Avery Mae Got Baptized!

*I've been sitting on this blog for over two months. I've finished Avery's pictures and I'm too tired (read lazy) to rewrite the whole thing so you're just going to have to excuse the errors in timing and just pretend that I wrote this two months ago (which, technically, I did)!*

Yes, Avery Mae was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 5, which gives me a pretty dang good reason to jump on an airplane and fly to the promised land. Trevor and I really want to impress upon our kids and our nieces and nephews, just how important the ordinance of baptism is to us. That's why we try to represent at each one (I'll refrain from throwing gang signs here). So far, we're 11 for 12 and the only reason I missed Jackson's (the FIRST one!) was because my jeep broke down in the backwoods of Cedar City!

It happened to be really perfect/terrible timing for Avery's baptism. Terrible because my brother (Avery's daddy) tried to die via his appendix 3 weeks ago. He has a gnarly 12 inch scar down his belly as a result of all that drama and we didn't even know if he would be well enough or strong enough to perform her baptism. He was and we are all really, Really, REALLY grateful! It was perfect timing because my brother tried to die via his appendix 3 weeks ago and I already had this ticket so I got to see him and maybe help out Courtney a little. And by little, I mean, LITTLE. But it was nice to visit with all my peeps and of course (you're crazy if you didn't see this coming), record the whole sha-bang with my trusty Nikon.




~I hope Avery knows how lucky she is to have such a talented mama!~

~All the peeps that love Avery and support this awesome decision!~



~My favorite shot of the weekend!~

~See what I mean about Avery's super talented mama? Everything she touches is ADORABLE!~

We took some time out from all the craziness to do a little photoshoot. I love this time of year when all the apple orchards are in bloom!

Congratulations Avery! I love you and I'm so proud of you!

Suprise Washington!

So the next few days after Jackson's diagnoses, we were all feeling low. "All" meaning, me, my sisters, my parents, my nieces, my nephews, my children...ALL of us. Thursday, Holly called me. "Guess where I'm driving tomorrow?" she said. I knew. Washington. Holly's awesome.

I got a little more depressed. Stupid 1150 miles that separate me and my hometown! I called Trevor to pout. I'm good at that. Always have been. He was sympathetic, but busy so he said he'd call me later. 15 minutes later I got an email update on my phone. It was a flight itinerary to Washington! For the next day! I love my husband. Not because he secretly bought me a last minute flight to be with my sister and nephew, but because he knew my heart was aching and wanted to mend it. Serious Xbox points were scored, let me tell you.

After hurriedly arranging childcare (thank you Danielle and Mimi), and attending a Blue and Gold Banquet, I frantically packed and was off!

I won't lie, it was fun to surprise Becky and the kids. Becky knew Holly and her kids were coming but had no idea I was there. I like being on the giving end of those surprises.

That night, Courtney and I got a bee in our bonnets. This happens a lot to both of us. The difference is that when it happens to Courtney, she actually follows through with it. We decided to give Becky a room make-over. She already had bought herself some super cute bedding but hadn't had the time to repaint, hang curtains and generally put it all together. Enter Courtney.

I'm sure Becky, Holly and Mom didn't remember signing up for manual labor on their weekend, but such is life when the baby girls of the family take charge. We wanted to give her a soft place to land, a sanctuary to retreat to in the stressful months ahead. I hope she liked the outcome. I did. I came home and redid my own room. This trip cost Trevor more than he ever could have imagined!

I was also bossy enough to insist on taking pictures of the kids. They know better than to deny my wishes.



~Cougar Man was a stud model. But more excited than anyone else when his turn was over!~


~My sweet Zoe, a kindred 4th child.~


~Sierra...who is all of the sudden old and even more beautiful than before.~


~Baby Anistynn.~


~The lovely Sydney.~

Hanging with my Jackson was especially entertaining. He tapped into his comedic side during the weekend. When Carter wanted Jax to push him around the gym, Jax said, "I can't. I have brain cancer." While I was cutting into the cheesecake, Jackson asked if he could have the 1/4 sized portion I had just cut. When I laughed and rejected him, he said, "But Aunt Brenda, I have brain cancer." I think I heard that phrase at least 4 times.



Goodbyes aren't ever fun and this one was especially hard. Becky and I both teared up in the middle of Target as mom and I got ready to go to the airport (Becky started it). I hate not being there for my sister, and so I'm incredibly grateful that I got to go. And if all else fails, I can look at this little mug and smile.



Jackson starts Chemo today and my thoughts are of them and my heart is so full. I texted him this morning and told him that I love his guts. He said, "That's weird, but understandable". I love that boy.

