Claire

What makes you happy? "Jesus"

What is your favorite animal? "Turtle"

What is your favorite thing to eat?"Grapes"

What is your least favorite thing to eat? "Cheese"

What is your favorite thing to do? "Play with friends"

What is your favorite TV show/movie? "Cinderella"

What is your favorite color? "Purple"

What is your favorite song? "Let it Go"

Who is your best friend? "Addison"

What do you like to do with Daddy? "Go swimming and sing a song with him"

What do you want to be when you grow up? "Doctor"

What is the most exciting thing that happened this year? "Got a big girl bed and became a big sister"

A few things Claire did this year: Was potty trained, swam at Cherry Hills, went to Park City and St. George, got a bike, and played with friends."

Kate

What makes you happy? "My birthday"

What is your favorite animal? "Cat"

What is your favorite thing to eat? "Tomatoes"

What is your least favorite thing to eat? "Broccoli"

What is your favorite thing to do? "Open presents"

What is your favorite TV show/movie? "Cinderella"

What is your favorite color? "Purple"

What is your favorite song? "Lavendars Blue"

Who is your best friend? "Macey"

What do you like to do with Daddy? "Snuggle up by him and give him a blanket and go on dates"

What do you want to be when you grow up? "Chef"

What is the most exciting thing that happened this year? "Turning 6"

A few things Kate did this year: Went on a date with Dad for her birthday, started Kindergarten, lost first tooth, great swimmer, went to Park City and St. George and got twin sisters who she loves! 

Benton 

What makes you happy? "My family"

What is your favorite animal? "Wolf"

What is your favorite thing to eat? "Meat"

What is your least favorite thing to eat? "Broccoli"

What is your favorite thing to do? "Play with my family and friends"

What is your favorite TV show/movie? "Star Wars, The Force Awakens"

What is your favorite color? "Black"

What is your favorite song? "As I Know"

Who is your best friend? "Carter and Parker"

What do you like to do with Daddy? "Go on camping trips with him"

What do you want to be when you grow up? "An Army Man"

What is the most exciting thing that happened this year? "Turned 8 and got baptized"

A few things Benton did this year: Made new friends: Porter, Asher, and TJ, got baptized, got twins sisters and helped with the family

Sara and Molly

What makes you happy: Sucking our fingers, milk, and being held

What do least like about life right now: Tummy time

Big events in your life: Blessed on December 6th

2015 Interviews

Benton age 7

What makes you happy? "Playing video games and playing with friends"

What is your favorite animal? "Wolf"

What is your favorite thing to eat? "Meat"

What is your least favorite thing to eat? "Vegetables"

What is your favorite thing to do? "Going on vacations"

What is your favorite TV show/movie? "Big Hero 6"

What is your favorite color? "Red"

What is your favorite song? "As I know"

Who is your best friend? "Parker and Carter"

What do you like to do with Daddy? "Going on Father's and Son's and playing video games with him"

What do you want to be when you grow up? "A policeman"

What is the most exciting thing that happened this year? "Going to Disneyland and Cherry Hills"

A few things Benton did this year: "Went to first grade, spent the summer at Cherry Hills, Went to Disneyland, went camping, started playing piano and is a great reader."

Kate age 5

What makes you happy? "Being with my family"

What is your favorite animal? "Dolphin"

What is your favorite thing to eat? "Pizza"

What is your least favorite thing to eat? "Broccoli"

What is your favorite thing to do? "Watching TV"

What is your favorite TV show/movie? "Frozen"

What is your favorite color? "Purple"

What is your favorite song? "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam"

Who is your best friend? "Macy"

What do you like to do with Daddy? "Stay home and watch a movie"

What do your want to be when you grow up? "Ballerina"

What is the most exciting thing that happened this year?"Going to Disneyland"

A few things  Kate did this year: "Learned how to ride her bike, went to preschool, went on the big rides at Lagoon and Disneyland, bore he testimony for the first time."

Claire age 2

What makes you happy? "Swinging"

What is your favorite animal? "Monkey"

What is your favorite thing to eat? "Granola Bar"

What is your least favorite thing to eat? "Food...yucky"

What is your favorite thing to do? "Swinging"

What is your favorite TV show/movie? "Signing Time"

What is your favorite color? "Pink"

What is your favorite song? "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?"

