Ode to my TRACTOR .....

No, I am not a Redneck Fresno Hillbilly with an ACTUAL Tractor, but I do have this nifty difty little guy.... he is called THE TRACTOR..... he waters my lawn, and I love him!! Look at him spread the water out! My Grandpa Smith had one of these he would turn on at their house when I was younger... actually I am pretty sure he STILL has it. I loved it then, and I love it EVEN more now that I have one!! If you don't have sprinklers... I recommend this sucker! ~ Here are some pictures of what is happening in my backyard.... Hailey was too close to the Tractor when I turned it on, that is why she has this glazed over look on her face....

And here she is ANNOYED at me for wanting to get a picture of her with her Bubble Gun.... can you tell she is in the "Terrible TWO'S" stage??

And here is Happy go Lucky Landon! He is such a sweetie! He likes to sit in the swing while I water the garden... which by the way is not looking to shabby.....

Here is one of my Strawberry plants. Hailey likes to eat the strawberries whenever one is ripe, so here is a flower that she has yet to get to.... oh but she will eat you one day.....

Here is ONE of the SEVEN Watermelon mounds we planted. Six have survived, and I look forward to seeing them grow.... I need to go and buy one because I am DYING for some nice cold Watermelon right now...

And I have THREE tomatoes on one of my plants.... can't wait for them to be ready!!

My Bell Pepper plants are getting going too... Matt is happy for that! ~ Look at my little white flower buds!!

And last but not least..... my onion sprouts!! They are surrounded by weeds because we thought they would never grow, so we just watered the area and let it go. And yeah for patience....

We love having a backyard to enjoy! The kids REALLY love to be outside. In fact, we enjoyed last night being outside with all the CRAZY Thunderstorms!! The Cutts came over to let us borrow Band Of Brothers, and when we were walking them out we saw the beautiful Pink Sky and the Thunder. It is VERY different seeing this on county land because there are no street lights. We watched for about 5 minutes, and then went inside. A little later the Thunderstorms got closer and the walls started to shake. Hailey RAN into our room, and we said a little prayer that we would be ok. Fresno weather SURE has been crazy lately HUH??

YUMMMMOOOO

Landon got his FIRST TASTE of RICE CEREAL tonight ~ YEAH EVERYONE HE LIKES IT! ~
At our last check up Dr. Madella let us know we can start Landon on Rice Cereal. We LOVE watching the kids eat for the first time! After a nice shower with Mommy we were as good as new!! We love watching him grow up, we are SO lucky to have our sweet little boy! ~

~ Memorial Weekend ~ Andersen Family Style ~

We were SO blessed to have this WONDERFUL Holiday weekend to spend as a family WITH our extended family. My Parents and my youngest siblings came to visit us in Fresno after a trip they made for a seminar my dad had for work. We were SO happy to hear they would be driving by Fresno, because we know they can't resist stopping by and visiting us!! They got to the house just before church on Sunday, it was nice to have all the extra hands take care of the kids during church! I think everyone enjoyed relaxing and enjoying different aspects of church that they don't usually get to enjoy!! ( my dad was able to go to all the regular church meetings; he is in the Stake Presidency, and is BUSY all the time, and my mom finally was able to make it to Relief Society... she is usually in Primary) After church we went home and started up the BBQ for a nice Family Picnic outside. We had Hamburgers, Hot dogs, Chips, Mormon Salad, Mashed Potatoes, and all kinds of nice cold drinks. We played Bocce Ball, and just enjoyed swinging in the porch swing and laying in the grass. After our Family Bocce Ball game (the boys won... they killed us actually) we had some FRUIT PIZZA! I made this for the first time for the missionaries a while ago, and thought my family would enjoy it as well. We shared stories and just had a nice relaxing time. We headed in once it started to get dark because we had a HUGE day of fun planned for Monday!

