Random Ramblings: Memorial Day Weekend

Listening: It is the 40th Anniversary of Queen and to celebrate they are re-releasing their albums 5 at a time with a bonus disc of extra material. And thankfully iTunes has allowed us to buy just those songs instead of it being the dreaded Album Only. The new "Beeb" renditions of Nevermore and Teo Torriatte are spectacular.

Scaring: Last Sunday we helped out some friends of ours by watching their kids while they went to Salt Lake to pick up a relative from the airport. We first took them back to our house for some lunch and then we headed to their house to play while we waited for their parents. They were happily playing with Logan and then it was time to eat lunch. I snuck up the corner of our stairs to scare the next person who came down the stairs which was unfortunate for Shelby. I scared that poor girl good! Afterwards we took them back to their house and played by the river in their backyard. The girls showed me two large duck nests that were full of eggs. And then we played Fish until their parents came home.

Logan, Cassiday and Shelby

Their house was right on the river. Logan is at the bottom of the stairs leading to their backyard, which is now the Logan River.

Cooking: The morning of Memorial Day we had a neighborhood breakfast at the park. I was partly in charge of cooking up the French Toast. We had a real good showing and it was fun to spend the morning with my great neighbors. I cooked for the first hour and a half (with help from Kristy) and then went inside to socialize with everyone and play basketball with the Young Men and Women.

Freezing: I cannot believe that we woke up Monday to snow! It was not a lot of snow but I did have to scrape it off the car!

Really? Snow?

Riding: Yesterday for Memorial Day we took a road trip with my mom and visited a couple of cemeteries (Wellsville, Logan, Hyrum and Richmond) and looked at some of our deceased relatives. It was a beautiful day for the most part. It got sunny and warm and then cold and rainy. The weather made every cemetery clean and green. It was so awesome to see all the flowers and flags. Visiting these gravesides always puts me in a sober and reflective mood. But I am glad that I was able to do it. It is fun hanging out with my mom and driving around. It takes me back to our road trips to Idaho and Colorado. We stopped for some dinner at Big J's and had a nice drive back to Logan.

I cannot believe that it has been 7 years since my grandparents passed away.

Feeling Strange: We dropped by the USU Trailer Court (where Kristy and I lived right after we got married) and our trailer is gone! And so is every trailer that was on our block. The whole trailer park was stripped with only a few trailers remaining. It was like a tornado cleared it out. Both Kristy and I felt strange. A part of our early married life is gone forever. All that remained was a few bricks that Kristy put in for a flower bed.

Logan is standing where the bathroom used to be.

Riding Part II: I rode my bike to my dad's house today for work. 4.13 miles is not to shabby. But I can already tell that my butt is going to be sore.

Tempting: You know I just might have to go see X-Men: First Class at midnight Thursday by myself.

The Anhder Family Reunion

Day 213

Yesterday was our bi-annual Anhder Family Reunion. I have been going to these for as long as I can remember which may only be just a few years since my memory isn't what it used to be.

I know for sure that we have had one almost every year since I met Kristy. So it has been at least 13 years or so. The Anhder Family Reunion usually is at my Uncle Kurt's house and he and his family is gracious enough to host all of us. After Grandpa and Grandma Anhder passed away we still hold the Anhder Family Reunion but instead of every Memorial Day, we do it every-other Memorial Day.

My Aunt Margo for the first couple of years made these family packets which included family contact information, pictures, games and other tidbits of family history.

This the first one from 2000.

The Anhder Family Reunion this year was a lot of fun. It was good to see family that I have not seen since the last Anhder Family Reunion. The food was fantastic. Kurt grilled up some tasty chicken, hotdogs and cheeseburgers and there were a ton of salads.

And then they broke out the cotton candy machine, I must have ate 4-5 bags worth. And the best part was I never had to go and get it on my own. I had some awesome cousins to help this old man out.

After we ate and ate and ate (and visited) Kurt brought out the keg to play some Anhder Bingo. We have been playing this for years and the game is the exact same thing as Bingo only you have to yell "Anhder" instead of "Bingo" when winning. And the prizes are usually more treats and candy. After a couple of rousing games of Anhder Bingo we sat and relaxed. The weather was perfect for this and the kids had a great time. I am lucky and blessed to have such great aunts and uncles and cousins.

And before I was able to leave, Aunt Lesa talked me into a couple more bags of cotton candy. One that I promptly ate.

Logan and his cousin Dax eating cotton candy in the bouncy house.

Jennifer and I really got all types of enjoyment out of our cotton candy.

As did Kristy.

I am already looking forward to the next one in 2 years. Thanks Kurt and Lesa for hosting the party.

Memorial Day

Day 212

Memorial Day Weekend has always been one of my favorite weekends. The sun is shining, the trees and flowers are budding and in general the weather cooperates.

But Memorial Day also holds some special meaning to me. It is a day to reflect, celebrate and remember those that have served my country and have protected my freedoms. Every day I am thankful that I live in this country and I am appreciative for those that are serving and have served my family. We all wouldn't be here if it wasn't for their sacrifice.

It is also a day to remember those dear family members that have passed away. There are so many that I dare not list them (I don't want to forget listing one) but I am thankful for their sacrifice and what they have done for me and my family. I miss you and think of you often and I look forward to being reunited someday.

Memorial Day also holds a special meaning to me since it means we have our bi-annual Anhder Family Reunion. It will be great to catch up with my wonderful extended family and I appreciate my Uncle Kurt for putting us all up all these many years. I will blog more in depth about the Anhder Family Reunion tomorrow.

On behalf of my family and I, we appreciate and value all of the people serving in the Armed Forces. Thank you for giving and securing us our freedom. Our thoughts and prayers are with those that currently serve. And out thoughts and prayers are with those in mourning.