We LOVE Valentines

Did you get what you wanted for Valentines day?  I got a extra special surprise...a bejeweled stapler!  Mike bought it as a joke, but I love it and have been needing a new stapler for some time.  So I decided to stage it for your viewing pleasure...

isn't is just gorgeous, don't you wish this is what you got for Valentines day?

  The kids got their traditional shirts and candy.  I didn't get to snap a photo of all their shirts, because I had to be to the school early, but the boys each say they love video games, and Caleigh's shirt was a monkey with heart glasses.  Elliot's is pictured below.  They got way too much candy, and Mike made them his cute homemade Valentines day cards.

And thanks to Mary, Mike and I were able to spend the whole day together.  We headed down to Newburyport, MA. It's very similar to Portsmouth, NH (which we love).  We found a great restaurant, Not your average Joes, and then walked around downtown.  

Then Mike drove us to Plum island that sits a few miles from Newburyport.  It is mostly residential (could you image living there?) but they do have some public parking and the beach is all public.  It was the most romantic beach we've been to.  Maybe it was the lack of a crowd, or the long grass, the perfect blue sky, or maybe even the long boardwalk, but it was breathtaking.  Mike and I walked around for just a little bit (long walk on the beach anyone?) and enjoyed talking and taking pictures.  I love our time here in New England, I love my Husband, and I love my life.  Happy Valentines.

Mike's Homemade Valentine's Cards

Every year, Mike makes the kids homemade Valentine's Day cards. He just finds funny pictures and prints them out, but the kids love them. 

February is Caleigh's Month

Caleigh is a local Celebrity!  She won 3rd place in a essay contest about her school "Henry Wilson" and it's history (she must get it from her Daddy who just got another essay published).  Her picture was taken and will be in the newspaper,  and her essay will be posted at the historical society.  I haven't read the essay yet, this is something she did in class, but we are so proud of her.

Caleigh's teacher Mrs. Thorp has an annual potluck around Valentines day.  The students set it up and greet their guest at the door.  ONe thing I think is neat, her teacher requires every student to have a guest.  So if a family member is unavailable then a staff member is asked to be the students guest.  Caleigh was so wonderful, I got to see her silliness around her friends, and she was so polite.  She would ask me every few minutes if I needed anything.  I appreciate so much a teacher that cares not only about academics but, helping her students develop into respectful people.  

Thank you Caleigh and Mrs. Thorp

A family super bowl party

We chose to have a family party this year for the super bowl, since it started a little later for us, and Mike was really excited for this game.  So were the boys.  We ALL got our pats shirts on, and chowed down on some yummy superbowl food.  Sadly, Tom Brady couldn't pull us through, but, we still enjoyed watching the game together and having some football bonding time.

Sledding With Dad

When a Griffin turned 9

We had so much fun celebrating Griffin's 9th Birthday with him.  He wanted to skip school and have a long birthday day.  So that's just what we did.

Griffin is our future paleontologist.  He LOVES all things dinosaur, so we had a dino cake made especially for him.  

Griffin loves to go bowling for his birthday.  We are all expert bowlers, really, we are awesome!  Actually we did pretty good, We had so much fun watching Elliot name her two bowling balls, "MR. and Mrs. Pickles" Caleigh was put in charge of taking photos, she did a great job.

Griffin is such a fun kid.  He's pretty easy going (like his daddy) and he has an awesome sense of humor.  He loves learning new things, which means he likes watching documentaries with Mike and going to the library with me.  Griff loves to dance, and has some unique moves (pictured below in the video).  He is definitely the peace maker around here, except when he's in a teasing mood, then he's the troublemaker.  Griffin has been working hard on his reading skills this year.  We started reading the scriptures as a family, and at first Griffin was really frustrated.  He hated being corrected because he didn't realize how many words he was mispronouncing.  We decided as a family that we would fast for him, so that he would feel better, and that reading would come easier for him.  Since our praying and fasting, he has started reading so much better.  He isn't afraid to tackle the big words on his own, and he doesn't mind being corrected.  Everyone is so proud of him, I love hearing the other children encouraging him and telling him what a good job he's doing.  

