Thanksgiving breakdown

Thanksgiving started at the Petersens this year. We were especially excited to see the newest addition to the family. She was only two weeks old, sooo tiny! The girls were to cute fighting for any spare second that she wasn't being malled by the adults.


This year we pulled our gift money together and decided to tie blankets and give small toys to the hospital. I was a little nervous with having older boys and such little ones that we might have our work cut out for us. It was such a great family activity. EVERYONE was excited, eager to participate and selfless. I especially loved how it pulled us together as a a family!

Then we were off to my parents house. We managed to have a full house with all of my siblings and ALL of the grandchildren. Lots of dress up and movie watching


After dinner on Thursday Aaron and Jason took the kids out to shoot pumpkins. I don't know who enjoys it more, the kids or the dads!

We attempted to grab a picture of all the gran-kids since we had all of them. Oddly enough, even though it was over cast the sun managed to sneak out without our notice and this is what we ended up with:/

Syd's six!

My baby girl is six!! She has grown up soo much this last year! She loves school and said she wishes that school was on Saturdays too! Their school has a program called Watch D.O.G.S. (dads of great students) They encourage fathers to take a day and spend it at school with the kids. Last year Aaron went one day and split it between all three girls. This year he decided to give each one their own day, on or around their birthday. Sy was in heaven!!
When we moved here Chucky Cheese was the activity of choice for Birthday Celebration, it looks as though we have moved away from that and on to bowling.
From bowling we headed to Red Robin, who can pass up thier macaroni and cheese?

She is still missing her two two top teeth. (It has been well over a year, it amazes me to watch her eat) Still the cutest smile ever!

We love our Syd!!

Peter Pan or Robin Hood

This is the first time we have dressed up in a theme. My sister gave me this Peter Pan costume for Eli and I couldn't resist. I LOVE him in his little green tights!!

We went to a school fall festival and the girls got their faces painted.

Not once did anyone call him Peter Pan, it was Robin Hood every time. Is Robin Hood really more common? Either way, Robin Hood/Peter Pan, he is SUPER cute!

Des is in town!

Desiree and her family made their annual visit this September. I love that she is still able and willing to pull the two older kids out of school, load all four kids up and drive for what is now a 9.5 hour drive, just to see me! I love every minute I get!

This is a family pic I was able to grab of them while they were here. Such a cute little family!

The first day we went to Miller Farms where the kids played on the toys for a few hours. Then we jumped on the wagon pulled by tractor and picked a bunch of corn, carrots, and a few onions.

The second day we went to the Butterfly Pavilion. The butterflies where not as big as they were the first year we went, but everyone got a chance to hold one. I am not sure, but I don't think the one Eli got a hold of lived to see another day:( Dillon and Truman were both super brave and held the tarantula. No surprise the girls took a pass.

Their last day they voted to go swimming at the Rec Center. It was a great visit, one with no illness I might add! (She has been to the urgent care here with her kids more than I have)

TWO!!

My little man, who has never has been all that little, is officially toddler, no longer baby, huh sigh. Oh man is he everywhere and into everything! I know big surprise, he's a boy right? Look at that smile! Oh yeah he knows it and he uses it, AND it works! We pretty much don't have a chance, I apologize now for all future terrorizing!

We love him to pieces. Can't imagine our little family with out him!

1st Day of School!

Sydney started kindergarten this year. She has been waiting sooo long for this day. She will be one of the oldest in her class with a November birthday, so she had to stay home an extra year. She says she wishes that school was on Saturdays too! (we shall see how long that lasts) Abby is in the third grade, and Ry starts her last year in elementary:/
Eli was in on it all! He has REALLY turned into a ham! The pictures show a happy little man, about the time the girls headed up the hill and he was told "NO" the mood took a drastic turn:( I was not so happy either, I am really not a fan of school starting in the middle of August:/

Just kidding!

Summer finale part two? School started on a Thursday, so we managed one more fun in the sun day! We only just found out about this water park. It was perfect for my kids! Way cheaper than a Water World, but enough to keep my girls going and going. Syd just barely met the height to go down the slides without an adult. Yay for me, that meant the three of them were off on their own!! I love the two plugged noses and the third one with goggles (no nose plugging required)

Summer Finale

A week after we got back from Idaho, we packed up again for one last hurrah before the summer was officially over. We set off for Rocky National Forest. Our camp site was, lets just say it was lacking. While the campsite was noting but dirt and soot, I feel inclined to mention that I have never seen such amazing bathrooms out in the woods! The park was beautiful! We took the kids down to the river for some rock throwing and "cooling off" We went on a "hike" around a beautiful lake. I am bummed the lighting messed up the view of the gorgeous rocky mountain background, you'll just have to use your imagination. The second lake we went to had this huge bull moose just chil'n in out in the water. I love the pictures I caught of Aaron and Eli playing ball. The kids had a great time, and eventually Aaron will look back and say he did too! As of now all he remembers is packing, unpacking, cleaning, packing and unpacking!
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Idaho in July

