09-09-09

So, it has been awhile since I have posted, and not much has happened in our lives. School started, but my kids aren't in school so it didn't affect us much. I'm just happy some of the neighborhood kids are in school all day so they aren't constantly knocking on my door and ringing my doorbell. I'm such a antisocial person, and Tyson is the complete opposite. He is the type that would walk off with a stranger because he is so friendly and thrives on having friends and constantly playing with friends. Because he is my oldest, I am still trying to figure out this friend thing. Trying to monitor who he plays with and how much he plays with other kids. I don't see the need for a 3 year old to be playing with friends daily. I would rather him play with Tanner. When I make him stay inside he comes up with the cutest things to do and I love to hear him playing with and talking to his toys. I know I can't shelter him forever. I am trying to follow Joseph Smith's advice when he said "teach them correct principles and then let them govern themselves." Tyson and Tanner are good kids, but they have learned some not so nice things from the kids around here. Here are some of the phrases they have picked up:

• "I'm gonna call the cops on you."
• "I'm not your friend anymore."
• "You're not the boss of me."
• "You need to change your attitude."

There are a few others, but I can't think of them off the top of my head. I really try to keep a close eye on them. We have a neighborhood bully that is Tyson's age and twice his size. He bloodied Tyson's nose last week because Tyson was trying to put our toys away like I had asked him, and this kid still wanted to play with our toys. Tyson didn't cry, but Tanner has been laid out a few times by this kid. He no longer plays with my children without my supervision. Being a parent is hard, but I feel more sorry for Tyson because he has to put up with me learning the ropes of parenthood.

On a different note, I started officially potty training Tanner and it is going fairly well. It will be nice to be diaper-free for a couple months before the baby comes. I'm excited for the baby, but I'm not too anxious yet. I like spending this time with my boys. Another week and I will be into my third trimester. My sister just had her baby almost 4 weeks early and I would welcome that kind of time frame for me, but won't get my hopes up. All I know is that if my appetite doesn't change post pregnancy, I'm going to have to take some serious interventions. I am a glutton and I don't know how to stop myself. I fear at this rate, the next few months will not be pretty, nor will I. The only good thing is that I can pawn most of it off onto the pregnancy and delay taking the blame. I am extremely excited for cooler weather and hope it comes soon. I have a few fun things planned before the holidays hit, but the holdidays should be way fun this year, even if I am large with child.

Rewind

This is the last of my pictures from the summer that I wanted to post. These were from the weekend of the 24th of July and we made a homemade/makeshift swimming pool in the back of grandpa White's truck. The water was freezing but the kids still played in it. Aunt Jenny brought some water balloons and they were the kids' favorite thing. Thanks for a great time time.

A camping we will go...

A couple of weekends ago, we decided to get out of the heat and go camping up at Navajo Lake. While packing we soon realized we didn't have much for camping gear except a tent. Anth is the only one with a sleeping bag and we didn't even have a lantern, cook stove, foam pads, etc. We went anyway. We bought a single blow-up mattress and had another we have collected. We took all the blankets in the house and borrowed our neighbors cook stove. I would say we were roughing it, to say the least. We had to be in a designated campsite if we wanted to have a fire, and we would have froze without one. I prefer camping out in the open where you are not around people on all sides, but it was okay. Our neighbor campers actually were really nice and helped us gather wood. Because of lack of supplies, we roasted hot dogs for dinner and had pancakes for breakfast. It was pretty primitive just because we weren't fully prepared. We even forgot wet wipes for Tanner. It was a good first trip and now we know what to start acquiring if we are going to go camping again, which we probably will since we have two little boys. In the morning, the boys went down to the lake to fish but it was really windy and cold so it didn't last long. They didn't care, though, they just had a great time being outdoors.

Pioneer Day

So, I had this post all written up and ready to publish, and blogger kicked me out without saving it. Boo. Now I will just post the pictures without commentary because I am too lazy to re-write the whole thing. Enjoy the pics!