Who is your best friend? "Easton"

What do you like to do with Daddy? "Mr. Pajama Head Man"

What do your want to be when you grow up? "Snowman"

What is the most exciting thing that happened this year? "Swinging"

A few things  Claire did this year: "Went swimming with floaties, jumped on the trampoline, talks and talks, learned colors"

2014 Interviews

Benton age 6

What makes you happy? "Playing with friends and watching T.V."

What is your favorite animal?"Tiger, wolf, and lion."

What is your favorite thing to eat? "Pizza, hot dogs, and candy."

What is your least favorite thing to eat? "Lettuce and onions."

What is your favorite thing to do? "Riding bikes, playing soccer, baseball, basketball, and football."

What is your favorite TV show? "Ninjago and The Croods."

What is your favorite color? "Red"

What is your favorite song? "As I know by Christian Andersen"

Who is your best friend? "Carter and Parker"

What do you like to do with Daddy? "Play football and soccer together."

What do your want to be when you grow up? "Scientist and President of the United States."

What is the most exciting thing that happened this year? "Getting Cherry Hill passes for Christmas, Christmas, and starting Kindergarten."

A few things Benton did this year: Lost his first tooth, started Kindergarten, and played, played and played with friends!

Kate age 4

What makes you happy? "People doing funny stuff."

What is your favorite animal? "Zebras"

What is your favorite thing to eat? "Macaroni and Cheese"

What is your least favorite thing to eat? "Broccoli"

What is your favorite thing to do? "Painting and doing crafts."

What is your favorite TV show? "My Little Pony"

What is your favorite color? "Purple"

What is your favorite song? "Baby You Are a Firework (Firework, by Katy Perry)"

Who is your best friend? "Ella"

What do you like to do with Daddy? "Go on Dates."

What do your want to be when you grow up? "Dancer and singer and a chef."

What is the most exciting thing that happened this year? "Having a birthday party with my friends and getting frozen yogurt with my Dad."

A few things Kate did this year: Became a big sister, went to Lagoon for the first time, went to dance, and started preschool. Kate is busy with play dates and doing art projects at home.   

Claire age 10 months

What makes you happy? Playing with her big brother and sister.

Favorite animal: Dog

Favorite thing to eat: Milk (She gets so excited when she sees her bottle!)

Favorite thing to do: Claire has a few "jobs" at our house including, climbing up the stairs, emptying out the dishwasher and all the magazines, and standing up to the bar stools. She is quick to accomplish all of them!

Least favorite thing to do: Have her diaper changed.

Best friend: Mom and Dad

A few things Claire did this year: started rolling at 6 months, army crawling at 7, crawling at 9, standing up to furniture 8 months, first word  was Dada 10 month, got her first tooth at 8 months. She is such a sweet and easy going baby. She is happy to be passed all around at church and for anyone to hold and play with her. 

Claire

Claire Andersen
6.8oz
20inches

So happy she is here!

2013 Interview

Benton age 5

What makes you happy?  "Somebody tickling me"

What is your favorite animal? "Lion"

What is your favorite thing to eat? ""Hot Dogs"

What is your least favorite thing to eat? "Peanuts"

What is your favorite thing to do? "Play with friends"

What is your favorite TV show? "Ultimate Spider-man"

What is your favorite color? "Red"

What is your favorite song? "As I know" (Knowledge, A song Christian wrote back in the day with the band)

Who is your best friend? "Parker and Carter and Gregory"

What do you like to do with Daddy? "Jumping on the trampoline and playing with him"

What do your want to be when you grow up? "Doctor"

What is the most exciting thing that happened this year? "Christmas and Disneyland"

Kate age3

What makes you happy? "Friends that have treats and fruit snacks"

What is your favorite animal? "Giraffe"

What is your favorite thing to eat? "Fruit snacks and cheese"

What is your least favorite thing to eat? "Salad" (even though she really loves salad :)

What is your favorite thing to do? "Paint"

What is your favorite TV show? "Ariel"

What is your favorite color? "Red and Pink"

What is your favorite song? "I am a Child of God"

Who is your best friend? "Morgan"

What do you like to do with Daddy? "Play with him all day and dance"

What do your want to be when you grow up? "Work on the computer"

