Life keeps

constantly reminding me that you can never know, from simple appearances, what a person may be going through (or has gone through) in their lives.  It is good to be reminded, as it is so easy to become judgemental, or even indifferent, to the people we associate with.    

Today in Relief Society a new neighbor told the story of her struggle with getting and overcoming her addiction to prescription pain medication.   This woman is probably one of the most out-going, friendly people I have ever met.  From the moment she moved in, she become every one's friend.  It would be easy to assume she always had that sunny-happy outlook.  Now, knowing her story, I admire her even more.  

The fact is, everyone has a story.  And, outward appearances seldom tell it.   I'm glad life keeps reminding me of that so I can try to keep learning from it.       

I can hardly

believe that our oldest grandson, Jackson, turned 15 today.  When I hear his deep voice, with its Missouri twang to it, saying "Hi Grandma," my heart melts.

Today when we called to sing him Happy Birthday, he told us that he made the Team USA in baseball.  He is one of 16 others in the Midwest region that get to play in a tournament against other Team USA regions.  He loves sports of all kinds and is dedicated to doing what he needs to do to excel.   I'm very proud of his accomplishments, but most of all I'm proud of the kind of young man he is and the man he is becoming.  

We love you, Jackson!

I won't take

a picture.  But for the last 3 days my face, neck, and arms have been covered with hives.  It's a little better today, but I'm going to the Dr. anyway for my yearly physical (fun), so maybe she can help.  

My best guess, as for the cause, is that when I got my hair cut and highlighted on Monday there was something in one of the hair chemicals that I reacted to.  It's never happened before, though.  Last night when Natalie called, I told here that I had been thinking of her, because she is allergic to many things and has that happen a lot.  So, Natalie, I now appreciate what you go through more than ever.

We went to

Park City on Monday to meet the Adairs for dinner.  As we sat waiting for them to come, I asked the waitress to take our picture. 

Park City is meaningful to us, because almost 37 years ago (August 8, 1974), we spent our honeymoon  there.  My friend Kim Thomas' parents had a condo they let us use.  Here is a digital scrapbook collage I made of our honeymoon.

We've changed a little (Ok, maybe a lot),

with a few more wrinkles and quite a few more pounds. 

But the same love is still there,

but now it is mixed with a lifetime of memories.  

That's what matters.

I feel very blessed and lucky.

(Though I wouldn't complain if I had that body back!)

In honor of

the "Beehive State," which Utah is called, I've been making these cupcakes.

I wanted to show a picture of them so Misty's kids could see what they looked like.  I had to send several things that Lydia left, so I put a dozen of these in with them.  Apparently it has been so hot in Missouri, that they kind of melted and fell apart.  She said they tasted really good, though.

I asked Tom

how much he would like me to write about his trip here this week.

 

He said "Zero."

 

So I'll just post a couple of the comments that have been floating around.

"Staying at Bunny Hollow has been a real bummer."

"This trip to Utah has been a pain in the butt."

I think that just about says it all. 

I hope he'll soon forget his experiences, or we may not get him back as a visitor.  That would make me very sad.   I always look forward to their visits and cherish the time spent with him and Lynn.

While Tom's been a little

down and out, Lynn and I have been experimenting

with a few of the recipes from the cookbook, 

"Best Bites. Mormon Moms in the Kitchen" 

So far, we are very impressed. 

All three of the recipes we tried were excellent. 

   Here are the pictures from the cookbook.



Here are our versions. 

The photography is not that great,

but the food was.

 These will definitely be on the menu again.

(We are feeling very proud of ourselves)

Cousins

I love to see nieces and nephews and cousins and second cousins getting together.  It always makes me think how happy Mom and Dad would be that we get together.

Misty was thrilled last week when Angie and Ken and their three girls paid them a visit in Missouri.  Here are a few pictures she sent me. 

Where's your MuMu, Angie?  Do I need to make you one?

 I heard Ken loved the 100 degree heat with 99% humidity.

 2nd cousins having fun.

Here's a picture of Tom and his family as they headed out to watch Jennie's daughter, Brooke, at her soccer camp.  I love having them here.

We've been having such

a nice afternoon and evening with Tom and Lynn.  We went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner, and sat visiting for a long time.  But, we realized after Tom fell down the stairs when we got home, that he must have been feeling neglected and wanted more attention.   As we tended to him, and had Personal over to help give him a blessing, he had us as a captive audience.

Seriously, though, we were a little concerned for a while.  He started shaking and we were afraid he was going into shock.  We think he probably has a broken toe and sprained ankle at the very least, and his knees and body are very sore. I'm making light of it, but I feel really badly and am concerned for him.  I hope he is able to move without too much pain tomorrow.  They have a lot of activities in the next month and a half, once of which is a trip to Italy.   Not fun.      

We spent most of the

day yesterday celebrating the wedding of Lauren and Jacob.  Lauren was begat by my nephew, Cory, who was begat by my brother, Gary, who was begat by my father, Golden.   Just a little genealogy there (where are the women who really begat them in that equation?)

The ceremony at the Mt. Timpanogos temple, the luncheon, and the reception were all wonderful.  At the reception they had a place to write your advice or congratulations.  My advice was, "Always look each other in the eyes the way you have today."  I loved watching them look at each other with such adoration.  I know I feel that way, but I'm not sure my face always shows it.  Here are pictures from the day.

Jacob and Lauren outside the temple.

