livvy starts school!

Wow!  Lots of fun stuff to cover this week.  Here is what I remember, anyway.

Hewitt was in charge of Family Home Evening last Monday.  His lesson included these awesome "Super Heroes" he created: 

Are  you making a right choice?  Or a wrong choice?  This superhero will help you figure that out.   He will always make sure you choose the right.

 Ummm, free agency?  Lol.

Scripture Power makes sure you know whether you are reading the scriptures or not.  He teaches everybody about the gospel in the scriptures.

 There may come a time when you can't tell if you are reading the scriptures or watching a movie, let's say.  :)

Word of Wisdom is the superhero of anti-drugs, poison, smoking, and other bad stuff that could make you really sick.  Make sure you don't get into these things!

 Well said.

Anti-Killer is the super-hero of kindness and also makes sure everybody follows the 6th commandment.  "Thou shalt not kill."  

 This one is my favorite because it seems pretty original (!), he used the word "shalt" AND mostly because Hewitt knows that this is the sixth commandment.  Good memory.

Liv started preschool this week!  She goes for two hours just twice a week.  She was SO EXCITED to get to go to school like her brothers!  It is pretty liberating to have even just a couple of hours to myself.  It is certainly the beginning of a new chapter:  No babies or toddlers!  Crazy.

Here she is walking up to the school and inside the classroom.
She LOVED it!

After I dropped Liv off on Thursday, I ran to Tosh's school for a Kindergarten awards assembly (and then I went to Target by myself--it was wonderful!!!).  Tosh was cracking me up.  I love this shot with his arm around another boy (helping him find his mom, maybe?):

 
Tosh got the "reading" award for his class.  He really is an excellent reader (he goes to another class to meet with two other kids for his reading group because he is so far ahead of the other kids in his class.  That sounded braggy.  Sorry!).

Tosh was super obnoxious, woops, I mean energetic when he received his award from the principal.  Thankfully his teacher loves him and thinks he is hilarious (look at her laughing at him in this pic above!)

This is an awesome shot I got of Tosh when he was running/dancing back into his spot in line.  Such a ham!!!

Afternoon tea with "Lady Liv":

On Friday morning we were excited to discover a hot air balloon taking off right across the street!  

Liv started a ballet/tap class this week.  I don't know which one of us was more excited about it (me maybe?).  I think she looks so sweet here:

We had a little excitement on Friday night (Saturday morning, actually!).  Our smoke detectors in the entire house started going off at 3:45AM!  Rob was pretty out of it (funny side note).  We ran around making sure there wasn't smoke anywhere in the house, and were shocked that the kids weren't running out of their rooms.  In fact, it took about 5-7 minutes for any of them to even react!  Liv was the first one out of bed and Tosh cried a bit, but never really woke up (my deepest sleeper for sure!).  It took Burke a long time to wake up as well.  Anyway, after 15 minutes of trying to get it shut off, we called the non-emergency number for the fire department and they sent a truck over.  Those of you that have been here will know that there is a station right by our house.  The firefighters checked every room (I think this is what finally woke Burke up).  Turns out that the alarm in Burke's room had a red blinking light (now we know what to look for).  They cleaned it out (dust) and were loading back in their truck when the alarms all went off again and Rob chased them down.  They took the detector outside to clean out with a better machine, and that seemed to do the trick.  We will be cleaning all of them out soon.  This is happening a lot we hear, and I think it is because people are having to use their heaters since it is so cold!  It's blowing more dust around.

Rob answering the door at 4:00AM.  Couldn't resist snapping a shot:

On Saturday morning, Rob and Liv grabbed donuts at Bosa's while the boys worked on chores. Hewitt made an awesome "thank you" card and we all went over to the firehouse.

They were so awesome with the kids; they gave them stickers and hats and let them explore the truck!

The boys had soccer practices on Saturday, and I went running with my friend Alecia that afternoon.  We did 10.44 miles--my longest run ever!  Some days feel better than others, and I certainly wasn't feeling my best.  Maybe it was the 'up in the middle of the night for a long time' or something (ha!).  Everyone seemed very tired by Saturday night.  Our friends Fred and Char gave us a gift card to IHOP so we took the kids there for dinner.  I wasn't really feeling like eating breakfast food so I got a suggestion from the server about the best "dinner" food there.  I ended up getting steak tips with grilled mushrooms and onions with mashed potatoes, corn (lots of butter), and a side salad.  I was starving!!!  I must admit that I was shocked at how good my dinner tasted. The steak was sort of sweet and tasted wonderful.  Going to IHOP to order steak sounds so weird to me, but I may have to do it again.  The boys loved their food as well.  Hewitt ordered fish and broccoli and wanted seconds!  They kids are all asking to go back.  Who knew?

So I'm pretty sure I have mentioned that Rob and I are going on our Stake Pioneer Trek with the youth in March (during spring break).  All of the Ma's and Pa's were asked to put together a skit for a fireside on Sunday.  We were divided into three groups and our group was all the people going from our ward (a lot!).  It was fun to already know everyone in our group--all great and fun people. We were also supposed to be in full pioneer attire, so I spent Monday afternoon making an apron (thanks to my friend Brooke for helping me).

I tried to re-create the "Emma" type hairstyle I wore as a preforming missionary in Nauvoo (1996):

 This was such an AMAZING experience!  I should write about that sometime.

 Anyway, our skit ended up being pretty awesome.  It was a take off of an SNL skit (Immigrant's Tale).  We were all sitting around the campfire talking about our hopes and dreams for our posterity.  We all played different characters including the ancestors of Mitt Romney, Jimmer Fredette, Beyonce, our entire stake presidency, Steve Jobs, the Marriotts, etc.   We then busted into a parody of "Gangnam Style" which was very popular this year (complete with some original choreography, of course!).  I don't have the video yet (I can post that later maybe?),  but I thought you might enjoy hearing the song that Rob and I devoted quite a bit of energy to!   We are dorks!!!

 Our pool had a layer of ice on it this morning.  Brrrrr!

 Liv set the table for "a party" using all sorts of paper plates and plastic spoons.  She was so bummed when I finally said it was time to put it away.  She said, "But my friends haven't come to my party yet!?"  I love her sweet and funny faces.  I should also mention that she was singing an original song while she set the table.  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

 

ringing in 2013

Happy New Year!  I was ready for a new year. You?

Burke and Rob spent about 6 hours putting together a new ping pong table that the kids got for Christmas.  Over 200 screws!  

 The first couple of mornings after it was set up the kids would wake up and go straight to the garage to start playing...allowing Rob and me to sleep in.  I must confess that I have slept in until 10AM more than once this break!  Unheard of.  The kids are clearly growing up.

A friend of mine passed down a bunch of princess-type dress ups to Liv.  She loves being 'fancy' of course, and still changes clothes several times a day.  The other day she said, " Don't call me Liv anymore.  Call me Princess."

 Sure sounds like it's been cold everywhere this week.  Rob and I are becoming temperature wimps for sure.  We layer up like crazy, yet the cooler weather doesn't seem to phase the kids.  I had on four thick layers last Sunday evening and Tosh was running around without a shirt (typical).  What a nut!

We spent most of  last Sunday evening and Monday morning working on an old school candy wrapper puzzle together as a family.  I love that the kids are all at an age where we can do puzzles and play games (+ the sleeping in = living the dream!).

I could go for a frozen Charleston Chew right now!  

 We started the new year with haircuts for the boys (yippee).  We had never taken Tosh anywhere to get his hair cut before (We usually just buzz it in the spring, or I attempt to trim it--yikes).  Burke was the first to go and Tosh and Liv were very interested in watching.  This was taken just as the stylist was shaving up the back and so Burke's hair looks like a "Mom" cut here:

After the trims, we went to Target to let the kids spend their Christmas money from Grandpa Dunning and Grandma Helen.  Liv was SO excited to get this new outfit for her dance class that starts this week!  She was so cute at the check out using her own money :)

On New Year's Day we decided to grill, which we haven't done in a very long time, it seems.  I love me a loaded BBQ burger with lots of veggies including grilled pineapple.  YUMMM-ME!

Burke and I had fun messing around with the camera and a flashlight the other night.  We tried all different angles to make it look like he was holding an 'orb' of some sort.  I love it when Burke gets creative AND lets me take photos of him (bonus).

It was really great to have Rob home for several days during Christmas and New Year's.  The kids have really gotten into having Rob read to them from our "Berenstein Bear" collection lately.  He uses a different voice/accent for each character and the kids laugh and laugh while he reads.  I love this 2nd shot of Liv yawning...

Our friends Melanie and Dan were kind enough to invite us to go to a Suns/Jazz game with them on Friday night.  Dan's law firm has a box at the US Airways Center.  It was pretty sweet to park like 15 feet from the door and get to watch the game while visiting and eating lots of great (and free!) food.  Such a fun night!

Saturday morning was cold (32 degrees), yet I got out of bed early and went for a 6 mile run.  Then I waited until about 4:45pm and then did 4 more miles. The later run was much warmer, but my knees and feet were feeling it a bit.   I'm feeling pretty excited about this upcoming race.  I still don't consider myself  a "runner," yet I am finally starting to think, "I love this" while I am doing it instead of just after I am finished.  Progress.  I'll take it.

So when I got home from my morning run, I discovered Rob and the boys rearranging bedrooms.  New year, new changes.  Burke is now in his room by himself with all of the Legos.  Burke is our neatest kid and I am hoping that this might help our Legos to stay off of the floor!  This project (moving beds and furniture) took most of Saturday.  I had the idea to put one of our card tables in Burke's room so we have a proper place for Lego building.  We are also finally able to have the Harry Potter sets out on display:

We moved Hewitt into Tosh's room and bunked their beds (Liv has LOVED climbing up to snuggle with Hewitt).  I took all of these photos at night and right before bed so the lighting is terrible, but you get the idea.

The sweetest thing was that Hewitt made this new sign for their door.  I seriously got teary-eyed when I saw it.  I must have said something like, "Awww," and Hewitt smiled all embarrassed, but cute like and said, "I knew I shouldn't have drawn us holding hands (wrinkle-nosed smile)..."   Darling!

The new year also means that we have a new Sunbeam in the family!  All of our kids are in primary this year (the only year all four will be in the primary program this fall).  Liv didn't have her best week in sharing time, but she certainly wasn't the worst kid either (it doesn't help that I'm in there).  I took these awesome shots of her tonight.  That is some serious hair!

I am planning to get the kids into the dentist for cleanings early tomorrow morning, and then it's back to school for everyone on Tuesday, even Liv!  We're starting a new chapter for sure!

Christmas twenty twelve

Merry Christmas! 
Nothing says "Christmastime" quite like my Mom's vintage pin: 

 

Burke's very first band concert was two weeks ago.  It was really fun to watch him play.  After each song he would hurry to switch percussion instruments.  He had a solo on the snare drum and wood block and did an excellent job.  It made me feel old to have a kid old enough to be in the band!

 

I wasn't sure if Santa was going to make it this year.  We've had some sketchy behavior around here:

Liv continues to show more independence all of the time.  I should add that she has a killer memory, although she isn't much of a secret keeper.  We bought a Christmas present for Rob last week and I told her several times that it was a surprise for Dad and not to tell him what it was... Well, the second Rob walked in the door from work she announced, "Dad!  We bought you a soccer ball for Christmas and it's a surprise." 

This photo of Liv shows that she helped herself to some pudding (did not ask permission) and used a measuring teaspoon to transfer the pudding into a little medicine dropper.  She is such a mess maker!  It doesn't phase her much when I get frustrated anymore.  She will just sweetly say, "I'm sorry.  I love you, Mommy!"  and go on her merry way.

I went to a "holiday" party for the fifth graders put on by a bunch of moms.  They did a "secret snowman" exchange and it was fun to see how excited they were to give each other gifts.  I was able to join a group of kids in a big snowball fight (with balled up paper). 

I was very happy when school got out to have a break from making school lunches!  No more for the entire year :)

Some friends brought us a big bag of "Chicago Mix" popcorn, and I must admit that although the caramel and cheese combo did NOT sound good, it has become my favorite new snack!  Check it out if you haven't already.

We've spent some good time outside this month.  I've been running about 3x a week, and am finding longer runs (6-7 miles) to be quite comfortable and even enjoyable!  I hope to do 8 miles this weekend (got to counter against all the treats!).

We met up with some neighbor kids at the park last Saturday and Rob taught the kids how to play "Mission" and then they played soccer tag.  Although I love me a "White Christmas," I really enjoy that the kids can do things outside all year here. 

I had to be extra sneaky to get photos of Burke playing both the piano and drums on Sunday morning.  He is getting so good!  He gets so bugged when I try to take his photo and chases after me. 

One of my very favorite traditions we have is to take the kids Christmas shopping for each other.  This year we decided to go to Target.  We divided up and gave the kids some money to supplement their own allowance money.  I should note that Hewitt was the most generous with his own money.  Each of the kids was so careful about looking around and deciding what to get each other.  I love this because not only do they learn about how great it is to give, but they become more aware about how much things cost! 

I had the kids take turns wrapping their gifts before church on Sunday.  Hewitt was so thoughtful (and funny) when picking out the wrapping paper for Burke's gift.  He said, "For an older kid that likes blue, this should do the trick!" 

We got these cute reindeer root beers from some friends and we told Tosh he had to wait until Christmas Eve to drink his.  It was a long wait! 

A drawback of living in AZ is that we aren't by our parents or siblings. I've had the thought, "If you aren't able to be with family then create your own!"  We have been so blessed to spend time with some great friends this week.   We got together with friends for dinner both on Christmas Eve Eve (Sunday) and Christmas Eve.  On Christmas Eve we went to dinner at the Lindahl's (have just moved to Gilbert) with two other families.  We had a big ham dinner and I brought two pans of "funeral" potatoes, jello salad, and a dessert.  The adults and teenagers participated in a 'White Elephant' gift exchange and we decided to frame this beauty of Rob (complete with signature) and give to give away.  Oh how we make ourselves laugh. 

The kids acted out the Nativity and Rob played his guitar while we all sang some Christmas songs. 

It was a fun, late night and Liv got an early start to her "visions of sugarplums" on the way home.

I was ahead of schedule this year (didn't wait until Christmas Eve to start my wrapping for once!) but we were still up late.  Love this photo (a little test drive around midnight).  Classic Rob.

The kids slept in on Christmas morning (I think Tosh was the last one up around 8:30).  We made a yummy breakfast of eggs, toasted English muffins, sausage, frozen peaches, and orange juice.  (Don't judge that we ate on paper plates!  I made chocolate mousse pies and sweet potato pie before breakfast and had just started the dishwasher...).

When we sat down to pray together and eat, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for our Savior and our little family and the many blessings we have.  (Rob and I both got teary during the prayer.)  I love these cuties! 

 



After cleaning up breakfast, the kids were allowed into the living room to see what Santa left.

A little blurry, but you can see the excitement about having her own "big girl" bike!

I took this next photo of Hewitt, but then realized how truly awesome Liv looks up in the corner of this photo (I zoomed in for you).  She is a pro on her bike!  I went with her to the mailbox today and she seriously FLIES.  It sort of scares me to death.  

The kids were so cute opening the gifts from each other.  Again, this is very blurry, but you can see Hewitt's reaction to realizing that he and Tosh bought each other the exact same thing!

 Lots of hugs! 

The kids expressed interest in some very practical things this year like new backpacks and electric toothbrushes.  Tosh got the exact backpack he was hoping for from Grandma Pete! 

Hmmm.  Sounds like Legos!

A sweet shot of Tosh and his new pillow pet:

 

This is random, but a few weeks ago I found this photo and have had it on our fridge all month.  This is me and my siblings on Christmas Day in 1984 maybe?  I love that Mark is playing with a puppet doll I got, and Mindy is reading my "Santa Bear" Berenstein Bear book.  Her hat and leg warmers are totally awesome!  It was so great to talk to my brother Todd and Dad yesterday (missed you Min and Mark!).

Tosh (well, his teacher really) gave us the sweetest gift!  A calendar for next year full of his hand prints.  I actually helped the kids with a couple of the pages (a leprechaun and turkey), but had no idea what they were for.  Such a wonderful gift (and made me cry!): 

 

I was so excited to actually have a few surprises for Rob this year.  He is really hard to buy for--mostly because he usually doesn't like what I get, doesn't want anything (doesn't want me to spend any money!), or we decide on something together so it's never a surprise.  Well, this year I surprised him with a few things including some new down pillows for our bed and had this picture framed of him and his dad: 

This was taken by Rob's Aunt Peg at our family reunion this summer and I just happened to think to look through all of the dropbox family files (for the first time!) a few weeks ago.  This was the last photo in Peg's "Peterson" folder and it was such a treasure to discover!  This is *so* Rog; taking an opportunity to teach--in this case at the archery range.  I like to think that he (and my mom) are still close by, helping us along by whispering instructions and advice to us. 

We invited our friends the Lybberts (joined us for Christmas Eve dinner two years ago) over for Christmas dinner last night.  We had turkey and stuffing and all the fixings.  They brought a ham and pretzel jello (new tradition) and it was a lovely dinner and evening including lots of carols at the piano. 

 

I certainly feel very blessed and appreciative of our dear family and friends!  I love you and pray for you and wish you the very best for the coming year.  Thank you for your generosity and for being part of our lives.