Chocolate Auction

The Relief Society held a "Chocolate Auction" last week. Everyone donated items for the auction, and we all received "Chocolate Money" to use to bid on the items. The Gel toe nails item really got a bidding war going. It was fun to watch our auctioneer and "Vanna" who displayed the items.

I purchased 6 fresh eggs, a Laurel and Hardy video set, and a gift certificate for 2 hours of instruction on digital scrapbooking.




We ended the night with a yummy chocolate dessert.

Performance at the Family Show

Here is the Open Guard Performance from the Family show.







No matter how many times I watch this show I am proud of the girls and all they do!

Winter Guard - Family Show

The American Fork High School "Open" Winter Guard held a Family Show and Fund Raiser last Friday. They invited the other Winter Guards from American Fork, the "A" Guard, the Wasatch Academy and Wasatch Independent to participate. They also invited the guards from Lone Peak and West Lake High Schools. All of the Guards sold tickets to a spaghetti dinner and the guard show. They really surprised me when they sold 700 tickets.

Richard helped in the kitchen cooking spaghetti and I helped with the serving line. Grandma Anderson came down to eat and watch (Grandpa had planned to come, but he got sick. We hope you are feeling better Grandpa).

The dinner went really smooth and the show started about 7:10. Each of the guards performed and they all did great. I enjoyed watching all of them perform.

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First Place in Payson

Another Saturday another Winter Guard competition. This week we are in Payson. I enjoy watching all of the guards perform. This week was fun seeing how each guard has changed their show from the Orem competition, a number of them have added their costumes this week and they made all the difference. The excitement and nervousness I feel as I know that Rachael's guard is about to perform is there every week. I enjoy watching Jordyn come out and interact with the audience as they set up. I like to see Mared's face as she walks the wall. I enjoy Rachael's blowing up and popping a balloon. The "Pop" of color is fun to watch. My favorite is when they all twirl together with the black, white and yellow flags. I have to try to watch all whole show and not just follow Rachael. There is so much going on all over the floor, it is hard to see it all. I come home after the show and upload it to Youtube and watch it a couple of times, trying to see it all, but each time I watch it I see some new cute little thing that someone is doing. I find myself smiling each time just enjoying the performance. The girls do such a good job, all of their practice time has definately paid off as they got FIRST place this week. Keep it up girls - you are fun to watch each and every time.

Winter Guard - Orem Competition

Rachael made the American Fork High School "Open" Winter Guard team. They have been practicing since November for their show. She has had a couple of Winter Guard camps where they spent the whole day or a couple of days learning their show. She has had many 6:00 am practices, practices on Saturdays and during Christmas break. And now the day has finally arrived that they will perform the show for the first time to a viewing audience.

Rachael had a dress rehearsal practice early Saturday morning, then back to the school for the bus ride to Orem High School for the competition. Richard and I were there to help load their equipment into the trailer, and then again to unload it.


The girls got their make up on.






Rachael and McKayla from the "Open" Guard and Amy and Clarissa from the "A" play Scrabble with Rachael's Cheeseit crackers.

The whole guard goes into the stadium to watch the "A" guard perform.


Richard helped the whole night along with the rest of the Band Dads helping each guard get their floor set up and then folding their floor after the performance. American Fork High School has the best Band Dads.



Now it is time for the main show. Richard is helping Rachael's guard get their floor set up.

Christmas 2009

I love Christmas - the music - the snow - the lights - the goodies - the tree - the presents - the love.

Sometimes I think I could keep my tree up all year long. I come home from work to the beautiful tree all lit up and it just brings a smile to my face. The ornaments on our tree are all things we have picked up while we are on vacation. We get to talk about all the fun times as we decorate the tree. Our first trip to Disneyland, the Jelly Belly Factory, the M & M store, we have had some fun times as a family.

Richard and I found Santa and gave him our Christmas wishes.



Santa had extra helpers at our house. Elves who have 4 legs




We all got fun presents from Santa and each other.


We spent the afternoon with my parents having lunch and playing games we gt for Christmas.



