Peterson Party Page

Love this Kid

2012-01-23T20:20:00.002-07:00

He's a little bit past 18 months;
but I figured I better get a picture up of him before he's waaaaay past 18 months.

His hair is getting really long.

He still has the most beautiful curls --- which is why I am reluctant to cut it off.

Though, unfortunately, he has been called a girl a few times......

eek!

He is in the jibbering stage.

He'll "say" a lot and then a few words that I understand.

But everything is always extremely important.

Since he's the littlest in the family; he always wants to do what everyone else is doing.

Hence; I'm fairly certain that he will be climber.

Sometimes we really have to watch him at the table or on the couch.

Naturally, he is fearless.

Holiday's 2011

2012-01-04T10:27:00.062-07:00

I'm just going to do one post for all the holiday's.
So much easier :)

Christmas Eve for us was fun. We did our secret Santa with my family.
This year the family consisted of a mom and her two teenage daughters!
YIKES!
I barely know what to get a girl --- let alone a teenage girl!
I was texting friends with teenage daughters and girls that are young enough to be able to tell me what a teenage girl likes
....they all thought it was quite commical....I'm still not quite sure why --
But, in the end we got some pretty awesome gifts for under $20 (that is our limit, per person, for secret Santa)
When Secret Santa was delivered, we went over to my grandparents and had a delicious dinner of soups in bread bowls and all other kinds of lucious goodies.

We came home and all the boys opened their tradition pj's on Christmas Eve.
I made Brook those uber-awesome bottoms!
(They are frogs --- it is a bit of a challenge finding "boy" fabric. Let alone age-appropriate fabric in flannel. I figured they were pj's and B wasn't going to be going anywhere in them anyways ---)

goofy is the name of the game!

Christmas morning!

Collin LOVES this bookset that Grandpa & Grandma Peterson got him.
It is basically a grown-up version of the leap-pad.
There are 6 science books that come with a pen that has quizes and games that you can do with the information you read.
So perfect for Collin!

We went to my parents later in the afternoon and had so much fun eating and playing and the cousins loved it.
Had to line them up for a picture.
Thay are all so adorable!

Collin, Jack, Luke, Shelby, & Thatcher

New Year's ~~Day~~ morning.
New year, new time for church.
So NOT fair when we all stayed up much later then normal the night before!

Thatcher is trying out all the fun party stuff we got the night before.

Happy New Year!!!!

Kevin & Heidi were here for the holidays and it was simply marvelous to spend time with them and have the kids play together for a week.

The night before they left to head home to Washington, they stopped by to say good-bye and hang out for a little while.

We got the snake out.

Shelby....didn't really warm up to Stanley.

Luke was so adorable. He had a great time holding the snake.

( I think that they might be getting one....)

Greatfulness

2011-12-20T10:17:00.017-07:00

I had to post.

We ran into my Aunt Cindy at the grocery store yesterday afternoon and Thatcher was not happy to be in the cart.
Cindy was so sweet and took the big boys to go and get some cookies while I sped through the store getting what I needed.
When we met up again, she had bought each of the boys a package of Oreo cookies and Thatcher some animal crackers.

I suggested to the boys later that afternoon, that they should make thank you notes for Aunt Cindy.
They happily set to the task.
I had to take pictures because their notes were so cute!

hard at work creating a masterpiece of a thank you card.

Jack's card

I love what Collin wrote.

(Apparently my uncle's trove of stuffed animals really had an impression on him)

Thank you, Aunt Cidy for your thoughtfulness. You are a gem!

Things I've Learned from Pinterest...

2011-12-11T11:06:00.003-07:00

Ah....Pinterest.
Don't we say it like a soothing rush of warm water out of the shower on a cold morning?
Yes.
You do, and I do.
It is the best place to find anything that your heart desires.
Including a good crop of "Good to Know's"
At least that is what my board is called on Pinterest for this fun post.

I wanted to share a few of things that I wish I had discovered or thought of.
(People are just so clever!)

If you want to hang a picture, just dab on a tiny dollup of toothpaste where the hook is, eyeball where you want to put the picture and press to the wall.
Voila!
You've don't have to get out the tape measure and juggle with nail, hammer
AND picture frame at the same time!

GENIOUS!!!

...how to hull a strawberry using a straw.

CLEVERNESS!

...how to get those yucky yellow armpit stains off of a white shirt.

Yes please!

...how to make my own laundry detergent.

Supposedly costs $20.00 to make and lasts for nine months.

Added bonus: The best detergent out there. "You'll never buy again!"

...how to make my own icepack that doesn't freeze completely so that I can

"contour it to my body"

Very cool (no pun intended!).

...How to shread chicken "restaraunt style"

Throw in kitchen aid with the paddle attachemnt, turn on to speed 4-6 and in 20 seconds you will have

"perfect, restaraunt style shredded chicken"

(I'm sooooo doing this next time I need shredded chicken!)

...How to make buttercream frosting smooth.

Using a paer towel and fondant smoother

('cause I totally have one of those in my kitchen drawer!)

But when I DO get myself one, I will be sure to give this go ahead try.

Isn't Pinterest fun?

Oh yeah!!!

Keep looking for those "Good to Know's"

(as will I; and make sure to share!)

Halloween 2011

2011-11-06T15:43:00.001-07:00

Halloween is my most favorite holiday.
Not sure why, actually.
Maybe I should think about that one.

This year we were graced by the presence of a
Black Ninja
Elephant
Black Spiderman

It was awesome!

....I love the Ninja. He rocked those high kicks!!!

And we have got one seriously cute elephant!

Thatcher only went to one house this year. Across the street from my parents. That was enough for his first "real" year of Trick-or-Treating.
Next year should be lots of fun!

He wouldn't even hold his candy bag....

Another Autumnal Tradition

2011-10-29T15:59:00.019-06:00

Fall is just full of traditions!
It is a great time to do lots of things.
The boys look forward every year to making applesauce with my parents and to selling the pumpkins that grew in the garden.
This year, all three boys spent the night at Poppa & Nanna's on Friday night and then on Saturday morning, Grammy & Poppy came over for breakfast (pancakes---which the boys absolutely LOVE!) and to enjoy their time with the boys as well.

The night before was our ward Trunk or Treat so the boys were dropped off in their costumes. It is Halloween weekend --- if they want to wear their costumes all day long, I just don't care! :)
Jack loves to help push the apples down into the mashed and help my Dad.

The pumpkin selling set-up.
My grandfather also made cookies for the boys to sell.
The money that they make, they get to use for Christmas presents.
It is a good tradition that is also a great lesson for them.
They sold all the cookies and almost all the pupkins.
(I think that Collin and Jack both came home with $16)

Ta-Da! The finished product in jars, ready to be processed. (Grammy helping out)

Pumpkin-Carving Party

2011-10-23T14:48:00.027-06:00

This is the 5th year that we've done the pumpkin carving party!
FIFTH!
I can hardly beleive it, but it is just so much fun and personally, I look forward to it too much NOT to hold it.
Though, unfortunately, I didn't take too many pictures.
(It's a little bit more of a challenge to snap pictures when you're charging around after a mobile toddler...)

Brook did a really good job "helping" Jack carve his pumpkin...too bad we don't have a picture of it completely carved...

darling little Lilly was just too cute NOT to take a picture of!

Remember all those babies from last year?
Well now we've got toddlers....though we only got about half of them this year, which was truly a shame, because another good picture of all the babies lined up would have been pretty cute!
But we did what we could and got the ones that were there rounded up for (what I'm hoping will become an annual) picture.

There is Addie, Bradley, Thatcher and Avery

Fall Leaves

2011-10-21T14:31:00.001-06:00

The leaves will be gone before we know it and all we'll be left with is the bare, brown trees and grass.
I took the chance and "attempted" some fun out-door/fall leaf pictures with the boys.
Eh...it went ok. ;)

Actually, it went pretty much according to "normal".
And that, my friends, is what I would rather have recorded for me and my boys when it really comes down to it.
Would I rather have utterly adorable, posed, and not natural, pictures of my boys enjoying a beautiful fall afternoon in the sun; or -- something realistic and memorable?
...to be honest: a little bit of both.
I do try.
But I am also happy with the outcome as well.

Now if that isn't the reality of my life with boys; I don't know what is.

(Though I really, really like this last picture of Thatcher....he's just so adorable!)

Family Time

2011-09-27T10:52:00.012-06:00

So much fun!
We all gathered again in the afternoon after Taylor & Courtney's sealing to just hang out and be with each other.
Sadly: we were missing Kevin & Heidi and their kids because of a quick depolyment on Kevin's part.

Beware: there are A LOT of pictures.
So if you get bored, I won't be offended. This is mostly just for my recording purposes and my family.
So enjoy the pictures, if you choose, and if you don't well.....

OK...
There is a backstory to the following picture:
We all were thinking that Aubrey, with her shor 'do, was looking a lot like Taylor. So we put Randy's glasses on her and took a few pictures.
It's funny for us.

The kids had so much fun playing in the creek and looking for crawdads....I don't think that they would have even noticed if it got dark --- they could have stayed there all night long.

Vacation Re-Cap

2011-09-16T11:22:00.005-06:00

We had so much fun and were so busy on our family vacation!
I'm sure that there are more pictures then these
(some I took with my phone and are on facebook and others...I'm not so sure about...)
Here's just a small recap of the fun we had:

Wednesday night (7th) we went to an Orem Owlz game with the Peterson family.
We were quite impressed with the staduim and had a lot of fun rooting for a team that we'll possibly never see again.
The boys loved getting their Owlz stocking hats --- it should be quite interesting when they begin wearing them this winter.

As we knew would happen, Thatcher did not want to sit and watch a baseball game. So Brook walked around with him for a bit and then I joined him.
We took the opportunity to take a picture with just him (doesn't happen too often)

Thatcher and Grandpa Peterson watching the game (this was extrememly short-lived)

Thursday (8th) we went with Paul & Aubrey and their kids up to Salt Lake and toured the Sweets Candy Factory. YUM!
They have their candy everywhere.
(In fact, if you shop at Sunflower Farmer's market, they carry their saltwater taffy --- the boys have enjoyed seeing that when we go to the store now)
They have a candy shop inside (naturally) and you can buy fresh candy --- it was difficult NOT to eat it all before we got home from vacation)

It just had to be done: a picture of us all with our hair nets (and Brook's beard net...) in front of the taffy wall.

After our candy tour we went to Moochies for lunch. YUM, again.
Then we went to see Brook's cousin who works at the church office building and take a tour of the observation floor.

The kids were checking out whose office was in the building...

We learned a lot of cool stuff about the valley ---things I (unfortunately) don't remember any more -- I just remember them being pretty neat.

Then we went and walked around Temple Square and enjoyed all the interactive things that the kids had only seen pictures of in the Friend or online.

When we were done at Temple Square we drove down south and spent our evening with our favorite family, the Tambasco's; where I took their family pictures (you can see some of it HERE)

Saturday was Taylor & Courtney's sealing but beforehand, we all met at The Cracker Barrell for brunch and just enjoyed being together as a family.

The siblings....

...the spouses....

Aubrey and her kids came back to Colorado for a week to visit with her in-laws and friends and the kids HAD to go to Casa Bonita ---

---at least we only got a picture of the kids eating the sopapillas (and not the yucky other food)
Max was still set on NOT going into the caves.

We had such a great vacation.

Were unable to see all our friends that we wanted to see,

so I guess that we'll have to make another trip out soon --- hopefully not too far in the future.

Superhero -- Super-Birthday

2011-08-31T21:34:00.000-06:00

Jack had a GREAT birthday party this year.
...at least I was thrilled with the outcome.

I kind of convinced Jack to do a superhero-themed birthday party this year.
I knew that it would, most likely, be the last year that I would be able to do something with more of a fun theme to it.

I saw this idea on a blog and fell in LOVE with the idea --- well, with most of the ideas.
I was a little bit more casual in my execution of the party with letting the kids mostly just run around and have fun in their superhero get-ups.

(but if you're interested to learn more you can check it out at East Coast Mommy)

I did go ahead and make capes and masks per the websites suggestions and they turned out so cute
(plus I actually sewed the capes BY MYSELF --- if you knew how big that was for me, you'd be just as thrilled as I am/was --- especially since I had to make my own pattern and kind of create as I went, on the fly!)
~you should know that the masks were uber-easy, so most of my time was spent on the capes. :)

Here the capes are; ready for the kids to come and be "superhero-ed"

The yard before all the kids got there.

We went and got balloons that matched each of the kids cape colors and tied them to their chairs.

I had ambitions to do a few different superhero cakes, but as the week went on and I was spending most; if not all of my time on the capes; I narrowed it down, to what I thought, was the simplest of the superhero emblems.
I think that it turned out quite nice.

(though, I was informed that the preference would have been for Superman)

Showing me their "Superhero muscles"

I like to take pictures of each of the guests with the birthday boy before he opens their gift so that he actually has a memory of who was there.

I did it last year too, and I love it.

I did create (with much needed help)

buildings for the kids to leap over -- because every superhero needs to be able to

"Leap over buildings in a single bound"

right?

Then my same friend that helped me to create the buildings -- who, if you cannot tell: is an AMAZING artisit -- created this photo-op.

It is A-mazingly AWESOME!!!!

It was fun to be able to snap the kids pictures with it.

Such great memories.

Plus, i was able to share them with the other families when I sent pictures of theirs kids enjoying Jack's birthday party...

p.s. if anyone in the Denver area wants/needs stuff for a superheor birthday party --- you can have (or give to someone you know) the buildings and photo-op -- they'll just be trashed if no one takes them. And that would be a shame, because they are totally wicked!

1st Day

2011-08-22T20:28:00.000-06:00

Ahhh...the first day of the new school year.
Such excitment.
Such anticipation....plus a few nerves thrown in for good measure.

It is was a little strange to drop off both the big boys and be left with just Thatcher for the majority of the day -- but great too :)

When I was trying to get the boys to smile (normally) I had them make some funny faces in between -- those were almost better than the "just smiling" one.

