Free Range Family

Saturday didn't go as planned for us, which made me sad face. Lon was supposed to only work at the gym in the morning and spend the day with us but he got called in to work the restaurant too. Grrr, sometimes it really stinks it being the family restaurant. I was mopy about it all morning, even though I knew I had my lunch date with Tanya still. But I wanted my husband, to make me laugh and play with Alan and sing to Anna and tell me interesting stories and help Alan go potty like a big boy (the way only HE can) and yes, just help me with these kids in general. I really missed him. Plus Alan was excited for the day and wired from it so somehow while I was nursing Anna I guess, he magically aquired a pen and drew all over his little hands. Then he deposited the pen back where it belongs. All without my knowledge, I swear. I did not see the culprit pen and still have not! Ugh! After texting my mom and sharing all these feelings and my morning with her, ...

Preparing for a new baby in the house makes for one busy month! Its been almost three years since I have done all this, I forgot how much work it entailed lol. Plus with all the other stuff we did and Lon working his two jobs like a maniac, it felt like May just flew by for my family. Here is some of the stuff we did: Three of my siblings had birthdays this month. Uncle Kalvin turned eight years old on the fourth of May and we went to the Reef for his birthday party. Aunt Natalie's twentieth birthday was the next day, on Cinco de Mayo. We went out to Dos Machos to celebrate her birthday. Lastly, Uncle Darren's 24th birthday on the 10th. I haven't seen him our my nephew Connor yet to celebrate with him, but we hope to see them soon! :D Mother's Day was also this month, May 13th. I felt so blessed to be Alan's mother and am so excited to add another wonderful child to my brood, that I dedicated a whole week to Mother's Day. I started out the week explori...

My mother. She is a strong and wonderful woman. I admire her so much. My mom, me and my dad at my wedding For those of you who don't know her, let me tell you a little about my mother. She has been a teacher since I was six months old, and currently teaches first grade at Orchard Elementary. I may be somewhat biased but I think she is one of the best teachers around. I have seen her many times with her students (and have heard her talking about them) and the dedication she has for each kid just amazes me. Its like they are her own children. What a great teacher she is. :) My mom has five children, four biological and one adopted. My brother Darren, me, my sisters Natalie and April, and my baby brother Kalvin. I think she is the best mom to us, she would do anything for our happiness and has always been there as our main supporter. My mom is like a super mom, even now when most of her children are grown up. On a daily basis, she will get April and Kalvin to all of their ma...

Today is my oldest brother Darren's 24th birthday. Darren loves poker, so this cake would have been perfect for him lol! Darren is my adopted brother, but I love him just the same! He joined our family in 2008 but honestly, I feel like he's been a Kimmel all of his life! :) I haven't seen him in over a year now and I miss him! He is the father to my only nephew Connor, the cutest nephew on the planet! I think he is an awesome father and Connor is pretty darn lucky! Connor and Darren, circa 2010 Not only is Darren my brother, but he is also Lon's really good friend. Darren was Lon's best man in our wedding and they have been best buds for about two years now. Its a little weird to have my brother be my husband's best friend, but I am not complaining! I love them both and love to spend time with them! The men of the wedding party, with Darren included :) Happy birthday Darren! Lon, Alan, Anna and I love you so much. Hope your day is fanta...

I know I said I would post this yesterday, but Wednesday night I was up all night sick. I didn't get a wink of sleep, and so my boss sent me home early yesterday morning. I was relieved, it gave me the chance to catch up on my sleep, tidy up my house some more (a hard thing for me to do, even this early along in the pregnancy. I hate feeling so weak!), and spend some time with Alan. I can't believe I am already eleven weeks along! It seems like just yesterday we found out, though in reality its been over a month! I haven't been in to see my doctor yet, have to get my insurance figured out first, which we have been trying to for about five weeks now. Ugh! We are hoping for next week to be the big doctor week! :) Via How far along:  11 weeks 5 days Size of Baby: a third of an ounce, size of walnut Total Weight Gain:  Haha, I think I am still ten pounds lighter than I was because of the morning sickness. :P Maternity Clothes:  Not yet lol. I am finding myse...

Today is my nephew Connor's first birthday! Via I remember this time last year, when I first got the text that Connor was born. We were just about to leave for Canyon Ferry Lake (again) but I insisted on going up there to see them before we left lol. I pulled some strings and we ended up being able to stop by. We had to walk like fifteen blocks to the hospital with Alan to see them IN THE HEAT, but we got there and it was totally worth it. Meeting my beautiful nephew for the first time, and being able to hold him, was one of the greatest things ever. I love my brother and his fiance so much, and my love for Connor is just as big. :) It was cool that Alan got to meet him as well. Alan was a young ten months old, and was a little confused when he first saw Aunt Rachael, as he remembered the big belly previously on her. :) He was even more flabbergasted when Aunt Rachael showed him newborn Connor. Lol I don't think he understood, but he was really into Connor. He loved babies...

