Pink-O-Ween

What do the Anderson's, Gusler's, Hamilton's and Martinez's do to prepare for Halloween?---create their own tradition and holiday!!

PINK-O-WEEN

For Pink-O-Ween consists of going to the pumpkin patch, having Walmart Adventures and Painting PUMPKINS!!!

Here is the first one I did and will post others later that everyone else did....I did not get pictures of those!

Life's New Motto

So life since June has felt like a constant Hail/Rainstorm....but this is my new life's motto.....more to come later...but a cry/therapy session with my hair dresser left me feeling....that life could be worse....I pray for strength for both she and I as well as our families. Its amazing how one small convo can turn into a heart felt discussion of life and what is most important.

From Marvel to Horses and Fainting Goats!

I am very proud of my new home Mail/Family Command Wall…over the Christmas Break I gave myself goals….

1. Get new bedding for our bedroom….well I got that as a Christmas gift so that was AWESOME!! Thanks Jomi for "hinting" to the hubs for me! I love it!! All I need now are to pick new curtains and curtain rods. 

2. Find a wall decoration to go above our bed. 

3. Get an organizational wall done! ---Pinterest Inspired! 

Well 1 and 3 are complete and while #2 was attempted twice myself and David were not satisfied with the selections I came home with…however I did find the perfect piece of metal art however it was too small for the wall space….so now I am leaning towards painting the wall and making it a drastic accent wall! 

Well break is over and what better way to spend the first weekend after school has started than playing video games….Lego Marvel to be exact….I choose Lego games when its my turn to pick a game because 

1. I am terrible at video games…2. You can't die in Lego games! 

This way I avoid….getting frustrated and David does not get antsy will playing with me. It's a Win-Win situation….look at that The 7 Habits have carried over from school to home! 

This weekend is MLK weekend….let me just say it is a difficult concept to teach Kindergarteners about racism and equality when they have never lived in that kind of world. Not to say that I myself have either but I am older and grasp the concept….so the easiest way to explain it was to say that Martin Luther King Jr. helped change the minds of lawmakers that everyone deserved to go to school together instead of boys only with boys or girls only with girls and that if you have different colored "hair" it didn't matter because the world only works and classrooms only work when everyone is together. It helped that one of my students had just moved and they were still missing her and wanted her to come back. We took on a Win Win attitude as we read The Crayon Box that Talked. Anyways this weekend we went to my new "BFF's" sons birthday party in Colorado City….she is actually a super good friend of my sister's and has now adopted my family as her family. While we were visiting with her and my sister we got to go see a baby goat….some horses as well as the ultimate……FAINTING GOATS!!! You would have thought we won the lottery how excited everyone was about the goats….the video is on David's phone so that will have to come later. Dj enjoyed playing with most of his cousins and was beyond thrilled that we took Bichael and Buckey with is. (John Michael and Robbie) We rushed home today so that we could get the boys to baseball practice. 

Well I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend. I know that I will be reading for Grad School and enjoying Monday and Tuesday off….however Tuesday is for a Curriculum Committee Hearing…bluh….all day long in Vendor Presentations! 

6 Months Later!

Wow!! Where have The Anderson's Been! Well tons of stuff has gone on in the past 6 months since the last post….I decided to go back to school for my Masters in Special Education specializing in Curriculum & Instruction with a certification in Educational Diagnostician! Whoa! Such a long degree name! So since August 26th this has been my best friend….

Aside from school we embarked on the Potty Training Journey with Dj and were doing quite well until he broke his leg right before Thanksgiving at Cheyenne's Birthday party! Lets just say that we will no longer be jumping or anywhere near a trampoline. A month later we are now two days out from a cast and refusing to walk….which according to the Doc is normal. I must say THANK YOU to all that have helped us with Dj since having a broken leg….my co-workers gave us older clothes really pants that helped because they were the tear away kind….Trey who drove us to the doctor while in Ft. Worth…grandparents who had to deal with babysitting a kid with a broken leg! 

We welcomed Elfie into our home…we love our Santa's helper that keeps a close eye on Dj during the weeks leading up to Christmas. 

Even Elife broke his leg flying back from the North Pole one night. He even told all the Rescue Bots about his accident. 

Elife brought Christmas into the Anderson Casa…..he brought us a Christmas Tree directly from the North Pole! 

Well now back to relaxing during my WINTER/CHRISTMAS VACATION!!! I've got lots of WRAPPING to do as you can see a bag peeking out in the corner of the photo above. 

Where have we been...lately!

Its been forever and a day since I've written a post! Life has been an emotional roller coaster around the Anderson Casa since April. On April 13th our family lost an amazing women, friend, sister and mother! Since then I personally have been trying to play catch up both emotionally and literally around the house.
Since April....

