2010 Family Pictures

My cousin's daughter, Courtney, started a photography business. Since my SIL, Kyleen, (who has taken our pictures the last couple of years) isn't making it up this way until Christmas we had to find a new photographer. And Courtney was the right price for the right job.  We have only seen the previews so far and can't wait to see the rest.  She took breathtaking pictures of the kids. I would recommend her to anyone in the Utah County area.

Does this face get cuter each year??

Her first time wearing mascara.  I think she can pull it off.

And can she really be old enough to wear full makeup???

And HE definitely gets cuter every year!

And together we make one eternal family!

Mark and I were busting up because we are definitely not in our twenties anymore. She had us dip and kiss. This was on our way back up to the upright position.

And this is just a few of the pictures. You can see more on Courtney's blog here http://courtneynicolecrockettphotography.blogspot.com/2010/11/preview-peterson-family.html

Can't wait until we can see all the pictures she took.

One Year

One Year
50.4 lbs
YESSSSS!!!!!!!

Back To School

With the end of August comes the beginning of School.

So glad to have the kids on a schedule again and not hearing them tell me they are bored every 10 minutes.

Not so glad for the 6am alarm every morning and homework every night.

I guess there is good and bad to everything.

John started 2nd Grade with Mrs. Allen

Ashley started 5th Grade with Mrs. Harris

They both started on Monday.

That gave Jessica and I time to go shopping for some Jr. High clothes.

And Jessica started 7th Grade and is now in Jr. High.

Wow, how did that happen???

Loving having a school bus take her everyday!

We have such cute, smart kids. So proud of all of them.

Lagoon

Thanks to my awesome Sister-in-Law, Carole, the kids and I had a chance to go to Lagoon before school started. Carole's work gave the whole company tickets for Lagoon and her older kids and husband could not get out of work. So we were more than happy to use their tickets.

I've been to Lagoon twice in my life. The first time was for my 18th birthday. After growing up next to Disneyland I was a little unimpressed with Lagoon.  I went again in my late 20s and don't remember too much from that trip either.

But I think Lagoon has finally grown up. We had so much fun with Carole and her daughter, JaCee.  John is not the most adventuresome when it comes to amusement parks, but I was prepared this time and did not get so frustrated.

John and I enjoyed the train ride and all the animals!

JaCee and Ashley on the Lady Bug Hopper

John dreaming of the day when he will get to drive a real car!

Who would be crazy enough to go on a rollercoaster that goes straight up and then down?

And then twists sideways? Wicked is a very good name for this ride.

Jessica, Ashley and I got to conquer this beast!

Carole somehow convinced John to go on this ride!

But I think she regretted it when she got wet every time they went around because John would not let the whale go up!

Ashley and JaCee look so big going on this ride by themselves.

Jessica and Carole ready for some fun!

(note this was another ride John and I skipped ;))

But John did love the water fountain!

I told Mark I thought we would be home about 6pm. In the end we left Lagoon around 10:30pm!

The kids loved it and I think we'll go again before another 15 years passes us by.

Staycation 2010

Since  we didn't take a family vacation this summer we had a family staycation.

Mark took the day off work and we played in Salt Lake for the day.

It almost didn't happen when we got in the van and it would not start!

But we squished in the Camry and headed up to Salt Lake because we didn't want to deal with the dead battery before our fun.

Our first stop was Corner Bakery at the U of U

If you are looking for a good place for breakfast this hits the spot. I've eaten there many times in Chicago and it has finally made its way to the West. I'm now waiting for one to come to Utah County (please!!)

Then it was off to 

This Is The Place

For some Pioneer Fun!

Amazing how the kids can be entertained with non-electronic games!

The mini train is always a big hit!

And the view . . . How could the pioneers not love this valley!

Since the girls and I have been learning to quilt the Quilt Exhibit was especially interesting.

Don't think I'll ever quilt like the one on the wall. It was amazing!

After a picnic at the park we stopped for dessert at 

Hatch Family Chocolates!

Have you seen the  Little Chocolatiers on TLC???

Did you know they were in Salt Lake City???

Really, really good hand dipped chocolates, yum!

Then we headed to Temple Square.

First stop was the Administration Building

What a view from the top!

Beautiful!

And we all made it to the top!

The fountain in front of the administration building.

The reflecting pond in front of the Temple.

The replica of the Salt Lake Temple with the reflection of the real temple on the glass.

You can even see what the rooms look like inside. Very interesting for the kids and us. Next time you are at Temple Square don't miss the South Visitor Center.

Loved this picture of the kids giving Pres Monson a high five!!!

And a more serious pose.

Our last stop was to the Conference Center and another amazing view of the Temple.

So glad we are a Forever Family!

We had an amazing Staycation. We really need to remember the things that are close by us more often.

And only a few bloody noses were had that day. John had two because of the heat and being outside so much. The Conference Center missionaries were especially cute as they were worried for him. But on the trip home and because the 3 kids were squished in the Camry a few heads bonked and Ashley ended up with a bloody nose as well. Can't forget that memory of the day ;)!

Family Reunion

To sum up August it would definitely be the month of family for us.

Mark's family celebrated with a family reunion that began with the Santaquin Parade.

We had front row seating and a table full of food!

Small town parades are the best

John, Ashley and JaCee Jo were ready with their bags for all the candy!

And they quickly learned to dash out and get their stash.

Even the Aunties joined in the candy dash.

Only in a small town would you see the Royalty pushing the car that broke down off the road!

And only in a small town would they give away flowers in the parade!

Lots and lots of flowers!

Thanks Paige for grabbing me a few!

After the parade we headed up to Payson Lakes for some fun and memories.

When we got there the lake was packed and it was hot.  

But just as we got everything set up the storm came a rolling in.

And by the time lunch was served it was getting a little chilly.

We were determined to wait it out.

Especially when we had the lake to ourselves.

Until everyone went to their cars because they were freezing and the pop up started blowing over.

So the three generations of fishermen packed it up and we headed home.

But a few memories were had! I think we'll all remember this reunion!