All three of my boys...

Structure

2011-08-15T13:22:00.000-06:00

I was talking with a friend last week about what I do with my kids during the summer.
She asked me to give her a list of what I did (after I had explained it to her)
...I thought that I blog-post might be more helpful
(that way I could include links and other things as well)

Let me begin by saying that I feel that learning should not stop once summer break begins. It is too easy for kids to loose what they did learn the previoius year by doing nothing all summer long. And in the same breath, very challenging for their teachers come the new school year when they spend half of the first sememster re-teaching everything that your child should already know -- that is just not fair to our teachers who work hard enough and get paid so very little.

This is my opnion....all of it.
You don't have to agree with me, or how I strcture my summer for my boys, but this is what I do.

I feel that a little bit of structure is good -- even in the summer; and possibly especially in the summer -- even if it is just for a half an hour or an hour every morning (which is about how long all of this takes each morning).

So, if you're bored already; feel free to move on, but here's what we do pretty much each week-day moring.

We begin the morning by having (what I would loosely term) a devotional.
Collin will read a chapter in the Scripture Reader
(we began this at the begining of last school year by
1: reading scriptures as a family in the morning before school; and
2: helping Collin to improve in his reading/vocab skills)

and then we will sing one of the Primary songs that they have learned/are learning this year for the Primary program.
(So this month, we are focusing on "My Body is A Temple")
After that we will practice the scripture for the month.
(There are so many children in our Primary that have already passed off all the Articles of Faith -- my boys included, that the Presidency decided, in continuing to encourage the children to memorize scripture, to have those that wanted to, memorize each of the scriptures that went with the theme for each month in Primary)
You can find cute little scripture cards HERE.

To conclude, we have family prayer.

I find that opening our day with a devotional, of sorts, allows for a more calm spirit (sometimes) in our home...and in the process, I am (hopefully) teaching my boys the importance of scripture study and prayer to be apart of their day.

After breakfast they do school work.

I found the below workbooks at Borders when they were doing clearance (but didn't get them then -- I ended up buying them at Mardel) and knew that they were just what I wanted for the boys.
They are spectacular!!!
It is just two sheets of work per week-day for the summer (1sheet front and back).
Covering spelling, handwriting, math, fitness...and all age-appropriate.
With a few "grade-coming-up" things that they might come across in their class come fall.

Plus it has a reading list in the front of the book that is age-appropriate as well ---

The boys do just a little bit more besides their workbooks --

JACK:

Jack is young for a first-grader (his birthday is two days before school starts); so his handwriting and reading are not so great (at least in my opinion). So we have been working on that (besides what is already in his workbook) each day.
I found these flashcards at Borders (and did actually purchase them); and they are
WONDERFUL!
They are the basic words that you would read every day -- words like: my, her, his, your, two, once, could, look, long --

So we go through both sides of the flashcards each morning.

Then Jack and I finish with reading.
We began with extremely simple readers and have moved on to these (still very simple) Rookie Reader books that we get at the library.
I also have gotten Green Light Readers as well.

Since Jack is still struggling with his reading, we will continue to work on the sight words and the readers most days after school or before bed so that he can continue to improve.

COLLIN:

He does his workbook and then we do ten-minute math.
His teacher the last two years, to help the kids retain and improve on their math skills, would have ten-minute math wich is doing a hundred problems in 10 minutes. Begining with single addition then moving through subtraction, multiplication and division. After a child has passed the ten minute in a certain thing, they would move onto 7 minute and then 5 minute.
We just do it so that he can keep up on his skill. I'm not so concerned with him finishing all the problems in 10 minutes, just the idea of doing it and staying focused enough to finish it.
(I found the drill worksheets on THIS site)

Collin ends with doing two sentences of dictation.
His handwriting is dreadful.
Mostly because he is in such a rush that he is sloppy (though I have seen some pretty great handwriting from him...so I know he is capable).
So the dictation makes him slow down and use good handwriting and pay attention to the punctuation as well.

Collin will continue into the school year with the reading list after school/before bedtime.

When they are done with their schoolwork (which typically only takes a half hour to 45 minutes to complete) they are free to do whatever they want for the rest of the day.

This kind of structure works for me with the boys during the summer months. It is a managable amount of time and they have enjoyed (for the most part) completing and learning (and realizing they already know some) new things.

Splash!!!

2011-08-10T16:21:00.001-06:00

What is more fun on a summer day then to run through the sprinklers?
(not much...)
Our sprinklers aren't usually on during the day,
so when I glanced outside and noticed that they were on;
I told the boys to take their shirts off and go run through them
--Beleive it, or not --
they DIDN'T WANT TO GO OUTSIDE!

But once they got outside ---
they had so much fun running and jumping in puddles and creating rainbows with the water.

I LoVe the water dropplets on his back...

Boys, boys, boys

2011-07-27T08:07:00.010-06:00

Yeah well, it's not secret that I am surrounded by boys.
But I'm not complaining, they are awfully cute boys! :)
Today was a fun day with the camera.
While I was waiting for Jack to get out of Theater camp this morning, I couldn't help it but take some pictures of my cutie-pie 1 year-old.
He's such a happy baby and so eager to explore everything around him.

He was really enjoyed pulling the grass up and showing me.

Then tonight, after Brook got home, the boys wanted him to come outside and run around with them. When it was getting time to come inside I snapped a few pictures of my 3 sons....Such handsome little devils.

.....silly boys too!

...AND I got a picture of my baby's curls...I don't know how I'm going to feel when it comes time for his first haircut...

1 year

2011-07-18T18:35:00.003-06:00

Oh gosh!
He's just so squeezable and kissable!!!
My baby is already a year old and I'm not quite sure where all the time went, either.

At his 1 year docotor's visit, he was 20 lbs 8.5 oz. --- and only in the 16th percentile for weight.
(honestly, I think that there is something seriously wrong with their determination scale because he is definitely not under-weight and eats like a horse --- albeit a small horse...)

He has figured out how to laugh at/with you.
It is pretty funny.

He likes to hang onto the spoon with his teeth when you've put food in his mouth
(thinks that he's pretty spiffy for doing so and will laugh -- with food in his mouth --- soooo much fun!)

He will NOT crawl.
He's got the "commado-crawl" down pat!
He uses his fore-arms and his big toes to scuttle across the floor (pretty fast too)

He has begun to cruise the furniture --- just a little though.
I'm pretty sure that he was tired of always being on the floor when everyone else was not.
So he now pulls himself up to standing at the furniture and will move around a bit --- no standing on his own yet though.

He has got curls.
sigh.
curls.
It makes me so happy...

linking to:

Parrrrr-tay!!!

2011-07-07T14:01:00.001-06:00

Oh we had just too much fun for Thatcher's birthday last night.
We went simple this year and just did a BBQ with family.

Cupcakes were the name of the game for Thatcher's first forray into the world of sweets....and he went at it like a CHAMP!

He's just too cute!!!

My favorite is the fact that he started out not using his hands and just leaning toward the cupcake.

It was really quite adorable.

He enjoyed eating the cupcake and the frosting and mashing and playing.

He kept putting his hands in his hair and on the back of his neck.

No help from Dad this time around --- Thatcher made a mess all on his own!

1 year later

2011-07-06T13:47:00.002-06:00

Do you recognize these cute little fellas?
Possibly?
Well one year ago they were born.
Right next door to each other.

You just might recognize them now. :)
Lucas and Thatcher were born July 6, 2010...
It looks as though they are just meeting for the first time, but they're not.
I took these pictures two days ago when a bunch of us were together for the 4th...
I just couldn't help myself.
I think it is just so much fun that they are birthday buddies.
Hopefully we'll be able to get more pictures of them as they continue to grow up.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCAS & THATCHER

It is What it Is

2011-06-22T12:12:00.001-06:00

I wouldn't wish it on an enemy.
I wouldn't wish it on my self.
Yet it was all.over.me.
YUCK!
Right before we went on vacation I got
SICK!!!
So very sick.
(...and I'll try to be nice about this...)
It wasn't the "throw-up" sick either.
I had terrible fevers that would come and go and themn I'd be running to the bathroom with my legs squeezed together.
(that wasn't too gross, was it?)
It was NOT fun.
I took pictures of my grandparents and their kids the night before
and the next morning
BAM!
There I was: incapable of
NOTHING.

no really: N O T H I N G

I missed my grandparents suprise birthday party
I missed seeing my uberly-awesome cousin
AND meeting her boyfriend (insert pouty lip here)

Then I had no chance whatsoever to get us ready for our family reunion camping trip.
It really sucked.
BUT I will tell you:
I have the greatest husband EVER
yes, EVER!!!!
He stepped right up too the plate, looked the batter down
(in this case alll the stuff that I normally get ready before a road trip that he has never had to worry about getting ready before)
until he shivered in his cleats;
and handled it all marvelously.
He packed the van and took care of the boys (as well as did my mom : THANK YOU!!!)
My Dad came over to help pack and we were off with sick mom in the front seat.

Even better: I was sick the whole reunion/vacation.
humph.
Of course, I began to feel better the day we left (of course!!!)
And now that we're home again (and the laundry is done: 10 loads!!!!!!!)
I'm actually usuing my brain again and thinking and realizing that I have sooooooooooo much to do!

Just thought that I would share.
Pictures
(that I didn't take because I couldn't drag my behind around to take any)
will be posted soon of all that transpired.

To Clean, or not to Clean

2011-06-09T13:53:00.003-06:00

I love me a clean bathtub (and bathroom)
with shiny chrome and that wonderful clean smell.

I do not, however, seem to get around to actually cleaning it.

Hey, don't judge!

I'm pretty sure that there are things that I clean more regularly than other folks out there

...so it balances it all out!

I even had to put

"clean bathtub"

on my To-Do list in order for me to do it.

(and even then, it took me two days to get to it!)

But I did it!

I cleaned my bathtub today and I'm so pleased with the results.

(I know, a little silly, but I am happy!)

Now I have crossed it off and am on to the next thing on my list....

wish me luck that it will get done by the end of the week.

oh yeah: and I sure WISH this was my bathtub and bathroom, but its not.

I found the picture on BING.

Best Idea EVER

2011-06-07T14:42:00.000-06:00

Really, truly.
This was the best idea I've had in a long time!
The boys both love to draw and it is insane the amount of paper we could go through (if I let them)
Collin found this white-board in my parents attic (thank you Aubrey!) and we let him bring it home.
They have colored on it non-stop.
The only problem arises when someone doesn't want to erase what they have drawn --
and someone else wants to color on the white board.

Soooooo....
to remedy this problem;
the other day I said that I could take a picture of their masterpieces, that way, it wouldn't be lost.
They both loved the idea
...now every time a picture is drawn I hear:
"Mom, can you take a picture of my drawing?"
I'm sure that we're going to get quite a photo gallery of white board creations.

Jack drew this one for Collin.

Collin is the one "riding the wave"

The Best

2011-05-29T10:19:00.001-06:00

I just LOVE this picture from my birthday!
There was face painting (as you can see) ---thank you Chrissy!
and I saw Jack just standing there with him bein' all "Spiderman"
clutching his bubbles and wearin' those sunglasses.
At least I knew that he was having a good time!

linking to:

Field Day 2011

2011-05-27T17:03:00.003-06:00

We are done with school for the summer!!!
The boys couldn't be happier....
(the jurry is still out with mom's opinion...)
The last week of school is filled with fun and playing,
as well as field day for each of the school levels.

Mind you: field day at MPA is not competitive.

It is just the opportunity for the kids to get outside for the morning and enjoy moving and doing.
Lower Elementary had their field day on Wednesday,
so Brook took the day off of work to go and watch Collin
(while I stayed home with Jack and sick Thatcher...)

Primay had their field day today (which was also the last day of school)
those little ones are so cute to watch...Jack had a lot of fun playing and just being with his school friends.

I love, love, loved Jack's teacher's this year.
I could not have asked for more patient (or firm) teachers for his personality.
I counted my blessings each and every day.
He loved kindergarten and is excited to start first grade in the fall!

I'm a Fan

2011-05-25T10:23:00.000-06:00

So Jack has discovered what a "fan" is.
Last week (as we all know) Lady Ga Ga was the SNL musical guest.
People started lining up for the show quite a few days in advance and the Today Show did a little spot on it; talking about her "fans" being there because of her music.
I was in the other room when it was on the TV, but I hear Jack stop whatever it is he was doing.
He says, "I'm a fan. I like Lady Ga Ga's music!"
I was sooooo laughing to myself that he totally vocalized that.

oh....but the story is not done.

Yesterday, we were driving in the car and I turned on Jack Johnson for the boys.
He reads on the screen that it was Jack Johnson and says:
"I like this music. I'm a fan."

Ah.....can't wait to hear what else he is a fan of.

Would You Rather....

2011-05-11T15:42:00.004-06:00

...ride a roller coaster

...or go to the dentist?

....and why.

You MUST share.

When you share, then I will share.

Mother's Day

2011-05-10T08:31:00.003-06:00

I love how my Mother's Day gifts turned out this year!
Once again, I was racing the clock to finish on time, but it doesn't really matter -- they are awesome!

I first saw this idea on The Stories of A to Z when she did a conglomerate of ideas for Father's Day gifts. (and I knew that it would work for Mother's Day as well.)
I tucked that idea away until I realized that it was actually the week of Mother's Day and realized that I better get on the ball or nothing would be happening!
So for my mom (the "Grandma" one), I contacted my sis and two sister in-laws and got them on-board and taking pictures of their cute ones to e-mail to me. Once that was all done, I just had to create what I wanted in Microsoft Publisher (I have discovered that Publisher is every bit as good as Photoshop (not that I could really compare, seeing as that I don't own photoshop) at least in creating things, not at all in the photo editing department. I love what I have discovered that I can do.) and insert the pictures.

