Merry Christmas 2010

Just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Letter 2010

Family and Friends,
‘Tis that time, when the year end if fast approaching and we get to reflect on the year that has been 2010! It has been an eventful year for us, with lots of changes. Cory graduated in May and accepted a job and started the Management Training Program with Sherwin Williams that same week. We were relocated to Cheyenne, WY and after being there for 4 months and having 13 different positions open up for placement, they chose to place us back in ...... ! Apparently ...... is not done with us after 7 years so we are back in the thick of it. Cory is now the Assistant Manager and they want him on to bigger and better things in a year – 18months. He is enjoying it and never thought he would be in the business of paint but we have been blessed! Kathryn has been busy with the boys, and sharing Juice Plus+ through workshops and just started back at work part-time at the bank she previously worked at before Cade was born, and she is really enjoying it. She has just fit right back in and they have so appreciated her help and the fact that she did not have to be trained. It was a true blessing for us that Cory’s schedule is able to work around Kathryn’s so he is home with the boys when she is not. The boys are doing great! Cade just turned 4 and is a ball of fun. He has such spunk and personality and we just enjoy him so much. He tries hard to be a good boy and enjoys wrestling, creating whether with blocks, crafts or drawing and telling you long stories and loves primary. Ethan is 20 months and is just a sweetheart. He melts everyone’s heart with those big blue eyes. He is really starting to talk and loves to play whatever Cade is playing and enjoys music, singing and reading books. The boys both adore dogs and would love a puppy for Christmas, but I think, not this Christmas! We have been spoilt again this year with visits from Kathryn’s family. Kathryn’s sister Annette and brother-in-law Ronnie came at the perfect time and Kathryn had no clue (Cory was in on the secret). Then we were fortunate to have her mom came in October followed by her sister Allison. We were so grateful and enjoyed all their company, fun and laughs. This year has been one of ups and downs but we are thankful for each other, our families and their continued love, support and prayers and are so thankful for the peace the gospel brings to our lives.
May your Christmas season reflect all the happiness of the year that was, and that the new year holds great opportunities, the best of health and the happiest of blessings!
All our love, Cory, Kathryn, Cade, Ethan Anderson

(for privacy, the location has been left out)

If you would like a card and I did not get you one, or if you want to receive one next year, shoot me a message and I will get you added! Sorry I did not have everyones address.

A Few Questions

Just had my thinking hat on today....

1. If you were to choose a new profession or select a career, go back to school etc, what would you do?

2. Could you/would you ever run a day care from your home?

3. What is your biggest pet peeve about a loved one (child/husband/parent)?

4. How do you name your children? Lists? Names in a hat? Have to see the child for final decision?

5. Do you ever have reoccuring dreams?

6. If you could live anywhere, perfect circumstances (with job etc), where would you live?

ME...
1. I think about this every now and then, I think about nursing alot. I would like to be a post-partum nurse I think. I met a beautiful girl at MOPS and she is becoming a doula and that sounds like something I would totally be into. Nutrition is also something I am super keen to get into further. I met a great speaker who is a clinical dietician and she has dealt exclusively with late stage cancer patients etc. That would be great too, to see the benefits of good nutrition. I personally would like to do childrens nutrition or elderly nutrition I think.
2. I always thought I would, but I don't think I could do it. Just at this point in my life, I perhaps could take on one child, but think that would be it.
3. I would have to say, when my boys want to be in the kitchen ALL.THE.TIME I forever am saying, "Out of the kitchen boys!"
4. Right from the get go I am thinking names. We never agree and talk the whole pregnancy about names, I have lists gallore, but usually we have it nnarrowed down to 3 or 4 and then there is always a wild card thrown in at the end. We need to see that baby as I have, both times, had a dead set front runner and have not liked it once I saw my boys.
5. I sometimes have this dream about tidal waves. SCARES.THE.POOP.OUT.OF.ME kind of dream. I think it's cause I lived by the beach my whole life pretty much and nearly drowned at a young age? hmmm not sure.
6. Perfect world, we would live 6 months in the USA, 6 months in Australia. Not sure where in those countries, I would say close to the beach in Australia and near the snow in the USA.

Happy 4th Birthday Cade!

Today is Cade's 4th birthday and it has been a great day. We have just been home but he has had a wonderful day. He has been so lovely and just feels like such a big boy!
We had a family dinner last night, just simple but sweet and then he picked to eat out for dinner tonight and got a special treat when the waitress sang him a happy birthday song and had a yummy dessert. He chose to have an rocket cake and alien cupcakes. We had fun searching for the designs he liked.
For about 6 or so months, Cade has been begging for a pillow pet and spots them any store we happen to go to. He wanted a dog and they were hard to find, but find one I did, about a month ago and he LOVES it. He was very happy with all his presents and the cards in the mail, so thank you to our family for making it special for him!
We sure love our Cade and he is just as much a joy as the day we had him those 4 years ago!
(photos to follow)

Oh Happy Day!

