The Anderson Family Blog

A day in the Park

2011-01-31T10:26:00.004-05:00

The last weekend in January, we got a weekend of weather in the 70s. So nice that we headed to the park for some fun in the sun of Ultimate Frisbee and JoAnna and Patrick doing some TaeKwonDo. Diva even had a good time. Forsyth park was packed so we headed to Daffin Park and had lots of open space.

JoAnna's 2nd Degree Black Belt

2011-01-17T13:35:00.004-05:00

JoAnna Tested for her Second Degree Black Belt Friday night. She did a great job after lots of hard work.

2010 Christmas Concert

2010-12-10T15:49:00.001-05:00

Hannah and Patrick had their Christmas Concert the other night. Here is the video of Hannah. Patrick's was longer and got rejected on the upload so I have to break it up. I will try and get it uploaded soon.

Diva Dresses up for Halloween

2010-11-02T15:50:00.003-04:00

It was growling and don't touch me attitude when put it on and then after a few hours, the same thing trying to take it off. Now she will sit still when you ask if she wants her dress.

Patrick Turns 15!

2010-11-02T15:44:00.002-04:00

Patrick turned 15 this past weekend! Wow where has the time gone?

We had a small party at his request with family and friends playing card games and Green Day Rock Band on the Wii.

Learner's Permit coming soon!

(There is a test involved so he isn't completely gung ho!)

Hard Rock Cafe

2010-08-02T14:35:00.001-04:00

While in Florida the kids wanted to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe at Universal.

Three days later we were in San Fransisco for the Swinson Family Reunion and upon landing, we headed to Pier 39 and there was another Hard Rock. So we had lunch there. It may sound crazy, but we thought it was kind of cool that we had eaten at the Hard Rock on opposite sides of the country within a couple of days.

Orlando Fl

2010-06-29T20:13:00.005-04:00

This summer we had the opportunity to travel to Orlando and visited Sea World, Disney's Blizzard Beach and Universal.

The first stop was Blizzard Beach which has a slide called Summit Plummet. 12 stories tall at 120 feet and reaches speeds of 50 to 60 miles per hour. Everyone did it and had a blast.

This was a big year because Hannah was tall enough to ride the big coasters. Her first was the Manta at Sea World. (http://www.ridetheflyingray.com/manta/) Your sit down and the track is above you. They they pull the seats up so that your back is against the track and you are hanging. Well we got the front row and it was all over after that. She is a coaster enthusiast. It was neat how we are at the point in life when we are able to all go on the big rides at the same time together.

The next stop was Universal. The opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (aka Harry Potter Land) was the weekend prior so we knew it would be packed. this was a benefit to our new found love of roller coasters, the rides that usually had really long waits were abandoned because everyone was at HP. When we finally worked our way over, it was wall to wall people.

We left for dinner returning later that evening and the crowds had thinned out. Hannah and I were able to get on the new interactive Harry Potter rind in the castle after a wait of a little over an hour, much better than the three hour wait earlier in the day.

We all rode both coasters of the Dragon Challenge and so I had Hannah stand in front of the entrance to take her picture. I couldn't have planned it and I could have waited all day and never gotten this picture. Both coasters came in at exactly the moment I snapped the picture.

The Choosing Hat talked to us as we went through the line reminding us of the ride rules.

The pool of memories.

Honey Dukes candy shop. Chocolate covered frogs were a big hit.

The wand store.

Field Day

2010-05-26T08:40:00.004-04:00

Hannah had field day just prior to letting out for the summer. We had a lot of fun and boy was it hot.

Honor's Day

2010-05-26T07:21:00.003-04:00

Hannah and Patrick had a half day of school for Honor's Day. Hannah was honored for being selected for the People to People program and Youth Leadership Program which will allow her opportunities to visit the Nations Capital to learn about the government more in depth.

Patrick got the most improved 7th grade band award. He plays the trombone and is enjoying band.

Relaxing after a day of awards.

Strawberry Festival

2010-04-13T13:55:00.004-04:00

Last weekend we went out to the local Strawberry Festival at Ottawa Farms.

We dragged the kids sulking and fuming that they had to go with us and pick fruit.