Then, since I knew that my grandmother (Grammy to my boys) would be in need of something equally adorable, I just made her one with my boys
(she has too many great-grandchildren to fit them all in one photo!).
Both Grandma's loved their gift.
(shhhhh....but the grandpa's get one as well for Father's Day --- they have to be a pair!)

10 months

2011-05-06T09:41:00.004-06:00

* has two teeth (I actually got a picture of the teeth! which is the real reason for this post...), but just two. No more...which means he's still stuck on all the pureed food. So yummy!
* just begining to "commando-crawl" (he's been rolling all over the place and now is figuring out that his elbows will actually help him!)
* Likes to sit like a frog
* Will reach for someone if he wants to be held
* LOVES it when Daddy comes home from work -- won't take his eyes off of him until Daddy has him in his arms
* Loves playing with his brothers and thinks that they are amazing to watch.
* Still has (Mommy's coveted) brown eyes and hair
* We have disovered that he does NOT have the olive skin of his brother's --- every time he is in the sun, he gets pink. Guess we'll be buying stock in Coppertone.
* Still isn't a big laugher, but we're working on him :)
* Is.Very. Loud --- when he wants to be. (he will be heard!)
*And basically, an all-around adorable baby!

...linked to...

Important

2011-05-03T18:43:00.003-06:00

What is important to you?
What do you make important?
~or find the time to make important?

Almost three weeks ago,
I was at a Stake Leadership meeting and the guest speaker
for our organization's talk has stayed with me.
The theme for Primary this year is
"I Know the Scriptures are True"
Such a great theme, don't you think?
So meaningful; and important to children, as well as adults.

Our guest first asked us to list the things that we did that day
and the amount of time that we spent on each of those things.
Then she asked us what are the things that we need to do in order to have eternal life, or to be happy in the this life.

We all rattled off the normal answers:
Say your prayers, read your scriptures, go to church.
What she called: SMA's (Standard Mormon Answers)
The things that we've been rattling off since ourselves being children in Primary.

Then she asked us to look at our list of activites for the day and determine if we had spent any time on those three; what we had determined, were important things for true eternal/spiritual happiness.

I will tell you honestly, that none of those things
(not counting going to church since it was a Wednesday -- other than being at the meeting.)
were on my list yet for the day.

Now I know, from personal experience, that life is rough when you are an adult.
And sometimes even rougher when you're a mom
with everyone and everything pulling at you from all sides.
Finding the time to take care of everyone else in your home;
let alone yourself; can be a real struggle (at least it is for me)

Every day since that night, I have thought about this.
How dedicated am I to making myself eternally happy?
What am I doing to ensure this?

Unfortunately, not much.

And I hate to say, that almost three weeks later, I'm not much closer to doing those three important things on a regular basis -- for just me.
(I'm not counting reading the scripture stories with my boys, or saying prayer with them or with Brook)
If it is a good day, I will read a chapter in The Book of Mormon and say my prayers
before going to bed.
That is a good day.

My goals are to take more time to study my scriptures
pray with sincere ernestness in the morning
study the Gospel Doctrine and RS lessons
(haven't looked at those in probably more than a year....)

It's rough, having so many goals and desires to better yourself.
Finding that balance between physical self and spiritual self is a battle and a trial.

How do you find the balance?
(If you've found it yet....)

Lookee, Lookee

2011-04-20T10:38:00.001-06:00

Come and see!
My little craft project from this past weekend was mentioned here!
I'm all a-flutter! :)

Order of the Management

2011-04-16T11:01:00.005-06:00

Oh, I am having just so much fun! Creating, pianting, modge - podging.. ..this really makes me happy! I decided to finish up with my deco plans for the boys bathroom and do my last little project (for right now...tee hee...) All I have left is the shower curtain, and that will come when I see it. I just haven't seen it yet. My inspiration came from this cute thing here, at Infarrantly Creative. (she's amazing!)

And she got her idea from something she saw at the Land of Nod.

I liked the Land of Nod's better since I was doing it for the boys bathroom.

So I created my own little sign in Publisher and made it a 12x12 (note: don't make it a 12x12, b/c if you want to print it at Kinko's, they have to print it on the big printer at it cost waaaaay more than if I had done it say like 11x11 --- b/c then they can print it on the 11x17 paper and it's cheaper)

So I made these two and I really liked them. They are cropped to a 12x12 because that is the size of my wood. I cut it down a little bit and I like it that way. So if you wanted to do it, I'd make it something like an 11x11 and then you'd have a border around. Just the way that I did it....

Not too bad, eh? (And you can see last week's project in the mirror!)

AND it only took me about an hour to get it all done and hung up in the bathroom.

Oh...btw: if you really like the art and want it to make your own. Send me an e-mail and I'll get it over to you --- just let me know what size you want it to be. And what colors.

Calories

2011-04-14T13:29:00.011-06:00

Calorie, calorie.....

How I wish that I could find the song from The Big Green Rabbit about colories....it's really funny.

~ especially since the song is running through my head.
bummer.

Does anyone really pay any attention to my sidebar stating how many pounds I've lost so far?
Probably not.

That's ok.

It's really on there so that I can come and be all happy with my progress....

I'm not happy with my progress.

In fact, I'm downright frustrated with my body at this point.

If you'll remember, my New Year's goal was to loose weight.
I started at the very begining of the year and
(just in case you were wondering, which I know that you're really not, but I'm gonna tell you anyway...)
I'm still going STRONG.
Yes, that's right: I work out six days a week and keep an online food diary
(which, by the way, I love. Check it out here....it's pretty awesome!)
I watch what I eat, keep my portions small and in three and a half months have not even lost 10 pounds yet!!!!
Now typically, if you are doing everything right, you should loose at least

AT LEAST a pound a week.

Not happening.
SUCK!

So I figured out (with a little googling) that to loose 1 pound --- just ONE --- you have to burn 3500 calories.
Also: that a person -- and a person that stayed in bed all day long, at that -- will typically burn a little over 1,000 calories throughout the course of the day --- without doing anything other than living.

Sooooooo to boost my weight-loss goal to actual movement, I have decided to BURN, while working out, 3500 calories a week. Mostly in the hopes that my extra efforts will produce some results.
As in: a pound of weight-loss a week :)
(wouldn't that be nice!)

....and just so you know: that is a lot of exercise.
So if you call me in the morning....I am either working out or showering
(or taking care of children....yes, that too is happening...)
and I most likely will not do anything until after 11 am...

But I hope that it will be worth it all this work that I'm putting into getting my body back in shape.
My birthday is six and a half weeks away....I have a goal weight for that date...

(but I'm keeping it to myself...)
Ask me then if I met it.
Please.

P.S. If you actually DO pay attention to my side bar --- or heck, let me just say it:
READ my blog --- but don't comment (yes, I'm talking to you!)
let me know....this is time to come free and tell me what you think.
Proudly and honestly.

You don't even have to make a comment about this blogpost....it can be anything or even just a hello...

Home State

2011-04-09T13:17:00.009-06:00

OK. So I've been seeing little bits of inspiration for my most recent craft/decorating project on a few different blogs. Like this ADORABLE onsie --- so cute! Kind of what I wanted... ..and found here. Then I really, really liked this state art, which gave me more eye-candy to dwell on and mesh with the ideas rolling around in my head. (this one is found here.) I really liked maps like this one of Alaska where it is a bit whimsical and cartoon-ish, but couldn't find anything that I could just print off the web... (this one and others like it are vintage and cost about $80 each and were much, much too big for what I wanted to do.) So I had to go back to the drawing board and figure out something else that I liked just as much.

So...I knew that I wanted four blocks of art with a state on each of them. Other then that, I was still kind of flopping around with various ideas since my cartoon state art was out the window. Then I started visualizing a state that was a map. I was hoping to find scrapbook paper that was just that (so that I wouldn't have to purchase a map). None to be found. (unless I wanted to buy it online, which I didn't) So I went to Hobby Lobby & Michael's and found some others that I really liked and knew that I would happy with. I found state outlines online and sized them in Publisher to fit in 8x8. I cut my scrapbook paper so that it would fit in my printer and then printed out my states. ...and well, the rest is just a basic tutorial of what I did to create some super-awesome art-work for my boys' bathroom.

1) Cut your wood (or have the fella's at Home Depot do it for you) -- I just used MDF -- to the size that you want. I wanted 8x8 blocks. Then paint and let dry.

2) While your paint is drying, cut out those cute state shapes that you printed on your scrapbook paper. (I thought that I was going to have to use my exacto knife, but found that the scissors worked just as well)

you can see here where the outline is.

...the hard part is figuring out what color to put them on....there was a lot of shuffling with states.

4) I distressed the edges of my states, you may choose not to do this. I just thought that it was kind of fun...

5) Once you've figured out what colored block to put your state on; get ready to modge podge to death. ( I LOVE MODGE PODGE!~) Just don't forget to smooth with a card to get the bubbles out from underneath your paper. Let it dry a little bit (it dries fast...)

6) Once the state has dried. Modge Podge all over to protect your art work.

7) Once it's all dry (I let mine sit over night), Get some picture-hanging teeth secured on the back, figure out where you want them to be displayed, hang them up and enjoy the view!

Bathroom lighting is simply dreadful (as I'm sure you already know...) but I LOVE, love, LOVE the way it turned out. It was mostly what I had pictured in my mind from the begining, with just a few adjustments with the states...but I'm thrilled. Next on my list (also for the boys bathroom) ~ is a piece of art that will go over the toilet on the other side of the room. I will post some pictures of that once I'm done with it. (another modge podge creation!)

....and if you are wondering why I didn't do one of Colorado: it is a rectangle. There is nothing interesting about looking at a rectangle on the wall. I did want to do one of Alaska, but then realized that I would have to be cutting all that stuff out (and there is a lot of funky shorline there...) so I went with a few simpler, but still meaningful states for my peices.

Birthday

2011-03-31T01:56:00.002-06:00

I hinted earlier in the year that I wanted a birthday party this year.
Well, I decided to just plan my own party.
Just because.
~and I am so excited.
It is going to be so much fun.
I also figured that if I didn't start planning it right now, it wouldn't happen.
So I've done the planning part of it, now I am on to the gathering part.
Hopefully since I am begining early enough, it won't be a serious strain on our budget -- which I don't think that it really will be a strain, most of the things,
I will be making myself. (hence the excitement)
So...to give you a hint.
Think this:
...and this...
...and this....(super-yum!!!)

...and this....

...and definitely this...

...and a little bit of this...

Can you figure it out?

Try it Tuesday

2011-03-29T11:07:00.009-06:00

Is it really Tuesday?
Spring Break has a way of messing with your brain.
As I was getting dinner ready for the crockpot this moring, I was thinking to myself just how much my family loves this recipe
-- Why am I keeping it to myself?????
I am always in need of a good (easy) recipe that everyone enjoys. So here I am, being a good girl, and sharing with you all.
I found this recipe on the Disney Family website (you can go there, or just stick with me)

doesn't it look yummy?!?! (trust me it is!)

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

1 can green chilis diced
1 jar salsa
(about 12 oz --- that is really a 1/2 a jar, but who really cares, put it all in -- mild or spicy; whatever your family likes)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 whole onion, chopped
(I use about a 1/2 an onion since there is already onion in the salsa)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 pounds bonless, skinless chicken thighs
(or more, depending on what your family will eat, and hey, who doesn't like leftovers?)

Place chicken in the bowl of your crockpot.
Top with salsa, chilis, cumin, onion and glaric
(I will mix all the ingredients up in a bowl first and then just pour it over the top of the chicken nestled in the bottom of my crokpot)

Cover and set on low.
Cook for 8 hours.
Remove chicken from pot and shred, return to juices.
(I've discovered that you don't really need to take the chicken out, it is just so tender that it shreds insanely easily you can do it in the crockpot)

Spoon chicken into taco shells, with whatever toppings your family likes.
Or use the meat to make burritos, tostadas or as a filling for enchiladas.

~now we use it more as burrittos in our abode. Mostly because the chicken is a little more disguisable wrapped up in a tortilla with cheese (the boys eat it much more willingly that way). Any way you like it; it's gonna be GOOD!

Enjoy!

Squeezable

2011-03-15T10:23:00.003-06:00

I thought that it was high-time that I took some more pictures of my little man.
He is after-all 8-months old now.
And...as you can tell, a pretty cute little guy, too.

...this one is my favorite.

And really, I can't tell you why, other then that

he is just so cute looking out the window with his little half-smile.

(and his feet. those are super-cute too!)

Plates in the Air

2011-03-14T09:12:00.003-06:00

I think that one of the most difficult things for a new mom to accomplish is to find that rhythm that allows you to feel like a complete person.
It happens with every child
and each child allows for a different rhythm.

I am just now -- after 8 months -- begining to feel like I've got a good rhythm going on in my life.
It feels steady and it flows very well and I find that I have a lot more peace in my life and in my soul when I have rhythm (now it just sound like I want to have a dance party -- tee hee).

I remember that it took a bit of time to find myself again after having my first baby.
It probably didn't help at all that six weeks after he was born I had gall bladder problems and didn't know what it was until a trip to the ER in the middle of the night with intense abdominal pain led the doctor to ask how old my baby was and then very confidently say "Oh yeah; I'm pretty sure it's your gall bladder, that is pretty common after having a baby."
(just saying: it woulda been nice to know -- before I didn't know what was happening!)

Then with my second baby it was practically seamless how quickly I fell back into the rhythm that was mine
(quick and easy recovery is always a nice thing).

With this darling, new little man in my life; it has been an intense struggle.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: it was a good thing he was a summer baby, because if he hadn't been; I'm fairly certain that my school-aged children would have been late to school for at least a few months.

I've tried and tried to find a groove that fits my children, husband, friends, church callings and most importantly ME into a neat little box that allows me to feel complete and like I am able to take care of all aspects of my life --- including spiritual and physical.