EARLY Monday Morning THE BOYS headed out for a fun trip on the boat. The picture above is my little brother Preston wakeboarding! He is SUCH a stud, he has been working on the Water Sport Merit Badge, and was able to finish all the requirements needed to get it! My dad, Matt, and two of our friends John and Spencer were part of THE BOYS boat trip. The girls stayed home and slept in... Matt had the boat ready and gone before I even woke up..... SWEET!!
Then the Family headed to the local Water Park here in Fresno. It was a fun time had by all, but started off not too happy. We got to the park around the time that it opened and Hailey started to feel sick. She threw up and was running a fever, so I headed to go get her some pain medicine. (I would have had some in the diaper bag, but I decided to not take my Coach Diaper Bag into the water park, I transferred a few necessities over to an old bag, and did not grab medicine... blah) So the boys were able to play, and the girls took care of the kids when we first got there. After we got medicine, a nap and after we had a nice lunch Hailey was feeling better. So we all headed out to see what the park had to offer. The boys were telling us about all the slides and I was excited to try them out! We wanted to let Hailey enjoy feeling better so we went over to the Kid Area. Most of it was closed down, but we found this little area with kiddie slides, and Hailey enjoyed sliding!! Here she is with Mommy after going on a slide.

After playing in the kiddie area we headed for the Wave Pool.... here is Hailey and Matt waiting for the waves to start. Once the waves started the boys headed to the front of the pool to get better waves. The website said this was the biggest Wave Pool in CA so they thought it was going to be really fun, but it ended up not being that great, and we headed back to the slides.....

We enjoyed all the slides. I wish I would have been warned about keeping my bum up, but I learned that lesson REAL quick! We went on the "sidewinder" which is a water slide like a skateboarding ramp where you swing from side to side until you hit the bottom! We went on the one person open slide a few times and here we are stuck in the three person rapid slide. This picture is my Dad my sister Sharon and Myself STUCK at the end of the slide. It sure was fun!!
But THIS (see below) was my favorite slide!! I think it is called the Rampage... It was SO fun! You have to ride down it on a board and at the end you skim across the top of water. I have to admit I was a little scared once I was up there. I asked the guy operating the slide if it was safe for a mother of two, and he said if I could give birth you could ride this... so I went for it! It was SO much fun! I went again screaming ALL the way down!
After the water park we headed home and picked up some Pizza's to eat and let Dad get a little nap in before driving home. We always have fun when we spend time with family, but the best part to this visit was that WE were not the ones making the drive after all the fun! THANKS DAD, MOM, SHARON, and PRESTON for visiting! You are welcome ANYTIME! We love having you around!! We hope you had a nice Weekend too! ~

Ha Ha ~ I love it ~

Every time I see this picture I laugh!

Matt was in charge of getting Landon to sleep.... I love the "Daddy Tactic's" ~ The best thing is when I went to pick up Landon and put him in bed, Matt jumped and wrapped his arm around me thinking Landon was falling.... In the words of Chelsea Latley.... WHAT a good dad! ~

THANKS GRAMMA JEANNIE! ~

Here is Butterball enjoying his new blanket!

Gramma Jeannie made this for him, and he LOVES the colors on the "sport's side".

I was able to help Jeannie choose the fabrics for this blanket.

I was going back and forth between sailboats and sports,

and I think the sports one was the right choice!

Matt LOVED it when he saw it!!Landon likes to suck on all his toys and things as of late, so you can see he really enjoys the blanket too!

Thanks Jeannie for Loving my kids!! You are the best! ~

It's Official ~

HELLO Everyone...

In case you were wondering...

It is Official...

Landon Prefers Blonde's! ~

Happy 2nd Birthday!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS HAILEY courtesy of

these TWO fine sponsors... (they provided the fun...)

Pump It Up is an Inflatable Party Place for kids (people) of all ages. There is a Pump It Up a few Buildings away from Matt's work. They have a Jumping Special on Mon. Wed. and Fri. for ages 2-7 to come and jump to their hearts content!! It runs from 10:00 am- 11:30 am. We decided to treat Hailey to a fun time there for her BIG 2 Birthday!! Here she is climbing the stairs to slide on the big slide.....

