Our Vacation to Nebraska

For our fall break, me and the kids drove to Nebraska to visit my mom and dad on their mission. We left at 145pm on Friday Oct 2nd made it to Albuquerque, NM at 1045 pm and spent the night at a hotel. I didnt know it was the "Balloon Festival" in NM so the first hotel we check at told us about the festival and to go back the way we came to the next group of hotels because all the ones the direction we were headed were all ready booked. So the next one with a vacancy was not very nice, but after 9 hours in the car i just needed a bed. They did have a very yucky continental breakfast for free!!Then we hit the road again.So saturday we drove thru Colorado, Wyoming and to Nebraska!! The icing on the cake was meeting up with my parents at a Mexican Food Restraurant for dinner. YUMMY. We decided to stay the night at another hotel to rest. This one was fabulous fluffy beds, and a wonderful breakfast.Then on the road for another 2hrs to moms house. I have found a new love for piece and quiet, calmness, wild life. Her home is about 15 miles down a country road over the hills and plains to the cutest house on a hill surrounded by 5 lakes, geese, deer and everything in between come up to visit. This is a church ranch called the Paulette-Lucky Ranch, were they ranch all the cattle.

On Monday we just hung out at home to rest, well me and the girls rested and played, Zach and Josh went with Russ to the ranch house he is remodeling for the new missionary couple coming next. That evening we hosted the family home evening, mom decided i needed to give the lesson. It was fun both of the other missionary couples and the Head Herdsman's family came. We made homeade cinnamin rolls for dessert and had a fun time listening to their way of life.

On Tuesday we drove to South Dakota to the Wind Caves. This National Park is a cave found in the ground that the wind blows through and has Stalagmites and Stalagtites. Also the Custer National Park surrounds it with Buffalo, and Praire Dogs everywhere!! Then on to Mt. Rushmore. Wow that is the most unbelieveable site. The whole experience is wonderful. The Visitors center is beautiful with ampitheaters, theaters and exibits to walk you through the start to finish of the project. It had also snowed the day before, so the Black hills were white and beautiful. We then drove down to the small town and did a little shopping for suveneirs. Then drove on home.

On Wednesday Russ took us on a tour of the Ranch! It is huge, each ranch is about an hour apart. With cattle, and deer all along the way. We visited each of the Ranches, and visited with each of the families that live on them. At the last Ranch, the sweet lady, had a hill full of pumpkins, she let the kids pick the ones they wanted! Then on to the nearest town "Alliance" for a mid afternoon lunch at Arby's. And on home to play at the lake catching turtles, and playing on the windmills. We have made homeade banana nut bread, and are ready for a yummy Chicken Chipotle Dinner.

We woke up to SNOW thursday morning!!It snowed until noon, the kids went out and picked carrots from the garden and made little snowmen. They were so cute.So me and my mom made a crock pot full of stew, and I made a Pumpkin pie from scratch. Picked the Pumpkin, Roasted the pumpkin in the oven, pureed the pumpkin, made the crust, baked a pie!! It is a really rich taste, so much better than from a can. Later on in the afternoon I finished my book for the trip "Wings" it is a really cute story. My kids started yelling deer and we went to the door and a deer and her baby were at the bottom of the stairs grazing in the lawn.

OUch "38"

Well it happened!I had another birthday, as much as I tried to avoid it.I had a very quiet day, which was kinda nice. I looked up facial recipes online, ended up with an avacado & banana facial that was wonderful. Then soaked my feet in hot soapy water and gave myself a pedicure!NICE. Then I shopped with a gift card for a few new shirts. I did make myself a rather fabulous dinner though!Steak, Crab, Shrimp, Potatoe skins and yummy brownie a la mode for dessert!After dinner my birthday buddy(Jordan who shares my birthday with me), came by with the new GEORGE STRAIT cd!!!!Here is a picture of us another year older!!