• I finished up my 1st year of Kindergarten....in a nut shell...it was eye opening and wonderful all at the same time!
• Dj finished his first year of Little Saints and learned to make FRIENDS!
• David finished his degree before April but we just celebrate his graduation ceremony in late June.
• Shaft came home from Spain....I post this because thats a long time for the hubs to be without his best friend! 
• We had a mini vacation to Canton/DFW area during David's Graduation Weekend....which was a welcomed AC cooled vacay! 

Leading up to 2 important things....

• OUR AIR CONDITIONER FINALLY KICKED THE BUCKET......let me just say you never want your AC to go out during a TEXAS summer!! 
• MY KINDER TEAM AND I WENT TO VEGAS!!!

Once I get all the pics together and from my coworkers I will have more on my trip to VEGAS but I will leave you with some images of the places we ate at.....

 The Cheesecake Factory and yes I had Key Lime Cheesecake! 

Serendipity 3....the portions are so large we didn't leave room for the Frozen Hot Chocolate! 

How can you go wrong with lettuce wraps! 

 This restaurant was inside our hotel...The Venetian....we had lunch and breakfast here during the conference.  

Pre-Pre-Surgery Night

Well considering that our child has decided that his bed is not where he sleeps...we are a bit sleep deprived....that being said...I've got plenty on my plate for the next couple days...and on that is surgery!!

Pre-Surgery List!!

1. Get supplies/clothes/all insurance papers ready for surgery....done
2. Get Dj's school stuff ready for his Easter Egg Hunt....working on it
3. Sub....done
4. Lesson Plans...working on it
5. Food for Good Friday....done---all thats left to buy is a cake for my sister's & nieces birthday
6. Try to relax!!

Well here's to 1 more day before they cut my legs ....as my kids at school say...Mrs. Anderson did they give you new legs yet!

Feliz Día de Amor y Amistad!

We don't really celebrate Valentine's in this Anderson Casa...I personally feel its overrated and too commercial and as David said this morning why have one day to say I Love You when that should be everyday!!
However---as hypocritical as it seemed we wanted Dj to enjoy a day of Friendship!! He took M&M Valentine's to school today and came home with a huge goodie bag that they must have let them attack because there were empty wrappers! So on that note I leave you with this...

Lately...

Well between ear infections....sinus infections and some nasty allergies...this family has been under the weather! Thanks to the weather...between cold then hot and don't forget the wind! 

Last Saturday was Winter Formal....Here is a shot of Ori's hair after the curling wand and I were done. I must say I am pretty impressed with its results. I love some curls.  Dj and I spent the day over at Norma's and then David joined us later that evening for dinner after she left for the dance. While we were hanging out with Norma and Louis this is how we found Dj in the living room.

We rested on Sunday and then went out of town on Monday to take a look at David's new "Rotty 100" project. More on that later....

While we were in Colorado City....Dj got the privilege of driving a tractor! Even though I am far away taking the picture I am convinced that is "One HAPPY little guy"!!!

From the tractor he moved on to the horses and I even bottle feed a baby steer. 

Yesterday Dj went to get his flu shot while we were at work....so after work I took my lil guy to get ice cream! What better way to end an 80 degree day but with homemade Mexican ice cream from the Paleteria! While we were there one of my students families owns the business and Dj got to play with my student and his little sisters! Gotta love those RED cheeks! 

When we got home I was beyond excited.....MY $1.25 SCARF W/ FREE SHIPPING CAME IN!!! I <3 it="" nbsp="" p="">

Now to enjoy our weekend....REST is my plan....and start my 2nd round of antibiotics....JOY! Next week is the last week of Fit Camp! Another 4 weeks under the belt when the week is over! Enjoy the weekend!! 

The Dream Begins with US!!

Our goal for this year is to become Healthier versions of OURSELVES!! Yes everyone usually makes this resolution but we have events this year that are a strong motivation! 10 year reunion and hopefully Dj starting sports!! Above is the logo from Keep Movin' Fit Camp. I have completed one 6 week camp and a 21-Day Challenge! Camp consisted of mostly cardio and total body workouts! The Challenge was mostly weight training. Below is the picture of my Purple Passion team at camp this session! 

 Today was our first TEAM WORKOUT and man it was rough! 60 burpies, 200 squats, 200 sit-ups at least 100 pushups, jumping jacks, mountain climbers.

I am very proud of David he joined Planet Fitness! He has 24/7 access to an awesome gym and classes. Can't beat that price monthly.

We have started making healthier food choices and WOO HOO David ate sweet potatoes!! Well time to get to bed....4 am comes really early!

Feliz Navidad!!

Get Low!

Well Fit Camp has been well Fit Camp...a no holds bar kinda thing!! Since the Fam has been sick I've missed 2 days...tried to keep up w my journal..and do the best I can at all the different exercises! That said the bar below was my new friend and all I remember was GET LOW as we lunged across the ACU Basketball court for 40 mins! The whole hour was designed to work on our core and @$$!! Night all I've got a 3 am wake up call/text!! Yes they text me that early!!