It has seemed like for the longest time like I am one of those circus performers with the plates on sticks spinning away. I can't get too complacent because then those plates will begin to slow down and I don't want any of them to fall and break; so I am running up and down the row spinning and spinning and getting more and more worn out and loosing myself in taking care of those plates and make sure that they don't fall.

Not that I am saying that those plates aren't on the verge of falling --- oh they are.
Every single day.
But I feel like I have a lot more control over them.
Like I've figured out how to keep them up there spinning without wearing myself out and down. It is a constant balancing act, but I think that it is starting to groove and that I'm fitting myself and everything else in to that groove.

Which makes me extremely happy.

I am finding the time to read my scriptures, exercise (without feeling like I'm going to crash at noon time) -- and even loosing weight (slowly, very slowly -- but pretty consistently, which thrills me to no end!), decorating my home (a post to come soon on that one), reading books, taking pictures, enjoying my baby, enjoying my husband (wink, wink), listening to my children, being excited that they are home, playing games, teaching correct principles, and living my life and enjoying it one day at a time.

I am very blessed.

Peace.
(at least for today)

Zodiac

2011-03-08T17:39:00.002-07:00

Ever since Jack's class did a stint with Chinese New Year and the Chinese zodiac, the boys have been rather fascinated with what animal we all are.
Jack is a rooster
Collin is a ram
Thatcher is a tiger
Brook & I are dragons

The conversation in the car this afternoon -- the whole way home -- was about who could win in a fight and who could beat up who.

Collin feels very strongly that he would kill Jack (the rooster) because he (the ram) is so much bigger. I had to pipe in a stick up for the little rooster and say that it would be a pretty even fight; considering that roosters have pretty sharp claws on their feet.
(then Jack added that they also have sharp beaks.)

As we pulled into the house, the whole conversation shifted to the tiger and the dragons and that those two would really win in a fight.

I think that it is pretty cool that everyone knows their Chinese zodiac.

Collin's Baptism

2011-03-06T15:58:00.001-07:00

This past Saturday Collin was baptized.
How surreal was that?!?!
Two other girls in the stake were baptized at the same time.
It was great to see these kidlets grow up and get baptized together when they were little 3 and 4 year-olds in pre-school together.
Such beautiful young ladies and handsome young man!

We were so blessed to not only have my parents and granparents there but Brook's Dad and step-mom and his brother, Greg and his family drive over from Utah to celebrate with us.

Then yesterday during Sacrament Meeting, Collin was confirmed. It was glorious and wonderful. I am such a blessed mom to have such a wonderful son!

This is Collin's baptism announcement that we sent to family and a few close friends. I saw the idea here about a year or so ago and knew that I wanted one just like it for my handsome fella (Chrissy helped me to create it in publisher -- she is the BEST!). I also saw, in the same blog post, a super-awesome CTR towel that I made for Collin to use after his baptism (I also made one for my neice that was baptized last month). Now I am no seamstress so these were not perfect (in fact, I had my mom sew the one for Collin after I had her *fix* my neices towel after I realized that I had missed some parts when I had sewn it.)
But I figured that the memory was better than the perfection that I did not posess. :)

The Fun has Just Begun

2011-03-01T22:56:00.001-07:00

There is just something so sweet about having a dad help his son with tying anything. A tie with dress-up clothes or yes, even a scout bandana. I love watching it every time and it makes my heart sing.

Tonight, Collin went to his first cub scout weekly meeting. It was difficult for me to get used to the idea. All day long I had to keep reminding myself that he was going to scouts at 6:30. I knew that if I didn't, I would totally forget it!
Add to the specialness of that, he gets to wear his dad's old scout shirt!
It was a little bitter-sweet for me to take off Brook's patches and sew some new ones on for Collin. Continually running through my head was the fact that Brook's mom is no longer with us and that this was a link between her and I with our boys and passing on the love of scouting and all that it taught her son and will teach mine.

yes, those are tears glistening in my eyes. I just couldn't help it!

Birthday, birthday and more Birthday

2011-02-26T10:27:00.002-07:00

Collin had a fun-filled, two-day Birthday celebration.
Last night, we went and had dinner with my parents and grandparents.
Collin's birthday dinner request: blueberry pancakes with flavored syrup and bacon.
(same as last year. I LOVE how he is so easily happy with something so simple!)
I made his birthday cake --
(even the little flourishes and the writting -- we had a cake decorating class at church last week and I learned a few things that I was more than happy to try out)

Collin has been begging an begging for a soccer ball.
He tells me that he and his friends play every day at recess.
He was a pretty happy kidd-o when he opened this present!

Then today we had his birthday party.
We just had a few of his friends over so we made pizza for lunch and while it cooked, the boys played with the soccer ball outside.
(I just love Jack's pizza. He is so creative! I especially love the hair that he gave his pizza man.)

Collin and his good friend Jack from school

our Jack, Jack, Collin and Zach

We were introduced into the wonderful world of Ninjago's through Jack's present to Collin.
(whatever they are, the boys had fun playing with them for a while!)

After lunch and some playtime with those Ninjago's, Brook took Collin and his friends to Fun City for some afternoon fun. I think it was a big hit.

First Baby-Love

2011-02-25T06:53:00.002-07:00

My blue-eyed baby boy is Eight years-old today.
I just cannot beleive that he is this old.
I think that I am in denial of it each and every day.
Especially in those moments when he shows just how mature he is becoming. I just shake my head in wonder and amazement that this is my son.

There are a few things that I need to tell you about my boy:

He is so smart. I know that all mother's think this; But sometimes I have no idea what he is talking about. Especially when it comes to dinosaurs. He knows so much about dinosaurs. He knows their names, he knows what time-period they lived in, he knows what they ate...his knowledge is endless.
He loves to learn new things. Every week, when his class goes to the school library, he almost always comes home with a science-y book. (Like: dangerous animals of the world, or piosonous animals of the world, or the solar system, or dinosaurs)
He is a GREAT helper. Especially when it comes to helping with the baby. He is always there to help if the baby is crying or upest and tries everything that he knows of to help calm him down and make him happy.
He is insanely creative. He loves to build forts and create new and interesting monsters/aliens/robots with blocks, legos, toys --- anything! Right now he is really into creating comic strips and stories. He got a notebook/journal for Christmas and he is often seen drawing or writing in it.
He is a great artist. I love it when he brings his art work home and I love displaying it and seeing it up in my home.
He enjoys learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is excited to be baptized a member of His church. He is trying to live the gospel and the principles that we are teaching him.
I love, love, love that he is my son.
I love that sometimes, he still wants to sit next to me with my arm around him.
I love his smile
I love it that he just randomly comes up to me and wants to give me a kiss on the cheek
I love that he is growing so tall
I love that he is learning to love sports and really likes the game of soccer
I love that he is active
I love listening to him read

Seriously; I've got myself a great boy and I am one lucky momma.

Valentine's Day

2011-02-15T14:24:00.001-07:00

We were hard at work this year making valentine's for the boys to take to school.
(I was so happy for the weekend to work on those things!)
I found these really cute valentine's on another blog
(and if I can re-find that blog I will link up to it)
and figured that it would be more fun for the boys to
*make*
them; than for me to just pull out what I had bought last year on clearance.
They spent all afternoon last Thursday coloring their hearts.
Some of them got a little greusome until I pointed out that perhaps
V-day wasn't the holiday to be putting a picture of someone
pulling out another person's heart....boys.

Then I went ahead and tried my hand at making a few of my own to give to some friends and they were really cute! I didn't do anything big,
but I think that the colored thread made them very valentine-y.

AND THEN there were the cupcakes that I've been itching to make.
I found this website a month or so ago and have been drooling.
Yes drooling.
at so many of her cupcakes.
So I decided that I would attempt these ones on V-day.
It didn't disapoint!
I was so thrilled with the outcome.
They were actually pretty easy to make and the frosting --
the frosting
is a-mazing.
They are chocolate cupcakes with strawberry buttercream frosting.
I think that says it all.

Nice Sick

2011-02-13T08:46:00.002-07:00

This morning, Collin woke up not feeling so well.
After getting ready for church, Jack wanted someone to play Chutes & Ladders with him.
Collin agreed; and asked to be Elmo on the board.
Jack says: "I already said that you could be Elmo because you are sick."
Dad replies: "Jack, that was really nice of you to let Collin be Elmo."
Jack: "Yeah; sometimes I'm nice to people who are sick. Sometimes I'm not."

Good Morning Sunshine

2011-02-07T10:07:00.001-07:00

Thatcher is finally begining to sleep more through the night.
(yes, he is a little too old to be waking up as much as he does...trust me: I KNOW!)
A week or so ago, we finally put him in the crib in the boys room for the night.
I just wanted my room back, y'know?
However: since the boys have to get up and we have to get ready to take Collin to school earlier than he should be waking up, I have Brook put Thatcher in bed with me before he leaves for work.

This morning, I went in to get Thatcher when it was time to go and he was just to precious all curled up next to the pillow.
I had to grab the camera.
(Jack: Mom, you're making us late because you are taking pictures!)

The Boys Are Crazy

2011-02-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

Yes.
It is true.
I live in a house full of boys and they are all nuts-o!
But honestly, life couldn't be any sweeter.
We got a KILLER snow storm Saturday afternoon through the night and Sunday morning.
Finally we have some normal winter-esque weather.
We sent the boys out to play to get their energies out and they found a
"snow mountain"
to play on from when the parking lots got plowed.
I'm pretty sure that they were outside for a couple of hours (unusual for Jack).

...and then there was the Super Bowl. We had homemade pizza with a picnic and the boys were crazy!
(half-time was especially wonderful when The Black-Eyed Peas performed.
We had our own slew of dancers to watch!)

I just think that this close-up of Jack & Thatcher is too cute! LOVE my Jack's smile!

Love/Hate

2011-01-31T14:08:00.003-07:00

I've got this love/hate relationship going with my treadmill as of late.
It's a good thing though.
I hate thinking about getting on my treadmill and actually "doing my time"
but
I love it when I'm on there and challenging myself --
to push through and run a little bit longer than I did the day before.
I hate the fact that I (if I'm being honest, which I am right now)
have to workout in order to even attempt to get my pre-baby body back.
(now I'm not naive enough to think that this pre-baby body is pre ALL baby-body.
No way is that going to happen! Just pre Thatcher baby body.)
...and yes, I do have to work out.
I really, really, really want to loose this weight.
--that is one thing going for me: I am actually really motivated to stay on track with diet and exercise (most of the time)
For example: we went to the grocery store this morning, and I got Jack a doughnut and did not even get one (or more) for myself --- that is saying something!
(I got a carton of light n' fit yogurt instead -- it's strawberry cheesecake)

I also warm-up while reading a talk out of the General Conference Ensign ---
so I'm exercising my spiritual and physical body, all at the same time.
(hurrah for me!)

So this love/hate thing that I have going is a good love/hate thing.
I'm 30 pounds away from my weight goal --- with four months to go until D-day.
(closer than I was at the beginning of the month)

6 months

2011-01-13T17:56:00.002-07:00

He is already six months old!
Not possible.
This cutie-pie (that thinks that I am the center of his universe) is NOT that old.
It has been so much fun to watch him grow and discover.
I have always enjoyed the discovering of this world with my other boys, but this has been so much fun.
He doesn't laugh very easily (or at least we can't get him to laugh very easily).
He's begun laughing more readily this past week, but still not as giggly as most babies are.
(he does smile A LOT though)
He only just began to roll over from his back to his stomach
and then while I was taking these pictures this afternoon, he decided to go ahead and give it a try to roll from his tummy to his back (SUCCESS!!!)

Here we go -- lets give this a try...

...success!

his little hands are just so cute and chubby and dimply....as is all the rest of him.

I'm in love again (so I've moved beyond my baby foot fetish and am now on to the hands...)

Resolve

2011-01-03T16:39:00.004-07:00

Is this small, innocent-looking thing the bane of your existence?
Do you cringe when asked to step on board?
...and cringe even more when the numbers beep into existence?
I'm right there with you on all of that...
...however, with that being said; I am going to explain my 2011 Resolution with you all.

I know that this is insanely cliche, what with it only being the 3rd of January, and all that.
But I resolve to loose weight this year.
Yeah, I know.
But here is my motivation for doing so:
As you all know, I have the most adorable, precious little 6-month old (well in three days he will be anyways) baby boy.
As cute as that little sucker is --- having babies is no picnic on my body.
I don't have the (awesome) body type where all that baby weight just melts away in a month or so. (that is my sister -- and one of my besties -- sooooo not fair! but i do still love them both!)

yes, yes, i hear you: "9 months to put it on. 9 months to take it off" --- not registering...

This year is a monumental year for me.
I turn 35 (and I'm just putting it out there: I WANT A BIRTHDAY PARTY)
AND it is Brook and mine's 10th wedding anniversary
(other big thing happening, but too close to count in this weight-loss equation is that Collin is getting baptized)

So -- for my motivation, I am going to hire one of my favorite photographers to take my (and Brook's) pictures for my birthday and our anniversary (they are about two weeks apart from each other).
She is not cheap, (but soooo worth the money) so I want to look GOOD!
I know that if I'm not happy with my body image I will HATE, HATE, hate to give up the money to have some seriously awesome pictures taken of me.
And I want some seriously awesome pictures taken of a hot momma and an even hotter wifey to my equally hot hubby.
So, I started out my January 1 weighing myself and writing it down on a piece of paper hung up in my bathroom.
I'm going to be held responsible for this.
And I suppose if I let enough people know....I will be held responsible by them as well.

So: if you see me, be sure to ask how its going and make sure to bolster me up to keep eating better and exercising regularly.

Good luck Tamie!

