Love of my life!!

I just have to go on record saying that I do LOVE LOVE LOVE my eternal companion!! Today is our 11th anniversary and he is at home with all four kids,(one sick and puking) while I sit at my sisters loving on a brand new nephew. Not one complaint, not one guilt driven comment!! I know right!! Not only is he the #1 husband, he is the worlds best dad. I happen to luck out in both departments, and for this I am eternally grateful. I often wonder what I did to deserve him, and wonder how I would survive without him. He is my anchor, and though I am sure he had no idea what he was really getting himself into 11 years ago, it is my hope and prayer that we will have another 50 years even half as great as these last 11 have been. LOVE YOU!!!!

1st Ballet

The girls and I attended our first ballet last week. Yes, it was my first as well, sad I know! Sydney said that the music made her sleepy, and Ry said that the tights on the nutcracker were "GROOOSS" Our friend Kyla(pretty little red head) won the nutcracker drawing during intermission. We were all very excited for her. Then we saw the nutcracker and Clara afterwords, dressed down, but all the same. The girls thought that was pretty cool. From their we did our traditional girls night out dinner at Red Robin, can't go without fries, shakes and don't forget the BALLOON! It was a great night, one that I hope the girls will remember fondly!

Thanksgiving Travel Log

Cousins and grandparents everywhere you look! Our adventure started with Aaron's Grandma Petersen's 80th birthday party. We had to leave early in anticipation of the roads and headed to my parents house from there. My sister and brother Ivan were there with their kids. Eight kids running in circles + single digit temps outside= GOOD TIMES in doors!! Paisley loves Ry, but she does not like the camera! She was all smiles until the camera came out, and unfortunately I do not have Aunt C's knack for taking fun pictures with out them knowing. Elleree on the other hand has picture pose down!! It has been a couple of years since I have been to church with my parents. What a sight we all were. 13 of us walk in and fill a long row and half. Now this would not be such a big deal...except that we were like 1/3 of the congregation!! Every noise our kids made felt magnified 10 full, it was AWESOME! We left from sacrament to see my grandma Vaden. It was a very successful, visit, I always love seeing my family.

We left for Aaron's parents Wednesday afternoon. All of his siblings and his mom's parents came out for Thanksgiving. Of course this meant a photo op. This time 10 kids running around like little turkey who lost their head= good time! Thursday evening the girls brought out the fingernail polish, and the next thing I know they are painting the guys toe nails. ALL of the guys toes! I don't know how they talked them into it, but I do know that even nail polish can not make a Aaron's feet look pretty!! Friday all the girls did some light shopping, dresses for the girls and stocking stuffers, nothing real big. Saturday the guys went to the cabin to try out his dad's new guns. So I went to see my brother Heath. The girls loved Payton and Heath and Emilee loved getting to put their feet up, for but a short moment. He is a cute smiley little bug, with quite the pitch! Our trip home was not as bad as it could have been, but none the less still stressful with new snow Sunday morning. We have much to be thankful for, and I am blessed to be a part of such great and loving families!

My sweet baby girl!

My sweet baby girl just keeps getting bigger. She was so excited to turn 5. She informed me that she was ready to go to kindergarten Monday, now that she is 5. It took some convincing that it was not my choice, the school would not let her go, not until next year.
I love it when birthdays fall on Sunday, it turns into a whole birthday weekend, and that is what she got! Aaron's parent always come for the primary program, which happened to land on the PERFECT weekend, her birthday. We went out for ice cream Friday night, shopping, Chucky Cheese, and Red Robin Saturday and then of course presents and cake on Sunday. She was in little girl heaven, with a HUGE smile all weekend! Oh how I love her precious, deviant little smile! Happy birthday baby girl!

Halloween Happenings

We carved pumpkins for the first time since...well I can't remember the last time. The girls wanted to do it this year, which I had to remind them a few times as the eeeww faces started to appear. I had to get a picture of Eli, as he was banned to the tall chair, only to watch. Soo rough being the baby!
I have a few pictures of the new projects that I made this year, the ideas not my own, but passed along by my mom and friend Lyndsey.
As we no longer live in Idaho, where it is a given that trick or treating is done on Saturday, we were left to depend solely on the ward trunk or treat. Eli was suppose to be spider man, I bought the costume last year on clearance, turns out I didn't take in to account his growing exponentially. Although he though he was hot stuff with the the mask, he would get mad if we took if off. So he was spiderman by day and a cowboy by night. Sydney was a butterfly fair, Abby was Princess Leia, and Ry was a mad scientist.
I decided to let the girls have a late over after the trunk or treat, which consisted of decorating cupcakes, and watching a movie. Syd was sooo excited, she got to have a friend of her own this time instead of tagging along with her sisters. Eli managed to have a little fun of his own, getting into the unused cupcakes, clever little fella! So no trick or treating this year, but I think the girls were not left wanting and there will not be any permanent damage or scaring!

