Peterson post

Since Joel worked on Fathers day we moved fathers day to last Sunday. The kids and I made a candy bar poster for him and they thought is was SO fun and he thought it was clever. Maizy was planning to make him breakfast in bed for weeks but I thought she would never get up to do it. When I went down to check to see if she wanted to get up to make him breakfast while she was still asleep she said "June Friend 2012". I thought she was sleep talking but she rolled out of bed, dug through her friend collection and brought up the June Friend from 2012 that had a recipe for muffins in it. They were actually really good too

Our poster says "Hey Big Hunk, You Skored big with your Idaho Spud. Good thing she has a Crunch on U! She's one Hot Tomale! Look at the adorable Runts U made. Listen Sugar Daddy, we know it's a Rocky Road when you can't Take 5 of us with you when you earn you 100 Grand Pay Day, but remember we love you Good and Plenty. From your M&M's and Junior"

Emmy and Lil came over for a sleep over even if Emmy left to sleep at her house so her Mama wouldn't be alone. We made the most delicious Cake Batter Rice Crispies and 4th of July shirts.

And this is my crazy husband. Not only was he up there shingling the eyebrows, he had to keep getting off the ladder and onto the roof to cut shingles! Not only that, it was dark by the time he got done because he waited until it wasn't so hot! I nearly had a heart attach watching him but WOW, what a might fine man.

Summertime in Idaho

It's been a fun week here in Idaho.  It's getting warmer and we are really enjoying our visit.  Tuesday Tyler and Josh worked out in the yard cutting down and cleaning up the branches and mowing.  Thursday we went to the Splash Park in Rexburg.  Max and Levi were a little hesitant at first, but eventually Max started playing and having fun.  Levi never really got interested though.  Friday was Tyler's 34th Birthday.  It was fun to have everyone over for a BBQ and German Chocolate Cake :)  Saturday Tyler went fishing with my dad early in the morning.  My dad was pretty excited that he caught a fish before Tyler.  It was fun to see Bridget and Scott and their kids Saturday morning for a little while until I took Max and Levi to their cousin's Birthday party.  It was a super hero theme and pretty cute. After the Birthday party we headed to Driggs for Celebrate America.  The Beach Boys were there and it was fun to sing along with all the songs.  The kids had fun playing in the grass and dancing to the music.  Then it was time for the fireworks.  They were awesome!!  Ryder slept through the whole show and Max and Levi enjoyed every minute of it.  We are so glad Josh and Amanda invited us and that we decided to go and we are hoping to make it a yearly tradition.  On our way it was pouring down rain and very windy.  When we got there the rain cleared up and the wind died down just in time for the show.  There were dark gray clouds all around us and blue sky right above us.  It was pretty cool.  This morning it was fun to wake up and be greeted by Corey and Kristie and their kids.  We are excited to see everyone else a little later this week as well!

 

 

Hello from Texas!  Here are a few pictures from the last couple of weeks.  We are loving summertime and we are super excited to come to Idaho and Utah for a month!  But like Tyler and Jen, we're hoping it warms up a bit there.  Sounds too cold....

Corey and I have been running most mornings together and it's so fun.  Sometimes we get back and everyone is still asleep.  Sometimes this is what we find:) There's a TV there at the end of our bed.

                                  Happy Father's DAy Corey!  We made him a fruit pizza.

 summertime snack when the chores were done.  My friend gave us a "whirly pop" and it makes great popcorn!

 Learning how to "dress up" early.  Our fourth girl will be expert at it with all the help!

Maddie at 5:45am, headed off to girls camp! She had a great week in an air conditioned cabin.  They also had a cafeteria cabin and couldn't light a fire.  Hmmmmm... rough camp










                                      Just a teeny tiny time out for Hazel in Costco.  The little sweet girl can throw a mighty tantrum

Ephraim in a tree with his new friend Grayson.

 Well, it's not a pool like any of our neighbors have...but they use it every day and love it!  Especially this day because mom and dad got in with them.

 Clara and Nori did soccer camp this week.  They had so much fun.  I loved seeing them stick together and bravely do something new where they didn't know anyone.

 The next two pictures were taken from the truck window on our way to the temple Friday morning.  We took a picture of the first car engulfed in huge flames but it was a little too far away to tell what it was.  We pulled up next to it just as the fireman did his thing.  Needless to say we were late for the session, and we drove super safe the rest of the drive.