The end of 2010

2010-12-31T10:56:00.001-07:00

Just a few things that happened to us this year:

- The boys discovered the most entertaining game of "heads & tails" -- only they cleverly call it "heads & buildings" (there is a building on the back side of the coin, after all)
- We discovered that we were having boy #3 (and I made sure to focus on all the pros of having another boy)
- I fell in love with the color orange
- We spent almost two weeks with my sister and her kids as she was here visiting. And in the process, introduced our kids to the wonders that are Casa Bonita (BLECK!!!) -- then determined that we would take the kids every time that they they are in town.
- We moved into a larger apartment after six years in the previous one -- and me being practically 8 months pregnant!
- We welcomed son #3 into in the family: Thatcher Miles -- we sure do love him!!! (he's the only one that got brown eyes!!!!)
- Collin started the 2nd grade and Jack started Kindergarten -- Mom has 3 whole hours a day with just her and the baby!!!
- Jack turned the big 5 -- three days before school started.
Collin gave an awesome speech on England (and had the best costume in the class!)
- The big boys went with Dad to a reptile show and held all sorts of creepy, crawly things
- My baby brother go married in Idaho Falls and we spent a fun-filled weekend with the Weaver clan followed by a week in Utah with the Peterson's.
- We carved our biggest pumpkin yet and Brook turned into a Mr. Pumpkin-head for a while.
- AND the biggest thing to happen (and on the last day of the year...):
We became a mini-van family! (ah the space...)

Happy New Year to everyone.
Enjoy what is to come in 2011!!!

Christmas Morning

2010-12-28T16:39:00.000-07:00

We had a great morning at home. The boys loved their gifts and it was low-key and relaxing.
It was awesome!!!

Here's little man waiting for the chaos to begin.

ok, so there are A LOT of pictures (I didn't even post that many) so I'm not going to narrate --- just imagine it for yourself and enjoy the pictures.

Christmas Eve

2010-12-27T16:21:00.002-07:00

This year was kind of low-key.
It was just our little family with my parents and grandparents.
Not too exciting, but it was sure still a lot of fun.
Christmas Eve we spent at my grandparents and we had an amazing dinner of broccoli-cheese soup in bread bowls (I need to get those more often b/c they were GOOD!!)
For desert, we decorated Christmas sugar cookies (for Santa) --- even the grandparents decorated some cookies.
We had a little program with Grandpa reading the Christmas story out of Luke and we opened presents from my parents and the out-of-twon family.

my boys made these super-cute Christmas trees with my mom a few days before. They had so much fun and they were so proud of their creations. I just had to get a picture!

I am in LOVE with this picture of Collin.
When I looked at it to edit I started laughing out loud! He's not asahmed at all that he got caught licking the knife of its frosting! :)

Christmas Presents

2010-12-24T09:45:00.005-07:00

O.K.
I'm gonna assume that just by the title alone, that you will be smart enough
(if you know that we had you for Christmas this year) to STOP READING -- right now!
I just can't wait any longer...
I am SO excited for my family to open their gifts this year.
I'm thrilled with what I made both Brook's brother and his family
AND my sister and her family.
SO......if you are either of those people and it is before Christmas --- be smart and move along and wait to open your gifts.
...in the mean time, I will share with the rest of you!

These first ones are what I made Brook's brother and his little family of girls
(they got all girls, we got all boys....go figure!)
I found the idea HERE, and passed along its awesomeness to Super Saturday and we made them there.
However -- the powers that Be, didn't print off the temple that I wanted to use.
(Timpanogas --- where Greg & Carol were married)
AND I wanted to do a BIG one for G & C so that they could hang it somewhere in the house.
So I sent the photos that I wanted to pring to Kinko's and 50 cents later I had an 11 x 17 and 2 5 x 7 prints at my disposal!!!

Since I was doing this on my own, I also had to get my own wood for my project.
So I went to Home Deopt (with my awesome friend Chrissy!) and got a peice of wood panelling (it is wrapped in a piece of plastic and isn't very thick at all...which is the way that I wanted it so that it could be hung). I had an insanely incompetent employee cut my board's to the size that I needed (don't remember the exact dimensions right now...but you can see what I did). And off to Super Saturday I went to paint, sand and modge podge my wood into submission.

--The large thumb tacks were Beacky's idea and I really like them a lot. We dabbed a little black paint on them and smugged it so that they wouldn't be so bright and shinny when everything else was a little mutted.

For G & C's two girls I made those really cute journals out of a composition notebook and some craft paper at Super Saturday.
To make the girls' photo stand up, I just had my dad cut a bit of the leftover wood to make sort of a kickstand so that they could put it on their dresser.

I had to put my sister's gift at the bottom b/c she is a regular blog-checker and I didn't want her to accidentally see her gift (even though I am DYING to have her open it!) I saw this idea HERE and tried to get some placemats at the dollar store, but never saw anything that I really, really liked.
Plus I had a vision in my head of exactly what I wanted and so I knew that I would have to create it all on my own.
My sister's table looks like this --- so I knew that I would have to do black, white and yellow.
I found some dimenssions online for a placemat (I cut my material to 13 x 19 inches so that I would have a decent seam allowance) --- the best thing for that was making a cardboard form that I could just cut around (out of cereal boxes taped together). 2 yards of each material and I just went to Jo-Ann's and got the $2.99 a yard material and then used a 40% off coupon
(I am nothing but recourseful when it comes to gift-making).
In my head I knew that I wanted to have a zig-zag around the outside to add just a little fun to it and my super-awesome friend, Chrissy (AGAIN...she seriously is the BEST) let me use her sewing machine AND her cricket to cut the letters for the monogram. We just used heat n' bond and ironed those letters on....my sis is going to LOVE these !!!
(at least she better let me think she does so I don't feel bad!)

Soooo....I ended up making ten placemats b/c that is how many the material allowed me to make. I was origionally going to just make 8 but what would I do with leftover material?

Truly, this year, I am excited for Christmas because I want people to open their presents and I want to hear if they like them.
Because I like them --- actually LOVE them, and sure hope that they do too!

It's Begining to Look A Lot Like...

2010-12-17T14:17:00.003-07:00

I love me a homey Christmas Tree with family ornaments.
Just like most families I know, I have receieved an ornamnet every year of my life.
My mom now spreads that kind of lovin' to my boys and all her other grandkids and children
(yes, I still get an ornament every year from my mom --- just now it is for B and I).
I love looking at some of the old ones that I remember never not having.
You know; the ones that have been glued a few times.
Just like this one...
(she falls off the moon every now and again)

...and then there are the cute ones for my boys that I love just as much.
Jack loves to help put the ornaments on the tree.
(so there is usually a huge lump of ornaments right at the front of the tree at little-boy-level.
I never move them even if it is a little lop-sided)
I am hoping that it isn't just because he's only 5
I'm hoping it's because he has caught the Christmas bug.
I guess I'll see next year if he has the same excitement about decorating the tree.

This One's For You Aunt Janette

2010-11-21T18:06:00.003-07:00

Is there a smell that conjours up a serious memory for you?

Most people would usually think of something that you eat -- so something like chocolate chip cookies, or apple pie.

I have a memory of Dial soap. Every time I smell it, no matter what time of the year; I think of Thanksgiving.

We used to (before a carload of kids entered our lives) go to Logan, UT for Thanksgiving.

I haven't been to Thanksgiving in Logan since my oldest was almost a year --- so that is practically seven years ago.

My Dad's parents lived in Logan (Smithfield actually) and he has two brother's that live in Logan and sister that lives in Laketown; with lots and lots of cousins and other relatives that live close by that would come in for the holiday.

My grandparents are both gone now and most of those cousins are married with families of their own and other families to be with on the holiday. (just like us)

However, the memory lives on in that little bar of shower soap because that is the soap that was always in the bathroom at my grandparents house, which is where we would always stay.

Let me tell you something: a holiday with the Weaver family isn't just a holiday. It is a three day festival of food and fun. (which I miss terribly).

Whomever was there on Wednesday night, we would (as cousins) go and catch a late show of whatever was showing.

Thursday was the big family feast with so much family and food and fun and games a person could and usually would, waddle to their cars when all was said and done.

Friday morning, the Aunts and girl cousins went (and still do) go to the holiday craft fair at Logan High School --- but not after an insanely good breakfast where there is nonstop conversation (well we are women after all.).

That night is just some more fun and games with the whole clan at My Uncle and Aunt's house.

Saturday is the serious party --- homemade pizza, root beer, my Uncle John's famous ice cream and never-ending games of Nertz (if you don't know....I could not explain it to you if you asked me.) that last until the wee hours of the morning.

I love every minute of our time with the Weaver family in Logan and for the holiday and feel terrible that just because life is the way that it is, and commitments pull from all directions (and driving to Utah takes more time and money that I would like to admit), we haven't been in such a long time.

So this one's for you Aunt Janette...and Aunt Michelle

...and to Uncle John's pizza and homemade ice cream.

To shopping with my cousins.

To teasing my younger cousins about boyfriends and girlfriends and being amazed at how much they've grown.

To being with family and thinking of family and loving family; wherever they might be.

Have a happy and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with any and all of your loved ones.

...and just know, my Weaver relations, I will be thinking of you this coming weekend!

Too tired for words

2010-11-17T12:46:00.003-07:00

This is what happens every.single.day
after I drop Jack off at school.
Thatcher just doesn't seem to be able to wait until we get home to fall asleep in his bed (which is where I want him to fall asleep)
Typically he's asleep when I get back to the car after taking Jack into the school.
Today, he actually waited and started falling asleep while I was getting gas after dropping Jack off.

I just think that this picture is funny because he is clutching his keys in his hand still.

What a cutie!

Sunday Morning

2010-11-07T15:32:00.001-07:00

I am one lucky mom.
With three, extremely handsome, boys.
How did I get so lucky?
(I'll remember my luck -- and look at this post -- on the days I want to pull my hair out and post them for sale on Craigslist....no one else has those mornings, do they?)

Halloween 2010

2010-10-31T21:41:00.000-06:00

we had a lot of fun this year with all the boys.
Last night was the trunk or treat with church.
Seriosuly yummy chili and food and
HOMEMADE doughnuts (I ate waaaay too many of them!)
and rootbeer....sigh....I love it when the holiday eating begins.
The boys had a blast trunk or treating and the weather was gorgeous!

Then tonight, we headed over to my parents for a yummy dinner with pie and spudnuts and soups.
Mostly, so the boys could show off their costumes
(and Collin could give his speech to my grandparents...)

They are all so CUTE!

Cultural Speech

2010-10-30T09:26:00.000-06:00

You might remember that last year Collin did his speech on Octavius.
This year, the requirements for choosing your "costume" were a little different.
This year, Collin's class is focusing on geography.
So his teacher wanted the children to choose a country or a state that their family was from.
He didn't want to do and state and when he talked with my mom he got: England, Germany and the Netherlands.
He chose England (my Dad' family is English).
At first, the only costume that I could think of was a Tudor costume and I really didn't want to try and figure out a costume for that!
I was talking with his teacher one day, lamenting over the fact that England was not really giving me any ideas for a costume, she suggested The Royal Guard.
The light went off in my head!
We had already checked out a bunch of books from the library so I went looking through those for a picture of a Royal Guard from Buckingham Palace.
Eureka! And heck --- this costume turned out A-mazing!!!

I found a blazer at Good Will that already had gold buttons on them (coverd those with tinfoil)
AND (one of the best things) the inside of the sleeves were already black so we just turned those up and sewed them.
The rest was done with felt and a lot of hot glue.
My mom and I cut the collar off the coat and glued a black band of felt around it. The belt is a strip of felt and I made the buckle with a piece of cardboard and tinfoil.
Although.....the BEST thing is his hat.
My Dad figured it out and my mom helped him create it.
It is AWESOME!!!
I'm rather proud of how the whole thing turned out.
(plus I think that he had the best costume out of any of the kids in his class....)

...and he did a GREAT job on his speech.
He was the first one to go because I had the baby and it was nap time...

Fun Fall Dinner

2010-10-29T19:24:00.003-06:00

So seriously, think about.
When was the last time you made
Pigs in a Blanket
for your kids for dinner?
It is such a fun twist on just plain ole' hot dogs
(My 5 year-old loves them)

Just in case you forgot how easy it is; here's a little tutorial for you.

You will need:
a package of crescent rolls --- just the store brand will do, and I even go one step further and use the reduced fat kind as well
A package of hot dogs

Start a rollin' -- fat side first...

...keep goin'

...there you have it. A nicely rolled "pig" in a "blanket" ready to be put to bed.
Bake according to the roll package instructions.

About 13 minutes later you will have a beautiful cookie sheet full of yummy goodness that your kids will be more than willing to gobble up for you.

Serve with some ketchup and mustard and anything else fun that your kidlets will eat.

hand that plate over to their capable hands and...

...dip, dip, dip...

...munch, munch, munch...

BIG smiles!

Then call it a night, because you just made an easy-peasy fun dinner for the family.
(and without much effort either....so pat yourself on the back and go eat some ice cream!)

That is one BIG Pumpkin!

2010-10-23T10:37:00.001-06:00

Last night, we had our 4th annual Pumpkin-carving party.
It was a fun-filled fall evening with our best turn-out yet!

We usually get our pumpkins from my Dad's garden
(a perk of living close-by)
This year was a winner in the pumpkin department.
All the pumpkins that grew were pretty average sized with one
HUGE pumpkin.
The boys were set on carving that bad boy up for Halloween.
(which really means that Brook gets to carve it...)

We love using the jig saw that Brant provides for the pumpkins.
Usually you can only use it to carve the top out of your pumpkin,
but ours was big enough to use on the whole thing.
You can bet that Brook was happy with that!

What good is having a pumpkin big enough to fit on your head and NOT put it on your head.
All the kids got a kick out of Brook "Mr. Pumpkin-head".
I think that this is what he should be for Halloween!

We were actually able to get a picture of all the babies that were born this summer (minus one...they left too early for the picture).
That is A LOT of babies (sorry future nursery leaders...)
We've got oldest to youngest from left to right.
Lucas, Thatcher (born on the same day), Eli (two days later), Adelaide, Avery and Bradley (we're just missing Emerson)

...and then, thank goodness, we got another picture of the birthday boys and their mom's.
The one that we took together the day after they were born; we looked like mommy's that had just given birth....now we're a little more rested (and showered...)
It will be fun to watch these two boys grow and record it as well.

