MERRY CHRISTMAS

Santa was verrrrry good to us this year! At the beginning of the month we sat down and wrote Santa letters on special cards I brought home from Macy's. We has a FHE about how fortunate we are. Macy's would donate a dollar for every santa letter deposited into special red mail boxes in our stores to the make a wish foundation. So we started the season with a small list and a letter to santa. We tried to continue with remembering how fortunate we are. As you can see from the pictures we have a very large family and our children are truly blessed and loved!!!

Andrus Christmas Eve

Thank you Grandma Juanita for always bring the spirit to our Christmas Eve Celebration. This year she had the kids dress-up (recognize Joseph) in the nativity scene. While John read from Luke 2. All the families gathered around to hear the re-inactment, all silent with a fire behind them glowing. Truly very special for the kids to remember the purpose of the season.


After we sat around singing christmas carols together, gradually working our way down the list to "Here comes Santa Clause", when Santa came into the lawn with a HOHOHO. Cheers went all the small children were so exicited to see him at our party. He came with a large bag of gifts for our children, he sat with us and let each child sit on his lap and gave them a gift. This party is the one my own kids look forward to, it is rair to have a spiritual message in a party atmosphere. They truly love this evening.

Crane Christmas

Great Grandma Crane is so cute. Especially with bunny ears (thanks Aspen). We spendt Christmas Eve lunch with the Crane side of the family. I get to see this side of the family every year at christmas. Sometimes at special occasions, but rairly. It is fun to catch up. Grandma is about 82 give or take a few, all of about 100lbs and maybe 5" tall with heels on. Needless to say I did not get my height from her. But she is such sweet heart, and loves her grandkids and great grand kids. She never misses a birthday either. I hope I have it all together when Im 80.

COOKIE DECORATING

I love CHRISTMAS!! This time of year, just gives me warm fuzzies. The cool weather, a constant rememberence of Jesus Christ through out the world, and seeing all those family members that we miss so much during the regular hussle of life. For family home evening we took the kids out to a yummy dinner at "Ono Hawaiian BBQ" and then we were going to look at christmas lights. Due to the rain we decided to for go the lights. Being cramped up in the truck w/five kids fighting all night with out being able to get out and look at the lights was not high on my list of fun. So we went straight to cookie decorating. Lots of yummy Sugar and Gingerbread cookies, frosting and sprinkle won over the crowd. We wrapped it up w/a movie "ELF" just love that movie! We had a great time enjoyed each other and went to bed with a sugar high!!

White Elephant????

This year at our Annual Andrus Adult Christmas Party, this is the "White Elephant" gift we recieved!! Yep your right that is a little white mouse (Mr. Jingles) to be exact. Of course our kids love it!! It rolls around the house in a little red ball all day, and loves to be held. (NOT BY ME) He just climbs around loving the kids. I guess this is the perfect pet, because I wont touch it so the kids do all the work!!

DECORATIONS

I love christmas decorations!! This year I went all out, take a look!




Yep that's right, this is my kids doing all the work! And that's all the decorations also! WOW I know I went all out. If you think I worked hard, take a look at Steve!



Ya you wish you had older kids to do it for you, dontcha!!!


MERRY CHRISTMAS

OFFICIALLY CRAZY

I know I am officially crazy!!! But I got a second job at the Childrens Place. I just plan to stick with this one until Christmas is over. They give employees a 30% discount!!! Perfect for all the cute christmas dresses and gifts for the girls for christmas presents. Plus it is only season help which means I dont get very many hours, so the discount is the only good part!

THE NEW JOSH

Can you pick out what is diffrent about Josh? Look close!!!

THATS RIGHT, the braces are off. Oh my Gosh is this a handsome guy or what? OK, i am the mom but that was money well spent!!

Quick Funny Story, The minute he got them off, he took a picture of him self with his phone, and sent it to every girl at West View High School. (Not a shy guy at all) with in seconds the thing went crazy, beeping off the hook. My brother in law who is our Ortho, was trying to finish up and laughing at the same time at the flood of texts that kept coming in. I am going to be fighting off the ladies real soon I am afraid.

Christmas Card Pict's

How completly painless!!!!

It seems like every year christmas card pictures are torture!! Someone gets dirty, Someone is crying (Abby). So with in 5 minutes we were done. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

Happy Thanksgiving

I just wanted to say how thankful I am for all my Heavenly Father has blessed me with in my life. Truly, I have an wonderful Husband and father, great children, and an awesome extended family and friends.

This year we divided our day with my family and his. Of course the food was fabulous as always, and we really enjoyed our day.

This is how the girls ended it!!!

MAGIC NUMBER 4!!