Abby starts Kindergarden

Isn't this the cutest Kindergardener you have ever seen???Okay, so Abby's birthday is not until November. So she missed the cut off to be able to attend public school. I decided to enroll her at Crown Charter School (Alexa went there). We had to wait on a list to get in because it is so popular. They called us the week before school, and we went down to the school and had a simple evaluation to make sure she was ready!Green light, its all a go!On monday, was an orientation day where the moms could go with the kids to introduce the whole school life to them. Wrong, we waited in the mad house of a line just to park. Then we went into her class saw the teacher, she gave us some paperwork and that was it!!!Fast forward to day two. We wait in the long line again to drop off our students, and they expected us to open the door and kick our kids out at the curb! Wrong, Abby is 4 and extremely shy!!!She is not getting out of the car with a stranger and then expected to wander around a new school until someone finds her and gets her to the right place.So I park, find my way toward the classroom, only to hear a crazy lady on a P.A. system singing at the top of her lungs!Abby lost it, crying, clinging to my leg.Then the lady started yelling at the parents to leave the area, and we were not allowed to accompany our children any further if she found us in any of the classrooms we could take our child and go home!!!!Oh it gets better, Abbys teacher has a handicap and uses a scooter or cane to walk so she could not help us with our verrrrrry scared children.So its time for the kids to go to class,and they are to follow her.Not, Abby already has her breaks on.I tried to walk her to the door but she wouldnt go in, so a very nice lady asked if she was suppost to be in that class and nodded and she took Abby's hand and led her to the door. When Abby realized i wasn't coming she let out a blood curdling scream "MOMMY" and then the door shut!!!I almost died, i hurried to the car to cry all the way home. I was in shock all day, an hour before release time I jumped in the car and raced over.I was glued to the walk way waiting for the first glimps of my baby!!!The minute i sat eyes on her, I burst into tears.She jumped into the car talking a mile a minute about how much she loved school!!!!Go figure, my baby has grown up!!I love you Abigail.

AZ GRAND RESORT

We just got back from a "Stay Cation" at the AZ Grand Resort (formerly Point at South Mountian). You can see by the fabulous photo, that I forgot my camera!!!I am such a dork. Oh well, we have alot of fun memories. They are so relaxed there, which is so nice for my huge family. They let us check in anytime on the day of arrival and play at the full size water park. The park stayed open until 8pm, we also had a swimming pool right infront of our room that the kids could play in until 10pm. They also would let you come and go all day. We could go back to the room for lunch or snacks, dinner what ever and then go back and play again later. They also provided swimming towels, i dont care who you are fresh towels that dont smell after a day, and dry towels every time you get out of the water is heavenly!!Also they had fresh ice water set out around the park, no spending a ton of money to stay hydrated.
We had a really fun dinner at Joe's Crab Shack. Talk about yummy food, we shared fresh pots of crab, shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn. Besides the dorky bibs they tied on us it was a good time.
We also went over to Az mills malls to watch G-Force. Such a cute movie. The kids really liked it, Abby was exausted and made it through the whole thing!All in all i am really pleased with the choice to save the gas money and amusement park fees. We had a great time before everyone heads opposite directions!!!

Rocky Point 2009

Alexa and Aspen shopping every vendor coming down the beach to find the perfect Glasses!!!

Zach is such a goof ball.

Abby isnt much for camera shots, but I found a weak moment while she was tanning!


If you cant tell, this is the banana boat ride. The highlight of the teenagers trip, is to get thrown off the raft out in the middle of the ocean. Not what I would concider fun. Im sure they had about 5 rides each this trip!

Josh should I say more!




Rocky Point, Mexico has to be heaven on earth for us! We truly wait all year long for our extended family vacation. This year we moved locations from the beach house to Las Palomas Resort. This was the best idea we have had! Not only do we have all the fun and sun we can get, but we have maid service and airconditioning!!! Here are a few fun photos from the trip.

High School Graduation

Zachary graduated from Westview High School, on May 20th at 3:00pm. The graduation ceremony was held at the Cardinals Stadium. Wow what a great ceremony, comfortable seating, air conditioning and a front row seat to see our first born son graduate from high school. After the ceremony Zachary choose to eat dinner at Macayos! We had a great afternoon and a yummy dinner. We love you Zachary, we are so proud of your many accomplishement!!!

Recorder Concert

Aspen had a recorder concert to show us all of the fabulous song she has learned in third grade. I was expecting alot of screeching. Funny enough they played about 6 songs, and everyone of them were recognizeable and really good. She was so proud of herself!!! So are we, little Aspie great job!!

Seminary Graduation

Zachary has finally finished Seminary!! Lots of make up work under our belts, he graduated from Seminary. Here are a few shots from the seminary breakfast, and the Seminary Graduation.

Wild Life World Zoo & Aquarium

We have been really wanting to go to see the new Aquarium exibit for some time now. But with this economy and the high price of the ticket it hasnt happened yet!!! Then my mom told us about the boyscouts of america day. If you wore your scout shirt you got in free!!!It was alot of fun. Aspen was scared to death that she was going to be eaten in the preditors exibit. She made it out!!! Im not sure I would pay $24.99 a ticket though.

