Splash Park in American Fork

Well, we have moved. We now live in Orem. I am trying really hard to be positive, but it's really hard. There are a few perks to living down here. I have a friend who moved down to American Fork when we were juniors in high school. We have stayed close friends and now we get to hang out all the time. We hung out yesterday afternoon at a splash park in American Fork. It was awesome and the kids had a blast. Just a few pics.

(Teddy did not want his picture taken)

(His I'll show you shot)

(Aurora being cute as ever. A little girl came up to Aurora pointing at her swimsuit and said, "I love her". We had a good laugh about that.)

(The kids and I walking around in the little river they have there.)

This is my friend Jessica and her little girl. Thanks for such a fun day.

Just a bunch of pictures!

The fact that we haven't posted pictures forever, I blame on Zann. I finally asked him nicely, and for those of you who just rolled your eyes it truly was very nice, and he did it. So here some very belated pictures.

My grandma died this past October. It was a blessing to see her go. She died at the age of 97. Three days before she died my brother and wife brought their three girls to see Grandma. This was also the first time I was able to meet my triplet nieces, Addison, Brooklyn, and Cambria. All of the grandkids are here, but one.

This is all of my brothers and sisters, but my brother and his family.

This is Teddy pulling the Home Alone face.

Happy Thanksgiving. This is the craziness that was happening downstairs. Thank you Colton for watching all of the kids.


I went to Bath & Body Works and got some lotion. Teddy wouldn't let go of the bag. It was really funny. He started putting things in the bag.

It's a Sesame Street book with Elmo, just in case you can't see it. The bag went everywhere with us. It was pretty comical.


Merry Christmas. This was our tree. Please don't ask me why Aurora is not wearing pants.

My little sister Suzy got home from her mission on December 13. What an awesome Christmas present. We sure missed her and have fully enjoyed having her home.

We taught Teddy how to say Suzy. He said it so cute. He is such a sweet kid.

We had a party at my oldest brother's house after we went to the airport. The kids loved seeing everyone and my older brother Nathan wanted in on the action and wanted to see how strong his legs were. Peyton, Lydia, and Teddy are all getting rides on his legs.

This is Teddy's loot from Christmas. He was so spoiled.

We went to eat first with the Richins and there was a sleigh and we got Aurora just a laughing. It was so cute. This was the cutest of all the pictures I thought.

Happy New Year everyone. We went and visited some of our closest friends, The Richins, who just recently moved to Salt Lake. We were able to go and hang out on Temple Square with them and see the lights. The kids had been sick and we were worried we weren't going to be able to go, but we were able to go. The lights are awesome there. I love seeing them. The kids had a ball.

We got some awesome snow one Sunday and so we had to build a snowman. Zann did most of the work while I watched the kids. I did help decorate the face though. Our lights also look awesome. Way to go babe!

At the end of January we were able to go to Phoenix, AZ for Zann's work. It was awesome. They paid for everything. We took Aurora, but left Teddy with my sister, thank you KaDawn.
This is us on our last day there.

This is the view from our window. It was beautiful. We stayed in the Sheraton Downtown. We were on the 22nd floor.


Aunt Annelle. We almost named Aurora after her because she was born on her birthday.

Aunt Ellie. She is the best cook ever.

In this picture are front row: me, Aunt Janett, who is holding Aurora, Grandpa and Uncle Quinn
back row: Heather, Raylynn, and Aunt Elli.

This is Uncle Quinn holding onto Aurora. She loved seeing all the animals and sitting on the horse. I wish Teddy could have been there with us. He would have been in heaven.

Zann had a bunch of meetings on Saturday and so I drove up to Show Low. It's about a three hour drive, but completely worth it. This is my grandpa. He is the most amazing man in the world. He has so much love for everyone. I wish I were more like him. Before I left I was doing fine without crying, but he followed me out to the car and I lost it. The ranch will always be my second home. I am grateful he was able to meet Aurora. I got lost on the way back to the Hotel. I drove around Phoenix for 1 1/2 hours before I finally made it home. It was awful.

