What I learned from my 10 thousand step challenge.

I'm not giving up yet, but I have learned a few things this week with the 10 thousand step challenge.
1- I don't move/walk as much as I though I did.
2- Wearing a pedometer takes some getting used to. I only dropped it twice, but I was always aware of it and worried I would drop it more.
3- It's devastating to walk half the day and somehow have your pedometer reset itself. At that point you just throw up your hands and say, " forget it, I'm sitting the rest of the day."

Last days of Summer...

Last week we tried to make the most of our last week of summer. Thursday we met up with some friends for some beach fun. We went to a new beach (new to our family, of course the beach isn't new). It's in New castle just minutes from the Wentworth by the Sea. It's not my favorite for swimming, but it wins the prize for "best tide pooling" beach. The rocks are wonderful for the kids to "treasure hunt" in. Caleigh found a hermit crab and all of the girls loved looking for sea glass. The boys loved the rocks for climbing on. My favorite part: the view! While I sat on the beach in my chair I had two lighthouses on my horizon.

This was named, "Boy Island" I watched from the beach worried a little that I might have to get wet when I jumped in to save someone from slipping on the rocks. Luckily, the boys stayed safe, and I stayed dry.

I love these pictures with Miles and his sisters. Maybe because he's the oldest, but I can really rely on Miles to help me keep everyone safe and happy.

Seeing Blue and Peach

Maybe it's because I love the pictures, but I love blueberry picking with the kids. My friend Emily and I, took our kids last week to one of our local orchards and picked blueberries and peaches. The kids love eating the peaches and we have already made yummy blueberry cobbler. Elliot didn't get to participate last year much, but this year she was my most enthusiastic picker. I explained to pick only the blue or purple ones, NO pink ones because they weren't ready yet. She had so much fun walking up and down the rows of berries saying, "just purple, no pink ones." She even demanded I take some pictures of her picking.
I washed and froze most everything when we got home. We look forward to having "peach ding-ding" this winter. Oh, and of course, blueberry muffins!

Proof!

For quite some time now, I have been teasing Mike that I wasn't sure if he really did go to UNH since I've never seen his office. After seeing the bright Lime green and Lemon yellow walls, I see why he has been keeping it a secret. Just kidding. Truly, he spends little time here and views the space more like a locker, than an office. After seeing Mike's office and touring all of the classrooms he has taught in, he took me to the UNH Dairy Bar for yummy sandwiches. I love having time with just Mike and am so grateful for friends willing to watch my kids so we can be kid-free.

Happy Anniversary from the girl with Pearl earrings...(and the necklace too!)

Today is Mike and My's 11th anniversary. We never remember from year-to-year what we get each other. So I thought I should record somewhere, I got him a tie clip (right now he uses the girls hair clips).

And my sweet, amazing, smarty-farty husband surprised me with Pearl earrings and a Pearl necklace. It might be old fashioned of me, but I have been asking for a long time for these. I wasn't expecting them at all! And he made the cutest card, and wrote a great blog entry (you should read it, it's all about me.)

Mike is an amazing husband, don't get me wrong he has his faults, but he is the PERFECT match for ME. Love you Mickey!

Persuasions

With book club drawing near I have been finishing my book, Persuasions in my usual reading style.

Ignore house and children (and husband) until book is finished. Do not leave chair for anything other than food and bathroom breaks. Do not feel guilty about being in PJ's at 2pm. Finish, finish, finish.

This has long since been my favorite Jane Austen, but reading the book for the second time reminded me how wonderful Miss Austen's stories are. I can't wait for book club.

I'm going there someday...

This past Saturday we had our annual Primary Temple trip. We all load up in cars and drive the hour and 30-40 minutes to the Boston Temple. The temple was erected in 2000 and sits in true New England style, among the trees. It was so well hidden with trees, I didn't know we had arrived till we were pulling into the parking lot.

The kids were able to meet the Temple President and he answered some of their questions about the Temple. It was a wonderful day for the kids and adults alike. I love the Temple and hope to make it back soon.

I want Candy!

Our wonderful friends that Titus' have been living it up in Utah and California for the past 5 weeks. We have missed them terrible and can't wait till their home again. But we loved our surprise from them this past week. They were able to go to the Jelly belly factory and they shared some of their "spoils" with us. The best part were the gross flavors. The kids loved daring each other to try flavors like skunk smell and baby wet wipe. I just like the regular ones. Thanks Titus'. Get home safe.

Wentworth Photo shoot

Before Tom and Frankie flew the coop, we took some pictures of the kiddo's outside of their hotel. The grounds were picture perfect and we were more than happy to take advantage of them. Frankie said she saw people all week taking pictures, so we figured it was just our turn.

This is me being creative with the features of picasa. I love picasa!

A few things forgotten.

My Dad mentioned in one of his comments the funny story of Miles at the baptism.

Later on Saturday evening we were all sitting around discussing the baptism and how wonderful it was, and Miles said to me. "Mom, I didn't realize Dad was going to say our full names in the prayer, when he started saying, 'Caleigh Lucile Peterson...' I thought, Why is he yelling at Caleigh."

Ha, Ha, Ha the thoughts of a 8 year old.

