Meeting Santa Claus

Today I took the boys to see Santa Claus. They did great! Connor even told him that he wants a "Choo-Choo" train set for Christmas. I have a feeling Santa will come through for both the boys this year.

The first picture they took with Santa, they were alone. Connor was crying and Preston was screaming hysterically. So Mom came to the rescue and let Preston sit on her lap. I think next year we will go back to having Dave in the picture with the boys instead of me.

The Anderson Christmas Card

It took me about 27 tries but I eventually got ONE picture with all 4 kids looking at the camera and somewhat smiling too. I think the picture and the card came out great.

Our Trip to the Emergency Room - Thanksgiving 2010

During dinner last night Connor decided to inhale some food into his windpipe. We thought that he had coughed it up and was over it until later that night his breathing had a whistle to it. We honestly did not think anything major was wrong with Connor, but felt a call to the pediatrician office would give us a warm-fuzzy feeling in our stomach that he was going to be ok until we could take him to the doctor the next day. So I called the pediatrician's office and talked to the oncall doctor at 10pm. Once he knew the facts he told me that I needed to take Connor to Primary Childrens Hospital in Salt Lake City immediately. He even said that we should think about getting an ambulance to drive him there because there was a chance that during the drive to the hospital Connor could cough and dislodge the food in his windpipe which would make it go into his trachea and that would prevent him from breathing. As you can imagine I was slightly panicked at this point. Luckily Sue and Jim were in town and they volunteered to watch Preston (who was already asleep) while we took Connor to the hospital.

To make matters worse on this evening, a big snowstorm was hitting Salt Lake while we were trying to drive to the hospital. The snow was falling faster and thicker than the plows could keep up so we drove down the interstate not being able to see the lanes or the lines but at least thanking God there were not alot of people on the interstate. Once we got near the hospital we had to use the AWD feature on the car to even make it to the hospital because of all the snow! Needless to say, I was a wreck when we arrived.

Once we were checked in the doctor said he was not sure if Connor has something in his windpipe or if he just damaged it enough from coughing up the food that the windpipe was swollen. So we went for xrays and tests and in the end up spent the night in the hospital on observation. Late in the morning the doctors decided to not scope his throat becuase it would have required full anestesia. They sent us home to observe him some more.

In the end it was just a big scare but it was only a scare. And we are thankful for that more than we can say.

I know you are thinking now...."Where are the pictures Alicia?" and I have to say that in the haste of getting out the door I forgot many things. My camera, diapers, wipes, and extra clothes for Connor. But I am ok with that because he is safe and sound and that is all I cared about that night.

Dinner with a Duck and a Dinosaur

Connor and Preston enjoyed their costumes so much we let them have dinner in them. Here Connor and Preston are enjoying their conversation.

Evergreen Montessori's Fall Festival

Tonight was the Fall Festival at Connor's Preschool. It was such a great event and all the kids looked so cute in their costumes!! And I have to say I had the cutest Duck and Dinosaur there!!

Making his goody-bag with his teacher.

Doing crafts in the second room we visited.

Preston showing off his walking skills with Daddy.

Daddy and the boys. As you can imagine, there was alot of excitment in the room and looking at Mom for a picture would have meant missing all the excitment.

Daddy and Preston. Could they be any cuter?

I love my little dinosaur!

The Aquarium

Dave and I took the boys to the aquarium this afternoon and had a great time. The boys loved seeing the fish, penguins (the special attraction), giant sea turtles, sharks, and touching the sting rays. As you can imagine, that was the highlight of the afternoon.

Connor and Preston loved this frog. We had to spend a good amount of time there so they both could slide down it a few times.

Could Connor be any cuter while looking at the fish??

Touching the sting rays. Connor's sleeves were soaked when he was done, but he had such a great time.


The boys playing in the kid area.

Demolition Derby - Anderson Style

Moving on up to the Big Wheel

Preston loves to ride Connor's "Cars" Big Wheel. It is the only toy he can ride on safely since it is hard for him to fall off of. He pushes it up and down the driveway with his feet and loves the "freedom" it gives him from Mom and Dad.
It is hard for me to believe how much he is growing up already.



Connor going along for the ride.

"Mom Help!!"

Pumpkin Patch Portraits

While waiting for the tractor to take us to the pumpkin patch, Dave and I sat the two boys on the pumpkin covered haybales for a few pictures. I was never able to get both boys to smile in the same picture since they were tired, antsy and ready to go pick a pumpkin. But I did get some funny ones of the boys. I hope you enjoy!

The one "Cheese!" picture

"Fine, we will look at the camera"

I know Connor looks miserable in this picture, but I have to say....this is my favorite one. It makes me laugh so hard.

Lately Preston loves to play with Connor's hair. And Connor, being the wonderful big brother he is, lets him.

"We are so bored"

"If Preston gets his bottle then I get to have Daddy's popcorn!"

"Ah! Now, we are happy little boys!"

Black Island Farms - 2010

This is the third year Dave and I have taken our kids to the Black Island Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. The kids love it each year and it is a tradition that we look forward to all fall. And incase you did not know, this is the largest corn maze in Utah. Walking the corn maze. Connor loved that we let him lead the way. Which was ok since we did not care if we got lost.

-Connor was taking a short cut through the corn.

-Mom and her amazingly adorable little boys.

-Connor showing Daddy which way to go.

-Dave told Connor that if he dropped corn kernels on the ground that we would know how to get back out of the maze. Connor had so much fun dropping the corn on the ground during our entire trip through the maze.

-Dad and Connor on top of the bridge connecting two of the corn mazes.

After the corn maze we took the boys to the Farm's Courtyard for some fun. First up, the Farm Animals.
-Connor loved the way the goat tickled his hand while eating the food from it.

-The donkeys were so sweet and so gentle.

-Connor was obsessed with the cows. We spent alot of time feeding them.

We spent the majority of our time at the slides. Connor was so great at climbing to the top of the slides and going down them by himself. I am amazed daily by how fearless he is when tackling an obstacle. Preston loved going down the slides with Dave. He would smile so big and laugh the whole time. I love seeing that little boy have so much fun with his Dad.



-Connor's graceful slide dismount.


The only way we were able to get Connor and Preston away from the slides was with the promise of riding the train. Luckily for me, Dave was willing to ride the train too so Preston could sit in his lap. Connor rode the train three times in a row (along with another 3 year old boy) and was not too pleased when we told him he could not go on a fourth ride.

-Connor changed cars for his third ride.

Connor and Preston did enjoy playing in the kids area of the courtyard. They loved riding on the see-saw and since they are the same weight (give or take one pound) they really could balance eachother out on it.



Connor and Preston LOVED jumping inside the huge inflated pumpkin.



At the end of the video you will hear Connor say "Connor have popcorn" because he saw Dave sitting on a table enjoying the kid free moment with Kettle Corn and a Diet Pepsi.

Preston really is the cutest kid.

Waiting on the tractor to take us to the pumpkin patch. Connor loved the Kettle Corn and ate his weight in it that day.

Connor and Preston loved the tractor pulled "hay"ride to the pumpkin patch. Preston laughed the whole way out while Connor just watched the other riders and talked to them. He really is a people person once he gets past being so shy.



-The annual pictures of Mom and Dad with the boys in the pumpkin patch.


-Connor showing off "his" pumpkin that he picked out to take home.

-Leaving the pumpkin patch.