We got to spend 5 days at grandma Pammy's. The visit started with Aarons flight being canceled, followed by his luggage being temporarily miss placed. This did not slow the girls down. While I spent the day getting Aaron, the girls spent the day in town with grandma. They took advantage with shopping and ice cream. We made our way to the pilgrim day parade, swimming and later hit a movie with the cousins. Grandma also managed to squeeze in a pedi. Eli loved watching the train pass behind the house, he and B were super cute peeking over the fence. Aaron was able to help his dad with an electrical project. He has not been around to "help" since we moved, so he was very pleased to have been able to be useful.
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Next up Redfish Lake! This is my most favorite place EVER! Maybe because I have been camping here with my family since before I can remember, or because it is BEAUTIFUL! This year my girls skied with the boom. I was really surprised when they agreed, but they did awesome! Eli was fearless in the water. He fell in a few times off the back of the boat, didn't faze him in the least. Don't know if that is a good thing or not?



The trip was only suppose to be a week. But Aaron was in Texas the week before and headed to Florida after. So I figured I might as well hang back with my family. I got to stay with my sister for an extra 4 day which was fabulous! We made these super cute, super easy headbands. I came home with 8, we didn't go overboard at all! The girls did dress up with my 3 year old niece. Funny that colors aside, it works with the styles these days! We also got to spend an extra few days at my parents house. We kept busy with lots of crafting, roasting marshmallows on the porch and four wheeling. We rode up the mine hill with my dad the last day. The view is incredible, and the old mine buildings that are still standing are amazing.



Over all a very successful trip!

Whew, I think I am caught up!! My desk top crashed a month ago and I have not been motivated to start things on Aarons computer. But since I may have lost all my pictures from Jan through April, I am grateful for the blog, since it may be my only imprint of the pictures taken and now lost.

S.O.S

I havn't been good at getting picutes of our S.O.S activies the year, but this particular one is one big photo op. We made two candy bar appreciation posters for the firefighters. Lucky for us, after we presented the posters, they were kind enough to show and tell us about thier helicopter and the firetruck. This activity ends up being as good for the kids as it is for the recipients of our "service"! (Not to say thats a bad thing:)

4th of July

We started the day with attending the town parade. Can't miss out on the free candy right? Then we headed to Estes Park. We got a room so we didn't have to drive and get home at midnight. We did some window shopping, went to dinner and then marked our spot for the fireworks. My favorite is the econolodge sign that frames in the veiw, very nice!) Eli was not a fan, he buried his face and eventually fell asleep.
The next day we ventured into the Rocky National Park. We have lived here four years and still never been. It is a beautiful drive!! Lots of elk and snow!! Eli was quite the traveler, happier with salt water taffy on his face!!

Ry turns 10

WOW! That is really all I can say, WOW!! She is really turning into a young lady. Clothes, hair, accesories. All of which she never really cared about before. Not the case anymore! I don't even TRY to buy clothes for her, unless she is with me. My mom laughes, says I am getting what I had coming. I can't argue, she still can't buy for me!) On the flip side, she really likes to go with me, and she is a good little sidekick to have!)
We went to Red Robin for lunch. This year we made sure she got her song and free icecream. She didn't get it last year and is still bitter every time we go. She is her fathers daughter...ICECREAM is the ultimate treat!! So rather than waste my time on a cake with pictures, she got a homemade icecream cake. It was alot easier, and WAY less time! Did I mention that she is growing up!! To old for Chucky Cheese, so she chose a movie instead. No complaints really, just the sure signs that my little girl is growing up!

Growing up or not she is still a SWEET SWEET girl, and we love having her around!!

Laser Tag + Remote Controle Car!!

Aaron was killing time with Eli the other day....He came home with 4 remote control laser tag cars!! Each car has three lights, if you are hit by another cars laser, one light goes on. When you are hit three times the car turns off, signaling you have been hit 3 times. You then reset the car, and start over. Aaron has always oogled and awwed over remote control cars and I would smile and move on. I suppose having his boy gave him the excuse, and he went all out. In his defense the girls were pretty excited too! For family home evening we take them to the church run them around in the gym.