Sprinklers in October??

My parents, sister and her three children were here over the weekend. It was a pleasant surprise to find out they were all coming! The girls didn't have school on Friday, so it was perfect timing to boot! They did on Thursday, which left my sisters kids with less entertainment. It was a beautiful day, and Truman had asked if they could run though the sprinklers. Initially I told him to wait until the afternoon to see how warm it would get, hoping he would forget. YEAH...If you know Truman, then you know that was not about to happen!! So I thought fine, the worst that happens, they get out there, it lasts a whole whopping minute and they are back inside, and I am not the mean aunt that said "NO" To my surprise the "whopping minute" turned into 45 minutes. It really was a beautiful day! It turned out to be a great time, as did the rest of their visit. All the rest of the pictures from the weekend are in Des's camera, I lent my batteries to my dad for his camera, so those may or may not come later. It really is great that they are so willing to make the trip so often to see us. They had to rent a mini van just so they could all fit in one vehicle. That is love I tell ya! LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

My Babies in Blue

These were taken by a photographer in our ward. One day I will have it figured out and mine will look this good! I LOVE LOVE the colors!







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Finally Finished

I have had these boards for over two years!! I finished Abby's board a year ago, but was not willing to put one up with out the other(they share a room.) So here we are two years later and they are both finally finished AND hung. You can now understand Aaron's frustration when I announce that I am going to start a project, hehe!

Another Toothless Smile

She is not even five yet!! I think she must have fallen and knocked it loose somehow, it just seems sooo early! She couldn't be more proud, she shows everyone! I love the toothless smiles, it is the crooked chicklet smile that I am not so eager for. All signs of growing up, it never ends! Am I the only one that wishes I could put them in a time capsule?

Eli First Steps

I love how funny he thinks he is once he has made it across to the girls and Aaron!

I Can't Believe It!

My baby just turned ONE, how is this possible!! Next thing you know Aaron and I are going to empty nesters, that is how fast time is flying! Eli was all about the serious on his birthday, smiles were hard to come by, he was so intense with the playing. When it came to eating the cake, he would only put the small crumbs in his mouth, he WOULD NOT touch the piece of cake. He WOULD however, make his muscles man fit face if he was not fed the cake fast enough. We have absolutely LOVED having him in our home, and are enjoying each new day as his little personality develops.

Redfish Lake

Redfish lake is one of my all time favorite favorite places EVER!! This camping trip is THE reason that the kids and I stayed in Idaho for 5 weeks total! I have been camping here every summer since always! I missed my first summer ever last year, due to being 8 months prego. I was determined to make it this year, even if it meant a month away from home. The trip was totally worth it! It rained a little, but for the most part the weather was great, and the kids loved the beach and water, I loved just being there.

BBQ at Aunt C's

My aunt C invited us over to her summer house for hamburgers, crochet and a little unplanned dancing. My aunt Miste, her two boys, my youngest brother Ivan, his little girl and my mom also joined the party. That is a sucker in Ry's mouth, just to be clear!) It was the perfect night..fun, family, food, relaxing and always with aunt C, good music!

Wildhorse

No horses here, just the beautiful mountains where we went camping with may dad and his family. Aaron flew home after Mexico, the kids and I would stay another three weeks before making our way back. Of my dads 7 siblings, 5 were there, along with my grandma and grandpa. Crafts, hiking, four wheeling, games,prizes and LOTS of Mosquitoes! Again it has been a number of years since we have been able to attend this year ritual, so it was nice to visit and catch up!

I had to through in the random pictures of the girls sewing at my parents house, I didn't know where else to put them. While Aaron and I were on our trip, the kids stayed with both his parents and then mine. My mom decided that she was going to teach them how to sew. I just now realized that I don't have a picture of the finished project-oops, sorry!

A once in a life time trip_Literally!

OOOH Sweet Mexico! Aaron and I have married ten crazy amazing years. In those ten years, we have only been on one trip, just the two of us, and that was our honeymoon. A trip to Mexico sounded PERFECT! The Mayan ruins were amazing, defiantly the best part of the trip, and consequently the only pictures we have on the trip! As for the rest, I am just going to make a LONG story short, and say that I won't be going back any time soon!