We have had a great couple of weeks.  Spent  time yesterday as a family at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.  It's a water park.  We had a great time together.  In light of the tragic accident the Randall family is enduring, we have really been holding our children tight and having thankful hearts for every moment we get to spend with them.  We have not stopped praying for Jared and Becky and their girls.  Life can change in an instant. We love you all so much and look forward to seeing you soon. 

Fa-ree-zing!!

We left Lake Havasu and 109 degrees at 9 am Wednesday morning and arrived in Lewisville very early Wednesday morning to 42 degrees!!  We have definitely adjusted to the heat because we have been freezing all week!  It's been so fun to be here though and for the boys to get to spend time with some of their Christensen cousins :)  We went to the Stampede Days parade on Saturday with Mel and Josh and it was kind of funny to see everyone wrapped up in blankets.  The wind was blowing during most of the parade and the sun kept peaking out from behind the clouds but not long enough to keep us warm until the very end when most of the clouds blew away.  It's finally starting to warm up a little and we are thankful for that.  We're excited for Bridget and Corey's families to get here this weekend- it will be so good to see everyone!

Max, Ryder, and Levi on the drive

Max wrapped up in Daddy's sweatshirt

Levi helping Mommy play cards

Max and Levi watching a movie at Grandma's house

radfords

Well I didn't post last week because I checked my voicemail when I got home from church and learned that Mom was paralyzed...or at least that's what Megan made it sound like! :)
So we headed out to mom's and planned to stay one night, thinking she would be fine after that. Well- 4 days later we finally ventured home and let Ty and Jen watch the invalid! :) Stori LOVED spending time at Granny Faweens and cried for her when we went home. Good thing we went right back the next day and stayed 2 more nights. Let the crazy summer begin!
So other than playing at mom's house, we also went to a the Rigby Stampede parade on saturday morning. They actually had a huge camel and a baby camel. It was pretty cool. PLUS they passed out chocolate milk! bonus! Stori played outside any chance she could and her cousins are so nice to always play with her.
Dan went camping in Island Park this week with his work and got some pretty cool pictures. He's always good for that.
Stori has started to do potty on her little toilet-not a lot, but she has told us a few times that she needs to go so we put her on there and bam. poop and pee in there! I don't think I'm ready for this!!!
Well, I think that's as exciting as our week has been. This next week should be really fun. Can't wait for lot's of family!

fun cousin time 

comparing belly size

remember that time Mom could walk? ya, me too.

A week of trying to recuperate.... :(

This week has been a little frustrating.  I had so many things that I needed to do, and I definitely didn't want to take a week off work!   Melanie and Dan stayed with me until Wed. night.  It was so very nice of them to put their lives on hold to take care of me.  ( well, at least Melanie.... Dan still went to work, but he did give up sleeping in his own bed  :)  )  Tyler, Jen and boys got here at 3:00 AM Thursday .  It is so good to have them here!  It did make me start to get a little nervous for all of you.  Even though I am so excited for all of you to be here, I can see how difficult staying at someone else's  house for an extended period of time can be.  I just hope you can look at it like a big camping trip.....with bathroom and kitchen facilities and AIR CONDITIONING....:)  We will all just have to  be very patient, considerate, and grateful to all be together!  AND relax and enjoy the show.  I'm trying to work out the bedroom arrangements today.  If you have room, bring your tents!  ( for the main weekend at least.... :)  )  Also, I hope the Utah family members will be able to come more than once! 

This has also been a week of quiet reflection.  It always makes me stop and adjust my life's focus a little when I am reminded how quickly life can change, and loved ones can be gone. 

Sherlene had her other knee replaced.  I am so glad that she has this behind  her and she can finally start feeling better, and walking better.... it is a very long and painful process! 

My thoughts will be with all of you this week!  Praying for safe travels for each of you!  I love you all!

Father's Day

Fathers Day is today and all I can say is I must be the luckiest man in the world. Not only do I have an amazing wife but also some pretty amazing crazy loco little boys. Of all the things I have been called in my life daddy is my favorite. We have five crazy little boys and i wouldn't want it any other way.  I love my little men. I was also truly blessed with an amazing Dad, one that I try to be like everyday. He is my Hero and he was my best freind he taught me to hunt and to fish and every sport I have ever played. Most of all he taught me how to love and to laugh and to be a great DAD. I love you dad and miss you dearly. I posted a picture on facebook today and Aliesa said that is how she remembers dad. This is how I like to remember him-

I told Tyler that I wanted him to do a post on Father's Day.  I'm so glad that he's willing to post every once in a while.  I enjoy reading what he writes as I'm sure do all of you.  I'm so grateful for the Dad that he is to our boys and for the example he sets for them.  Max and Levi had fun making him cards this morning and giving him his gift.  They get so excited when someone gets a present- it's pretty cute :)

Well, since Tyler wrote about Father's Day, I guess I get to write about our week. 