One more thing, Elliot has found herself a real life Hero. She is completely taken with one of the missionaries of our ward, Elder Brown. His last companion, Elder Purdue really was sensitive about it saying things like, "I don't know why she doesn't like me too." Elder Purdue was recently transferred and now Elder Smith has to see if he adds up, but so far her obsession is true to just Elder Brown. Some think it's like a crush, I think for a 2 year old it's more like if Dora the Explorer walked out of the TV into our living room. She makes sure we bless Elder Brown every night in our prayers. Ex: Miles saying prayer will say, "Bless the missionaries..." and Elliot will yell, "No, No...bless Elder Brown" So funny.

Wrapping up

Monday we hit the beach again, and found out that if you don't stop at the outlet mall you can get to the beach quicker. The beach was packed, but we had a great time with the kids and family. We finished Monday off with Lobster dinner at Fox's, a resturaunt by our favorite lighthouse.

Tuesday we bid farewell to my Mom and Dad, and Aunt Tracy. We love and miss you all.

Tom and Frankie are staying in Portsmouth now, at a swanky hotel, The Wentworth by the Sea, and we are enjoying their swimming pools.

Two new members of the Church.

Miles and Caleigh have been looking forward to this day for some time. They have had so many questions and Mike and I have been doing our best to prepare them for baptism. Mike even practiced with them how he would "dunk" them, in the hot tub at Tom and Frankie's hotel. Mike took the twins to their interviews at the Bishops home. I was afraid to go, because Caleigh tends to be shy and cling to my leg when we need her to talk to other adults. Mike said her and Miles both did great. Mike being ward mission leader, has experience with putting together a baptism, and he helped so much with Mile and Caleigh's. He even drew the picture for the front of their program. It was a great day, with a wonderful spirit. I'm so thankful we had so many family members here to enjoy it with us.

Caleigh's best friend Emma Hunting.

Their "before" and "after" clothes.

Thursday and Friday and Saturday...

The weather spoiled our next few days, but we still got in some fun activities and rest. Plus we were so happy to be joined by Tracy. We love when Tracy comes to town, she is so fun with the kids and I love hanging out with her. We took some of the family to see UNH. The buildings were all closed, but we were able to see Mike's building and here about some of his classes and students. I think Mike's Dad is really proud of him for going for his Doctorate, I know I am.

Wed, Thurs,

Wed. we headed down to Lexington and Concord, Mass. We stopped and walked around Walden's Pond, then off to Louisa May Alcott's home where she wrote Little Women, then we finished the day at the Minute Man Museum where the revolutionary war started. The day was rainy and humid, but we all had umbrellas, so the weather didn't slow us down.


The minute man museum was close to closing when we arrived,but that didn't stop us from having fun. Caleigh and I hurried and "dressed" up Elliot for some photo's. Caleigh thought of the flag. "Good touch Caleigh."
We weren't able to tour the house this time, but the gift shop was full of fun toys and books for me and the kids. And on the same location was a school house the kids enjoyed looking at. I think they appreciate their own school a little more.

Here is a life size statue of Thoreau, of course I was upset with Miles for climbing on it, but I had to snap a picture first. Miles tends to want to climb whatever he sees.

Mike enjoyed Walden's Pond, and would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't forgotten his copy of the book in my purse. He wanted to read a little to the kids at the location of Henry David Thoreau's cabin. My worry was that the kids were going to walk off with all of the rocks from the rock pile. People have been adding rocks for centuries to a pile by Thoreau's cabin. Caleigh was in heaven with the collection and wanted to bring one home. But I explained what the rocks were there for and she agreed we should leave them alone. Miles and Griff were disappointed they couldn't throw them. It was a fun day, and we will bring our swim suits next time to swim in the pond.

Tuesday, birthday fun.

Presents, Hugs, then off to the beach.

The kids received so many great presents including toys, money, scriptures, and CTR jewelery. They each got their own personal sized birthday cakes and we set up a display of some of their things to represent who they are.








The beach was great as always and we enjoyed having so much family with us. We ended the day at one of our favorite lobster houses in Maine, Fosters. The kids all had clam chowda (their favorite) and most of us tried their shrimp and chips meal. Below are the kids having fun with the lobster buzzer they gave us so we knew when our food was ready.

Sunday, Monday...

Sunday we rested, then...Monday we were off to Boston for fun and the arrival of G and G Peterson.

Swab the deck, and Man the sails, G and G Peterson are arriving at 5pm.
We had plenty of time to tour Boston and the USS Constitution Museum while we waited. The FREE museum was so much fun. We learned all about life on a ship in 1794.

"Manning the Sails"

"Swabbing the deck"

Miles looking spiffy in his sailor duds.

And here we all are celebrating the arrival of more family.

After the museum we all took our first Ferry ride across the Boston Harbor to have lunch at Quincy market. After lunch we made the ten minute walk to Mike's Pastries. The shop was busting at the seems with other sweet-toothed tourists, trying to get their orders in. I made it out alive, with 2 chocolate mousse cannolli's and 1 Boston Cream puff. So good!

Then it was back on the ferry, and then a tour of a Naval ship. While Mike headed to the airport Mom, the kids, and I made our way to the end of the Freedom trail, The bunker Hill Monument. After climbing the 294 stairs to see the Best views of Boston imaginable, we were ready to meet up with G and G Peterson. With all the grandparents in tow, we went to Warren's Tavern, the oldest Tavern in Boston. Many a famous people have wet their whistle there.