Tanner at the parade.

Tyson and Tanner collecting a ton of candy. We were in a prime spot this year!

Eating the cheese curd from the cheese factory.

Plenty of candy and cavities for everyone!

G&G Anderson on the Stake Presidency Float.

We love the 24th of July in our hometown.

Anderson/Styler Reunion

In the middle of July, we went to our reunion at Palisade Natl Park. It was hot! Anthony couldn't come due to work, but there was plenty of good company and other kids to keep my boys occupied. Everyone commented on my boys' white hair, and people were constantly reminding me to put sunscreen on them because they must look like albinos. I remembered to put sunscreen on them, but failed to put any on myself and I got fried. We spent most of our time at the lake. We went out in the canoes, and Tyson even dared to jump in (with his clothes on) off the floating dock. Another canoe trip Tanner leaned over a little to far to touch the water and fell in head first. He was wearing a life jacket, but it still scared him and was probably a little cold. My family thought it was funny how friendly Tyson was with everyone. He made friends with complete strangers, and I would find him off having an in-depth conversation with extended family. What a kid! Tanner spent a bit of time just laying on the benches under the pavilion. I think the metal felt cold on his skin after the sun drained him of energy.

The boys loved playing in the water and tried to catch the little fish that swim close to the shore. Grandpa Max was so good to get knee-deep in the lake to help catch fish.

Playing on the beach.
Caleb and Tyson in the kayak.

Every year uncle Jack sets up a snow cone machine for kids and adults alike. It was one thing we could do to help cool us off. On Saturday we rented a paddle boat for the morning and the kids liked it but the adults got tired of paddling it. It is hard work. The best part for me was getting to see cousins that I only get to see once a year, if that, and catching up on every one's busy lives. Can't wait for next year!

Sugar and Spice...

... and everything nice--hopefully that's what our little girl will be made of. (And all the other essential things.)

It was confirmed last week that we are having a GIRL. We are excited, but I can't quite grasp it yet because all I know so far is boys. Pretty sure we have a solid name picked out, but I usually always change them at the last minute, so we aren't announcing anything yet. I really feel like I have put on the weight this time around, and the scale confirms my fears every time I go to an appointment. At least the fat is not selective--my butt has gotten equally as big as my belly, and there seems to be no stopping my growing bosom. The latter might be my least favorite thing about the whole process. My belly is measuring 3 weeks ahead because the placenta attached right in front (lucky me), but the baby's measurements are right on for a Dec. 14th due date. My iron levels were even lower than last time, so I am taking an iron supplement to help with the anemia that is probably causing my lack of energy and drive. I am so excited to be halfway through the pregnancy and am blessed to be so healthy. I got some ultrasound pics but do not have a scanner, so I will post pics of my boys and our outings in July later.

My baby is Growing

And when I say "baby" I am referring to my current two year old baby. Not because he acts like a baby, but because he has been my baby for the last 2 years and will continue to be my baby until December when the new baby comes. We still call him baby, even Tyson addresses him that way. But this last week was his birthday and he is now two! We decided just to have a simple party with just the four of us. Tanner loved every minute of it and he loved helping us sing happy birthday to him. A couple of balloons and two dart guns from the dollar store, and both my boys were happy as could be. How simple and great.

The birthday boy!

The baseball cake

Brothers and best friends

Fishing about a week ago.

So, what is Tanner like these days? He is becoming quite independent. He insists on doing everything that Tyson does. He likes to help say prayers, and usually can sit still and quiet for longer than his brother. He is a good helper when it is time to clean up. He loves animals and bugs. He is a good sleeper (what a blessing!) He likes to sing and run around at the same time.
His favorites include chocolate milk, TV, and all things sweet. No doubt he throws his share of fits but he is a joy the majority of the time and I am so glad he will be my little baby for a little bit longer.