back to school

All of our boys started new schools today! We made the decision a couple of months back to try to get our older boys into a new academy opening in Chandler (Knox Gifted Academy). I've felt a little bad about putting Burke in the third new school since we moved here two years ago (this weekend is our two-year anniversary in AZ), but I have to say that I feel very strongly that they are in the right place and this was a good decision. I was thrilled to learn this past week the boys will be learning Mandarin and possibly keyboarding (piano) as well! Total bonus and great opportunity.

Getting back into a routine is always a good thing. I will be driving the boys to school every morning, and they will be taking the bus home (I will pick them up at an elementary school that is much closer to our house). This school starts and ends a little later each day, which allows more time in the mornings for piano lessons/practice at home.

I got some photos of the boys before school today (they were unusually calm and quiet. Nerves maybe?):

Both Burke and Hewitt had a great day.

Tosh started afternoon preschool at our "home" elementary school (where Burke went for 2nd grade). I think he loved getting to go to the big elementary school, and was acting so grown up all afternoon. He even requested to start piano lessons when Rob got home from work, and then jumped off of our high wall into the pool for the first time tonight. This cutie is sure growing up!

Liv wanted her picture taken as well, and was oh, so disappointed that she was not able to stay at school with Tosh. She screamed the entire way home (kicked off shoes, pulled her pigtails out, etc.), and when I got her out of her car seat, her face was covered in snot and her hair was literally wet with sweat (it is sure hot here!). Poor girl. I explained that we would go back to pick Tosh up in a couple of hours, and she finally calmed down and said, "OK" and then took a four hour nap!

Here's to an exciting new year of learning and discovery for all of us!

vacay wrap up

Our three week vacation flew by! We tried to pack in as much as possible and were able to see lots of great friends while in Utah. I didn't get a ton of photos, but here are a couple of cute ones:

My mother-in-law invited my nieces and their husbands over for dinner and games one night. We had a fun time and Liv loved all of the attention (and wearing her cousin's jewelry):

Eating at the BYU creamery after going to the Bean museum with friends:

Rob and the boys went fishing with Grandpa Pete:

I was able to visit with lots of old friends (old roommates, girls I used to sing with, neighbors, etc.), and spend lots of time holding babies; two of my very favorite things. Here I am holding my new twin nephews. Holding (and caring for) two babies is no small task!

After two weeks in Utah, we drove up to Sunriver, Oregon for a reunion with Rob's family. We really had a great time with everyone and have to say that the weather felt wonderful up there. It was unusually cool (highs in the low 70's, and a couple days of rain showers), and it was really great for biking, jogging, and playing tennis. I tried to divide my time between doing something active outside and holding babies and visiting with family.

Here are some photo highlights:

Grandma and Grandpa Pete with all of their grandchildren:

Rob's brother's boys holding their twin cousins:The ever popular game table. Check out the gorgeous windows looking out to the forest of trees!

The younger crowd really enjoyed the air hockey table (and my SIL and I even got in a good game):
Rob's younger sisters with Liv:
Rob with his parents and siblings:
The siblings:

The best photo I got from the entire week:Tosh rode non-stop on his new scooter (photo taken by Rob's youngest sis):
And I love this photo that Rob's older sister took:

We were sad to say goodbye and leave Oregon. In my opinion, it really was the best Peterson reunion that I have been to. Lots of game playing, singing, visiting, etc.

Our final stop was my brother's house in Fresno, CA. We enjoyed the drive through northern California, especially Mt. Shasta. We had fun hanging out with my sister-in-law and my nieces and nephews. Unfortunately my brother was in India on business. :(

We went over to my sister-in-law's parents' house to swim and have a BBQ. Their property is pretty unbelievable; 2 1/2 acres with a gorgeous pool and pool house, pond, etc. I had to get a photo of the fridge in the pool house. It is filled with treats! Full-sized candy bars, etc.
The kids having a blast in the pool with their cousins:
We survived our final day of driving (got home on Friday night), and drove about 46 hours total, about 3000 miles in all. We had a blast and hope to do something similar again next summer. My heart feels very full thinking of all of our dear friends and family and how much I already miss everyone! Love you all.

AZ to UT

I'm a little late in writing this post. A few highlights from last week include the last swimming lessons for the season:

Miss Mindy working with Liv on her "monkey walk" around the pool wall:

Burke's freestyle is looking very pretty. Here's his backstroke:

Each swimming lesson ends with diving practice:

I caught Hewitt doing a great big jump:

Taking a break from the water:

Love this cartwheel sequence of Hewitt that I caught one evening:

Tosh and Rob having fun:

OK, enough pool shots.

We had fun with Grandma and Grandpa Dunning last week. They even babysat the kids on Friday evening so we could go out to dinner with some friends (thanks!). Tosh was a great helper one night and helped my dad assemble their new exercise bike:

This photo of Tosh holding this wrench like a moustache turned out so funny because of the flash!

Grandma and Grandpa Peterson brought back this cute dress from Armenia. It fits Liv perfectly, and she loves it. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Pete!

We left Arizona on Saturday morning and arrived in Provo about 7pm or so. We were able to celebrate with Rob's sister for her 40th birthday that evening along with Rob's youngest sister. I was able to spend lots of time holding babies this weekend (our cute 4 month-old niece, and the 6 week-old twin nephews).

We went to the parade in Provo on the 4th with my niece Melanie and her husband Kevin. It was nice and overcast and I think it was Rob's first positive parade experience :). We all had a great time. Here are a few pics:

Tosh's face while watching the Star Wars float and "Storm Troopers" walk by:

Classic shot of Burke plugging his ears while the loud firetrucks go by:

Kevin, Liv, and Melanie:
Me with Liv and Mel:

Favorite shot of the week; Hewitt's face as the Scooby Doo float went by:
We are having a great trip catching up with friends and family! More to come from the UT....