A little rain never hurt anyone. Right???

We now have undeniable proof that my 'dad' is waaay too attached to his sports. (As if all the injuries over the years weren't proof enough) Mom, Dad, and the 4 siblings that live here in the valley got together on Monday for some family time. Dad (and Byron) wanted to get some fishing and canoeing in so, despite the weather, we met out at first dam.

Dad out in his canoe in the pouring rain

Alisha and adorable little Ethan

Geese. Ethan sure had fun chasing these guys around.

Scott and Kellison hanging out under the pavillion during the heavy rain.

So after eating dinner, those of us not determined to go fishing (Dad, my brother-in-law Byron, and Byron's brother) headed back to mom and dad's place for hot chocolate and games of dominoes while the little kids had fun playing with each other.

We had a great time hanging out with the family. Thanks for the invite mom! It was great to see everyone.

Family, Food, and Fun

Yep its that time of year again. Time for the annual Anderson Family Reunion. But before we can get to that, we need to hold a shower for the intrepid birth of the Wheeler twins. That's right, for those of you not aware, Jennie Wheeler (cousin extrordinare) is expecting twin girls some time in October so to honor this, we threw her a 'diaper' shower. After all, she does already have two adorable children in the forms of Wesley and Skylie. So here goes...

The Wheeler side: Mark's (daddy) parents, sister and sister-in-law

A very pregnant mommy with daddy by her side: Mark and Jennie

Eiko writes a note for the twins to read when they turn 18

The always lovely Shannon Anderson

Amazing 'scrap' quilts made by Katie Willson (sister-in-law to Jennie)

A crib blanket set from Mark's parents

Skylie helps mommy open her gifts

A new diaper bag with goodies already loaded in

The always adorable Abbie

The equally adorable Izzy

Grandma and Jackson

A diaper cake made by Jacie


And now we're off to the Family Reunion held at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City

Little Brian wore himself out with swimming at Aunt Kristine's so...

Cousins Tasia and Celestra chat

Tyler, our grill master

the ladies

Wesley shows us his Karate moves

Tasia shows us her dancing skills

And for the grand finale: a group shot of (almost) everyone that was able to make it this year.

All in all, it was a great way to spend a Saturday. Who can go wrong spending time with your zany family!

Onsen Anyone?

What happens when Grandma calls you up and says everyone is headed to Maple Grove Hot Springs, Wanna come?

You head out of course! I mean, who in their right mind says no to a soak in a hot tub and spending time with the crazy yet vastly entertaining family.

So now, join me on my picture tour of our hot springs trip...

Cele and Grandma Eiko in front of the river running past the hot springs

Cele and I in front of the river

the 'adults' of the group. Tyler, Kristine, Eiko and Ken (in the background)

Cele in the hot tub

Some of the group
Isabelle, Colton, Caitlyn, Talia, Tara, Celestra, and Eiko

Grandma Eiko with cute little Izzy

All of us enjoying the steam

Cele the frog

Caitlyn and Isabelle: adorable cousins

We're blind! The flash is way too bright

Rick and Colton

Tyler with his princess Izzy

Slipping through my fingers

Today marks Celestra's first day of Middle School. It's hard to believe my baby girl is already at this point in her life. Just 6 years ago she was a little girl off to her first day of Kindergarten...

Celestra on her first day of Kindergarten

Celestra on her first day of Middle School

All I have to add to that is 1) Man my girl has grown up fast and 2) these lyrics seem entirely too appropriate so...

Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning

Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile

I watch her go with a surge of that well-known sadness

And I have to sit down for a while

The feeling that Im losing her forever

And without really entering her world

Im glad whenever I can share her laughter

That funny little girl

Slipping through my fingers all the time

I try to capture every minute

The feeling in it

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Do I really see whats in her mind

Each time I think Im close to knowing

She keeps on growingSlipping through my fingers all the time

Sleep in our eyes, her and me at the breakfast table

Barely awake, I let precious time go by

Then when shes gone theres that odd melancholy feeling

And a sense of guilt I cant deny

What happened to the wonderful adventures

The places I had planned for us to go(slipping through my fingers all the time)

Well, some of that we did but most we didnt

And why I just dont know

Slipping through my fingers all the time

I try to capture every minute

The feeling in it

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Do I really see whats in her mind

Each time I think Im close to knowing

She keeps on growingSlipping through my fingers all the time

Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture

And save it from the funny tricks of time

Slipping through my fingers...Slipping through my fingers all the time

Schoolbag in hand she leaves home in the early morning

Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile...

Abba: Slipping through my Fingers

(also Mamma Mia soundtrack)

A slight change in plans still equals a great time

The original plan for today was for Celestra and I to hit the Treehouse Museum in Ogden. However, plans change when your having fun with your family! We ended up spending a few hours with my baby sister and her dog Traxton at her home in Ogden. So much that we wouldn't have had much time to spend at the museum. We will have to go another time and tell you all about it then. However, for today...

Celestra and Melissa on Mel's back porch getting ready to play with fire

Traxton chases the water

After leaving Melissa's house, we headed over to Target to do some school shopping for the munchkin and then hit Applebee's for some yummy dinner.

Cele drooling over the desert menu, even before our main dishes arrived


My ugly mug at the restaurant

Cele with her pasta (I had shrimp ~ yum)

Ya gotta love the 2 for $20 deal Applebee's has going!

After dinner, it was a quick drive back to Logan and then a mini fashion show to show us the new digs.

Cele in one of her new pair of pants and one of her favorite shirts

A new, rather cute, dress for Cele.

And just for fun, A video of Traxton and his battle with the water

Where's the Fire???

If you are in Cache Valley tonight, GO OUTSIDE.

..........

Now that I have gotten you out of your house and off your couch, block your eyes from the wind and the massive amounts of dust... and look up into the sky.

What do you see???

I thought you might.

A bright red sun for all to see.

So now I ask, Where's the fire?

Busy Lifestyles of the Definately Not So Rich and Famous

Wow It's been a while since my last blog. I figured it was time I did a little catching up. Unfortunately I keep forgetting to pull out my camera at events so not too many pictures this time. Sadness. Mostly for me its been work, and more work. For Celestra it's been performances galore but she has had an absolute blast with the opera. Only one more performance to go. A matinee on the 7th.



I got to spend Saturday (their second to last performance) with the kids again and this time I brought some shirts I had made iron on patches for. The kids had a lot of fun decorating and signing the shirts.

(the kids working on their shirts)

(playing a game. They are all different animals other than that, you'll have to ask Celestra)

After the opera Celestra and I headed over to Grandma Eiko's to meet up with Grandma, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Todd, Brian and Jackson. After getting a bite to eat, we headed out to hit the pool. After a bit of a fiasco trying to find a pool that was still open, we ended up at Crystal Springs and enjoyed a good long soak. Well most of us did. Celestra spent most of her time on what she called the 'funnest water slide ever!' That's my kid. The adventure ride junkie. Unfortunately, I forgot to pull out my camera for that : (. It was great to see Sarah, Todd and the kids again though. Jackson is doing great and Brian is a bundle of toddler energy!

Celestra has her first concert with Cantate choir coming up on August 11. Her choir gets to sing with the American Festival Chorus at the inauguration of the new governor. They will be singing 'Utah, we love thee and 'God Bless America'. What an honor!

That's about all our news; at least for now.