Our family photo shoot

Nice to have these done for a while now!

Happily Ever After!

So I had to blog this momentus occasion. Our family actually got professional family photos done and Troy and I got the "couple" shot done. This is the famous pose that you see at weddings and 50th anniversary parties. Yep, we are officially old. I titled this Happily Ever After since this is the one and only picture we may ever have of us together.

 

Saturday is our play day.

What would be the highlight to a great day of fishing at the local kids stocked fish pond and a yummy dinner at Artic Circle (in Shelly Idaho...no less) with eight kids 9 and under?...a night playing Wolfen. Wolfen you may ask...Now what it that? Good question. Troy and I were invited over to the neighborhood game night last night and we were introduced to this fine game. Ever played Mafia? It's similar. It makes me laugh how no matter how old you get and plain exhausted you are at the end of a week when ever the fun house calls you are there in a flash. We put the kids to bed at 7:45 and were out the back door with a monitor in hand by 8:00 pm. For anyone who has never had the pleasure of having such a luxury as having a baby monitor be your baby sitter you are missing out. Our backyards are all connected and we enjoy many fun nights out thanks to our new babysitter...aka the monitor. I saw a new side to all of my neighbors. Who knew I lived by such a shifty sort. Ha just teasing. We love our area and get such a kick out of all our neighbors. We were pulling out of the driveway to go fishing yesterday and our neighbors hollered to us to stop and they said " Where ya going?...wait we'll come too" how fun is that. Our neighbors are very patient with us and all our bikes and ramps and fun stuff. (I think our home teachers had to walk up the bmx bike ramp to get to our front door tonight). There seems to be endless fun and games in our neighborhood and that is worth a lot to a kid. As well to the parents.
See my attitude is changing and I want you to all know of the fun and good that goes on in Idaho too. Saturdays are good anywhere as long as you get a chance to enjoy them as a family.

New attitude

So has the time change affected anyone else? My family is still getting up at five in the morning, super peppy and ready to start the day. If only I went to bed at a decent hour this wouldn't throw me into such a tail spin each day. Saturday was no exception except I couldn't for some reason shake the grumps that morning. I was not happy. My poor family. I finally did us all a favor and went for a run in the late morning to just clear my foggy mind. One thing about Idaho that I love and hate is the wide open space. My subdivision is a small area with sidewalks that take you in one big circle. You can only run them so often before you want to poke your eyes out. So I went out on a limb and ran along the "quietest" country road close by. I usually avoid this road for a multitude of reasons but mostly it is the nasty dogs that no one bothers tieing up or fencing in or training to be nice. They scare me and I like dogs. Anyway, in my quiet time while running,I realized some things that I need to write down so I can read in the future again to remind myself. First of all I DO like fall...contrary to all my complaining about Idaho and it being so cold. I miss the close,beautiful Utah mountains, but I have started to really love the acres of fields. I am actually looking forward to winter somewhat so that I can ski and do all the fun things that I haven't done for years again...this time with my kids. Yeah, how great is it to have kids that can finally enjoy all the things you once enjoyed. I am determined to have a mountain biking partner soon. I think Kimball shows the most interest in becoming that partner. It is really fun to think about hanging out with my kids and the fun people they are turning into. Cole and Kimball are Troy's fishing buddies and I actually have a dream of all of us out fly fishing a lake together one day. I am sure Lauren will out fish us all being the most athletic in our family. Fun though...it made me grateful for so many things this little time to myself to clear my head. I think I give off the impression that I don't like Idaho. I don't know how that could be but...ok I am so guilty. I vowed this weekend to make a change and to start with my attitude about Idaho. Next my attitude about Football. I like it. I think I get jealous that Troy likes it more than me...but oh well. The Utes have won his heart and it is fun to see the crazy little Ute fans we have running around the house. My secret favorite thing is when Troy starts singing the fight song around the dinner table and all the kids join in and we have a pep rally going on right here in our kitchen. (We still get the Michigan fight song mixed up in it...since this has been a long standing tradition). The list goes on and on of things I want to make changes on but these are the current front runners and most drastic. I will have to check in and let you know how things are progressing. So all in all it was a very productive run and I am still sore from it today (sunday). I guess in a way this is my early New Years resolutions. Wish me luck!

halloween highlights

 

Pumpkin carving with the Zirkers

 

Lauren the fairy

 

Lauren enjoyed a plentiful Halloween this year. She dressed up in multiple costumes and enjoyed each one fully. Here she is as a fairy at the school carnival. Don't the boots tell you so much about her!

