Christmas 2009

Season's greetings from the Anderegg Family. Below are some of the highlights of our year. Of course, we've only shared the best moments, but we have received many blessings and know that the Lord is watching over our family.

The new year started perfectly when Danny (Adam's younger brother) and Corinne were married on January 3rd in the Salt Lake Temple. We all adore Corinne - and she is the best thing that has ever happened for Danny. We are so happy that he has someone so amazing in his life to be there for and with him.

Not long after the new year, Tyson got to celebrate his birthday. He hit double digits this year (10) - and is acting more like a pre-teen everyday!

Tyson got the surprise of his life when he was cast as Charlie in the American Fork Youth Theater production of "Willie Wonka" (who is shown here in the picture with him - yes, there are always fewer boys than girls in theater, but she was an adorable Wonka!) Ironically, Adam and I were much more nervous than Tyson was, who came to life in front of the audience. (No, we're not proud parents...)

Jacob never seemed concerned about the attention Tyson got with the play. As long as his best friend, Andrew, was nearby to run around with, all was and is right in his world.

After much saving and planning (and thanks to Adam's travels which got us frequent flyer miles) we made it to Orlando for Spring Break

where we were able to see Kennedy Space Center. Although, once an alligator was spotted, space ships were no longer that interesting.

In spite of the flu that got Adam and Tyson down, we still found the strength to see the Animal Kingdom, the Magical Kingdom and...

the Epcot Center.

Tyson finished up the 4th grade with a mock Pioneer Trek, pushing handcarts along the streets of American Fork.

Jacob graduated from The Wooden Cottage Pre-School right beside his best friend.

We spent our traditional Memorial Day morning at the cemetery visiting Grandma Patty's grave and telling stories of her life so the boys can get to know her a little.

We then sloshed our way up to Donut Falls (up Big Cottonwood Canyon)

with a little help from dad.

Tyson was a little too excited to have his last piano recital with Art City Music Academy. He now takes semi-private lessons from his dad.

Adam had a business trip to Austin, TX in June, so I tagged along. He then had to make a stop in Virginia to visit a friend who just happens to work at Colonial Williamsburg and put us up for a night in one of their historic inns. It was amazing - and so was her baptism!

For the 4th year in a row, I attended our youth Girls' Camp as the Camp Director. I also got to finish out the year teaching the adult Sunday School class, but will begin the new year teaching the 5/6 year olds. (Teaching little people will be a fun change after 4 years of big people!)

The Shorts (my younger sister's family) came down for the 4th of July, so we were able to have a Harmon reunion.

Of course, Grandma was continually the center of all grandchildren activity - lucky kids!

And we got to see the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest on the 4th of July - an awesome sight.

One reunion was followed by another with our Anderegg family gathering at the end of July.

We spent a week in the cool, but BEAUTIFUL Northwest - we were just a few minutes from the Canadian border. Adam and I tried really hard not to feel homesick.

We enjoyed a ferry ride around the San Juan Islands

and a rare sunny, clear day in Seattle - we could actually see Mt. Rainier and the Olympic mountains. Unfortunately, the sun also kept the Cullen family away :(

Adam had to fly home for pre-production on an upcoming film shoot, so the boys and I drove over to Post Falls, Idaho (near Spokane where we grew up) for a week. Adam came back for the Utah Pioneer weekend break and then helped drive us all back home.

The boys obviously weren't too sad to spend time with their cousins at Lake Coeur d'Alene,

nor did I feel too bad about hanging out with my favorite little sister, Barbara.

Adam is happiest in his career when he gets to call the shots - literally. He wrote and directed a film on the Mormon Battalion which will show in the new Visitor's Center in San Diego starting at the end of January. The film tells the story of how the Mormon Battalion helped build up what is now the city of San Diego.

They shot out in the West Desert of Utah

with lots of actors and extras who willingly grew out their hair and beards.

And they shot a few days at the LDS Motion Picture Studio in Provo.

But no matter how busy he gets, Adam always finds time to be a good dad - even if it means an overnighter at the Webelos Father/Son Campout the weekend that the 10 day shoot ended.

Jacob joined his 5th grade brother at Shelley Elementary - FINALLY. Sometimes he thought it would never come.

Goodbye my Kindergartner! I will try and not enjoy my 2 1/2 hours of freedom each day too much. :)

We endured, I mean enjoyed, soccer...

and mob ball.

We labored on Labor Day by hiking up to Cecret Lake (just above Snowbird) with the Anderegg Clan.

We spent Fall Break in Moab. The boys were great hikers - even on the long hike to Delicate Arch.

You don't realize what a cliff the arch sits on until it's your boys standing next to it. But being boys, they insisted on standing right under the arch. (My fingernails have almost grown back now.)

It was a gorgeous weekend and a great time together!

Trick-or-Treating was a hit for Gandalf and Obi Wan. Gandalf and his buddies, Yoda and Anakin, knocked on doors for more than 3 hours. That's a lot of candy!

Jacob turned six in November. Eight friends came in costume to celebrate with him.

Our year is ending with a bit of a change at home. We have been licensed for Foster Care since June and have had a few phone calls all for sibling groups of three. This last call actually came through and we now have some extra kids in our home. We started with three, but now just have the youngest two. The little boy is 3 and his sister is 20 months. They are busy and keep us on our toes as we work to teach the rules and get them into a routine. We've missed having little ones who want to be held, and are going to enjoy the journey while it lasts since we aren't sure how long they will be staying with us.

We wish you all a fantastic Holiday and hope the New Year brings you many new learning opportunities, a chance for new experiences and times to find new joys!

Love,
Adam, Carol, Tyson and Jacob

MERRY CHRISTMAS!