4th of July 2010

We were in I.F. over the fourth of July with Des and my mom. Lighting our own fireworks was defiantly the highlight of the night. I love the covered ears and covered mouths. We got a room on the river for the "Biggest show in the West Fireworks". So the kids got to do a little swimming before all the festive fun started. It has been a few years since we've been around for the big Maleluca show, which was actually Saturday instead of Sunday. A very successful celebration- I do believe!

Petersen Reunion

Aaron's Dad's family has a reunion every three years. Reunion location and planning rotate through Doyle and his siblings. This year the reunion was held up at Alturas Lake, located in the Sawtooth mountains. Such a beautiful area!! We stayed in a group of cabins that were built for girls camp. The weather was not BAD, but it was not GOOD either. This meant less time at the beach- more hanging around the campfire and catching up. It was good to see all the cousins, roast marshmellows, and just enjoy being outdoors!

Idaho starts with the Petersen's

We had a nice stay with Aaron's parents and family. The girls did a little transplanting with Gramma Pammy, some pine cone picking with Grandpa Doyle, BBQ'n and a lot of lov'n and playing with cousins, Aunts, Great Aunts and Great Grandparents. Only a day or two though because we were off to the Petersen reunion.

Summer of Service

We were only around for two of the S.O.S projects this summer:( This particular project we washed police cars. We had a GREAT turn out, the kids thought it was great fun! Afterward an officer talked to the kids, turned the lights and sirens on and even let them go through the back of the car. He was willing to open the front to them as well...He obviously didn't have children of his own... so I had to be the bad guy and lay down the law on the one. LOVE S.O.S!

One year oler!

Rylie turned nine this summer! She has outgrown the princess cakes phase, and believes she is an expert in the way of fashion. My worst nightmare, I can't dress my little girl in what I WANT anymore! All she wanted was clothes, no more toys. She also choose to go camping, which involved swimming, games and being spoiled with cupcakes from my friend Lyndsey. We went to Red Robin for dinner and Aaron threatened to sing his famous Loud, Off key Birthday song, in both the restaurant and in the parking lot. SOOO Embarrassing for the Maturing Rylie, and she loved it! She is such a sweet and helpful big sister and Love every minute of her!

Fabric Flower

Start with a rectangle piece of material. The size of the material will depend on size and shape of flower you are making. The pink material is wider, because I am going to make the flower petals round v.s the red flower petals which will be thinner and pointed. The height of the material will determine the size of the flower-small baby flower or large oversize flower.

Take material and fold it in half.

Fold the material one more time in half-the same direction. I then make a crease to mark the middle of the material.

Starting just above the crease mark-cut the material into the desired petal shape. Then do the same below the crease mark. The goal is to cut as close to the middle without actually cutting the middle.

Your material should look this this unfolded. Notice one of the cuts doesn't go all the way to the middle. This will not work, you will need to cut it to look like the other petals.

Now take your needle and thread and do a running stitch through the middle. Pull tight and tie off. I strongly recommend the upholstery thread, regular will typically break.

Play with the petals and arrange in flower form.
Repeat above steps with the second piece of material. I do not recommend folding the two pieces together and cutting, it will not cut nicely.

Once you have adjusted the two flowers place them one on top of the other and sew together in the middle.

Apply fray check to the petals edges and trim when dry. Hot flowers center piece. Many use buttons, I also like the decor brads that are found in the scrap booking section.

Two days later!

My parents left Sunday after helping put the floor in AND my sister arrived Tuesday night! She and her little family stayed with us until the following Monday. We stayed plenty busy visiting the Denver Mint, Hammond Candy Factory, the Denver Zoo, swimming at the rec center and playing in the sprinklers. The weather in Idaho has been anything but warm, so they were able to enjoy three days of the sun, but it seems as though the clouds followed them. Jason and the boys went to the Rockies game Friday night and enjoyed the game, food, mixed with a little rain! Turns out that four hours at the zoo is more than my girls can take, i.e. the picture of all four children in the double stroller. Eli sporting the pink stroller is another good picture. The Mint doesn't allow strollers which was a treat in and of itself carrying the 24lb kiddo to, through and from the tour. I was more than eager to relieve my arms when to my surprise, I had no stroller! Des had hers, thus Eli in a pink stroller. He is comfortable enough with his masculinity, he pulled off just fine I think-hehe!

