"I Never Got To Open Her Box"

Remember this gem of a post about opening my historical boxes from 23 years of gathering dust at my parents old home in Weiser?

Well, now it's time for Miles' and Lindsay's box debut . . . or shall I say BOXES! I think Lindsay had 6 boxes and Miles had 2 or 3.

We rooted around in them in the few hours we had before I took Miles to the airport. It was hilarious. I love this next series of pictures. It pretty much sums up the experience.

Love that face and that laugh.

Lake Pleasant w/ Anderson Family

We went to Lake Pleasant with Grandma & Grandpa Anderson, Miles, Lindsay & Keith, Hannah, Brynnie, Ian & Nat and Tatem the afternoon of October 8, 2011 as a fun family activity to further celebrate Grandpa's birthday. Keith borrowed his parents boat and we ate lunch really fast and started in on jumping in the water and tubing.

Elliot was first in.

Brave little Hannah was second as she jumped to Uncle Elliot.

Ian jumped in and Tatem followed.

After a lot of peer pressure, Stella finally decided to jump in, but wanted immediately to get back out (she's the only one of the kids that cried . . . I would have too, open water freaks me out).

And Uncle Miles made an awesome splash.

Brynnie-Boo didn't jump in, but she's super cute.

And then Uncle Miles and Uncle Ian started on the tube. Dorks.

All you could see throughout their 3-part ride was their white teeth.

Miles and Ian were on so long that they needed a break.

. . . then Ian got booted off. Twice.

Aunt Nat hopped on the tube with Miles and in my opinion, Uncle Keith (driver) was very kind.

(Elliot trying to help me fit those giant nursing boobs into a tiny life jacket)

Because then I got on the tube with Elliot and Keith whipped us around the lake like rag dolls. Seriously, my ENTIRE body was sore that night and days afterwards.

Stella thought it was pretty funny that my head was about to detach from my body during the ride.

The girls snuggled and ate all of the snacks. Well, Tatem would eat the cream out of the Oreo and then throw the cookies to the fishies.

My neck already hurt.

Miles and I sat in the back of the boat and looked and laughed at all the pictures on the cameras. Don't we look old? I guess it could be the amount of wind being whipped in our faces . . .

Brynlee was totally asleep with those sunglasses on. I love her.

Grandpa was there too, but I just got a picture of Grandma's amazing hair.

Malcolm slept the entire time. He didn't wake up. Not even a little bit. And he slept all night too.

We had so much fun and wish that we could have stayed longer, but you can't tube after dark. We got home super late and just threw the kids into bed . . . we had another busy day planned!

Daddy-O's 70th Birthday Weekend

My Dad celebrated his 70th birthday on October 3rd. My sister Natalie and her family (Ian and Tatem) came from Idaho, my brother Miles came from Ohio, and Lindsay and I were already here to help celebrate. I have a serious lack of birthday boy pictures, but plenty of the food served.

Natalie and my brother Adam did a Hell's Kitchen of sorts several days before the weekend to make sure all of the food would turn out right for the family party. It was a big job and made a huge mess and used almost every kitchen utensil and we all smelled just like an Asian restaurant, so I think it was a success!

There was so much food. So much food. We should have invited the neighbors.

Everyone had a great time, especially Maeser and Teener.

One of my favorite memories of the night . . . for some reason my siblings were all afraid to be the instigator of singing "Happy Birthday." I could have sung it at the top of my lungs, but as Lindsay has told me and as Stella proves every single day, no one can hear the frequency of my low voice. So I just asked my cousin Doug to start singing "Happy Birthday" and before I even finished asking the question, he'd turned to face my Dad and started singing it right in his face. It's so funny how easily everyone joins in singing. Thanks Doug. I couldn't stop laughing.

Bye Bye Passion Fruit Bathroom

"But I didn't even get to say good-bye." - Stella, mourning the loss of the pink bathroom because she was at school when I decided to paint it.

I. LOVE. IT!

HISTORY OF THE PINK BATHROOM:
I blame it entirely on pregnancy hormones. I shouldn't choose paint colors during that time, though I do believe I did a good job this time. Seven years ago when we painted the bathroom before we moved in, I was looking more for a peachy color and ended up with this gosh awful pink (actually, it's called passion fruit). Seven years my friends, seven years it's been this color and though there are about 99 other things I could probably be doing instead of doing a bathroom project, here it is. And I love it.

I've been threatening to paint our guest bathroom for a very, very long time (years) and my supporters have stopped believing me. However, I've been on a serious "do random projects" spree these days like scrubbing baseboards, doors and doorframes, ceiling fans, caulking the unfinished doorframes, cleaning the office, and shampooing my own filthy carpet, so I think my sister heard a seriousness in my voice.




















Luckily I have a fantastic sister who actually likes painting and a friend who was totally up for a service project before she left on her vacation . . . so Lindsay and Corissa painted my bathroom for me.

I didn't do a thing. I just got to play with their totally adorable kiddos (Brynlee and Ellie weren't available for photo opp)!

So with a color decision on my part, my saved up photography money, and Lindsay's talent, the cutest room in my house is now the guest bathroom. On the list of things to finish: sand & paint the cabinets black (perhaps with a distressed finish), new countertop and sink. Anyone need their pictures taken? :)

Feel free to come over any time to poop. It's a great experience.

Teener's Bridal Shower

My cousin Christine "Teener" just got married last weekend to Ted Yeager in the Portland Temple. I'm so happy I got to go because I'm totally at my cut-off date of being able to travel. My Mom, sister Lindsay and I threw her a family bridal shower and had so much fun!

We had a beautiful spread of food (which I didn't get a picture of) and these cute mini cupcakes with wedding rings! Lindsay and Teener did a contest to see how many they could shove in their mouth at the same time. It was a poor showing with each getting a measly 2 cakes.

We took a break from eating for the moment (I say break because we made everyone eat again) to play Wedding Night Olympics. Get your mind in the gutter, because that's where we were headed.

We started out with Wedding Night Calisthenics. Put an orange in one leg of nylons. Tie the other leg of the nylons around your waist. Put another orange on the floor and thrust your nyloned orange into the other orange until you reach your desired destination. There was quite a bit of thrusting.

Lindsay stuffed her belly with a pillow so even things up against a totally pregnant woman.

Mom and Aunt Sandra both had 7+ children. They should have been pros at this game.

We moved on to Wedding Night Midnight Maneuver. Put an Oreo on your forehead. Without using your hands, somehow get that Oreo into your mouth. Hilarious. Also, harder than you think.

Savanna almost had it.

I did terrible.

I think Aunt Lora may have hurt herself.

Mom is funny.

Lindsay is the only one who got it in.

We went into the last round of Wedding Night Olympics with an eye's closed Pin the Kiss on Ted. Teener was pretty close and I promise I've never kissed Ted, but somehow I got him right on the smacker.

We finished up with Teener opening her scandalous and not so scandalous gifts and teaching her what a NOONER was. She'll appreciate that one.