Trip #1 to Idaho 2011

The first of June the kids and I headed for Idaho! The travel itinerary changed few times, but thanks to everyone being open and flexable, it all worked out. We were able to stop in Inkom/Pocatello to visit one of Aaron's sisters, her kids and his parents, as well as catch a flag football game of my brothers little guy.

We then made our way to Twin Falls to for Dillon's(my sisters oldest) baptism. My three siblings and I are all in the group picture, its been a couple years since that has happened! Rylie turns 10 this month and got her ears pierced, Happy Birthday from aunt Desiree. She is soo excited, she can hardely stand it.

I have to point out Sydneys toothless smile, I don't think I have reported on that yet. I think it is adorable! Both her and Abby were able to loose thier front teeth considerable early due to their extreme cordination...or lack there in;)

Next stop my parents house, where my mom took on a Major sewing project with my girls. They decorated the fabric with a "special" paint,and then proceeded to make it into what they use now as a scripture tote! They are VERY PROUD!! We were gone for a week and a half, but the time flies when you have so many stops. Over all a very successful, enjoyable trip!! We will make the trip all over again the end of July!!

May

These are just a few pictures to sign off Spring. The girls are with thier teachers. Rylie was one of five kids in her class that kept her purple tag,which means not even one warning from the teacher all year. As reward they got to go play frisbe golf with thier teacher accompanied with a ton of sugar!! The girl have enjoyed fine tuning thier volleyball skills, and the cool temperatures allowed the much needed practise. Eli is just getting soo big, trying new things all the time to prove it. Rylie has been able to take advantage of doing the Lemmons "the favor" of learning piano at their house,(that means lessons for free) They said that her showing up once a week forced them to be consistant themselves. They moved at the end of the month, so we shall see where we go from here!

16 GIRLS + 4 HOURS= FUN FUN FUN!

8,12 & 16 are the years that my kiddos get to have birthday parties with friends. It was suppose to be a slumber party, but it turns out those are frowned upon in this here neck of the woods. So what was going to be a slumber party of 4 turned into a "pajama party" late over with 13. Add my 3 girls to the mix and all of the sudden I have 16 girls running and squealing around in my backyard.

They started off with pizza for dinner. I though it would be fun to let them decorate cupcakes, and thought the owls were super cute and thought they would be simple enough. Unfortunately I did not buy double stuffed Oreos and I just assumed that the Oreo would twist apart nicely if done properly. Yeeaah, not so much! That combined with the frosting being a little to stiff made for stressful decorating, on my part anyway! They took off outside again while I cleaned up and prepared for the next activity, chocolate facials! The girls painted each others nails while I went around the table lathering their faces with this facial that was going to make their skin oh so soft. Aaah, well in theory anyway. It was slightly harder to take off than I had imagined! As we are opening presents and I look at a little face with red splotches. Her response was "I'm ok, it only burns a little" OOOh...so just in case you were wondering coco, ground oats, and sour cream DON'T give you soft skin! The evening tappered off with a movie and popcorn &/or a little Just Dance on the wii. Over all I think the kids were happy and had a good time. I did wonder, "what in the world were you thinking?" when it was all said and done.


Oh and it turns out the plastic table clothes are not resistant to fingernail polish remover! That's a whole nother story for another time!

Another Mile Stone!

Birthdays with family are rare here in Colorado. Abby's birthday fell the day before she was baptized, soooo she got to celebrate with family this year! I did not do as good a job as I thought documenting it with pictures of everyone, kinda bumbed. Our guests included, my parents, my sister and three of her kids, Aaron's parents, his sister, her husband and little one.

Abby was in heaven! We went for pedicures, made friendship bracelets, played at the bounce house, went out for dinner and topped off with plenty of presents and cake! Not bad for a 8 year old! Contrary to the look on Abs face, she did enjoy the pedi and bracelet making, promise!

I can't believe we are two down already, I swear Ry is still 8! It was a great day! We TONS of friends and family to show support. Abby has a very large primary class, 17 will be be baptized this year!

We love our Abby, she is such a sweet, thoughtful young lady! We could not be more proud of her decision to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Easter 2011

We did not have a white Christmas, but come time for an Easter egg hunt, what should appear...yeah SNOW!! Don't get me wrong, we didn't go sledding, it was just a skiff. Threatening just the same. All was well in the end, our small Easter egg hunt was a huge success, leaving no child disappointed. We decorated eggs Friday night and the Easter Bunny hid our baskets for Saturday morning. All the sugar and fun came Saturday, leaving us with a reverent Easter Sunday.


We were a family of Yellow at church!

Bounce house

We got an awesome coupon for a bounce house near by, and we decided to cash it in. The kids had a great time! It took Eli a little while to really get into it, he is still a little small for any of the climbing, especially with socks. The kids just ran solid for almost three hours. Great place to go to get out of the house while the weather is still cold!