I like what Naptime is My Time is doing with their monthly reviews, so I will be doing one today and see if I like it lol. :) Enjoy! May was a busy month for my family. We first had Uncle Kalvin's, Aunt Natalie's and Uncle Darren's birthdays at the beginning of the month.That was fun, celebrating all of my siblings' birthdays (except Aunt April, who had hers in April. Duh lol) this month. :) And we can't forget Korbin's birthday! What a fun day that was for the boys. There was also Mother's Day and Memorial Day. A lot of things went down this month as well. :) Alan turned 20 months old on May 5. Then just a day after her birthday, Natalie was in a car accident. She is okay, but it really woke up our family as a whole. Thank goodness she was okay! April, my baby sister, had her ballet recital this month too. Lon and I also had our one month anniversary of our wedding. I posted two posts with our wedding photos in them. You can view those her...

Today is my oldest brother Darren's 23rd birthday. Via Darren, you came into my family's life just 3 years ago but it feels like you have been my brother all my life. I love you to the moon and back. :) You may only be just a few months older than me, but I definitely think you're the perfect big brother for me. :) You've always looked out for me, taken care of me a few times when I was sick, supported me when I was pregnant with Alan but too scared to tell Mom, and I know you'd do the same for my son or husband. <3   Aunt Rachael and Uncle Darren at the wedding You were Lon's Best Man in our wedding, and deservedly so, because you are a great friend to him too! I can't wait until you marry Rachael and we can celebrate your love for each other. You're a wonderful father to Connor and a fantastic fiance to Rachael. They're both lucky to have you. :) I guess what I'm trying to say with all of this rambling is thank you for everythin...

Now I know this is called "Top Ten" but theres no real order lol. I love all of these photos equally! These were all taken by Jeff Bryson, from Bryson's Photo Studio. To view and purchase any photos, click here. Enjoy everyone and depending on comments, we will *see* if I post more! :D Before the wedding, me patiently waiting for the judge to arrive. I look heavenly. :) Cameron and Natalie walking down the aisle. Chase and Kari Best Man Darren and Maid of Honor Jenelle April, Kalvin, Rachael and Alan My Mama, Daddy and me <3 The ceremony I have no words for this picture <3 <3 The wedding party Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Andersen, married at Yellowstone County Courthouse

Wow this week just flew by! I honestly thought it'd be the slowest week ever, after having just had our wedding Saturday, but I'm shocked that its already Friday! Tomorrow's our one week anniversary! Wow! :D This weekend will be good for us, not too busy but with just enough things to do. Tonight after work, Lon and I are going out with my brother Darren and his fiance for her 21st birthday. :) Then Saturday I have three birthday parties to work and afterwards we will go eat dinner with my parents. And Sunday is Family Day, which is always unplanned but wonderful. :)  Happy Arbor Day everyone! I am displeased to say that my hunt for a place to plant my tree has been unsuccessful, but I am still glad to announce that The Many Adventures of the Modern Hippie Mama blog's tree was planted in Plumas National Forest in Northern California! :) Success! So I can be happy today and just hope that next year we have our own HOUSE to plant a tree by! Congratulations to William ...

Ooh everything went so well this weekend! We had our private wedding (only parents and grandparents were invited) Saturday afternoon at the Veteran's Memorial Park next to the courthouse. We were married by Judge Herenadez, who was just hilarious! :) Then yesterday, we had our wedding reception at the Village Inn. Both events were just wonderful, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. And for those of you readers on the edge of your seats wondering if Lon got to a tux store on time or just went in jeans... He did! And man did he look dashing! <3 There are so many people I am thankful for, who pulled through for us and helped make this wedding perfect! I'd like to first thank my parents and Lon's parents, for all the assistance and support they gave us. My Maid of Honor, Jenelle, for making our wedding cakes, doing my hair for the wedding, planning my Bachelorette party and helping with reception decorations. She did such a beautiful job on the cakes and my hair. ...

It rained all day today in Billings. Off and on all morning, all afternoon, and all night. Blah. We were planning on doing part of my Bridal Shower outside. That clearly wasn't in Mother Nature's plans for us. :) And on top of all of that, Alan's sick with hopefully just a cold (going in to doctor tomorrow to double check) and has been teething his remaining molars (OUCH!) so he has been horribly out of sorts and not himself this weekend. :( He's been having pure liquid bowel movements (Not TMI, its for health reasons lol!) and has been throwing up anything even slightly irritating to him. That along with a wet cough and runny nose, and my boy is not a happy camper. :( He even threw up in the car today. Let me tell you, that's so NOT fun. Despite the rain and Alan's sickies, I still had a great day with my son and the rest of my loved ones. The Bridal Shower was a blast! We had taco soup and fruit for lunch and brownies for dessert. Then we played four w...