The Reason

2010-10-20T19:14:00.001-06:00

The reason why autumn is my favorite season is the leaves.
Yellow just happens to be my favorite color so I have a tendancy to be more drawn to them.
But this year I've seen some insanely vibrant red trees that I sigh a little bit inside every time I pass.
I love autumn because the very light seems to be just a little colored by all the glory of the change in the season.
Red, yellow, orange.
God sure knew what he was doing when he created autumn.

Just Can't Stop

2010-10-14T13:47:00.002-06:00

I tell you: you're gonna get bored with my cute subject matter --- and real soon too. :)
I should apologize,
but I just can't.
He's too darn cute!
(and the camera just LOVES him!!!)
...but I promise to post something about my other two boys...soon.

14 weeks and 2 days

Time Flies...

2010-09-30T13:34:00.004-06:00

12 weeks 2 days

and cute, cute, cute!!!

can't wait until he starts to laugh.

(i can feel that he is on the verge of discovering that talent)

he has begun to coo and "talk"

it's my favorite thing.

he always has a smile when he first

wakes up in the morning

for whoever comes to get him

and will smile readily at his big brothers.

he's going to have brown eyes

mom is extremely thrilled

(the other two are blue-eyed)

Prayer of Holiness

2010-09-25T09:13:00.001-06:00

More holiness give me,
More strivings within,
More patience in suffring,
More sorrow for sin,
More faith in my Savior,
More sense of his care,
More joy in his service,
More purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me,
More trust in the Lord,
More pride in his glory,
More hope in his word,
More tears for his sorrows,
More pain at his grief,
More meekness in trial,
More praise for relief.

More purity give me,
More strength to o'er come,
More freedom from earth stains,
More longing for home.
More fit for the kingdom,
More used would I be.
More blessed and holy
More, Savior, like thee.

Tonight was the annual General Relief Society meeting.
I always look forward to the words of our leaders and especially our Prophet.
Tonight was especially poignant for me.
The words of this song as the choir sang it, really resonated within my soul.
I felt the words of this prayer and felt my need for fulfilling them.
I had found what I knew I was lacking in my life.
I may not have order and organization,
I may not have the complete peace that I seek,
I may not be as financially secure as I desperately desire to be;
But I can be more holy and be more directed toward being like my Savior.

...and along came an open house

2010-09-20T16:38:00.001-06:00

With a wedding, inevitably comeas an open house (more presents, yea!!!)

We had my brother's open house here this weekend and it was so lovely!

My mom thought it all out and planned it and it was beautiful.

The weather cooperated and....

I'll let the pictures speak for it.

The cake was so very yummy. Thank heavens there were lots of leftover cupcakes :) --- we are enjoying those STILL.

My new sister in-law's whole theme for their wedding was a joining of roots with a tree -- or something like that.
Even though I've not said it right, it was really cute and adorable and their guest book went right along with it.
You were to put your thumb print on the tree and then sign it.
So clever.
Much better than a book sitting in a box somewhere...

My mom had Collin draw a mural of Taylor and Courtney....I LOVE it!
He asked my mom if she was going to keep it forever....
...well, not forever. Just until it fades away.

(this is my favorite picture i took that evening...the sun was great and Courtney was cute....sigh. Perfection.)

The cute, happy newly-weds....

Family Vacation

2010-09-13T16:24:00.002-06:00

It seems like we've gone for such a long time.
Probably because so much happened....but we sure had a great time.
My baby brother got married over the Labor Day weekend in Idaho Falls and we drove out to be part of the celebration.
We made a two-day trip of the drive and stopped over in Little America for the night.

The next morning, we ate breakfast with my parents and grandparents.
All I've ever done in Little America is get an ice cream. But let me tell you:
those donuts are HUGE (and yummy)
All the boys wanted for breakfast was their sweets.
But I will tell you that you should stop and eat. It was so good!

That same night, as my whole family got to Idaho Falls, we had a family picnic with all sides of the family. The cousins sure had fun playing and running and just being with each other. (...and rough-housing with the uncles.)

We attempted to take pictures of all the brothers and the sisters' since now we are complete with all of us having spouses. The guys were just plain silly and I'm glad that I didn't stop snapping pictures.

Later that eveining, when things were winding down, my brothers "kid-napped" Taylor and took him to our hotel so that we could have some quality "final" time with just us siblings and our parents.
Brook took the older kids to the pool and Paul stayed with the babies while they slept.
Silly kids.

The wedding was right on the river in the city and my sister in-law is a creative genius! Everything was so beautiful and it was wonderful. The cousins were, once again, cr-AZY! But who cares --- it was fun to see them all together.
When the dancing started so did the kids. My boys seem to think that they are expert break-dancers and wasted no time showing off their mad skills to whomever would watch.

On Sunday, we drover down to Lehi to spend the week with Brook's family and vacation.
The 5th also happened to be the 10th anniversary of Brook's mom's passing. We made a special trip to the cemetary to put those awesome flowers around the gravestone that Brook's sister, Nicole made.
I'm pretty sure that it was the first time that Collin had ever been there and Brook showed him around and showed him the other family that was there.

At the end of the week. We all got together, one last time to hang out, eat good food and play games. Brook's oldest sister, Lisa brought the makings for personal pizzas. The kids really enjoyed poudning out the dough and topping their own pizzas.

We took two days to head home and stopped in Vernal.
Why Vernal you ask?
Well, besides being home to Brook's Aunt and Uncle, it is also the home of the best dinosaur digs in all of the US and there is a great museum there as well.
We didn't tell the boys what we were doing until we pulled into town.
They were thrilled!!!
Outside the new museum there is a garden with life-sized replicas of popular dinosaurs.
That was fun!

First Day of School

2010-08-23T10:06:00.000-06:00

Collin 2nd grade, 7 1/2 years
Jack Kindergarten, 5 years

Number 5

2010-08-22T19:35:00.011-06:00

Turning 5 is a big deal!
We decided on a pool party for Jack's 5th birthday and it didn't disappoint.
We had so much fun.
There was swimming and food and fun.
(...and the most important for Jack: PRESENTS!)

Brook was the "thrower" between all the dad's that got in and swam with their kids.
Brook is throwing Collin in this one, but a lot of the kids got in on his generosity.

It was just cute to see Jack floating on his back all decked out in his pool finery.

I made a pool cake for Jack. The idea is from Family Fun, but I tweaked it a little since we were outside.
(it was supposed to be an ice cream cake...and that just wasn't going to work.)

It was a lot of fun to have Jack be the center of attention while we sang to him.
He even sang to himself!

I got a picture with all his friends when they gave him his gift.
A good way to document it for him...
(and a good way for mom to remember who gave him what!)

He was sooooo very excited to get the TMNT movie from his brother
(thank you Wal-Mart $5 movie shelf!)

Brook got our present to him while he was at work today and needed a clever way to wrap it and he came up with printing out collages of him through the years. It was really very cute.
It was difficult to let him rip up the package.

yeah....and these are just some cute pictures of all my boys....

Saturday Fun

2010-08-17T11:36:00.005-06:00

Us Peterson's had a fun-filled Saturday this past weekend.
In the morning I was here.
And then when I got home, Brook took the boys to a reptile show.
I've been to one, and one was enough for me.
But the boys got to hold all sorts of reptiles and even a scorpion.
YUCK!!!! so glad that I wasn't there to witness that one.
...at least they had fun.

That afternoon we headed on over to the Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo. I had bought tickets for the rodeo months ago and had gotten a half price deal on the tickets.
We first went into the Livestock Pavillion and walked around looking at all the animals. While we were there, the junior livestock auction was going on (the mundane droning of the auctioneer drove me crazy!) so there were quite a few of the animals out of their pens.
It made Jack a little bit more than nervous.
He wouldn't do anywhere near the big animals.
Though he did like the rabbits and chickens that were in their cages.
Unfortunately this was not a "real" fair with rides and all that.
Which was rather disappointing for all of us.
(Collin was looking forward to riding on the faris wheel)
But we did the best that we could and took advantage of what was there for the kids
(which wasn't much, but the boys still had fun).
We're thinking that one of these years we'll go to the state fair in Pueblo so that the boys can have the "whole" fair experience.

There is nothing like "fair food" to complete your experience. And thank heavens the fair had good fair food. (that was one of the few good things going for the fair)
Jack doesn't normally eat his hot dogs with a bun, so it was just funny to watch him try and eat it.
He would take bites out of both ends of his dog...

Brook and I both feasted on a jumbo bratworst with saurkraut. It was sooooo good!

...and the best fair food ever:

Funnel Cake!!!

Now I know that you can make funnel cake at home fairly easily, but there is just nothing like getting it from the fair.
(it's like a hot dog from a street vendor or at the ball game --- just tastes so much better!)
So getting funnel cake was the one thing that I wanted when we went to the fair.
Thank goodness, I wasn't disapointed.
...there was even kettle corn, so Brook was doubly happy. :)

Funny

2010-08-15T17:30:00.001-06:00

Scene: Dinner in the Peterson home Sunday night

Mom: Jack, do you want cheese in your chicken taco?
Jack: Yes please. But no chicken.
Mom & Dad: Laughing very loudly

Birth Story

2010-08-03T14:12:00.004-06:00

So....it's only taken me a month to write down Thatcher's birth story.
Today he is four weeks old (but not one month until Friday...)

This was a loooooong and drawn out process.
But not a difficult one, thank goodness!

Monday, July 5th was a pretty low-key day for us. Brook had the day off from work as the observed holiday so that afternoon, he took the boys to the pool while I stayed at home and relaxed in the cool of the air-conditioning.
I ate lunch, started a movie and knew I would fall asleep, so I laid down and did just that.
....until...
I was woken up by some serious wetness.
Mental check: did I pee my pants.
No.
I think my water just broke.
Another mental check: contractions?
No.
I went to the bathroom to change and laid back down to wait and see if it would happen again and call Brook.

Very casual conversation:
me: "Hi, are you guys having fun?"
b: "yes."
me: "Good. You might want to start thinking about coming home soon. I'm pretty sure that my water broke --- but I'm not having any contractions, so you don't need to hurry. Just when you're done."
b: "We were just getting ready to come home. Seriously? Your water broke?"
me: "Yes. But I'm not having any contractions and I'm not in any pain. So come home, we'll get the boys cleaned up and showered and ready and then we'll go drop them at my parents and head to the hospital."
"b: "OK, we'll be home in a few minutes."

I call the doctor and have a delightful conversation with her about her weekend and then she tells me that I should "Mosey on over to the hospital with the next hour or so."

Brook comes home, the boys shower.
I wander around trying to put things in a bag.
We head on up to my parents and stop for a while.
I talk with my sister on the phone and everyone is rushing for me to get to the hospital.

Meanwhile: still no real contractions.
(btw: my water broke at 4:00pm)
Pretty much just braxton-hicks-like contractions.

We get to the hospital about 5:30pm and get settled and the nurse checks to make sure my water actually did rupture....yeah, I think that I would know what that feels like --- it's my 3rd baby after-all.
Yep, it did. Now we just wait.
We go for a walk.
I rock on the birthing ball.
We go for another walk.
Brook goes and gets something to eat.
I munch on some ice.
We watch a movie.

at 11:30 we get a text from a friend saying that Jessica's water broke and she's coming to the same hospital to deliver.
We go for another walk just as Jessica and Ben make it to the maternity ward.
Hugs and joyous words abound.
Finally at 1:30 am I'm so tired I go to sleep.
I wake up and realize that I feel absolutely NO contractions.
That is when I realize that I'm going to have to be given pitocin to help this fella out.
Not too excited about that one.
But we're coming up on 12 hours and nothing.
So at 4:00 am the nurse starts prepping me for my epidural and pitocin drip.
I asked for it to be really, really slow because I didn't want any undue stress on my baby.

So....things moved
very slowly.
Extremely slowly.
Insanely slow!!!

But the epidural made me very sleepy....so I slept.
It was great.

At 1:00 pm (so we're coming up on 21 hours here...) the doctor comes in and puts an internal monitor on...
(Jessica had her baby at about 9:30 am.....she rocks!)
Then I start feeling him pushing. I feel the pressure where the pressure should be. He's coming down, ready to come on out.
I sit there for a while and finally at 1:30 I call the nurse in a tell her that she should check me because I can really feel him in the birth canal. (I LOVE an epidural!!!)
She checks me and says: "Yep, you're ready your a 100 %!!! I'll go and get the doctor!"
All was ready to go by 1:45pm and I pushed for 15 minutes and he was born at 2:00pm

Brook remembered after about one push that I had said that I wanted a mirror and so the nurse went and got one.
That was a-mazing!
Seeing the birth from that end was miraculous.
And I'm glad that I didn't have to feel it.
Ye ouch!

And now we have an amazing, beautiful 3rd little boy to join our family.

I can't help but cry!
It is such a beautiful thing to welcome a tiny body into this world.
I'm so glad that Brook got a picture of this. It is one of my favorites.

Thatcher Miles Peterson
born on July 6, 2010
2:00pm
weighed: 7 lbs 8 1/2 ounces
length: 10 1/2 inches
...and he's got some really long feet and toes.
(I love them!)

...and to think that it has already been a month!!! I can't get enough of his new-babiness.
I'm not sure if it is because there is such an age-difference between him and Jack (5 years) that I just feel like I love it so much more. (probably)
It will be so much fun when the boys start school in a few weeks and it is just mom and Thatcher for a few hours every day. (mostly just sleep right now...but eventually it'll be play-time)
I am in love with my new little son and am so happy to have him with us.
He waited a long time to come.

The Desire

2010-07-26T10:17:00.003-06:00

ok.
so the desperate desire to have an orange wall in my home has diminished some.
just some --
not entirely.
It's just not so burning as it was before.
I was smart to wait until after Thatcher showed up.