WE love you Griff.

Aunt Tracy!

Photo by Elliot from Aunt Tracy's phone, she's a natural!

We love when Tracy's travels bring her our direction.  After some meetings in Boston, she was all ours for the weekend.  It snowed on Saturday, which made it the perfect snow storm lazy day.  We ate yummy Chinese food, went sledding, played apples to apples, took turns battling zombies on her ipad, played lalaloopsies, laughed at the kids, laughed at each other, and enjoyed just being together.  She brought Birthday goodies with her, we all love my new sarong, and I can't wait to wear my gorgeous new pendant she gave me.  Thanks Trac for a great visit.

MLK Day at the beach.

I start getting withdrawal's from the ocean about this time.  I start craving long, lazy summery days sitting in a beach chair watching the kids play in the sand and the surf.  Which is why when Mike suggested we make it a beach day, I was thrilled.  Of course no beach toys were thrown in the car, and we knew it would be bitter cold, but we've always wanted to see our fav. beach in the winter.  

But first a stop at Weathervane for some yummy seafood lunch.  Griff surprised us all by requesting lobster.  It's not like we don't all love lobster, we just don't usually order it because it's so darn expensive, and I usually gravitate towards the fish and chips and Mike loves scallops.  But Griff claimed he wanted to, "try something new." and lobster fit the bill.  If only Grandpa Tom were with us, he LOVES lobster.  Him and Griff could have enjoyed one together.

   We weren't surprised the ocean looked pretty much the same, minus the crowds and crowds of people.  We walked to the water, threw stones in, climbed on the rocks (some were super icy), smelled the fresh air, looked for shells, tasted sea water icicles(the kids not Mike and I).  And then Mike and I climbed in the warm car while the kids played on the playground. It was a good day, and I look forward to summer.

We ended the day with dinner and of course our traditional brownies.  

No picture post (I know, boring, right?)

It finally snowed yesterday.  We were starting to think we would make it through the whole winter without a trip to the sledding hill.  But thanks to the 4 inches of snow and a school snow day we made it.  The kids are all independent this year and I don't even have to get out of the car if I don't want too.  I usually do love going down a few times, but Miles had left his boots at school, so he had to borrow mine.  

Any way... Griff was determined to make it down the hill on his snowboard (not a real snowboard, just one of those fun kid ones at walmart.) time after time he fell on his face, until finally he got into the rhythm of it and he was unstoppable.  I was so impressed with his ability to stay on the board the whole way down, and he even started working on his turns.  Would it be nice if he had a snowboarding mom or dad? But he is not that lucky.  Miles still has some work to do, but he too worked on getting down the hill.  So fun!!!

No babies round here!

It's crazy that Elliot, our baby, is 5.  She had such a great birthday and we all love showering her with attention.  The kids loved picking out her gifts, and enjoyed her Chuck E. Cheese request.  

Elliot is a doll!  She really is a great girl.  When I get frustrated with her she say, "I'm soooo sorry Mom."  She  is all girl, and loves playing with anything girly.  She tries her best to keep up with the older kids and usually does.  I miss her sweet baby face.

Welcome 2012

We are looking forward to some big changes this year, and more memorable events.  But first farewell to 2011. I asked the kids what their favorite thing that happened last year was and their responses were...

Elliot: you snuggling and tickling my back. And I started preschool.
Miles: Summer vacation and all the family that visited us.  And going to Water Country with the Huntings.
Griffin: Getting baptized.
Caleigh couldn't think of one.  I guess, I shouldn't ask hard questions in the morning.

Some of my highlights are all the family visits.  We always have fun when family comes to town, and I loved seeing the Boston fireworks this year.  Especially having the Utah Petersons here with us.  We love hanging out at the beach with family too.  LOVE THE BEACH.  My biggest change this year is finally getting out my sewing machine and using it.  Making my first quilt has opened up a whole new world to me of sewing and fabric stores...
Mike has worked so hard this year on his Doctorate, juggling his always hectic schedule, and serving our ward in the Bishopric.  This next year he has plans to defend his dissertation and graduate from UNH.

