Bah-humbug!

I took this little quiz and posted the results for everybody to see because I have been called a grinch and a scrooge in the past (even by my own husband, what's up with that?). But look, I passed the quiz. I love the Christmas season! The thing is, that I am not into all the gifts and I don't really stress the Santa stuff to my kids (there you go, all of you are calling me a bah-humbug now). But really, my kids love Christmas and are excited about GIVING more than getting. And I think they know that Christmas is really about the Savior, at least that is what I am trying to teach them. So everyone celebrate however you want...just have a merry Christmas!

You Are the Furthest Thing From A Grinch

You love and live for the holidays. You even love the Grinch! You're in the holiday spirit year round... because you're all about celebrating and giving.

Are You a Grinch?

So take the quiz and see how Christmas-y you are or are not!

We're playing basketball

Our basketball stars! Every semester the kids get to sign up for different after-school sports. Emma has done swimming and circus and Dallin has done soccer and tennis. This semester they both decided to do basketball together (which sure helped my schedule). They were the youngest kids in the class with mostly 3rd graders, but I think it pushed them and they learned a lot. I saw their red little faces smiling each week, so they enjoyed it and that's what matters most (not winning, right Jared)!

M*I*C*K*E*Y

Here is our big, scary attack dog, Mickey. The kids think he was named after Mickey Mouse and Jared thinks he was named after Mickey Mantel, whatever, it's all the same to me. We've had our ups and downs, but I think he's here to stay. I have threatened to get rid of him and even hoped he would run away a few times, but besides silly puppy behavior, he is a good dog. He's really sweet to the kids and makes a lot of noise when strangers are around (which I guess is good for security purposes). He's a very BIG dog for only 9 months old, but he still thinks he's a puppy and tries to snuggle in your lap. So that's the story of our perro!

La Mar

It was a great experience to see and be in the ocean (especially for those of us that grew up in land-locked Oklahoma). This was the 1st trip to the ocean for the kids (1st of many, we hope...pleeeease daddy). The weather was quite cool this day, but it didn't stop us from splashing around.

Mundo Marino

We had a long holiday weekend in October and so we drove to Mundo Marino (Argentina's version of Sea World). We had a great time!

Jardin (Pre-school)

Here is Annie in her school uniform. The the clothes just swallow her up and she looks so cute, like a little person. She goes to school 3 mornings for 3 hours. She loves it! Her teachers and friends all speak Spanish and she comes home saying more words everyday.









This was Annie in her end of the year school program. She and all the 2 year old giraffes did a little dance. It was precious! She did great, followed the teacher, looked so comfortable, like she didn't see the 200 people watching her--maybe she'll be a performer!!!

Annie

This is our little Annie at the beginning of 2008.

We'll just call this "the accident" as we still aren't officially sure what happened. The damage was a severed tongue (she bit through it) with stitches on top and bottom, stitches on the chin, a lost tooth, and a fractured jaw. Kids are tough though. The day she left the hospital she got in the car, heard the music, and started to dance!

Sometimes we worry about what the future might hold for them, how they will react to the pressures of the world. Annie has really gotten into the 80s hair-styles. This picture was taken in Oklahoma while back for the 4th of July.

Decemberish 2007

This was last year but we owe some pictures. Some good friends of ours got us this neat little digital camera and it only took 1.5 yrs to figure it out. This was in our backyard in our old house.

The Martinez family and kiddos.

Dallin fishing at some friends of ours.

This was one of the worst rain storms we have ever seen...but the kids loved it!!!

Howdy Officer!

This is Joseph Anderson, Jared's big brother. We are all so proud of him. He's a real, live policeman now! He looks pretty tough, so watch out when your out on the streets of Tulsa!

These pictures were taken at his graduation. His wife, Sandy, and daughter, Savannah, (5 years old) are with him in the picture. Also, they recently had another little girl, Taylor.