After they got stared, they were hopping all over trying to find the best berries.

In the end they had a lot of fun (and actually told us so) and we picked about 20 lbs.

Ft McAllister

2010-04-03T15:27:00.003-04:00

We went to Fort McAllister near Savannah to ride the trails. We had a lot of fun. The trails are only about 3.4 miles so it wasn't bad. We have discovered a Muddy Spokes program through the state park system where we can ride trails in 11 different parks totaling about 68 miles and get a free t-shirt. The kids are interested because it isn't just the same old riding down the road.

I ordered the hitch assembly and bike rack for the car so we should be ready to roll in a week or so!

SNOW in Savannah Feb 12, 2010

2010-03-26T15:33:00.002-04:00

So I had to eat my words this year. I complain about how hot it always is in Georgia and in Savannah and this year, February 12, 2010 it snowed.

Diva wasn't very impressed with the snow.

Hannah enjoyed playing outside. All the kids on the street were outside playing and got really cold hands because nobody had good gloves. Me on the other hand went in and pulled out the snow gear and when they tried to get warm, I continued to pelt them with snowballs.

Georgia Day

2010-03-26T15:15:00.003-04:00

Learning how to make candles.

Mrs. Ivey, James Oglethorpe and Hannah

Hannah's Georgia Day at school was a lot of fun. Having a reputation for dressing up for school functions, I was James Oglethorpe and walked in the parade with the kids. I was asked back next year even though Hannah will no longer be in lower school, I was asked to lead the parade. I don't get why other dad's won't join me.

Jump Rope for Heart

2010-01-29T15:52:00.003-05:00

Hannah is doing the Jump Rope for Heart again this year in Memory of her Great Grandmothers Ivey and Oma and her Grandfathers Grandpa Ray and Papa Jim who have both survived heart attacks. Any donations made through the site I will get credit for and will go to the American Heart Association

Please help as I learn more about my own heart and the challenges others face.

Follow the link below to visit my site.

http://honor.americanheart.org/site/TR/JumpforHeart/JRFH-GSA?px=1839044&pg=personal&fr_id=1282&et=cKysGD02ZdvmaMKUStHfOg..&s_tafId=3905

Thank You,

Hannah

Banner Day

2010-01-29T13:36:00.003-05:00

Today was Banner Day at school. All the 5th graders make a banner with one of the names /properties of God.

This was Hannah's Banner.

Sarah B. / Fiza / Amanda / Hannah

AKA The Loosas ( You will have to ask them)

National Elementary Honor Society

2010-01-20T20:56:00.006-05:00

This year marked the first year that the established National Honor Society began including Elementary school to join it's already established society for Middle and High schools. Hannah and Patrick's school was asked to establish a chapter and the first inductee ceremony was yesterday. Hannah read the Leadership Quality portion.

Hannah and Dr. Palmer Principal of the lower school

Fourth and Fifth graders inducted.

Explanation of the requirements to be a member.

Scholarship

Responsibility

Leadership

Pledge of inductees.

Presentation of the certificates.

Patrick Is Honored

2009-11-22T20:55:00.003-05:00

Patrick was invited to the Duke TIP program for a second year. He will be taking his SAT's for the first time through the program as well as other work. Patrick is really enjoying 7th grade this year. Yeah!!!!!!!

Hannah Receives Honor

2009-11-22T20:42:00.003-05:00

Hannah was recently invited to the People to People Leadership Program. While many get invited, few actually make the journey. Look for more upcoming information. She has been studying up on the program and is really excited.

She was also invited to the Junior National Young Leaders Conference. She was nominated by her teacher at school.

Hannah will also be inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society in January. The process of being included is a combination of grades and interviews with teachers present and past.