Here she is coming out of the bounce house. I would have liked to get a picture of her face, but this just goes to show how much fun she was having that she could not stop to smile for the camera! Beth and Brinne Swann meet us there, and I know Beth got better pictures than I did. THANKS BETH! ~ Maybe I'll post them later....

This was the big slide. This picture is nice because Brinne is climbing the stairs, Beth is leaning over the side getting a picture of Hailey as she slid down.... Hailey had a BLAST on this slide!!

This was the climbing rock slide jumper thing. It was CRAZY in there! Matt came to join us for a few minutes while Hailey jumped and he got video of her climbing in there. This was a hit for the kids for sure!

Now this picture does not do this Jumper justice. On this you run up the middle and try to place a Velcro ribbon on the top star. Beth got some good pictures of Matt trying this out. It looked like alot of fun!!

After the hour and a half was over we headed over to B.K. Lighting to see where Matt worked. It is a very nice facility. Very clean and cute. We were able to meet a few of Matt's coworkers that we have heard alot about. It was nice to put a face to the names. We had lunch there with Matt and then we headed home to get some MUCH needed naps in, and grab a few things for the Chuck E Cheese Party that night!!

This is Hailey and Rylie eating Pizza at Chuck E Cheese. Grandma and Grandpa Bird drove up with Rylie to celebrate Hailey's Birthday. I think the girls had alot of fun playing together! ~

And here is her Birthday Cake. We decided on Tinkerbell because she has been watching that movie alot lately. We got mini cupcakes for us to enjoy, and the cake was ALL Hailey's to eat....

But she just stuck her fingers into the frosting and ate a cupcake.... Matt and I were looking forward to her demolishing her birthday cakes, but so far birthday 1 and 2 she has been dainty and not wanting to make a huge mess.

This is a picture Rylie took right before we opened presents. Hailey got alot of fun gifts from the family! It sure is nice to have Grandparents and Aunties and Uncles who love you!!

This picture is CLASSIC Grandpa Bird. After the girls were done with the tokens they were going to use, Matt and Dad thought they should get a go at trying to score some big tickets!! I was stuck at the tables watching baby and goodies, so I was not able to see them in all their glory!! Matt and Dad had a blast getting rid of the tokens, and this is Dad with some of their winnings around his neck.....

Landon has been SO fun with his facial expressions as of late! Grandma was getting him to giggle and talk to her. He loves when people talk to him, what a big boy!!

And Matt can't go out in public and not make this little butterball laugh hysterically when he tickles him. We all had a great time, but I think I am safe at saying we were all glad to get home and get the girls into bed. It was a LONG day for me, and we had a full day the next day with going out on the boat with friends and a Relief Society Social!!

We hope Hailey will be able to remember her Second Birthday! We love you sweetheart! We hope this birthday was a special one!!

My NKOTB buddy.....

Amalia I love you! Thanks for being my NKOTB buddy!!! ~ This was at the end of the concert! We had green confetti ALL over us! It was GREAT!

Question ~

I was going to post today about Hailey's Birthday and the CRAZY fun we had... then post about our boating weekend with our friends... but right now I have a more important thing to post.... Does anyone know how to get K-Y Jelly out of the carpet?? (actually a bathroom rug, I would put it through the washer, but it is falling apart on the backside.... maybe it is time for a new bathroom rug.....) I know TMI.. but whatever... I was cleaning up one mess Princess made in the front room , and came onto another one.... Is it naptime yet???? ~

Happy Birthday Hailey!!!

