Summons

Keep me from going to sleep too soon
Or if I go to sleep too soon
Come wake me up. Come any hour
Of night. Come whistling up the road.
Stomp on the porch. Bang on the door.
Make me get out of bed and come
And let you in and light a light.
Tell me the northern lights are on
And make me look. Or tell me clouds
Are doing something to the moon
They never did before, and show me.
See that I see. Talk to me till
I'm half as wide awake as you
And start to dress wondering why
I ever went to bed at all.
Tell me the walking is superb.
Not only tell me but persuade me.
You know I'm not too hard persuaded.

Robert Francis

Sledding

Today Grandpa took us sledding. It was just the right size of a hill to get lots of rides in. I was impressed with how quickly Clara and John were able to break the shoe strings and go down on there own. It makes me more confident that if I took them skiing they would do well and have a good time.

Outside on Christmas

Our Christmas

Christmas was so fun. This is what made ours special.

  Kelly suprising us and getting home before the children were in bed rather than at midnight! I have never heard John scream so loudly or happily.
 We had a little program and sang lots of songs.
Magaret looked cozy in the same pj's that Clara wore on her first Christmas.
The children didn't stop eating ribbon candy all christmas.
Cold and beautiful snow.
I made a yule log. The meringue mushroom were delicious and darling. The cake roll was not. ( I am planning on making jelly rolls all this year to practice.) I made and used clarified butter (I had never even heard of that.) I also made real buttercream (my goodness!!!)
We had a lovely dinner with Aunt Rhonda.

 John said it all when while were writing in his journal I asked him "What was the best part about Christmas?" He replied "Having Dad here."

Discovery Gateway

Craters of the Moon

It has always been a lifelong dream of mine to go into space and walk on the moon. Today I did not make it to the moon. I did the next best thing. I went to Craters of the Moon National Monument! We went in a cave and walked on an active volcano. It was so fun. Kelly took the first photo. I think it is excellent. I am even in it! 

Madelyn Grace

 I have had a good time looking at this darling girls mouth. I am sure you can see why. Also, I adore the finger in the ear. Congrats to Jaime and Tyler on the birth of this beautiful girl.

Thanksgiving

I am thankful to be a part of the Anderson Family. They are smart, hard workers, excellent singers and dedicated to the Church. We had good food and good conversation. I loved it. The photo of Margaret looking at Aunt Non and Aunt Julie is funny. Isn't Lucy darling in the last photo!?

Warm Blanket

 These photos of Margaret remind me of these other photos I took of John. They are about the same age. Rolling around and sucking on toes. John had a blue blanket like this pink one. He calls it his cold blanket. When Margaret got this one he named it "Warm Blanket."
This is the age where things are starting to go well. She will sit with a basket of toys and have a grand time. She stays where I put her and bounces her legs when I come into the room. I am happy to report that Monday her eyes completely cleared up. Just in time too. She was about to get tubes put in. Margaret has such a nice little personality. Mellow and happy.

Airplane

Climbing

I Voted For Mitt

It was the time for a man and he was a man for the time. Is that how that song goes from "The One and Only Original Family Band?" He was by far the best for the job. We are disappointed in the country. Proud of Mitt.

Remarks on Margaret

Margaret's so good a picking up food. We started her on the Gerber puffs but it wasn't long before she was good enough for Cherrieos. The dimples on her hands are delightful.
Her favorite mobile by far was the bell on a ribbon. I was amazed with how well she could control the bell. I noticed she could stop it and swing it at will and she could grab it enough to try to get it in her mouth.
There have been two times now that I have had to save Margaret. John's desire to make her cozy in every blanket he has access to is funny to see. I am glad that he remembers the rule that we don't cover her face. :)

Halloween

We had a fun day. Clara was a ballerina and we saw her walk in her school parade. John was a bear during the day then switched to a spider in the evening. He went to the library activity and the park. Margaret was the pumpkin that Clara and John have both been for there first Halloween. After we picked Clara up from school we carved pumpkins and headed off for the Trunk or Treat. They got a good load that we are still finishing. I use there Halloween candy as a sharing exercise every day. I really think food is a good way to practice sharing. We got some Trick or Treat-ers. Before bed I recited Little Orphan Annie. Good day, fun memories.