Hewitt turns eight!!!

It's sorta hard to believe that Hewitt is eight years old!  When Hewitt woke up on Tuesday, he told Rob, "I don't think I can stop smiling today!"

 

The kids are out of school for fall break, so Hewitt started the day by going with Rob to the store to pick out the cereal of his choice (this year it was Fruit Loops.  By the way, Hewitt is always so good to share with his siblings). 

 

The primary chorister in our ward (Brenda) offers to make a cool balloon for the kids when they pass off the words to all the primary songs for the program.  We've been working on this all year and I had the kids pass the songs off to me for Family Home Evening last week.  When Brenda asked me if Tuesday morning would work to come over, I was thrilled.  I knew that Hewitt would love that on his birthday.  Great timing!

 

Blast off!!! 

Liv got fairy wings (even though she didn't learn the songs --Brenda is generous like that).  I love how Liv is holding her hands!!!  I promise I haven't taught her jazz hands! 

Pirate T

Captain Pirate-- don't mess with this guy. 

Awesome Brenda with the kids:

The kids were entertained all morning:

 Liv insisted on these awesome shoes.  Probably so she could run really fast!

We made (Sam's Club take and bake) pizza for lunch (Hewie's fave) and then his two good friends, Christopher and Aansh joined us to go bowling!

 About to get their "bowl" on...

Dancing to the "Chicken Dance"-- Tosh really got into it.

The boys bowled three games and then came home for cake and ice cream.  Hewitt is suddenly into Pokemon and asked for Pokemon cards for his birthday.  I felt like his cake wasn't terribly exciting this year (Hewitt has had some awesome cakes if I do say so myself).  He really wanted the chocolate bundt cake I make, so I just added some Pokemon figures to it.  Each kid picked a figure to keep. 

Thoughtfully making a wish:

Candles out on the first try:

Cute friends!

Happy Birthday, Hewitt!!! You are awesome and WE LOVE YOU!!!

not forgotten

I'm getting a bit behind on my blogging, and there are a few things I want to get on here before I forget to write about them. 

 

Tosh scored three goals at his soccer games two weeks ago!  Later that afternoon, Tosh walked into the kitchen and Rob said, "What's up, Hat Trick?" and Tosh laughed and said, "I'm not Patrick!"

 

We hired a friend of ours (Mark Benson) to do some built-ins in our family room (we've been talking about doing something like this since we moved in over three years ago).  It isn't quite done yet, but you get the idea. 

Hewitt has been doing front flips into the pool for quite some time.  Last month he mastered the back flip (made me quite nervous!) off our high wall.  One night after doing several great flips he said, "Wow.  If I lived in China they'd probably make me train for the Olympics!"

Liv made this tiara & pencil erasers creation all by herself and was so proud to show me:

 

I was able to get away to Sedona with my friend (and cousin-in-law) Cathy last weekend.  Neither of us had ever been there.  We felt very young (mostly seniors there), and were able to do lots of window shopping, got a mani/pedi, ate some really yummy food, and most just talked.  Nice girl time. 

 

We listened to the Relief Society Broadcast on Saturday night from our hotel room.  I took this shot from our hotel balcony at sunset (during President Eyring's great talk):

Coconut soup at a yummy Thai place:

We ended up going to the same place for lunch on both Friday AND Saturday!  This portabella sandwich was THAT amazing.    They even sat us at the exact same table (different server though).  We thought it was hilarious, but hey, it was an incredible sandwich. 

Sitting outside eating on the patio-

(It felt a little warm to Cathy, but I thought it was nice and cool in Sedona. Ha!)

Thanks for flying down, Cathy!  Love you!

classic!

Hewitt pulled out his own loose tooth last night (!) and this was found under his pillow along with the tooth:

 

I love this (hilarious) kid!!!

on the lighter side

It's been a while since I've posted funny things the kids have said/done.  Here are some random quips:

Burke over dinner: Did you know that curiosity travels at a speed of 2 hrs and 53 minutes every 400 meters?

Liv:  My belly button is tired. 

I noticed that oranges were on sale and cut some up for an after school snack last Monday.  The kids were so excited to have them again (we've been eating seasonal berries and melon all summer).  Burke asked, "Is it winter?!"  Of course it is still in the 90s/low 100s outside...

I asked Liv to pick up her things off the family room floor and she said, "Why?  Who is coming over?"

Hewitt has been really interested in poetry lately.  Here are a few of my favorites from a book poetry book he's been working on:

Mom's Horrible Habit

She ties all her hair to pigtails,

She calls herself Bert.

She twists and turns her body

Which I think makes her hurt.

My Parents are Not Cool
My dad saves up his money

To throw it all away.

But the trash can was not open

So he had a lucky day.

 

My mother played in mud.

She smelled so funky.

and up upon her head

is a helpless monkey.

This next one is my favorite!

 

My Big Cafeteria Lady

She's unlike naughty and nasty,

she cooks real good food.

I think she is pretty and

she's in a good mood.

She is really nice,

she has a good wig.

The problem is that

she is really, really big.

This next photo is from some of Hewitt's math work.  He was supposed to illustrate a story problem.  I love his drawings of the cow and turkey (looks like a cross between a turkey and peacock), but I really got a kick that he drew the farmer and added the note "not important."  So funny!

 

Other random notes from the last couple of weeks.  I was able to volunteer in Burke's class and help them celebrate "International Dot Day" on September 14th (happy 13th b-day to Rylan!).  I was at the Spin Art center (outside of the classroom).  It was fun for me to be outside (felt very comfortable in the shade with a breeze, by the way) and to get to talk with the kids while they worked on their "dot-ish" art.  Most kids told me that my center was their favorite and several came back 2 or 3 times.  I'm grateful that Burke doesn't seem too embarrassed by me yet.  :)

Some of the Spin Art drying in the classroom with the Dot sculpture creations:

Speaking of art, Liv is taking a "Messy Hands" class every Thursday morning, and a "Jump and Jive" class every Tuesday.  She is loving both and is so excited to finally be able to "go to school." 
Such focus:

I put photo books together for each kid (Christmas gift in 2010), and they have been pulled out for the first time in a long time.  Liv, especially, loves looking at the photos.  I caught this cute picture of her in the car with her book (fell asleep waiting at the bus stop).  The photos of Grandma Dunning and Grandpa Pete with the kids sure are special! 

I've been in the pool only twice in two weeks!  It is really cooling off, so we need to use it more before the swimming season is over. 

Playing airplane:

The kids were so full of energy on Sunday night (typical):

Yesterday was "Career/Community Helper Day" for kindergarten.  Tosh had a hard time deciding what he wanted to be.  He decided on "zoo keeper" and got excited about the outfit we put together on Monday night.  When Tuesday morning rolled around (minutes before leaving for school), he decided that he did not want to be a zoo keeper; he wanted to be a hunter!  I tried to explain that a hunter probably wasn't the best 'community helper' idea, and that it would probably be better to choose something else.  Tosh isn't looking too thrilled here, is he?

 I suggested that he could work at a wildlife preserve and help care for and keep wild animals safe.  He was fine with that idea, but kept asking me, "What am I again?"  all the way to school (he was to present to his class how he helps the community).  Honestly, what he really wants to be when he grows up is an international spy... He sure makes a cute zoo keeper/wildlife preservationist though.

Soccer is in full swing.  All FOUR boys are playing.  Rob is the captain of a co-ed team (most players are in our ward) that plays on Friday night.  They lost their first game, but it was fun to see Rob score a goal (he says it should have been three, but just missed).  I don't want this to come out the wrong way (I hate to sound braggy), but lots of our friends seem so surprised/impressed with Rob.  He does a lot of things very well (it can actually be kind of annoying-ha!), and he really did look really good and still pretty darn fast out on the field.  I think everyone was feeling a little old and out of "soccer" shape, but they all had a blast.  I'm getting a babysitter this week (later game) so it will be nice to really sit and watch without distractions.   

I love my family.  That is all. 

JRP

Last Sunday morning, we got texts from my mother-in-law, Patti:  "Hey, if u r fasting u might include rog in your prayers.  He is having some tests done and we need your faith and prayers for positive results.  Thanks. Love u.  Pattimom"

 

Rob called his mom's cell number and his dad answered.  Rob learned that they found some lumps in Roger's lymph nodes and were waiting for biopsy results.  Rog assured Rob that he felt great and wasn't really concerned.  They had a nice visit--longer than usual.

 

Monday morning (Labor Day), Rob was sitting on our bed talking to me while I was finishing up getting ready in the bathroom.  We were discussing our week and were making plans to do some organizing in our house before going to Rob's cousin's (the Fishers) for a BBQ.  The phone rang and it was Rob's brother asking if he had heard about their dad; he had fallen in the driveway and was at the hospital.  Rob immediately called his mom and after a couple of seconds looked up at me and said, "He is gone. My dad just died." 

 

Rog had gone outside to edge the grass and found by some joggers.  We aren't exactly sure what happened, but it seems that his heart stopped and he died very quickly (possibly before hitting the ground). 

 

Doug Smith, cardiologist and good friend and neighbor across the street, had spent about 20 minutes looking for his bag when he heard yelling outside.  He was one of the first on the scene and neither he nor the paramedics were able to resuscitate Roger.  I'm sure this was a huge comfort to Patti to have Doug there.  What a tender mercy that he was "unable" to find his bag (later found in plain sight)  and was home to help. 

 

Another blessing that I've thought a lot about is that Rob's 13 year-old niece was outside mowing the back yard and possibly walked right by her grandpa without noticing him on the ground.  I feel very grateful that it wasn't a grandchild that discovered him. 

 

We left for Utah first thing on Tuesday morning.  It is interesting that our "busy" week full of school, meetings, practices and games didn't seem to matter at all.  We were both very anxious to gather with Rob's mom and siblings. Rob was able to help his mother make arrangements and I hope we were of some support to his sisters as well.  There was a lot of work to do and very little sleep happening.   

 

We are so grateful for the love and support we have felt from friends and loved ones.   I am anxious to put 2012 behind me.  It has been quite the year for my little family.  I feel that the hole in my heart has gotten bigger, but I also can't deny the love and peace that I feel through my tears.  We now have two angels in heaven that I believe I am safe to say were probably two of our biggest cheerleaders!  I pray that Rog and my mom will continue to cheer us on from the other side, and that they will watch out for and protect my children especially. 

 

Maybe I'll be able to express myself more eloquently in the coming weeks... For now I will share some photos and post a link to the great video about Rog (John Roger Peterson).

 

I love you, Rog.  Thanks for loving me and treating me like one of your own.  Jeg er glad i deg!



 

Rob and me wearing Rog and Patti's matching Norwegian sweaters:

Link to the awesome video about Rog (the first song is one of Rob's... His dad sold more copies of the Mulberry Drive album than anyone put together I'm pretty sure):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li9MXhUi7m4

And last, a video I took of Rob's siblings practicing a musical number for the funeral.  They are all fantastic!  I married into a great family, for sure.  Love you guys! XOXO