EAGLE SCOUT

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I can not be a prouder parent!!! Zachary is an EAGLE SCOUT. He has been working very hard on this Eagle Project, which was a book drive for the City of Avondale. This was a great project, thanks to all of our friends and family Zachary was able to collect about 1500 books, magazines, movies, and puppets to donate to the library. Well above the 300 to 500, that the BSA suggested. Zachary went before the Board of Review on Thursday night, and was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. I was so impressed with the wonderful things the board had to say about Zachary, and about what the title of Eagle Scout represents and who else holds that rank. Quite an impressive group of men. I am so greatful to everyone along the way who has helped Zachary, loved, taught, supported and been a friend and leader. You all share a part of his success!! We are truly greatful. Thank You!

Check out Youtube!

Just a shout out for the Youth Trek!!! They have posted the trailer on Youtube! Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QujBukwNce

Zachary is 18!

I feel so old!! Zachary turned 18 on Sunday. This doesn't seem real, could he really be 18? Could everything he has worked so hard for over the last 18 years be coming true? Well, Here are just a few of his monumental accomplishments this month. He turned in his Eagle Project on Saturday, April 25th, one day early!!YAAAA Then the big day, turning 18 on Sunday, April 26th. We went out to my moms for a BBQ with the our family and friends. On May 17th he will Graduate from Seminary! Yes you read it right, Seminary!! Then the one we have all have been waiting for May 20th is Westview High School Graduation. WHEW! What a busy month.

Here are a few of my favorite memories of Zach over the years!

1. Lets just start with a fabulous pregnancy weight gain of 80lbs, then on two being over due by two weeks, and then the 9.8lb baby!!!! How could it get any better.

2. Well how about the cutest baby ever! Zachary had the cutiest curly hair, for the first year I wouldnt let anyone touch it. Then for his first birthday, we went for a trim!!!! The wonderful lady chopped off all the curls, and I cried for days. They never came back.

3. His first Soccer game was on the Green Lizards Soccer team. The determination of is face, and the over exaggerated arm and leg strides running towards that soccer ball were priceless.

4. The red collard shirt he wore to Kindergarten is embedded in my mind, and a Smile from ear to ear sporting a new backpack!!

5. (Sorry Zach for this one) His first crush!! Crying all the way home from vacation because he liked her so much, and thought he would never see her again. Well he has spent a week every year since then with her!!! Nothing ever developed, but a great friendship!!!!

6. Getting very little playing time in High School football, and the coach putting him in the last play of the game, and he caught an interception!!! In your face Coach. We know how great of a player you are!!

I love you Zachary, I am so proud of everything you have done so far in your life. I'm looking forward to many more. You make us so proud of your great example to your siblings, your righteous desires, and your obedience. On to bigger and better things.RIGHT?????

Hannah Montana "Movie"

We went to the Hannah Montana movie tonight! This is such a cute movie, the girls loved it, sing and dancing in their seats. A girls night out was well needed, and we had alot of fun acting silly in a theater full of girls. The minute we got home we had to get on utube and find the hodown song and dance. Needless to say we are all well versed and know the dance by heart, watch out hollywood here comes the Andrus girls!

The Big "15"

Little Squashie is "15". I wish I had a digital camera back when the boys were little so I could show you just how cute Joshua was. Toe head, with a little bowl hair cut, and Chubby as can be!!! Here are just a few of my favorite things about Josh.

1. He was the calmest baby ever! Juanita swears she has never heard him cry, even from day one!!!

2. He would put his ball cap on the ground and his baseball glove on his head and dance around during his baseball games in the outfield. (I have proof on video)

3. Has shown up to church, Dr. Apts, school without shoes on... He never wore shoes.

4. When you are looking for Josh, look up! We found him up every pole, tree, house, his nickname is Moglie (Junglebook) always up to something.

5. The greatest hugger! If you need a good hug, I have the perfect person.

Happy Birthday my Joshie Squashie, I love you!

GRANDMA DORTHY

The Crane family has lost our beloved Mother, Grandma, Great-Grandma. Grandma Dorthy is my fathers mother.! She was 85yrs old and the sweetest little lady, she is only 5" tall, and maybe 90lbs. You can tell I didnt get my stature from her. But I did get her wonderful Italian/Indian skin. Grandmas shared her heart and her love with me and also my kids. Grandmas also over the last 5yrs share alot of story's and wrote them down so we can share them with our kids. Grandma slipped away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, March 28th. I am so greatful that we just spent Christmas with her and got these cute pictures of her with our kids. We will take her to Prescott, to be layed to rest with her family. I am reassure of the happy meeting with her loved ones and our Savior welcoming her home! We love you Grandma, and will miss you dearly.

