Calvin turns 12....I can't believe it!

Wasn't he the cutest little kid?!  Seems like yesterday!

 What a fun weekend we had!  With LOTS of pictures!
First of all, it was Calvin's 12th birthday on Friday.  He went with Dallin and Dad on a camping night with the Boy Scouts.  (Clint went because he just was called to be the 1st counselor in the Young Men's presidency.)  The camping trip was actually at a member's home where they pitched their tents in the backyard, then ate lots of good food and watched "October Sky".  They did it last year too and decided to make it a tradition to do it the same time every year.  Calvin barely made it this year.  They all had fun and ate good food.  We all know that food is where it's at with men and young men, right?  Anyway, then on Saturday, Grandma and Papa Anderson, Aunt Steph and Tracy came to be here for Calvin's ordination of the Aaronic priesthood.  But before that, we celebrated his birthday on Saturday night with a good meal, home made (from scratch) chocolate cake, ice cream, and who can forget presents.  He got some pretty nice things including a very nice, new suit from Aunt Steph, a new journal and money from Grandma and Papa Anderson, a skateboard, a nice baseball glove, and a lego, Yoda watch from Mom and Dad.  He was pretty happy!
Then, on Sunday, was our stake conference where we got a new Stake President.  We will miss Pres. Dayley, but are excited for our new one, Pres. Winder.  He was our bishop in our last ward, so we know him pretty well.  Great man, and his family is awesome too.  After stake conference, we waited for all the ordaining's to the Melchezedek Priesthood to be done, including a young man that Clint got to know and love really well while Clint served as his young mens leader a few years back.  Now, this young man is getting ready to serve a mission.  Then, when everyone left, our bishop, 1st counselor, Grandpa (Papa), the young mens pres. of our ward, and of course Clint ordained Calvin to the Aaronic Priesthood as a deacon.  We are all so proud of the choices that he has made in his life so far and are anxious to watch him and his brother grow in the gospel.  We then, went up to the temple and took some pictures, then came back home to eat and just hang out there for the rest of Sunday.
On Monday, we all, except for Clint he thought he could be done with work by then, went to the Sharks Reef at the Mandalay Bay in down town Las Vegas.  It was fun just to hang out and have fun with everyone.  After that, my parents had to get back on the road to get home, so we said our "good bye's".  Then Aunt Steph and Tracy, the kids and I met Clint at the mall where we had to exchange Calvin suit coat because there were two little holes in it.  But no problem, we exchanged it then walked around the mall, Calvin bought a game for his game system with his birthday money and we ate lunch.  Then, the kids and I came back home, Clint had a couple more things to get done at work and Aunt Steph and Tracy went and checked into their hotel.  Then later that night, we met them at Metro Pizza and stuffed our bellies and visited.  It was one of those weekends that I wished would never end.

Our family

Every one who came....except Tracy who was taking the picture.

Abby was so funny...she was being the photographer.  She wanted everyone to stand in a line with their
fingers to their mouths, then she would pick us one at a time and put us in her picture.  

She was still picking people...

Now all that was left was "the kids"

What a handsome boy!

At the Shark Reef

Calvin, Elsa and Abby touching the Rays and  Horseshoe crabs

Jelly fish

We were looking at the sharks in this one

These guys were in the tunnel with sea creatures all around them.

Everyone except for Tracy and me in the tunnel.

Star fish

Octopus

The girls with Grandma and Papa

The boys with Steph and Tracy

Me, Grandpa(Papa) and Abby

Dallin looked a little concerned here

These sharks must've really liked Tracy.  They kept coming right up to the glass
right over her head....this was the best pic. My camera wasn't fast enough because of
the flash.

Awards For All the Boys

A few weeks ago, we attended a Court of Honor for the Boy Scouts where Dallin and Calvin were awarded some merit badges and ranks.  Clint also got a special award.

 First, Dallin was receiving some merit badges that he earned at Scout camp and Merit Badge moments.(They all have the option to go to these every Tuesday before their usual mutual activity.) 

Calvin was receiving some merit badges as well and a rank advancement.  He is now a Tenderfoot Scout.  

Back in 2009, Clint had the opportunity to go to Wood Badge for a week, then he had some ticket items that he had a year and a half to get completed or else he could not get "Beaded" and could never try again.  Kind of like the Eagle Scout award.  Well, he did it!  It wasn't until now, in 2012, that he actually got "Beaded" and is now official.  

We're so proud of all of them for their fine achievements!  

We love Shel Silverstein over here!

Elsa loves to read all the poems and stories from "Where The Sidewalk Ends", "A Light in the Attic" and "Falling Up".  One night she recited this poem to me and I got out the camera and captured it on film.  Then Abby got excited about it and hurried and memorized a poem so she could be filmed too.
Elsa's poem is called, "Snowball" and Abby's is called, "Arrow".  I think...I could go get the book and find out what the name is, but I'm feeling lazy right now.  I'm pretty sure that's what it's called though.  Enjoy!

Two Date-Nights in a Row!