What a year.  We are continually amazed at our blessings and grateful for our lives here in New England.
 

A recital among friends

Between Christmas and New years my friend Minda and I put together a small recital for our children and a few friends.  Her talented husband teaches their girls piano and so they don't get a chance to have a recital.  So she asked if we would participate and of course I said yes.  

We invited Emma Hunting who played the clarinet, and the Della-Piana family performed as well.  Our old bishop, Steve Guillian and his wife Karen, and Ashlee came to be in the audience.  It was so fun!  Elliot even performed.  The kids have been teaching her Mary had a little lamb, and she plays in perfectly.  She was so proud of herself she told Mike and I many times, "I did not mess up."  Cute, except when one of the performers had just messed up and she leans over and says it.  

Adam our oldest performer rocked out on his Ukulele singing a popular pop song.  What a cute guy he is and a great example for my boys.  

Santa Claus came to town!

Christmas morning!  

The kids were such good sports about Christmas being on a Sunday.  They were all on board with getting up and just playing with "Santa" toys and opening stockings.  Then after Sacrament meeting we came home and dug into the rest of the presents.  We of course enjoyed our traditional breakfast burritos in the morning, and a yummy ham for dinner.  

Everyone was so surprised and grateful for all they got.  They all were so patient and kind with each other and had tons of fun playing with each others toys.  

Santa made a BIG mistake putting makeup in this girls stocking.  She immediately dove right in and covered her face.  Isn't she pretty?  Mike told her he liked her better without makeup.  She wasn't happy.  Hands on hips she stated, "Dad, you should not tell little girls they don't look pretty!"  

The boys scored big with all of their gifts and they love playing together.  I'm so glad they have each other.

Miles got to perform in our sacrament meeting on Christmas day.  He played Carol of the Bells, and did an awesome job.  He is just one of many Peterson men with a talent for music.  So proud of you Miles, "Smiles."

Christmas Eve Fun

What a great Christmas Eve.  We started the morning with early Christmas presents.  Mike and I gave the boys a Lego table we had put together ourselves.  I actually found the table on the side of the road in a "free" pile.  It was perfect!  I had been scouting out yard sales and discount stores for the past 3 or 4 months, and it was worth the wait finding this baby.

  Anyway, I brought it home, painted it gray, and Mike cut and attached the Lego base plates.   The boys love it and they have plenty of room for their creations.  Since the boys were getting an early present I gave the girls their gifts from me.  New outfits for them and their dolls.    

We had a great fondue party with friends: Huntings and their family, Seveys, Amy Waterman and baby, and the 4 Elders assigned to our ward.  It was a full house, but we had plenty of food to keep everyone happy.  The kids put on the nativity for us.  I love their creative costumes.  Caleigh is wrapped in a sheet, Elliot has a Cleopatra costume on (she is one of the wise men), and Lauren has a Mario cart steering wheel on her head as her halo.  We followed my Mom's program and it was great.  It's one of my favorite traditions.  I still remember wrapping tinsel around my head as a girl while me and my childhood friends played the parts of angels.  

We ended our party in the early evening so everyone could go home and enjoy some of their own traditions.  We were able to open our Christmas eve pj's, and the kids put their stocking where they wanted Santa to drop their gifts off.

They are growing up so fast.  I love you my sweet children. 

And where ever in the world planking came from...here is our tribute to you.

Festival of Trees and the Wright Museum

A couple of weeks ago we needed a fun family activity so we headed up to Wolfboro, NH to the Wright Museum for a festival of trees that they were hosting.  Honestly the trees were not that great.  Of course I'm comparing them to the festival of trees we always attended in Boise.  Those trees were amazing!!!  But there were a few fun ones and the kids got free cookies.  It was fun, but what really made the trip fun was the museum.  It was a great view into american history during WWII.  

Griff kept cracking Mike and I up by saying "yahtzee" instead of "Nazi."  Example: "Mom come look at these guns that they fought the yahtzees with."  

My favorite part was all of the vintage posters.  The kids liked seeing toys from that time period.  Elliot liked the wedding dresses on display.  Miles and Griffin likes all the war stuff.