Our 2011 Graduates!

 She really got dressed up for graduation, huh?!

 I am so proud to be the mother of these graduates!  

I love my kids!

So much to do...in May!

Wow!  We have been busy.  Everyone around me is busy.  This is CRAZY!  But fun!  

Taralynn and Kory came to visit!  Their flight was THREE hours LATE...and they don't serve free pretzels or soda, but when they got here we had a blast!  It went way too fast and was very fun!  Of course, food and shopping were on the list of things to do.  They helped me buy some new BEDS since a few days before they arrived we found bed bugs in the boys beds!  BED BUGS ARE NOT FUN!  We saw the Broadway Show Mama Mia at Gammage!  High energy and cute!   Kory's first Broadway show!  Taralynn even tried a few different restaurants from her standard favorites.  Kory enjoyed them all!  We were on the Jumbotrom at the D-backs and watched them WIN! We played games with family - always entertaining.  I think they were able to relax, visit with people they don't see often and enjoy the wonderful weather we had last week.  We only wish they could have stayed longer...

We took family pictures!  Oh, why do we try?!  We will always remember Amy's high school graduation - rain (and cold) in May 2008...and our 2011 family pictures - rain in May.  Whatever!  

But the rain never lasts long!  Here's Scott's favorite!

I love my family!

Knowing that we can be together FOREVER 

makes me so happy!

thanks Tami for being our photographer!

We are now to the last week of school and GRADUATION!  Time is flying by and I'm holding on!  I wish it would all slow down.  I enjoy my kids older but would love to go back to the days of when they were young....

Scott is almost out of here!  HE CAN'T WAIT!

We had a triple "missionary farewell" in our ward last week.  Scott's friends are beginning to leave to serve and it is exciting and crazy all at the same time.  Scott will leave for Provo in less than a month.  OH MY!  He is so ready to be out of here, but I'm sure he will miss us!  I know I will miss him! Scott has done so great in school and will continue, I'm sure.  He does have a list of adventures also and is looking forward to the beautiful places of Utah and Idaho.  I am excited for him to have time away from home to prepare for his mission.  We have seminary graduation on Wednesday and Mt. View graduation on Thursday.


My Mom, my sisters and I had a fun baby shower for Lynette yesterday.  I love being with my sisters and wish we had more occasions to be together.  Lynette is going to be a fabulous mom to a beautiful baby girl -  in July!  Can't wait!  It was great being with her Mom and aunt and many ward and school friends.  I learned something new about Lynette.  When she was little she wanted to be a Super Model!  Who would have guessed!  I also learned that my brother believes his soon-to-be daughter will grow up to be "just like her Mom."  I hope she does!  Lynette is amazing and Scott is lucky to have her!

John Standage!  He is so cute!

We are in the final stages of Youth Conference preparation.  Amy is going to go as a young adult counselor.  It will be a very fun time for all.   Jason and Scott will be here at home.  Scott is having some surgery and Jason will take care of him...Scott tells us he will have his bell ready!

Amy is finished teaching today!  She will have a little more time on her hands.  Hopefully she will fill it. I know one of the things that will fill her time will be more running - as we get closer to that marathon!

Jason received an award last night for having 4.0 this year.  He also received a trophy for having that grade point average all three years of Jr. High.  I know he can continue this pattern in high school if he puts his mind to it.  Jason is dedicated to practicing basketball everyday.  When he puts  his mind to something, Jason can accomplish anything.  A word of advice - if you have your boys in piano lessons and they want to quit, don't let them!  Jason is remembering his lessons of long ago, trying to teach himself to play a song or two.  I'm actually surprised at what he does remember and  have no doubt that he will learn these songs with some time and practice.  We only wish now that he stayed in piano lessons a little bit longer...

That's all for today.  I have great friends, neighbors and family!  I love life.  I enjoy good things everyday.  So many blessings, so many things to learn...

love,
Lori

Update - long overdue...

Dear family,


I have been quite busy and have put off writing my update for TOO LONG!  I hope to include the highlights of the past month...


