The kids were learning about the planets and space. We decided to take advantage of our resources and take the kids to the university planetarium in Boulder. It is a toss up between who liked it more, the kids or moms. I did wonder how much more we would have been impressed if the technology had been updated. We watched "Kids in Space," the same program that was used when it was built, back in the 70's, music and all!) Either way Syd learned alot, and had a good time! Thanks Melissa for making it happen!

Watch D.O.G.S

Aaron took the day off to participate in a program at the girls school called Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) The girls were SUPER excited! He started the morning off helping direct traffic at the drop off cross walk in front of the school. From there he and the girls were featured on the morning video announcements. He went to art, library, P.E., lunch, helped out in both of the girls classrooms and DON'T forget RECESS! Three as a matter of fact. He played tag, red light green light, busted some dance moves, and monkey bars. They came home with huge smiles, and Aaron was exhausted! I think it is a good program for the school, great experience for the kids and dads!

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!