A HOLIDAY WISH

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May your holidays be everything you dream of!
Love,
The Anders Family

CHRISTMAS PICS AND AN UPDATE

Yes I've been absent from the blogging world lately...just no time to sit down and type up an update. I'll begin by saying that I can't believe Christmas is just two weeks away...and I'm still not done shopping, have nothing wrapped and still don't know what I'm getting some people. Oh the joy of the season...

As we do every year since Ty and my cousin's daughter, Kaela, were born we ventured out to have a christmas pic done of all the "Fair" great grandkids. The picture seems to grow quite frequently. This year there are 6 kids in the pic together and 4 of the kids are below the age of 4...oh the fun. Anyway, the pics turned out pretty good and I even got some good ones of my boys. To see the entire photo shoot click here (this will take you to my smugmug page that I have uploaded the pics to). Here's a peek at all the kids...


from left to right it's Elle (crying), Kaela (in green), Ian, Tyler (in green), Maddie and Alexa.

I even got a few pics of my boys for Christmas...






Then today Ian had a playdate! I just love getting in touch with old friends. My first friend from first grade and I have recently gotten back in touch so she came over with her little one. Kooper and Ian are only a month apart (Ian is younger) and they played so well together. Good news for the mommies was that they were both exhausted when it was time for Kooper to leave.



The funny thing about this picture is that Ian has a binky. Ian never has a binky but Kooper had one earlier so Ian wanted one. Monkey see, monkey do.

So that's it for the update now...sorry I don't have more to talk about...well I do but I really need to go wrap gifts. I'm thinking about boycotting Christmas next year...

IAN'S DR. VISIT

So Ian and I braved the snow (ok so it was just a few flurries when we went but still it was snow) and went to the Dr's office for his nine month check up today. First let me say that Ian is just such a ham. He was showing off the entire time we were there. Everyone kept saying how cute he is and how happy he is. Maybe some of them should come over at bedtime and see how "cute and happy" he is. Anyway, the monster weighed in at 21 pounds and is 28 inches long. Yes, he's huge. He charts at the 75th percentile for both. The check up went well. No major problems. Just need to take him to see a pediatric urologist...for some reason the Dr doesn't think the hole he pees out of is large enough. Ugh so now I'm off to find a pediatric urologist that will take my insurance...gotta love working for a hospital system that doesn't have pediatric specialists. And I honestly don't think there is a problem...kid seems to pee just fine; especially in the bath tub. All his little butt has to do is hit the warm water and the fountain begins. On with the appointment...Ian only had to get one shot today! That was wonderful news for me. Poor kid has had to get at least 3 shots every other visit. Ian took it like a trooper. Only cried for a few seconds. Now he's home and napping...gotta love that the shots make him tired. Maybe he'll be a bit calmer tonight than usual...well, doubt it but a girl can dream can't she!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

This recipe comes from the kitchen of another blogger. I often read other people's blogs just out of curiosity and I have started finding recipes. So if you find me "blog stalking" you...don't worry...I'm just looking for food ideas ;)
I made this chicken dish and it really was wonderful!...Enjoy!
Click here to check out the blog that I "borrowed" this recipe from

Jenny's Crock Pot Chicken

(Have no idea who Jenny is - but it sure is good chicken!) :0)


8 boneless chicken breasts
2 TBSP melted butter
1 envelope Italian salad dressing dry mix

Place chicken in crock pot. Shake the Italian dressing on the chicken and pour melted butter over. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours.

Mix together:
1 large can cream of mushroom soup
1 8oz. package of cream cheese - cut in small chunks
1/2 cup of apple juice
1 TBSP chopped onion

Mix these ingredients and pour over the chicken. Cook another 30-40 minutes more and serve over rice or noodles. Delicious!

I'm Baaaacckkkkk...

So yes it has been awhile since I've had the time (or the motivation) to post on here. So much has happened over these past few weeks. I'll start with today and go backwards...LOOK WHAT I WOKE UP TO TODAY!


I am just not a fan of winter...I think the snow is beautiful (for about 5 minutes) but I honestly can't stand the thought of the mess it brings with it. Tyler will no doubt have to step in every inch of snow on his way home and bring it in the house on his shoes...and leave it for someone else to clean up. Then there is the whole idea of cleaning off my car...ugh. Luckily I have a husband that will usually do this for me. Although this morning he went right to bed after work...how dare he! Maybe it will melt before I need to go anywhere. Slim chance since I need to leave in about two hours for an appointment.

