The Coon Clan

YOU'RE INVITED

2009-03-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

MISSIONARY FAREWELL

As you all know Eli has been called to serve in the London, England South Mission.
His farewell is Sunday, March 22nd @1:00 PM.
Any of you who would like to make it are more than welcome. It will be at our church. We will also have a light luncheon for close friends and family afterward at Hanna and Chris Terrill's house.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Christmas & New Years Update

2009-01-01T10:30:00.000-08:00

Sorry we haven't blogged in awhile, but since Marissa (Ralph & Annette Perez's daughter) mentioned we hadn't updated for forever... here you go.

Everett was joking around and made an ornament which had a noose around Obama's neck hanging from the Christmas tree. He thought it was pretty funny. (We didn't all concur)
Seems he received a special invite to the White House
and was able to get a picture with his new BFF
which we proudly hung from our tree.

Grandpa and Grandma Anderson surprised us and came up to our 3rd annual Christmas eve party over at Cindy and Ken's house. It was really good to see them. They don't travel much anymore so it was a neat surprise. Bonnie and Pat also came up to join in the celebration.

We all get together and eat soups, desserts, exchange white elephant gifts, and sing Christmas songs together.

Scruffy look and matching PJ's are a Coon tradition for us
and all the grandkids on Christmas morn.

You can see all the excitement in my face as I begin the hour long marathon of cooking crepes for Christmas morning. Actually, it went much faster this year because I used three pans at once and got a good rhythm going. We used Rebecca's crepe recipe from her blog and a syrup recipe given to us by Empey's in our ward.
(It is to-die-for good!)

Empey's Killer Homemade Syrup
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 cube butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract

Don't play with Matches!

Alison came up to visit after Christmas with her kids.We had a real nice visit.
She helped us by cleaning ashes out of our stove downstairs and placed them in a cardboard box.
She had Eli put them outside the door. He put them just of our front steps.
Patsy and I could smell smoke really strong and we looked out to a blaze in the box and an adjacent garbage sack resulting in melted siding .

New Year's Hot Celebration!

Patsy didn't think the fire I had going downstairs was hot enough
so she cranked it up to get it good and warm before closing the damper and inlet drafts.
Eli was playing the Wii downstairs with some friends and it was too hot
so he opened up the window to let in some cooler air.
All of the sudden we could smell stinky smoke.
He looked outside the window
and our house was on fire!
I ran out and with his help we doused it with snow and water.
It was still smouldering between the chimney and the house wall
so I called the fire department and soon we had all kinds of flashing lights and noise.
They squirted it down good and ripped off siding and insulation
just to make sure it was all the way out.

Thanks to the Firefighters and other civic and emergency personnel who keep us all safe and respond to our needs when it would be nice just to be home with their families!

Ralphie (Ralph Perez) has been after me to go ice fishing so we bit the bullet and went out to the Roberts gravel pond. Eli, Everett, Ralph, Rod Blaylock, and I caught about 123 perch.
It was a blast! We were toasty warm in Ralph's palace of an Ice Tent. Ralph had all the gear and we absolutely had a great time.

Our perch weren't quite as large as most pictured here. 4- 8" mostly.
When we got back I the work began. I spent 2 solid hours filleting the perch and cleaning the 2 trout we caught. But it sure will be good eating!

May Your New Year be as pleasant and filled with happy and treasured memories
as our past year has been! We are soo grateful for our faith, friends, and family!

2008-02-28T21:28:00.001-08:00

Dates

2008-02-28T21:17:00.000-08:00

Everett and Eli both went to girls choice last month. Eli went with Ali Pierson (Gails' daughter) and Everett went with Emily. They had a lot of fun. Mom even made these amazing corsages for the boys to give to the girls. She is such a creative genius. I'm proud of her resourcefulness and clever hands. She never ceases to amaze me!

2008-02-28T21:15:00.000-08:00

Patriarchal Blessings

2008-02-28T20:57:00.000-08:00

We (Dad, Mom, Everett, and Chris) had the privilege of going with Eli when he received his patriarchal blessing last Tuesday. Pres.Guthrie is still going strong! Alison was the first girl to receive a blessing at his hand... and Eli has now brought the number to 724 blessings given and received by his hand under the influence of the Spirit! Awesome. Eli received some very special blessings that perhaps he might share more with close family.He was told that he would serve missions (plural) and that he would be blessed with the ability to explain gospel truths using scripture simply and convincingly. He was also promised that if faithful he would lead quorums,congregations, and many congregations. Pres. Guthrie also shared some insightful remarks with Everett. The Spirit was close and the Lords influence was unrestrained. It was an enjoyable and remarkable evening!
It was evident again that the Lord leads, directs, and inspires his chosen servants!