Going Batty

So about a week ago I (Jared) was in the computer room. Emma and Ginger had just moved their beds up there that particular night. Emma on a bed and Ginger on a mattress on the floor were fast asleep as Annie and Dallin slept in an adjacent room. Christian was in the tv room (no, we don't live seperate lives, it was supposed to be like this and you'll understand why soon). Annie woke up for some reason and was crying for mommy. This is not unusual so I waited for her to go back to sleep. She didn't and after a few seconds I saw something flying in the hall in the light of the hall light. At first I thought, "my gosh, that is a big moth," and then processed it as a bird. But it was not flying smoothly like a bird would. It kind of hopped around in the air. Well, as it splattered right by the only exit in the computer room I realized what it was - a freaking bat was in the house and I was trapped. It lay on the floor with its wings spread. I called for Christian (who as noted above was out of the computer room) who quickly came. I sat frozen as my wife (who without her glasses was about as blind as the bat) came to the rescue. I yelled, "there's a freaking bat on the floor." Christian: "Where, I can't see it." Jared: "Don't move. Just go get something to cover it. Of my gosh, its ear is moving. His head is lifting up. Get something!" Just then the creature flew over right by Ginger. I put her in Emma's bed and the thing tried to hide by crawling between her two pillows. Then the nasty creature began to hop around the air again (if you have ever seen a bat fly you know what I mean, it almost looked fake) and landed right on Ginger's tummy (on top of the blanket) on Emma's bed! Christian and I ran out scared, shut the door, and yelled for the girls to wake up, yelling "bat! bat," and ordered them to get it out of the house (just kidding). We got the windows open, approached the venemous Chiroptera and it "flew" out. We shut the window and I proceeded to wash and disinfect the entire house. Still not sure how the thing got in the house but suspect that the large amount of rain for several days had him/her looking for shelter.

Great-Grandma

This is Great-grandma Clara Axsom. She is the mother of Nana Randy Standeford, who is the mother of Christian Anderson. We got to visit with her several times this summer. During this visit, cousin Katie Navarro was there with her 4 boys also. So here is a group picture of just part of all the great-grandkids.

4th of July 2008--Tulsa, OK

We got to spend a big portion of our winter (your summer) break in Oklahoma with family. These 2 pictures are from the 4th of July. The Anderson Family has a fun tradition of going to the river in Tulsa and watching the fireworks display. So here is Nana Rebecca walking with Ginger as we are on our way. And the other picture is all the cousins (except Savannah, because fireworks are too loud for her, and Taylor wasn't born yet) with painted faces. They are a fun group!

Halloween 2008

This is Emma at her school Halloween parade. The kids got to dress-up after lunch and have a parade in the gym, then trick-or-treat from classroom to classroom. The classes had parties after that. Halloween night we went trick-or-treating a little, using a map of families that wanted to participate. But it was tough--the houses were so far apart, it was a lot of walking. Plus, the weather was quite warm (which was strange to be out trick-or-treating in the daylight) and most costumes are not made to accomodate summer weather. But am I complaining? Yes, I am. I just want my kids to have fun memories of Halloween like I do. One good thing...well, good for my waistline...the candy isn't very good and NO chocolate, so I didn't raid the kids bags like I used to do in the U.S.

Time to Catch Up!

I finally got some pictures on our old computer! So I am just going to post pictures and give a brief description. Bascially, this is our life the past year in Argentina.

Love at first sight is easy to understand; it's when two people have been looking at each other for a lifetime that it becomes a miracle.

Lovely Purple Springtime!

It's spring here in Argentina! I keep seeing these amazing purple trees and they have inspired my new background. Have fun in the cold (we'll be in the pool)!

To mommies with sticky floors

I walked through my kitchen to get 4 little bowls of ceral ready this morning--when "squelch-squilch," I could hear my flip-flop sticking to the ground with every step. My friend Angela sent this to me and it just made me feel better about my life today.

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of shag carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when a little voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child ' s growth is not measured by height or years or grade...It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mom to Mother...

How My Kids See Me (Mother's Day in Argentina)

I saw this on Emma Grigg's blog and thought it would be fun to try with my kids. Answers: 4 year old Ginger is 1st, 6 year old Dallin is 2nd, and 7 year old Emma is 3rd. Guess I learned a little about myself through my kid's eyes.

1. What is something mom always says to you? "Get your thumb out of your mouth!"
"come to eat" "do your homework."

2. What makes mom happy? "A hug." "helping her clean up" "when we care about her"

3. What makes mom sad? "Being bad." "when I pop up and I scare her" "when the girls don't do what she says"

4. How does your mom make you laugh? "Tickle!" "by scaring me sometimes" "when she makes fun of Dallin"

5. What was your mom like as a child? "Barbie." "like Ginger" "skinny"

6. How old is your mom? "31." "31" "31"

7. How tall is your mom? "Big" "like 20 feet tall" "as tall as a broom"

8. What is her favorite thing to do? "Is it cook?" "?" "sleep"

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? "Work." "She works by doing the laundry" "get on the computer"

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? "What does famous mean?" "for being one of the youngest moms" "she's a rockstar"

11. What is your mom really good at? "Cooking." "doing the dishes" "sleeping"

12. What is your mom not very good at? "Dressing." "taking care of Mickey (the dog)" "playing"

13. What does your mom do for her job? "Write on the computer." "clean up" "take care of kids"

14. What is your mom's favorite food? "Chicken." "broccoli" "chicken"

15. What makes you proud of your mom? "Dressing me." "when I come home and the house is not a mess" "what does that mean?"