 Gary and Lynn at the Luncheon

 All of Cory and Stacy's family.

 4 Anderson siblings, minus the black sheep (Ha, got you, Tom)

 Natalie and Gary

 Gary, Lynn, Natalie, Richard

 Me and Gary 

 Gary and Natalie Dancing

 Natalie and Gary dancing

 The grandparents, Lynn and Gary, dancing.

 Me and Gary dancing. 
I think I can't look him in the eyes because he is too much taller than me. 

 It's a small world!  Lee Lewis, the son of Gary's cousin, Lynn, came up to us at the reception.  We haven't seen him since his wedding reception 7 years ago.  It turns out that Jacob is doing his internship with Lee's insusrance company.  It was so fun to visit with him.

 Jacob and Lauren came out to leave with all of us holding sparcklers. 

I've never seen that done, and it was so fun. 

Let's

see.  What has been going on since I last posted. 

We cleaned up the back patio really well on Saturday, and got rid of two old filing cabinets that have been there for 20 years.  We didn't get rid of what was in them, but the patio looks much better and cleaner without the rusty old filing cabinet decor.  I'm not sure what Gary's going to do with the 3 large bins of files and papers we filled with the filing cabinet contents.  I'm particularly wondering what he's going to do with the one big bin that is filled with all his baseball game plans and practice notes from 30 years ago.   But he says they will be important some day for writing his personal history. Interesting?   I guess shouldn't be one to talk about saving sentimental things.  Basically, between  the two of us, we are a hopeless case.

Duke hauled the stuff we were getting rid of to the dump, and then we had the Norton's over for an impromptu barbecue.  It was fun.  It makes me realize that we should do spontaneous things like that more often.




Sunday after church we had an Anderson style shower (with the whole family) for Gary and Lynn's granddaughter, Lauren.  We were going to have it here, but Gary and Lynn offered to have it at their place as the first official family get-together in their newly remodeled home.  The way things worked out, I was very glad that I didn't have to get the house ready along with the gifts.  Their house is beautiful, and it was fun to be with everyone.  Unfortunately, my camera battery went out, so this is the only picture I have. 

Then Monday was spent trying to get the house and yard ready for the Relief Society activity being held here on Tuesday.  It turned out that it was a good thing I got most of it done on Monday, because on Tuesday our refrigerator died.  I didn't realize it had until I saw some puddles of water on the floor.  When I opened the freezer, everything was thawed.  That was definitely not on the agenda.  I was going to make a different treat for the party, but when I saw the bag of Rhodes rolls soft and pliable and ready to roll out, I made cinnamon rolls instead.  Then Gary and I had to go out to find a new fridge that could be delivered today. That was definitely not in the budget.   But the weather cooperated and the party called, "Sit and Chat and Finish That," was very fun. 



 

So, today I'm very tired.  I'm feeling all "funned" out,
and am determined to get to bed before 10 pm. 

So, I've got 6 minutes.  Good night.

Why do I run

around like a chicken with it's head cut off?  Gary asked me this afternoon (after seeing piles from sewing, recipe card making, scrapbook making, and baking) if it really helps me to leave my messes all around.  Well, obviously, the answer is no.  But, I don't have time to clean it up or I won't be able to finish the next thing in time.   One of these days . . .

We've been missing having Lydia here.  We took her to the airport on Wednesday morning.  On Tuesday, we ate lunch at Ripple's.

Then went to to the movie with Natalie. When we got home, she and Gary were sitting in the car for a while.  Lydia had decided that she was going to write up the rules for slug-bug, banana whacker, and whatever other slugging games they had been sparring over all week.  I think she came up with a pretty good legal document.

As you can see, it was pretty serious business.

I am so

frustrated!  Last week my hard drive crashed.  I had a new hard drive installed, and thought I would be able to get my files from my passport back-up device.  It is not that simple.  In fact it is very complicated.  Supposedly it has been backing up every night, but it is in formats that do not now work.  I've spent two days re-installing my programs, only to find that the back-up files can't be opened.  Even with Gary's help, it is not happening.  I'm frustrated with myself, too, for not backing up on a thumb drive.  I've been able to get most word documents, but not from the last few months.  Sometimes it seems so nice to not have hard copies of pictures and documents, but in the long run, it is probably smart to have them for everything that is important.

Catch-up!

It has been a whirlwind few days celebrating the 4th.   

Making cupcakes.

Taste testing two different vanilla cupcake recipes.

(I'll post the winning recipe later)

Going the the Freedom Festival Stadium of Fire

 I can't envision a more beautiful view.

The parade.

Lydia mimicking Grandpa as he was explaining the ebb and flow of the parade. These two need to go to time-out sometimes.  Grandpa does everything he can to annoy Lydia, and she responds in kind.

The last entry of the parade.  I bought these shorts for him as a joke 2 years ago, and he now wears them a lot, especially on the 4th.  Lydia is mortified and Gary is elated.

Preparations for our own Stadium of Fire

(held at the elementary school).

Cupcakes!

The highly trained Pyro-technicians

The only damper on the evening was the rain that came down right during the fireworks. But it wasn't cold, so it was OK.  Natalie made a play list of patriotic music, and Gary had a PA system we could hear the music and his commentary.  We really appreciated the Roylance family who helped us set up and clean up the tables and chairs.  It was fun to see many of the kids who grew up in the neighborhood come back with their wives and children.

Family

 Some random shots of  friends who came.

 

 I'm grateful for the poeple in my life.