Plus it hasn't happened because of funding
(any one want to donate to my orange wall fun j/k)
So as soon as there is some funding,
I'm pretty sure that the orange wall will come to fruition.

I've pretty much figured out the decor that I want
...well, in my head anyways.
Now I just have to get it and put it together
and figure it out.

So, don't wait with abated breath for the post on my
orange-colored wall
It could be a while.
But it will happen.

Emotions

2010-07-12T14:24:00.008-06:00

Wow, I'm pretty darn sure that I was NOT ready for the emotional roller coaster that is called postpartum.
Actually, I think that I had just forgotten about it.
(it's been 5 years since we've had a baby around)

It hasn't been all that bad...actually good.

Is there anything sweeter than trying to calm your sweet little, newborn babe by
rocking him
and
singing a sweet song?
No,
nothing.

I have always sung this song to my babies to get them to calm down. I have always thought (and believe by repeat opportunities), that the best way to calm a baby (usually) is to sing a song about Jesus or heaven. The melodies are just so simple and pretty that they are learning almost instantly from the time that they are born about where they have just come from and to whom they must look to to return there.

Last night I was trying to calm Thatcher down and was rocking him and singing the sweet words of how much his Heavenly Father loves him when I was overwhelmed by my love for my new little son. I just started crying and could not sing the beautiful words any more.
I couldn't take my eyes off of my precious little gift from heaven and couldn't stop thinking about how wonderful it is that we have such a loving and giving Father in Heaven that allows us the opportunity to have such an amazing thing as a human body;
and by how much it can do!
If that's not love, I don't know what it is.

This morning, Thatcher stayed awake for a little while.
As I was holding him and talking to him, I couldn't help but notice the amazement and the wonderment in his eyes.
Even though he doesn't really have the full capacity of his eyes yet -- they see.
And he hears this new world around him.
And he is in awe.
I see it in his eyes.
I love him and I love my Heavenly Father for that amazement of new life and the blessing that I receive in the opportunity to watch all that newness and learning again.
It never ceases to amaze me.

Independence

2010-07-04T14:36:00.004-06:00

Do you know the history behind our National Anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner"?
Most America's know very little about why is was written
(most think that it was during the Revolutionary War -- not so!)
A few years ago, I researched a little bit about what inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that would later become our National Anthem.
Since today is our nation's Independence Day, I thought that I would share with you the history of this song.
(and if you ever see my crying during the singing of it -- hence, me not singing -- you will know why)

During the War of 1812 Key along with the American Prisoner Exchange agent, dined aboard a British vessel. They were there to negotiate the release of one specific poisoner of war. The three men were not allowed to return to their own boat and return to the mainland when they became familiar with the British's tactics to attack Baltimore.
"As a result of this, Key was unable to do anything but watch the bombarding of American forces at Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore on the night of Sept 13 - 14, 1814. When the smoke cleared, Key was able to see the American flag still waving and reported that to the prisoners below deck. On the way back to Baltimore, Key was inspired to write a poem describing his experience "The Defense of Fort McHenry", which was published later that month in the Patriot.

Sadly, the song was not adopted as our national anthem until well over 100 years later. First, President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 by an executive order --- which really only made military bands play it. And later by Congressional resolution in 1931 by President Herbert Hoover.

Have you ever really paid any attention to the lyrics?
Almost all know the lyrics to the first verse, which has reference to Key seeing the American flag still waving in the morning following the battle. But the rest of the verses are just as moving and inspiring.

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foes' haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it carches the gleam on the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner? Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just.
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

How can you NOT be moved by those obviously inspired words.
Teach this to your children so they know why so many are moved to tears when we sing our national anthem. Everyone should know and understand how important these verses are.

Any Day

2010-07-01T08:50:00.003-06:00

so...
we are at the "any day" mark in the pregnancy
I'm not sure how that is supposed to make me feel any better
It's like when the Doctor's gets done with your check-up for the week
and then says "It should be any day now."
WHATEVER!!!!
Just a bunch of false hope.
(I'm really not this cynical....it's just funny.)

I actually feel pretty good

...well except for the two hours (or so) on Monday night
where I had some pretty intense contractions

or...

until I look in the mirror and notice the basketball stuck to my front.

I was getting ready for church last Sunday and said to the boys
"Mommy sure has a big tummy!"
They laughed and readily agreed (cheeky kids!)

Every night I sit and wait for that distinct feeling of my water breaking
(Brook asked one night when I told him that I got up every hour to pee --
"Are you sure it wasn't your water breaking? ---
I think that I would know the difference)

and then wake up the next morning just as big
and just as waiting.

I keep telling the little guy that it is time to come.
(He's not listening very well...)

I'll let you know :)

M.I.A.

2010-06-21T09:31:00.005-06:00

yes.
I have been
missing in action
for the past few weeks.
Even on facebook it's been pretty sporadic for me.
We decided to move last weekend
(not spontaneously mind you...)
About three weeks from my due-date.
I think that I'm crazy.

However, there is the sunshine in all this craziness --
We're pretty much done!
There are about two boxes sitting in front of the
snake tank/dresser
that I have absolutely
NO IDEA
what to do with the contents of

....and then there is the two boxes of
pictures
that are waiting for me to decide where to
put them
But I'm waiting on (most of) those
until after the baby comes

because I am waiting to see if I still am
desperately desiring an
orange wall

pregnancy hormones.

I don't want to paint it and then in a
month discover that I hate it
because I don't have any pregnancy hormones
coursing through my veins.

i AM getting all the baby stuff ready
My grandmother kindly offered to wash
all my baby clothes for me
(so CUTE! I love little baby clothes --
and boy ones at that!)
So now all I need to do is:
wash the car seat
set up the pack n' play with the bassinet in it
and pack a bag for the hospital

then he can come.

Another week perhaps?

I could do another week.

Life's Lesson's Needing to Be Learned Through Other's Words

2010-06-02T11:45:00.003-06:00

"The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be effcacious in our lives."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"One's life...cannot be both faith-filled and stress-free...
"Therefore, how can you and I really expect to glide naively through life, as if to say 'Lord, give me experience, but not grief, not sorrow, not pain, not opposition, not betrayal, and certainly not to be foresaken. Keep from me, Lord, all those experiences which made Thee what Thou art! Then let me come and dwell with Thee and fully share Thy joy!'...
"Real faith...is required to endure this necessary but painful development process."

Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Fun with Family

2010-05-25T11:44:00.004-06:00

It has been so much fun having my sister and her family here.
Having it be the last week of school and wanting to play has been a little bit of a challenge,
but we took advantage of the fact that no "real" schooling is done in the last week and
played today!
We used the Culture Pass again and went to the Butterfly Pavilion.
It is a really simple museum, but fun for the kids because of all the bugs and spiders
and other creepy crawly critters they have.
Including this dear thing that is crawling on Jack's hand: Rosie.
Each of the kids (big and little) had a chance to hold Rosie.
All of my boys did (surely you didn't think that I would....)
They are so brave!

Then before heading into the butterfly sanctuary, we stopped in at the aquarium's and the kids got to pet sea urchins, star fish and other such things.

...while inside, I just took advantage of the superfluousness of the butterflies and the exotic flowers....it was delightful.
Though I really could have done without the rain forest-like atmosphere!

Actually got everyone in the same place to take some pictures!

Then it was off to Casa Bonita a City of Lakewood (and state of Colorado) landmark that has been here for more than 30 years.
Be forewarned though: the food is terrible -- no horrendous ---
but we didn't really go for that.
The atmosphere is so much fun that we knew the kids would love it.
And they did.
There is a diving show and the kids couldn't get enough of that.
...and then there are the sopapillas --- need I say more?!?! (NO! -- those were delish!)

We also go serenaded by the Mariachi band.
It was so beautiful and melodic. I loved every minute of it.
They could have come home with me in my pocket!

We have decided that every time Paul and Aubrey and their kids come to visit,
it is now a MUST that we visit Casa Bonita as well.
The whole day was awesome!
Too bad they had to leave and go home.
But thankfully we'll be seeing them again in September when our baby brother gets married.
Thanks for finding a girl to marry you Taylor so that we can have so serious family fun again!

Little Words

2010-05-16T12:18:00.002-06:00

Seriously, we just walked in the door from church.
And those words of love
(well, not really)
that come pouring out of little boys mouth are priceless!
The boys went in their room to change and clean up for lunch
Brook and I hear:
Jack: "I don't want you any more!!!" (at quite a high pitch, might I add)
Collin: "Well, you're stuck 'cause I already have you." (rather matter-of-factly)

Brook starts chuckling because he heard it all.....
just one of those times that I had to write it all down.

A Day of Adventure

2010-05-15T12:14:00.006-06:00

Oh what fun!
While us "ladies" were busy at my baby shower,
Uncle Brook was the brave one and took all the kids (minus baby Mabel)
to the Wildlife Experience (for free! LOVE that JCPL Culture Pass!)
and then onto the Sombrero Park where he got them good and tired!
The kids had a BLAST and what more could a mom ask for really?
(nothing, in case you weren't sure of the answer)

Orange

2010-05-13T09:21:00.003-06:00

I am very much in love with the color
orange
right now.
We've been married almost
9 years
and have lived in an apartment the whole
9 years.
With white walls.
and white blinds
and no color whatsoever.

We are getting ready for 3rd and
will be moving into a larger apartment
at the beginning of June.
I want to paint a wall
orange.
very badly.
very, very badly.

I figure that it is a trial run on any (and all) decorating.
If we don't like it in an apartment (and a much smaller space)
we won't ever have the desire to paint in a house (if we ever buy one)
I still really like the decor that I have,
I'm just tired of it and need a little re-vamping
(is it nesting perhaps?)
So as I attempt to juice up my decorating skills
(with the help of a good friend and my sister -- thanks heavens!!!)

I will keep you posted on my changes/improvements
I am really excited -- hopefully we'll be done by the end of summer --
or better yet, before 3rd comes!

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-10T08:59:00.010-06:00

Mother's Day was wonderful this year.
Brook surprised me with a necklace that I've been eye-ing at Target for a really long time ---
it even made me cry (but I'm going to blame that on the pregnancy hormones)
We got together with my sister Aubrey and her kids at my Mom's for dinner with my grandparents.
Aubrey and I made a scrupcious dinner and we had fun with the camera.

...and my goodness, how could we resist taking the generation pictures?
(see that awesome flower my sis is wearing?

I made that and one for my mom and grandma...

sort of an all-the-time-corsage.

I'm really proud of the fact that I did it too!)

Overheard

2010-04-18T13:30:00.003-06:00

This is what I overheard from the bedroom this morning while Brook was helping Jack to soap-up in the shower:

"Dad, did you know that the soap makes me look like a snowman? And I'm going to melt when we wash it off."

I asked Brook later if he actually "melted" when he was rinsed off.

He melted when he was rinsed off.

Just a little ball of naked boy in the bottom of our shower.

I was laughing with Brook about it while Jack was getting dressed and Jack heard. He told me to stop making fun of him.

I told him that I wasn't making fun of him....but that I thought that he was just too cute and was laughing with Dad over how cute he was.

Easter

2010-04-12T09:34:00.002-06:00

We had a fun little Easter this year.
Nothing big but a lot of talking about why we celebrate Easter.
I am not exactly opposed to doing Easter baskets, I'm just not all for them. either.
So we kind of compromised this year, and I think that I am really happy with the outcome.
The boys colored eggs and I got this really awesome idea from the Family Fun website to use stickers to stencil your eggs. So we made monogrammed eggs and eggs with stars and numbers and exclamation points...it was really kind of fun actually.
(...and a super-great way to designate the baskets so that there was not confusion in the morning...)

And I am happy to say that my boys know why we celebrate Easter (and that it has nothing to do with the Easter bunny...)

The boys had to show off their loot. (we HAD to do a chocolate bunny! -- Jack ate his all by the end of the day, and well, Collin doesn't like just plain chocolate so his bunny is in the cupboard waiting for an adult to have a serious chocolate craving...)

I just love the monogrammed eggs....they are just so cute!

Motivating

2010-04-08T17:24:00.003-06:00

You know, as I began to realize this past Saturday that it was General Conference and all that it entails for us --out of Utah and with no cable -- either the inernet or the Stake Center --I wasn't all that inspired to watch it. I knew that I wanted to watch it and I knew that it would be worth it, but as I settled in to begin the Saturday morning session I wasn't really all that into it.

But as I sat and watched the ten or so minutes before the session started of the leaders coming in and talking with each other and then The First Presidency arriving and the whole assembly rising to greet them, I was moved.

Moved because I knew that this was what I was supposed to be doing on a busy Saturday morning.

Moved because I saw the love our Prophet has for all of us as he greeted numerous people (and even went down into the rows to greet people -- the body gaurds were a little antsy and kept trying to get him back on the stand...).

Moved because I knew that I would be edified.

During that Saturday morning session, I really enjoyed Sister Julie B. Beck's talk and the last one, by President Eyring entitled "Help Them on Their Way Home".

His words helped me to view my calling as the Primary Chorister afresh and with renewed enthusiasm (not that I ever lacked, for those of you that have ever been in Primary with me...) for the role that I play to help lead these children back to our Father in Heaven.

Here are just a few quotes that inspired me.

"The family has an advantage in the first eight years of a child’s life. In those protected years, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Satan’s use of the mists of darkness to hide the path to return home is blocked. In those precious years the Lord helps families by calling Primary workers to help strengthen children spiritually. He also provides holders of the Aaronic Priesthood to offer the sacrament. In those sacramental prayers, the children hear the promise that they may someday receive the Holy Ghost as a guide if they are obedient to God’s commandments. As a result, they are fortified to resist temptation when it comes and then, sometime in the future, to go to the rescue of others.

"Many bishops in the Church are inspired to call the strongest people in the ward to serve individual children in the Primary. They realize that if the children are strengthened with faith and testimony, they will be less likely to need rescue as teenagers. They realize that a strong spiritual foundation can make the difference for a lifetime.

