Chris, Tammy and the Kids...

Happy Fall Ya'all!!!

2009-11-05T16:57:00.002-07:00

WARNING!!! This is a SUPER LONG POST!!!

We've had a great fall! Here are some pix to show you what we've been up to!

We go to Linder Farms EVERY YEAR!! We have a blast every time! We really lucked out this year, it was BEAUTIFUL WEATHER!!! We have gone with Chris' brother Cort and his family each time.... it's become somewhat of a tradition.... WE LOVE THEM!!!

As you can see.... Cort is quite the comedian!!

Ali did really well, she slept the WHOLE TIME!!!

Halloween was pretty uneventful this year. We went to 2 trunk-or-treats and then we went to Cort&Em's house and had SpudNuts.... YUMMY!!! Gabe was a BSU Fan... How handsome is he??

Selah wanted to be a 'little devil' again. (believe me, somedays it fits SO WELL!!!;-) Aren't my girls BEAUTIFUL???

Here is my poser!! He makes me laugh EVERYDAY!!! Reece is quite the character! He's SO FUNNY!!!

We dressed up Ali really just for this pix. Both Reece and Selah were both this little Bee... I had to get her picture. She looks just like them!!! Here's Selah 7 years ago (Sorry, it's the only one I can find)

So Cute!!

Something else that happened is that Gabe earned his BobCat for CubScouts. SO PROUD!!!

One night when we went to go to bed, this is how we found Reece in our room. He finds all kinds of ways to sleep!

Here is how I found my baby girl after her nap today. She had started fussing and decided to soothe herself. What a cutie!
Life is getting back to normal. It seems like it took longer with Ali to get back to a routine. We have passed around a yucky bug, but hope that it is on the tail end.
I am SO BLESSED to have such a wonderful family!!!

Happy Bronco Day!!!

2009-10-14T17:00:00.001-06:00

Here is Ali all decked out for the game! Isn't she adorable??

New Pix of Ali......

2009-10-02T09:29:00.000-06:00

First time in a carseat..... Leaving the hospital.....

First day home..... Can you see what's on in the background??? Yes it's her first BSU GAME!!!

No, she is not starting a life of crime in this prison-like outfit....

ALL of my kids sleep like this!!! Isn't she a doll??? What can I say, Chris and I make good lookin' babies!!!

I seriously cannot get enough of her!!! She is such a good baby! We are VERY blessed to have her in our home!

She's Here! Ali Catherine Peterson has arrived!

2009-09-17T04:56:00.000-06:00

After months of waiting she has finally arrived.
On September 16, 2009 at 12:37 PM Ali Catherine Peterson was born.
Her stats: 23 in long
11 lbs. 0 oz.
Mom and baby are doing great. Should be home from the hospital in a couple of days. Big brothers and sister were excited to see her (as you can tell).

12 YEARS!!!!

2009-08-16T12:29:00.003-06:00

Not only have we had 2 birthdays in the last 3 weeks, but the same day that Selah turned 7, Chris and I celebrated out 12 year anniversary! Boy have the years gone by so fast, yet they have been the best years of my life! Chris is my everything! I don't want this to sound bad, but I think....'what would have happened if I married so-and-so???' And just the thought makes me a little sick to my stomach. I don't want anyone but Chris!!! He is a great husband, partner, father, and BEST-FRIEND!! I love him so much!!!

Sweet Selah Turns 7!!!

2009-08-16T12:13:00.002-06:00

Our BEAUTIFUL daughter turned 7 a week ago. She has BLOSSOMED into a beautiful young lady. While she can be both fire and ICE, we love having her in our home. Selah loves to help in the kitchen and wants to be going going going all the time!! When we tell her we don't have something planned for a certain day, she's like.... 'WHY??, I want to do something!!!' She is excited to have a sister. She keeps asking, 'Am I going to be able to hold her?....change her diaper.... help you with her??? She is already a great big sister to Reece and I know she will continue on with her new sister. We love our SELAH!!

Isn't she BEAUTIFUL???!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SELAH!!!

Reece Turns 4!!!

2009-08-16T11:53:00.005-06:00

My baby boy has turned 4!!! I can't believe it! Reece came into this world as a 9lb 5oz beautiful baby boy! He was such a good baby and he has continued to be a sweet boy ever since. He is always saying, 'I love you, mom'.....'hug, mom'..... Reece is quite the entertainer. One thing that just cracks me up is that he will be somewhere in the house by himself and I will hear his voice and I think he is talking to me and I go in and say, 'what, honey'..... He turns to me and says, 'uh, mom, I'm talking to myself....' That just makes me laugh! He has a smile that won't quit, which is evident in all of these pix of him.

