Emma's "GIRL" Birthday Party

Emma had about 12 girls over to our house for her birthday. We had a "beauty" theme. They first made scented soap and perfume.
Then they made bracelets.
Then they got their nails painted, hair curled, and lipgloss and all that fun sparkly stuff.
It was a fun party. The girls really let loose with no boys or parents around (only me). While they were doing all these activities they danced to Camp Rock and Hannah Montana music! They sang their little hearts out! ahhh...to be 8 again...

Dallin's 7th Birthday

Dallin had his party with another boy in his class, Patrick Young. The party was at a science center. The kids run around and play with the different stations and then meet together to do group experiments.

Here, Dallin and Emma are inside a giant bubble! This was probably the favorite of all the kids.

Emma's Baptism

Finally, I have pictures from Emma's baptism. She was baptized on Sunday, May 3, in Vicente Lopez, Argentina. We were sad that the family wasn't there, but were overwhelmed with the support of our ward. The service was in English and we thought many of the members wouldn't attend because of that, but they all came. One sister said she didn't understand a word, but she imagined what we must be saying!

Jonas Brother's World Tour

Emma and Dallin went to their 1st concert on Thursday. We invited 2 friends from church, Melanie and Olenka, and then mom tagged along (Ginger and Annie didn't go, just jumped in the picture).


Emma really enjoyed it. She danced a little and sang A LOT. Dallin thought it was OK, didn't really enjoy the constant screaming of a million little girls, and actually took a nap during the last 3 songs. (Hopefully his 1st concert isn't his last.) It was an entertaining concert--they don't have the dance moves like the New Kid's On The Block did when I was little, but they entertain with flips and stunts, and of course, fun songs. So overall, it was a fun experience to be out in the nightlife of Buenos Aires.

Every Member A Missionary

Last weekend our ward had a missionary open house. Each member family was asked to bring 1 non-member. Then each organization had their room prepared with pictures, posters, handouts, etc. Sounds good, right?

Well, our attendance wasn't quite what we had hoped for--1 sister brought 2 friends and another family brought 1 friend. So when the mission president and his family showed up and they went to the street to find more people. The Elders were also outside talking to people passing by. I got an old, familiar itch to do something, but I just stood and watched.

After awhile, the mission president came in and I asked him what he was saying to invite people (which so far, no one had welcomed his invitation). He proceeded to tell me his thoughts about the whole situation (not upset, but with humility and love):

**Look at all the members sitting inside the church, where it is warm, they are comfortable, they have their callings and assignments--there they are waiting for the missionaries to bring someone into the church. Shouldn't it be the opposite? Shouldn't the members be bringing their friends into the church and the missionaries can help along the way?**

Wow, what an eye-opener for me. Now I knew where that itch was coming from! We had only invited 1 family and they couldn't make it, so I hadn't even tried to invite anyone else. So I grabbed another American sister (returned missionary and speaks Spanish beautifully) and we went out into the street to help the missionaries.

It was tough. Memories of rejection and strange looks and all that fun stuff came flooding back. But we were trying! We slowly walked back to the church with no success. Then as we were at the church gate, a lady carrying groceries walked past. My friend invited her in and she said "OK." Wow! We needed that 1 yes! She stayed for a long time, watched a presentation, visited the Relief Society, and had refreshments with us.

Anyway, this evening left me with a lot to think about and that's why I felt I should pass it on. Here in the Buenos Aires Temple, they have told the temple workers to stop praying that "the missionaries will be led to those searching." The leaders said the time for that is passed! Now they are counseled to pray for the members! WE are going to find and bring the elect to the Church and to the Lord. So go get'em, and my prayers are with YOU, my fellow member-missionaries!

Mother's Day in Pre-K

On Monday, Ginger's pre-K class celebrated Mother's Day by inviting all the moms to breakfast. They fed us and gave us gifts and then we watched a movie they had made. Each child told why he/she loved his mother. It was really special (with some cute comments from 4 year olds).

She made that necklace for me, and a card, and a portrait of me!


This is Ginger's good friend, Sabrina, and her mom, Michelle.

Poetry by Dallin

Dallin's 1st grade class had their poetry reading on Thursday morning. It was very sweet and these kids are very creative.


Dallin's teacher says he is a big helper in the class. For example, a few kids were shy to read and so Dallin read with them.