Lauren and Lucy

 

cutest bee ever!

 

 

Indiana Jones

 

Halloweeners 2008

 

we enjoyed a fun Halloween night with the neighborhood. Kimball was a dirt bike racer, Cole Indiana Jones (rock on) and Lauren was a cute Princess "witch" she was so sure she was a princess and yelled at anyone who called her a witch. cute either way. Lucy was the best bumble bee ever and so much fun.

Is it wrong to have a favorite baby?

I can't help myself...she is so dang sweet. I truly love Lucy!

House hunting part 2

So...you have heard from me lately, complaining about house hunting and all the joys that go with it. I have to confess this blog is a sort of a journal for me too so I have to continue with all our house hunting experiences...lucky you gets to read about them. Monday night we decided to meet with a realtor to show us a house that is literally up the street from us. We chose to let the kids come and thought how bad could it be. Troy drove the four wheeler over with three kids hanging off of it and Lucy and I hoofed it over. (That word hoofed describes how I feel when I am carring Lucy in the baby bjorn). We met the nicest man showing us the house and we hoped the kids would stay in the backyard and play. Wow was I wrong. Something about bringing out the four wheeler in the neighborhood. It's like we have a music box on top playing ice cream songs for all to come and join. The parade started and the kids followed us up the street and the caos began. It made me smile but also made me cringe. All was well the kids stayed out mostly including Lauren. (I should include that she is mostly potty trained...but that depends on the day). We were with the realtor down in the basement looking at it and we hear a scream. Lauren is famous for random screams so we didn't think too much of it. We came up the stairs to find a naked little girl running through the kitchen. Troy died. He obviously doesn't deal with mortifingly (I am not even sure if that is a real word) embarrassing situations on a daily basis. It seems I find Lauren running around outside naked more than not lately. He quickly scooped her up and took her outside. I opened the back patio door and out on the beautiful deck was a pile of clothes and a big puddle. It was so embarrassing. I stayed with the realtor and Troy took a naked little girl home on the four wheeler with all the neighbors wondering what was going on. If we weren't the strange family on the street before we are for sure now. The fact that my kids run around outside with life jackets on all the time must make them think that we have a few screws loose. (I just bought them last week and the kids think they are the greatest toys/dress ups ever). We are for sure in survival mode since we no longer even try to park the car in the garage. I am amazed at how many bikes and strollers we have.
Anyway, I could go on forever but these are the funny little things that make up our days so I thought I would share them. We will keep you posted on the house hunt. We are getting desperate since we are taking to knocking on neighbors doors asking them if they are considering selling. Oh well, at least we can say life isn't boring.