First of all- Happy Father's Day to all the dads in the family!  We hope you've all had a wonderful day :) 

Over the past few weeks Tyler and I have been in charge of or asked to do a lot of different things for Church.  My counselors in Primary have both been gone for a couple weeks, so it's been me conducting Primary and planning and presenting sharing time for the past 3 Sundays in a row.  Yesterday the Primary was in charge of building cleaning, so I went to help with that.  Last night the daughter of a couple we're friends with was baptized and they asked me (with about 3 days notice) to give a talk on the Holy Ghost, so I spent some time on Friday getting my talk ready and then went to the church last night for the baptism.  The Primary gives each child who's baptized a towel with CTR applicaid on it, so I got that done on Friday as well.  The man from Guatemala that's been to our house for a few discussions from the missionaries asked Tyler to baptize him.  His baptism was today after church. A few weeks ago I was asked to put together a Primary Inservice/Training meeting and dinner, so that's this coming Tuesday.  I will spend tomorrow getting the training part finalized.  Let's see....other than a few other minor things, I think that's about it! Phew!  Anyway, as much as we enjoy being able to serve and help others, and we know we are truly blessed for what we do, we are both ready for a little break! :)  We are so excited for our visit to Idaho!  We can't wait to see everyone including Taylor and Jon who are meeting us there July 5th!!  So they will be there for the Fun Run- Yay!

Here are some pictures from our week:

Max and Levi building a "Police Station" with Jenga blocks and Dominos

A few friends in our ward kept asking if I was going to have a jewelry open house before we left for Idaho, so I decided to have one on Tuesday.  It was pretty successful and ended with Levi and Max modeling the jewelry :)  I'm sure Tyler loved this!

Max made a little comfy bed in the front room for the 3 of them- so cute!

Excited to get away from this heat for a little while!

Ryder woke up from his nap and Max heard him crying and climbed in the crib with him to comfort him-
 what a good big brother!

We've been working with Levi a little bit on potty-training. 
The other day he decided he needed a helmet on.

In the summer time...

Loving summer this year! We haven't turned on the AC yet and the weather is perfect for open windows overnight. I have a (very) tiny but so far successful garden, I have cleaned the freezer, the garage, the porches, and the flower beds, I have read three books and started on next year's lesson plans. Next week I start on "spring cleaning" the house and making freezer mixes for meals and taking on my neglected scrap books . It just occurred to me yesterday that I am working like I return to work on Monday and I could actually slow down. Wish I hadn't thought that. I am kind of a slave to my subconscious. I will now have to fight it the rest of the summer to get stuff done!

This is where I read. Heaven, huh?

Slightly crooked picture of my festive house. We put up the bunting on Flag Day and take it down on Labor Day. They're kinda cheesy, I admit, but they make me very happy. I am currently pricing some slightly classier ones for next summer. :)

 

 

 

Everyone is well and happy here. Still loving having Em home with us. We still don't know how long she will be here we will have a better idea this next week. I hope it's long term. I am still super sad that my babies aren't all little tiny, thinking I'm cool, and needing me all the time--but I'm learning to love this new phase of life too.
We have no pigs. Not one. How weird is that? The kids are cleaning the barns (as those of you who follow me on facebook are probably very aware!) And we've ordered some new ones that will be here the end of August. In the mean time we may have to get used to the taste of store-bought pork! I'm also trying to decide if I have the energy to assign deep cleaning assignments here at the house! It's nice having extra hands (as we have had since about January and will continue to have. Our pork operation is going to be more hobby-sized) but so far I just tell the kids to each pick a room. LOVE the help!
Well, as I'm sure you've surmised there's not a lot going on here (and oh how I love that). We're really excited to see everyone. We will be coming on the 6th and 7th (maybe the night of the 5th). See you all then!
Love you all!

A little bit of excitement at my house!

