Wednesday, January 7, 2009

TECHNOLOGY



My friend Melissa blogged about the "small" things in life that she enjoys. Things that we probably don't really think about, but that are so wonderful. Like hot running water or the garbage that gets taken away at the curb each week. We have it good in so many ways. She asked us to tell about small things that we appreciated. I have a big one...Technology!

I was thinking about the pioneers and ancestors who lived in places like England or Europe and made the decision to come out west and join the Saints. Once you said your goodbye's that was pretty much it. For the most part you were not going to be communicating with or seeing your loved one's again. Maybe you could send a letter by boat but at that time that was pretty much it and it surely took a long time. Yes, in the future there were railways, telegraphs, and then the telephone. Boy that would have taken some serious faith to leave everything behind to come out west.

I am so grateful for the ease in which I can see and communicate with my family. My dad and mom gave all of my siblings and I a web cam for Christmas. Since they live in Florida we don't get to see them very often. Usually only once a year when they come out in the summer, and then it's back to e-mails and phone calls (which have been amazing up until now). But this little web cam device is so dang awesome! Now I can see my parents and talk with them any time I want. And through Google g-mail it's free!!! It is so fun now to visit with my sister's or parents who live in Florida. It's soooo much different than a phone call or even an e-mail. The kids can talk with their grandparents or their cousins. We have been having a blast with it!!! So I am grateful for the technology that allows me to see my parents who live thousands of miles away with just the click of a button!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

2009


Once upon a time there was a much thinner and much healthier.......ME! Oh my goodness where do I even begin? I looked a whole lot different 4/5 years ago. I have no excuses (now that my baby is 3 1/2). I have eaten poorly and given up on my workout routine. This year I really need to focus on my health and set a better example for my kids. I would love to hear any tips from any of you out there on what works for you. If you have any good healthy recipes or a work out you love, let me know. Good luck to any and all of us who have loosing weight on the radar for 2009!!!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS!



As you know my favorite holiday is Christmas! I love decorating the tree and trimming the house, I love the white snow, I love looking at the Christmas lights, listening to the beautiful Christmas music, the excitement for Santa, etc... But most of all I love the feelings I get during Christmas. There is just a different feeling in the air as we are all more mindful of our Savior. This year didn't disappoint, in fact this may be one of the best Christmas's our family has ever had and in such a different way. I can't even begin to tell you all the wonderful things that were done for our family. We are still trying to rack our brains trying to figure out where and who some of these blessings came from! Every year we have been able to do some great things for other families and we still tried in some smaller ways to keep that tradition alive. But this has been the first year that we have been surprised by the the generosity and warmth of others (who ever you are out there:)). Truly this was a magical Christmas and we had some really neat experiences. Christmas of 2008 will always be special to us.

I liked this quote by President Kimball "God does notice us, and He watches over us. But it is usually through another person that He meets our needs".

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your families. We are so grateful for all of you.


Saturday, December 20, 2008

ANDEE'S PHOTO BLOG

So I really don't know what I am doing as far as making a blog :) But I finally sat down and tried to create something plain and basic that I can use for a while until I have one professionally made. I will add my business name later (it's not Andee's photo's)! This will at least be an outlet for me to post photos from various photography sessions. Enjoy!

www.andeesphotoblog.blogspot.com

Friday, December 19, 2008

SNOW DAY!


I got my wish to have a white Christmas! We really are loving the snow. Aaron used Gabe's 4 wheeler to pull the boys around on their sleds (my kind of sledding)! If it's going to be this cold there might as well be snow on the ground right? I know once we hit the new year I will be ready for the snow to be gone and for spring to be here!




Tuesday, December 9, 2008

FUN WINTER TRIVIA!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper
2. Real tree or Artificial? Switched to a fake a few years back, but I LOVE fresh!
3. When do you put up the tree? The weekend before Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? After New Years.
5. Do you like eggnog? Gag!!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I always got the coolest make-up kits
7. Hardest person to buy for? My mom
8. Easiest person to buy for? Avery. Anything pink and girly!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, I have never found just the right one.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Usually mail, but this year blog!!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? (an ugly watch from Aaron...hey babe I'm just being honest:)
12. A Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a wonderful life,...oh and Christmas vacation!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? In years past I have been done before Thanksgiving. This year with the dreaded economy, I am still pulling it together :(
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Those chocolate oranges
16. Lights on the tree? The lights on my tree are white
17. Favorite Christmas song? I LOVE Christmas music. I have been digin' Sarah Mclachlain's Christmas CD. I love the lyrics to Clay Aiken's song "Mary did you know"
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Definitely be at home with family.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes
20. Angel on the tree-top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Open only one Christmas eve.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? It's Christmas, how can you be annoyed about anything?
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I have a woodland theme (pine cones,squirrels, acorns, fall leaves, icicles, snowflakes, etc...)Very sparkly!!

24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Ham
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A White Christmas!
*If you want to play along, just copy and paste the questions and put in your own answers!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

BLAST FROM THE PAST!

Getting our own family pictures a few years ago was an event! The boys were antagonizing each other which was all caught on the camera. Plus they were pulling goofy faces and being silly. But those are some of my favorite pictures! I'm lovin' the long hair on the boys!! Peekboo photos did a great job!!