Picnic at the Park

What: A picnic at the park

Why: Spend time together as a family The menu:

*Tuna Fish sandwiches*

*Carrots, cucumber & ranch dip*

*Cherries & Oranges*

*Pink Lemonade*

(Don't playa hate-we don't always eat this healthy)

Me enjoying my grub (thanks Andy for the cute finger nail polish)

Brody muching on a cucumber
Caleb & Carter trying out their new presents from the Stauffer's (my parents)


As we were leaving Carter fell off his new bike for the first time. Our first reaction was to jump up & run over to save him. Then we hear him say in a PROUD voice, "I didn't get nooooo owwieee!"

Over dinner I was telling him what a tough boy he was because he didn't cry & he said "I'm tough mom, I am a Stauffer!" My mom was so proud!

Christmas Fun

Okay....so I am too lazy to fix this...these pics were NOT supposed to be here....scroll down for the text. Ooops!

Brett & his fiancee Jennifer

Kathryn, Caleb & Natalie, cute faces!

Papa George scolding me, he loves to get his pic taken

Uncle Joe Joe & Caleb(did some one say cheese)

My faith in mankind has been restored.....okay only a little bit. No...my diaper bag, wallet, and stroller were not returned (sad face). But while I was at the grocery store during the Christmas rush, some kind man helped me unload ALL my groceries. It was such a simple gesture, but I was so appreciative. I was holding Brody in one arm (mind you my arm was burning) so I was so happy for the extra hand.



Anyways...we had a WONDERFUL, FUN, FOOD-filled holiday. We were spoiled & made tons of memories while hanging out with family. We are so lucky to live 7 minutes away from both our parents. Here are a couple of my fav pics from the holiday weekend. On to bigger & better things in 2008....like no more junk food(okay maybe just a little), no more going over budget, no more MESSY house(ha,had) & no more couch potatoes....hmmm what else...I better start making my list!

The boys in their Christmas outfits

My handsome boysScott, Dad, Steph & JDizzle
Santa's little helper

Bahumbug!

Last night, Layne and I went and did some Christmas shopping at Toys' R Us. We had a merry 'ol time buying gifts for our boys. When we were done we both hopped in to the car & headed home. Then I realized I left my FAVORITE diaper bag, and stroller just sitting OUTSIDE of the car. That is what being pregnant will do to your brain, ladies you agree??? I thought surely no one would take it, it is Christmas time. We rushed back to Toys' R Us..........
and my stroller and diaper bag (with my WALLET inside) were GONE!!!! I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!!! We live like 5 minutes away from Toys 'R Us....and in that time some one STOLE IT!!!! Of course I broke down several times last night. Luckily, I got the diaper bag at Last Chance & the stroller off Craigslist....but come on???? Where is the holiday spirit? So if you see a stroller/diaper bag thrown in a ditch around Superstition Mall or Toys' R Us, its mine!!!

Unpacking the boxes

So we are finally moved in to our house...if I have to unpack one more box

I might just throw-up. Speaking of throw-up...the second day after we moved in Brody & Carter got the stomach flu...yuck! There is nothing like cleaning throw up off the carpet in the middle of the night. Here is a picture of the living room in our house...Layne went out of town for four days a couple days after we moved and I can't tell you how GRATEFUL I am for all the friends & family who have helped us move in....I am so thankful for people who give selfless service....I have really been humbled by all the help we received. It just makes me want to do more for other people.
Here is another picture of our kitchen....just ignore all the 'stuff' on the counters....we had a LONG night with Brody last night...we are trying to get him to sleep through the night..so I was too lazy, or shall I say tired to move it.
What is Christmas with out a picture of our Christmas tree? The boys loved helping decorate the tree....Carter especially loves to take the ornaments off the tree....he likes to put them all over the house.....now back to my TO DO list that is 100 miles long....only 2 more weeks until Christmas, yikes!!

Thanksgivin' in Tennesse y'all!

Sorry I have not posted in FOREVER! We have been so busy, & I have been so STRESSED about this move...I can't wait until its over....only a couple more days. Thanks for every ones sweet comments...they have kept me going some days! ;-)

For Thanksgiving we met most of the Peterson family (we missed Brett, Jennifer, Joseph & Natalie) in Tennessee, & stayed in a cabin in the Smoky Mountains. It was so gorgeous, the trees actually change colors there, imagine that!!

The night before we left Brody was sick, so I made a late night visit to Urgent Care. He had an ear infection & a bad cold....so with our plane leaving at 6:40am I only got like 2 hours of sleep that night!! Of course, what did I expect, we ALWAYS seem to have a sick child on vacation. Once we got there we played every day all day, so the kids had a blast! On Thanksgiving day we went to this really good restaurant called the Apple Barn. It was great to eat all the food we wanted & not even have to wash one dish! Here is a picture of Brody & his cousin Samuel, they are only 5 days apart.
We stayed near a town called Gatlinburg which is a total family friendly, touristy town. We rode go-carts, rode rides, shopped at the Outlets, and goofy golfed. Clint really wanted to go on this Jurassic Park ride. We asked some guy in town if the ride was scary for little kids & he said "no"! Needless to say, I think my kids are still having nightmares about the scary dinosaurs! Too funny!
What a cute picture of 3 of the Peterson boys.
All in all, it was a great time (except for the 5 hour drive home, followed by the 4 hour plane ride). Thanks for the fun memories!

