Happy 4th Birthday, Hannah!

I have a TEN-YEAR-OLD!!!

Andrew turned the big 1-OH on January 4th. Crazy! Ten years! A decade! A tenth of a century! Wow, you are old, Buddy! Or maybe just your mother is.

We had an awesome time at Laser Fun Zone for his birthday party. We ate pizza and chocolate cheesecake and played two games of laser tag. Even his old mom had fun running and ducking behind walls to jump out an tag an unsuspecting by passer from the opposing team. Seriously, it was super fun!

This was the first time I didn't make Andrew a cake for his birthday. The night before, he came to me and said, "Hey Mom, I have a great idea - CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE! From the Cheesecake Factory!" So I made a little trip down to the CF (55 miles - see how much I love you?) and picked up the chocolate-est cheesecake I could find - the Hershey's Chocolate Bar Cheesecake. And yes, it was as good as it sounds! That WAS a great idea, Buddy!

Andrew is always so kind to include his brother Logan and Logan's best friend, Mark, with all his friends! What a good big brother!

  Traditional birthday questionnaire coming soon!

Happy 6th Birthday, Logan!

Name: Logan Mac Anderson
Age: 6
School Teacher: Miss Brush
Best Friend: Mark N.
Favorite Food: Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Favorite Book: Goldilicious by Victoria Kann
Favorite Activity: playing BeyBlades
Favorite Sport: soccer
Favorite Movie: Baby Geniuses
Favorite Song: BeyBlade Metal Fusion Theme Song
Favorite TV show: BeyBlade Metal Fusion
Favorite Website: beyblade.com
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite School Subject: Math
When I grow up I want to be: a photographer
I want to go on mission to: "I haven't really decided yet."
What makes me happy: "When Andrew wants to do things... with me and play with me."
What makes me sad: "When someone yells at me really loud and makes me cry."
What I like best about myself: "I'm good at schoolwork."


Logan Buddy, I can't believe you are six-years-old! You have really been counting down the days to this birthday. Mostly because you get to have a birthday party at Laser Fun Zone, and you got to wear a birthday crown at school today!

You have such a sweet, sensitive, and affectionate nature that I love about you! You really admire your big brother, Andrew, and are a gentle and kind big brother to Hannah. I am so proud of how much you have learned in Kindergarten this year, and amazed at what a good reader you have become. You love school! While most kids love days off, you are bummed when you don't get to go to school. I love watching your excitement when you play, whether it be jumping up and down while you play the Wii, cheering your BayBlade on as you battle, or laughing and squealing as you run around on the playground. You really in get into everything you do. I love you very much and feel so blessed to be your Mom! Happy Birthday!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Hannah!

Name: Hannah Lee Anderson
Age: 3
Nursery Teachers: Sister Pedersen
Best Friends: her brothers, Logan and Andrew
Favorite Foods: yogurt, Cheerios, bananas, clementines, and cake
Favorite Sayings: "Are you happy, Mommy?" "I look beautiful!"
Favorite Activity: riding her "beautiful bike," building pillow forts with her brothers, twirling in fancy dresses, trying on Mommy's jewelry
Favorite Book: Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas
Favorite Movie: Toy Story 3 and Frosty the Snowman
Favorite TV shows: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Dora the Explorer
Favorite Color: PINK!

Hannah, you are so much fun! Your beautiful smile, giggles and hugs make me so happy! You are a girly-girl who appreciates pink, sparkles, flowers, dresses, jewelry, and all beautiful things. I love having a little buddy to go shopping with! You bring so much vivacity and joy to our family and we are all completely in love with you! I can't even think about you without a huge smile on my face!
Hannah, dancing and twirling in her new Fancy Nancy tutu, leg warmers, and ballet slippers. THANKS Grandma and Grandpa Anderson!!!

Happy Birthday, Little Valentine!

M&M Kit Kat Cake

Andrew told me he was too old for a themed birthday cake this year, so I threw together this cake based on his love of M&Ms and Kit Kats. I layered two round 12" chocolate cakes with chocolate frosting, surrounded the cakes with Kit Kats, tied the curly ribbon around to hold them in place, and dumped a huge bag of M&M's on the top! Seriously the easiest cake I have ever made! I think the birthday boy liked it too!

Happy 9th Birthday Andrew!

Name: Andrew Bryan Anderson
Age: 9
School Teacher: Mrs. Rants
Best Friends: Kai, Eben, Blake, and Tyler
Favorite Food: Brownies
Favorite Book: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo and the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
Favorite Activity: Soccer
Favorite Movie: Nine and The Lightning Thief
Favorite Song: Fireflies by Owl City
Favorite TV show: Jackie Chan Adventures
Favorite Website: Disney's Toontown Online
Favorite Colors: red and bright yellow
Favorite School Subject: Science and Math
When I grow up I want to be: a lawyer and an inventor
I want to go on mission to: China or Japan
What makes me happy: "Good food."
What makes me sad: "Bad food."
What I like best about myself: "I'm good at sports."

Logan's Pirate Party - Arrrrrgh!

Happy 5th Birthday, Logan!

Name: Logan Mac Anderson
Age: 5
Best Friend: Rex
Primary Teachers: Bro. Lloyd and Bro. Buckner
Favorite Food: Cereal
Favorite Book: That's Not My Monkey!
Favorite Activity: playing computer games
Favorite Outdoor Activity: riding bikes
Favorite Movie: Veggie Tales Silly Song Countdown
Favorite Song: Umbrella Beach by Owl City
Favorite TV show: The Backyardagins
Favorite Colors: Blue
Favorite Part of Preschool: show and tell
When I grow up I want to be: a doctor
What makes me happy: "Getting hugs and kisses."
What makes me sad: "People talking mean to me."
What I like best about myself: "I'm very good at wrestling!"

