So we fixed the broken valve and now the back lawn keeps flooding.  We haven’t won yet but we will figure this thing out. 

Dallas flew in last weekend and stayed with us for a few days.  It didn’t take long before Sophia caught on to the Dallas fever the rest of the nieces and nephews have.  Brian and Dallas attended a concert on Friday night.  Sting joined up with his old band the Police for one concert and Brian was able to get tickets.  Reports were that they had a great time.  Dallas said he enjoyed watching folks double take as Brian walks by.  Brian doesn’t notice it anymore.  Saturday Maren and I stayed home and made cinnamon rolls for fathers day while the boys went shopping.  Did she say shopping?   No this isn’t bizzaro world.  They went looking for camping and fishing stuff.  When they got back, a friend of Dallas’s joined us and we went to Beni Hana’s for dinner.  That was fun.  Jeff entertained us all,  as well as the other people who joined us at our table.  Dallas went to church with us and then Brian took him to the airport. 

When Brian got home we celebrated Fathers Day.  The girls had put a few things together and even though Serra wanted to keep hers, I talked her into giving it to Daddy.  We tried to treat him extra nice all day and we all crashed for a nap except for Serra.  We later went to dinner at Brian’s folks home. 

Do you remember Grandpa Browers “fold your big fat pattys”?  Serra heard us talking about it and here was her interpretation.  She calls this her big fat patty. 

The other morning Serra was eating breakfast when she started stretching out her back and moaning.  “Oh my back… I have ankles today.  Oh, the ankles.  I hate it when I have ankles.”

I don’t remember what words I included in Rosie’s last word list, but she added a few recently.  “Bebow” (elbow), “bum” (bum),  “boom” or “owwie” (when she gets hurt), “ah done”  (quite clearly when she is done eating or wants to leave).  She doesn’t really walk anywhere, it’s more of a gallup. 

This weekend was very busy.  I had a Relief Society breakfast in the morning.  Brian stayed with the girls until I got back, then he took Serra with him for some work stuff he had to get done while I stayed home and took a nap while Sophia played around me.  I need a nap because I knew it would be a late night.

At 2:30 I picked up Jeff and Maren and and then Brian and Serra and we were off to the “Greatest Show on Earth”.  It’s been forever since I went to the circus.  It was a lot of fun and Serra milked her dad for all he was worth.  Cotton candy, light toys, hats.  Sophia sat with uncle Jeff most of the time and I think was a bit overwhelmed with all the noise, lights, and strange circus folk.  Have you ever noticed how small circus people are?  They were all miniscule except for the ring master who was a huge black guy.  There were elephants, tigers, clowns, and acrobats.  I think my favorites though (weird I know) was the dogs.  They had a whole herd of tiny fluffy dogs doing crazy tricks. 

After the circus we took the girls over to Brian’s parents home where we left them in the care of Auntie and Grandma and pizza.  A winning combination.  The rest of us first went to Olive Garden (with the wad of cash Jeff and Maren both individually found at the circus) and then to a show down on the strip(complements of someone Jeff works with).  Wayne Brady is a improv guy.  He is a very talented performer and we had a good time.  I did get a little sweaty and nervous when Jeff volunteered to get on stage and do an act though.  I am not one to do anything like that.  Jeff was a good sport though. 

After picking up and dropping off everyone it was after midnight.  Hallelujah for sleeping children when we got home so we could go straight to bed as well.  Brian’s 6am meetings came around awfully quickly. 

Recently Brian was commenting on how lush our front yard looks.  I have planted some pumpkins out there that are going crazy.   The rest of the trees and bushes just look wonderful too.  Our water bill came a few days ago and it was 15x the normal bill.  I started freaking a little thinking we probably have a pipe broken out front somewhere.  Brian did some digging around and investigating and thinks the problem is the main valve has stopped working so our plants are getting watered 24/7.  A friend of his is going to help us fix it but so much for cheap lushness in Vegas. 

The girls really enjoy any kind of coloring so we broke out the fingerpaints recently.  Definitely an out door activity.  All the markers and crayons are now washable as well as Sophia loves any writing surface including herself, nice white walls, carpet, tables, and not excluding computer screens and desks.  The magic eraser has become my new best friend when she gets a hold of something that doesn’t wipe off with water. 

