A BIG Day!

Friday, December 4th was a BIG day for the Anderson's! Not only was it Griffin's birthday, but they were sealed together as a family in Billings Montana Temple! I can't think of a more priceless gift for Griffin's birthday than to be sealed to his mom and dad for time and all eternity. Nate and Heather were able to make it despite the snowy cold conditions and I know that meant the world to Tabby. Congratulations to you guys! It was a perfect day!!


The Anderson's right after being sealed - one happy family!

A forever team!



We had a wonderful lunch after the temple at Dan and Julane's house and celebrated Griffin's 3rd birthday.



Oh boy was Griffin excited about his spider cake! His mom is quite creative!!



So glad Nate and Heather were there!



Ella loves her Aunt Tabby! (It's pretty obvious the feeling is mutual!!)

Creative Minds...

George has been working diligently on an upcoming Eagle Court of Honor. As a way to present one of the awards he wrote this story - he has an actual bear claw to award to the two young men who are receiving their Eagle. Anyway, I thought he did a great job and wanted to share it - enjoy!

The Legend of the Eagle, the Bear, and the Man
Written by George L. Wells


Many years ago there was a great young eagle. He was strong and a mighty hunter and was known by all who flew the skies. On a clear spring day as he soared in search of food for his family his keen eye spied a very young grizzly cub wandering aimlessly bawling. Instantly his wings clinched tight against his body. He spiraled towards the cub reaching out at the last second with large strong talons. With a sure hold on his meal he opened his wings and rose gracefully in the air as he banked towards his nest. His hungry family would surely hear the bawling of their coming banquet. The thrill of the hunt and providing for his family caused his heart to pound in his chest; the cub still bawling and straining to break free. And then the world changed for both the Eagle and the cub. Empty. Quiet. The Eagle stood on the edge of the nest looking into its emptiness. Even the grizzly cub felt the heaviness of the eagle’s heart and fell silent as he too realized what the remaining feathers meant. The young cub, anxiously aware of his impending peril, offered words to the Eagle. Voice quivering with fear and anguish the young cub whispered, “My mother was killed just moments before you snatched me. The men came and . . . . I am sorry, great one, for your loss.” The Great Eagle’s breaking heart quieted. Releasing the cub he looked at his prey with new eyes and a changed heart. Together they formed a pact to work as one to protect their kind from the greed of man and bring harmony and peace to their two worlds, the earth and the sky. The Eagle protected and fed the cub and he grew quickly. He was strong and bigger and quicker than any other grizzly in the land. With the Great Eagle’s keen eye in the heavens and the Mighty Grizzly’s undaunted strength on the earth, together they became mighty guardians teaching and protecting the young ones how to survive and how to be noble examples of their kind. As one they ruled with peace and harmony in the forest and sky above. They became unsurpassed champions.
Then one day a great Crow chief came to the forest. He had earned the name Red Bear because of his expertise in hunting the grizzly. His mighty skills were legend and displayed throughout his tribe with the many skins and claws of the grizzly bear adorning their clothes and teepees. The chief had his aim set on the Mighty Grizzly. He coveted the honor of being the warrior who took down the largest and most powerful grizzly of their land. The Great Eagle saw Chief Red Bear stalking his brother and flew swiftly towards him. He landed in a great display with head held high, eyes piercing, wings spanned to their fullest, and a forceful cry that echoed throughout the entire land. Paralyzed in awe and fear, the Chief knew this was a life changing moment. His people greatly revered the eagle. No words would come, his body could not move. The Great Eagle told the Chief of his life and partnership with the Mighty Grizzly, of how they were brought together by the greed of man. He told him of their pact in protecting and teaching the young ones to watch for greedy predators who hunted for fame and not for food. He told the Chief of how they taught the young ones to be noble examples of their kind. The Chief listened intently and entered into their pact to hunt only for food and not fame. The Eagle, the Bear, and the Chief counted each other as brothers and swore an oath of peace between them and their families. Peace blanketed the land for many years, but the greed of other men again became strong. Some wanted to be known for hunting down the elusive Great Eagle and Mighty Grizzly. And one day, on a quiet trip to visit his brothers, Chief Red Bear froze in unbelief as he surveyed the scene before him. Only a few feathers and claws remained of his kindred brothers. In grief too heavy to bear alone he raised the feathers and claws in clinched fist and cried out loud, “You will not be forgotten my brothers!” And from that day forth, the Chief carried the feathers and claws and vowed to protect and teach the young ones of his tribe. He taught them to be humble and grateful, to always strive to do their best, and be a noble example of goodness to all. And the feathers and claws were passed down, from generation to generation, but only to those who would promise to teach their young ones and accept Chief Red Bear’s oath, an oath between brothers – the Eagle, the Bear, and man.

