Family Vacation

I'm nearly a month late on posting this, but I take that as a good indication that life has been happening and hopefully I'll just have more to blog about. One can hope, right?

So, Jason and my Mom came to visit us last month and it was busy and wonderful and WAY TOO FAST. We now have an Anderson vacation disclaimer: If our family wants to visit, it must be no less than 7 days. Seven actual days. Not, "Well, I flew out on day 7". That doesn't count as a day. It was too short for me. I needed about 3 more days to really soak in them being here.

Jared was delighted to have Uncle Jason to play with all the time. I think Uncle Jason isn't used to being climbed on all the time and he's probably basking in his kid-free life of not being touched every second of the day.

With so much help around, I found the time to paint and hang this beautiful eyeshadow magnet board. It is amazing. It cost me a whole $3 for the picture hanging kit and $3 for the magnets and it the most incredible thing in my bathroom. I could go on and on about how useful and amazing it us, but I'll just post a picture. 

My mom and I also finally made it over to Bare Escentuals to do a make under. So fun! It's probably my favorite free thing to do. I told the girl to do whatever she wanted so she contoured using only bronzers. Kind cool. I wasn't sure what it was going to be like with that dark brown, it it turned out awesome. 

               

The second day Jason, Brian, and I went to Six Flags. Where did my pictures go of us standing in line???? I don't know. (Jason will contribute....right??? Then I will update.) Anyway, Six Flags was incredible. The lines weren't long, we went on all the rollercoasters. I nearly cried at how fun the  Mr. Freeze ride was and definitely cried laughing at Brian being afraid of heights. He will go on almost any ride, but pulls the most ridiculously hilarious faces. I'll have to post them all one day. We had SO MUCH FUN! I haven't done anything like that in what feels like ages and I wish I wouldn't have had any responsibility that I felt like I needed to get back to. I would have stayed all night long. Thank you Jason! 

Friday was spent with my and my mom going to Sam Moon. That store. Sigh. I always spend too much $$ on cheap jewelry and it's why I limit myself to going twice per year. We had a blast. Then we went to the outlet malls where my mom got outfitted in a new dash of awesome at Anne Taylor. Going shopping with kids just isn't the same though. At one point I had to run Jared to the bathroom and told Jason, "Stay here, I'll be right back." Three short minutes later, they were not in the store and they had my phone. I wanted for almost a half hour, finally went to Banana Republic and called them. They had walked to the bathroom a billion miles away when there was one right next door. Silly family. Never leave a brother with your phone. :)

Friday night was our "big" race day. We did a night time race and it was super hot and super fun. I'm glad it wasn't hotter, but we were just big sweaty messes by the end. It was Jason's first race and I thought he'd for sure place, but he came in fourth in his age group. He was so close. Luckily I run with the slow girls and I came in 2nd in my age group. 

Getting ready to race.

Warming up. I couldn't help taking pictures of them. :) 

Lookin' good, guys! 

Siblings.... 

I love my mom's face here! I laugh every time. 

In my head, this picture looked so much cooler. You can only do so much in the dark with an iPhone.  

Darn! I thought I took a picture of my time. I think it was 27.23. Pretty positive anyway. I was really hoping to get under 25.30. Next time. It was just so hot!

 On the fourth of July we kept busy going to the Irving parade, which was way more awesome than I thought. I haven't heard good things about it, but it was totally a small town parade....and I love that! There was so much candy throwing, so my kids finally got to learn what a parade is supposed to be. Some parents don't like their kids getting that much candy, but I try to take it from a kids perspective and that means it was awesome. We are still eating away at it and it makes Jared so ornery when he doesn't get some, but that's all part of the game. :)

After parade slurps

Look! Spiderman is on "God's Team!" Oh Texas....

Fireworks that night. Brian's not a big 4th of July person and we never go watch fireworks, so I was really excited to have a reason to go. They were kind of underwhelming, but oh well. Maybe next year. Maybe by then the kids will care instead of watching one and moving on.

We had a little Birthday party for Claire while the fan was in town. We made her favorite pie and she got an easy bake oven. She loves to bake and share with everyone. Brian usually cringes at her concoctions, but we'll eat them and say they're amazing. Fortunately the kids eat every bite and love it.

Of course everyone gets a present when Grandma comes to visit.

I was NOT ready for these two to leave. I think they were ready to go home to their piece and quiet, but I thoroughly enjoyed them being here. COME BACK! I miss living so close to family.

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