I must admit we haven't really "honored" our college graduate as much as I would like, but I am so proud of Amy!  She had a nice trip to Utah to visit friends and to Idaho to visit Taralynn.  I love when Taralynn and Amy get to spend time together.  All those years of me reminding them that one day they will be best friends has become reality in the past several years.  Amy got to be "mom" and stay with a family while the parents were out of town.  She always loves this kind of work!  Amy finds fun things to do with friends on the weekends.  We love when they come to our home.  I even got to play a game with them on Saturday night!  I love having Amy home and I especially love when Amy is happy!  Amy decided to run the St. George Marathon this year!  WE GOT IN!  Training has begun...slowly but surely!  Amy and her friend went to the retirement party of her first track coach, from Poston, yesterday. What a great motivator, coach and friend she was.  I think Poston track was a turning point in Amy's life in many ways.  Amy enjoyed some "cousin time" at Oreganos when Kati and Amber were visiting.  Amy helped me make Mother's Day dinner...and Amy came to church with me on Mother's Day (and even helped me teach Jason's Sunday School lesson)!


Scott's graduation is coming up so fast!  I can't believe it!  He has his cap, tassel and gown!  He teases me that he will be flying over his graduation rather than attending it, but that will not be the case!  He PASSED the written test for his pilot's license and is working hard with his awesome instructor to prepare now for the practical and oral part of that process!  He is working toward being a licensed pilot by the time he graduates from high school!  Amazing!  Scott is either very busy - or not.  I love the busy Scott.  It just seems to be a "better fit" for him - He's happier!  He is doing great right now - and I attribute that to him being busy - busy doing good things.  Scott has a busy month before leaving for Provo mid June.  It is hard to imagine our home without Scott.  I am happy that he will experience life on his own, but sad that he is leaving us!  Scott got to be at the Cowley home on Sunday when their son, and his best friend, called from the mission field.  It sounded like a great phone call!  Scott has been playing basketball in the evenings with friends.  He got new running shoes - to train for the St. George Marathon that he will run Oct. 1!  I'm not sure he has actually run in them yet...!  He also plays church softball Wednesday nights right now.


Kory and Taralynn visit us next week!  They won't be here for graduation, but we will celebrate the graduation accomplishments while they are here!  I can't wait to see them!  Taralynn and Kory are doing great.  I love the Skype thing - even surprised Taralynn the other day to see if she'd answer HER COMPUTER!  That is crazy to me but so fun!  They are working on their yard - planters, grass, garden.   I wish I could see all that from her computer on Skype!   They are often busy celebrating birthdays and holidays with Kory's family.  Tarlaynn hosted a shower for her sister-in-law!  They participated in their annual Easter Egg competition with his family - loosing the egg toss once again, but winning in other areas.  The nursery kids on Sunday still entertain them!  Taralynn posted "(just a few...) things my mom taught me" on her blog in honor of Mother's Day - and MADE MY DAY!  I love Taralynn and Kory and love seeing them happy!


Jason is getting tired of school.  NOT YET!  He has many projects still to complete! He has a few friends that come over occasionally to study together.  Sometimes I'm not sure how much productive studying gets done in these study sessions but it is sure great having them over and seeing them help each other and encourage each other.  Jason has been playing more basketball these days.  He will spend much of his June at basketball camps.  The youth in our ward have begun their summer reading of the Book of Mormon.   Jason is a terrific brother and friend.  I love when my boys do things together. It is fun that the Teachers and Priests are playing church softball together right now.  I love having Jason around to help me and I love when Jason is happy.


Jay is constant, patient, busy, kind and happy.  He and the boys enjoyed Father and Sons a couple weekends ago.  Jay treated me like a queen on Mother's Day (let's face it, Jay treats me like a queen everyday!)  My Dad even told Jay that he could come make burgers at his house every time they were going to have burgers - even if he wasn't invited!  He did BBQ up some tasty burgers Sunday!  Some of Jay's family visited in the past month which has been great - Kati, Alex and Amber,  were here for Easter weekend.  They got to see the pageant for the first time and loved it.  They helped me make the most delicious Easter dinner!  We also enjoyed Mattas, a movie and Jamba juice!  Alex is adorable and can almost say "I want to move to Arizona" without any prompts!  Marki came Easter weekend too but stayed even longer!  LOVED it!  She can say "I want to move to Arizona" without prompts and says it often!  She and Mel enjoyed some time in Strawberry too.  Paul visited for a weekend.  He was in Strawberry some of that time so I didn't see him much.  We had fun playing games with Liesl and Sam on Sunday afternoon.   Jay is the high council speaker in Amy's ward Sunday! Jay had a couple clients and friends attend the pageant.   I think participating in the pageant was a turning point in Jay's life in many ways.  Isn't it great that we are allowed "turning points" throughout our earthly existence to build and strengthen us.  The challenge is to take full advantage of those times and BECOME  better.  The pageant has done that for Jay.  I love Jay and could not imagine life without him!


