Christmas (part 2)

We had Christmas an Nana and Papa's house before we left town (I don't have a single decent picture of that night because I had a little man trying to steal the camera), then we left for Las Vegas on December 22. As soon as we got there we drove to St George, Utah for a baby shower for Annarose, Danny, and Evangeline Rose (we are SO excited to meet her!!). It was fun, but a little hurried. The best part of our first day in Utah was that the kids got to see Grandma Great. Lizzie has only met her once, and Owen has never met her, so this was a wonderful opportunity!

(Unfortunately Liz was asleep for the only photo opportunity...)

After Grandma left, the "Petershed" clan was left--to puking their guts out. Nice, I know, so that will be as much detail as I give. We didn't celebrate at all on Christmas Eve (which is a big deal for this family, because that is their BIG meal prodcution). Christmas day was considerably better though!

Everyone wanted to sleep in, and they were worried that the girls would get up really early and wake everyone to see what Santa brought. Ironically they were the last ones up, and we had to wake them because eveyone else was getting a little restless.

We attempted an organized event, then quickly gave in to the chaos and took a breath whenever we could. The paper was flying, everyone was talking and laughing, and I must have missed at least 60% of what was opened, but it was fun, and the kids were happy, and that is what it was all about! It is so much fun to be on this side of Christmas, watching the anticipation and joy on the faces of the little people that I adore so much!

Merry FIRST CHRISTMAS my little man! We love you so much!

Christmas (Part 1)

Ok, so every other year we go to visit Tom's family for Christmas, which means that we get to celebrate several times. Therefore, there will be several posts, but because we just got back last night, and life is still crazy, those will have to wait at least a little while.

For now, enjoy our attempt at pictures before we left for church the Sunday before Christmas...it was so sad. We were running early, then Liz threw a fit, the timer wouldn't work, Owen crawled away, mom lost her temper...this is what we ended up with.

Christmas Concert

We were graced this evening with a one time performance (and by that, we mean that it is a one time 4 day long performance) of the two most beautiful...butterfly, ladybug, flower, Christmas, princess girls. Costumes, script, and choreography by Tori and Liz. Don't be jealous.
Ok, so this is a funky clip because my battery was dying, but too funny to leave off the post.

Old friends!

We are so lucky that the Tuckers found a good flight into Denver this year! Thanks for making your trip a lot longer than it had to be. I know it probably wasn't easy for you, but it meant a lot to us, adn Juj, thanks for hosting! Last time this trio was together we were all pregnant--with the older siblings to these three little studs!

Krissy and Kent Tucker, Heather and Ethan Lear, and Jenn and Owen Peterson

Stockings

Lizzie: Mom, what are these?

Mom: Stockings--what are they for Liz?

Lizzie: (Long pause) We put them on our feet and then we dance!

Mom: Yup --TOM GET THE CAMERA!

Christmas Traditions

We are like most families around Christmas time--constantly juggling activities while trying to keep traditions alive, and the REAL reason for Christmas in our hearts. Well, here are a few of our traditions--some in their second or third year, some are decades old. (This will be an ongoing post, so take what you will and leave the rest...)

First of all, of course, is the tree. Set it up the minute Thanksgiving is over and leave it up at least until the new year!

Every year when we were little, my mom used to give us each an ornament. Often times the ornament would remind us of something important that we had done during that year. When we all grew up and moved out, we took our ornaments with us, and now we continue the tradition with our little ones.

My Grandma started a tradition just a year or two ago--gingerbread houses. She gets each family a kit and then we pick a night and make the gingerbread house for family night. The kids love it, and we all have a lot of fun!

COOKIES! Last year Tori and I baked tons of cookies--something like eight or ten different kinds. This year we get to include all the girls--Tori, Lizzie and Mommy.

Snow days!

I never seem to post unless I have pictures to document the event, so you will have to forgive me when I have way too many pics. Here are some from our first real snow with Tori and her cousin Marlee.

Since Liz was napping while Tori and Marlee played last week, we let her have a date with Daddy--and a shovel!

The Salon

We spent the morning in the "beauty shop" with some...interesting results.

The best part was when Tori accidentally did a great twist in Aunt Manda's hair, held in with only a ribbon--that she didn't know how to tie. (She also tied a perfect bow later, though she couldn't for the life of her figure out how she did it.)

Wise Words

Listening to Christmas songs:

Tori: Lizzie, sometimes it's hard to be good
Lizzie: Yeah, weally hawd.

Santa is listening!!

Thanksgiving

Owen and his cousin, Graham--they are gonna be TROUBLE!
Grampy was planning his fishing trip with his boys.

So thankful for so much! This Thanksgiving was so different in so many ways. Originally we were supposed to spend Thanksgiving in Colorado with the Whitmill side. Then we were going to spend time with the Peterson side (technically the Eversheds). The plans went back and forth, but we ended up going to SLC. We were so grateful that we already had plans in place, because on Wednesday Grammy called and said that Grandpa Great was in the hospital again, and we should prepare ourselves for the worst. I had no idea how to pack...for a holiday, or a funeral.

Like I said--we have so much to be thankful for this year. Grandpa made it through, and in true Grandpa fashion--he is ready to get back into life asap! What an amazing man! Nothing can slow him down (even having two heart surgeries in less than 48 hours). After a stomach bug swept through the extended family, keeping us all away from the hospital, we were able to go visit Grandpa and Dorothy just before everyone left town. What an amazing holiday gift. We get to keep Grandpa for a while longer.

Four generations--not technically the same line, but close enough.

Grandpa Great and his great grandbabies.