Sail and Life Training Society

2009-11-03T15:21:00.001-05:00

In July of 1987 (Jul 13-22) I traveled aboard a Brigantine called the Spirit of Chemainus with the S.A.L.T.S. (Sail and Life Training Society) program. This program is alive and well still. ( http://www.salts.ca ) I still have fond and vivid memories from this trip 22 years later. That should give you an idea of the impact it had on me and I was only able to attend one summer. The ship was 92 ft long, small compared to the Robertson II that was 102 ft long that sailed with us, but being a square sail ship the "Spirit" was unique. I don't know what lead me to suddenly look into the program again but I have some of the pictures hanging in my office still. I dug through an box in the attic and found a letter from a shipmate Andrea Hoyt from after the trip. Maybe she will find this post and we can reconnect the memories. Enjoy the pictures!

Grandparents Day

2009-10-29T22:21:00.003-04:00

Ok here is a clip from the end of the show, I know I am missing some posts before this but life gets busy. LOL Anyway, I got new discs for the camera and the first two were bad off the spindle so they crashed while filming and I haven't been able to recover the data. I had some good pictures and video to.

I hope everyone enjoys, the story was about Noah and the Ark. Hannah was dressed as a panther and one of her best friends was a sheep.

Watch Out, JoAnna is a Black Belt.

2009-09-22T19:55:00.005-04:00

JoAnna received her Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do this past Friday evening. After two years of hard work, she completed the final testing phase to earn the title of 1st Degree Black Belt.

Friends and family turned out for the big occasion in support of her achievement. The "posse" as they are called, cheered and rooted for her as she completed each phase of the test.

Forms are a large portion, knowing where to yell and keeping your breathing under control.

Self Defense is a big part of the training. Disabling the attacker no matter the size is critical in escaping harm.

Blocks, Punches and Kicks help in gaining control of your situation. Learning how to read your opponents body movements so that your training will instinctively react to defend is an art in a way.

The three judges, one of which was a member of JoAnna's Posse (thanks Chuck!) observed and critiqued everything the students did during testing.

JoAnna did two different Kick Boxing sets, one for the Colored Belts, and the other for the Black Belts.

Breaking the boards!!

Sparring - JoAnna's least favorite thing - but fun anyway!

YEAH - THE FIRST DEGREE BLACK BELT!!!!!

Labor Day Weekend

2009-09-11T20:40:00.007-04:00

Well this past Labor Day weekend we headed to the mountains. No banjo music was heard so all is safe.

We headed to Jeanne's Mountain house at the Nanatahala Outdoor Center (NOC) so we could go whitewater rafting. Maryanna and Elizabeth went with us and we had a great time.

Hannah Checking out the water before the run.

Patrick checking out the water.

Everyone signing their lives away!

JoAnna and Maryanna waiting for the safety briefing.

Here are a sequence of Pictures as we went over the final falls.

We did lots of Rock bumps and spins on the way down.

Dave our guide showed us the named rocks (that's usually not a good thing that they are named) to helps us when we go back and do an un-guided run.

On the way down, there is a place rafters can pull over and jump in off a big rock splashing other boaters. A kid jumped as we passed and executed a perfect landing drenching all seven of us on the boat. Even the guide said it was the best he had seen.

Patrick leans bank and chills on the way through the rapids.

The next day did a 4.5 mile hike starting on the road to nowhere going through the mountains and to Lake Fontain. There we swam a bit and then were picked up by a jet boat and cruised the lake.

Tunnel of the road to Nowhere and a river we crossed.

After swimming, he hopped on a jet boat for a ride back.

Patrick again leaning back chilled. Hannah with a BIG grin!

Maryanna and Elizabeth letting their hair blow in the wind.

First Day of School

2009-09-11T20:31:00.006-04:00

The first day was actually Aug 13 but I for got the camera. LOL -- Anyway, they were outside ready to head off. We moved Hannah from Hancock this year after JoAnna learned a little to much about the inner workings while teaching there. They just weren't maintaining the Hancock tradition of Mind your Manners and Education First. One of the things that drew us to the school was they had a proven program and while the Bells were in charge it was the Hancock way. While this may seem odd in today's world of everyone wanting a say, they had proven themselves and they did not compromise when it came to excellence. After they left, The school has lost that drive and has fallen victim to its own success. Grades were expanded leaving curriculum issues to fall by the wayside leaving children with gaps in there education. The other kicker was after registering for the next year and given the total for the year, during the summer they hit us with a myriad of new "Fees" that pushed the cost well over other area schools. When questioned, they never responded.

