Happy 6th Birthday, Andrew!

Name: Andrew Bryan Anderson
Age: 6
School Teacher: Ms. Bell
Best Friends: Sam Pussaar, Noah Weight, Lukas Zarders
Favorite Foods: Italian Chicken, Brownies, and Puff Pancakes
Favorite Book: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat!
Favorite Activity: Board Games, especially Monopoly Jr.
Favorite Movie: Underdog
Favorite TV show: Kim Possible
Favorite Color: Brown
Favorite Subjects in School: Art and PE
When I grow up I want to be: an engineer, a stocker at a grocery store
What I like best about myself: my brain, because it controls my whole body.
Do you feel different now that you're six? I can run faster now.

Andrew is such a cool kid! He is friendly and compassionate to those around him. He has such a smart, logical mind! I am constantly amazed by the things he knows! He is such a kind big brother to Logan and is usually very patient with him! He is tons of fun and always has a hug, kiss and an, "I love you" for his Mom and Dad. We are so blessed to have him in our family! We love you, Andrew!

Fudge vs. Cookies - It's a draw!

A few posts ago, I wrote about the fudge vs. cookies debate, and I have to admit, it was a very close race. I expected fudge to post an annihilating victory via TKO in the first round, however cookies had a couple of well-placed blows early on. Towards the end, it looked like fudge was going to win by decision, but cookies has held its' own round after round. In the end, after subtracting the additional point for Bryan's vote for fudge (only because the computer wouldn't allow Summer to vote after Bryan had already voted), the scores are tied. The final score: Fudge 6, Cookies 6. That being the case, Summer and I have respectfully agreed to disagree on which is better - it was a good fight.

Merry Christmas 2007

This was our second Christmas here in Cleveland and we were very excited to enjoy some old traditions passed on from our families, as well as begin some new ones...

Christmas Eve... eating breakfast at Cracker Barrel... tracking Santa on his blog and on NORAD... opening new pajamas... leaving cookies and milk for Santa... spreading oats on the lawn for the reindeer... reading the Christmas story together...

On Christmas morning, Bryan and I woke up around 8am, amazed that the kids hadn't gotten up yet. We even tiptoed into their room just to make sure they hadn't gone downstairs without us - but they were still sound asleep! When they finally woke up (I think Bryan and I were as excited as the boys), we went dowstairs together to find that Santa had indeed found our house! We must have been very good this year beacause, boy, were we all spoiled!

Of all the toys, I think the biggest hits with the boys were the RoboSapien from Nana and Papa Thompson, and the Wacky Wigglers building set from Grandma and Grandpa Anderson! (Though I have to admit that Bryan and I have played with the Shake 'N Go Crashway together a few evenings after the boys have gone to bed. That is one fun toy!)

After a leisurely day of playing with our new toys and chating with family on the webcam (I don't think we even got dressed until 3pm!), we enjoyed a yummy dinner of soup and fondue with our friends, the Weights. Later that night, we opened family presents with the Thompsons in Utah via the webcam.

What a great Christmas! This year was especially fun because Andrew was old enough to really get excited about Santa... and Logan just does whatever Andrew does! Bryan and I had such a blast watching the anticipation build for them as Christmas approached, loved sharing special family traditions with them, and then thoroughly enjoyed watching the excitement on their faces as they opened their presents! We both agree that Christmas is definitely more fun with kids!

Farewell, Noorlanders!

Last week, we had our friends,the Noorlanders, over for dinner and a Christmas cookie decorating party as our last hoorah before their move. I wasn't sure how we were going to get all those cookies decorated, but as you can see, we had some awesome cookie decorators to help us out!

By the end of the evening, we had several delicious treats to eat and even a few "special" cookies set aside for Santa!

Ralae and I have known each other since junior high, and were good friends all through high school (Go KNIGHTS!) We were in several musicals and plays together and sang in all the high school choirs together. After we both got married, I kind of lost track of her. Imagine my surprise when on my first sunday in Cleveland, I saw Ralae and her family sitting a few rows behind us at church! What a comfort it was to have a friendly familiar face there - like a little piece of home! Ralae has truly been one of those "Tender Mercies" that the Lord sent to help comfort me in a strange new place!

Ralae Rampton and Summer Thompson (9th grade - aren't we cute!)

Since then, we have had the pleasure of doing many fun things with the Noorlanders and getting to know Ralae's husband, Jared, and their two beautiful children, Eric and Shalee. They are such a joy to be around! Eric is so sweet, smart, and polite, and Shalee is the most adorable little firecracker with ten tons of personality!

Today, a moving van will be taking them to a great new job and a beautiful new home in Nebraska! Andrew said, "I wish they didn't have to move! They're our friends!" We are sure going to miss them, but we are so excited for all the new adventures awaiting them! We wish you all the best, Noorlanders!

Christmas Tree Stars and Primary Teachers

A few days before Christmas, Andrew came to me and asked why our tree didn't have a star at the top. I told him that I always put a big pretty bow on the top of the tree instead. He looked at me like that was the dumbest thing he'd ever heard and said, "A BOW?! That's not how you're supposed to do it, Mom! You're supposed to put a STAR on the top to remind you of the star when Jesus was born!" I felt a little sheepish, being reminded of an important symbol of Christmas by my five-year-old!

I believe the credit for this goes to my friend, Kimberly, who is our ward Primary President. I've been told that she did a great Sharing Time about the symbols of Christmas a couple of weeks ago. It obvoiusly left quite an impression on Andrew!

This got me thinking about all the wonderful people who touch my childrens' life for good and how grateful I am for their positive example and influence in their lives! THANKS to all those who serve in the Primary... for Dane and Natalie, Andrew's Primary teachers, and Kolby and Alison, Logan's Nursery leaders. Thanks so much!

And as you can see, we found a STAR for the top of our tree! Thanks, Kimberly! Ü

My handsome little men on the sunday before Christmas

Fudge for President

Okay, so there's a long story behind it... but the short of it is that Summer and I had a big long arguement (oh, excuse me... Summer's correcting me saying that it wasn't an "arguement" but rather a "discussion" - even if it did almost come to blows) about whether people would prefer receiving fudge or some other Christmas treat. She made the statement that "not EVERYONE likes fudge." I, on the other hand, think "how could you not like fudge?" It's like concentrated happiness in a little block of chocolate. Anyway, we decided to settle the disagreement by posting a poll on our blog - it's over in the right column. As for me, I say vote up if you like fudge. If, on the other hand, you prefer misery and sadness, go ahead and click on the other option. Anyway, we'll tally the votes at the end of the week.

By the way, I do actually realize that not EVERYONE loves fudge, but I would guess that the vast majority would vote for the fudge. Anyway, merry Christmas, and we (well, actually I)hope you get lots of fudge in your stockings - Summer hopes everyone gets cookies!

Blaine's Sealing

Yesterday was a very special day for the Thompson family! Baby Blaine was sealed to my sister, Jenny, and her husband, Tyson, in the Ogden Temple. Blaine came to them in June, after years of waiting for a child. I can't think of two more deserving people! Jenny and Tyson love Blaine with all their hearts and are wonderful parents!

I am so grateful to Blaine's birthmother, Katie, for making this day possible! I admire her very much for her love and faith!

Logan.com

Okay, another funny Logan quote! This morning, I walked into the living room to see Logan playing with my cell phone. He was typing all sorts of letters into the "new contacts" screen. When I asked him what he was doing, he said, "I'm typing 'dot com' for you, Mommy! That's nice, huh?" Maybe we spend a little too much time on the Internet at our house.