The Joys Of Home Teaching.......

2008-02-26T10:10:00.000-08:00

Each month we have the privilege of going Home teaching to some really neat families. We get to hear stories, share a message and on special occasions we get to do service projects such as, raking leaves, giving blessings... and with all of the snow this year we have had the opportunity to shovel some walks and roofs. Both Eli & Everett lent a hand. Everett even slid halfway off the roof a few times. I stayed on the ground on my hind legs & directed roof traffic and chipped ice with our ice wedge and pried ice of the hips and valleys. We got some huge chunks of ice off and had fun w/service.The warmth you get doesn't just come from physical exertion! Here are a few pictures of our most recent service project!

Yellow is Pres. Monson's favorite color !

2008-02-11T07:29:00.001-08:00

Rexburg temple dedication

2008-02-11T06:40:00.000-08:00

Patsy, Eli, and I went up to the Stake Center to attend the broadcast of the Rexburg Temple dedication yesterday. I believe they held 3 different sessions so the different Stakes could fit attendance around their meeting blocks. Each Stake Center was set up as a mini-temple and members had to obtain a special recommend for attendance. In our Stake the last block of meetings let out and hour early.(3:00 pm). After the meetings let out- the members of the High Council cleared and then secured the building. At 3:30 pm we unlocked the doors and began admitting members back into the building upon showing their recommend. I helped direct traffic and control the parking- we even previously plowed off the baseball field to accommodate all those who wished to attend. It was fun smiling and waving to all the members of the Stake. All members were asked to be seated by 4:00 and to communicate only if necessary in subdued whispers.At 4:15pm we locked the doors.
Elder Nelson of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles conducted our session at Pres. Monson's request. Bro. and Sister Kinghorn( the first counselor in the temple presidency) then spoke.. Sister Kinghorn taked about how her grandmother who helped settle the Rexburg area loved to serve in the temple. The closest temple at the time was in Logan, Utah. She shared all the preparation that she would make ( food, clothes, canning, meals for at home and on the road). The trips took over a week, leaving children at home. She shared the peace left at home and happiness reflected in her Grandmothers face and the boost it gave all when she returned.
Elder David Bednar and his wife also addressed us. Sister Bednar shared memories of her parents getting up at 3:00 am to make the trip to Idaho Falls so they could participate in a few sessions before returning home late in the day. She said she always felt safe when they were gone because she knew they were serving the Lord. She also expressed the security it gave her as a child knowing they were an Eternal family sealed in the Temple. Elder Bednar expressed the joy that he and his wife both felt at being able to return to Rexburg and to participate in the temple dedication. As an Apostle serving under assignment he may well have been serving elsewhere. He indicated that he was so grateful the Lord had heard both he and his wife's yearnings and allowed them to be there. Rexburg, I believe, will always hold a soft spot in their hearts because of their service there. He also instructed us on the importance of temples and their eternal purposes.
We also heard from the secretary to the First Pres., and one of the temple construction coordinators. We sang "the Spirit of God" while a choir sang the special song written for the dedication of the SLC temple in counterpoint. Elder Nelson then offered the dedicatory prayer and them we were led in the Hosanna Shout while waving white hankerchiefs.
It was a special and solemn occasion, and a fitting capstone to the "wagon box prophecy" uttered in our very own Iona long ago. We are so privileged and blessed to be living in a time when the prophecies of old are being fulfilled and that we are actually a contributing part of in it. My heart is full when I read and ponder these prophetic words...
In part..."
Be not disenheartened; be not discouraged, because God's blessing is upon this land. It will be only a little time before there will be prosperous and happy settlements of Latter-day Saints here. You feel that you have gone away from your friends, and you are almost out of the world, but it will be only a short time when you will have a meeting house, and a school house, and all of the facilities here that you had at home before you came here. God will bless and multiply the land! The Spirit of the Lord rests mightily upon me and I feel to bless you in the name of Jesus Christ. I promise you that the climate will be moderated for your good. I can see these great sagebrush prairies, as far as the eye can reach, turned into fertile fields. I bless the land that it shall yield forth in its strength. Flowers and trees and fine homes shall grace this great valley from one end to the other. Schools and colleges of higher learning shall be built to serve you that you may learn the mysteries of God’s great universe. I see churches and meetinghouses dotting the landscape, where the God of Israel may be worshiped in spirit and in truth. Yes, and as I look into the future of this great valley I can see temples—I can see beautiful temples erected to the name of the living God where holy labors may be carried on in his name through generations to come.
-Wilford Woodruff, 17 June 1884, Sandcreek, Idaho

The very existence of BYU Idaho- and of this magnificent temple- was known to the Lord and a few select individuals centuries ago. May we see our potential as God does... as Sons and Daughters to the Most High God... and do our part in furthering His work in this favored spot in His vineyard is my humble prayer. My greatest hope is that someday- in the not too distant future- all of our children will assemble together with Patsy and I together in one of His Holy Temples. That will be a glorious and blessed day! Love you all!