New floors

We have hated the carpet in our house since be bought it-carpet in the dinning room? So we had an estimate on having the floors installed. When it came back $2200- just for the labor-uuuh we decided to try another company. The second bid came back at ONLY $1000 for the labor-for 450 sq feet! Are you kidding me! Being the cheapo that I am, and having the father I do, decided to make a phone call and informed Aaron that his weekend was booked. He was not soo keen with the idea, but I reassured him that it would be no problem. Long story short, it was a sliiightly harder project than I had anticipated-But no worries! Here are the before and after's!

Three Day Weekend

We went on our first camping trip in Colorado, which was also our first trip without one or the other of our parents. Don't get me wrong, we did have a good time. BUT, that being said, oh my gosh! We only went for one night, which I had thought was a good idea. First trip, short and sweet, break us in just a little. Yeaah, camping is A LOT of work weather you go for one night or three! I am going to go out on a limb and say it is not worth the work for only one night. We spent more time loading and unloading than we did anything else! Not to mention, I managed to leave home without my camera, so I don't have any pictures! I did mention that we DID have a good time, right?

Monday morning we loaded the car with Aaron's 22"s, BB guns and headed for the "grasslands" The girls were a little bit skeptical when we told them what we had planned for the day. We still lived in Idaho, and they were little the last time we went out. When we got there, you could see Aaron start to get excited. They were so funny to watch aim with their little visor on. It looked so awkward, yet they were hitting the box, so they must have been doing something right. It was cute watch them all walk out to check their marks on the targets, very serious stuff! Eli was a champ and just hung out, the noise didn't seem to bother him. Syd did have a good time I promise-though she looks quite the contrary sitting in the back of the Durango. Before we left, we filled a walmart bag with other peoples shot gun shells and still didn't get it all. I can't believe how lazy and uncaring some people are. Aaron was happy to see his little girls enjoy something that he has such fond memories of himself as a boy.

Tis Summer

Summer has officially started at our house. The girls last day of school was the 26th. The girls loved their teachers this year. Aaron was a little skeptical at first, he didn't think they looked much older than the girls! I can't believe it, one more year down- they just keep going faster and faster! Syd has one year of preschool under her belt. She has a late birthday, so we get to keep her home one more year!

Baby update

I had to get some shots of his chubs! Look at that bum hanging out of his diaper-those are 4's!! He is just so squishy and I can't get enough of the little stinker!! And he IS a little stinker! SOOO spoiled-yes by his three sisters, but I am just as guilty! He is a little lounger too. If he has the option of sitting or laying back and chill'n-he's gonna chill! You should see him in the grocery cart! Syd loves to climb into his crib when he wakes up in the morning and occasionally after naps to play with him. He of course loves every minute of it! I especially like it in the morning, allowing me a few extra minutes of sleep!

7 Years Old

Time seems to be going faster and faster. In another year it will be baptism #2! I have been truly blessed with the children that I have been given. Abby is so sweet and loving. She LOVES her baby brother, and is good friends with her sisters. She loves to please, and will do what ever is asked of her with out questioning. She is a joy to have around I love her more than she'll ever know!

We had a fun filled day with swimming, presents and eating out. Abby opened a few presents from her grandparents and then she got a movie and a kite from us. My favorite part of the evening was that she was absolutely thrilled with what she got, and had no expectations for more, so the surprise in the garage was priceless.

I had to through a couple of my favorite baby pictures in, can you believe those chubs!

spring break fun

We made our annual trip home, just the kids and me. We were able to make it for my sisters little girls 2 year birthday party. I miss being around for those small stepping stone moments/get togethers. As always the food was great, knowing that when I got home I was to start my loose --lbs crash diet, I went a little over board with the home made cream of broccoli soup, homemade rolls, sugar cookies, cinnamon rolls and Easter candy. We were at my sisters house for three days and the weather was less that pleasant, so we were stuck indoors. The kids didn't seem to mind, they love playing together. Des decided to try a sugar cookies on a stick, a trick she read in some magazine. I think they turned out cute, the kids were just happy frosting something, what kids doesn't love frosting?