Today my friends, I am happy to say, we own our car! Outright. In full. Paid!!
And it feels good!

Conversations with Cade...

Cade was repeatedly saying "Bum" in some sort of sentence and I told him I did not want to hear that word again and if I did I would smack his bottom. He was jumping around naked after drying from the tub, this conversation follows...

CADE - "Ouch I have buzzy bees stinging my bum!"
ME - "Cade! I have told you not to say word, come here so I can smack your bottom!"
CADE - "Ok, but not too hard"
Then he pokes his naked bum out for me to smack it. It was an awkward angle to smack at as I was dressing Ethan at the time too so the smack was pretty lame.
CADE - "Oh, that wasn't too bad!"
ME - "Want me to do it again?"
CADE - "NO!"

I had to walk away so I wouldn't laugh! He has a fascination with saying, poop, bum, boobies and cracks himself up each time he says it. Tell me this is age appropriate.

Ethan

I have been awful with my monthly updates on the growing boy. I have been awful updating in general. Times will change I hope...

Anyway, Ethan is still our little delight. Well he is not so little anymore (he is 19 months today actually) at his 18 month appointment he was 25lb 6oz (45th percentile) and 33 and 1/2 inches long (just over the curve of 75th percentile). He had to have 4 shots, thanks to missing his 15 month wellness visit. He was sore for about 2 days, didn't want to climb the stairs etc. Poor Ethan.
~ Developmentally Ethan is doing great. He can say quite a few words, thank you, yeah, no, bottle, paci, up, all finished-"Done, Done", down, puppy, bird, fish, cow, kitty, ouchie, better, tooth, breakfast, off, jelly beans, poo poo, tubba, and the regular, momma, daddad, Nannan (nanny), Al (Allison my sister who is also visiting. I have yet to hear him say Cades name clearly. He is so good at communicating. That little pointing finger lets you know his wants and needs and he will nod and shake his head to let you know if you are guessing right.
~ He has started to show a real interest in Cades toys (and this has caused some fights and tears to arise... arrrrggghhh) they for the most part play well together thankfully but there are times where it is not so pleasant and I threaten to put toys away if it doesn't stop. He seems to really have learnt to put sounds to cars, planes etc. Just this week he started to climb out of his crib so we put the bar up instead of leaving it down, we'll see how long it takes him to master the bigger climb!
~ Ethan LOVES dogs. He has about 6 stuffed toys that are puppies and he loves them. He is not often seen without one under his arm. It is cute. He gets so excited to see puppies (real or toy) anywhere, in public, at the store.
~ Ethan is teething... ALL.THE.TIME. He is getting 5 teeth at the moment, his canine eye teeth ALL.AT.ONCE and his top left molar. For this reason he is still our Jekyll and Hyde when it comes to night times. We have yet to have a full week of Ethan not waking at night.
~ He has shown signs of wanting to potty train and has been happy to come sit on the toilet but nothing has been left behind as yet.
~ Ethan is the smiliest little man. We often get comments that he is so happy and always smiling and that a smile is never far away and it is true. He is a spunk!
~ He loves to kiss. He gives smooches and is so affectionate. Sometimes he is a bit of a scrooge with them though, holding out. He also still loves to sit and snuggle which is so nice.
~ Ethan likes to sing, be sung to and be read to. He particularly likes anything with animals.
~ He loves shoes. Will run and get his shoes and socks if he thinks we are going anywhere or if I have asked Cade to get his own shoes.
~ Ethan loves to be out and about. Whether it be outside running around, where he is in his total element or shopping. He is a great little shopper and I hope he stays that way!

We got family photos this week and I got Ethans hair cut pretty short and I spiked the front and on my goodness, I lost my little baby. He is a total little boy. He still has that sweetness of a baby and it is good for me, makes me not want for another just yet :)

We just so love our Ethan. All my family that have visited have an affinity for Ethan, he snuggles, cuddles and listens! Cade just adores him and pacifies him throughout the day. They are quite the little buddies.

*photos to follow*

Meanie

I have two little boys crying at the moment. I have for the last 3 hours put up with said two little boys playing/fighting over an empty tote and I had enough!
I threatened, "Any more tears or growling at each other and I am taking the tote!"
Well follow through I did! Hence the crying and begging faces at the window in the door while I put the tote away!
I am so fed up today, not sure what's the go there, but the tote got it! Early night for little men tonight I am thinking! Yep, I'm a meanie!

P.S. Cade just immerged, "Mommy, I miss boxie! I miss the box!"
Me, care factor of zero~!

Tooting Cades Horn

An update on Ethan is coming...

Cade had his first primary program in sacrament meeting yesterday and did AWESOME! On Saturday I took him to his practise and he was so obnoxious but so were all the other kids, but yesterday, he said his line without prompting and knew it word for word. (He then sat on the stand pointing to his foot tapping away to the songs, rolling his tie or saying his line again and again) ARGH!

