Merry Christmas

A Tree for Christmas

The other day I set out to look for a Christmas tree. I had walked through the woods for some distance and finally came into a clearing, this being an electric power line right of way, where small pine trees were numerous. I selected one and was backtracking when it occured to me that the tree was becoming burdensome. I thought of our savior Jesus Christ, how he bore his cross amidst the coaxing and jeers of those who denied Him recognition; the tree did not become lighter, but I was granted endurance to complete the mission; being assured of His presence for all around me there were reassurances or evidences of His presence, from the earth beneath, sky above, trickling of a stream joined in with the hum of the wind blowing through the leafless trees. Also, being aware of the love of family and friends with whom to exchange thoughts and experiences-the comfort of home in a great nation, though troubled, but increasingly aware of the birth of Christ and what it means to all.
-Al Adamz (Dec. 1980)

This was written by my grandfather who passed away a few years ago. He was one of the best men Heavenly Father made and Christmastime holds many wonderful memories of him. The thoughts he shared encompass my feelings at this time-love of family, friends, the comforts of my life, and most importantly gratitude and love for my Savior.

Merry Christmas!

Andrea's Christmas Poem

Merry Christmas Andrea ....

My poem is not nearly as creative as Davin's poem this year, but, to be fair, I didn't spend hours on it like he did. (But i did spend hours on the gift)

Here is the poem:

away in a manger
no crib for a bed
i used clay to make his head

the stars in the heavens
look down where he lay
it's what Christmas is about anyway

Quote of the day

Asher: Mom, can we go get some McDonald's happiness (Happy Meals)?

Lights of the South

Something our family looks forward to do during the Christmas season is visiting Lights of the South. It is this cool little place that has TONS of light displays. You can take a hayride through it, and afterwards enjoy some hot chocolate and roast marshmellows. Asher fell asleep on the way there and let's just say, he was a little grumpy-just check out the pics., it's true that a picture says a thousand words. Thankfully he did start to enjoy himself near the end. Who can blame him though? I'd hate to be awaken and drug out into the FREEZING weather. We picked the coldest night of the year thus far to go. Anyways, we made it through the hayride, the marshmellow roasting and even in playing on the "candyland village." Olivia then began melted down mode and I took her to the car kicking and screaming. Once in the car everyone thawed out and the kids fell asleep...AHH!

Making Gingerbread houses

A favorite holiday tradition our family does is decorating gingerbread (in our case graham crackers) houses. The kids have a great time doing it and we always end up eating about the same amount of candy as we put on the houses. Olivia didn't even want to decorate, she just wandered around the table like a little puppy waiting for someone to drop a gumdrop or smartie.

We named Micah's the peppermint palace. No explanation necessary.

Dudi's masterpiece in progress.

Asher went with the less is more approach. The less he put on his house, the more he ate. Notice the eyes- too much sugar will do that to you.

Needless to say, the houses lasted for about a week. Every now and then I'd see a new hole in a house were the candy use to be. Finally some structual problems (too much candy caused the walls to come sliding down) finished the houses off. Good times. Until next year...

hanu-kwanz-mas

Merry Christmas, Taylor .....


The concept for this little number was born last summer at the Anderson family reunion at Bear Lake when I made the push to insist that a poem of some kind was required to go along with each grown-up gift at the family holiday gift exchange this year. The poems were meant to connect the gift, the giver, and the receiver all in one. This is what I came up with for my gift to my brother Taylor. As is obvious, I adapted the song from Adam Sandler's "Hannukah Song." Initially, I wanted to try to imitate his voice, but as I practiced the song over and over again I found that it is actually very hard to sound pre-pubescent and overly obnoxious while singing. I recorded the song with my webcam, so the sound does not exactly sync up with the video.

The song really only makes sense if you know what the three different gifts are that I got for Taylor. (1) The book is Bart Ehrman's Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why. In this book, Dr. Ehrman is able to convey in layman's terms the hard-to-grapple with, but spot-on facts and theories I came to acknowledge as a biblical studies graduate student at Vanderbilt. I am usually cast out as a heretic when I try to bring up these ideas during Sunday School. I learned long ago that it better to be quiet about such things on Sunday. (2) The picture is a 5 x7 artistic representation of an elephant made out of thin strips of wood glued onto a black piece of cloth. It was made in Ethiopia. The white tusks stick out because the body of the elephant is made up of shades of brown. Mary and I made the frame for the picture from red-stained bamboo shoots purchased at Michaels, hot glue, and rope. (3) The kipa (alt.: keepah) is the Hebrew word for what is more commonly known as the yarmulke, the Yiddish equivalent, worn by Jewish males. This particular kipa is one of six that I purchased in the Old City Jerusalem during my second semester as a student at the BYU Jersualem Center from January to May 2000.