The girls will do anything for Daddy Dinosaur rides.  It is pretty funny.  Sophia hollers HI-YAA to get the dinosaur going and when he collapses only a kiss will get him going again.  She quickly bends over and gives kisses to get the ride moving again.  The squeals and giggles are priceless. 

This is a pool that Brian recently finished.  That is Serra swimming in it. 

Rosie went potty today.  18 1/2 months.  It would be quite faboo if she grasped this concept early. 

Get your previews here:  Our Family letter contribution.

It’s been a busy month but I am having a hard time remembering what all happened.  We did finally upgrade our family vehicle.  I always swore I would never drive a minivan but that was before I saw what Honda had to offer.  This van was designed by a mother no doubt.  We are thoroughly enjoying our new ride and the girls love having a movie to watch whenever we go somewhere.  It  is my very first brand new vehicle and I am having a hard time watching the miles tick away on it. 

We got Serra registered for kindergarten and she finished up her little pre-school class.  It tugs a little at the heartstrings to see how grown up she is getting.  She has a lot of new chores now.  She sorts the laundry, feeds the dog, and picks up after herself and Rosie.  She declares it’s not fair she has to pick up after her little sister and can’t wait until she gets some help from that corner. 

Rosie has added a few words to her collection although she likes to keep them to herself.  I think she is starting to understand she gets smiles and laughs from us when she says something new.  Her latest one is to say “eye” and point to her eye and random moments.  The cutest is “Dayee” for daddy.  She adores her dad and runs to him yelling it for hugs and kisses.  She is a bit of a menace with the climbing.  She loves to climb on the kitchen counter and on our desks.  I already have sharpie on my desk and I caught her a few days ago on Brians decorating his computer screen, printer, and herself with a sharpie.  I don’t know why she chooses the permanent kind.  A handy tip for parents of menacing toddlers: the Magic Eraser gets permanent ink off computer screens. 

We are well.  No illnesses this month.  The weather has cooled down to unseasonable delightfulness the past few days and we are basking in it.  We will see many of you next month.  The Andersons

All you folks up north are battening down the hatches for inclimate weather.  I hear you talking rain and cold winds and freezing nights.  We too are getting the same cold front only it brought our weather into the PERFECT range.  The past two days have been in the mid 70′s.  We broke the stroller out and ventured out for walks in the balmy weather.  We are going to squeeze out every enjoyable minute of this while it lasts and then come north when it gets really nasty and bask in your glory. 

Friday we girls arose at the crack of dawn 5:30 for me and 6 for the little ones in order to make it across town to Henderson to have Lo Jack installed in the van, have a chip repaired (It was there when we bought it), and to register the van with the DMV.  While we were waiting, Serra found the Honda racer girls bike that they had on display and was cruising around the dealership.  The parts manager came up to me and asked me if I had recently bought a vehicle.  I replied that I had and we were having Lo Jack installed at the moment.  He then told me we could have the bike.  I am so glad we bought Serra a bike for her birthday.  It is a little smaller than the one we got for Serra so when she tires of it we will have one for both girls. 

We are loving the van.  I never have any trouble getting the girls to go anywhere because they are so excited to get in and watch a movie 

Friday Amy Jo and Tucker came into town and stayed with us.  Amy Jo wanted to go to Adriane’s bridal shower which was on Saturday.  They stayed with us rather than with the folks because Amy is very allergic to cats (there are 3) and is trying to avoid allergy medication because of her pregnancy.  She is due early January.   The bridal shower was quite an adventure.  Vito’s mom and 3 sisters are each a whirlwind of energy and when they are all together it is quite a scene.  The house was noisy and quite overstimulating to the girls.  Rosie collapsed about half way through and slept for 3 hours, and when all was quiet again Serra came to me and asked me if we could go home.  I told her we would leave in a little while after we cleaned up a bit.  She went in the room where Rosie slept and lay next to her and just stared at the ceiling. 

Tonight we went out for Serra’s favorite, Chinese egg drop soup.   Serra was playing around a bit and acting like our server.  She asked us if we would like some Chinese Coke.