Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas weekend. We started by going to the Thurgoods on Christmas Eve where Santa himself made an appearance! Only Dallin was brave enough to sit on his lap:

We enjoyed a delicious dinner and had fun with these good friends.

Then it was time to get home and open one gift from under the tree. The kids hurried off to bed so fast that they didn't even set out cookies for Santa! If only it were that easy every night!

Even without cookies Santa definitely made it down our chimney. Favorite gifts included:

Kenzie: cell phone (finally!)

Mallory: digital camera

Dallin: Nintendo DS (finally!)

Brady: legos and the biggest Nerf gun you've ever seen

We shared a delicious brunch on Christmas morning with our friends the Burks and the Packers. The machine gun was a big hit as everyone ran for cover.

After cleaning up we headed to Shelley to spend the weekend with Mark's family. We enjoyed yummy food, fun games with cousins and precious time with Grandpa. All in all, it was a wonderful holiday for us, filled with family and friends that we love.

Christmas Break at a Glance

Please tell me I'm not the only one with a kitchen counter that looks like this right now. I will say it's a pretty good representation of our life right now, because at any given time you will find:

*a plate of treats from friends or neighbors

*gifts for the kids (these are from primary teachers and secret sisters at church)

*gifts Mark brings home from work (shown here: giant Santa pen and book entitled "What's Your Poo Telling You?")

*two gingerbread houses, made by Kenzie and Brady

*rubber stamps, scissors and paper from a Sunday art project

*the ever-present Legos

*vase left over from roses Mark gave me for our 17th anniversary (should have taken the picture before I threw them away!)

*2 Redbox DVDs ("G-Force" and "Julie and Julia")

*list of books to return to the library this afternoon

*$1 Brady got from the tooth fairy last week

*Christmas cards from friends (one of the best parts of the season!)

*misc. ribbons from gifts unwrapped or to be wrapped

*fuzzy socks (a staple around here in the winter)

*coupons (Amber or Chelsea, they're for Similac, want them?)

*Christmas dish towel (because if there's one thing I've learned from my mother it's that your dish towels must coordinate with the current holiday!)

So that's pretty much our life right now: trying to keep the kids happy, finishing up last minute prepartions and generally enjoying this time of year. What crazy things are on your counter right now?

Regarding Henry....and other winter happenings

Meet Henry, the newest member of the family, born yesterday afternoon while I was snuggled in bed for a Sunday nap. Based on how cold the weather has been I have a feeling he's going to be around for quite a while.

It snowed all day Saturday and through the night to Sunday. It is absolutely gorgeous outside, especially when the sun comes up and goes down and the sky is covered in pink.

Getting the boys out the door to the bus is quite the project. They LOVE the snow!

Dallin had his last basketball game on Saturday and to our surprise they were playing his friend Trevor's team. He and Trevor have been best buds since they were three and played on the same team in Phoenix. We won't talk about the final score of this game, but Dallin did great this year. He scored in almost every game and is learning to use his height to block shots. The "D" on his jersey was an appropriate nickname for his great defensive moves.

We continued our tradition of having a couple's Christmas party. We had about 12 couples from the ward and enjoyed yummy appetizers and fun games (and no, the two men in the top corner are not a "couple" they just really enjoyed guessing how many kisses were in the jar.) Such a fun night!

Santa's Little Helper

Brady has loved getting the house ready for the holidays and wants to help with everything. He wasn't too sure about being up so high on Dad's shoulders, though, as they put the star on top of the tree.

I hate to see my baby growing up. He still lets me snuggle him, but I'm afraid those days are numbered. Last night as I was tucking him in I said, "Goodnight Brady, I love you." He said, "I love you too, Mom. I love you soooo much...you're my one true love." If only those words could last forever!

Three Petersens

After a yummy Thanksgiving dinner with just our family:

I hopped on a plane headed for Denver to see this little peanut:

Luke Nathan Petersen was born last Monday and we all couldn't be more thrilled, especially these two:

Nathan and Chelsea are the sweetest parents and just can't get enough of this little guy. He is such a calm baby with the most perfect face and skinny little bird legs. I enjoyed snuggling him all weekend long.

Welcome to the world Baby Luke! You are definitely our greatest blessing this Thanksgiving season!