We love our REECE!!!!

I am so grateful to have Reece as my baby boy!

Cute Kids...

2009-08-05T10:27:00.007-06:00

This spring we had a good friend of ours, who happens to be an excellent photographer take pictures of the kids. I wanted to share them. They sure grow up fast.

Martial Bliss...

2009-08-03T10:48:00.000-06:00

Wanted to write a quick note about Chris' Dad O'Dell getting married. He married Denise Thompson on August 01, 2009. It was a great wedding and we wish them all the best!

Island Park ID

2009-06-11T14:08:00.002-06:00

Summer is here... How do I know? All the vacationing, duh! We had our first vacation of the summer this past week. We traveled with three other families from Nampa to Island Park ID.

View Larger Map
It was a fun time. We left on Wednesday and returned on Sunday evening. Since there were four families traveling together we traveled in convoy across the state. Each family was issued a walkie-talkie so that we would be able to communicate. (Now I know you're thinking "Don't they have cell phones?" Yes we do, but the walkies were much more fun). The drive is long (according to google maps over 6 hours) but that would be without kids and small bladders. So we had a couple of stops in between. The first was in Jerome for an automobile issue that was quickly resolved and of course "Happy Hour" at Sonic! Then it was back on the road through Pocatello until we reached Shelley. The family's whose cabin we were traveling to hails from Shelley so we had to stop and tour. It was a four car parade through the streets of Shelley from a Grandma's house, past a homestead (where it all began) to a sisters house happy to wave us all on. It was fun to see where the W@@@@t's came from. Next stop dinner!
Dinner was in Ashton. This is where DL spent some of her time growing up. We stopped at Big Juds~ home of the 1lb "Big Jud".

We overwhelmed our waitress. I don't think that she was expecting 21 people on a Wednesday night (let alone her 'normal' customers). Once we got the food it was great. Our family shared a "Big Jud", some people thought they'd conquer their own.

After finishing our homemade french fries it was off to Island Park.
We arrived after about nine hours that includes all the stops that were made. We were greeted by happy hosts, the W%%%%ts. After unpacking the adults sat down to relax while the kids acclimated to the basement and their sleeping arrangements for the next four nights.
Thursday was a relaxing day filled with ATV rides, Yahtzee games, and feeding the animals.

Friday was our day to go to Yellowstone National Park. This was our family's second trip, so we knew what to expect.

Island Park Camping trip 2006

Island Park 2009

It was fun to see the beauty of nature and what the unspoiled landscape looks like. We drove through the park and made our way to Old Faithful and joined the crowd of onlookers waiting for the moment that we would all be thrilled.

View Larger Map

The kids by the Hot Pots

Island Park Camping 2006 (This was then)

Island Park 2009 (This is Now)

It tried to rain on us while we ate our lunch in the woods. But we persevered like the pioneers of old.
Saturday was a little more rainy than Thursday had been, but we still had fun. We (the dads) took ALL the kids fishing on the Henry's fork of the Snake river. They enjoyed it, the rain helped convince the kids that a warm car with a DVD playing is better than a rainy shore casting in line. The Dads didn't agree. After bringing back the kids the four dads and our host Bill W%%%%T took us out on Henry's Lake in his boat. We had good ol' time. Fishing in the lake, un-snagging our lines, and grilling brats! Then the weather turned a little nasty and the whitecaps told us it was time to head home.

That night we played many rounds of Texas Hold'em and talked late into the night.
Sunday was woke up to a surprise. Over an inch of snow on the ground. This is not unheard of in Island Park, but it didn't make loading the cars any easier.

After breakfast we loaded up, said 'Goodbye' to our hosts and started the convoy home.

Someone noted that on the way home we drove by all four Temples in Idaho; Rexburg, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, and Boise. What a way to spend a Sunday.
We had a great trip and are already talking about next year. Thanks E,P,& W.
See you Next year G & M.

I'm feeling 'pink' all over!!!

2009-05-15T23:24:00.002-06:00

So as Andra so kindly pointed out in her comment, I have not updated like I said I would. We found out last week that we are having a GIRL!!! We are very excited! I don't think our excitement can measure up to Selah's though. She is on cloud 9. She has wanted a sister for a long time.

We have a few names in mind, but until we have something concrete, we will keep it to ourselves. I like to name my kids while still in my belly, so I can talk to her and she can learn her name sooner!!! HAHA!!! Is that asking too much??

