Our Primary Kids

As I learn more and more about my children and about being their mom, I realize how

important it is to teach them what is right. They are faced with challenges that I cannot even comprehend. They have come here to earth to prove their righteousness and it is my job to provide part of that experience. I hope that as I take on 2010 I will be mindful of this challenge and give them what they deserve.

Below is a letter from my mom's ward's Primary president. She sums up my feelings in a much more creative way then I could:

"We have great kids in Oceanside Third! For those of you not in the know, our local rising generation is filled with generals, captains, and commanders of the Lord's army. These children face many challenges at a much younger and more tender age than did those in previous generations. They meet these obstacles face on. I see and hear the trials they face, and I am so proud of their faith in Christ, their honesty, and the love they demonstrate in their daily lives. They love the gospel and are happy to talk to their friends about their beliefs. I know that each child in our Primary without exception has tremendous ability to do good things and accomplish much in their lives.
Lastly, I would like to touch briefly on the importance of Primary in our church. We need Primary-not just for the kids, but for the adults, as well. Primary workers preach the gospel every week. We are immersed in it. If it has been a while since you've been in Primary, I invite you to stop by. There is a unique happy energy in Primary that does not exist anywhere else; it is the energy of young life-that youth of the noble birthright. These children may rely on us now, but it is truly we who need them." Michelle Randall

I hope we can all find it in our hearts to be a little more kind, a little more responsible and a little more loving of our "little people".

Rain, ranin go away....

Today, Dec 7th, it rained all day and it was very windy. I don't mind the rain so much but when you have to haul kids to and from school and walk them to their classrooms it is not what us San Diegans are use to. We don't own "good" umbrellas and we certainly don't have "real" coats so when we have rain like this I feel so unprepared. I looked around at everyone today though and realized I was not alone. That made me feel better.

When I went to pick up Seth and Cali from school the wind had picked up quite a bit and the rain was coming down a lot but I figured if I got to school early enough I could get a spot by the curb and leave Hanna in the car while I got the kids. However, when I arrived at school 20 other parents had the same idea and I had to park where I would need to get out and take Hanna with me. What a bummer!!! The walk wasn't so bad with my umbrella and happy baby. She makes most things so pleasant.

When we finally got Seth and Cali and started walking back to the car the wind was blowing so hard that it kept turning Cali's umbrella inside out. I looked back at her behind me for a moment to make sure she was ok. She had the biggest smile on her face and seemed to be enjoying the rain and the adventure. I kept telling Seth to get under the umbrella with Hanna and I but he seemed happy just putting his backpack over his head. I was so proud of my troopers! I told the kids that they were doing a great job of staying positive and happy in an otherwise gloomy situation.

Once we were in the car I told them again "thanks for being so happy while we walked to the car and for not complaining." Cali just giggled and said "it was fun mom". I love how they are learning to make the best of any situation. Now, hopefully the rain will go away!

Happy Birtday to me!!!! Dec 5, 2009

The pictures are from a night(Nov 29th) that KC planned before he left on patrol so that he could celebrate my birthday with me. We went to TGIFridays and InCahoots. We had a blast! The underwear are from the Grovers and I couldn't resist putting them on.

Well, today I turned 27 again, again and again. Ok so really it was my 39th but who is counting? It has been very interesting getting older. You start to forget how old you really are and you hold onto a year that seems to stick in your mind. My year is 27....and not because that was a good age/year for me. It just seems to be the age that I feel reflects me. Funny, huh??? Anyway, so today I woke up feeling like the same person just closer to 40 and that is weird because I don't feel even close to that age. KC is deployed and that was hard not having him here to say happy birthday or to remind the kids to do the same. However, my kids came through and so I decided to make this post about the funny things my kids said and did today on MY birthday:

-Seth burst into the bathroom while I was taking a shower singing "You've had a birthday, Shout HOORAY!". Then closes the door while I laugh and smile.
-Seth asked me if I was 29? I said "no, I'm 39. I wish I were younger." He asks why and says it's better to be older because you can retire when you are older. Then, he tells me I can retire in a couple of years. Doesn't couple mean 2 years? And if so I must be much older than I appear. Cute!!!
-Cali wanted to know if anyone was going to sing to me at church the next day? She kept insisting that someone would and that the bishop would for sure invite me into his office for some birthday candy. (Of course I was not sung to at church. BUT when primary got to the birthday song part of their closing exercises, Cali insisted that they go find me so that they could sing to me). She is so cute and very thoughtful.
-Cali wanted to know where my birthday party was and was kind of sad that there was no party. She cheered up when mom and jack showed up with cake and presents.

