Christmas Eve Party

Christmas eve is spent with the Petersen's.  While this was a magical Christmas eve, as it was filled with falling snow most of the day, we were lucky enough to host the Christmas eve party.  As you can see not many of the Petersen's take anything seriously!  I was so excited to host.  We had a fabulous dinner with Chicken cordon bleu, scalloped potatoes, homemade rolls steamed veggies, Christmas candy and a dessert bar filled with delicious desserts! YUMMY!

Most of all it was filled with family which is most important.  What is more important at Christmas time than spending time with family enjoying each others company and sharing in the spirit of the season.  I am so glad we keep this tradition alive.

They do love eachother.....

so every now and then (especially when they have been off track for a while), I wonder to myself...where did I go wrong.  I mean I love my boys, my family and I think I show them respect.  Where did they learn and why do they constantly fight?!  Then it is times like these when I peek in on them making sure they are going to bed that I find them reading to each other.  How sweet!  All of my guys LOVE Star Wars and honestly, I don't know if this was more for Jaxon or Zeke.  I really don't think it matters.  Zeke picked this book out at the library that has alternate endings called 'choose your destiny'.  Somehow for certain boys that just has a ring that sounds glorious to them I'm sure.  'Choose your destiny' I mean come on, who doesn't want to choose their own destiny right?  Well when Jaxon was younger he found these books and read and re-read them hundreds possibly thousands of times.  They are a bit under his level now and when Zeke picked it up and brought it home I think that gave Jaxon free game to read it again!  So tonight Jaxon lovingly said hey bud I will read that star wars book to you tonight!  OK! Said Zeke!  they jumped in bed together and away they went.  Its nights like these that I honestly don't care how long they stayed up!  Yes, Remember today and I pray that there are many more of these to come or to simply remember! 

4 Wheeling Fun

Wheeling in the snow....How fun!  I have never been before and I will definitely go again!  Oh the boys love it and it is just a great time!  We end up lasting about 2 hours and its about a 15 min drive out to Baccus Highway!  It is a perfect spot too!  There are jumps, whoops, and burms all over!  I totally jumped and got air!  OH I THINK I'M HOOKED!  Jaxon is working on shifting properly and Kaden is just out for a ride.  He is so funny.  Kaden likes to make sure and check in at the truck every 10 minutes or so.  Just a quick drive by to let us know he is doing great and having fun!  He is such a sweet guy!  Jaxon takes it serious and just thinks he is all that.  Zeke drove the Predator for the first time this time by himself! It was awesome.  He did great. He figured it all out on his own.  Gregg gave him a little instruction and off he went.  I was a little nervous a few times he came flying by the truck but he did awesome!  He is such a little stud!  Ella! What can I say, she asks to be the first one out almost every time! A quick little run with Dad and she is good to go!  I do have to say she did not LOVE the snow falling.  But she certainly loves the rides!

Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a 

Happy New Year!

We just love our shouty and pouty faced boys!!!
Jaxon (12), Kaden (9), Zeke (5) and Ella (2)
Gregg (too old), Carrie (man she looks too young to have all those children....come on! :) )

A Visit with Santa

A visit with the big man!

This year my sister turned me on to 'The shops @ Riverwoods' in Provo....Now I know Provo...?! What the crap?  Yes, we ventured into cougarville for this special trip! :) We are glad we did.  It was like hitting 4 birds with one stone!  We saw Santa, we saw lights, we saw Adorable Gingerbread houses, and we got a Carriage ride!  It was great.  We had a lot of fun. Seeing how it was outside it was great verses the indoor Mall Santas.  And since my dearly loved Santa @ the South Towne Mall has gone MIA (I really hope he didn't pass away) my love for the mall Santa's has been shaken, this one has turned into quite a great substitute.  AND since our outings seem to revolve around food for my guys it didn't hurt that there was a Kneaders right in the same parking lot!  WOOT!  what fun! It was such a great way to start our December/Christmas outings!  There was even a fresh dusting of snow to set the mood.....OH I just love this time of year!  Oh ya, Kaden will totally be on board next year as I am almost certain he feels as though he hit the mother load with all of the above mentioned (especially Kneaders--he is such a pig)  PLUS  he found a $5 bill on the ground!  What luck!  I almost made him buy everyone treats at Kneaders! :)  I just don't know what it is about this time of the year.  I am almost certain it is the fond memories from my childhood I love to try to give to my children.  Oh the magic and wonder, the happy family time, the warmth of a yummy cup of cocoa and the beautiful snow we get!  Ah! Just perfect. 

Turkey Shoot 2012

What started out as sharing a tradition from the Nordfelts friends in Idaho has become quite a tradition with us here in Utah.  It was probably 9 years ago that it started.  We visited my sister for an unforgettable Thanksgiving in Idaho.  Their friends had a tradition of shooting off rockets on Thanksgiving morning.  It was such a cold cold day in Idaho.  The fog was so thick you could hardly even see the rockets go off.  But that was part of the fun.  They would disappear then reappear out of the fog.  The children would run like crazy to catch the rockets so they could safely return to earth! :)  Also to get bragging rights as to how many they could catch!

We have kept this tradition ever since.  We usually buy the pre-built ready to fly rockets.  This year Kaden and Jaxon wanted to try to build their own. Kaden succeeded. Jaxon, well when he opened his and found that he had to do all of the little pieces....well he gave up!  Little fart!  Kaden and Mace assembled theirs and flew it today!  It went and returned safely all in one piece!  How fun for them to know they were able to build it themselves.

We are so happy that Rappleyes and this year Nordfelts and Petersens came also.  It was cold as usual but still fun!

Called to Serve

WOW! After the big announcement President Monson made in General Conference this last session:

"I am pleased to announce that effective immediately, all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19. . . ."

Many people have been buzzing about whether they will now submit their papers and proceed with a mission that may have otherwise been on the back burner and potentially not gone through with.  This however, was never the intention to leave it on the back burner for Tyson!

He is such a great kid! This 18 year old man has saved every penny for his mission and has been waiting anxiously for the time when he can turn in his papers.  The time was now and he did it!!! What an accomplishment, what a great kid and how stinkin exciting for me and my family to experience.  His adoptive mom and dad have been so kind an gracious to let me and my family be a part of his.  It has been a great experience.  I am so thankful they have allowed us to play a small part in his life.  Thank you so much for letting us be a part.  Thank you so much for being such a great example of a wonderful man!  He is growing into such a great man also.  HOLY MOLEY!  this kid is tall.  Yes. He. Is.  He is now at least 6'3", and handsome as they come!

He got his call on Wednesday November 14, 2012.  He will be serving his mission in the Argentina, Neuquen mission.  His oldest brother also served a mission in Argentina.  After looking into the climate and temperatures etc.  It seems as though it is very much like the climate of Utah.  However, the seasons will be opposite!  How weird to have snow in July? :)

Congratulations Tyson, we are so happy for you as you move on to the next BIG phase of your life!