I'm normally a 'hot blooded' person, but being preggers puts a whole new meaning to the word! I'M ON FIRE ALL THE TIME!!! UGH!!!!! So when you see my pink cheeks and me fanning myself, just ignore me. I'm okay! I promise!

Announcement.....

2009-04-10T16:01:00.002-06:00

We have a new addition to the family that will be joining us at the end of the summer. This is the longest I've ever gone without spilling the beans to everyone right when I found out. Yes, some of you already know. But for the most part it has been kept under wraps. We are super excited. More than likely this will be the last addition, so I am trying to cherish every bout of nausea and every flutter that I can. We will be finding out what this bundle of joy will be on May 4th. We can't wait. I prefer to know. Anyway, we will keep everyone updated......

Check this OUT!!!

2009-03-09T11:49:00.002-06:00

Here is a blog you should check out.... http://krazycouponlady.blogspot.com/

I love this blog!! They have awesome ideas. They tell you all about sales here and there and EVERYWHERE!!!
Right now they are having 3 incredible giveaways. But also tons of other valuable information!!!

SICK AND TIRED!!!

2009-03-09T11:38:00.003-06:00

I have been sick off and on for a few weeks now. Everything from body aches, sinus issues, coughing, tummy issues.....EVERYTHING!!! I'm SICK OF IT!!! It's just one thing after another.

SPRING, PLEASE GET HERE SOON AND BRING MY HEALTH BACK!!!!

SLACKER!!!

2009-02-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am a MAJOR SLACKER!!! Here is quite a few posts for your reading pleasure.... Sorry!!!!

Christmas in February???

2009-02-09T10:45:00.001-07:00

Yes, on February 7th my sweet hubby finally got around to taking down our lights. Next year we will have the goal of JANUARY 15th??? Right, Chris????
BTW.... Selah would have stayed on the roof all day if we would have let her. Reece, not so much.... and Gabe..... wouldn't even get up on the ladder.....

My First Baby!!!

2009-02-09T10:44:00.000-07:00

On January 30, our first son turned 8!!! (BooHoo) Gabe is such a sweet boy. We waited so long for him. His story of arrival is pretty awesome. I just have to tell you about it......

We were ready to hang up the towel on having a baby. One morning I was taking a pre-natal vitamin and it ended up lodging in my throat. Later that week I was referred to a gastro-doctor and he wanted to do an endoscopy. He started the procedure one morning and was unable to finish it and I was told I would need a barium x-ray. He said they had to do a blood test to make sure I wasn't preggers, I told him.... 'I'M NOT PREGGERS!!!' He said well, we'll see. Well about 20 minutes later the nurse came in and said to wake up to talk to the doctor on the phone. I told her to give the phone to Chris, she said, no, he wants to talk to you. The doctor got on the phone and said we won't be able to do the x-ray today and I started to say.... I really need you to do it today, I have the day off work....blah, blah, blah..... and he said well, I won't be able to do it for another 9 months. WHAT??? I just about screamed!! I immediately started to cry! It was amazing!! Well, the pregnancy was AMAZING!! Not really sick at all, I LOVE BEING PREGGERS!!! Well, right at 34 weeks we were at a 'Linger Longer' after church and towards the end I stood up to go potty and all of the sudden, 'OOPS'..... I thought I was wetting my pants, but my water actually broke. It was SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!! Chris and I had planned on having some friends over and had a fridge full of food. We hurried home, packed my bag.... just out of pure luck I had packed Gabe's bag the day before. We rushed out to the hospital in Nampa and the lady in triage was like, I need to check that puddle between your legs to make sure it is amniotic fluid. HUH??? Go ahead, I am not peeing here!!! So the doctor came in and said he didn't feel comfortable delivering me at that hospital and sent me to Boise where they had a NICU. They told me I would be going by ambulance. I said I would just have Chris drive me. They said it was policy. blah...blah...blah.....Well, I have AWESOME blood pressure all of the time, well when they said that I would be going by ambulance, I panicked! My BP shot up and they made me go by lights and sirens for 25 miles!!! UGH!!! Anyway, we get to the hospital and my BP is back to normal. I could go on and on, but the next couple of days are just a bore and a lot of pain. I ended up not having him until Tuesday @ 3:05. Yes, thats a little over 40 hours of labor. But oh, so worth it. Gabe was BEAUTIFUL!!! I couldn't believe he was mine. I still can't believe he is mine. He is so handsome!!! I love him so much!!!
A big shout-out to S.G. for this wonderful pix!!! You are amazing!!!

Baptism

2009-02-09T10:43:00.001-07:00

Along the same line of Gabe turning 8, he was baptized the day after his birthday. He was so great!!! What an angel!!

PUBERTY!!!

2009-02-09T10:42:00.000-07:00

Chris is SO GOING TO HATE ME!!! Chris has a little bit of a hard time growing facial hair. But every year, he tries once or twice and every year it gets a little thicker. Here he is a few weeks ago. I actually prefer him with no facial hair, but I will continue to support his yearly puberty check..... I love you honey!!!!

TREATS

2009-02-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

This year for my treat trays I made some oreo balls..... They were fun to make. I think over christmas I ended up making about 180 of these. THEY ARE DELICIOUS!!

Before & After!!!

2009-02-09T10:40:00.000-07:00

For christmas, I got a new set of clippers and thought it was a prime opportunity to cut my baby's hair. I love him with long hair!!! He is such a doll! But he does need to look like a BOY every now and then..... I may keep going back and forth, Who knows?? Here is a before and after.....

DINOSAURS!!!

2009-02-09T10:39:00.000-07:00

Grandpa P was so generous and got all 3 kids and the hubby tickets to the Dinosaurs show at the I.C. on January 7. The kids had a BLAST!!! I ended up finding some little puzzles that we could put together for family night. They were a lot of fun. Unfortunately I don't have a pix of the big night, but here are the results of our puzzles.....

Christmas.....

2009-02-09T10:38:00.008-07:00

We had a wonderful Christmas. It was a mild one because of Disneyland, but nice. We don't have a lot of pix of Christmas morning, but about a week after Christmas I found a STEAL on a gingerbread house kit. So here are some pictures for your enjoyment.

A few posts below!!!

2008-12-12T12:01:00.001-07:00

I'm at home sick and figured I needed to get some blogging done. So here it is!!! Happy Reading!!

DISNEYLAND!!!

2008-12-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

We had the opportunity to go to Disneyland earlier this month. It was SO FUN. We left on Saturday after Thanksgiving and we were gone for 8 days. It's good to be home. There were quite a few of us caravanning on this trip. We were with Chris' Dad, Chris' brother Cort and his family, Clark(his brother) Carley (his sister). We went through Donner Pass and into Sacramento to visit Dylan & Karen. We didn't have a lot of time with them, but it was nice to see them. Then off to Anaheim on Sunday. What was to be a 6 hour drive turned into a 9 1/2 hour drive!!! UGH! It was a nightmare! But we finally made it. On Monday we had a free day so we decided to head down to Oceanside where Chris served his mission. We headed over to the beach and had fun in the waves.

Here is me trying to be a photographer. I just thought Reece's shadow was cute in the sand and water.

This was a fun pix. The tall one is uncle Clark that joined us for the day.

Here is a family pix that we SHOULD have taken before the kids got in the water!

Then off to Disneyland!!! Here are A LOT of pix. We were there for 4 DAYS going between DL & California Adventure!!

Here is Reece and I on the Dumbo ride. It's hard to see, but Reece has a HUGE smile on his face!!

All 5 cousins in the shirts Grandpa P got for them.

Here is Reece watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse LIVE! As you can see, HE LOVED IT!!

We went to a character breakfast. It was a little pricey, but VERY worth it!

This guy was fun. The Mad Hatter. He really interacted with the kids. Most of the characters couldn't talk, but he could and he was fun!

This is BY FAR may favorite picture of our whole vacation!! It was just perfect timing.

By the 3rd day, the kids were DONE with posing for pictures. That day we had a 'Bronco Day' where we all wore our Bronco Gear. You would be amazed how many people walked by saying, 'GO BRONCOS', 'BCS!!!', '12-0', those broncos sure have a great team!!'. It was kinda cool!

Reece was ELATED to see Buzz. He couldn't stop smiling!

One thing we did do TWICE was the Pixar Play parade in CA. It was a fun parade!

While Gabe and Selah were on a ride with Uncle Clark, Reece got to meet Tigger & Pooh.

There was a Reindeer Roundup area and Reece met Pluto with his antlers. What I mentioned before about the kids being tired of posing for pix, that does not include Reece. He LOVES posing!!!

The last night we were there was FANTASMIC. We had to sit and wait for about 3 hours. It was a nice break, but the kids were SO TIRED. This just shows how much energy they used all week, This picture was taken about 7:00.

A super fun week was had by all!! Thanks to the Petersons for a fun week.