This is Adelaide. She is a daughter of one of Zann's coworkers, Gary. His wife's name is Theresa. We hung out Friday night while they were in meetings. It was so much fun. Aurora had a little playmate too.

We had some extra time before we left on Sunday and so we went to the Mesa Temple. It was beautiful and so peaceful walking around the grounds on Sunday afternoon. We also found a ward to go to and went to Sacrament meeting. There was actually somebody in the ward who Zann went to high school with.

This is us at the Phoenix airport. I was so ready to be home. I totally enjoyed the 70 degree weather. We came home to snow. Lovely:(

Happy Birthday babe! His birthday was February 17. He wanted to make a Jucy Lucy.

A Jucy Lucy is a delicious meat and cheese thing we learned about on Man V. Food way back around Thanksgiving and I've been wanting to make one ever since then. It was amazing.

What can I say, he likes to wear what Aurora likes. Obviously Zann doesn't like it when I dress him up. I want you to know, anytime I put Aurora in that dress, Teddy will try to take it off of him.

Teddy has recently become a fan of Turtles. He loves Raph. He can even say the name. It's really funny. This is part of his Halloween costume for next year.


Teddy is really into lining things up in a train. Apparently we need to get him one. I am not sure why he is only in his diaper. His smile makes up for it though.

Aurora has this face she does. It makes us all laugh. She doesn't do it all the time though so I am glad we were able to get it on camera.


I got this 'do from "Despicable Me". I do her like this all the time for church. I think it is adorable.

Fun in the tub

Just so cute!

This was just a few days ago. Teddy loves to be pushed around in the basket. He gets mad if Aurora isn't right next to him. He is such a great older brother.

Happy Valentine's Day

(Disclaimer:  To anybody reading this post who's name isn't Amber Smith Anderson - first off, it's not to you, so maybe just don't read it.  If you still wish to, fine - it's on our blog, after all.  If you get grossed out by its cheesy/corny Valentine nature, that's not my problem - I told you you didn't have to read it...)

Dear Amber:

I wanted to give you a Valentine, but I wasn't sure what to get for you.  I decided for starters to put it up here so you could have it all the time - like a permanent valentine, instead of the ones kids give out that get chucked after the candy is gone.  After today, there's a permanent digital record of how much I love you.  Cool, no?  So, back to what to get you...you said not to get you these:

'Cause they're all marked up a ton around this time of year, and I know I can't get you these:

 

'Cause you make better ones anyway, plus we're tracking our calories and trying to lose weight.  What does that leave me to be able to give you for Valentine's Day?  Pretty tough.  I'll try for a poem:

I used to be all alone
Without a Valentine
"Enjoying" Single Awareness Day
Since nobody was mine

But then I met this girl
With beautiful red hair
The first time that I saw her
I had to try not to stare

We spent some time together
And before very long
It became quite apparent
She was the perfect one

I said, "Be mine forever"
And she said, "Yes, I will!"
We've had such times together
With her, life's one big thrill

So now when Feb 14th
Comes rollin' round the corner
I dress and smile and have fun
Instead of being a mourner

Now I'm so glad that she is mine
I'll never let her go
She's my one and only Valentine
And I truly love her so


I don't really know if a poem can summarize how I feel (especially one that short).  You are the most wonderful and amazing woman ever.  You make everything brighter and have made my life so much richer than I could ever have on my own.  You make me smile each and every day and I'm so grateful that you're mine.  I guess the best thing that I can give you for Valentine's day is this:

 

Pretty corny, no?  Yeah I know, "I give you my heart!"  It's true though, that's what I promised to you before and that's what I try to continue to give you each day.  Thanks for not crushing it, 'cause it's the only one I have.  I love you.  Happy Valentine's Day.

Love,
Zann