Famous Family

Evan and I were at the Parents house last night doing our laundry (thank goodness they live close by and are mercifully giving with their washing machine use) and I heard a scream and clapping bursst from the other room.  We all walked in to see what had happened.  As we were coming Pa Anderson said, "Mom's crying!!"  and giggled.  So they rewound the youtube video they were watching to show us what the commotion was all about.   Sara (Sister Anderson of the SLC mission) was featured in a video of President Monson speaking.  

Here is the video, Sara makes her appearance around 1:20.  Cute little sister missionary!

It's beginning to look a lot like christmas!

With only a week - ok, less than a week- until Christmas, I have decided to change our background.  We will be spirited for a little while at least.

I love the Christmas season, and this is my first Christmas on the east coast, away from my family.  I am excited for Our first Christmas together, but also sad I won't be able to see my family this holiday season.  It also means my first birthday away from home.  Anyhow, on to our Christmas-y pictures!

First, we had the Grand Illumination downtown.  We went with the Brockbanks who took our lovely picture :) It was nice to walk around and see everything all lit up, but not really worth all the hype.  However, it was also First Friday so we moved north a couple streets and went through the galleries a bit afterward where we saw some people that had decided to give a show in the median.

The following day was the ward Christmas party where Evan got to dress as Santa and terrorize the little children as they were forced to sit on his lap and have their picture taken.  I don't know what it is about people being dressed up, but I have a feeling there would have been less confused looking kids, and less tears, if Evan had been dressed as himself.

After all the kids, I got to sit on Santa's lap

Dear Santa, for Christmas I would like a kiss.

This month also held Evan's graduation.  He looked just adorable in his cap&gown.  It took a lot of arm twisting to convince him to go to the ceremony and participate.  I think he would have rather just gone out to lunch and skipped the festivities, but then I wouldn't have all of these cute pictures!

At his departmental ceremony, 5 hours after he arrived on campus

We took the opportunity for photos in front of the letters on campus, we realized that the light pole was right in the way.  Could they not have placed it a couple feet to the left?  They must have known this would be a photo op for many people, right?

For whatever reason, I can't get these to stay rotated, but if you turn your computer sideways you will see evan behind each letter.  He did a good job of looking happy about it.

Congratulations to my graduate!  Only five more years ahead of us!

Toilet Paper Roll Creations!

I honestly wouldn't have thought to try out these craft ideas.  I have a box full of tubes, saved away for some project, but I hadn't decided what yet. I figured it would be some elementary class project, bit a home decorating one.   When we were in Iowa, Heather had a garland of pumpkins strung in one of the doorways. She got the idea online she says.  They looked legit though, not at all like toilet paper rolls.  I wish this picture was visible from the front... Heather also used a reddish orange color mixed in.    

We (Heather, Abby, Ma Anderson, and I) then played around and tried to find ways to make snowflakes.  The closest I came was really complicated... it was fun though.  I looked online and found a much easier way to do it.  I think I will try this our with the kiddos at the Y tomorrow.

My next tube project will be this one.  Once I find the time and patience to glue it all together!