This is Abby's fourth birthday on the 7th. She thinks it is the best birthday of all!! I am sure i thought four was the best also. We had a combined birthday sleepover with Aspen this year, Abby couldnt wait until her real birthday to celebrate so why not. Hannah, Amanda, Hudson, Sydney, Makenna, Breckyn in spirit can for the big night. They had so much fun until 2am!!! That is when my fun ended and they finally crashed. Of course Abby asked for another "Baby", and skinny jeans!! (Do you think she listens to her older sisters?) But she sure does look cute in them. I'm sure everyone feel the same about their youngest, but I love her more than anything heavenly father was sure right when he didnt give up on the promptings to get her here. What a Blessing!!!

HALLOWEEN FUN

Happy Halloween!! We had such a fun night this year. The Andrus' has their annual party and Paul & Diana's house. We has chili & hotdogs, nacho's and lots for dessert even before trick or treating!! Lots of our family and friends joined us to make it alot of fun. After dark, all the kids loaded up on the hay trailer for a trick or treating hay ride to all the neighbors! Boy were they generous with the candy, the weather was perfect, no jackets needed this year.

Look who's 42

Steve has also grown a little older and wiser and grayer tooo!!HAHAHA I sure hope it was the calling and not me that made that happen. I decided to surprise Steve with an old fashion dinner. I cooked bbq ribs in dutch ovens and potatoes and bacon!! It was so yummy! Hope I didnt clog anything with all that grease. Thanks for being such a wonderful husband and father we love you!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LITTLE PUMPKIN

I cant believe Aspen is NINE years old. I really can remember the day I got the Relief Society newsletter that welcomed a new little pumpkin to the Andrus home. She was soooo cute with the cutiest chubby cheeks. Really she was 9.1oz with huge cheeks. Just like a pumpkin. Boy did she have us fooled with that weight. Im not sure she weights much more than that now!! Aspen has the greatest personality, bubbly and outgoing and going she never stops doing gymnastics even though she hasnt taken class for about a year, she truly loves it. She also is such a book worm, recently at parent teach conf. her teacher said "you have truly done a fabulous job raising this little girl, not much more you could have done." I am blessed everyday by her presents in our home. I love you sweetheart, Happy Birthday.

19 years

Can you believe it, Steve and I are celebrating our 19 year anniversary this month. We have been married longer than I was not married now. Crazy as it seems, it has flown by. I am Happy to say that I cannot imagine my life with any one else, still love him more than ever. How could I not with 5 beutiful children, happy and healthy, tons of exicitements everyday!!!! We spent a much needed vacation with just the two of us (rair i know) in our favorite place Rocky Point, I swear we just layed by the pool all day recoping from all the stress of life and drinking Pina Coladas. Just what we both needed. Happy Anniversary Babe, hears to 19 more!!!

Alexa is "12"

I cant believe my little girl is now a YOUNG WOMEN!!! Alexa turns 12 tomorrow. That is totally crazy. I wish I could show you all of the stages of Alexa up till now, but technology was that great 12 years ago. She is a beautiful young lady, and has always been so. Her personality is so sweet, tender, loving, obedient. Always wanting to make everyone around her happy as she is. I cant wait to see what the next few years have instore for her. She is such a righteous daughter of her heavenly father, that I am so excited for her to develop her testimony in young womens. I love you soooo much Alexa, you are truly a wonderful daughter and I am blessed everyday by your love and affection. Happy Birthday Sweetheart!!

Family

I have to say I have the greatest family & Extended family!!! There its out there. Today Julie & Tyken blessed there cute little son Carsen. The rest of the testimony meeting was great, the spirit was so strong. Juanita, Julie, Steve all bore their testimony and just brought to light how blessed we are to have happy, healthy, righteous families. We are not with out blemishes i assure you, but our heavenly father has had his hand in our lives continually blessing us. I am so greatful for the bond my children have with their cousins, they are there best friends! Always wanting to be together and of course never wanting to leave each other. Today on the way home from church Abby was telling Zach he didnt have any friends, just teasing him. Then she said oh ya your bff is Derek!!! Its true, they have been best friends since birth, Alexa and Payton, Aspen and Sydney, Josh and alll the girls (ofcourse). Truly an answer to a parents prayer that your children find faithful, obedient friends!! For us as adults we truly love and enjoy hanging out with our sibblings. What more could we ask for!!!

1st day of Preschool

Finally the first day of preschool is finally here. Abby has waited for a month for this day to come, since the other kids left for school and she did get to. Also Raylan is going to the same preschool to make it easier on Christy with daycare and all. So here are some cute pictures of them before school.