This weekend was really nice.  Clint and I finally got Friday night and Saturday afternoon to ourselves...no kids!  It was so nice and well needed!
On Friday night, we went to Sportsman's Warehouse to "look around" and get a case for Clint's new Camp Chef he got with gift cards he got from his birthday and Fathers day.  We also looked around and drooled over all the camping gear, fishing gear, and everything else they sell.  I know, I know, not very exciting, but it was just nice to be without kids for awhile.  
Then we went to the movies to see "The Dark Knight Rises".  It was really good.  It was about 3 hours long so that pretty much took our whole evening, but it was good to just be with Clint and not have to worry about the kids....I even put my phone on silent...well vibrate.  Dallin and Calvin are great babysitters.  When we got home they had the girls in bed.....asleep.  If you know my girls you know that is a great feat.    When we told the boys what we saw, they were jealous.  Maybe some day will take them to see it or just rent it when goes on dvd.
Then, on Saturday, Clint helped out with a boy, in our last ward, Eagle Scout project for about six hours that morning, then came home and got cleaned up then we went to Lake Mead to go on a Site-seeing cruise.  We got tickets for it back in March or Feb., I think, when we donated blood.  Well, I did.  Clint couldn't that day because wasn't feeling well, but he still got one for trying.  I was happy because I had someone to go with me.
It was fun, but hot.  When we first got on the paddle boat, we went up to the top level and the wind was blowing a little and it was rocking the boat.  I got a little nauseous, but it didn't last long.  It was fun and very informative.  We cruised to the Hoover Dam and on the way, the guide told up all about the history of Las Vegas and Hoover Dam and how the Mormons settled in Salt Lake and came down and settled Vegas, or at least part of it.  He also told some really bad "dam" jokes.  Hahaha!  Anyway, here are few pictures.....
It took up all afternoon because we were planning on taking the 12:00 p.m. cruise, but couldn't find it in time.  So we went into Boulder City to eat some lunch and drove over the Hoover Dam.  (That's all we had time for), then went back in time to get on the 2:00 cruise.

 This side is Arizona                                              This side is Nevada              

 Look how far Lake Mead has gone down.  At least 50 ft. 

 Approaching Hoover Dam

 Hoover Dam and the Bypass bridge.  It is AMAZING in person.  Pictures don't do it justice.

We're Half Way Through Summer!

I can't believe how fast this Summer is going!  Honestly, I thought that, for me, it would go so slow with the kids being home and all.  It really has been fun to have them home most of the time.  For the most part, they help me keep the house clean by doing their chores in the morning, (so they can play video games and watch t.v.), but they have been absolute joys to have here.
On Saturday night, Uncle Jake (Clint's brother), his kids and sis. in law, Alicia, drove through Las Vegas on their way back to Oklahoma and stayed the night with us.  So on Sunday before they headed out, the kids got a little cousin time.  We all wished it was a little longer, but we also totally understand.  Maybe next time we can get together longer and do some fun stuff.  I did remember to take a quick photo of all the cousins together though.

Today, Tuesday, we went to the Springs Preserve to see the new things they have.  They took out the Space Exhibit and put in a Reptile Exhibit.  It was fun.....even Calvin, who really did not want to come with us because he thinks the Springs Preserve is boring, had fun.  He tried to convince me he was not having fun, but he had fun.  It's no Disneyland, but it IS fun and since we have season passes, it's free!
We also saw the new Bug Show.  It was creepy and interesting.  Even I found out some things about insects that I didn't know.  They had scorpions (creepy), Madagascar Cockroaches (creepy...again) they can grow to be 2 to 4 inches long....yeah....imagine that climbing up the wall in your shower.  They also had Meal Worms, a Tarantula, and others I can't remember what the names were.  The kids seemed to enjoy that as well.  We then visited our usual places....the Children's Playground, and the other activity center.  They moved some of the original video games, about conserving water and the history of Vegas,  to this building and also put in other fun stuff that teaches how electricity travels, the benefits of electric and other cars, different light bulbs, a wind turbine, a garbage truck where they tell you about recycling, etc.
Here are some pictures of our adventure today....

Kick off to a great summer!

We are definitely getting our money's worth out of this!  

 The kids love it!

Awesome giveaway going on

There is a way cool giveaway going on at I am Momma Hear Me Roar.  Go over and check it out. 

She also tells us about an awesome tool called "Chip It".  It's way way cool!