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? "Elmo." "Sponge Bob" "Zack & Cody's mom"

17. What do you and your mom do together? "Be friends." "Read stories" "shop"

18. How are you and your mom the same? "Skin." "the eyes" "both girls"

19. How are you and your mom different? "Eyes." "she is taller than me" "we don't wear the same clothes"

20. How do you know your mom loves you? "Because I like you and daddy." "By kissing me" "by her caring about me"

A trip to the city

Let me tell you about my adventure in the big city. You see we don't go to Buenos Aires very often. We live near (20 minutes) but only go when we have to. There is so much traffic and never a slow time of the day, just rush, rush, rush.

Anyway, Annie and I made the trip to get our package yesterday. I mapped it all out and thought I knew where I was going. So as we start to get into B.A., on one of the main streets with about 6 lanes going each way, we come to a stoplight. I have my windows down just a little, the weather has been nice and springy. Anyway, I notice some beggers and I just happen to look, and he sees me looking (oh man, kick myself in the pants)! He makes a beeline straight over to my passenger side window. He doesn't just talk to me, but grabs ahold of the window, able to put his fingertips into the car, and starts asking for change. He is probably 20 years old and he is just going on and on, begging. I tell him that he speaks too fast. Then I scream! I guess his friend had seen him talking to me and comes to help him and somehow sneaks up on my side of the car, and starts the same mumbling and begging in my window. Well, that's where the scream came from, it startled me just a little. Then they start going back and forth (in Spanish of course)"c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'com" louder and more forceful each time. I am a little nervous at this point and think are they going to rob me or something. I ask "why" and then miracle of miracles--the light that seemed to be red for an eternity, changed! They pulled their grubby finger off my windows and I was off. I put the windows up for the rest of the trip.

OK, so we finally get to the part of town that I need to be in, but of course, I miss the street I need. So I am driving and trying to look at the map while Annie starts climbing out of her carseat (she does this a lot, but I had books and toys for her today and she stayed the 1st 20 minutes or so), needless to say, it was bad timing. There is a weird "rule" in Argentina about turning left. People don't like it! They honk at you, yell at you, all sorts of things, but I needed to go left. So after going off my course about another mile, I turned right, to turn right again, to right again, just to get LEFT! So after about a 20 minute delay (I was lost. but just a little) I found the post office. No parking! Always, they have tons of people, a million cars on the road, but no parking lots and no parking spaces. Crazy! So after going around the block, again, I find an area to park. A man is there to help me into the spot (although I don't need his help, I will have to pay him--another "rule" of theirs).

Annie and I go into the huge building--dirty and dingy, people smoking, babies crying, tons of seats, tons of lines--I really felt like I had walked into a movie about the communist period of Russia, like we were waiting in line for food or something. Anyway, I get a number and sit down. I ask the guy next to me how this all works. He says get a number (check), wait for your number to come up on the board (OK), then go to front and they will give you another number (OK), then go to the next room and sit and wait for them to call your new number over the intercom (WHAT), then go through that back door and stand in line to show your number (you've got to be kidding me), then go to the line they tell you where you will receive your package (finally), you'll sign for it then go to the next line where they will check your package and your number so you can get out the door (all that work for one package).

Let me tell you, this was a test of patience. Annie and I waited and played and ate snacks and she waved to all the half-sleeping people around us. I can't believe this is their system. Well, I guess I just will tell everyone don't send packages, it is too much work on this end.

So we headed to school to pick up Ginger. We got lost or confused a couple of times, but quickly found our way and made it to pick her up ONLY 20 minutes late. Poor teachers, they must hate me (plus I don't have a cell phone anymore, so they couldn't find me and I couldn't call to tell them I was on my way). But another exciting (maybe not in a good way) thing happened as we were driving. I saw an area of town, near the horse races, where there were taxis lined up forever, like 50 or more of them. Then I saw men standing outside, probably drivers, waiting. Normal, right? Then I saw 2 fat old men with their hands on each other. I thought they were buddies and maybe playing around. It didn't look like a fight at first. But then I realized they were fighting, but just at their age and weight, it was in slow-motion. By the time I got close to them, one man had the other by the throat, strangling him. I thought "he's gonna kill him, what do I do?" I thought maybe I should honk, like really long and loud to get someone's attention, but just then I saw 2 men running up to them, probably other taxi drivers. Crazy men! What makes people that crazy! It wasn't the 1st fight I've seen here (I have seen tons of roadrage, even people yelling and honking at me, I also saw a bloody fight in the Wal-Mart line RIGHT next us), and I am sure not the last.

Well, that was my adventure in Buenos Aires. Don't think that this was such a horrible day for me, these things happen to us all the time. We aren't quite used to it, but we are learning to deal with it. It sure makes us appreciate the calm life we used to have (and will one day go back to) in Oklahoma.

