Happy Birthday Grandpa Anderson

Things Miriam loves about Grandpa:

"We do stuff cool"
He lets me help in his garden
He lets me play on the trampoline
He lets me talk to him on the phone, for a LONG time
We love to eat ice cream together






Things Shay loves about Grandpa:

Ah, ba, ca, da
Baa hee haa
Nooooo
Doo doo doo










Things Mallena loves about Pops:

He's willing to do our taxes
He adores my children
I love his jokes--even if they are only groan worthy
He never yelled at me when I backed into cars (it only happened twice)
He is a worthy priesthood holder---he's even worthy to be a bishop
I love how he'd made sure we all knew how to work hard

It's Official.....

Doug and I will be attending "WICKED" in NYC on March 9, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. The tickets arrived the other day and we can't wait!!! I don't think we'll ever be able to do anything fun again, but I think it will be worth every penny. The great thing is that Doug is just as excited about it as I am. Miriam wishes she could come, but the tickets were just a little to expensive to let her come. Maybe someday....Enjoy the two songs I've got on my blog. Doug's favorite is "Defying Gravity" and I love "For Good". I highly recommend the CD. It has such great music! Plus, the "For Good" song is MUCH better on the CD. DON'T READ THE BOOK! I was sick to my stomach within the first couple of pages. The author has a VERY filthy mind! Just a warning.

I got this email from a friend of mine. Instead of forwarding it to everyone, I thought I'd blog it and let you decide if you'd like to participate.

Welcome to the 2008 edition of getting to know your friends. Change all the answers so they apply to you, and then send this to your friends including the person that sent it to you. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about your friends that you might not have known.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 10:30 A.M.
2. Diamonds or Pearls? Diamonds
3. What is the last film you saw at the cinema? 27 Dresses
4. What is your favorite TV show? Matlock
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Toast
6. What is your middle name? Marie
7. What food do you dislike? Tomatoes, Bananas, Onions, Peppers, etc.
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Wicked
9. What kind of car do you drive? Ford Explorer, but I don't drive unless I have too
10. Favorite sandwich? Grilled cheese made with wheat bread and Miracle Whip and grilled on a sandwich maker
11. What characteristic do you despise? Rude
12. Favorite item of clothing? My jeans from Old Navy I got for $14 after Thanksgiving
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Denmark
14. Favorite brand of clothing? Whatever fits and is in my price range
15. Where would you retire to? I haven't thought about that, Doug's still in school
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? When I turned 16 my mom took me and my friends to my great-aunt's cabin. She had to come to chaperon, but she was so great about just sitting in the background and letting us do whatever we wanted.
17. Favorite sport to watch? Football, or watching my brothers play "Suffer Points" (don't ask)
18. Farthest place you're sending this to? Rexburg, Idaho
19. Person you expect to send this back first? Ummmm....
20. This question was lost somewhere
21. When is your birthday? September 14, 1980
22. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night person
23. What is your shoe size? 7-7.5
24. Pets? 0
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Doug and I are going to "Wicked" in NYC!
26. What did you want to be when you were little? A teacher and a mommy
27. How are you today? Just dandy
28. What is your favorite candy? Hershey's Cookie and Cream candy bar
29. What is your favorite flower? Snapdragons
30. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? March 3--It's Doug's first day of Spring Break
31. This question was lost too
32. What is your full name? Mallena Marie Anderson Ricks
33. What are you listening to right now? Dora the Explorer and Miriam teaching Shaylynn how to exercise. She's a tad bossy!
34. What is the last thing you ate? Chicken strips dipped in honey mustard
35. Do you wish on stars? Yes
36. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Light blue
37. How is the weather right now? I'm not sure; my blinds are closed so I can keep in the heat
38. Last person you spoke with on the phone? My mom
39. Favorite soft drink? Root beer
40. Favorite restaurant? I don't know, it's been so long since we've gone out to eat
41. Hair color? Blond, but with darker roots
42. What was your favorite toy as a child? Matchbox cars
43. Summer or winter? Summer, but only because I hate driving on snowy roads
44. Hugs or kisses? Hugs, but I also love kisses from my girls
45. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate
46. Coffee or tea? Neither, but I do love a cup of hot chocolate
47. Do you want your friends to email you back? Of course, if they have time
48. When was the last time you cried? Last week?
49. What is under your bed? Boxes from our move here
50. What did you do last night? Talked to my moms and watched "House" with Doug
51. What are you afraid of? That I'll be stuck in Philadelphia forever
52. Salty or sweet? Sweet and then salty, then sweet again (see a pattern?)
53. How many keys on your key ring? At least 4--key to apartment building, key to apartment, key to mailbox, key to car
54. How many years at your current job? It will be 5 years on May 3
55. Favorite day of the week? Friday
56. How many towns have you lived in? 4--Irving, TX; Rexburg, ID; Lewiston, ID; Philadelphia, PA
57. Do you make friends easily? Usually, especially if they make the first move
58. How many people will you send this to? At least one, but I'll probably blog it so I don't have to send it to a bunch of people
59. How many will respond? I'm not sure
60. Who sent this email to you? Leah, by the way congratulations on the baby

