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!
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!
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!!
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! 
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!
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! 
We had our tradition of valentine socks and candy. This year it was a chocolate rose, BIG hit with the girls. Writing names on the valentines is always so exciting, and intense, very serious work! I am so very grateful for my children, they truly do make my life bright. I can't help but fill with pride when they are the topic of discussion!
I have never been a valentine decor person, but like I said in the last post, I LOVE the ideas that are out there on blogs these days. I found the vase idea at Someday Crafts. Check out the cupcake liner wreath too, very cute! I had a hard time deciding which wreath I was going to do. I am very happy with how this one turned out. You will find the tutorial at Little Birdie Secrets. In case you were interested in making this one, it took one and a half yards of fabric. The tutorial doesn't say how much. Needless to say I had to make a trip back to Joann's. Des told me about the cupcake liner topiary tree, so I can't tell you were to find that tutorial. Anyway that is the how and where on that, hope you all had a lovely Valentines Day! 
I have been loving the crafty blogs that are out there! I am by no means a creative person, but I CAN COPY! My good friend is having her third baby, very soon!! It is her second girl, so no baby shower...but I hosted a baby brunch. The pink felt flower ball was the center piece and sent home for a decoration in the girls room. I found it on a blog called oops redone I love how it turned out! I saw the burp cloth at church, and the bib took me a combination of blogs, just google towel bib tutorial. 
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!
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! 
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!!!!
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! 
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 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! 
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!
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!!!
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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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! 
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? 
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 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. 
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! 
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! 