Enough of my soapbox, Hannah is at the same school Patrick and is thriving. She is doing some volleyball and has made lots of friends. She is having a blast and loves her teacher Ms. Ivey.

Patrick is enjoying his classes and is really not impressed with snap grades which gives us a daily progress report for all his classes. While we really only look at them once a week, when he does well, he loves coming home and showing the grades off to us.

Offspring Concert

2009-08-30T21:44:00.003-04:00

Patrick and I traveled to St. Augustine in July to attend an Offspring concert. They were led by Sum 41 which has had numerous songs in movies like Guess Who. We had a great time.

X102.9 was giving away free shirts so Patrick and I of course grabbed one.

The amphitheater was fairly empty at the beginning but by the time Offspring hit the stage, it was packed. We got home about 1:30am. The funniest thing was that the band has been around since the 80's

The Spruce Goose

2009-07-16T15:51:00.007-04:00

We went to see the Spruce Goose the worlds largest wooden float plane.

The museum had a lot to see like the SR-71 below and a lot of interactive stuff for the kids and adults.

Old missile silos and a part of the wall from East Germany.

Patrick and Hannah under the Spruce Goose Wing

Mt. Hood

2009-07-16T14:01:00.003-04:00

One thing the kids love to do is go to Mt. Hood and play in the snow. We hiked Beacon rock earlier and then drove up the mountain watching the thermometer go from 76 degrees down to 48 degrees.

While in the lodge, someone started talking with Patrick because of his Georgia Bulldogs sweatshirt and found out that they had moved from Savannah a couple of years earlier and were at Mt. Hood showing relative around that have come to visit from Vidalia GA.

Us in front of Timberline Lodge.

This is one of the areas where the water from the snow melt comes down. Every once in a while, they have to rebuilt the road way and bridge at this section because it gets washed away.

Hiking Beacon Rock

2009-07-16T13:28:00.007-04:00

JoAnna had never been to Washington State so we headed over to hike Beacon Rock. It was mentioned and sketched in Lewis and Clark's journals.
It was a good hike. The trail has been well maintained and isn't really hard.

The views were amazing and we weren't at the highest point in the gorge.

Grandma Cindy and Patrick, then with Hannah and Grandpa Ray down below.

Patrick and Hannah.

JoAnna.

A video on the trail.

All of us at the top before heading back down.

Oregon's Capital Salem

2009-07-16T13:21:00.002-04:00

On the trip, we went to the capital of Oregon, Salem. Hannah had done an Oregon State project at the end of the school year. We had a great time making a cookie of the state for all the kids in the class to eat.

The roses and the cherry trees were beautiful.

Hannah and JoAnna.

Patrick and JoAnna.

Beach Combing

2009-06-24T14:07:00.005-04:00

We spent some time at the beach, but it was not the same kind of beach as we have in Georgia. The main difference being you can swim at the beach in GA.

We had a lot of fun looking in the tide pools and listening to the waves.

Hannah was the early riser in the bunch. Hannah and I would head out early in the morning and go walk on the beach. One morning we drove down to Agate Beach and found an agate which is a translucent rock. We had a great time walking on the waters edge.

The beach scape is so different and so peaceful. As JoAnna would say, it is peaceful because it is to cold to be out there.

Joyce's Retirement Concert

2009-06-18T15:05:00.005-04:00

One of the reasons for our trip to Oregon was to attend my high school choir director's retirement concert. We had a great time and got to catch up with a lot of old friends,

The former students performed with the current students. I don't think that the kids grasped how important Joyce was to all of us. Former students traveled from all over to be there.

We all got to say a few words about Joyce, and while talking to a former student, she mentioned that she was in elementary school and Choralation performed a Disney Spectacular for them and she knew right then that she wanted to be in that choir. It meant a lot to me because I was one of the students that sang in that program.

We blew the kids away with our signature attitudes and dedication. We cut a fool so bad, we had everyone in tears laughing. At the same time we were singing our hearts out. It was like old times.