TEARS! ~ My little baby is TWO! ~ She started off as such a sweet little bundle of joy, and has turned into our BIG GIRL! It all happened SO fast! I am SO thankful for the time I have been able to spend with this sweet little spirit! Hailey was truly our Little Gift from Heaven. Matt and I agree that we are glad she came when she did. We "tried" for our little princess for over two years, and we are SO glad we were blessed with her later on. She has brought SO much love and joy into our lives! Matt and I are BETTER people because of her! ~

Happy Birthday my little Princess Hailey ~ ! ~

We are treating our little Princess to Pump It Up for an Afternoon FUN Jump, and her VERY FIRST trip to Chuck E Cheese tonight! There will be more pictures to come! ~ :) WE LOVE YOU SWEET GIRL!~

DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF POOP ~

So I had already "Posted" something for today, but I have to tell you about this....

Princess Hailey was doing SO good with this whole Potty Training Business. Mommy decided she was READY for the Princess Pull-Ups and Panties.

Little did mommy know these were ALOT easier for little Hailey to take off.... do you see where this is going??

So yeah, just before her nap I checked in on her (she has been taking her diapers off, and just being a total mess lately) she was asleep in her bed, and the house was quiet. I decided to take advantage of this time, and play with my little Landon. He then fell asleep, so I was going to take a nap when Hailey started calling out for me. I ran into her room because she does not do this often, and she jumps up into my arms... I notice a very distinct smell, and I FREAK out.... I look at my daughter, and she has NO diaper-pull up-or panties on.... That is odd... she just got out of bed right.... I look at her bed to see where her diaper is and HELLO... there is POOP EVERYWHERE!! On her Princess Sheets, on her favorite blanket, on her pillow.... and GASP on my freaking walls..... WTH?? REALLY WTH?? I am grossed out, and I drop her to find there was a nice stream of poop on her leg... I say WAS because it is now on me.... WTH?? Where do I start....

Ok, so I get her in the shower, she is already naked, so that was easy.... but what do I do now?? Landon has now woken up because he heard mommy saying " What the Heck? Hailey are you KIDDING ME??" over and over again. I run to him, because he is crying, and looked at what was on me, and decided I can wait to pick him up until after I am poop free.... I take off my pants and shirt, and I grab poor little Landon and put him on my bed under the fan.... that will give me about 30 minutes....

I head to the bedroom WISHING I had one of those Bio hazard Suits, and say a little prayer that I can get through this....

I am going to stop here, and let you know that it is done, and I am OK...

I really do not think you need to hear anymore to know the CRAZINESS that is my life today... so I can now say that I have joined the " I just cleaned POOP from EVERYWHERE" Club!! Three cycles in the washer should be enough right??

I can honestly say I can laugh now about this, and it happened less than an hour ago, oh, how I LOVE being a mother! ~

Calling all my stay at home Friends ~

Free Family Film Festival Beginning June 2009! When school’s out, kids around the country visit selected Regal theatres for the Free Family Film Festival. It’s a fun-filled nine weeks of movies for kids and parents. Since 1991, Regal has provided this service to the community, and best of all it’s FREE!
Selected G & PG movies start at 10AM each Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. First-come, first-served seating is limited to theatre capacity. The Free Family Film Festival is safe, lots of fun and a great way for kids to spend a weekday morning in the summer.
Tickets for our 2009 Free Family Film Festival are exclusively available at select theatres’ box office on the day of the show.

Fresno Stadium 22 & IMAX

250 Paseo Del Centro

Fresno ,CA 93720-4304

559-447-3247

Dates ~

06/16/2009-06/18/2009
Doogal (G)
Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)
06/23/2009-06/25/2009
Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Star Wars: Clone Wars (PG)
06/30/2009-07/02/2009
Curious George (G)
Journey To The Center Of The Earth (PG)
07/07/2009-07/09/2009
Igor (PG)
07/08/2009-07/09/2009
Charlotte's Web (G)
07/14/2009-07/16/2009
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Bee Movie (PG)
07/21/2009-07/23/2009
Horton Hears A Who (G)
Surf's Up (PG)
07/28/2009-07/30/2009
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (G)
Inkheart (PG)
08/04/2009-08/06/2009
Space Chimps (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)
08/11/2009-08/13/2009
The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Hotel For Dogs (PG)

