, I went to see FAME. Its was good, but a little disappointing. Sunday, we watched conference. I got packets for the little kids, they loved them and they kept them busy and the big boys took notes for seminary. Then we went to the Jardine's for another party. It was a birthday party for Lori Vest, Marla and ME. I love the Jardine Family. They love to entertain and we have such a great time when we go there. Monday my kids and the big boys went back to school, and the Anderson little kids were a little bored. But we LOVED having them. I could have had lots of kids, but we would have needed another income, because it was expensive, BUT WORTH IT!

Lori's Birthday Celebration (yeah it goes on and on)

Us...trying to be cool with our peace signs....NOT! I am a huge believer in birthday celebrations. The longer you can drag out a birthday the BETTER. Since Lori, hit the big 40, its lasted a bit longer. Started last Monday and has officially ended tonight. Since our really, REALLY good friends were out of town on the surprise party, we finally got together tonight at the Pizza Factory, its within Angie and my traveling radius. We ate little and laughed a lot. I don't think we cried, which is a good thing.

I love to be around people that are funny, bring out the best in you, that you can act silly with and they still love you, that you can have a serious conversation and you're not judged and that you can share your problems with and they will just listen. Over the past 12 years, this is what this group of ladies have been to each other. We have shared love, friendship, service, kids, good times, bad times..but we are all friends and I hope we will always be. We love you Lori.!!