What is the most exciting thing that happened this year? "Having an Ariel party and cake" 

On to 2013

We loved Christmas this year! We loved being in our own home, playing with snow in the backyard, seeing Santa, and having Christian home for a good long break! We are excited for 2013 and hope this little girl coming is our only big change. Naming this girl has been harder than the other two, but at least we have a few good suggestions, Kate thinks it should be Ariel and Benton wants to name her Treasure. I'm sure it will be one of those 2 :)

Excited

Kate is so excited (and so are the rest of us) to be having another baby girl! She is coming in March and we can't wait to meet her. This has been a year full of changes from moving to our house, buying a 2nd car, meeting new friends, and now to become a family of 5. Hooray for the good things in life!

Benton Turned 5

 Ninjas, Batman, Spiderman, pretty much any kind of superhero is really cool when you are 5!

Sleeping out in the tent. The girls only made it for about 20 mins before heading inside to our beds. There was no way Benton was caving in and going to his bed, thanks Christian for being a good sport!

Setting up the tent in the backyard.

Benton asked for a Batman cake...Christian pulled this together for his first fondant cake, I think it was a success. 

Happy 5th Birthday, Benton, we love you!

Kate Turned 3

All Kate wanted for her birthday was an Ariel cake. Thanks to Aunt Alisa and Uncle Drew, her wish came true.

 She LOVED the cake and still a few weeks later talks about how great it was!

 We had a few little princesses from the neighborhood over, we heard squeals and giggles the whole time. I think Kate was in heaven!

 London Bridges

 The Line Up

 Dancing around the room.

 To top the night off we celebrated Kate's and my Dad's Birthday with cake and ice cream.

2 Ariel cakes...what more can a little 3 year old ask for?

Happy 3rd Birthday Kate, we love you!

Suzanne's Birthday

Christian here:

It is not too often that I get a chance to highjack the family blog, but today is a special occasion.  It is Suzanne's Birthday.  I just wanted to share with everyone some reasons why I fell in love with this woman and remain smitten to this day.

Suzanne is the most caring individual that I know.  She loves her family, friends, and neighbors.  She is constantly serving those around her. She is an example to me of how to have charity for those around me.  She gives of her time, talents, and energy to bless the lives of others.  Whether it is serving in a church calling, babysitting for friends, making meals for those in need, talking on the phone in order to console or uplift others, or her late night conversations with me about how to help others, she demonstrates genuine love for her fellow brothers and sisters.  She has taught me the relationship between time and love by giving of her time to bless those around her.

Her days generally consists of serving Benton, Kate, and me.  We are so lucky to have her as our wife/mother.  Benton and Kate adore Suzanne.  She is a wonderful mother who plans play dates with friends, field trips to the museums or library, science experiments, and alone time with the kiddos.  I couldn't ask for a better mother for my children.  To her kids and me, she is a superhero.

She is so fun to be with.  She loves to go on hikes, go to movies, go to sewing class, run (by the way, good job on the 10k), go to book club (even though I don't think they read any books), and spending time with her friends and family.  She has a fun-loving personality that constantly boosts my spirits.  She fully engages in any activity with which she is involved.  She wants every gathering to be a success regardless of whether or not she was the one who organized it.

Suzanne, I love you and honor you today (and always) for all that you do for me and others.  I hope you have a wonderful birthday.

Love,
Christian

Danielle

 Danielle, Suzanne, Natalie

My sweet little sister returned to her Heavenly Father yesterday morning. She was the best to laugh with, shop with, and have Friday Movie day with.She was a wonderful mother and friend. We will all miss her!

Danielle Wade

5/29/88 - 6/24/12

Just Because

I have been loving this song today. I'm happy Christian asked me to marry him in his parents kitchen almost 7 years ago.