Thanksgiving Thoughts - Part IV

11.26.09
Thanksgiving Day

Today I am thankful for the one soul who is the underlying source for everything else of which I am grateful, the reason for which any of us has cause to give thanks. Today, I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. Remembering Him makes everyday Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Thoughts - Part III

11.25.09
Today my thanks are for my sweet George. He is the warm sun on my face on a cold winter’s day, the joy of an unexpected surprise, the peace and comfort of a favorite pair of sweats and a bowl of hot soup on a cloudy day, the security of standing on solid ground after a dizzying carnival ride, the relief of finding a lost set of keys. He is the preparation of my past, the joy of my present, the hope of my future. He is eternally mine. We are not perfect, but we are perfect together!

Thanlsgiving Thoughts - Part II

Today I am thankful for the two most priceless gifts I could ever be given in this life - the other two musketeers of our trio! From the moment Matthew was born I felt a profound connection with him. I could sense his presence - I didn't need to see him to know if he were near me. He was and is a treasure to me. We have been through some sore trials together, some mine, some his, and when the cards finally fall I know it will be he and I standing still -my little Buddy and me. And my sweet Amber, my Punkin', my best friend, my strength and always my sounding board. Together the three of us have survived so much and created bonds that will never be severed. The kind of bonds that are unspoken, the kind that words can not label, the kind that lasts forever. They are my eternity.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

For the last several days my friends and I have been posting something each day on Face Book that we are thankful for. I saved some very special "thankful for's" for these last four days before Thanksgiving. My goal is to keep doing this in my sadly limited journal! I wanted to post it on my blog as well!

Monday 11.23.09
Today I am thankful for my parents. They are amazing people. Any parent can attest to the fact that parents make mistakes. I know I've made my fair share of them! So I've thought a lot about what makes a successful parent. And my definition is one who does the absolute best because of their own personal strengths and in spite of their own limitations. My mom and dad did an amazing job - still do. I love them for the sacrifices they made for me - the ones I know of and especially for all the ones they've kept to themselves! Most importantly I am thankful that they brought me here to this earth and set me firmly on the straight and narrow path - held my hand as they taught me to cling with the other to the Iron Rod. Re- introduced me to my Savior and my Heavenly Father and showed me how I can talk with Them anytime I need. I was never in want of anything and they were the first hands that held me, the most important hands that wiped away my tears, the most tender hands that calmed my broken heart, the most active hands that met my needs, the most loving hands that molded me into the person I am today. Thank you, Mom and Dad!

Small and Simple Things

My dad forwarded this to me. There was no author listed, so I took some literary rights and tweeked it a little and added a couple of scriptures - so if anyone knows who the original author is - please let me know! Enjoy!

Whispers
Author Unknown

A man whispered, "Father, speak to me," and a meadowlark sang.
But, the man did not hear.

So the man yelled, "Father, speak to me," and the thunder rolled across the sky.
But the man turned his back to the storm.

The man looked around and said, "Father, let me see you," and a star shone brightly.
But the man did not see.

And, the man shouted, "Father, show me a miracle," and a life was born.
But, the man did not notice.

The man whimpered, "Father, I need your help!" and an e-mail arrived reaching out with good news and encouragement.
But, the man deleted it and continued to call out.

In desperation, the man cried out, "Touch me, Father, and let me know you are here." Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.
But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

A wise man doesn’t miss out on Heaven’s blessings just because they aren’t packaged the way that he expected.
“Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works….” Alma 37:41

Heavenly Father is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted.
“…And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.”
1 Nephi 16:29

Fun With Family

Each Sunday night we have Family Home Evening with any family members or friends that can attend. Last Sunday Jasmine and Dalin were snuggling in my chair and I just had to get the camera out - then the fun began!!


Loving cousins! Jasmine is the oldest of all the cousins - she is wonderful to her younger cousins! Dalin loves her!



Aunt Chantile showing off Dalin's muscles (and his cute shirt that says: "I do all my own STUNTS" and the shirt don't lie!


Jasmine and Chantile being Jasmine and Chantile - the life of the party!

First Time...

So don't you remember loosing your first tooth????

Spook-tacular Time!

As promised - although a while in coming - here are some pictures from Halloween! We all had a spook-tacular time and the weather was boo-tiful!!


Joe, Tabby, and Griffin came to our ward's carnival and Trunk-or-Treat. Joe and Griffin were having a great time playing. It was a warm beautiful night! Haven't had such a delightful night for Halloween in a long time! Its fun to watch Joe and Griffin play!


Ciara was a beautiful fairy princess!



Cody was a bumble bee - much to his chagrin his costume doubles as his coat when its really cold out!




Pockie and Griffin had fun with the games!



Is this the cutest little monkey you've ever seen?! The only thing cuter is to hear him make a monkey sound.......Dalin that is...not Zane!




This is one of the little ones in our ward - I just loved his costume! Is this hilarious or what?!

Chantile dressed up for school (she works at the school in Park City) - she always has such great costumes! Jasmine was very sick this year a didn't get to go out, so Chantile made a private carnival just for her at home - what a fun mom!

Grandma Julie's creation

Amber's art work - this one was my fav!

Cutting out an elephant for Ciara - anyone surprised?!

Pumpkin fun!