Next was my moms house! The weather was a little warmer, so the kids were able to go outside a little more. Grandma is known for her crafts and projects for the kids to do. They were able to make these cute princess things called shrinky dinks. You color them and then cook them and they shrink into a smaller thicker version. It is crazy to watch. Later when Des came they made them into cute little necklaces. The next project was actually for me, but we let the girls in on the fun. My parents have a wood shop, and my mom has taken up cutting adorable crafty wood for groups in and around the community. This is something that I usually miss out on-living so far away- but I happened to time this one right. I walked away with a "SPRING" and "Free Weeds"! I love how they turned out! While we were working,we noticed a deer in the yard. The next thing we know there were 7 of them. In the ten years that I lived there, I never saw deer come right into the yard, I guess it isn't uncommon anymore. CRAZY!

The Easter Bunny comes to our girls Friday night. Grandma always adds a basket, filled with all kinds of fun goodies and surprises. We went to the towns annual Easter egg hunt( more of a neighborhood eggs hunt anywhere else), It was kind of a bust, they were not nearly fast enough! They were not upset in the least, because of the many egg hunts that they ended up doing, here, there and everywhere, this one had real eggs, and they don't like real eggs. Des and her family came up later in the day. All the kids ended up spending all afternoon hiding, finding and re hiding the eggs out in yard. It was a nice day, again with good food and always great company-with the exception that Aaron was missing. I love Eli enjoying his first experience with the sugar covered bunny, and that toothless gum smile!

We were suppose to leave for Aaron family Saturday night and leave for home Monday morning. Plans changed a little due to the deteriorating health of Aarons grandpa. We didn't leave my parents house until late Sunday morning. We were still able to meet with Aaron's siblings at his parents house. Again the kids had a blast playing their cousins. I love Eli playing with "the boys" It will not be long before he is running right along side of them. Eli with Aarons mom gives a good example of how LARGE he is. He is a fatty for one, but he is tall too! I just got a bunch of 12 month jumpers for summer that are already crouching him, he isn't even 8 months yet!

The trip is still not over!! Heath (my brother) was unable to make it to the birthday party. I still hadn't gotten to see his new little one, so we made a trip to see them Sunday night. Can you believe how tiny he is-at a month old even. Eli still had 4 weeks inside me when he was that size! SERIOUSLY!

So we had a very successful trip! Eli was a great traveler, and there was lots to keep us busy. That being said, it was nice to finally be home!

Snow Day

Monday we picnicked at the park, it was a lovely spring day. There was forecast of a storm to come, but I took it for what it was worth believing that clouds would roll in and the temp would drop and maybe there would be a few flakes. The day came and it started with rain. I celebrated, I can handle rain, that means spring truly is here here. Well the rain lasted for about an hour and then the snow. I believe this was the biggest snow of the season-THE END OF MARCH!! Needless to say school was canceled and the kids took advantage of the warm weather and super wet heavy snow.

Mother daughter night

We got tickets to Beauty and the Beast and decided to make a whole night of it. First we hit Red Robin for dinner-a table for 11, 6 of which were little girls, and three of those 6 were mine! We decided to hold off on the shakes and go for dessert afterwords. The play was not the Disney version, so the girls were a little disappointed that there was no Bell. After the play we ended up at Cold Stone, where the kids played for almost an hour. It was a great night, dinner, entertainment, dessert and great company!

6 months

So he is technically 7 months this week, but these are his "6 month pictures" I can't believe how fast they grow! If only pregnancy would go this fast! I can not say enough how much we love this little guy. He is a little charmer, always with a smile. He knows that I can not resist, which is definitally going to come back and bite me in the long run, but for now I give in and say "he's my baby"

Get the goobers out!

Sydney has a serious fetish with Eli's feet and hands! She is constantly,three and four times a day, picking his toes and fingers to make sure there are NO GOOBERS. I had to make the rule that she is not allowed to do it anymore if I am holding him. She would grab his feet and try to do it while I was changing his diaper. Seriously she is like a little monkey, grooming her little brother for bugs! Eli is actually a pretty good little sport about the process, it me that she is driving crazy.

Valentine Visitor

I love love love my sister!! It has been hard living this far from her, but she has been so good to come and visit as much as possible, which is GREAT, and I appreciate more than she knows. She flew in last Wednesday and we started the visit off with a trip into Denver for the musical Legally Blond. It was a great night, with the help of my friend Marie, who drove and showed us the ropes! We filled the rest of her visit with shopping, dinner, a movie, a visit to a scrap metal zoo, and then there was the built in babysitter for a Valentines date!

The girls were out like a light after the day of shopping, a movie and the zoo! Sunday the girls received their traditional valentine socks and sucker. I am not sure how the tradition with socks will last with Eli in the mix now, I was able to find Incredibles socks for him this year, so I guess we'll see!