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

2009-06-17T16:49:00.008-04:00

Yaquina Head Lighthouse is the tallest on the west coast. While we were up at the top a volunteer told us that the light of every lighthouse has to be at the same height in order to be seen 20 miles out at sea. I commented at how much shorter Yaquina Head was to the ones on the east coast, and he reminded me that this one is on the bluff so only needed to be built up a little where the ones on the east coast are at sea level and have to be taller.

Stairs Going Down

View from the deck at the top.

We hiked up to the top of communications hill behind the lighthouse.

Irises were growing wild on the way up communications hill.

View from communications hill Yaquina Head.

Stairs down to Cobble Beach.

The entire beach is lava cobbles. In the winter they said that the ocean brings in sand that covers the beach and then in the summer washes it all back out leaving the cobbles.

Seals and sea lions sun on the rocks just off the beach.

The waves would come in and create a really cool sound as it went out and passed through the rocks.

More Newport

2009-06-17T16:34:00.008-04:00

Here are some more pictures of the rest area, Hannah and Patrick climbed up on this stump and had some fun!

Here is the house I grew up in. They have pulled all the bushes out that lined the back yard and the tree is no longer in the front but the house is about the same.

The only working bay front on the west coast.

The Hotel.

Newport Oregon

2009-06-08T00:44:00.005-04:00

We have made it to Oregon, We flew out of Savannah at 6:40 am this morning and arrived in Portland at 1:20 pm. We picked up the rental car and headed out towards Newport. We are here for my high school choir director's retirement concert. Joyce Staffenson was our director though out high school and our senior year lead Choralation (the jazz choir) to second place at the Redding Jazz Choir Festival in Redding California. After the concert, we are going to visit a couple of locations Hannah reported on in school and then head to Hillsboro to visit my dad for the rest of the week.

On the way to Newport, we passed through the Van Duzer Corridor and stopped at the rest area. We got to visit with a Pomeranian that was passing through which helped with our separation anxiety from Diva.

JoAnna and Hannah at the river at the rest area.

Patrick and JoAnna.

Patrick Standing on a tree that had fallen years ago. There is a section missing but the tree has not split so that is the actual diameter of the tree if you add in the missing section laying to the right in the picture.

A shot of the bridge from the bay front.

Eric and JoAnna on the bay front after dinner at Local Ocean. A great restaurant!

Our hotel is in the background, Patrick and Hannah and I went out on the rocks to look at the tide pools. It was a quick trip as the tide was coming in.

Hannah's Field Day

2009-04-28T11:44:00.004-04:00

Hannah had field day at school and I got voted as the class mascot again this year. (Actually, I am the only parent willing to dress up for a class in the entire school).
Anyway, her class name was Hulme's Hedgehogs. So I was the hedgehog.

Everyone did great and had a great time.

The girls all together.

Hannah and Elizabeth rocked at the three legged race and blew the competition away!

Relay for Life

2009-04-28T11:41:00.001-04:00

The telephone company had a fundraiser and if they were able to raise $500 or more, they got to color my head for the Relay for Life.

I ended up having to make a trip into town to Lowe's. every kid I say thought it was cool. Did I mention that the Lowe's I visited was not in our county so they didn't realize why my hair was pink and purple.

The Bed is Finished!

2009-04-20T07:25:00.003-04:00

The bed is finally done, assembled and Hannah in moved back into her room. For those who don't know the story, our neighbor had bought some plans online for a loft bead and built one for each of his kids. When he had finished them, Hannah said she would like one so I set out on the project. I got the list of wood and headed for the local Home Depot. Mark helped me cut all the wood and so all that was left was to sand, stain and assemble. Well that anticipated two weekend project became a 4 1/2 month project. However, it is done and she loves it.

Instead of a desk underneath, Hannah opted to put her bean bag and a book case so that she would have a reading area.

Below is a picture with the room lights out. We put rope lights under the bed for lighting so she could read without having the room lights on. We ended up with a total of 72' of rope lighting.

We also got her a matching dresser ( I didn't build it ) that is upright so it takes up less floor space opening up her room.

Patrick's Final Ball

2009-04-20T07:15:00.000-04:00

Patrick finished cotillion and escorted JoAnna for the final dance at the Spring Ball at the beginning of April.

