It's Halloween

Nigel has come to visit for 12 days and he needed to see how Massey was dressing for Halloween. At first he was looking for his trusty musket, but got used to the idea that he was in the same room with a lion. Tonight he talked to his mom and dad on the Skype program. He waved and kissed and high-fived them. It was cute and kind of heart rending. They should know that he LOVED church today and charmed all the 12 - 24-month old girls. He is a happy boy and spreads the joy wherever he goes. We are learning the difference between being 30-year old parents and 60-year old parents. Really, we are loving it!

Birthy Hapday, Jordan!

Any excuse we can think of, we try to bring the Garcia family over. Today was an especially good day - we celebrated Jordan's 28th birthday. Jordan was born on August 31, 1980 - 11 days past his due date (some things never change). It was a Sunday, just like today, we had come home from Church and ate. While Olivia was doing the dishes, she turned to me and said, "As soon as I finish these dishes, we'd better go to the hospital." We finished them quickly and went to the hospital. I knew I had to act quickly, because she had babies quickly, so I got her in and they started the prep while I registered her in the hospital. The doctor had just replaced me as the High Priests' Instructor and thought my jokes were really funny, so he asked me to give him some to use in his class. Olivia thought she should be the center of attention at this time and is still a bit put out that I was telling pig jokes while she was in labor. In about an hour and a half from when we arrived at the hospital, she had given birth to a 9 lb. 13 oz. boy.

It Works!!

With the mental assistance of Jordan and Cedric, we bought the raw materials and today I put it together. What is "it" you ask. It is the road watering system. Why does one need to water a road? To keep the dust from flying away and getting all over the cars. The dust particles are the main ingredients that keep a gravel road from becoming just rocks - it binds the pebbles and keeps the road smooth. Later, I will grade the road and put a sealant on it to better bind the gravel, but for now, enjoy the videos.

Our Sunday Update

Well, our little coyote friend has been back a few times. Unfortunately, Nigel is not here to save us, so our lives are, no doubt, in mortal danger. Cute little devil, though.

We bought a huge container (275 gallons) to fill with water, which we will put on the back of the trailer and spread water down the road to keep it from further erosion, if possible. After the reunion, we will grade it with a box scraper and, if it is not too expensive, we will have it sealed. We think that will keep it from getting so bumpy and will be better for winter.

Some of you will remember the Alvarado family. They came to a Burn's Supper and Hannah helped us with an Easter family home evening they came to. We got a call from them a couple of days ago to tell us that their eight-year old son, Ian is getting baptized and asked Dad to confirm him. We went to the baptism yesterday and will see them in Church today. They have not been active and Jackie is not a member of the Church. After the baptism, the Bishop asked her to bear her testimony and Lance to give the talk on the Holy Ghost. He did an excellent job, and she stated that she intends to be baptized within the next 30 - 60 days. Her testimony really touched her dad and pretty much everyone in the room.

Jordan, Ruth and Massey joined us in our pilgrimage to Cabellas yesterday. Jordan gave Dad gift certificate for his birthday. We got a collapsible base for an air bed. We ate buffalo and elk sandwiches. Now we have been there...

Jordan and Ruth are also coming over for dinner today with Les and Mary Anderson and their son, Jeff who is going on his mission to El Salvador. We will be eating Mom's version of pupusas and Jordan will explain the finer points of missionary work in that country; such as how to hypnotize a chicken and catch rides on milk trucks. He will not need to give him pointers on soccer, since that has been banned for some reason...

Life continues to be a challenge, and a joy. Be happy and have joy in your lives. Here is a picture of last year's reunion to get you in the mood for this year.

This is a shot of mom and dad's new neighbor coming over to borrow some water. He stayed until Nigel scared him off. Hopefully he'll come back to visit.

Grandma Dahl Came to Viist

Grandma Dahl was here for a short visit, so we got a four generation photo. She came to see the new house and spent Saturday morning in the temple with Mom. They then went shopping for clothes and for a fireplace or a stove that can replace the old oil-burning stove in her living room. She went to Church with us Sunday so Mom got to introduce her to our new ward members. Being new in the ward, we were asked to speak today, so Mom talked about Heavenly Father and I was assigned to talk about my father. Mom was also asked to say something about us; how we met, where we were from, etc. She told me before we left for Church that her introduction would be short, so I said I might have to expand on it. She looked at me very sternly and said, "Don't say anything you will regret...and I mean it!" Needless to say, her introduction was just fine. How can you not love a person like her?

Fathers' Day 2008

Massey and his Papi and Mami came to visit. Check out the cool tie with Kyuss, Clayton and Nyah! I wear it on Fathers' Day and the tie from Britta's family on Mothers' Day.

The Stonehill Two

These are the sweatshirts from our friends, Tom and Lucy Brennan that I mentioned in our last blog.

I guess the name is now official. We hope you will all come and make it all worth it.

Inquisitive Minds Would Like to Know!

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Someone please answer Calvin's cwesgins by pointing out Grandma's and Grandpa's blogspot.

New This Week

We have started to move in to Stonehill. Our friends, Tom and Lucy Brennan, sent us sweatshirts from Stonehill College, the school from which Lucy graduated in Massachusetts. They think it is pretty funny that a couple of Mormons would name their home after a Catholic college, but there really is no better name.

I was not released from my calling as Ward Mission Leader today, so I assumed that we would have to attend church in Sparks 2nd Ward one more Sunday. Mom, on the other hand, said all her tearful good-byes to everyone today, so I guess I missed my opportunity. I will have to do so somehow as it has been our home longer than any place else we have lived, including growing up.

We are going to go slowly on some of the extras we had thought we wanted, such as the tennis court, pool table, etc. The economy has created a slow down in the practice and the housing market continues to plummet, so we are going to have to come up with cash just to pay off the loan and the real estate company. Still there are plenty of fun things to do there, so don't wait to come and see us. We will have a gardening party (bring gloves), snake hunt (they taste better than chicken), and a rock hunt (they have to come out of the dirt where we will be planting the grass before we can lay the sod). If that does not seem like fun, you have no sense of (circle the right answer): 1. adventure 2. fun 3. purpose or 4. all of the above.

Seriously, come and see us as soon as you can. We will have a great time; not to mention great views.

Love,
Dad

Lots of pictures of the new house on Stonehill. Yes, Jordan's family is our favorite models - THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO ARE STILL HERE! There is still work to be done, but it is mostly finish stuff and punch list items. It is beautiful and the views are dramatic. We hope you all love it. Click on the partial photos to see more.
Love,
Mom and Dad

Hey, we got a Blog!

It is official. Mom and Dad Anderson finally connected with the rest of the swiftly moving data of cyber upkeep, and started a blog. We hope you check it often. See you back here soon!