Rachael give Christmas the "Thumbs Up"

Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert

My name got drawn in the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert Lottery this year, so we got to go again. Rachael had all day Winter Guard camp, so Richard and I went with my Mom and Dad. We had dinner at Olive Garden downtown then went to the concert. The choir does such a wonderful job, we enjoyed hearing the music of Natalie Cole and the Christmas message from author David McCullough. What a great evening - thanks Mom and Dad for sharing it with us.

My friend Lexie

Lexie is 9 years old.

Lexie is Autistic.

Lexie is my friend.

For a couple of years now, Rachael and I have sat in front of Lexie in church. She is a cute girl who made noise, but didn't really say much. Last year about Christmas time, we started to hear her say things. Rachael and I would look at each other and say did Lexie just say "dog" or "Tinkerbell" or Snow White". We found it so exciting that Lexie was saying a few words. One Sunday we heard her clear as day say "I Love You" to her Mom. It was a magical moment for us as I am sure that it was for her Mom. Rachael and I love sitting in front of Lexie.

Last fall, the Bishop called me into his office to giv me a new calling. My new calling was to be Lexie's Primary helper. I get to sit with Lexie in Primary and help her. I was very excited about this calling. I have never had a greater calling than to help with Lexie, she shares so much love. I walk down the hall with her, putting my arm around her and she puts her arm around me. Sometimes she just stops and puts both arms around me and gives me a big hug.

Lexie loves Books - all books - but mostly she loves the Disney Princess books. She reads the "Once Upon a Time" when it is in the story. She points to the pictures and tells me who they are. she has me write things on a white board, and she knows if I miss something.

Lexie likes to be just like the rest of the kids, when the rest of the Primary class is noisey, Lexie gets noisey, which makes the rest of her class get noisier (is that even a real word?) So sometimes when the class gets to loud, Lexie and I leave. We find a small garbage can and we go back into the chapel and do a service project. I find programs that people have left int he chapel and give them to Lexie and she puts them in the garbage can. She gets a beautiful smile on her face as we help.

Sometimes I am able to go to "Acitivty Days" with Lexie, here are some pictures from an Activity in December. We made cookies and delivered them to some families in our ward. Lexie had a lot of fun and so did I.



Lexie has started saying my name now - It is so exciting for her to look right at me and say "Holly".

Thanks Lexie for being my friend.

Thanksgiving - Meeting Grandpa for the first time

Long time ago . . . Richard's parents divorced when he was young and they lost contact. In the summer of 2008, I found Richard's Dad. We have talked on the phone and written letters back and forth and for Thanksgiving he came for a visit. It was great to have him here, along with Richard's brother Regan, his brother Ryan and Ryan's wife Tammy. We had a great Thanksgiving dinner. On Friday Richard and Rachael took them all sight seeing.


Richard was the CHEF for Thanksgiving Dinner.
Beth and her friend Ryan visiting with Grandpa Blanco

Uncle Ryan and Aunt Tammy



A father and sons together again.
Make it 3 generations.



Uncle Regan (We missed Aunt Shyla - she couldn't get the time off of work)



Rachael and her Grandpa.


Richard and his Dad
Regan, Richard, Raymond, and Ryan.




At Temple Suare.



Grandpa you make us SMILE!
Freezing at Tibble Fork!


You can call him Raymond, Dad, or Grandpa - No matter what you call him - Just know that WE LOVE YOU! Thanks for making the trip. You are welcome back anytime - Come back to live with us - we have room!

Rachael in Chicago

The group Rachael went to Bands of America Grand Nationals with didn't fly home until late Monday afternoon. They got to spend Sunday night in Chicago having Chicago style pizza. Monday morning they got to do some touring around. The went to the Sears Tower now called "Willis Tower". As they entered the WELCOME sign had AMERICAN FORK HIGH SCHOOL on it. She had a really good time.

I am really glad that the band and Rachael were able to go on this trip. The kids got to see some really good bands, they had the trip of a lifetime, memories that will be there for ever.

Rachael's Chicago Trip