Season for Change

There are ALOT of changes going on at the Peterson household, thats what keeps life interesting, right??? First off, we sold our house. We are moving to our new house "in town" in 3 weeks....have I started packing yet? Of course not! We will be sad to leave our beautiful home & neighborhood, but happy we will be closer to civilization & not so much in debt. We will also be in the same neighborhood as Jeffrey & Baribe, some good friends of ours. Any one who knows us knows we move ALOT & every time we move I am HUGE & pregnant. Well....this time is no different! YES I AM PREGNANT!!! For those of you counting, this makes #4. Brody & the new baby will be about 13 months apart. Can you say CRAZY?? This was not something Layne & I had planned, but obviously Heavenly Father had it in our plans. And of course, I trust what He has in store for us.

I would love a girl, but a boy would be just fine with me-that's all I know. I haven't been too sick....just the nasty hormones, mood swings, & morning sickness. Poor Layne, we have been married for 6 years & after this baby I will have been pregnant for 3 years!!! That is half our marriage....Yikes...but poor Layne, what about poor me!!!

Don't worry, I am looking on the bright side of things. I am going to be 25 & all done having kids!! And yes we are REALLY excited for our new little bundle of joy! I just hope I can get through this pregnancy with out looking like her!

So any of you moms out there who have experienced kids so close, please I need advice!! (ie Missy, Kanoe)

Happy Birthday Jenny

I just wanted to give a birthday shout out to one of my best friends, Jenny Grover! Here are 10 reasons why I love her:
10. She does the funniest smoker voice, it sounds so real.
9. She has broken every bone in her body(probably twice) & she is so coordinated on the dance floor(sense the sarcasm??). 8. She is a VERY talented hair dresser.
7. She is so easy to talk to.
6. She is always the life of the party.

5. She remembers EVERYTHING....well everybody from elementary, junior high & HS. If you forgot something....just ask Jenny, she will know!

4. She always has something crazy and off the wall to say to make people laugh at any given moment.
3. She is very GIVING, and I don't think she has ever once missed any ones birthday-talk about pressure. ;-)
2. She has been through a whole lot over the past couple years & through it all she still has a positive outlook on life.
1. She is not afraid to go out with no make-up on & bed-head hair because she is always BEAUTIFUL. Happy Birthday girl! Enjoy the 'old school' pics!

FHE Fun

For FHE tonight we decided it was time to carve our pumpkin. The boys were sooo excited, especially Carter. He was running around the house, or shall I say bouncing off the walls, just happy and excited.What joy is gives me as a mom to see my boys get so happy about the smallest, and simplest things. I love my kids, or all children for that matter, because they are filled with such happiness, joy & light. Life is so simple to them-the way it should be. Here they are getting their hands all "slimy".
Here is a pic of me (I know, I am a poser, what can I say). I toasted the pumpkin seeds like my mom used to do....I remember them tasting A LOT better back when I was a kid, maybe because I knew that trick or treating was not very far away.....but they sure smelt good.
The finished product.....we LOVE HALLOWEEN!

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the Pumpkin Patch with Jeffrey, Barbie & their kids.
Here is a picture of the Barton family, Jedidiah, Jeffrey, Mia, Barbie & Bella. Barbie looks GREAT after having a baby 6 weeks ago!
Here is the kids on the hay ride. They were all so excited they got to wear sweaters, a novelty we don't enjoy much here. Carter put his on at about 5:00 pm & didn't take it off until we got home.
Layne being a good sport & holding Brody, what CuTIes! If you have not been to Mother Nature's Farm (Baseline & Harris) it is really fun. There is even a coupon you can print off of their website for a free adult admission.

Scootin' Suprise

Brody has been getting up on "all fours" lately. I don't know if I am ready for him to crawl yet, but he is such a fun baby. He spits up more than any baby I know, except for maybe baby Gus. Sorry if you couldn't handle the spit up part, just be glad you didn't have to clean it up, yum! I bet Andy is gagging right now, ;-)!

Halloween Fun

This week we had a Halloween party over at our house for our activity day girls. And of course, I did WAY too much. I should have toned it way down but didn't realize that until AFTER the party was over & it was time to CLEAN up, yuck. But, the girls had fun. Here are a picture of the pumpkin favors I handed out. They were really easy to make....just orange craft bags & floral tape. Of course I had to decorate my house....my boys loved "helping me" cut out all the bats. Or shall I say they loved cutting up all my scraps in to bite size pieces.

I don't know which I was more proud of, the final product, or the fact that we cleaned up the GIANT mess before Layne got home!
Here is a picture of all the GOODS, of course we had ALOT of treats. I borrowed a chocolate fountain from my mom & scorched the chocolate....oopps! It was still good to eat....even though it never ran through the chocolate fountain.
Here is a pic of my mantel. My friend Brooke makes the cutest boards. She helped my do these ones....hers are WAY cuter.
I couldn't leave this one out....don't you love how they all match?? What is even better is Layne got them all dressed!

The Dinosaur Museum

Today we went to the Dinosaur Musuem with Brooke & her boys (great idea Brooke). Our kids are all around the same age, so we always have alot of fun together, not to mention I adore Brooke! This picture was supposed to show up last, but I am too lazy to try & fix it. But what would a trip to Main St be with out a picture on the pink couch?
The boys were all super excited to see the dinosaurs. Carter kept asking if they were real or "pwetend".

Caleb, Cotton, & Brody
Digging for some gold...we even got to take some home!
This picture is hillarous! There was a jail there & the minute we walked in to Carter started bawling. He did not like it!
As soon as we left the "place for bad guys" Carter was him self again.

Of course we ate at Sweet Cakes & I ate one too many cookies. All in all it was a FUN day!