OUT DOOR ED

6th grade Outdoor Ed at Lake Pleasant!!! This week Alexa had outdoor ed. I volunteered to Shaperone the trip. It was so much fun. The center we stayed at was really nice. They had a Outdoor center were the kids rotated through classes on Solar Energy, Map/Compass reading, Hiking, Water conditions. Then we also spent the night in beutiful dorm style housing one for the girls and one for the boys. We had a sunset hike, and bomb fire singing time. It was a really fun trip, the kids were great the staff was fun, all in all it was very educational and a great time.

PIONEER TREK

Our Stake had a Pioneer Trek for our youth. Zachary and Joshua were both old enough to go. I have to admit both of them were a little hesitent to go, as most of the youth were. But after wards they could not quit talking about what a great time they had and how many great experiences they had. I had the opportunity of going up one day with the Ym & Yw presidency to be in charge of the Log Sawing game. We also had to dress in authentic Pioneer clothing. What a powerful experience it was to see the handcart come off the mountain and into the valley where we were waiting for them. I got so choked up, they were all smiling and so excited that they had made it and proud of the huge task they had just completed. The first day, started out at 4am meeting at the stake center to drive to Heber, AZ. When they arrived in Heber, they broke the kids up into families gave them a handcart and they push the carts 16 miles to their first camp. During that time they also had a womens pull where the men were taken away to the Batalon and the women push the cart alone!! The testimony my boys gained by watching the women due this alone was so powerful. The next few days were games and family/team building tasks. They grew to love their ma's and pa's and family. Saturday at the end of the trek all the parents drove to Heber and waited to see the handcart come over the horizon to cheering parents!!! Lots of tears that moment that they were safe and happy, and strengthened!!

Our Missionary!

The first missionary in the Andrus family left for the MTC. Derek was called to the Pittsburg, Philadelphia Mission. John & Marcy drove to Utah with Derek and spent a few days sight seeing before he reported. We are all so proud and really excited for Derek. We love you DEEK!!

Happy Birthday Mom

I would be so ungreatful if I didnt tell my mom Happy Birthday!!! On Sunday was my mom's birthday, we had a family party and got together at our house to have dinner. It is so fun to have my whole family over to eat dinner and talk, Laugh, and celebrate our mother. She is truly the greatest mom, we have the best relationship. I dont usually go a day with out talking to her, sharing my day, or something cute that has happened to the kids. We can talk about anything!! (and we do) She issuch an example to me of a righteous women, I love you so much mom. Happy Birthday.

CONGRATULATIONS CASH

I wanted to tell everyone about my brother-in-law Cash. This is the sweetest guy on the earth. Truly, he came into our lives when Aspen was a baby, and instantly she was in love with Cash. Soon after Becky & Cash were married they kept Aspen for us. She quickly won over his heart also. Over the years he has taken over the name of the "PIED PIPER" no matter where we are, parties, dinner, vacation, Cash has a stream of little girls following him because he is so great. This weekend Cash made the wonderful decision to be baptised. If I hadnt told you that he wasnt a member of the church you would not have known. Really he is that fabulous. We are so excited for you Cash and for your family. You will be blessed for your decision and also your family will be blessed with the Priestood in your home. We love you!!!! (Sorry for the bad picture Cash)

Good Ole' Fashion Lemonade Stand

I love a good ole' fashion Lemonade Stand. But this is a little twist. Abby came in the other day and said "We have juice and bubble gum, they can give us money, but they cant take it"!! Is that the funniest thing you have ever heard. When I came out side this is what I found. All the neighborhood kids drinking juice, and eating bubble gum. Sooooo cute.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPAU

We dont need a reason to go out to dinner, but Birthday's are our favorite. We are so greatful for a wonderful "Papau". He is a blessing in our lives. Loving all of us,his and her's the same. Here we are at Panda Express for dinner, kinda of a bad picture but we'll take it!! We love you!!!

Can you say CHIHUAHUA?

So here is the story. Alexa made a list of gifts for christmas at the beginning of the month. Then a week before christmas she tells me she still needs to give me a list for christmas. What?????? Santa is done shopping I told her. Then she proceeds to tell me that she wants a puppy!!!! I'm not that crazy right? So every time I turn around she is leaving notes, pictures etc.. of puppies. Well after a few phone calls to the NORTH POLE to talk to Santa about the changes in our plans, he came through. Look at how cute this puppy is.

So today she gets on a scale to weight Charlie, he weights in at 1 1/2 pounds!! Soooo tiny, and soooo cute. I think I am most grateful that it is Alexa's puppy. That means she feeds, cleans up, takes potty, gets up in the middle of the night when he is crying!!! All I have to do is snuggle & play. (is this like being a grand parent?) I Also am greatful we are in a rental house w/all tile floors.