Ian once again has had a few milestones. He finally has teeth! Two of them to be exact. The first one appeared this past Sunday night and the second one I noticed on Wednesday night. I'm thinking it will be non stop teething from this point on. Ian has also discovered his ability to climb under things. Here is his favorite little "fort"...


We just celebrated Tyler's 11th birthday on Monday...I can't believe my little guy is 11! (sorry no pics yet...still need to upload from my camera). It is also now time for the second report card of 5th grade. He will once again have all A's! Being able to check your kid's grades online is wonderful! If your school has it you should seriously sign up. I even now have alerts being sent to my email if he scores below a specific grade (that I set) on anything! I find out his grades before he does!

Halloween was fun...and cold! Ian went as a cow and Tyler as a soccer player. Tyler wasn't feeling too creative this year. Of course they both got way too much candy that they were forced to give, uh I mean share with us.


I have also found a new way to support my Kipling Bag habit...EBAY! I just got a new diaper bag (yes, I really did need one) from ebay for under $25!


So that's what we've been up to lately. Sorry some of the pics are blurry...they were all taken on my phone. Well, time to go. Ian is climing in and out of his carseat (another new amusement of his) and I need to get him ready to go to the dr for his 9 month check...I can't believe he's going to be 9 months old!

HOW BOUT THEM PHILLIES!!

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AND JUST TO THINK...MY SON WAS THERE FOR ALL OF THE EXCITEMENT! I'LL HAVE SOME PICS SOON TO POST...GOTTA WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO GIVE THEM TO ME SINCE I WAS WORKING FOR ALL THE FUN.

WAY TO GO TYLER!

The first marking period of Tyler's fifth grade year has come and went! Of course that means it's report card time! Last night I had my conference with one of his teachers and I got the usual: Tyler is a wonderful, independent, very reliable student. My fears of his middle school experience have been put to rest. Here's his grades for the first 6 weeks of school...

Language Arts.....93
Social Studies....94
Mathematics.......97
Science.......100 (this teacher said he was well prepared and participates often)
Reading...........96 (this teacher said he participates often)
Gym / Health......97
Band..............90 (he plays the trumpet)

I can't forget to mention that Tyler made FIRST HONORS!

MY NEW PHONE!

About a week ago the cell phone that I've only had for about a year started crapping out on me. Ugh I hate cell phones sometimes. I had loved this phone until it started acting up. I have since come to find out that many people have had (or are having) the same problems that I did. Which phone is it you ask...well, it's the razor from Motorola. I will never recommend this phone to anyone! So, this meant that I got to go shopping for a new phone. And I got a BLACKBERRY!(of course it's a pink one) I love it. Not only is it a phone but it's a little mini computer. I can receive emails on and access the Internet all at the touch of a little mini button. I still don't have it completely figured out...there is so much to learn...but I'm getting there. I'm just crossing my fingers that this phone lasts me longer than all of my previous ones did. I don't seem to have much luck with phones. Without further ado...here's a look at my new blackberry (which comes highly recommended by yours truly)!


BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone in Pink
2.0 Megapixel Camera
Bluetooth
BroadbandAccess
Music Player
VZAppZone
VZ Navigator

TONS MORE FEATURES! CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE DETAILS OF THE BLACKBERRY CURVE

AS I EDIT...

...I'm finding pictures that I absolutely love (from my cousin's wedding). Here's a few that I couldn't resist posting...

The bride getting some help from her mom..


The bride and her father dancing...


Little Madelynne Rose...


He said she slipped and he tried to catch her...hmmm...


The bride's roses...

FROM THIS MOMENT...

Congratulations to my cousin Stephanie and her husband Jason! After much planning today was finally their big day...THEY GOT MARRIED! I'm so happy for the both of them. They deserve every happiness life has to offer! My words of advice for the happy couple... life may not always lead you on the easiest path...just always remember your love for one another. Do not let a day go by without saying 'I love you' to each other . "from this moment, you have been blessed" Enjoy the married life!

Here are some pics from their happy day. I'm still in the process of editing all 323 pictures that I took (I love my camera), so check back for more pictures thru the week.