He must have really grown this year, he looks about a head taller than everyone else. (Jared will be proud.)


Here he is with his best buddy, Wim. He is from Chile and has helped make Dallin a real Spanish-speaking-machine!

Dallin is sharing his book of poems with Emma and me.


Here are 2 of his poems:

My Whole Body

My bones are like baseball bats
and my heart is the ball.
My nose is like a volcano
going to explode.
My teeth are like a munching machine.
My brain is like a closet
full of ideas.
My ears are like tornados.
My body is like a building.
My eyes are like an egg
going to hatch.
My eyes are like ping-pong balls
and my arms are the ping-pong rackets.
My hair is like very short grass.

The Red Ball

A long time ago
I had a red ball
That rolled out of
My hands;
Bounced on the ground,
Rolled down the stairs,
Passed Mr. Brad's office,
Tripped someone outside,
Bounced off to recess,
Got kicked in a soccer game,
Made a goal,
Then
Fell in a pond.

A few years later
A little boy found it
And took it home.

The Zoo

We didn't go far for spring break this year--but we did make it to the zoo (about 30 minutes away in car). We went with the Green family and the Rentz family--so that equals 3 moms and 9 kids! We had a fun time and spent the whole day there.

Picture Time!

We haven't had a family picture where we are all cleaned up in awhile. (No one has a yucky nose, everyone has clothes on, and most hairs are going the right direction--with a big family, this is about as good as you can get!) So here it is. We took this at Christmas time at the Anderson's house in Tulsa, OK.

Primary Swim Party 2008

This was back in December at the Primary swimming activitiy. We offered our house and it turned out to be a big hit. There were tons of kids! They swam and played on the slip-n-slide and ate fruit and cake! Everyone behaved and had a good time. We did have a tough time getting them to leave when their parents came. Many would have stayed and played all night long!

St. Patrick's Day 2009

Here we have: Christopher (1), Isabel (7), David (5), Dallin (6), Emma (7) and Ginger (4). The kids were playing at the Green's house. Isabel and Emma are in the same 2nd grade class and are bestfriends. Our families have a lot of fun together.

A simple, but deep thought

"Every Saint Has a Past,
Every Sinner Has A Future"

Cannon Ball!

At Casa Anderson you often hear "cannon ball," followed by a big (or medium, or little girl) splash! After a summer in the pool, they aren't holding back anymore. All 4 kids have become little fish (they are much better swimmers than their mom). This picture was taken at our friend's party, during a cannon ball contest. It's easy to see why Annie got the biggest cheers, even with the smallest splash!

25 Random Things

This came from facebook, but I was feeling random, so random I wrote:

1.I have a half brother that I have never met.
2. My faith keeps me afloat in this crazy world.
3. Jared and I began dating when we were 16.
4. My dad died in a plane crash.
5. I love to put fruit in the freezer and then eat it frozen.
6. I have been a senior in college for many, MANY year (8 classes to go).
7. I enjoy working out and having a reason to feel tired.
8. I don't like dogs, yet my family talked me into getting a mutt. I'm OK with him now.
9. I have never smoked or drank alcohol.
10. Jared was my 1st kiss (and he'll tell you--my last too).
11. I lived in Switzerland and France for a year and a half as a missionary.
12.I used to be fluent in French, now I am working on Spanish, so one day I could possibly be trilingual.
13. I still hold my nose under water. (go ahead and laugh, Jared does)
14. I never learned to do a cartwheel (I blame my older sisters, it's just too late now).
15. When I was a teenager I wouldn't let guys open the door for me. I would say "I can do it myself" or "It's not heavy."
16. Playing basketball in school was tough, but riding the bench was even tougher.
17. I love olives and lemons and pickles (not together).
18. I used to be a cat person. It all started when I was 8 with Littlebit, then Kiki, then Tookie, then Niki...now they make me sneeze.
19. I am horrible at decorating. I have seriously considered paying someone to make my living room "pretty."
20. I've tried selling Avon and vowed to never do a "home" business again.
21. I got my legs waxed for the first time here in Argentina. Ouch! Don't thing I'll do that again.
22. I want more babies (mine keep growing up).
23. I have never broken a bone, but I got stitches once.
24. I consider my husband and children the greatest blessing I have received from God.
25. Someone once told me that I do everything half-way. As much as I try to better myself, that has somehow stuck with me.