Fall Happenings

So, we started off our Fall season with a little trip to the pumpkin patch in the mall parking lot. I really want to go to a REAL pumpkin patch some day, you know, one where pumpkins actually grow, sawdust is naturally found, and there's no sign of any bounce-houses.

Next stop on our Fall adventures is Halloween. We went to the Palm Springs Ward Halloween Party with my parents, grandmother, Trena and Aaron. It was a very good time. Belen walked in the costume parade and won "Most Beautiful" She was very excited to get her own container of candy. The kids also trunck-or-treated and got way more candy than will ever be eaten. Thyssen has such a huge head that his hood was too tight and it squished his face and it was hard for him to open his eyes all the way. He looked pretty funny all night.Aaron finally exposed his anorexic diet: One gummy crabby-patty a day.

We went to a really cool air-show but got there too late and missed a lot of it. We also had to walk over a mile to get there from the parking lot and it was hot and muddy. Once we refreshed ourselves with slushy lemon-aides, we were all smiles once again. We are totally going again next year, it was really cool.




We started feeling the Christmas spirit and made a ginger-bread house for family night. It turned out pretty ugly becuase I had to use left over orange frosting from halloween when we ran out of frosting.. but, hey, it still tasted delicious!

Yesterday we started decorating the house and Belen decorated her very own tree- When I told her to stand next to it for a picture, she said, "Mom, what do you want me to do? This? or this?" and she started stricking poses. I was cracking up- Too much America's Next Top Model?? What do you think: high-fashion or commercial?
We've had a lot of fun experiencing the change of seasons this year and hope you and your family are enjoying the spirit of the season too! Merry Christmas!

Upload

For those of you who don't know, I've gone back to work for this school year. This means that I will only be updating my blog every few months and each entry will have a TON of pictures. I FINALLY uploaded my pics so here's what we've been up to the last few months.

Belen and Cody still love eachother

Belen and Thyssen still love to eat.
We traded in this (actually dumped it in the ally, but you know..)
For this- a 42inch Plasma (it's awesome!)
Hung out with T-n-A
Admitted Belen to rehab.
Took 2 good mom-shots of Belen

Played with cousins at Nonni and Papa's
Forced Uly into a floaty boat

Walked Belen down the isle

Turned in Skippy to Gang Intervention
Watched Thyssen fall and bump his head- AGAIN- he doesn't even cry anymore.

Made some cute stuff for Thorey's Shower

Ate some good stuff at Thorey's Shower
Took a cute picture of my then prego sister, Thorey

(who had a beautiful baby girl last Tuesday!)

Well, that's our story- see you all again in a few months!!

Happy Times

This is a picture of Thorey (my big sis) and me at my bridal shower 8+ years ago. Yes, that's me about 30lbs ago :P I love this pic because our faces actually look alike.. We look like sisters!! (no one ever thinks I look like my sisters, so this picture is very exciting for me) Anyway, Thorey is expecting her first baby one week from today and I've found myself so excited about it!! I was at work this morning and I was in such a good mood because every few minutes, I thought about Thorey's baby being born and it made me so happy!! I can't wait to meet little miss Bauer! Oh, and Thor- we can use this pic as our inspiration to get back to pre-baby bodies :)

AND- Trena is expecting a GIRL!!! It's baby mania!! LOVE IT!

pics, pics, pics

So here's what's been going on with the Andersen kids this last month.

Daddy-daughter double-date to the Angels game.

Skippy and Jason had a ton of fun with thier little dates!

Go Angels!!

Trips to Seal Beach to get the BEST tacos at EBJ (El Burrito Jr.- try it!!)



Friend's Water Party
My children ALWAYS get along perfectly...
Belen and Eli- He's smiling for me!! It's a miracle!
(this cute boy will never smile for my pictures)

Prego Sisters

Trena (3months) Thorey (8months)

Belen Ballerina

Belen is taking into to Ballet through parks and rec. Her teacher is so good. The girls get to pretend to be a different character every class and there are always props they get to wear to go with the characters. It's so fun to watch!

The local watering hole

We met our old neighbors at the kiddie pool. Jack doesn't like being told "cheese"

Mount Whitney

Dave, Casey, Skippy, Justin, Jeff

Back in January, Skippy decided that he wanted to accomplish hiking Mount Whitney. He has his eagle scout and was an avid back-packer back in the day (just ask him about Teenage Mutant Philmont Backpackers) So, he put in for the permit and was so excited when it actually came time to go. (Excited to carry 3 days worth of supplies on your back while hiking to 14, 500 feet??- I don't get it either) He packed all his gear, got new boots, and dusted off his sleeping bag- all the while Belen asking him if she could go camping too- she loved the idea of wearing a backpack and sleeping in the sleepingbag. He left Thursday night and started hiking on Friday. He did great until he hit about 12,000 ft. Then the altitude sickness started- altitude sickness is the worst possible feeling- nausia, vomitting, dehidration, dizziness- yuck. But, did he give up? NO! He persevered with the help of his friends and made it to the top. He can now say that he has puked on the top of Mount Whitney- not many people can say that. I am very proud that he stuck it out and made it to the top and accomplished hiking to the highest peak in the Continental US. Good job Skippy!!

On the trail

At the top , after the 3rd barf- looking good, Honey!

Momshots

Here are some of my recent momshots. I have been trying to use some of the features on my camera like shutter speed and zooming and whatnot. I also have been working with filling the frame with my subjects (kids) and lighting, as I just read abouit on Jessica's blog. I took Jessica's momshots advice and started to read the manual for my camera. I had a few realizations: One, that I have no clue how to operate my camera, two, that my camera is pretty rad and it does a lot of stuff. I think that if I learn one new thing a week, I will now how to successfully operate it in about a year. Anyway, I hope you enjoy my little set of momshots!


4th of July- Statue of Liberty down the slide
Eli Wagstaff's 3rd Bday party
At mother's beach last week- I like how I got Belen in the background.

A great shot of Luke- but it's immpossible to get a bad shot of that kid- he's so darn cute!
Mean Lady Liberty- pre-street bike parade
If you are interested in trying to make your momshots all they can be, I whole heartedly suggest reading Jessica's momshots blog for tips and inspirations.