When Mom is Away the Girls Will Play

Hello, my name is Mallena Ricks and I'm a Sleepaholic. It's been a year since I've gotten up early without having somewhere I had to be.

I hope none of you turn me into Child Protective Services, but I do have a problem. I enjoy sleeping in. Luckily I have two amazing children that basically take care of themselves until I roll out of bed, or one of them decides I've slept enough of the day away.

Well, the other morning Miriam came into the bedroom saying she had made herself breakfast. Earlier in the week Doug had taught her how to put frozen waffles in the toaster, and then prepare them to eat. It was great for me until we ran out of frozen waffles.

With this knowledge I hurried to the kitchen thinking of what mess there could be. Thankfully there wasn't a mess, but her breakfast creation was rather interesting. See if you can name everything she put in her bowl.
Doesn't that look tasty? Can you place the food items? Let's see, we've got Cheerios, marshmallows, two packages of fruit snacks of the princess variety, and beef jerky. Yum! What more could you ask for in one meal?

As soon as she took a bite she about gagged. Instead of letter her waste it, I made her separate everything into piles and then eat them separately. By the end of the day the piles were all gone.

Oh, you may be wondering about the outfit she has on. Why would any mother in her right mind let her child wear that kind of shirt during the winter? Well, a mother that sleeps in and lets her child dress herself---and her little sister.
Yikes! Not only do they look cold, but the fabrics aren't even close to looking good together. Besides, all of those clothes had been put aside because they were either too big or too small. I guess that's what happens when the kid can't reach the hanging clothes. She's got to use what she can reach. Brrr....

ARRRRR

Ok, so my last post is driving me nuts. How come there is so much space between my two pictures. I've tried everything I know to fix it, but it hasn't worked. ARRRRR! Doug, this is why I don't post that often! It takes me FOREVER and then it doesn't work right.

Hmmm...well now that I've got that off my chest, I best be getting back to updating our blog.

Sleeping Shaylynn

Shaylynn usually doesn't take naps, but sometimes she just can't help it. What could be more relaxing than chilling in your car seat with a bag a chips and a drink of juice?
I was working on the computer and heard a loud thud. Shaylynn started crying and came over and sat on my lap. After I stopped laughing (I know, bad parent) I asked her if she was tired. She started screaming at me (told you she didn't like naps) and got off my lap. Next thing I knew Doug was snapping her picture. I'm not sure why she decided to go back to the same spot she had previously dive bombed from, but it must have been more comfortable than it looks. She stayed asleep for about an hour.

It actually reminds me of my brother Weston. He can fall asleep ANYWHERE! Oh, the places we've found him taking naps. Ahhhh, memories.....

My Personality as a Painting

Thanks Darlynn for the fun idea. I'm not sure how much this looks like me, but I guess I can always change it with the change of a mood.


Click here to create your own painting.

Tough Love vs. Spanking

Most of America's populace think it improper to spank children, so I have tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of 'those moments.'

One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk.

Some say it's the vibration from the car, others say it's the time away from any distractions such as TV, Video Games, Computer, IPod, etc.

Either way, my kids usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together. I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my son, in case you would like to use the technique.

Sincerely,
Your Friend




I think this will work with grandchildren, nieces, and nephews as well.

More Pictures

Hangin with the Girls

In January us chickies went with our ward Mom and Tot group to this LARGE playhouse in the city. It was erected by Richard and Sarah Smith in 1899 in memory of their son. They wanted a safe place for children in the city to go and play with other children. It is three stories tall. The top floor was full of toys, toys, toys, and more toys. The second floor had a train, a playhouse, and a few other large toys the children could play in. The bottom floor was FULL of riding toys the kids could drive around on. It even had a working stoplight! Best part of this trip---it was FREE!

