Happy 10th Birthday.Noah!!

Noahs 10th Birthday was on November 23.I haven't got to post till now since we were in California for it.The sunday before his birthday,Grandma and Grandpa Peterson (who live here in Utah)came over for a early birthday celebration for Noah since we were going to be gone in California for it.We had a dinner of Meatloaf and mashed potatos and green beans ( a favorite dinner of Noahs) and Cheesecake for dessert ( also a favorite of Noahs).Grandma and Grandpa Peterson gave Noah such wonderful gifts such as all his Weeblos stuff that he needed for scouts,warm pjs,frosted animal cookies ( which is a tradition for the grandkids presents) and money!He also got a leather jacket,new outfit,new book and Home Alone Dvd series from us.Fast Forward to his official birthday Nov 23 ( in California,which was a bday wish) with his Grandma and Grandpa Dastrup and cousins and Aunts and Uncles. We went to Extreme Pizza and had Baskin Robbins Icecream cake and lots more fun presents another great book series,Helicopter with remote control,spycar with remote control and video and spyglasses! What a fun Birthday for you Noah! I sure love my Noah Bear! I am so glad you had such a fun 10th birthday!!

Family Halloween Party

On saturday before Halloween,my Mom and Dad put on a wonderful Halloween Party for the grandkids and their parents.It was so fun!We played pumpkin bowling,Balloon darts(the balloons were filled with $1 bills),bobbing for apples,we made ding dong spiders and had a balloon race with all the grandkids.So fun! We had a wonderful dinner of homemade soups with muffins and other yummy sides and apples with carmel sauce and yummy cupcakes for dessert.Then if the kids didnt get enough sugar Grandma sent all the kids home with treat bags of goodies.=) It was such a wonderful time. I really treasure these family times together.Thanks so much for all you do Grandma and Grandpa Peterson!Love you!

My baby is 5 !

I can't believe my baby is 5! Its going by too fast! Van will be in Kindegarten in August! Its just crazy to me to see my kids grow up so fast. Van is such a sweet kid. He always says such nice things to me.He always tells me he loves me. I think my favorite way he told me he loved me was a few weeks ago... In the bathroom, I was combing his hair and he said " Mom,guess who I love?" I said who? He said , "You!"I just adore him so much.He is such a blessing in my life. I could never feel unloved when I am around Van.He is my sweet baby,he will always be my baby no matter how old he gets. I love you so much Van!

Happy 12th Birthday Caston!!

Caston I can't believe you are 12! I am so proud of the person you are.You
amaze me everyday with your talents and abilities.I still remember when they placed
you in my arms when you were born,this tiny 6 pounds and 12 ounce, precious baby.I have never before experienced love so fast so soon.Your tiny little fingers and toes.You were my first baby and I thank Heavenly Father everyday for sending you to me.I feel such honor to be your Mother.Always know how special you are,how much you mean to your father and I and your Heavenly Father.We love you so very much!We are so excited to see you receive the Priesthood and to advance to Young Mens.We are so proud of your decision to do so.We hope you have a wonderful Birthday!

Romantic Anniversary Getaway!

James and I celebrated our 13th Wedding Anniversary on April 3.We decided to go somewhere warm since we both were aching for some warmth on our skin.We decided to go to Palm Springs. We found this Beautiful Resort and Spa called the Miramonte Resort and Spa. It was so Beautiful and peaceful there.It was so nice to see green grass and beautiful flowers after a long winter. We didnt do a alot (nice!) but lay out in the sun,swim,hot tubbed and ate.We did go to the Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs which is the Worlds largest rotating tramcar, which takes you up Chino Canyon.It is a 10 minute ride at the Valley Station – elevation 2,643 ft. and end at the Mountain Station – elevation 8,516 ft.When you get up there you can see the whole city.We got to see it in the daylight and night light since we went up there before sunset. When you get up there, there is a huge building on the side of the mountain which has 2 restaurants, one highend " Peaks" and one cafetria style "Pines".There is a gift shop and little museum.We chose to have our Anniversary dinner at "Peaks".It was delicious and the view was just gorgeous!It was such a wonderful trip!Thanks again hunny!Happy Anniversary!!

"Luke"

Well I never thought I would agree to getting a dog,but as some of you know (who have children) your love and desire for them to be happy is unconditional.
So after years of my kids begging for a dog,my 9 year old Noah writes James and I a 2 1/2 page letter of how much he wants a puppy and how he will take care of him all the time and love us Forever if we get him one. How could we resist? I did tell him since I am not a dog person ( I prefer my kitties.) I would be picking out the dog because it had to be the cutest dog ever since I know I would be doing the taking care of, even with the sincerity of Noah's promises.I think I did find the cutest dog ever.Luke is making me into more of a dog person.He is the sweetest,cutest,cuddliest doggie ever! But man will I be happy when he is potty-trained!Ughhhhh!!!!

Valentines Day

We had a wonderful Valentines day this year. I planned a Valentine themed dinner of heart-shaped meatloaf and pink parmesean mashed potatos and grapes for dinner. Then I prepared a Fhe lesson on "Love at Home".Teaching the kids about how important it is to be kind to each other and bringing the Spirit into our home so we can feel love and peace.We needed this lesson.It went well, I even gave all of us a challege this week to be kind to everyone no matter how they are being treated,so we can see if there is more love and peace in our home with our kids getting along more.Then for dessert we had chocolate dipped strawberries and carmel chocolate apples.We all enjoyed it.

Happy Birthday Miss Maddie!

Maddie had a fun birthday. We didnt do a friend party, but me and her had mommy and daughter time all day. I completely dedicated all my time to her on her special day January 13.We started the day with her favorite special breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes and bacon.Then we went to Claires and got her earspierced.She has been so excited to get her earspierced.Pretty much all she has talked about for a couple of months,more and more as the time got close.=)Then we did some shopping,spent way too much.But since she is my only girl I think its fine.=)
Then we went to Madelines Resteraunt here in South Jordan.This is the second year in a row we have gone on her birthday.This might be a fun tradition.She loves it because ofcourse its her same name, only spelled a little different.We then came home and watched some movies together and cuddled.Needless to say she thought it was the best birthday ever! Happy 7th Birthday my Beautiful girl!

Happy Holidays!

I think we had one of our best Christmas/New Years yet! We were able to finacially help a couple of families in our immediate family this year and it felt so wonderful!I hope we will be able to do that again.It was the best feeling and really good for the kids to learn about the gift of giving.
James's whole family came up for the holidays and we had such a wonderful time with them even through the freezing temperatures.We had 3 families staying with us. I was a little concerned it might get to crazy,but everyone helped with cleaning and cooking and it turned out to be one of the best times ever spent with them. We went on the Trax and went to Temple square and saw the Beautiful temple lights,we went sledding a few times,movies,shopping,went to Classic skating and The Mayan. Even had an Adult night out and went to one of our favorite restaurants, The Trio Cafe and then to a movie with the help of Caston and my 2 nieces Lizzy and Victoria watching the younger kids.
The kids had alot of fun with their cousins and aunts and uncles playing in the snow building forts and going in the jucuzzi.They were so funny,they would run to the jucuzzi outside in the snow,barefeet mind you, get in the jucuzzi, then get out of the jucuzzi jump on the snow filled trampoline then run around the back yard and jump right back in the jucuzzi. It was one of the funniest things youve seen,seeing them laughing the whole time.What it would feel like to be a kid again!
So fun! I am so grateful for these wonderful memories that were created this holiday season and for all that we have. I am truely blessed and truely grateful.