It was a nice mellow day with not much to do. In the evening our ward had it's Christmas Party and I took photos of families with Santa. Mom and Jack came down to help with the kids and to celebrate my birthday. We went to Denny's before the party and that was super yummy!!!

So, one year closer to 40 and still feeling young.

Holiday Thoughts

This journal entry is merely for my own benefit....

Today I was reminded of what really matters in life.
I was at the commissary (military grocery store) today doing my food shopping. The commissary is always an event and today is sure to take the prize. I had every intention of going in the morning with just Hanna while the kids were in school. However, Hanna woke up at 5am this morning and did not feel good. After getting Seth and Cali to school I was not about to drag my 1 year old to the commissary only to kick and scream the whole time. So, unfortunately I had to take Seth and Cali too after school (this way Hanna took a good long nap).
The kids were pretty good throughout the store....the usual whining from Cali that she wants this and wants that. Hanna wanted out of the cart most of the time and Seth just tried to stay out of my radar. But by the time I was ready to leave I felt like we had been in there forever and the kids probably felt the same way. So, I was impatient and short with them. I picked a line where a lady was almost done and getting ready to pay and leave. I thought, "this looks good and we will be helped here soon and then be on our way home". Oh was I wrong.... long story short she was trying to use coupons for things she had not bought. I couldn't believe she was trying to do it. The cashier kept explaining it to her but the lady would not budge. Finally, the manager came over and talked to her and allowed the cashier to use them. The cashier kept her cool but you could tell she was annoyed. The manager stayed calm and kept talking nicely to the lady. I was amazed that she could get away with that. Then, I started to realize something, I could be that lady...anyone could be that lady. Times are tough right now and people are desperate. So, I tried to take a different attitude and thought to myself, "thank goodness I am not her and that I am not desperate enough to do that". Meantime, the kids started to get very restless and wondered what was going on. I tired to explain to them that we would talk about it in the car. They would not have anything to do with that so I finally told them that the lady in front us was getting in trouble. That got their attention and from then on they were quiet and curious. It was funny!
The lady got away with saving over $100 in coupons for things she didn't even buy. Again, I am so glad not to be her. I learned that day that the holidays/life should be more about what counts and less about what can be counted.
Merry Christmas and may you always have what you need.

Fall Break October 2009

KC took a few days off during the kids Fall Break and we did some fun family stuff. This day we went to the Wild Animal Park. As you can see, KC had just as much fun as the kids did. I love how he keeps us all young.

We have a picture of Seth and Cali in this "dinosaur egg" from a few years ago. Not sure where it is??....
Everyone was looking at the crazy gorillas. Hanna's serious face is so cute. I love to watch her take all of life in. It must be amazing to come to earth and learn so much.
We also have this picture somewhere from a few years ago. It only had Seth and dad in it. This time Cali wanted to be a part of it and maybe next time Hanna will want to be in it.

Love you all....my Knoop Troop!!!

Kellen McKamey Turns 1

This was Kellen McKamey's bday party. He had a jumpy that the Knoop Family decided to take over. We had too much fun in there....can you tell with KC's great face. I love this photo because we all look so cute and KC is a goof. He told me later when he saw the picture, that he thought we were going to take a goofy picture. I guess the joke was on him. :) This is why we love you babe!

Cali is stuck in the basketball hoop that I kept calling the toilet seat...which is what it looked like. She thought it was pretty fun up there.

PInk Day

This was a fun and funny day. At school the kindergarten classes learn about a color for the whole week. Then, on Friday they get to wear the color and bring in something to share with the color. Cali was so excited for this day because she LOVES pink. She wore lots of pink and brought in lots of pink to share. When I picked up the kids today I wanted a picture of Cali in her glory. She was so proud to take the photo but then her brother decided to take over the situation. You can see in the second picture which was actually taken first, he steps right in front of her to be funny. Good one Seth. I love when they are just kids.

