James Anderson Family: June 2012

Some pretty exciting things to recap for the month of June. Are you ready? Here it goes!

Tyler and MiLinh's Wedding, Saturday, June 9th, 2012- This was our first real family trip ever. It was fun! We were able to rent a car and reserve a hotel room for two nights. It was a really nice weekend, where we were able to see Brittany's oldest brother Tyler be sealed to his sweetheart in the Mount Timpanogos, Utah Temple.
We left really early Friday morning, in order to let the kids sleep for most of the 8 hour drive to Provo. Once there, we had to wait until check-in at 3 PM so we went to visit Tyler in his apartment for a little bit. When we got to his apartment we all ate some pizza and took potty/diaper change breaks, and then realized we forgot Dean's shoes at home. Whoops! So we went and got his some sandals and by the time we got out of the store it was time to check-in at the hotel.
We felt kind of bad because the kids being so bored all day were kind of rambunctious in Tyler's apartment; climbing all over their furniture, getting into their cupboards, and basically anything and everything they could get their little hands on. Thanks again for being so hospitable Tyler. We loved being able to see your new space.

(Here's Riley, who literally has a chip on her shoulder!)

(Here's Dean so excited to be running and climbing after a long drive.)

Once we got to the hotel we were pretty impressed with the accommodations: king bed, crib, and nice spacious room with kitchenette and bath/shower combo. It was fun seeing all our shoes and clothes for the temple lined up in a row...

Here's a view of the beautiful place where Tyler and MiLinh made covenants with one another and God to be sealed for time and all eternity. There's really no comparison to anywhere else on earth. We're so glad we were able to be there to witness such a sweet ordinance and new beginning for them. It was the first time we have gone to a sealing together since our own wedding!

Here's the happy couple coming out to greet everyone and take some photos. Aren't they a handsome couple? CONGRATS you two! We're so glad you've joined the ranks of the old married crew. Hehe.

Then we all stuck around for some professional photos. It was SO crowed with married couples that day it took awhile, but it was such a beautiful day and everything turned out nice in spite of the waiting. A HUGE thanks goes out to Westly and Levi for watching our little stinkers so we could attend the sealing. After which, we came out and changed them into their nice picture outfits before Tyler and MiLinh came out of the temple. It was a scramble, but we managed somehow! Here are a couple of our own shots during picture time.

(Riley being silly and chewing on her shoe!)

(Handsome Dean, in his nice new blue and gray outfit.)

(All of Brittany's brothers in order of age: Tyler (groom), Levi, Bryce, and Westly.)

(Dean and Uncle Tyler.)

Then, after the professional photos were done of our family, we went back to the hotel and changed them into play clothes so they could eat at the luncheon without ruining their nice ones.

Here are a few low quality pictures of the luncheon crew. We went to Rib City in American Fork and even the kids loved it. Great, delicious food in generous helpings and very good service.

After the luncheon the kids were exhausted. We put them right in their playpen/cribs and they were out!

Then around 5:30 in the evening we got dressed nicely again to attend the ring ceremony and reception at Le Jardin in South Jordan, Utah. It was beautiful, intimate, and perfect for Tyler and MiLinh to celebrate with their families and friends. Dean and Riley loved sharing the Cold Stone Ice Cream with us, dancing, and looking at all the decorations, exploring the area's plants, rocks, and water fountains, and posing for the photographer. Dean was such a little ham, and seemed to always be in the center of whatever was going on.

(Here's Riley being silly making a seat for herself in the garden area. Haha.)

(Tyler dancing with his mom, and MiLinh dancing with her dad. Such a sweet moment.)

After seeing them off in their groomsmen-decorated get-away car, we went back to the hotel for a good night's sleep before returning home the following day. We left after breakfast on Sunday and had to make multiple stops to accommodate our restless children, but it was still very pleasant. We're so grateful to have been there and to have made such great memories as a family.