Another School Year Coming to an End

It's always sad and happy when a school year ends.  Happy, because it means a brand new summer and NO SCHOOL!  (Although Abby is sad, she loves school.) 
Sad, because it means days of "I'm bored, Mom."  and "No t.v. until your chores are done" o.k. that one is all year 'round, but what I mean to say is that the kids are home and while it is fun to do things like swim, go to the park, etc., THEY'RE HOME.  Well, I have a few things that I'm planning to do with them, so I enjoy every day with them being home.  (Notice I didn't say every minute.  :)  Keepin' it real.
Any way, a few weeks ago, Abby came home with a book that she made of three reports she wrote about African American's.  
During the month a February, Abby's 1st grade class learned all about black Americans.  They all wrote letters to some of them in leadership of our Nation and Abby chose to write to Clarence Thomas and J.C. Watts.  In her letters to them she explained that her class was studying African American's and asked if they could send any information and a color photograph of themselves.  Well, they both wrote back and sent photos just as she had requested, (they even signed them), but Clarence Thomas went above and beyond.  He not only sent her a signed photo, but he also sent her a copy of a children's book called, "Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse, A Tail of the Supreme Court." (cute book) and wrote a sweet message in it just for her.  It read,
       "Abigail, Always do your best to be your best.  I hope you have a wonderful life.  Clarence Thomas"  She decided it would be nice to donate it to the school library. Then, her teacher got another copy of the book for Abby and photocopied the page that Clarence Thomas wrote on and put it in the book before she gave to Abby to take home.
Abby also wrote reports on two other people, Constance Baker Motley and Julia May Porter-Carson.  She did an awesome job and we are so proud of her.

Sorry these photos are a little blurry.

 This is the letter that Abby's teacher wrote to Justice Thomas thanking him for his thoughtful reply and book and everything he sent.

Here is Abby's class.  Yeah, class picture day would be on a day that I didn't have enough time that morning do a cute hair style. Oh well.

She loves her teacher and is doing really well in school.

On that note, Teacher Appreciation week was a couple weeks ago and my kids wanted to do something for their teachers to show that they were grateful for them.  So I went to the store, got some candy, plastic wrap, curling ribbon and table cloth weights and help the kids make candy lei's for their teachers.  Then, I printed out a picture from some thing school related. (Calvin and Elsa's was from the school carnival and Abby's was from a presentation that her class did for flag ceremony).  We Modge Podged them to the stars and I wanted to write something cute like, "You made me a star." or something like that, but they just wanted to write "Thanks for teaching me."  Oh well.  I guess, the message got out either way.

 Like the 'stache?

New Post for Elsa

Just wanted to tell everyone that Elsa has put a new post on her blog.  So go and check it out.  If you need permission to get there, just email us your email and we'll let you in.  Just go to her picture on the side of this blog and click on it. 
Have a nice day!

Piano Lessons.....Hooray!

I found a cool new product through my sister, Hannah.  It's called "Piano Marvel" and it's awesome!  Lately I've been entertaining the thought of teaching Abby piano, since Elsa is already taking lessons from a friend.
 Abby has wanted to learn and when I learned about "Piano Marvel" I decided to try it out.  I love it and so does Abby.  She loves to try to beat her score and, let me just say, that since she started week ago, she already knows what whole, half and quarter notes are and how many counts they get.  Piano Marvel has made it so fun to practice even the most daunting tasks.  An accompaniment plays with the notes to practice so it's like you're contributing to a beautiful and fun piece.  I remember when I was younger and taking lessons, I always had to do my scales.  It was so boring and I really did not like it. 
Piano Marvel makes playing scales so fun!  Both my girls practice with Piano Marvel and they love it.  I love it too because they can set their own goals and see their own progress...faster than traditional lessons.  Now don't get me wrong though.  Piano Marvel was not designed to replace those lessons, but rather to enhance them.  Piano teachers can use this as a tool to help their students learn 4-8 times faster.  I'm even brushing up on my skills too.  Let me say also that it's very addictive!  If you want to see it for yourselves here is a link to their website.   I became a distributor so I share this with everyone and so I could give discounts to anyone who wants their kids or themselves to learn piano.  Just enter the promo code "singer".  They also help with learning guitar, bass guitar and drums. 
Here is Abby and Elsa practicing.....

Our Easter

I'm a little behind.  I know it's already May and I'm just now getting to our Easter.  

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Well, we had a nice one.  The kids and I went to the "Grace Baptist's" Easter Extravaganza.  We were invited by our neighbor this year as well as last year.  The kids love it.  They got to hunt eggs, play games, jump on bouncers, and ride the little train they had.  Oh, yeah...and eat.  It was fun.  Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera so we didn't get pic.'s of it.  You can go here if you want to see the pic.'s from last year.  They're basically the same except the kids are a year older.  The Grace Baptist Church do a good job with this every year.  

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So here are some pic's of the kids dying eggs on Saturday right after we got home from the Extravaganza, and then hunting them on Easter Sunday.  Also the kids with their baskets.  Enjoy!

Look at that determination.

Elsa loved dying eggs.

Calvin was an old pro.

Some of our colored eggs....with the kids treasures in the background from their egg hunt earlier.

Everyone's baskets.

Abby got this "Tag" book, scripture marker, bookmark, and goodies.

Elsa got a lego set from "Prince of Persia", bookmark, scripture marker and goodies.

Calvin got to read the letter from the Easter Bunny this year.

Dallin got a nice, new, much needed because dang this kid grows fast white shirt.  

An aluminum wallet, a scripture marker and bookmark, and some goodies.

The girls really liked these life sized paper dolls.

Calvin loved his aluminum wallet, scripture marker, bookmark, and goodies.  He especially LOVES (as well as the rest of us), the "Book of Mormon Battles" card game that the family got.

It was a nice Easter now here is our Easter Egg hunt.