This was a fun day at the Anderson home in Sept. Cali and Grammie made leis and the rest of us wore them. Seth "loved" his!

Now we are ready to be taken away to Hawaii.

Documented....Sept 20, 2009

I felt like I needed this to be documented. Hanna started really walking today while we were at Mom and Jack's house. She was using the shopping cart a bit but most of the time she would walk by herself. It was a big step for her because she was only taking steps before this not "strides".

Now she is on her way to freedom!!!

Summer Tiger.....July 2009

This past summer, 2009, the kids and I participated in a kid swap playday. Each week 2 moms would take all the kids while the other moms got to shop, rest, clean or do whatever they liked. The kids had such a good time with new and old friends. I too had a great time getting things done and making new friends that I got to chat with.

This is a picture of Cali playing dress-up at an all boys house.....she loved the costume and she looks adorable.

See you next year friends!

Fun Times with the McKameys....Sept 2009

The kids went to the McKamey's house one night so that KC and I could go to Back to School Night. They had such a good time playing and eating popsicles. Thanks to Amanda I have these fun pictures of it.

hanna turns one.....

Today was Hanna's one year birthday! I cannot believe it has been a year since this sweet little girl came into our lives. She has been a huge blessing and a complete joy to raise. She is content, happy, fun, a good-sleeper, a good eater, loving and so much more.

We had lots of friends and family at the party which we had at Grammie and Papa Anderson's house. We had pizza, salads, fruit, breadsticks and munchies for lunch. We played pin the nose on the clown, hit a pinata and played musical chairs. She got lots of fun gifts and tons of clothes. She was so good through all of this and never made a complaint.

She is growing and learning so fast and just weeks before her birthday she accomplished the big task of walking. She is so cute about it with her Frankenstein legs. She is trying to talk by copying us. It will be fun to watch how fast she learns in this next year.

Happy Birthday Hanna, we love you!!!

The Zoo with Hanna

Look how cute you are!

Hanna really had a good time at this new play structure.

She kept crawling up the slide as far as she could go and then climb down to start over again.

We had such a nice day together at the zoo. We saw lots of animals, rode the skyfari, played at the new children's zoo playground and had ice-cream. Hanna was perfectly happy seeing all the animals and just looking at things. She is such a wonderful baby!

Cali....Queen for a Day!!!

Cali was queen for a day in her class. She got to wear this crown all day and be spotlighted in class. She answered a few questions like "I want to be a Mermaid", "I love princesses", "I really want a dog." and "I'm scared of Sea Monsters". It was a fun day for her that she will remember for awhile.

Crazy, cool kids

This was a fun day at the beach! The kids rode their scooters, bikes and played at the playground. Then we ate at Taco Surf (KC's most favorite spot in the world). The kids were having too much fun with my camera in the backseat. Gotta love kids!!!

Sea World, Hanna and Me

Today, Sept 9th, Hanna and I went to Sea World with some friends. We saw a few exhibits and then just let the kids play in the "Bay of Play". Hanna is a NUT about Elmo so when he came walking around getting ready to take pictures, Hanna went crazy. We followed Elmo to his picture spot and Hanna and I took a picture. As you can see though, she really just wanted to play with them. She really was smiling and laughing most of the time but of course as soon as the camera got her, she crawled away. Too funny!

Makenna Mckamey and Hanna

Cali and her dogs

This picture is such a "Cali classic". She would do just about anything to have a dog and since we live in an "apartment" (condo) I just don't think I'm ready for that. So, to make up for her loss she collects stuffed dogs and plays with them alot. This picture is of her dogs at the pet store where we were allowed to go and buy the dogs. She was very proud of her display and care for the dogs.

Cali is so cute and I know that when she finally gets a dog she will be a wonderful helper.

Nighttime Zoo

We sure had fun at the zoo!! We mainly went to see the new elephant exhibit so that is what all the pictures are from. The kids were having too much fun with all the statues (KC included in the "kids"). The animals are usually more active at night due to the heat during the day so it is fun to see them moving around and doing stuff. Going to the zoo at night is a must in San Diego.