I just asked him, "Cade what was your special part in church?" and he states with a huge smile.... "Jesus Christ died for us, but he lives again!" What a spunk!

They had the sunbeams on a little bleacher type stand and I sat in the front row to help the teachers with the kids (mine especially). It was pretty cute though, they were all very proud of themselves and one of the little girls in his class would sway and dance to the songs. She said to me afterwards, "I sure did dance and move to those songs!" You sure did MaKadee!! So cute!

I didn't get a photo of the spunk in all his spunkiness, but I will next Sunday!

My Boy Cade

I have not done an update on my boys in a while so thought it was about time I did so!

Cade is just short of turning 4 years old and at this stage of life, he is a busy boy. He keeps me on my toes, can be sassy, challenging and bossy but is so helpful with his brother, so smart and affectionate. He always asks if he is a good boy, which I worried about at first thinking he thought that I thought he was naughty, but I have since come to realise he wants reassurance he is doing what is appropriate and 'choosing the right'. He wants to please and apologised for having a rough day or being cheeky, usually at the end of the day or when he is getting tired. He has a bit of a temper at times that I am trying to help him learn how to channel. He states, "That makes me mad! That makes me stomp!" and he will stomp his foot. I had to walk away and laugh the first couple of times but since then, it is not so funny. He wakes each morning with a "Good morning mommy, good morning daddy! Did you have good sleepys?" He gets Ethan out of his crib and they come toddling in and climb into bed with us. He loves educational shows and puppet shows. We once went to a puppet show at UW and he has since talked about it and asks me if I remember it and certain other things, like the tall house we use to live at, certain friends etc. He has had a harder time going to class at church since we moved and realises the change in friends. I am hoping we can get him into pre-school or because we might have missed the intake, to get him on a waiting list. He does not like me to try and teach him anything, he would rather teach me. At times it is a battle of wills and that drives me crazy.

Cade loves to sing, loves to tell stories and is very creative with both. He loves showers and riding his new bike! He asks each day, "Where are we going today Mommy?" or "What are we doing today Mommy?" (So like his mother in this regard)

He insists on saying each and every prayer we give and is not shy to do it at others homes too. I love that. Confidence I hope he always has. Cade plays with the same toys each day. Still enjoys his trains and gets distressed if they are not coming together the way his mat goes. No matter how many times I tell him they don't match, he still tries his hardest to get them to. He loves to create with blocks and I will have to get a photo of the awesome little trains he makes from his wood blocks. He LOVES to watch Thomas and Fraggle Rock (Gobo the Rock as he calls it). He also likes Barney (much to Cory's dismay) but redeems himself by liking Phineas and Ferb. He goes through stages of things he likes to watch but I hate that he loves TV so much. I often hear him saying, "Curse you Perry The Platypus!" He has a liking for Astro Boy but when I heard him saying, "I shoot out my butt coz I have guns in my butt!" I have not offered that one since. He has picked up on words we say that I have had to eat my words about, "Crap" being one of them "Stupid" being another. Yep, it's started. I am surprised it too this long really.

Cade is sweet and gentle and loves to have his back tickled. He will tell you he loves you and gives lovely kisses and cuddles (huggles). He barters his kisses and huggles, saying, "mommy if you do such and such I will give you a kiss and a huggle!" He likes to go for drives and to get the mail each day. He insists on helping me clean, with a "Can I help you with that Mommy?" He makes his own sandwiches and knows exactly what is needed. He still loves to wrestle and enjoys most of his food. He is off chicken lately which is not like him to be picky. He will eat each and every piece of fruit in the house if I let him. He is liking to dress himself lately too.

We sure love our boy and he has truly showed us how to love and be loved. We are thankful everyday for our happy, healthy boy!

Surprise Visitors.... A Story

One Friday, after a frustrating and frazzling day, my house was a mess (which these days is VERY rare as our apartment is being shown constantly), I was a mess, I was depressed and feeling a bit defeated when Cory told me the weekend would be better as he had it off (little did I know he was in on the secret). Then as I was sitting at the computer someone poked their head between my blinds and said, "Yoohoo!" It freaked me out. I was thinking, "Did they even knock, I didn't hear it?" Then I open the door to MY SISTER AND BROTHER IN LAW!! I about died. I could not believe it. I cried instantly. What a great end to an otherwise hard day.

Cory was laughing, all my family were in on the secret of my surprise visitors! It was awesome. I had suspicions months ago when Annette called Cory's phone not mine... hmmm but I had since forgot about it so this was 100% a surprise.

We had almost 2 weeks of visiting with Netty and Ronnie and it was so nice. Thank you, thank you for taking time to come to us, for all you did while here and for your friendship and love! We love you and miss you!