My poor lil man

Yesterday Dj vomited while he was at my parents house and fell asleep. I assumed he would be fine as he has only ever thrown up 3 times to date. Well while we were visiting my sister my mom called to say he was still vomiting. We picked up pedialyte on the way to their house and tried to rehydrate him with no success! We made it home a while later with calls in to the doctor. He slept with us to keep an eye on him and spent the day at home today! Sadly he missed his school field trip to the zoo! We found out at his Dr.'s that he has an ear infection that is causing all the vomiting! Joy!! So a shot and antibiotic later hopefully my lil man will feel better!

4 am...Fall Forward!

Well Jomi and I signed up for Keep Movin Fit Camp!! Below is a pic of what the roads look like at 3 am!! AAhH! Yes I said 3 am!

Falling Forward has helped us get some more cuddle time!

Friday Funday!!

Well it's been a while as always lately...we've been super busy living life, resting and enjoying school! Well Dj loves school...I am half and half about that!! Sunday we spent some time with David's parents while Dj enjoyed his Monkey Hat!!

My 1st Flower

Dj came home with his first art work!

It's been 5 yrs!

Well it seems like 5 years since I've blogged! Sadly I only have time for a few pics!! Here are Djs 1st day of Little Saints! The beginning and end of his day!

The Past Couple Weeks...

Wow! This summer feels like it is flying by! I can say we have had tons of fun this summer and looking forward to some more!

Here are some pictures and mini recaps of whats been going on!!

One of the biggest changes is....drumroll please....MY NEW JOB!! I'll have more on that later once I actually get to look at my room.

Sunday was David's Dad's birthday and we took over a Batman ice-cream cake. Dj loves playing "BALL" with Poppy!

Wednesday Dj and I went to the Camp Bowie Aquatic Center in Brownwood with Norma and the kids! It was so much fun and Dj loved it after he got used to constant water. Here he is walking around during our lunch break. If you haven't heard of this park you should go...it only cost Dj and I $5 to get in and we got to take in a cooler!

 The weekend of Father's Day we went to Dj's 1st Ranger's game! They won and we got to see a Fireworks show!! Dj loved the game and watching the fireworks. It was fun to spend some relaxing time with friends. Shaft, Sharon, Rachel and William and of course Dj's new friend Indica joined us!

While spending time in the Ft. Worth area we made a stop at Toys R Us to check out some ideas for Dj's 2nd birthday present!! Needless to say my boys know how to have fun "Noodle" style!

Road trip & Back from Korea

Yesterday me and the KIDS went to C City to see my sister! We got there around 12 and got home around 6! Yes a six hour trip that was followed by Play Faire Park--putt putt golf and Sonic with our friend from high school who has been working internationally teaching English in Korea!
I have a fun surprise to share just not yet! We are planning a Fathers Day trip to the Rangers game and finally got our tickets :) we are also anxiously awaiting a phone call for an impromptu trip to Ft. Worth!!

Days of Memorial...

Well to start off David finished the "American Dream" however when I was getting ready to get a picture of it...it started raining I'll have to get him to share his pictures of it with me. We had friends come over Monday for Game Day! Talk about some friendly competition. While we played Dj and Indica had another play date. Here they are watching everyone outside...questioning why do they get to be outside when its raining and not me!

Today I had Day 1 of training downtown. Man its rough to sit all day long when all you can think of is "Am I not on summer break".

After I picked Dj up from grandmas we went shopping and came home with this fun PUZZLE!! He has some puzzles but this is his first age approriate puzzle. I'll leave you with these pics of him working it out. I am up way too late for Day 2 of training tomorrow!!

Living the American Dream

Friday marked the beginning of summer vacation for me....it was a super calm day at work all I had to do was check in, pick up my laptop and say bye to my co-workers and the secretary. Since it was such a short day I took Dj with me to work and we got to see Braxton my co-workers son as well. The boys are 5 months apart and man there is a huge difference height wise. Dj is a whole head taller than him. After that I came home made breakfast for us, put Dj down for a nap and waited for David to get off work!! We had an Avenger's Date!! After the date Dj had a date to get his hair cut! He loved the little car that he could drive but HATED the clippers they used to clean up the cut!

We had dinner with our friend Phillip and came home to RELAX!

Saturday we had some friends over for a BBQ! It was an adult time BBQ and play date for Dj and his new friend Indica. Shaft made it in to Abilene alittle after Rachel, William and Indica got here. There are always stories from our BBQ's but I'll let you ask David or myself about those.

Sunday David started work on the "American Dream" as he calls it after some recovery time! He and Shaft have been hard at work on the new picket fence that will block Zoe from getting up on the porch and jumping on the door. They are currently getting and working on the finishing touches to the gate so that the project will be COMPLETE!!

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Well I just got Dj down for a nap time to finish up some laundry and get ready for our GAME DAY/PLAY DATE in a couple hours.

I'll have more to post about our "American Dream" and YAY!! Only a month and some change and Dj turns 2!!