So, my week was really good for the most part.......   I got my driveway paved....it looks so good!  On Thursday , Amber and Josiah came with a bobcat and leveled out the topsoil.....really nice, but maybe a little late for a lot of people gathering at my house.  :)  Anyway, it was so very nice of them.  Megan and her kids came Friday night.  Early Saturday morning ( 6:00 AM ) I went out to try and get the rest of the grass and weeds out of the south flowerbed.  Megan, Millie and Maizy came out a little later to help ( I should add Thomas....he was so very helpful ;) )...... we finished that, and got bark spread on all of it.   Nice!  Megan needed to do her eleven mile run,  so we took Gatorade and dropped it at strategic spots. Megan started her run, we waited for half an hour then drove to find her and give her water.  When we left, poor Miles, freaked out, thinking we were leaving his mom....so sad.  When she got back, we raked the dirt and spread seed. ( this is why I'm thinking it's a little close to when everyone is coming.  :)  )  By that time, it was about 9:30, and that is when everything went horribly wrong!  Megan had roped off the area where we had seeded, and needed something to cut the string...... I started up the steps to get scissors, somehow lost my balance and fell backwards down the stairs, landing on my right side on top of  Megan who was sitting on the bottom step bending over.... poor girl!  We were both writhing on the ground trying to breath....  it was a terrible, terrible accident!  I was just sick,so worried about Megan's back.  We still don't know the extent of her injuries.  She actually woke up feeling a lot better, but isn't feeling very well now.  Maizy said I bounced off Megan and landed on the ground.  Megan thinks she saved my life..... :)  She also said if it had been one of the kids, it would have killed them, and she would never have spoken to me again.....and, she is very serious about that.  I either cracked or badly bruised my ribs, or pulled all of the muscles on my side.  ( or all of the above  :) )  I can't lie down, had to sleep in the broken recliner.  And, when I get in it, I can't get up.  What a miserable pair we are.  I really feel awful about the whole thing.  And there in a nutshell is my week.

I'm excited to see everyone!  May have to have some help getting the bedding washed and the beds made.  :)  Love to everyone!

Our blog

 What better activity for a Sunday afternoon than to follow the words of the prophet. I typically think of journaling when I read quotes like this but it was brought up in Sunday School that blogs are a form of journaling for many families now. So glad we have the technology to be able to share our experiences with the family and get to share in theirs. I love you family!

"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experience." Gordon B. Hinckley

Maddies songs in the park

I just read Kristie's post and thought I would add a link to Maddie singing her two songs in the park.

 I Dreamed a Dream
God Help the Outcasts  (From The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
She is getting so good at not showing her nerves until she is done.  So proud of my daughter.

Corey

Hello everyone!  We finished school last week and we love having everyone home!  Eleanor has quite a few pictures on here but I guess that's ok, she had a special week.  They do Kindergarten graduation here, and it was pretty cute.  So proud of her, but it always makes me sad when I get to the end of a school year and realize that it means each of my kids will be in the next grade up.  Growing up too fast.  We went to lots of end-of-the-year awards ceremonies for the kids.  We're proud of all their hard work and adjusting to a new school this year.
Saturday our stake had an "activity day girls" activity and they said to bring a friend.  So proud of Clara.  She invited a friend from school...of course a nonmember.  I talked to her mom and told her which church it was.  We picked her up and they had a great time.  I asked Clara what Savannah thought of everything.  There were lots of activities centered around the Savior, and one station about the temple.  She asked Clara questions like, "why are you called a mormon" and "My mom said mormons don't believe in Christ."  But she had lots of fun and I'm happy that one more person who was confused about that aspect of the gospel won't be anymore.
We said goodbye to our good friends the Davidsons this weekend.  They are moving to Georgia.  Ephraim and I are the most sad because we saw them almost everyday.  Ephraim's only consolation is that we can visit there and "maybe curious George lives in Georgia!" he said:)
We're getting our summer chore chart ready and realizing we'll be gone a huge chunk of it, but that's ok:) The kids will need to do some chores at your house Faylene, if that's ok:) Our plans are finalized  for those who didn't catch it from email. We will get to Idaho late June 29th.  We'll go to UT to spend a few days with my family there on July 24th.  Corey will do some coming and going from TX to work, but the rest of  us are there to stay.  The kids are all ecstatic.
Love you all! See you soon!


Here's Nori.  She's become a great reader and loves participating in scriptures in the morning.  The curler heads were my favorite:)

 Maddie sang at a concert in the park.  I didn't get a picture of her at the microphone, but that's where we're at here.  She did a great job.

                                                                                         
                                                      Nori and her sweet Kindergarten teacher


Nori and her sweet big sister:)                                                                                                     

 They had an art table set up at this park.  I don't think he realized how many kids I had when he motioned me over to have them make a puppet

 I couldn't resist taking a picture during primary of Ephraim in his sunbeam class at church (I play the piano) They were doing a chicken dance.

 Isaac helping nori during FHE

 FHE treat

FHE game of sardines:)