House hunting

Unfortunately I don't have pictures to share with you of our latest family car trip but I will try to share a bit of our lives in words. Sunday afternoons are pretty much the day that we set out all geared up to go house hunting...for a drive...is what we tell the kids. We pop in a great movie they all agree on and head out. This worked for the first few times but now when the words "for a drive" are uttered there is mass chaos and revolting and we all end up in the car whether we want to or not frustrated and complaining. This Sunday was no exception. We are on a time crunch to find a house and really feeling the pressure. We drive around all the time hoping new things will pop up...alas they haven't. We have taken so many car trips lately that Lauren has formed motion sickness. She has a certain cry and a look that I have now gotten to know quite well when she is ready to... shall I say...SPEW. That look hit us again yesterday and I told Troy to pull over too late. The back seat was a mess. Oh well...we did our best to clean her up and the car with the three diaper wipes left in the diaper bag (why is it you run out of diaper wipes when you really, really need them the most?). We were far enough away from home that I thought we might be able to still look a bit more, even after all that. But then I hear Lucy's thunder roar. She decided to blow out of her outfit. Sadly, all the wipes were gone and I new she would have to sit in it for a while. Well my spirits were dampened right about then and my hopes to see any new homes up for sale had pretty much faded. Then I hear from the back seat in the van a panicked cry. The kind of cry that you hear when your kids know they did something really bad and they are scared. Cole apparently stuck play dough up both of his nostrils and got it stuck. Really stuck. (I promise you play dough is not a standard car item...it somehow made its way into the car without my permission) I sat there staring at Troy is amazement. I then did the only thing I could do. I started laughing uncontrollably. Cole was crying thinking he would never smell again and I was close to tears. Troy was disgusted and Kimball was dry heaving as all the smells were wafting to the back corner of the car.
We ended our fun drive and headed home only to be completely discouraged and sure we may never find a home to live in. House hunting...oh the joys!

Happy Birthday Kimball!

Eight years ago today I was gripping the passengers side handlebar and doubling over in pain ever min or so while Troy drove like a crazy mad man all the way from Island Park Idaho to Utah. Our wonderful friends Rob and Erin sat in the back timing my contractions and reminding me to breath. Needless to say I cut our trip to Island Park over Memorial Day short by going into labor early. We welcomed Kimball into our family that day and have been thankful ever since then for this wonderful child in our lives.

Kimball is our little man. We called him that from the begining. He was two going on twenty five. He was the perfect baby and we didn't understand what everybodies deal was with their crying kids and why they couldn't figure it out, untila we had other children. We get it now! He never spoke in baby talk. Only full sentences from the begining and all about work trucks and working hard. I have never met a kid that likes to work outside and work hard as much as he does. He looks forward to cutting the grass (before we let him mow the lawn with the lawn mower he use to cut it for hours with sissors) and all the snow storms we have and shovels our walk and all our neighbors before school each time. He lacks a healthy fear when it comes to hiking and heights and loves all outdoor recreation. He is a very matter o fact child...if it is 8:12 and you say 8:15 he corrects you. He likes things exact. He keeps us smiling and loves to update us on the news and any other interesting fact that he happens to come across that day. I love his desire to choose the right. He tries so hard to make the right choice and I couldn't be prouder. Kimball is the best big brother a boy could ever have...according to Cole. (sometimes I think that it is the other way around). Kimball and Cole are very blessed to have each other and I love to hear Kimball read to Cole at night and explain things to him. I love seeing Kimball's desire to learn and read increase each month and how he is growing into a true little man. We are so proud of you and love you. Happy Birthday!

1 step forward and 2 steps back

Today is day two of potty training Lauren. I find it a bit sad that I already have put her back in her diaper. After numerous accidents and amazing tantrums I gave up. When the diaper came out she clapped her hands together and cheered "Yeah Diaper!" What do I take of that? She is so stubborn. Troy thinks I have met my match...what is that suppose to mean?
Anyway, today is one of those days where you take one step forward and then everything unravels and you are two steps behind in the end. For example. I thought I would be a good mom and take the kids for a fun walk...(Truthfully, I just hadn't gotten to washing the upholstery in the car since Lauren threw up last night in it and it still was too stinky for me to drive without adding to the smell myself)... Lucy wouldn't stop being fussy so I strapped her into the baby Bjorn, Lauren wanted to ride in the stroller so I pushed her...for about 5 min. then she decided she was done rididng. We were far enough away from our house and late enough with picking Cole up from kindergarten, that there was no turning back. We barely made it to pick him up with Lauren crying from being rushed from picking all the millions of dandelions along the way.(Hasn't anyone heard of weed and feed)? Lucy was semi asleep with an occasional cry from the sun shining right down on her poor head. Cole freaked out when he came out of school insisting that he Hates walking apparently I chose a bad day to take a walk, and he refused to walk all the way home. We only live maybe ten min. from the school (walking time). So, with two kids complaining about 100 yards behind me, one baby crying and one really grumpy mom we set off for home. I laugh now thinking about how much I was wishing someone would drive by and rescue us. Actually, my wonderful next door neighbor did drive by and then stopped and backed up and offered the kids a ride. I know she was inspired and I was grateful. So the moral of this story is that the next time you see someone out for a walk don't hesitate to offer them a ride, you never know.
I know I am complaining but actually this is my crazy life and after a day or two I can look back and laugh at all the madness that goes on every second of every day. I am sure this hit home to a few of you and you are laughing to yourselves. If so good, I am hoping something good came of all this.