I am busy.  I wear many hats.  I love my "wife and mother" hat best.  Sometimes I allow other "busy" things to get in the way of what is most important but I try to be the best I can each day.  I love Jay and my kids and would do anything for them!  I love my "sister and friend" hat and look forward to helping my sisters host a baby shower for Lynette!  CAN'T WAIT for Scott and Lynette to have their baby girl!  I love my "Aunt" hat and am sure my nieces and nephews call me crazy at times.  I always enjoy being with them and hearing about their lives.  I enjoyed making a DVD for Marcus's Eagle Court of Honor!  Congrats to him!  Another Andreasen Scout!  I love my "temple" hat whether it is working there in the  youth center, which is incredible, or serving there...I love the temple!  I love my "Young Women" hat.  I have been busy with many talented people in preparing for Youth Conference and Girl's Camp.  I love serving and I love getting to know the youth!  They are amazing.  They live in tough times.  The gospel can bring direction, peace and happiness to all of us.  I love life and the opportunities that are mine to learn and grow.  


So much to do, so much to learn, so much to give!  THANK YOU for all you do for me, all you teach me and all you GIVE to make my life, and the life of my family, great!  Hope to spend time with you soon!

With Love Always,

Lori

EASTER EGG HUNT PICTURES AND MEMORIES

My job in the family is to plan the Annual Andreasen Family Easter Egg Hunt!  I love it!  We try to have  a meal together, visit, games and LOTS of candy for the hunt!  This year was rather low key but almost everyone was able to come for breakfast, bubbles and basketball and then a fun Easter Egg hunt for the kids.  Here's a few pictures!

Damian showing Henry how to REALLY ring the bell! 

Grandma Jill showing Henry how to teeter-toter!

Chanelle and Henry trying out Haley's cool eggs - homemade with confetti - on Jill's head!  So fun!

The quote of the day - Morgyn walking right past the chocolate eggs and saying...I don't like chocolate!  Who says that and means it??!
Morgyn comes in her cutest outfit every year and loves getting her picture taken...I didn't take pictures this year...Duane did...!  Can you tell who he was following!?  But, please note:  he didn't know I was wanting him to take pictures of everyone, not just his grandkids! 

 This picture is here for the red roses!  Aren't they beautiful!  This is the time of year Phyllis' roses are gorgeous.  Mel takes such good care of them in her honor!

 Here they are getting ready to go!  There's Haley and Jason (too tall this year to really be part of the picture but they tried!) Jill holding John.  Henry, Morgyn, Damian and Alex Bloomquist (an Allen cousin...from Utah!)

 There's Morgyn's cute dress!  

This is what makes it all worth it every year!  I love Easter!

Watch out Damian, Morgyn and Henry!  Next year, this guy will have a basket too!  

(Duane holding grandson John)

I love family gatherings - anytime - for any occasion!  

Families are the best!  I love mine...

FLOWERS

I am not one who needs flowers often...but there are some flowers that mean everything to me!

The Easter Lily...

When Phyllis passed away, Mel was given an Easter Lily plant from one of her dear friends.  He, of course, planted it in his yard.  Every year since then (five, if you can believe it), they bloom and give us a true "hello, with love" from Phyllis!  They smell so good and are remind us of all the good she brought to our lives.  They also remind me of how much I miss her!  Jay and Mel gave me one of these precious flowers for Mother's Day! 

I LOVE JAY AND MEL!  Thanks!

Dad's Mother's Day flower...

For the past several years my Dad has brought a single flower to me on Mother's Day with a personal note that only he can write.  I treasure these!  They are scripture based and always thoughtful as to specific gifts I have that make me a good mom to my kids.  This year, his personal note was written backwards! His notes are also good motivators in Christlike qualities I can work on to become a better mother.  I look forward to the flower...but mostly, the note...every year!

 I LOVE MY DAD!  Thanks!