A Little Bit About them

Benton age 4

What makes you happy?  "Not getting mad at me"

What is your favorite animal? "Dinosaur"

What is your favorite thins to eat? "Corn dogs"

What is your least favorite thing to eat? "Pizza"

What is your favorite thing to do? "Play with friends or just playing with Parker"

What is your favorite TV show? "Star Wars"

What is your favorite color? "Red, green, yellow, black, and white and orange oh and purple"

What is your favorite song? "Of course I have a favorite song, its like a hula hoop...from Alvin and Chipmunks"

Who is your best friend? "Parker"

What do you like to do with Daddy? "Sword fighting"

What do your want to be when you grow up? "Fireman"

Kate age 2

What makes you happy? "Kate"

What is your favorite animal? "Puppy"

What is your favorite thing to eat? "apples"

What is your least favorite thing to eat? "yucky stuff"

What is your favorite thing to do? "Play princess"

What is your favorite TV show? "Princess"

What is your favorite color? "Pink"

What is your favorite song? "At last I see the light" (the Tangled song)

Who is your best friend? "Repunzel"

What do you like to do with Daddy? "Play in my room"

What do your want to be when you grow up? "Have a baby"

Benton

Benton always wants to share his testimony at church, but he wants us to help him. So for FHE we had him put a bag together of all the things he believed in: book of mormon, jesus... and then we all bore our testimonies. Benton's testimony went like this: "I want to bear my testimony. I have this sister and she does not know how to share. It is really frustrating and we try and teach her to share, in the name of Jesus Christ Amen." When we said a testimony is something we believe in, he said "yeah I do believe Kate can't share."

We were driving in the car and Christian and I were talking about something coming up and he said "Oh that stinks we have to..." and Benton in the back said "Oh no that was me, I have been tooting back here."

At playgroup a few of the kids chased Kate and it scared her. Benton sat down on the floor and held her saying "its okay little sister I am here." Then he stood her up and took her by the hand and made all of the friends say sorry to her and give her a hug.

For some reason Benton was waking up in the middle of the night, just to be awake. I woke up at 4am to find all of the lights in the house on and him watching Netflix with a box of cereal. We went out the next day and bought a clock and showed him what time he could come out. The next morning I asked him how it went and he said "Well I woke up and it wasn't quite 7, so I just watched a few movies until it was 7." I told him that isn't how it works and he said "yeah mom I tried that and it just doesn't work for me."

These 2

I am kind of obsessed with these 2 people. They are so cute together (well most of the time.)
A few things I love:

• Benton tries to help Kate say the prayer.
• When she is crying he will tell her "its okay little sister I am here."
• She looks for him first thing in the morning.
• They play hide and seek together.
• He can get her out of her crib.
• He will climb in her crib with her and play.
• She never likes to hear him cry, just because it makes her sad.

I hope they always keep this close of a relationship!

Happy Birthday Benton

We had a week full of parties for Benton. Who knew it could be so fun to turn 4? Party #1 was a surprise to Benton. We told him we were going to Grandpa's and instead showed up at Cowabunga Water Park with his cousins. He was thrilled! We hadn't been there before so we weren't sure what he would be able or would brave enough to do, but thankfully he has some really cool older cousins. They took him to the top of the highest slide while Christian and I waited at the bottom. We kept thinking there is no way he is going to go down that, a few seconds later he was flying through the water and ready to do it again.

His actual birthday was on Sunday and the primary did a spotlight on him. He was so cute standing up there. They asked him "why is today a special day?" and Benton said "because today is Sunday." He loved telling everyone he was now 4!

 I love this picture...just look at his face! I forget how exciting birthday's are when you are little.

Benton kept telling everyone when he got his full Iron Man suit he would get his powers. He was pretty excited to finally get that suit...and he has worn it almost daily since.

Benton loves the Utes, even though most of his cousins are Cougar fans. I think his favorite part of the week was spending time with his cousins, thanks to everyone for making it a fantastic week!

Congrats to Alisa and Drew

Christian's sister, Alisa, got married a couple of weeks ago. She was beautiful and the wedding turned out great! Welcome to the Andersen Family, Drew!

 Little miss Kate...she kept calling all the brides a princess.

I Want a Cabin

 We are going in a few weeks to a cabin for youth conference, so a few people from the ward went up to check it all out. A great weekend, and all thanks to Elder and Sister Cheney (a service missionary couple in our ward)! They are definitely some of the best hosts I have ever had! It makes us want to buy a cabin, but I guess the smart thing to do would buy a house first.

 We had a total of 6 kids, all 4 and under...but they did great!

 Kate fell in love with Elder Cheney. He carried her on the hike and picked flowers with her. The pic below you can see her holding his hand, so sweet!