He looked very handsome and JoAnna was stunning of course.

Patrick escorted a young lady out of the ball to her parents.

Hannah sports new eye wear!

2009-03-31T11:42:00.005-04:00

Hannah is sporting some very cool new eye wear. She got them this week and so far has done well. She uses them primarily for reading.

Flashback to 1994

2009-03-31T09:25:00.003-04:00

Back in 1994 JoAnna and I were married. JoAnna and I met on a blind date set up by our friends Jake and Kate, I worked with Jake and JoAnna worked with Kate. Needless to say, we hit it off and got married in November of '94. Our wedding included family and friends, some we are still in touch with and others we had lost touch with. JoAnna's Maid of Honor was Kate and her Husband Jake was one of my Groomsmen.

Their daughter was our flower girl and their sons were the ring bearers.

Well, we were going to church a couple of weeks ago and I headed into the choir room to get my music and this lady was in there that I had not met before. We exchanged greetings but didn't say a whole lot. I thought she looked familiar but just couldn't place it. I found out that she and her family had attended the church for years and were good friends with the pastor and his family but had moved to Florida. She, her daughter and mother were up visiting for a few days. I talked to Joanna in the church and she was looking at the bulletin and the lady's name was in there because she was singing with the choir and with the pastor. JoAnna looked at me and said surely it can't be the same person.

Well it was and we had just reconnected with friends that we had lost touch with about 12 years ago. We had a great time talking that Sunday and then one of the choir members had a going away party the next Saturday so we had another memory session.

Super Museum Sunday

2009-03-31T09:21:00.004-04:00

It's been awhile since I have updated the Blog, we have been just a little busy but I have gotten to it and have some new things. Super Museum Sunday is when they open all the museums in Savannah for free and so we tend to head to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. They had a new addition this year of a B-17 Bomber that flown in the war and then fought fires and was decommissioned. The Mighty Eighth was able to get it from the Smithsonian where it was in storage. It is now in the process of being restored and will be named The Spirit of Savannah which was an actual B-17 that was a member of the Mighty 8th and was shot down on it's third mission in WWII.

Eric and Patrick

Hannah checking out the exhibits

Patrick and Hannah

Patrick

Oh No The Big 40 !!!!!!!!

2009-02-02T22:15:00.006-05:00

JoAnna's Birthday is February 2 so we celebrated the weekend before. She knew there was a little get together planned but with Sheala's help we had a good sized get together. JoAnna's sister Jody and partner Beth drove down from NC and surprised her so JoAnna was excited.

We didn't want to push our luck with 40 individual candles so we opted to go with words. This way we knew she would be able to blow them all out.

The happy Birthday song!

Her 30th birthday that she mentioned at the end, if you remember, she made a comment about the center of the cake. So for her 30th, I ordered a cake with 30 red roses and it was supposed to have a chocolate pudding center. Well, I didn't pick up the cake, someone else did and brought it so when we opened the box, there was a beautiful white cake with 30 red roses and a blog of chocolate pudding on the center of the cake. It looked like a big pile of poo. It is a birthday we won't soon forget. One of our friends Celes was there for the 30th and was here for the 40th. It was great to see her again.

We ended up having a picnic on the family room floor. It was fun. Everyone was in a circle so we could all talk to each other.

Celes and JoAnna, catching up.

Elizabeth, Jeanne, Beth and Jody playing Boom Blocs on the Wii.

Patrick waiting his turn.

Inauguration Pictures

2009-01-23T22:38:00.004-05:00

Here is a slide show of the pictures we took on the way to DC, while we were there and on the way home.

The Infamous Purple Ticket

2009-01-22T14:51:00.004-05:00

As I started my count down to the Inauguration, many of you saw that we had received purple tickets. If you have seen on the news, searched YouTube, CNN iReport or just done a google search, you will see what we were doing and going through! Here are our pictures and video from the Purple Gate. I missed a great picture where everyone was holding up their purple tickets.

I am putting our whole story together to put up so that it can be read as a whole. Overall, it was an experience of a lifetime and we are glade we made the trip.