BlAnKiE

This is the craziest story ever!!! Abby is the only Andrus baby that has been attached to her blankie. The other kids all had a blankie, but were never attached and had to have it. So there have been the occasional leaving it at grandmas or its in the washing machine over the years. But the last trip to Rocky Point in July, one evening at bed time the blankie was gone!!!So Zach and I searched the condo and could not find it. Luck for us she fell asleep with out noticing. The next morning when we were packing to go home again we searched for the blankie. Not being able to make phone calls, I just resorted to the fact that when the Ellis' left the day before, Abby's blankie got into their stuff. Once we were home and asked them about the blankie, it was no where to be found. My last resort was to email the owner of the condo, and asked if she had any body at the resort she could ask about a lost and found or something!!!!! She was unsuccessful. So as the days went by Abby didnt really melt down for the blankie, but one night while we were going to sleep she said "I really want my other blankie", it broke my heart that not only was she missing something that was her most prize possesion, but I made that for her, I have all the other kids blanket tucked away for them later!!! Abby doesn't!! I feel more loss than she does. Then last week I recieved and email from the owner of the condo!!!! She was in Rocky Point and the house keeping sayed they had one of her blankets in the laundry. She was not missing anything, but the brought it up to her to look at. I had described Abby's blanket to her on the email. She new immmediatly it was hers. SSSSOOOO she brought it home for us and I went by and got it. It really is her blanket, Abby couldnt quit saying I love my blankie, I love my blankie. When we got in bed and curled up together, I also missed the softness and familiarity of her blankie.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY "MAMA SITA"

So I just had another birthday. For some reason they just keep coming, quicker, and quicker every year. This year my family along with my mom & russ met us at Manuels Mexican Food for dinner! It was verry yummy. Ofcourse my kids told them it was my birthday so they came out singing. Happy Birthday Mamasita!!! Abby thought that was really funny. I thought the "Fried Ice Cream was fabulous, win win situation.

Out of the mouths of Babe's

This had been a long hard week for Abby. She did not like getting up early every day. Today when I woke her up, she said "Mom could I have some cold water"? Ofcourse you can, so I went to get it. Well there were no more water bottles in the refridgerater, so when I told her that the water bottle wasnt cold, she responded "could I just have cold DIET COKE instead"? Talk about a kid after my own heart. Well I didnt let this pass me by, so I cracked open a cold one and we shared one for breakfast!!!!

1 st DAY OF SCHOOL

This what the first day of school looked like when I got home from school!!! Exhausted kids, laying everywhere. The enthusism that was here this morning was lacking this afternoon. Everyone had a great day. Zach is a "Senior" this year, Josh is a "Freshman", Alexa is in "6th grade", Aspen is in "3rd grade". Wow when did my kids grow up?? Oh ya, Abby also had a new day, she started going to daycare at our friends house Christie McCoy's. So she also has to get up early, which is not in her vocabulary at all. She is a total BEAR in the mornings. This is what she looks like by about noon.




It feels like a whirl wind came into the house this week!! But we managed to make it, now we start week two!!!

MACY'S

Yes, I am now a proud employee of MACY'S. Yes, this does mean I get and employee discount and will put it to good use. Steve is not sure this is such a great idea!! He wonders if I will be addiing income to the family or spending more. For now I am enjoying learning about customer service and how I will be helping the customers across the united states with problems and concerns. I am sure after my first disgruntled customer I might change my mind.

BEACH TRIP

WHO IS THIS BUNCH OF CRAZY'S Surprise, Surprise, Surprise we went to Rocky Point, Mexico again. We cant ever get enough of the beach. We spent the last four day's playing at the beach, to get some more quality time with our kids before the busy, hectic school year starts again. (Can you believe Aug 4th they start school again) It was so much fun. We love the sun and fun. The resort offered lots of activities for us to participate in. This time "Water Polo" was one of the activities. Lots of Fun. Here is a team picture and some action pictures of Josh & Jordan the first day, they won!! Sorry Taylor, he was on the team without any "defense". Day two was a different story!!! Paul, Steve, Josh, Jordan, Taylor, Zach, Cody all decided to play. Just a recreational fun game? Right? Wrong!! It was war, but definitly funny to watch, maybe it was just the swim caps that are funny! This game was soooo close 21 - 19. Taylor and Josh were a 2 man team. Then there was the "Mexican Lottery" kinda like bingo but with pictures not numbers. Aspen tried hard to win a "Las Palomas" t-shirt. Just couldnt pull it off.

BINGO was alot of fun also, our pool side spokesman was so funny. All of us tried our hand at bingo, but "Mr. Baywatch" (Paul) nicknamed came from our host. Took second place winning a very special package of "Las Palomas inscents". Way to go BW!

The highlight of the activities was watching our very own teenagers in a wrestling contest to see who was the meanest, badest, ugliest. No joking, the host got Derek, Cody, Zach & Josh to put wrestling masks on!! Then hid them behind the wall and would announce them one at a time. Each one would come running out flexing their muscles, talking smack, and trying to convence everyone in the pool to clap louder for them. Our very own "shy" son Zach took first place. Winning a shinny new powder blue t-shirt! (The picture are coming from another camera later)

Abby decided this trip she was not using "floaties". Here is a video of her swimming. Yes to those of you who have witnessed Abby near water before, yes this is her swimming, with her face in the water!!



She also never leaves home without a baby. I think she also taught her baby to swim.



Our hotel was wonderful, our favorite. So all in all the family had a very relaxing trip. So hard to come home to the heat, and hustle and bustle of life!!!