President Gordon B. Hinckley

2008-01-31T07:43:00.000-08:00

Mom and I wish to share a few thought about how we feel at the passing of our beloved prophet. To me it is as if a mighty oak (bent and bowed but reaching skyward) has gently been laid down to rest upon mother earth... and the hush... still rings through the forest. Pres. Hinckley has left a profound impression upon all of our lives. His leadership, ready smile, optimistic views ahead- with tender looks behind- have greatly moved the church forward. He had the rare gift of humor and candor, blended with the capacity to work and accomplish far more than men greatly younger in age.
I remember when I first met him as an Apostle while on my mission in Hong Kong. Our mission President- Jerry Dean Wheat- was a very hard worker and concerned about the Churches image in Asia. He was a natty dresser and preferred bow ties and pin-striped suits. Our mission car was a Mercedes 450 SEL. I want to stress he was doing all he could to give the church a great image in Hong Kong.When Pres. Hinckley came to visit he had a conference with Pres. Wheat and the next day a subdued,humbler, and wiser Mission President announced that bow ties and pin striped suits weren't appropriate for missionaries. I am sure this meeting was held in a kind, gentle, but effective way. Pres. Hinckley was a doer!
His Be Attitudes ( be Kind. etc.) were succinct reminders of good and important things. His appreciation of our past history brightened the road ahead. I believe it was Will & Ariel Durrant who said " Those who do not learn from the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it." His ability to fearlessly communicate spontaneously- and his keen sense of humor- was a joy to behold as revealed in interviews with Mike Wallace and Larry King. He has helped the Church to be seen broadly on a global stage.
I am sure there has already been a joyous reunion with his beloved wife, parents and extended family. I also feel there has been a joyous accounting of his stewardship with all the prophets from before- with warm handshakes and hugs! Hail to the prophet ascended to Heaven!
We thank Thee oh God for a Prophet!

The Anderson Girls

2007-12-19T07:10:00.000-08:00

My mom is an amazing women...I have always appreciated her example to me.

I had so much fun taking these picture with my sisters. So I thought I would share them with you. And it was so nice to be just sisters and reminiscing and laugh and cry together. We played games and enjoyed being with each other. It has been a long time since all of us girls and mom have been together so I enjoyed it very much. I love my family I enjoy the time I get to see them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-22T08:47:00.000-08:00

We miss you all and wish we could have you all together for the holidays. But since we're not together in body, you are held closely in our hearts. We love and are grateful for each of our children and their spouses (and our precious grandchildren). Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Love,
Mom and Dad

Visit to Arkansas

2007-11-12T07:53:00.000-08:00

I (Patsy) got to go to Arkansas for ten days to stay with Rebecca and Allen and their new baby, Mollie. It was so much fun to see my grandkids and be able to help out. I mostly took care of Brigham all day while Truman was at school, which kept me so busy that coming home felt like a vacation! Poor Truman broke his arm the night before I left, but he was so tough about it that the nurses at the hospital didn't even think it was broken.

Here are the things I did the most while I was there:

10. Went to Wal-Mart (of course--how could I go without my Wally?)
9. Lined up cars with Brigham

8. Kept up with laundry

7. Put away Brigham's cars

6. Walked Truman to and from school every day, in the beautiful Arkansas Fall

5. Lined cars up some more

4. Fixed meals

3. Put cars away again

2. Cleaned house

1. Snuggled my newest grandbaby!

Everett...

2007-10-26T08:53:00.000-07:00

Everett has decided to attend the Vo-Tech here in Idaho Falls, starting in January, and start getting his Welding Degree. He had so much fun this past weekend with his nephews at Blast Off. And they also loved the attention they got from him.

Eli's BUSY BUSY!

2007-10-26T08:46:00.000-07:00

Eli is busy with choir and his senior year. He loves to sing and is in the upcoming production of "Once upon and Matress" Dec. 17th-19th and then has the Christmas Choir Concert Dec 21st. He is looking forward to handing in his papers for a mission in one year. This is his girlfriend Kelsey who he also loves to hang out with.