Can you guess who's baby this is?

Neither can I. It was a picture I got of the internet. Doesn't it just fascinate you how these little miracles form?

Ok, so why the picture? I'm just pleased to announce, now that I'm free to do so, I think, that there is going to be another Anderson in the family. My brother Seth and his beautiful wife Sherry are expecting their first child in August. We are very happy for them.

We are also excited about the cute little one that Doug's brother and his wife will be having in June.

Unfortunately it will be a little bit before we can see the wee ones. We also won't be able to see two cute skinny women get fat and bloated. Shame. That's my favorite part of other people being pregnant. Kidding, kidding! I love the part when they're sick and I'm not.

Ok, sarcasm aside, I am very happy for the new members coming into our family. Also, I'm very excited for all you gals in the ward that are expecting. What fun it will be to be one of the few skinnier people in the Primary. Hee, hee. I'm looking forward to this.

More Pictures of Home

Ok, so I didn't realize I only had so much room per post. I'm too lazy to go back and rearrange posts, so this is a little out of order. I want to share my home with all of you, but the main reason I'm posting these pictures is because I am so homesick and I just want another reason to look at these pictures again.


This is a picture of the side of my house. The long window looks into the kitchen. Main Street is where you see the truck at the end of the drive. This is the backyard where my dad would make the snow hill. It's been ages since he's done it, but I'm sure he would have enjoyed doing it for his girls. He'd do anything for his grandkids.
This is a shot of the front yard. The circular drive was added the summer Doug and I got married. It was a nice investment, but people still park in the long drive instead of puller through the circular. Strange! Oh, the railing leads to the front door.
Hopefully you enjoyed seeing a little bit of where I come from. Of course the snow kind of hides things a little, but it's a beautiful town. I miss my family so much! Hopefully a year from now we'll be home enjoying their company, and a good snow hill.

Missing Home

My little brother sent me these pictures the other day. I've never really liked the snow that much, well not since I learned how to drive, but these pictures really made me miss home. When I was younger my dad would make a pile in the backyard so we could slide down it in our sleds. There hasn't been much snow for the past few years, but the one year my girls could really enjoy it--and we're stuck in Philadelphia. Mind you, I don't miss the yucky roads, but I do wish my girls could enjoy the benefits of a good snow hill.

Notice the large pile the trucks left in the middle of the road. I'm not sure how my parents get out of their driveway when they do this. It is funny though when my mom goes plowing through one of those hills with her van. Granted, none of them have been this big, but you'd be surprised by what she can do with that van.
More pictures of our beautiful Main Street. Go a little farther down this direction and you get to my aunt and uncle's house. Go a few steps the other direction (previous picture) and you get to my grandma's house. Oh how much I miss Rexburg!

Wife Tag

Since Mallena took a cheap shot at me, I'm going to give you the truth.

What's her name? Mallena
Who said 'I love you' first? Of course I did, she's hot. Not that looks are everything of course.
Who is taller? Me
Who is the better singer? Mallena is by far the best singer.
Who is smarter? Street Smart- Me The one with the brain- Her
Who does the laundry? Of course the wife. Kidding!!!!
Who does the dishes? Again, obviously the wife. I help out when I can.
Who pays the bills? Mallena
Who mows the lawn? We all know I would mow.
Who cooks dinner? The one with the brains, Mallena. Excellent cook!!!
Who drives when you are together? Are you crazy, of course me.
Who is more stubborn? Not a fair question- Me
Who kissed who first? I kissed her first, but ask who started the heavy duty kiss.
Who asked who out first? I asked Mallena
Who proposed? Me
Who is more sensitive? Ha! Mallena. Tissues anyone?
Who has more siblings? Mallena by far.
Who wears the pants in the family? Who wears the pants in any family? Men just let women wear them to make them happy, which makes us happy.

Now that I have gotten that off my chest. I better run.

Husband Tag

A lot of you have done this on your blogs. Seeing how it is almost Valentine's Day, I figured I'd join in.