After deciding to adapt the song from Adam Sandler's tune, I thought it would be fun to incorporate the three major December-centered celebrations into the gift itself. This is how I came up with the title. My choice of shirt (Ethiopia soccer shirt) and accessories (kipa and Coptic cross) in the video are meant to drive this point home:
(1) the book = Christmas
(2) the picture = Kwanza
(3) the kipa = Hannukah
After eight years of marriage, Mary is pretty much used to my eccentric antics, but I think she is still in shock from the cross necklace I put together.


Here are the lyrics for the song:

hanu-kwanz-mas
(adapted from Adam Sandler’s “Hanukah Song”)

come on now let’s celebrate, anderson party twenty-0-eight
clap your hands, don’t hesitate; red sweater vests are never out of date

some people think that a present is complete without the silly poem that lies underneath
enjoy this little diddy; it has three parts to tell about each gift in that overpriced postage box

this one book i bought for you
illuminates my point of view
explains why i hide and run
when sunday school has just begun

the picture comes from Africa
we made the frame from “scratch-ica”
umoja, ujima, ujamaa
the tusks are as white as shauna

this kipa cap I kept for you
covers your fading hairline too
represents your jewishness
so have a happy, happy, happy ... hanu-kwanz-mas

The Streaker

In the seven years that I've had children, there are really only a few times that they have made me really embarrassed. I just tell myself kids will be kids, what can you do?! Well, yesterday my three year old was "just being a kid."

It was the last day of school before Christmas break. Micah rides the bus home in the afternoon so Ash, Liv, and I were waiting outside for him. A couple minutes before the bus was expected to come around the corner, Asher ran in the house to go to the bathroom. The bus came while he was still inside. I had made Mr. G (the bus driver) some holiday treats and since the bus drops the kids off at our neighbors driveway, I went down and gave the cookies to him-Asher still going to the bathroom. This is how the rest of it went down.

Mr. G: Thanks so much, I wanted to let you know that starting at the beginning of the...(the kids on the bus start yelling and laughing and they are all on their feet out of their seats).

Me (thinking): Man, he needs to get a hold of these kids!

As Mr. G turns back to talk to me something catches his eye and he starts to smile.

Mr. G. : I think one of your children needs you.

It all happened in slow motion. I turned to see my sweet little Asher running down the hill to the bus in nothing but his tee-shirt. NOTHING, but his t-shirt. Horror. Yep, that is what I felt. My face must have turned 10 different shades of red. He was leaving nothing to the imagination.

I was SO embarrassed.

Me: (apologizing over and over)

Mr. G: I see you've gotta go, I just wanted to let you know that there will be a new bus driver starting next year.

We say good-bye and I take off after Asher who has now planted himself in the grass to wait for me. The bus rolls away to the chorus of childrens laughter still loud and clear and all the students gathered around our side of the bus. I hear Mr. G tell the kids to settle down and be seated once again. Can't he control those kids?!

After gathering my bare boy, I asked what he was doing. He simply explained that he didn't want to miss seeing "his buddy" get off the bus. What do you say to that? I then told him to put his pants on first next time and had a quick lesson on modesty.


(okay, so this pic isn't from yesterday, he does have undies on in it. Just picture a shorter tee, no shoes, no undies, no hat or glove-that would have been a nice touch though-and a short sleeved top. But still those cute little white legs. Got the mental pic now?)

Ah, it'll give the kids something to talk about over their holiday.

It's me!

Okay, so I know it has been a while. I really have every intention of sitting down at night once my three little ones are sleeping, and blogging the days events. But, when that time of night comes, I'm busier than I am during the day. We really do have so many fun things going on right now. Making gingerbread houses, school parties, holiday shopping, Christmas tree decorating, making gifts, redoing a bathroom (that's a whole different story), on and on. I promise I will post many lovely pictures of it all soon. I love this season, but something has got to give-sorry my dear blog, it's you.

blackmail

WARNING! If you need to go to the bathroom, go before watching this video.

Is this what your house looks like at 9:00 in the morning?

They come by it honestly. Micah learned how to dance from his dad. My favorite moves are around the 45 sec. mark. I also enjoy watching Liv as she starts feelin' it. Ash is a little more reserved in his dancing-takes after me.

Enjoy.

Andersons on ice

What could be better than spending a Saturday afternoon watching beloved Disney characters dancing around on ice?

The kids were enthralled. I was pretty captivated myself, especially when they played some sweet Elvis tunes during the "Lilo & Stitch" segment.

So now that you've thought of a couple dozen other things that could be better than how I spent my Saturday, I'll tell you the answer- Nothing. Nothing could be better cause I had the 3 cutest little kids (and one big one) with me. It was a fun afternoon, it always (okay, usually) is when we get to be together.

Dressing up my doll

I found this adorable coat pattern and had to try it. I'm not an experienced sewer by any means, but I'm always up for a challenge. It actually turned out pretty cute, considering I accidently bought a size 7 pattern (there was only one left and I didn't even pay attention to the size). I trimmed a little here and there and then something close to a size 2 was created!





A better picture of it on her will be coming.

Girl clothes are so fun! I wish this fit me-it wouldn't look nearly as cute though!