Any Word Will Do

Okay, okay. I know it has been forever and I have a lot of catching up to do, but this struck me as so funny that I had to post it.

Yesterday afternoon I took my kids to the theater to see the Toy Story double feature in 3D. (Which they loved by the way). At one point in the second movie, Buzz was acting strangely, (it escapes me what exactly), and Madison, in that matter-of-fact, grown up way that she has, leaned over to me and said, "Yup, clearly he has lost his balls!".

U-hem, I believe that's 'marbles'!

Whizbang Chicken Plucker

Well, time has marched steadily and rapidly onward since my last blog. The time finally came to "process" the chickens. I am told that the world slaughter is no longer politically correct. Far be it for me to mislabel the process of beheading and bloodletting chickens. Anyhow..... the night before we processed our chickens (who were probably 4 weeks past due, eating nearly 100 pounds of food per day, and so fat they could barely waddle to the grub), Joe built a tub style chicken plucker to speed up the "processing" process. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I thought a video would be worth million or so. Sit back and watch the feathers fly!!

The Chicken Farm takes Flight

Well, it has begun. The first steps in our family becoming more self-sufficient have been taken.. Wednesday we bought 100 chicks; 90 for poultry, 10 for laying. The yellow chicks should be ready to butcher in about 10-12 weeks. The hens will be producing by the end of the summer (hopefully). If anyone needs eggs, let me know. Our hens should produce roughly 3000 eggs per year. (That's 250 dozen for those of you trying to do the math.) So far, so good. We have had no chicken deaths! Not bad for a girl who has no clue what she is doing!! Next project........ building a chicken coop!

Cabin Views

We spend this past weekend at our cabin! Yeah! We haven't been able to do much of that lately. Hopefully that will all change for us now. Anyway, it was lovely and peaceful and oh, so relaxing! There is still about 2 1/2 feet of snow left! Jace was so eager to get there and get it shoveled. He matched shovel-fulls with his Daddy! He is a snow-moving-machine!

Ahhhh, Cute!

We went to the movies for family home evening a while ago. Joe and I were bringing up the rear. We had a wonderful view as we watched our little darlings walking to the show!

Finally Christmas!

Jace got this thing for Christmas and he has waited so patiently for Daddy to build it for him. It was quite a project and I was worried because Jaxon Keller has one just like it. Roudy warned us that it was a real nightmare to put together. Well, handyman Joe managed to do it in just over 3 hours. (I think the key to his success was the guy reading the instructions!!) It's a good thing too, I think Jace might have burst if he had to wait any longer! Thanks Daddy!!

Talent Show Practice.... Ammon 10th Ward Young Women

New Beginnings

Mom, this one's for you! Here are some pictures of the decorations from this years New Beginnings. I turned out rather nicely, I think. I made the lighthouses out of terra cotta pots and the value flowers out of 4-inch ribbon, flowers and a hot glue gun. I was rather proud of myself! For dessert we had jell-o cake (which Sister Harris made) and I made chocolate lighthouses complete with red stripes to top the cake. I sure am glad that this is a once a year event!

Funny Farm

Today when we came home from church, we pulled into our long driveway. From a distance, we could see Penny, the healer dog, laying in the driveway. As we got closer, she held her ground, casting us a wary glance, never moving, intently licking what she held in front of her. As we drove around her, we could see that she was eagerly lapping up a can of Dr. Pepper. Once we got to the house, we noticed our boxer near the back door eating an orange. I promise, they have an endless supply of dog food and plenty of fresh, unfrozen water in their kennel! To top it all off, each dog gets their own chile verde burrito for lunch, compliments of Joe (he is cleaning out the fridge). How's that for the funny farm?!?

Fairy Power

Dress Up Time

We invited the Keller Clan to come to the cabin with us this weekend. The girls started playing dress up and giggling. I guess the boys thought they were really missing out on the fun. So they joined in! I warned them that the pictures were going on the internet! They did it anyway! It takes a big man to pull off those get-ups! You go boys! By the way, nice boxers Jaxon!

Called to Serve

We took Elder Anderson to the MTC on January 21st 2009. It was a beautiful day! We had a few minutes to take pictures inside the lobby, then they ushered us down the halls to the meeting room. We listened to two short speakers who went over some information for the incoming missionaries and then..... families out the front doors, Elders and Sisters out the back. Brian held it together pretty well, only a few minor tears. The kids and I were just kinda misty-eyed, and then there was Joe. I'm telling you, he is part girl! He bawled is head off! So much for doing the drive-by drop off! That was his original plan, to drive by the MTC, open the door and kick Brian out. My, my, how things change! Anyhow, the deed is done. We are proud of you Brian!

The Last Supper..... Anderson Style

The night before Brian left, the whole fan damily went to dinner at Jaker's. We had a wonderful time. Great company, great food. Every one gave Brian a bit of advise, which I'm certain he jotted down for future use, our advise is that good. Following dinner, we went home and changed clothes and then gathered at the Stake Center to set Brian apart as a full-time missionary. Then.... home to pack! Joe, Brian and Grandpa Anderson headed for Utah at 4:00 am on the morning of the 21st. The kids and I waited until 6:30 to leave. We met in Bountiful and had breakfast together at Ihop. On to the MTC!

A Love Story

Last year for Bonnie and Merlin's anniversary, Joe and I gave them a gift certificate to have some portraits taken. Here are some of the other treasures from that shoot. Dear, sweet, Alyce.... how can we ever thank you enough!? These precious pictures were taken by Alyce Clegg at her studio in Ammon. She did such a beautiful job! (She was kind and generous enough to give us the disk and copyright). I thought these were so telling of the sweet relationship they had, that I just had to post a few. Seeing them together kinds feels like home, and yet makes me fell a bit sad. Oh how I miss that smile......

Merlin had a hard day today. He is so lonely for his sweetheart I hurt for him and it saddens me that I am to helpless. I wish I could take the hurt away for even just a moment. He had seemed to be muddling through as well as could be expected. Since he and Joe went to St. George.... lets just say that he has taken a giant step backwards. Bless his heart! We will make it through together, because after all, in the end, together is all we have.