What's his name? Doug
Who said 'I love you' first? I don't remember
Who is taller? Doug
Who is the better singer? Uhh...I would say we're both ok, but I don't recommend sitting by us in church.
Who is smarter? Doug when it comes to Science, but I have more common sense
Who does the laundry? Me, Doug claims he did enough in his mission with his washboard
Who does the dishes? Me, Doug used to help out when I was teaching and pregnant, but not anymore
Who pays the bills? Me
Who mows the lawn? If we had a lawn I'm sure he'd make me do it
Who cooks dinner? Me
Who drives when you are together? Doug--I hate driving
Who is more stubborn? Doug--he never apologizes and can stay silent forever. I can't stand the tension so I always give in.
Who kissed who first? I think Doug kissed me
Who asked who out first? Doug asked me
Who proposed? Doug, after I told him to
Who is more sensitive? Me
Who has more siblings? Me--I have 7 brothers and he has 2 brothers and 2 sisters
Who wears the pants in the family? He likes to think he does, but nothing happens without going through me first.

Ok, so now I feel like I picked on Doug instead of building him up. He is a wonderful husband and father and I'm lucky he picked me.

This is for you Rebecca

I've Been Tagged...

Two Names You Go By:
Hottie (I wish)
Mallena
Momma

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
Jeans
Socks (I have on more, but this says only two)

Two things you Want (or have) in a Relationship:
Complete trust
Someone who'll clean the toilets (still working on that one)

Two of Your Favorite Things to do:
Read
Wonder around the complex trying find people who'll let me in their apartments.

Two things you did last night:
Took a long bath while watching a movie
Scripture reading with the kids

Two people you Last Talked To:
Miriam
Shaylynn

Two Things You're doing tomorrow:
Ummm....I need to prepare my Sharing Time lesson
Laundry
Oh, I'll say cleaning too because according to Amanda, I'm always cleaning. :)

Two Longest Car Rides:
Rexburg to Nauvoo
Rexburg to Oregon Coast

Two Favorite Holidays:
Christmas
Anyone's Birthday

Two Favorite Drinks:
Ice water
Ice water

Two Things About Me you may not have known:
I have 7 brothers, two of them adopted from Kazakhstan
Doug really is my better half

Two jobs I have had in my life:
Kmart cashier/customer service/phone answerer
Newspaper delivery girl--for like 6 years
Radio D.J. (kinda) I read newspaper articles over the airwaves for blind people. I was also in charge of the volunteers that came in to read.
Madison School District: Teacher's Aid in Special Education classroom
Rigby School District--First grade teacher at Kinghorn Elementary and Harwood Elementary
**I'm too old to only mention two past jobs

Two Movies I would watch over and over:
Pride and Prejudice (A&E Version)
The Magic of Ordinary Days

Two of my favorite foods:
Anything out of the kitchen of Emily Andersen and Tricia Molen
Chicken Chowder with rolls (Emily's recipe)
In all fairness, I have to say I love my mother and my mother-in-laws cooking also. It's just been too long since I've eaten some of their food.

Two places I'd rather be right now:
Rexburg, ID
Menan, ID

Consider all of yourselves tagged. If you'd like to participate, great, if not, well, you're a party pooper!

Missing Elder Anderson

Today I've been thinking about my baby brother who entered the MTC two weeks ago tomorrow. As you can tell from this picture he isn't very baby-like anymore, but he'll always be my baby. I prayed and prayed that he would be a girl, but alas it was not to be. Instead I was stuck being the only girl amongst five brothers. It's funny how I was disappointed he wasn't a girl until I met him. Once I saw him I was in love. I've never once wished he was a girl since then.

It's always fun to talk to Hyrum because he has an opinion about almost anything. He isn't afraid to share what he believes. He doesn't just agree with whatever you say, and if he does agree with you, he has some great insight about the topic of discussion.

Hyrum is one great person. I've never seen anyone work so hard in preparation for their mission. He spent time reading the scriptures and working on the Bulgarian language he would soon be learning.

I know you'll probably never see this, but Hyrum, I love you. Good luck in Bulgaria!

The Weight Loss Program that Doesn't Work

After almost two weeks of sickness I think we're finally starting to feel better. It seems like I was the last to finish up, and I'm grateful to say I'm done being sick. At least for now.

I learned a valuable lesson though while I was sick. During our illnesses Doug lost 7 pounds and I lost 3. We were both very excited until we started eating solids again. I don't know about Doug, but 2 of my 3 pounds came back a little too quickly. So, what was the lesson learned? Starving yourself and bulimia are not a good diet plan if you're wanting to loose the weight and keep it off.

So, the next time you're in the market for a new diet plan, keep my advice in mind. The weight WILL come back! My advice? Forget dieting all together and enjoy a candy bar!