From rehersal...the last pic of them before they're Mr. and Mrs.


Tyler and Kaela...(Groomsman and Bridesmaid)


Tonya and Jeramie...(Matron of Honor and Best Man)


The Bride relaxing...


The Groom and the couple's beautiful daughter...


Mr. and Mrs. Jason Druckemiller...


The rings...


Cake Kisses..


One last picture of the happy couple at the end of a long day...


Steph and Jason, always remember this...

CHECK UP TIME!

Little Ian had a Dr's appointment today. The monster is doing well...he weighed in at a hefty 19.6 pounds and was 27 and three quarters inches long. This put him in the 65th percentile for weight and the 75th percentile for his length. Ian, as always, amused the little old ladies in the waiting room, the nurse and even Dr. B. Then it was time for the shots...ugh...I dread this everytime. Amazingly, Ian only fussed for a few seconds during the 3 shots. Afterwards, I picked him up and he smiled at the nurse...seriously I think my kid has issues. Now he's resting comfortably in his bed...I'm hoping he takes a nice looonnngggg nap!

COMPUTER WIZ?

Check out my little Ian...he would rather play with the big people's expensive toys than with his "baby" toys. Gotta admit...it's pretty freaking cute!...and no this was not posed...he managed to get himself right up to my computer when i stepped away for a quick moment.

THIS SAYS IT ALL!

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

I've been awful at keeping up with this blog. Time to get back on track. Here's a new recipe...hopefully I'll get back into posting one of these a week.
This comes from my kitchen...well and my mom's. It's a very easy casserole dish that's yummy...and even better reheated...enjoy.




Ingredients...
1 pound macaroni elbows
1 pound hamburger
1 can corn
spaghetti sauce
Velveeta cheese

Directions...
Cook up your macaroni and your hamburger. Drain your can of corn and your macaroni. Mix all of this together with your spaghetti sauce (as much as you'd like). Put into a casserole dish and add slices of Velveeta cheese. Cook in the oven on about 350 degrees until it's cooked thru and your cheese is melted. That's it! Yes, it's as easy as it sounds. Enjoy!

MY BUSY BUSY BOYS

Yes, I know...I've been a little absent from the blogging world lately. And right now I only have time to do a quick update, sorry. Here's what's been going on in our lives lately...
Tyler is still enjoying middle school. I'm a little overwhelmed with the amount of homework he gets...and what's with the new math? He had homework yesterday that I tried to help him with. The only way I knew to solve the one problem (word problems, yuck) was with algebra, but he informed me that they didn't learn that yet. So I figured out the answer but told him that he needed to talk to his teacher to see how they should be doing it. The answer he got...guess and check...wtf is that? Ugh, what happened to actually working out the problems? Anyway, besides that all is well with middle school. Mr. Social has once again decided to join the school's branch of the Kiwanas Club. I think it's great that he wants to be involved, but I honestly think he does it just to stay social. He's everyone's buddy. I got a phone call from the band teacher today...seems Tyler "forgot" to take his trumpet to school today so he missed his lesson. I'm a little frustrated with Tyler at this moment...I've now highlighted on the lunch calander all of the days he needs to remember to take his instrument to school...ugh, kids. Ty's soccer season is off to a good start. These kids are amazing to watch play. (pics will be posted soon, I promise).
Ian still continues to amuse me on a daily basis. I still think he's wild but I hope on a daily basis that he starts to calm down...doesn't happen. I cannot believe he will be 7 months on the 25th! Time flies. I'm already starting to try to plan his first birthday party...makes me want to cry. Oh, and guess who's trying to crawl!?! Yep, Ian is officially getting up on all fours and rocking back and forth. It'll only be a matter of time. Gary seems to think it will be "cool" when Ian becomes mobile...boy does he have alot to learn.
Ok, I'm off to pick Ty up from soccer then it's time for work. In another life I'm going to have hired help to run kids around...

Here's Ian in his beginning to crawl phase...

A DAY TO REMEMBER

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Do you remember where you were on this day? I do...home on vacation from work...Tyler woke up early (which was strange) and wanted to watch his cartoons...imagine my shock when I turned on the television (it was around 9am) and saw what was happening. This is truely an awful day in our nation's history and one that will always be remembered.