Annual 2nd grade field trip

The second grade schedules a trip to the botanical gardens every spring. I went two years ago with Ry...here we are two years later with Abby! The weather was quite different this time, cloudy and cold. I was prego with Eli last time and it was sooo hot. This year they had centers set up though out the garden for the kids to participate in. This was nice because they literally split the kids up with chaperon and say go for it, meet back here in three hours. It is a little odd to me that they make this trip in April, both times that we have gone there is nothing in bloom outside except tulips? I do believe that we are going to have to make a trip later this summer to see it in all its glory!

Sydneys preschool scheduled a field trip to a dairy farm this year. Dairy farm equals lots of cows & lots of stink!! I love the group picture, the little blond one had her nose covered the WHOLE time! The last section of the tour was to the calves. If you held your two finger out, they would suck of them. Syd thought it was great, it had the ooh sweet effect...until she pulled her fingers out covered in thick slime! It was a fun little outing! Thanks to Teresa for organizing it!

Spring Break

This is the first spring break that the kids and I have not traveled back home to see family, leaving Aaron home by himself for the week. Sooo, when he found out we were not leaving him, he decided he wanted to take a couple days off and do something fun. We are not the most adventurous family, so we decided that we need to see more of Colorado than the 30 mile radius around our house. We settled on Glenwood Springs a 3 hour drive west up and over the mountains. Sydney was so excited that she was begging to pack three days before we left! We got there Sunday afternoon and headed straight for the pool. Surprisingly Eli didn't take to the water right away, he clung on to Aarons neck with his little teeth chattering. He did acclimate and then he was off! Syd did a 5 minute switch off between the pool and the hot tub. Abby was a little fish practicing her underwater swimming, using her new goggles! Ry tootled around, you know she is "older" now:)

Monday we were off to the Adventure Park! We went on an hour tour of the coolest caves. We saw tinker bell, santa clause, a glowing Cheeto and lots of bacon! They are very particular about not touching the rocks, at the risk of leaving human oils which will disturb the natural order of things. This being said, the whole tour is lit, and has stairs descending ???? feet down into the crazy unknown. I couldn't image being the first guy squeezing through all the nooks and crannies with only a flash light on his head!

You can not drive to the park, you have to ride a gondola up the mountain side. The kids were a little unsure on the way up, it never stops, similar to a ski lift, you have to jump on as it has slows down. They were pros for the ride back down the hill. In addition to the gondola and cave tours, our passes gave us unlimited laser tag and unlimited rides on the Alpine Coaster. We loved the laser tag, we played three times and each time it was just our family. They let Eli run around with us, I just have to toot my horn and say I Rocked it! It was just a little bit chilly, so we only held out for two rides on the Alpine Coaster. Ry was tall enough to go by herself, so she managed three rides! Very fun, quite the rush! It was...a GREAT TRIP!!

Perfect Day for the Zoo

It has been a long time since we had been to the zoo, all together as a family! So we loaded up and off we went! Eli was tiny the last time we went, so I was excited to see his reaction to the animals. Turns out that with the exception of the monkeys, he did not seem to be all that impressed! He was very docile, and was just along for the ride, who knew! He did enjoy the monkeys, maybe cause they have so much in common? I have always had a hard time getting good zoo pictures, but I have to say I LOVE the shot of Eli with the Ape in the background. We splurged and let the kids ride BOTH the carousel and the train, the girls were very excited. It was a great family day!

Double the fun!

BRACES!! That is right, both of the girls went in on Friday to get BRACES! Don't get me wrong, we knew they were going to need them...eventually! We did not think it would be this soon, and we definitely didn't bank on both at the same time. Turns out that they need them for more than just cosmetic reasons, sooner rather than later. Good times, for everyone involved! They had mashed potatoes and bananas for dinner last night, yogurt for breakfast and pancakes for lunch. I am starting to run out of non-chew food ideas! Abs should only have them on for a year, but Ry may end up with them for three years, solid.(depending on how fast she looses the last of her baby teeth) We just keep telling them it will be worth it when they see their beautiful straight teeth smile when it is all said and done!

Annual February Visit

We always look forward to the end of February! Aaron's dad has had a big company meeting in Denver, at the end of February, the last three years. Soooo, even after a crazy long week of meetings and eating out, he is willing to push his flight back so that we can see him for few hours. This time we took in a game of bowling, followed by dinner and shakes at the one and only Red Robin. The girls...I mean kids had a blast! We will take every minute we can get!! Thanks for a great night Doyle!