Andrew gave Logan OREOS for his birthday!

Logan, I think you are the most loving, affectionate boy on the planet! You are always telling me how much you love me and telling me that I am "the best Mom in the world!" My favorite thing you say is, "Mom, I will always be your buddy!" You always have a great hug and kiss for me. It's so fun to watch you learn new things. You can write all your letters and are starting to read a few words. I can't believe you will be going to Kindergarten this year! You admire your brother,Andrew, and like to do what he does. You are fun and playful with Hannah. You make me happy every day, Logan! Happy Birthday!

Hannah's Birthday Party

Hannah is a BIG fan of Mickey and the gang! The darling shirt from Nana and Papa says it all!
Hannah's Minnie Mouse cake.


I love this picture of Hannah opening her present from Nana and Papa! My mom's expression is priceless - watching Hannah's face, hoping that she likes it. (My mom had a traumatic experience with an unappreciated birthday gift when she was a child. It has scarred her for life!)
Minnie AND Daisy!!! Hannah loves them! (Immediately after this, Hannah looked in the bag again and said, "Donald?" Apparently she thought she was getting the whole gang!)Thank you, Nana and Papa!
Hannah lined up her new friends with her brothers' Mickeys. Then she laid down on her tummy with her face in her hands and just stared at them. She is such a girl; I love it!
Hannah taking Daisy for a ride in her new shopping cart. Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa Anderson!

Happy 2nd Birthday Hannah!

Name: Hannah Lee Anderson
Age: 2
Favorite Foods: cheese, clementines, and chocolate milk (not necessarily together)
Favorite Book: Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
Favorite Activity: chasing brothers, climbing on furniture
Favorite Songs: The Alphabet Song, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Theme Song, The Wheels on the Bus
Favorite TV show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

I love my little girly-girl! You love pretty dresses, bracelets, and giving kisses to your dolls and stuffed animals. The other day, I found you in the bathroom putting on my powder and saying in the mirror, "Cute! Cute!"You also love Mommy's purses and carry them around the house if I leave them out.
You pick up new words so quickly now, and we love hearing your sweet little voice. You have such a beautiful laugh and big smiling brown eyes that just melt my heart. You bring so much joy to your Daddy and me and we feel so grateful for our Little Valentine! We love you!

Andrew's Party

Happy 8th Birthday, Andrew!

Name: Andrew Bryan Anderson
Age: 8
School Teachers: Mrs. Cohen
Best Friends: Noah W.
Favorite Food: Italian Chicken
Favorite Book: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Favorite Activity: Soccer
Favorite Movie: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Favorite Song: Fireflies by Owl City
Favorite TV show: The Suite Life on Deck
Favorite Website: Disney's Toontown Online
Favorite Colors: red and bright yellow
Favorite School Subject: Science
When I grow up I want to be: a mechanical engineer and an inventor.
What I like best about myself: I can run fast.

Do I really have an 8-year-old?! I can't believe it! It's crazy to have a child old enough to show us new things on the computer, formulate logical arguments that are hard to dispute, and even have his own music preferences! Ü We are so lucky to have you in our family, Andrew! Thank you for being a good example for Logan and letting him play with you and for being so kind to Hannah. I really appreciate your help around the house when you do your chores. You are so smart and we are very proud of how well you are doing in school. You are a very capable person and even though it's hard for me sometimes, it's fun to watch your independence and confidence grow. This year will be a big one for you as you will be baptized, finish the second grade, say good-bye to some dear friends, and move to a brand new place. It will be an adventure, but I have no doubt that you will fly through it and make great new friends. We love you so much, Andrew! Happy Birthday!

Star Wars: The Fondant Strikes Back

As a preface, I just have to say that my wife rocks! She puts a LOT of time and effort into birthday cakes for our children, and I'm continually amazed at how well they turn out. On this one, I had my doubts, but she brought her A-game once again. You're awesome, babe! Here's her sneak peek from a few days ago.

And here's the final product:

Pretty amazing, huh?

You can check out pics for the whole project at Summer's baking blog, including all the details about this cake.

Happy 4th Birthday, LOGAN!

Name: Logan Mac Anderson (Logan says his middle name is Anderson. When I tell him it's Mac, he says, "No! I don't like that name! It's not a name!")
Age: 4
Primary Teachers: "Brother Smith and Teacher Smith"
Best Friends: Gavin and Brigham
Favorite Foods: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, applesauce, Spaghetti-Os
Favorite Sayings: "When I was a baby...(then tells a story from six months to a year ago)" and "I hurt myself."
Logan also has some great pronunciations that we love: "so-co" (circle), "to-daey" (today), "sko" (school), "go" (girl)
Favorite Activity: Playing the Wii with Andrew, drawing, playing with Star Wars figures
Favorite Song: (Logan singing) "Oh here we are together, together, together. Oh here we are together at our preschool day. There's Logan, and Brigham, and Gavin, and Wesley. Oh here we are together at our preschool day!"
Favorite Movie: Madagascar 2
Favorite TV show: Phineas and Ferb
Favorite Color: red
What do you want to be when you grown up? "No. I won't be a grown-up."
Do you feel different now that you're four? "No. I'm not different. I'm just four."

This morning, when I told Logan he was four, he said, "Yes. Can I drive now?"

You make me happy every day, Little Buddy! I love you!