Get In, Sit Down, Buckle Up, And Hold On

Prepare yourself. I'm about to unleash some serious visual stimulation. I decided the only way I was going to catch up with all the blogging was to just do one massive marathon post. You'll all be happy to know that I've pinpointed my biggest issue with my blogging ineptitude. I take to many pictures. I admit it. I am a snap-a-holic. I'm wondering if there is some sort of support group. The only reason there aren't more pictures of our Washington trip is because my battery died and I left my charger in California. Thus, I only had 650 pictures to sort through instead of 1000. So, in no particular order (save chronologically), here is December contained in 22 collages.

ABBY TURNS 5!!! How did I miss this one? She had a great day with our traditional breakfast in bed, presents and a low, LOW key family/friend party.

Princess on her birthday morning.

Opening presents at her party.

All her peeps.

A few days later, our 5 year old princess was the star (to us) in her dance recital. She was the cutest one there and the only thing missing from her big night was her daddy. He was in D.C. It's a shame too, because she seems to have his coordination instead of mine :-/!

Our pretty girl with Miss Lisa.

Warming up and with her bestie Lily.

"I'm the Happiest Christmas Tree"

Abby wasn't the only one strutting her stuff. The big boys had their piano recital the same week Abby did. Which, again, meant Daddy missed the action. But luckily for me and the kids, Mimi and Papa were there to step in for BOTH recitals! Thank you thank you for suffering... ahem... enjoying those nights along with me.

Both boys performing. Carson had only had 3 lessons before the recital. Miss Judy gave him the option of participating and I was shocked and thrilled that he wanted to. Big, massive, enormous step for him!

Candid shots of that night (Way to block Mimi, Papa...rude)!

Christmas Eve we had Mimi, Papa and Uncle Brandon over for soup and presents. Mimi and I vetoed the idea of NOT making her famous clam chowder (the boys are seriously mistaken in their disdain for all things seafood). I did make a mean cheese potato chowder to make up for it.

William on Christmas morning! On the eve of Christmas Eve (got that?), I counted all the presents to make sure all was fair and balanced. It was, Abby and the big boys each had 10 gifts. But William had 2. I'm still not sure how that happened, but I will always be a Target fan after rushing there to make up the difference and spending less than $40. However, the cheap price tag might have come with the fact that a 2 year old isn't picky, hence the $1.50 echo microphone!

Carson got his wish of being a firearm owner. I was super nervous about Santa's decision, but after the guns broke 4 days later, my nerves were eased. Also, he loves to close his eyes as he opens his presents. He wants the surprise to last that much longer. Love it.

Abby is all that you want a little girl to be. Barbies and jewelry and shoes and snow globes (both of which, William broke...grrrrr). She is so fun to watch!

Preston was also armed this year. He's getting harder to buy for. Less toys more...???? I don't know! 10 year olds are hard! But he's such a sweetie I could have given him a Ken doll and he's be fine with it.

CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON! These are in a kind of random order, but we did have so much fun with all the crazy Andersen's. There are a lot of us (31) but you'd never know from the state of Mom, Becky and Courtney's houses...wait...no. You'd definitely know. We stayed at the Noftle Inn and it never disappoints. There's always a continental breakfast and plenty of people to keep the kids occupied.

A highlight? Why the extended family get together at Matt and Court's. I just love my Uncle and Aunts. But my cousins are the bomb. Plus we got to spend a little time with Granny Great. I think she must love sitting back and watching all of us laugh and chat and get super competitive playing Family Feud (my team won). Not to brag, but she must be so proud!

Ensign Ranch was fabulous, except there was no snow. I take issue with this. I love in Southern California and when I drive 22 hours to Washington I expect it to be blanketed with a fresh layer of Christmas snow. Is it so much to ask? I mean really!

Group shots: Girl cousins (easy to photograph), natural siblings (holding our baby brother), all the cousins (19), sisters, and boy cousins (seriously not easy to photograph...where's the Ritalin?)!

More candids...Matt and I are hot.



Slushy snow on our last night. Abby loved it, William....not so much.

And what is a family get together without a dance party? The little girls shook their stuff, then a bunch of thugs showed up. It was weird. And because we're a competitive family, the mommy's had to show their daughters that we still had it. Bring on the pyramid!

More candids.

A buddy collage (Avery and Zoe), (Brax, Pres, Tys, and Wes), (Bro-in-laws + Jax), (Sam, Ky, Rerra, and Syd), (Carson, Dex and Coug), (Adalynn and Abby), (the sisters), (Aftyn and Will).

I'm now officially caught up on blogging...BOOM!