"The best counsel for us to give young people is that they can arrive back to Heavenly Father only as they are guided and corrected by the Spirit of God. So if we are wise, we will encourage, praise, and exemplify everything which invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost. When they share with us what they are doing and feeling, we must ourselves have qualified for the Spirit. Then they will feel in our praise and our smiles the approval of God. And should we feel the need to give corrective counsel, they will feel our love and the love of God in it, not rebuke and rejection, which can permit Satan to lead them further away.

"The example they most need from us is to do what they must do. We need to pray for the gifts of the Spirit. We need to ponder in the scriptures and in the words of living prophets. We need to make plans which are not only wishes but covenants. And then we need to keep our promises to the Lord. And we need to lift others by sharing with them the blessings of the Atonement which have come in our lives.

"And we need to exemplify in our own lives the steady and prolonged faithfulness that the Lord expects of them. As we do, we will help them feel from the Spirit an assurance that if they will persist, they will hear the words from a loving Savior and Heavenly Father: 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.' And we who help them along the way will hear those words with joy."

All Things Collin

2010-04-05T10:23:00.003-06:00

I finally got the chance to take Collin's 7-year pictures.

First of all: I have a difficult enough time even beleiving that my little guy is actually SEVEN!

Spring Break seemed like the perfect time to get his pictures done since the end of February is pretty drab and cold around these parts. (end of March was much better----warmer.)

Big things about my boy:

He's got his first loose tooth
(but no matter how hard Dad tries to convince him, he won't let Dad pull it out for him.)
He just learned how to ride his bike --
All.By.Himself.
(and is super proud of that fact)
Wants to either be a professional runner or a professional bike rider when he grows up.
("I'm really good at both, I can't decide.")
Is becoming a wonderful reader
and likes to read books to any one that will take the time to listen.

Another Big Day

2010-02-25T12:19:00.004-07:00

Seven years! That just is NOT possible.
(it's a good thing that I don't feel that old -- I hope that I never do!)

Today is Collin's birthday. He is growing into such a big boy. And he is so good at being a boy!
Yesterday, while Brook and the boys were having fun at the museum, I had some friends over to help me make some cupcakes for Collin's class. If you will remember last year and the aliens, I am so happy I asked some friends to help.

THANK YOU!!!!!

....eventually, the turned out well and were a big hit in his class.
(I guess that I'm just not the type of Mother that throws some frosting on a cupcake and calls it a day....just not my style...this is much more fun. Plus, I kind of like a little challenge.)

Whadda you think?

The tonight we had a dinner menu requested by Collin:

Pancakes.

I love that my boy is simple. And since he loves IHOP, I got some flavored syrup (that stuff is expensive!) and some sausage and it was a meal that a little boy loved (well, more than one little boy...)!

Then onto the gifts!

He got a bike from Nanna and Poppa, a watch, walkie talkies and a bucket of melting beads (his class has had some since the beginning of the new semester and he's been in love with them ever since...he was beyond thrilled with those puppies!) and some money from the great-grandparents on both sides.

Big Day

2010-02-24T11:55:00.005-07:00

Oh what a day!
We had some time as a family (because of a later activity) and Brook decided to celebrate Collin's 7th Birthday in style. So he left me with some friends and took the boys, for the morning the Wildlife Experience (for free -- we did this on MLK Jr. day with something that our library has called a "Culture Pass". People with library cards can go to certain museum's for free with just their card...it is wonderful!)
Then on to Chuckee Cheese's for a little family party.
It was perfect. Mostly because it was a Wednesday and there weren't that many people there, so it wasn't a madhouse or insanely loud (which was good for the grandparents).
I actually had some fun.
Plus, all the adults helped the boys get tickets and they brought home some fun toys.

The whole (in town) family sitting down to the best that Chuckee has to offer (greasy pizza).

Everyone loved the skeet ball (especially Collin). We all really appreciated Poppy's skill with the ball...he kept hitting the 10, 000 mark. What an aim!

...and then, later that afternoon, we learned at the OB that we will be welcoming Peterson Boy #3 into our home.

We have a little joke with Brook's grandma that we're the ones supplying the Peterson line with more male heirs....

...well, I guess that it actually isn't a joke, it is a reality. In all of Brook's family (and that includes extended) we are the only family with the Peterson name that has any boys...all of them have only girls.

I guess it's a good thing I like boys.

Good things about boy #3

there is absolutely no need to purchase any new clothes -- really there isn't. I was even walking through the infant clothes at Wal-Mart last week looking at all the really cute stuff and it hit me, that we don't need anything new...even if it is cute. We have tons and tons of baby boy clothes and on the bright side -- that will save us lots and lots of money!
We could NOT come up with a girls name. At. all. It was depressing. I suppose I should have just realized that Heavenly Father was trying to tell me something and come to grips with reality (though, in a way, a little part of me was looking forward to buying little bows and cute patent mary jane's for a little girl....sigh -- I'll just have to be thrilled with those cute little sneakers for new-borns and fall in love all over again with all my cute baby boy clothes -- and I really do love those clothes)
I won't have to stew over how to decorate the kids room. Ever. I was already starting to think about that. (b/c we were going to be putting all the kids in one room -- and their toys in another. And now, I just don't have to. What a relief! :)
(this one is for my "current boys") We won't have to worry about getting girl toys (said with a sneer). Or watching girl movies (also with a sneer of types). Or having anything pink (I'm not even a fan of all pink things for little girls -- yellow's my color!).

See how wonderful this is in having another boy?!?! We actually are very thrilled (and yes, even I am). Now we just wait for another 4 1/2 months for this little one to come. Can you wait that long? Not sure that I can -- well actually I wouldn't mind skipping some things...but it all comes with the package that we get to keep at the end (and that is a pretty darn nice package!)

The Little Artist

2010-02-23T11:37:00.003-07:00

Collin drew this yesterday and I really love it.

He has always loved to draw and create, and it has really taken flight with his ability to spell and the use of scissors. He goes through pads of paper like crazy!
I love the fact that he spelled all the words right and he was so creative with the colors and honestly;

it's just plain fu-nny --

a man-eating pickle -- good grief!

Something to Think About

2010-02-12T15:39:00.002-07:00

"Pray for the love with allows you to see the good in your companion.

Pray for the love that makes weaknesses and mistakes seem small.

Pray for the love to make your companion's joy your own.

Pray for the love to want to lessen the load and soften the sorrows of your companion."

~ Henry B. Eyring

(November 2009 Ensign, p. 71)

I read this quote this past week and it really made me think (again) about how important it is throughout the years to make sure that you are your spouse's biggest fan and support. Especially how important it is to make sure that you ask for help from a higher source; from one that guides every action we make for ourselves and for the ones we love the most.

Happy Valentine's Day.

New Year's 2010

2010-02-02T09:23:00.005-07:00

Is it too late for New Year's?

Because we had a rockin' good time!
Downtown Denver shoots fireworks off at the 16th Street mall at 9:00 (for those of us that aren't quite up to being night owls -- and yes, I'll blame that on the kidlets!) and at midnight for the party revelers.
So we decided to have a great time with the boys and go downtown for some great dinner and watch the fireworks.
We invited our good friends, David and Heidi Layne to come along and it was one of the best New Year's that I've ever had.

after dinner, we went walking around and went into this sheepskin store that Brook loves and tried on these ear muffs. Don't Heidi and I look adorable?

Dave....he's got his own style, eh?

The boys kept getting mad at us for wanting to take pictures while the fireworks were going off...but we got the pictures! and it was a great way to welcome in 2010!

Oldies already

2010-01-28T16:09:00.002-07:00

Today, I was driving to get Collin from school and was flipping through radio channels and stopped on the "oldies station."
A great '70's song, "Le Freak" came on. It was released in 1978.
(I was doing some serious chair dancing!)

When did the oldies start including songs that were released in my lifetime?!?!

Heck no, I ain't that old!!!

I grew up listening to the oldies station.
But "back then" it was all stuff from the 1950's and 1960's with a little '70's thrown in for good measure.

Not so any more. A lot of the stuff on those stations is no older than 1974.
ACK!

Soon, what we call retro (the '80's) is going to be the oldies and then I'm going to start feeling really old!

...help...

Timing is Everything!

2010-01-23T14:54:00.002-07:00

So.....

Jack and I were in the grocery store yesterday, meandering through the aisles, getting this and that...

when all of a sudden Jack asks:
"Mom, how is the baby going to get out of your tummy?"
Me: "I think that we can talk about that when we get home."

I think that I need to find some good child-minded books on the subject, so that he can have some visuals as well as the words. Any suggestions?

Jack seems to be the only one really asking questions at this point. Collin isn't too interested. I'm figuring that he will become more so as my belly grows ever bigger. (Right now, it is still pretty easy to hide...)

What Kind of Baby do YOU want?

2010-01-12T08:50:00.003-07:00

I guess that the boys are just full of them...
(I'm glad that I'm getting them written down since I know that I'll forget it all sooner rather than later...)

Jack tells me this morning that he wants a girl baby.
Just to double-check I asked him, "You want a sister?"
"Yes," he replied.
Collin, eating his breakfast, emphatically puts in his opinion by saying, "NO!!!!" then,
"Jack do you know what will happen if we have a girl baby?"
"No."
"When she gets to be your age, she'll want to watch GIRL movies! Do you want that to happen?" (seriously, that is just what he said.)
"Ewe! Yuck! Not movies like Lightening McQueen? Or Beauty and the Beast?"
"NO, not Beauty and the Beast!"
"But the Beast is a boy monster." Jack thoughtfully (and truthfully) lets Collin know.

I think their biggest fear is being over run by GIRL things. :)
Oh the travesty!

Heads & Buildings???

2010-01-11T08:41:00.002-07:00

Have your kids ever played heads & buildings?

Brook told me a VERY funny story last night about the boys.

I guess that they had found a coin and Collin wanted to play heads and tails, but Jack told him that there wasn't a tail on the other side of the coin. There was a BUILDING!

Soooo....Brook overheard them playing their little game and told me that it took him a while to figure out what they were playing...not heads and TAILS --- heads and BUILDINGS!!!!

I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas

2009-12-17T09:15:00.001-07:00

Do your kids like this song as much as mine do?
This is a HUGE hit in our house...last year, as well as this year.

If you whaven't heard it yet....the history behind it is kind of interesting.

In 1953 a 10 year-old Oklahoma girl named Gayle Peevey recorded this song. Legend was that she recorded it as a way to get the city zoo a hippo. However, that is a little stretched as far as a actual facts go.
According to Wickapedia; Peevey said in a radio interview in 2007 that the song was not origionally recorded as a fundraiser. Instead, a local promoter picked up on the popularity of the song and Peevey's local roots, and launched a campaign to present her with and actual hippopotamous for Christmas.
The campaign was succesful, and she got her hippo; but then donated it to the zoo where it lived almost 50 years.

Still a fun story and a fun song!

Eternal Ties

2009-11-24T11:47:00.003-07:00

What can I say?

We got a phone call from my aunt on Saturday night letting us know that

Grandpa Weaver had passed away during the week.

(my uncle had just found him Saturday morning)

The shock of it was momentary and saddening but not permanently.

My grandmother passed away about three years ago and he has been pining for her ever since.

Van Weaver was one of the most self-less people that I know.

He raised 10 kids (seven boys-- my dad included in that) with grace and love.

He loved to serve and give and he was one of the best examples of Christlike love that I know of.

Van & Lois in 1947 on the campus of Brigham Young Academy

I think that my brother said it best when he told me that the best thing we can do to honor both of our grandparents is to continue the legacy that they created of Christlike love and service.

They started it all with 10 children and now there are more than 100 grandchildren and great-grandchildren with Van & Lois Weaver's legacy!

Temple Trip

2009-11-07T13:36:00.002-07:00

We attended the Stake Primary Activity this morning.
It was a trip to the Denver Temple to take a tour of the grounds.
The weather was beautiful and sunny and there were a lot of kids that attended.
(to copy my good friend, Jessica) It was glorious!

"...our young children have been encouraged to visit the temple grounds and touch the temple. President Thomas S. Monson once counseled,
'As we touch the temple, the temple will touch us.'"
(Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples by Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Seventy in the May 2009 Ensign.)

...I'm rather glad that this picture isn't a "zoom-shot".
I'm pretty sure that both of the boys faces aren't filled with "sweet as pie" smiles :)

We drove over with our good friend Chrissy Beals and her son Levi.
What a great experience to share with friends!

Halloween 2009

2009-10-31T13:28:00.001-06:00

Ah the joy! (and yes, (but only because it is Colorado) the snow pretty much was all melted away by Halloween.)
Halloween is my ultimate favorite holiday.
Though one might wonder if this is actually true, considering that I rarely dress up in a costume...
We had our ward Trunk or Treat yesterday and it was just so much fun.

Brook and his co-workers dressed as Zombies and when he came home, he kind of vamped it up a bit and was then a cross between a warewolf and a zombie.
He actually scared Jack a little bit
(kind of impressed that he's standing in for a pic with his dad!)

...and here you have it:
Collin: Octavius (from the "Night at the Museum" movie)
Dad: Warewolf/Zombie man
Jack: (the one and only) Buz Light Year

This year's trick or treating was the first time that the boys really were into it.
We've got sooooo much candy, I'm not all that excited.
Especially since the boys hardly eat anything except laughy-taffy, tootsie pop suckers and smarties----not the bulk of your Halloween loot, if you know what I mean.

Fall Snow Day

2009-10-28T12:47:00.000-06:00

School was canceled today because of our huge fall snow storm.
Now usually, it doesn't snow in the Mile High City until at least Halloween.
It got beat by a few days.
The boys loved it!
It is supposed to snow for two days straight.
And by this afternoon, the snow was pretty deep.
Deep enough to play in and roll around and make snow angels in.
Every child's dream day!

They got all tuckered out on the way to get dad from the train station and I turned around to see why my car was all of a sudden exceptionally quiet....sleepy-time!