Memories

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Our giggle for the day

Jared and I showed up EARLY for church--a big no-no! Jared said in the car that when you are early you often get asked to say the prayer! And yes, we walked up to the leader of the meeting, who was greeting people as they entered, and then he asked us to say the opening and closing prayers of the sacrament meeting. We were both quite nervous. Although our Spanish is coming along, we don't ususally pray in Spanish (which we should). So anyway, my sweet Jared said the opening prayer (to give me extra time to think and find the correct words). He did a great job and as he was walking down from the stand...little, almost 2 year old, Annie stood in the church bench and began chanting quite loudly "DAD-DY, DAD-DY, DAD-DY, DAD-DY!" There was a rumble of laughter, even Jared laughed (I can laugh about it now). At the time, all I could do was dive over my other children to try and quiet her--I turned red and probably sunk down in my seat. Oh, wonderful children!

Have a happy week and be like our little Annie and cheer on those you love!

Young Poet's Society

Emma's class has been working on poetry lately. Last week the parents were invited to a poetry reading in their class. These kids were so creative! Our girl too, of course. Emma wants to share these with you:

Inside My Heart

Inside my heart lives
One big family
Two puppies
Three favorite cousins
Four older cousins
Five favorite friends
Six grandmas and grandpas
Seven aunts and uncles

Spring Shower

Drip, drip,
drip, drip,
drip, drip,
drip, drop,
sunshine,
drip, drop,
drop, drop,
drop, drop,
drop, drop,
sunshine

Annie say...

Annie say Dallin
Dow-dow
Annie say Ginger
Grglr
Annie say Emma
Amma
Annie say Annie
Annnn

2 New Babies!

When we decided to move to Argentina, the kids needed a little something to get them excited about the move. Jared decided this little something would be a dog, and Emma was ready to go! Well, 9 months later that dog, turned into 2 dogs! We have a 3 month old female yellow lab (Tina, from Argentina) and a 2 month old male mutt (Mickey, from Mickey Mantel or Mickey Mouse, depends on which family member you ask). They are best buddies and we are doing our best to take care of them and get used to them. Emma is mommy, of course. Annie is mommy too. She learned quickly how to swat them, and does it even when nothing has happened (I guess she finally has someone she can boss around). Dallin and Ginger have taken some time to warm up. At first they were very scared and ran or hid. Now, they will go outside if we go together and will pet them if there is "help" nearby. This has been a big undertaking for me, and day #2 I was ready to send them back. Now it's been a few weeks and I think they'll stick around awhile, but now that I have 6 "kids" I'm crazier than ever!

Dallin's Birthday Bash

Dallin had his birthday at a party place. It was easy for us--they had a playground, toys, games, dress-up and food--everything prepared for the children. (Now that's the way to have a party!)

Emma's Big Birthday # 7

Emma had a slumber party this year. They ate, danced, painted nails, and giggled all night long. 1st grade girls are fun!

Primary Swimming Party

Annabelle Eve Anderson

Annie doesn't say much, except for AHHHHHHHHH! She likes...babies, to pray in her own language, to follow her siblings and do everything they do. She doesn't like...bedtime or when mom leaves. Our biggest wish for her is...HAIR. She loves her family because...everyone loves her!

Ginger Amelia Anderson

I like...daddy, unicorns and princesses, to suck my thumb, to go to McDonald's and to watch TV. I don't like...bad sangs (things), or when Dallin bees mean to me and all that stuff. My biggest wish is...to go to Nana's house. I love my family because...sometimes Dallin bees nice to me and cause Annie likes babies and Dora too.

Emma Christian Anderson

In her own words--Hi, I am Emma. I like...horses, swimming, and going to Amusment Parks. I don't like...soccer or when my brother beats me up. My biggest wish is...to be a queen. I love my family because...they are nice to me (except my brother sometimes).

Please pass the MATE!

So this picture is going to get all kinds of comments. (So bring it on all of you Word of Wisdom scholars). This is Argentine mate. Jared asked the stake President's wife what the prophet thinks of it. She said, "I haven't ever asked him and I never will!" Most Argentines drink it every morning, hot or cold. They pass it around at parties or meetings (even church meetings). It kind of smells and tastes like herbal tea. So, you decide...I am not an addict, just wanted to try it. Anyway, I don't think I could have got hooked, I was sick for at least 2 days after my one and only try!

What do you do in the summer time?

Argentines boast of their great cuisine, especially meat. They love to spend an afternoon together with family and friends and have BBQs, with lots and lots of meat! Can you pick out the 3 Gringos in this picture--Ginger, Dallin & Emma? (Click twice to get a closer look.)