The Lane and Dianne Anderson Family

Greetings from the Lane and Dianne Anderson family!

Many thanks to our dear friends and family who remembered us with Christmas messages in December 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Somehow, we manage to get further behind on those things we should do. About the only thing we are speeding right ahead on is growing old!

The following overview of family events shows this as much as do our wrinkles!

Weddings

A new generation – Lane performed the marriage of granddaughter Kimberly Matheson and Mike Berkey, also from Kennewick, WA, in the Columbia River Temple, August 14, 2010. They live in Orem, tell exciting stories about an early-morning paper route, and attend BYU-Provo. Kimberly graduated in December 2011; Mike is still working towards his engineering degree.

New Grandchildren

January 14, 2010 – Adam Scott Kent was born to Bryan and Karen Kent.

March 16, 2010 – Aislyn Rebecca Anderson was born to Dell and Becky Anderson.

April 8, 2011 – Chelsea Kent was born to Bryan and Karen Kent.

June 29, 2011 - Sofie Anderson was born to Brian and Misty Anderson.

July 11, 2011 - Noah Garn Anderson was born to Kevin and Laurie Anderson

These wonderful events bring our grandchildren count to 34.

Graduations – (1) children; (2) grandchildren

(1) Scott Anderson, BYU-Idaho, April, 2009, Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with an emphasis on graphic design.

(1) Kevin Anderson, Ohio University, June, 2010, MBA and Masters of Sports Administration

(2) Brooke Taylor, high school graduation, Cedar Park, TX, June, 2010. (Currently attending BYU-Provo)

(2) Bryce Matheson, high school graduation, Kennewick, WA, June, 2010 (Attended BYU-Idaho before beginning his 24-month mission in the New Mexico Albuquerque Mission (Spanish Speaking), September 2011. His first city was El Paso, TX. He is now serving in Albuquerque.

(2) Kimberly Berkey graduated from BYU with a Bachelor's degree in Ancient Near East Studies, December 2011.

Moves

March, 2010, Dave, Kari, Rachel, Alyson, and Matthew moved less than a mile away into a new home in Fort Worth. Dave was heavily involved in overseeing each step of construction, and they have a home tailored to many of their dreams.

May 2010, Scott and Jessie moved from Rexburg to Idaho Falls where they purchased their first home on 1/3 acre and added home improvement projects, plus lawn and garden care, to their already full schedules of full-time work and other commitments.

After Kevin graduated, Kevin, Laurie, and Brynley left Ohio, enjoyed time in Utah, and moved to Littleton, Colorado in September 2010 where Kevin is a consultant for accounting firm Deloitte and Touche in Denver.

May, 2011, Dell, Becky, Ashlee, Alexa, and Aislyn moved into a new home they watched constructed from ground up. They also moved only a short distance to a nicer home and a neighborhood full of playmates for their three girls.

Events Along the Way

March 2010, Dianne ran a half marathon in Lamesa, Texas in 2 hours 9 minutes and 59 seconds. This helped her follow the good physical-fitness example set by many in the family.

July 2 to July 5, 2010 – we had a Lane and Dianne Anderson family reunion in Salt Lake City. The only one who missed this event was Holly Taylor who was in a national competition in Chicago at that time.

November, 2010 – Lane struggled to recover from pneumonia. He was finally feeling better just before Christmas. Although he recovered in time to help with final Christmas rosette deliveries, his services in the gingerbread business were really missed!

December, 2010 – Lane was in a car accident in Fort Worth that totaled our car. While we have concern for a passenger in the other car, Lane escaped injury. The replacement car we found is a better car for less money. It has been great for travel, including that necessitated by his recent calling as an assistant area auditor for the Church.

Dianne taught second-term Summer School and Fall Semester 2011. Over the Christmas break, she moved with her colleagues into a beautiful new building, beautifully decorated and equipped with the best available technology. It's been a most pleasant adjustment as we learn to use all our new options. She plans to teach at least another year. Lane and Dianne also continue as temple ordinance workers, with Lane taking a regular shift as a sealer.

Between March and June 2011, we visited with all our children and grandchildren in their own localities. We feel a bit like gypsies, but it was worth every mile!

Lane accepted a call from the Church to be an assistant area auditor. His responsibilities include giving both on-site and online instruction to Church leaders within about 300 miles of Lubbock. He also receives training himself, usually online, and also on-site in Salt Lake City, when needed.

Thanksgiving 2011 was a very special time with Kari, David, Rachel, Alyson, and Matthew; Kaylene; Dell, Becky, Ashlee, Alexa, and Aislyn; and Kevin, Laurie, Brynley, and Noah all in Lubbock with us. Our small home worked, thanks to David's parents who brought their RV from Hereford, so everyone would have a place to sleep. I think the RV was even more enjoyed as a playhouse for all the little girls. Many thanks to the Ankeneys!

December 2012, Lane and Dianne drove to Phoenix to spend Christmas with Kent and Christine, Michael, Mark, Jason, Joanne, and Julie.

One of their year's accomplishments for the Phoenix family included 13-year-old Jason's experience. He and two other students entered a contest sponsored by the Student Space Flight Experiments Program. Their idea, to see if microgravity has any effect on the behavior of yeast, was one of 11 chosen from 530 proposals submitted nationwide. Their experiment was conducted aboard the space shuttle Atlantis during its final space shuttle mission.

Scott and Jessie came from Idaho Falls and Kaylene from Salt Lake to join the family group for Christmas in Phoenix. We had a wonderful time! We hope all who read this blog had a joyful holiday, as well, and are looking forward to many good things in 2012.

We send our love and very best wishes to friends and family - near and far.

2011 Family Pictures: