Tribute to Jeff

Happy Birthday Jeff

Born at Cassia memorial, to a grateful mom and dad

A newborn baby boy, his dad was really glad.

His mom survived the blizzard, driven home in a blur

The snow was piled high, no problem for the tractor.

Jeff grew up so fast, he really loved to play

This December 21^st, was his 24^th birthday.

And over the years, there have been many memories

Playing in the dirt, and doctoring scraped knees.

He always loved to swim, he could have been a shark,

He’d swim out to the island, even after dark.

And go on crazy dates, the girls thought he was hip

Movies in the corn field, even snowmobiling trips.

He was a mighty Spartan, and played tough on Friday nights

A Minico linebacker, with football pads and tights.

His hits were so hard, he’d scare the other team

You didn’t have to listen much, to hear his mother scream.

She was awful proud, of her tough athletic son

And all the great awards, and medals he has won.

His senior year in football, it was voted that he was great

Even without his mother’s vote, he made linebacker, all-state.

He loved to wrestle, he started when he was young,

He didn’t always win at first, but he thought it was fun.

He got better and better, I taught him all my moves,

And then he learned some more, rarely would he lose.

Coach Cooper helped him work hard, and believe in his skills

He made him work at practice, and work hard in the drills.

Working hard was not new to him, and he was probably glad

He inherited a work ethic, by growing up helping his dad.

He started wrestling freestyle, and even won at state

He joined Team Idaho, to help make him great.

He traveled to many states, wrestling in many towns

Getting lots of pins, and most of all, takedowns.

His senior year was coming, he had so many meets

Coach Brad taught him to be tough, and not accept defeat.

That year was not always easy, he really had a run

Not losing a single match, an Idaho State Champion!

There’s so many memories, that I have of Jeff my bro’

Like rolling the 4 wheeler, and building caves in the snow.

He even came to visit me, to be by my side

Hitch-hiking to Moscow, because he didn’t have a ride.

He had a late scare one night, I remember answering the phone

Dad told me Jeff crashed his bike, right outside Mountain Home.

His life was in balance, when Lifeflight did arrive

A modern day miracle, he’s lucky to be alive.

I am so grateful, to spend another day

With you my BIG little brother, I’d have it no other way.

Jeff you are very special, to your family and friends

I love you and your family, a love that never ends.

I’m not sure why I wrote this, I had no gift for you,

Nothing for your birthday, so this will have to do.

I’m not real good at telling, my feelings about others

This I want you to know, I’m proud of you my brother.

Now this poem is almost finished, there’s another thing to know

One thing I should tell you, before I have to go.

I hope you had a good birthday, lots of presents and such

Sorry for all the times, I beat you up so much.

You are my little brother, and I remember when

I’d beat you up so easy, you were a cinch to pin.

Now you’re a little stronger, it’s harder to make you cry

You put up a better fight, sometimes I even let you tie.

Happy Birthday Jeff, love,

Josh

December 2007

Happy Birthday Jeff

Dec. 21st, Jeff's birthday, born in 1983 making him 24, way to go bro.

Jeff and Colton, great friends. Colton really loves his uncle.

Go Big Red Colton & Jeff 2001


2001 Jeff reading to Colton. Now Colton is reading to Jeff.


Jeff at his best. 2002 State freestyle


Josh, Jeff, Colton, Kari
Jeff Anderson 2002 CDA Idaho Freestyle State Champion


Jeff, Colton April 2002 CDA


2003 Christmas-Jeff & Dad with Jeff's new muzzle loader


Jeff & Colton Christmas 2003


Union, OR Blessing the twins 2005
Josh, Kari, Marcy, Dad, Kaci, Mom, McKay
Jeff
Lindsay, Colton, Becky, McKenzie




Christmas 2006 Zach, Jeff, Dad with his new mountain bike motor


Jeff & McKenzie-Christmas 2006


Anderson reunion 2007 Logan, Utah


Wedding Day!!!




Dad, Megan, Jeff calf tying 2007

Christmas Program

Hello all, we sure enjoyed having Mom and Dad here visiting us this past couple of days. I'm not sure Dad will want to come back though. I had him out helping me work cows 2 of the 4 days he was here. McKenzie should be happy, she called and asked if I could save her some "rocky mtn. oysters" from my work and so I sent some home with Dad for her to cook up. Hope they turn out well. Thanks for the help dad, he also hung a chandelier and some other light fixtures for Kari in the house. Mom was able to spend time with the kids and do some shopping while she was here. We enjoyed having them here and the kids are already sad they are gone.

We were able to go to Colton's school Christmas program where Colton dressed up like a penguin in the play "how the penguins saved Christmas" It was really cute. A couple of days before the program I asked him if he was ready and knew his 3 parts and he said he knew his parts ok but he still had to practice his waddle. He said Emily had a good waddle and he needed to practice his before the program. Their were 8 penguins, some reindeer, lots of kids singing off pitch, and once the show even got delayed for a kindergarten potty break. The gym was full with parents and friends and Santa even showed up at the end. Colton did great with his parts and his waddle, we are so proud of him. It's hard to believe he has grown up so fast and the girls are right behind him.

Kari was asking Colton what he ate for lunch at school today and he said he had cheese sandwiches and soup to dip the sandwich in. She asked him how much he ate and it sounds like he didn't eat that much, he was way too hungry when he got home from school. He told her that along with the sandwich and soup him and some of his friends found some cereal in the salad bar. I guess they loaded up their trays with that cereal. Kari asked him what kind it was and he said it was shredded mini wheats, and really good too. They just ate them dry, without any milk and they were really crunchy. She asked if they were frosted and he said no, just small and crunchy. Kari said, Colton, that wasn't mini wheat cereal, it was croutons!

Not feeling well

Last night I didn't get much sleep due to sinus, ears, congestion and headache. It was a long day at work, but we got a lot done. We were able to put up our Christmas tree tonight. It is bigger than we thought and takes up alot of our living room. It sure smells good though. I imagine the kids will be decorating it tomorrow.

McKENZIE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MCKENZIE--DECEMBER 1
21 YEARS OLD!!!!!!! WE LOVE YOU LOTS.

Let it snow

It is sure looking like winter. We had about 6 inches of snow last week and even more in the mountains. It is so pretty, snow on all the trees. Yesterday we piled all the kids but Oakley into the truck and drove up Rock Creek to the mountains to find a Christmas tree. We stopped along the way to go sledding on a side hill and it really started snowing hard. Roy (Kari's brother) and Stephanie and some of their kids came a little later so we kept sledding for a while. Then we drove on up the mountain a little farther, breaking trail in about a foot of snow. We came up on a couple of elk but it didn't take them long to get out of there. There were all kinds of tracks crossing the road. Colton wanted to stop and sled the whole time and we all were watching out for the "perfect tree." We found a good one and loaded it up in the truck. Roy found one and we got it loaded and headed for home. We made it home before dark and hurried in to warm by the fire. We went to Roy and Stephanies for dinner and games for the night. It was a great time for all. Today was church and it was snowing when we left for Baker, it snowed the whole day through and we were almost snowed out coming home. The wind is blowing pretty hard and drifts are going to be a problem. I doubt Colton will be going to school tomorrow, he will probably want to go sledding. I started my new job at Baker Veterinary Hospital which I love. I work with great people, 3 other doctors, and good staff. I recieved a new calling in church and will be working with Scouts and Young Men again, I am excited and glad to serve the Lord. Christmas season is here and the kids love putting up the decorations. My mom has done well getting us lots of ornaments and decor for the Holidays. I hope you all have a good holiday season and remember the Savior and know HE loves you. Love, Josh

Update, Colton loves first grade. Small hometown public school-15 in first grade and a great teacher who challenges him well. He was Captain Jack Sparrow for halloween. McKay was a lion with a pretty quiet and bashful roar. Kaci was a loud chicken and Oakley was a ladybug. We had a great time.

Update, I have been elk hunting this week but unlike Brian, I haven't found the perfect one. It is sure fun to hike through the Blues Mts., they are beautiful. Next year I will make sure to have a horse.

Update, I am on track to getting my dream job in my dream location, what we've been working towards the last few years. Hopefully it works out. Despite all of the recent setbacks, we have truly been blessed and things are starting to fall into place in unusually divine ways. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers the last few months.

Update, I survived my last farm accident, concusion, fracture orbit, lost tooth, etc, Oct. 23rd, truck tire blew up and knocked me out and 1/2 way across road. I don't remember a thing except telling the ambulance to go home, I will drive myself in. Feeling much better now. Thank you much for all of your thoughts and prayers. I am grateful to be alive and with my family and friends. I had a very close call! Love Josh

Anderson Family Reunion

August 18-Saturday: Finally, we don't have to go to a dr. We were able to travel to Logan for a family reunion. It is the Raymond and Verletta Anderson family. We drove to Logan Canyon. Marcy had set up a campsite there at Guinavah-Malibu Campground
http://www.utah.com/campground/amenities2127.htm

Back at camp we set up tents and had a great dinner. Thanks to all who helped out. That night there was a horrible thunder/lightning and rainstorm. As dry as it is we sure needed the water. It lasted forever and when the rain started dripping inside our tent we headed for the car.

The next morning I woke up early and headed on a hike to the Wind Caves.

The group hiked up there yesterday before we arrived and everyone said it was awesome, so I wanted to check it out. It was about a 2 mile hike ending in beautiful arches and rooms formed from wind and ice erosion. It was a tough climb that took about 40 minutes to get up and 18 to get down. I saw deer and had a wonderful view of the canyon.

http://kutv.com/backcountry/local_story_322164937.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/niffgurd/sets/72157600793227519/with/800068501/

Well, its been 2 days and we have news/updates of our lives at the hospital and doctor's office:

August16--Josh Dr. Appt. to clean/change IV bandage in morning and blood tests. Kari went back into hospital for a recheck of her skin infection. It was a lot worse and they lanced open an abscess. She is now on IV antibiotics once a day. She is doing pretty well with it all but it's starting to wear us all down. The kids really like their dad home during the day. Now that Kari is on IV's, we really can't go to the Anderson family reunion in Logan. We arranged for Colton to go with his cousin Nash, Andy & Brooke's family so he packed up and left this evening with Andy.

August 17--Josh had another Dr. Appt. this am, this on with the wound care clinic. The hole in my arm is healing up nicely. Kari is changing the wrap and packing it at home every morning for me. They are keeping my IV's at twice a day so I give them at home at 7 & 7. The pharmacy restocks my supplies once a week. After Josh's appt., we took Kari into the hospital for her IV infusion. They checked her wound and it's still really red, inflamed, and angry. They have her on daily IV's until the wound is better then switch to oral meds. Today we were at doctors for 8 hours total. Luckily my mom came and took the kids for us about noon. She is a great blessing and help as we are getting tired and lots of things getting out of hand. We wish we were at the reunion, hope all is well, I see there are thunderstorms and rain in the forecast, hope the campers are all well. Love Josh

SEE PICTURE AT BOTTOM OF PAGE.

Update on Dr. Appt.'s

Hello all. We have had a lot going on lately. I don't have the time to elaborate on all the details, but here is a chronological list of what's going on.
July 20--Kari had a baby girl, 7lbs 5 oz. a girl named Oakley, such a doll.
July 24--Kari & Josh 9th wedding anniversary
July 25-27--Had fun at Knoeppel family reunion in Island Park, Idaho
July 28--Able to visit old friends, Jason and Libby Bair in Rexburg, Idaho.
August 2--Happy birthday dad
August 4--Jeff and Megan get married--Burley, Idaho
August 5--Happy Birthday Kari
August 6--Josh went to ER in Burley for a "spider bite?"
August 7--Josh admitted to hospital in Burley for a severe bacterial skin infection.
August 8--Went to Dr. for Colton with skin infection, on abx
August 9--Josh wishes he was combining grain instead of in the hospital. Can't work for who knows how long.>>
August 10--Josh released from hospital. Josh going into hospital daily for IV meds.
August 11--finally able to return home to Utah, Josh still pretty sick and weak.
August 12--Doctor prescribes IV's twice daily for Josh for at least 6 more weeks.
August 13--More doctors appt's, pic IV line in and Josh can give all meds at home instead of driving to LDS hospital every day.
August 14--Kari goes to doctor for skin infection. They had her go into ER to lance and get abx.
August 15--McKay goes to doctor for skin infection, starts abx.

Not having much fun lately other than Oakley is doing great and is cute as ever. Love ya, thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers,

Josh & Kari

Becky visiting--Yeah

My sister Becky is here. She doesn't understand why I don't blog? I don't even know what a blog is? So she set me up with a blog site. What's that? She doesn't understand why I don't own a cel phone? or an I Pod, what's that? I'm not sure what it is but I don't have a "DVR" either, or a "GPS". I think she's embarrassed for me. I don't even own a laptop. I do have a digital camera, at least Kari does, but I'm not sure how to use it. I can't wait to move back to the country. Anyways, she's got me thinking and now I want my own blog, so here goes. "BECKY, now what do I do??"

Well, I guess I need a cel phone now. I found a pretty good one at DI. What do you think???

Bye, wish me luck!

Josh