Wise words from a wise man--he had a captive audience, and the lesson that he gave was important. He reminded us that we have been taught that we should have all things in our lives in moderation...all things except for love. He told us to share our love for all things without any kind of restraint. Though it is not a new idea, it was a great reminder! Thanks Grandpa Great! We love you!

Big Head Baby!

The kid has a massive noggin!

(He looks pretty cute in Hunter's glasses though, eh?)

Twilight

Oh, yeah, I was there at midnight for the first showing! Thanks Mom! (Can you believe that they didn't have any posters or anything to take pics with?)

My baby is 9 months old!

I can't believe that Owen is nine months old already! That means only three months til his birthday. (Oh yeah, I am a math genius!) I love this kid, and he is changing so much. He is starting to get so fast when he crawls, and other than being a cranky teether, he is SO much more fun! We started a little rough, but my little prince is totally making up for it. He is so sweet and fun now! He is starting to be adventurous too! He would totally take the stairs head first if only Mommy would get out of the way. He is still hilarious about being hungry or tired. I guess he is a typical male--when he is hungry or tired, NOBODY is happy! The cousins call him "Jimmy Fatman" which is short for "James Fatmananoff." Thanks Daddy--I am sure that he will appreciate that nick name in a few years! He is 17 lbs 6 oz and 27 inches. He plummeted to the 10th percentile for both height and weight. His head is in the 75th...that's why it hurt so bad!

That's my guy at nine months! I LOVE YOU O!

p.s.He cut his first tooth at nine months and one day, a TOTAL record for our kids!! (The girls were both right near their first birthdays.)

First snow

I am a little late with this post, but I had to at least mention that we didn't get our first snow until this week. November 14--that has to be some kind of record for Colorado!! Anyway--Tori was determined to play in the snow, but after the errands were run there wasn't much snow left. Poor thing insisted that she could make a snow man out of the few patches of crusty snow in the yard...sure enough.

My hand is there to show you just how big the snowman was...and yes, the carrot was a nose, but if it had been in the right place the snowman would have fallen over. You do what you gotta do.

GO COUGARS!

Yesterday was the big Air Force Academy vs BYU game. We were so fortunate to have a friend with connections that got us amazing seats at an even more amazing price (thanks Trav!). My family is filled with DIE HARD football fans, and somehow I missed that gene, but that doesn't mean that I had to miss the party. We left at 10 AM for Colorado Springs so that we could tailgate. We got to see Cosmo, get faces painted, and eat! (p.s. happy birthday to Nicole--what a bday, huh?)


Then it was on to the main event! We got to our seats, and a random ticket was drawn for an opportunity to kick a field goal and win a new truck--it was Trav! ROCK ON! He didn't win the truck, but he gave it a great effort, and now we all have a fun story to tell!

BYU started strong, AFA came back hard, but the Cougs powered back and won by 14 pts! GO COUGARS! I am so proud of my school!

isms

My little Lizzie keeps me on my toes, and gives me the giggles on a regular basis. Here are just a few of the cute things that she has said lately:

(while listening to Disney music in the car)
"Mama, did they just say sing sweet Liza Gail?" (talking about the song "Sing Sweet Nightingale") "Oh, sing sweet Liza Gail, sing sweet Liza Gail hiiiiiiiiiiiiigh above me."

(while changing Owen's diaper--PLEASE don't be offended...kids are curious)
"Mommy, is that brother's peanut?"

(while discussing her STRING of potty accidents lately)
"I know, if I pee pee in my pants I don't get a treat."
I say, "It is naughty to make pee pee in your pants."
"Ya, I'm naughty." With a HUGE grin and a snicker...nice

I have not eaten lunch with me kids for quite a while now, mostly thanks to my little Lizzie. If I have anything different she informs me
"I don't like this." Then looks around the table "Can I have yours?"

"I spy something....a tree!" (Tori was super frustrated, but Tom and I were laughing so hard)

She is hilarious! I have to post these things so I never forget how wonderful/crazy/funny/frustrating/FABULOUS these moments are.

Halloween Week

For the Peterson family, Halloween was a week long event, beginning the Friday before Halloween with Tori's preschool Halloween party. Lucky for me, I got to substitute in her class for the party, and it was a blast! So many parents were there, and the kids SO cute! I LOVED being there!

The next event was Boo at the Zoo on Saturday morning. This was our first year going to Boo at the Zoo because it is usually so cold, but this year it was absolutely GORGEOUS out! Plus--I made the girls' costumes this year, so I kinda felt like they better wear them enough to make it worth it!

We had to get a picture from behind so that we could see all the wings!

Is he the most adorable little bumble baby ever?

Next up was our ward's play group Halloween party on Tuesday. There were SO many kids there, but the moms in charge seemed to take it all in stride and they did an excellent job! Thanks you guys! The kids LOVED it!

Thursday was trunk or treat for my mom and sister's wards. Of course we had to make the most of it--especially since we grew up with so many of these people. The kids LOVE Bailey--their favorite babysitter, who also happens to be in that ward and was an awesome help when we were trying to help all of the little "trunk or treaters" (or as Tori calls it "treat or trunkers"

FINALLY Halloween came, and we did the traditional trick or treating at Southlands Mall, which is ALWAYS a mess, but we go anyway--its all about the kids, ya know! This year was perfect for the outdoor mall trick or treating.

Then there was dinner between events--hey you do what you gotta do!

Last but not least we hit our ward's trunk or treat, Nana and Papa's house, and the neighbor's (just so that we could say that we went in the neighborhood--Tori was desperate).




What a week! HAPPY HALLOWEEN ALL!