Manchester Stadium 16
2055 E Shields Avenue

Fresno ,CA 93726

559-243-7454

Dates ~

06/16/2009-06/18/2009
The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)
06/23/2009-06/25/2009
Doogal (G)
Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)
06/30/2009-07/02/2009
Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Star Wars: Clone Wars (PG)
07/07/2009-07/09/2009
Curious George (G)
Journey To The Center Of The Earth (PG)
07/14/2009-07/16/2009
Charlotte's Web (G)
Igor (PG)
07/21/2009-07/23/2009
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Bee Movie (PG)
07/28/2009-07/30/2009
Horton Hears A Who (G)
Surf's Up (PG)
08/04/2009-08/06/2009
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (G)
Inkheart (PG)
08/11/2009-08/13/2009
Space Chimps (G)
Hotel For Dogs (PG)

SO..... when are we going?? ~ Anyone want to plan a group trip??

( if you are not in the Fresno area, check the Regal Website for Theatres Near you offering the same services!!)

Summer Fun for Hailey ~

I just wanted to share a few pictures of Hailey and her Recent Summer Fun!! Her and Landon are enjoying their time outside in the picture below. She is wearing her favorite Swim Suit and swinging on the patio swing. ( Notice Landon's Shirt below.... we got this shirt on one of our cruises to Mexico... It says it will fit a 6 month old.... Landon is almost 4 months here.... is my baby chubby or something???) This picture just makes me smile! Hailey's poor little pool had a little bit too much water and not enough air in it, and her baby bum cheek is just to die for! ~

Here she is SO happy to be playing with her little kitchen. She likes to make food, and bring it to me to eat. She usually tells me it is juice..... Yummo! Thanks for the Juice Little Chef!

Here Hailey is in TROUBLE! (can't you tell by the look on her face) She got into my closet and took out all my Jewelry Boxes... (yes my Jewelry is kept in Barbie Tupperware Holders) she used to just play with them in the closet, but now she likes to have them in her room so she can have total control of them. I have to admit she has great fashion sense! ~

Any mothers out there annoyed by the bubbles you get that just DO NOT blow bubbles?? Well this little sucker is AMAZING! My mother got Hailey a bubble blower for her birthday, and we lost it, so when Hailey saw this bubble blower she was SO excited! ~ It does all the work for you, and makes me SO happy! No more juggling Landon and blowing all the air out of my head getting no where! This sucker ROCKS! Thank you Bubble Blower Inventor!

We sure are having a FUN start to our Summer! We hope you are too! ~

Mother's Day 2009 ~

It was a nice weekend. A weekend I got to contemplate MOTHERHOOD. I am SO blessed to be able to be a mother, and to be surrounded by wonderful women. I think every woman is beautiful, and has the "motherly instinct". My Instinct just did not kick in until I had little ones to care for. This Mother's Day I tried to be thankful for my Kids and the Joy they bring my life. So often I find myself frustrated at the things Hailey is doing, or annoyed at how much of MY time is taken to tend to Landon's needs. I get this overwhelming feeling to just give up and lay on the floor and cry about how MY life has changed.... then reality kicks in and I tell myself... This is what you wanted!!
And Then I remind myself the the Good things TOTALLY outweigh the Bad. As much as Hailey is a CRAZY little monster... she runs up to me and hugs me. She tells me that she loves me, and her little smile warms my heart. And Landon is my giggly little sweetheart, and his happy go lucky demeanor rubs off on me. I am not a perfect mother, but as long as I am STILL trying I am doing my part!!
This Mother's Day is all about FEET!! I got to go on Saturday and get a (very much needed) pedicure, and ANY Jessica Simpson Shoes I wanted... I could buy! (one pair) YEAH! ~ But I think my favorite present was the cards Matt got for me from my children. He wrote in each card what he felt our kids would want to tell me, and he arranged to get their Foot Prints placed inside the cards for me to remember how sweet and small they were forever. I am SO blessed!! I need these new white pumps.... don't you think??