I am hoping this will be one of many posts for me but honestly there is no promises!
Lots of love from Idaho.

All about Lucy!

It's about time that we post some darling pictures of our little sweetheart. She is so fun and really such a wonderful baby. I keep thinking that I will make the time to get a great picture announcement mailed out to all of you so you can see how fun she is but honestly, I am facing the fact that email is the only way it is going to happen. So here you are a bunch of fun picutres of our sweet baby. I am loving having her here and wish I could hold onto the baby stage even longer. I sit and cuddle her all the time and really just spoil her. I find it so sad to box up the newborn clothes and keep wishing I could slow down time and keep her a baby for longer. She is so loved by her brothers and sister. They want to hold and be right next to her all the time. I think life will always be exciting for her!

She's Finally Here!

Lucy Charlotte Peterson arrived Saturday, March 15 at 12:11 pm. Jamie's doctor had vacation plans for the following week, so he offered to induce her on Saturday. They started the pitosin at 10:30, Jamie was dilated to an 8 within an hour, and the labor went so quickly that the anesthesiologist didn't have time to give her the epidural. It wasn't a planned natural labor and delivery, but Jamie is super-tough and came through like a champ.

We are so happy that Lucy is here - she is so sweet and beautiful. The other kids have been wonderful with her so far.

Here are some photos:

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Katie's Wedding

Troy's little sister (formerly known as Katie, but now attempting to railroad us into calling her Kaylyn) got married the week after Christmas. She was a beautiful bride, and the wedding luncheon, wedding ceremony and reception went off without a hitch. We are still amazed and a little freaked out that Katie moved all the way to Washington D.C. just to meet and marry a guy from good old Viewmont High. 4 out of the 5 Peterson siblings married fellow Viewmont Vikings. Pretty crazy.






We snapped a few photos during the wedding of events, of varying quality. Let's hope the professional photographer fared better than we did!

Lauren was dying to hold the bouquet, so we finally relented and let her hold it for a few minutes. We all stood ready to stop her in case she tried to pull it apart or pop off the roses, but thankfully we were able to return the bouquet to its proper place without incident.

The photographer lined up the older grandkids on the floor to take a picture. It was much cuter from the front and we can't wait to see how it comes out.

Lauren hates to be left out, so when she saw the big kids getting their picture taken, she had to get in on the action.

You would think we would have learned our lesson about these bride-grandchildren photos. We have yet to get all of them to look at the camera at the same time, much less smile. Oh well.

Cole wouldn't forgive us if we didn't include a "kissy-smoochy" picture. For a guy who complains that girls are yucky, he sure does like the kissing at weddings.













Cole holding his newest cousin, Andrew Martin.

Winter In Idaho

Since the day we arrived in Idaho Falls last May, people have been warning us about winter. We heard all about the bitter cold, the deep snow, the lack of snowplowing, and the infamous volcanic dirt that they throw on the roads in place of salt. After the fifth or sixth time, we stopped paying attention. Now that we are in the throes of winter, we get it! We now know why people take their summer recreation so seriously here. It is super cold! But with the cold comes a lot of wintertime fun. The kids have been really happy playing in the snow - snow forts, snow men, sledding, snowballs - all the good things that come with winter. There is even an upside to the unplowed roads. Check out the pictures below to see what we mean.