Father's Day- The next Sunday, after getting home from our wedding trip to Utah, was Father's Day. We were able to put together some fancy treats for our Dad's and spend some time talking and visiting with them. For Dad Anderson we put together some jars of gourmet nuts: roasted cashews, dark chocolate covered almonds, and pistachios. We stacked them on top of each other, tied them with twine and attached a note that said, "We're Nuts About You!" We spent the evening visiting and having fun outside.

For Dad Keel we found a nice big masculine jar and put in layers of York Peppermint Patty pieces, chocolate covered raisins, and Reese's pieces. We made a collar for the jar that said, "We Love You to Pieces!" and were able to spend the day with him at church and home, making him the meals he requested for the day.

For Father's Day gifts for James the kids made heart shapes using their hand prints and then Brittany signed their names inside them with notes saying, "I love you." Brittany made a frame that says, "A Father is a son's first Hero, and a daughter's first Love," with a space for a picture of Dean and Riley on the opposite side.

Our 4th Anniversary- For our Anniversary this year, we came across a great deal, through Brittany's parents for a 3 day pass to Universal Studios and decided to jump on it. We very spontaneously decided to spend three nights in a hotel in Duarte, CA and visit Universal two days in a row. It was a weird and new experience for us being away from our children for that long! We missed them and worried about them, but we also had tons of fun seeing how far we've come since we honeymooned there four years ago!
In order to go for two days we had to celebrate early. We left Thursday night, June 21st, after James came home from work, and checked-in to our hotel so that we could leave while the babies were sleeping and go right to the theme park in the morning. It worked out well that James already had that Friday off, and we could just come back to attend church Sunday morning.
We had a Jacuzzi suite and only had to drive for 30 minutes to get to the park. We ate breakfast in the hotel every morning, had lunch in the park, and then a very late dinner on our way back to the hotel both nights. We saw a movie at the AMC theater on the City Walk, picked up gifts for Mom and Dad Keel for watching the babies, and some sweets from the It's Sugar store for Dean and Riley for being good, too.
We had a caricature drawn of both of us holding babies to represent Dean and Riley, which turned out so cute, and went on all of our favorite rides and attractions twice. We took silly photos and enjoyed holding hands everywhere we went. It was so fun and nice that we were able to pull off such an outing at the last minute. Thanks for making it possible Mom and Dad Keel, we love you!

City Walk.

(And Action!)

View down to the lower lot from second escalator. There are four escalators total.

Silly pictures.

(Tried Dippin' Dots. They numb your tongue they're so cold! Fun to try.)

(Outside of Shrek 4D. Pretty fun movie experience where the

chairs move and shoot air and water at you at certain points.)

Our Favorite part of the trip, The Transformers Ride in 3D. We went twice.

(Optimus Prime)

(Waiting in line to ride Transformers. Got shut down first

day. Had to go back twice the next day. Worth it even

though it was such a long wait, because it was so fun!)

Our second favorite, the tram tour with Jimmy Fallon and King Kong 360 3D. We went twice.

(War of the Worlds set.)

Third favorite, Water World show. Here's a picture of the set. We got a little wet the first time we went.

For our actual anniversary day we spent the day together as a family going to the park, out for dinner, and to see the movie Brave as a family. It was such a nice way to spend the day. Happy 4 years to us, and may we make it many more!

What else did we do in the month of June?

Among other things we fixed up our Escort, that is still getting us from point A to point B, thank goodness, attended Jamie's 10th birthday party and delivered gifts to both her, and Isabel--who turned 3 in the beginning of the month. Happy Birthday girlies! We love you! Brittany also prepared and delivered her first Sharing Time lesson in Primary. She drew large paper dolls and 8 outfits; 4 each, for a boy and a girl, to teach modesty to the younger kids, and did a simple game with word strips with the older kids. She feels like it went well for a first attempt. And last, and certainly our least favorite, James was let go from the City of Barstow. It was only a temporary position, but we were really hoping something would open up for him so he could stay permanently. Alas, it was not to be so. So, if you know anyone looking for an extremely capable Accountant, with a Bachelor's Degree, a year of experience in municipal accounting, and a way with all things to do with Microsoft Excel, let us know!

Here are some cute random shots of our kids adventures: