We're still here

We've been a bit absentee on the blog of late.

Just a little glimpse into our crazy lives over the last several months:

--Had opportunity to relocate to Louisville.

--Accepted opportunity to relocate to Louisville.

--Got house ready for the market.

--Put house on the market.

--Sold house in 7 weeks.

--Moved to Louisville.

--Remained employed with the same companies.

--Tim began working from home.

--Kelly began working from a new office.

--Kelly and Tim go to Boston for a week for educational opportunities.

--Dustin started pre-school at a new (to him) school.

--Jackson started going to a new (to him) daycare without his big bro.

--The Andersons find a great new church in Louisville.

--Traveled on the weekends to see family, visit children's museum, etc.

--Dustin turned 3.

That covers most of the "major" topics, with the exception that we have also started weight-watchers.  Actually, we've been relatively faithful for over a month.  And, we have weight loss to show for it!

I realize that I have lots of catching up to do.  In the meantime, a few pics from our first family vacation to the beach (back in May):

A Visit to the Louisville Science Center

The first weekend in October, we ventured into Louisville to visit the Sesame Body Show at the Louisville Science Center.  Dustin had a great time visiting the exhibit and seeing Elmo!

The Center has a very cool water feature where even mommy and daddy enjoyed some play time!

Here is Dustin looking at Elmo's feet...

Daddy and Mommy showing Dustin how to push the pins up in the tray to create an outline of his hand.

And, Dustin does it with his hand!

Focusing on the importance of good hand washing and teeth brushing...

After visiting the body exhibit, we ventured over to Indiana and picked up a few treats at Schimpff's...

Then, we headed to Starlight, Indiana, for a visit to Huber's orchard and winery...

It was a rainy day, so we did not get some good orchard, pumpkin shots, but Dustin had a good time checking out the ducks.

Lake Wateree Weekend

Jimmy Buffett sings about Labor Day weekend shows and wearing hush-puppies.  On Labor Day weekend, this Anderson family enjoyed a visit with friends at Lake Wateree in South Carolina!

This was a great visit and extra special, since it was Jackson's first time riding in a boat!

Jackson did so well and did not even complain about the life jacket!

It has been quite a summer...no rent a cars, but plenty of water...

Dustin's first time being pulled on a tube behind the boat!

He enjoyed the ride!

Mommy and her boys on the boat

Daddy and the boys on the boat...a great place for a nap!

Now, come Monday... 

Family Reunion and Jackson's First WV Trip

The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck

This past weekend we visited West Virginia to attend our Smith family reunion.  It was fun to see family that I have not seen since I was a little girl, to be re-introduced to folks and to watch everyone eat and be merry!!  This was also Jackson's very first trip to the Wild and Wonderful state of West Virginia.  He was able to meet many of his relatives, including Uncle Pickle Mike for the very first time!

Jackson with Pickle.  (How cute is this hat?--That would be Jackson's hat, not you Pickle!)

Dustin had a great time too!  Here he is discovering golf clubs for the first time.

The clubs quickly became this little guy's obsession.  (Sound familiar to any ladies?) 

 He was easily distracted from those clubs when daddy took him to the creek at mom's house.  This Little Man just loves to throw rocks into water.

The trip to West Virginia was a great opportunity for Jackson to receive lots of love...from his Great Aunt Kathy,

From his Grandma Pickles Pickens,

From his Grandpa Pickens,

From his Great Grandpa Smith (whom he met for the first time with Great Grandma supervising in the background),

From his Great Grandma Smith (whom he also met for the first time),

From his Great Aunt Vickie,

and from his Aunt Erica.

Dustin was able to play with his cousin Landon.

He also drove his first car.

We all had a good time visiting our family and look forward to another visit in just a few weeks!