Elephant Seals

My sister Emily and her family came to visit right after school got out. We went to the beach with them, but first we drove up the coast to see the elephant seals. They had never taken their kids to see them, and it's always fun to watch all those huge animals sunning and fighting on their favorite local beach.

Look how bright pink the inside of his mouth is. It looks fake.

There are different age groups here during different times of the year, and when they're not here they're hunting in Alaska. The most exciting time is around Valentine's Day when they are mating and having babies. Right now the juveniles are here. They are like wrestling teenage boys, learning how to fight for a mate.

Kristen and her family came too. There was a bunch of us.

The fighting is always fun to watch. Otherwise it's a bit boring when they're all just sleeping.

Then we drove down a few miles to Hearst Beach, our favorite. Dave grilled hamburgers and hot dogs while we were looking at the elephant seals, so lunch was all ready when we got there. Then some people played in the waves while other people made sand castles and forts.

Dallin's best friend Ronan came along. This was about a week before he moved away.

Here's Emily youngest, Sabrina. I can't get enough of that curly red hair!

The big boys had fun building a fort and running around like wild people. Yay for cousins!

End of the year stuff

I know we're halfway through summer already, but here are some highlights from the end of the school year.

Tyler had his first violin recital. We love his teacher, Don Charles. He's 85 and has been playing the violin for 80 years. He accompanied Tyler to make his songs sound really fancy.

Tyler played 2 songs: Mary Had a Little Lamb and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. He played both songs perfectly!

Spencer finished up his hockey season. He lost his final game, but he got 1 of the goals.


So we ate at Good Ol' Burger to cheer him up.

Dallin was so happy to have Mrs. Young return to school for the last few weeks. Her son Cooper was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, and she was out for a couple of months.

Dallin earned 2 reading awards. He can't get enough books and started sneakily reading Tyler's library books.

Tyler also earned a reading award,

as well as a creative writing award. He LOVES to write and wants to be a writer when he grows up.

Spencer got a science award for his invention. He was disappointed with how little science they did in school this year, since it's his favorite subject. They focus so much on reading, writing and math for testing that science gets ignored. He also got a reading award.

A word about awards: although I am always very happy for my kids when they earn them, I can't stand the awards assemblies! They only have them 3x/year now (they used to be monthly), and there are so many kids earning awards that they are super long and boring, especially for the little kids I have with me. They spend the whole time fighting for my lap then running away making too much noise. But we go and take pictures because it means so much to the one getting the award. It's what moms do.

BBQ, Crabs and Badminton,

It's been said that funerals make good family reunions. It's a sad reason to get together, but it is sure good to see everyone. I really enjoyed visiting with Uncle Ray. He stayed several days, helping to get things done around the house. He spent a morning fixing the tractor and an afternoon mowing the grass.

Alicia did an awesome job grilling chicken.


And we can't go back East without having a crab feast!

Poor Kai was sick with a fever. I've never seen him so still and quiet.



Once the front yard was mowed they set up the badminton net and played all weekend.




This is Christine's husband, Tony. They're sure happy to be back from Oklahoma.

See all those gnats flying around Dave's head? They spent more time swatting at bugs than at the birdie. There are some things about living back East that I don't miss, although the fireflies at night were pretty.

Patrick brought the badminton set and crabs. He was the hero of the day.

Noah is sure growing up to be a handsome young man. The haircut helps.

Celestial is always happy!

She loves silky scarves. This is currently her favorite.

When they weren't playing badminton, they were playing basketball. Who chose Dave to guard Jason?!


Jason (Alicia's husband) is such a crack-up. He's always a lot of fun to be around.


Love this pic of Patrick! What a cutie.


This one is a little blurry, but it's a classic Alicia smile.


I like this picture of Dave's mom, relaxed and visiting with her daughters.

The pool game between cousins was hilarious. They spent the whole time complimenting each other. "Nice shot." "That was so close!" "That almost went in." "Good try."

Elizabeth had to work on Saturday, so she came out Sunday to help finish up the crabs and play a few games of badminton. Somehow I didn't get any pictures of Kat, since she was in and out all weekend.

It was fun to watch Blaize getting into the game. Spencer had a lot of fun hanging out with his cousins. He was really glad he got to go with us. And I must say that traveling with just 1 big kid is SO easy. He even carried all the luggage as we ran to catch our connecting flight.

We had some extra time on the way to the airport Monday, so we stopped to see the hospital where Spencer was born.

He took a ton of scenery pictures. He loves going back to his roots.

David Carleton Anderson 8/10/44 - 6/20/11

Dave's dad passed away on Monday, June 20th. He had struggled with his health for several years, but the last 5 months were especially difficult.

Dave flew out on Tuesday, and Spencer and I followed on Thursday.

A bugle played Taps at the grave site. His dad was a naval barber in the Vietnam War. Then bagpipes played Amazing Grace. He said he never heard that song without getting goosebumps. It was beautiful.

Presentation of the American flag to Dave's mom.

His dad had dual citizenship, and he had happy childhood memories of living with his grandparents in Toronto.

Dave's Grandfather, Carleton Edward Anderson.

Although we know his dad is free from earthly pains and trials, we will truly miss him. He loved his wife. He raised 9 children. He worked hard to support his large family. He had a strong faith in God.

We will remember him for his love of crabs and the Chesapeake Bay, talking like Donald Duck, constant puns and word play, scrabble, food, good deals, constant reading (especially The New Yorker), maps and architecture.

We are grateful for the legacy he left us and our children. We look forward to the day that we see him again, and we know that through Jesus Christ's atonement and resurrection, he will live again.