Happy Birthday Dear Michael

For Michael's birthday this year we didn't have a birthday party cuz dad was gone so we just sang lots and lots and then to make it really great, he got his Arrow of Light. What a great kid.

He got to follow that by going on his first scout campout that weekend. Dad got home from his TDY late Friday so he went up as soon as he got home but wasn't able to be therefor a bunch of the activities but report came in that Michael was AWESOME! He set up his own tent and then went on the hike and led all the way up and all the way back. He helped everyone out and had a great attitude. One dad even came back and said that Michael was just what he hoped to raise his boys to be like.

So then Saturday they got home from the scout camp at about 4:00 and we had a big birthday bash ready and waiting. (You knew we wouldn't really just skip it) We fixed him his favorite dinner, gave him loads of presents (one of which was a tree house building guide) and then spent the evening planning a tree house to build the following weekend. It was all kinds of good for a kid whose all kinds of great. Sure do love that boy!

A Day to Labor

What did we do for Labor day weekend? Well we labored of coarse. It was all fun labor though. Mike had work off on Friday so that's when all the fun began. As soon as the kids were done with school, we started building a tree house. It's quite amazing how slow the progress is but I suppose that's just more time for everyone to work together.

Naturally when you work hard you have to play hard. The problem here is that our work WAS play so we decided to just eat. That makes everything better right!

We had a cook out in our fire pit (thanx again Uncle Ammon)

We had two neighbor families over, the Freys and the Leonards. Both families that we get together with often. The kids in these two families were even participating in the building project cuz "the Stones dad is SOO awesome, he'll let you use the saw and the drill and everything!"

Well I'll tell ya what, good times were had by all.

REDD REUNION 2010

Well here it is! The fabulous Redd Reunion Blog post. The Reunion began on Sunday with Lucy's blessing and lots of food and fun. Monday we had the famous (or infamous) family olympics. There was lots of fun to be had and everyone participated. It was crazy but really great fun.

In the afternoon the guys went up shooting. They had such an awesome time. This was my little boys favorite part of the whole reunion. Thanx Grandad and the uncles for taking them up there and letting them shoot!

That night we got to do fireworks since 4th of July had been the day before (a Sunday) it was cool but a bit dangerous. When you get that many people together all wanting to light firework at the same time it can be a bit scary but we all came out unscathed and had a good time too.

Talmage (Ivalou's baby), Elaina (Heather's baby), and our little Lucy were the new babies in attendance. We were missing Marcus (Sara's baby). Marcus, Talmage and then Elaina were born in February and than Lucy in April so all close together!
On Tuesday we played Minute to Win It games. It was very competitive and lots of silly games. I think the best was the marshmallow toss and the worst would have to be the cracker and whistle race because the crackers must have been 30 years old and had gone rancid (thus the "ick" look on Allison's face) The whole event was fun though and will hopefully be repeated in future years.

What a fabulous time with such fabulous people. Oh how we adore our family!

Lucy's Blessing Day

Beautiful Lucy wore the same gown that was worn by all 4 of her older sisters. It is amazing to me that they've all been different ages and sizes when they were blessed and it seems to have fit them each, perfectly.


On the fourth of July, we celebrated in part by having Lucy's baby blessing. A very special occasion made even more special by the attendance of so many family and friends. Lots of Redds, lots of Stones, our friends the Burns, and lots of yummy food made for good times all around. Of coarse Lucy was the star of the show and what a wonderful and beautiful star she is.

The blessing was administered by Mike and all of his brothers, along with his dad were in the circle. My Dad and my brothers, Brigham and Nephi were there, along with brothers-in-law, James and Darren. My nephew Derrik, our friend Jaydee Burns, Bishop Bush (of my parents ward) and his councilor Bro. Smith rounded out the circle.

It was nice to get to have Gma Lou there (Mike's maternal grandmother) Thanx to Aunt Susan (Mike's mother's youngest sister) for bringing her. Also thanx to Aunt Susan for coming and bringing the super yummy "salad" (made of pudding, cookies and other wonderful sweets)

My most rewarding moment are those with my children. I'm so thankful to be a mom and so thankful that the Lord has blessed us with this new wonderful little girl.

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson said, "Above all else, children need to know and feel they are loved, wanted, and appreciated. They need to be assured of that often. Obviously, this is a role parents should fill, and most often the mother can do it best."

Well these kids are certainly loved. I hope they know that.

Andersen Reunion

Next up on the list: Andersen Family Reunion 2010 held in Orem Utah at Posterity park and the nearby church. It was fun to see so many wonderful cousins who I love. My only regret is that I felt like I didn't get time to visit them and some I only got to wave to from afar. I Love the Andersen family. I love being around these people who make me feel more confident about who I am and the choices I've made that make me strange, at best, with the rest of the world. I love how I feel with the Andersen family. This is a family of people with big hearts and lots of love. They are willing to love anyone and be so non judgmental. It is a group of people among who one can feel at peace.

Celebrating Gma Andersen's 90th birthday and all her posterity. She was made queen for the day, seated on a "throne" wore a crown etc. What an amazing lady. What a beautiful example. She is so gracious, faithful, and kind. I admire my Grandma for so many reasons. Here, Aunnika is enjoying a a hug from Gma as part of a family history scavenger hunt.

We had a super fun family dance.

The teens and others doing a congo line

Auntie Ivas dancing with Hans. Aunt Melanie showing us how it's done. We had so much fun at this event. I only wish I could have had even more time with my wonderful cousins, Aunts and Uncles.

WAY TO GO, IDAHO!!!

Monday the 28th of June, we went to Idaho. We Took Brittany, Krystal, Spencer, Brig, and Mormon to Rexburg for AFY (Adventure For Youth). While they were in Rexburg, the rest of us got to spend the week at my brother Brigham's house. OMG it was so fun!!

We have Lucy and they have Elaina who is 6 weeks older than Lucy. The girls have some twinner outfits so we got some fun twinner pictures.

We got to enjoy a very relaxing week with some of our very favorite people. We have kids the same ages as theirs and so everyone has cousins to play with. We also enjoy a lot of the same activities.

We got to swim, ride four-wheelers, play some soccer, watch some soccer, cook, play games, roast marshmallows, and all kinds of other fun stuff.

Brigham was building a play fort for his kids so Mike got to help him work on that. We can't wait to see pictures of the final result.

The kids had a great time with water, soap, and cousins on the tramp. What fun!

We love their fire pit and feeling like we're camping for as long as we want and then heading back to civilization within a few steps.

We Love the Idaho Redds!

Ryan Reunion

Following the Stone family reunion was the Ryan family Reunion. That's Mike's mom's family. We drove up to Logan after church on Sunday and had a really great time visiting with cousins, aunts, and uncles that we'd not seen in many years. And of coarse Grandma Lou who we all adore. She is such an amazing woman and it was such a blessing that ALL of her children and a whole lot of her grand and great-grand children could be there. It was really neat to be re-united with all of these fun people.

The reunion was held at Uncle Steve and Aunt Carols (Nancy's sister) home. They have a nice house but they have an amazing yard. It is so beautiful and surrounded by big trees and then there is a creek running through the back that the kids had a terrific time swinging over on a rope. It was so fun to see the kids who had never even met each other before, just playing and having a great time together.

Steve and Carol also have this amazing swing set. It's HUGE!!!! The kids all had a terrific time on that.

We're so glad that we got to be there for this event.