Cody Max Petersen

Everyone knows I am the biggest animal lover.... So here's the story of how we got our new dog Max. I took the kids to do some last minute Christmas shopping. Landon spotted puppies going into the PetSmart. He threw himself a fit because he wanted to go see the puppies and hold one. When we walked through the doors I saw a bunch of kennels full of puppies being adopted. So of course, I start looking at them and trying to pick one out to hold and I spotted this yellow lab. I thought, "He's beautiful!" I immediately fell in love him and I called Curtis to see if he would like to get that for Landon. He was on board with it so we took him home with us. They vet told us his name was Cody. On the way home Landon kept saying his name was "Max." So I told Landon we needed to pick a name and stick with it either Max or Cody. When we got home Landon told Curtis his dog's name was "Super" Cody Max Petersen. (Now we just call him "Max.")He was so happy to have a dog. I have to say we really lucked up with Max. He came to us fully house broken (even though he only sleeps inside) and he is very laid back and relaxed with the kids. We love our new buddy Max!

Christmas on the Square

Every year my home town does a craft festival called "Christmas on the Square." They have tons of handmade crafts, toys, food, entertainment, etc. This year they were supposed to have Santa come and take pictures, but it ended up not happening. However, I made the kids these reindeer shirts (minus Cooper because he was in Ohio) to show Santa. (I love doing crafty things with my kids for them to have in their keep-sake box.) Even though they didn't get to meet Santa that day, they still looked adorable in their reindeer shirts!

Gracie= Leader of the "Pack"

Landon=Second in "Command"

Addison=Third one is a charm!

(fits them to a tee....)

Baby "Ash"

Addison names all of her baby dolls "Ash." Mom and I were walking through Wal-Mart and we saw this baby doll and I thought it looked just like Addison. Whenever we gave it to her she said, "Baby Ash." I must be pretty special for her to name all of her "babies" after me!

Thanksgiving 2011

Things I'm thankful for:

(1) Curtis- He is my rock and my best friend. He is such a hard-worker and awesome daddy. He truly was meant for me!

(2) My kids- My kids are my life and I love my life with them! I cherish them and I love them both so much! I'm thankful my Heavenly Father gave them to me and Curtis. I am also thankful for the guardian angels that watch over them (especially Landon) and keep them safe from harm.

(3) Family- I have an awesome family (my family and Curtis's family). Both of our families are very supportive and love the grandchildren more than you can imagine. 

(4) My Testimony- I'm grateful for the Church in my life. I have a testimony of its truthfulness that grows everyday. I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know my Heavenly Father has a purpose for me and if I follow Jesus' example and teach my children the things the Prophets have taught us that we will all be together for eternity and I couldn't ask for more. 

(5) Friends- This is year was a bittersweet one for our family. Curtis and I moved our family across the country and left our friends and his family. When we got to Florida we were both emotionally drained from the tears we shed. However, we both know this is where we need to be and we are happy adjusting to farm life!

I assembled a Black Friday team this year (so I could get EVERYTHING on my list). Dad gave us some Valley View shirts at dinner and we decided that we would all go matching together. Not pictured: Maggie, Mannie, Jacob, Morgan, Derek, Chris. (Yes, I had a very big team!) We started at 7pm and all got home about 5am. We had so much and got EVERYTHING and them some on our list. It was awesome. By the way, we host "try-outs" for next year's team if you'd like to turn in an application just email it to me ;) HAHA!

Landon's Preschool Thanksgiving Party

Landon's preschool does so much fun stuff for their students and I love that! For Thanksgiving they put on a little skit (boys were indians, girls were pilgrims) and did the first Thanksgiving skit and songs. It was priceless to watch Landon and Gracie perform their skits together. Afterwards there was a big feast and the kids made their own place mats to eat on. It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to have more school parties!

Party in Addison's Crib

One morning I went in Addison's room to get her out of bed. I always tell her good morning as I'm walking up to her crib.  When I walk through the bedroom door she says as she giggles, "Hi mom" with this look on her face. I laughed so hard and said, "Addison, was there a party in your crib during the night?" Silly girl....

Big Daddy's "Waitress-In-Training"

Mom and I were eating at IHOP one morning and Addison took an empty coffee pot and was pretending to pour us drink and then would put her hand over her mouth and giggle like she was so funny. Mom and I got a kick out of and said well she can start working at Big Daddy's as soon as she says, "May I take your order?" 

Papa's Working Girl

Addison is attached to Papa like crazy and I think Papa is MORE attached to Addison. She loves to ride the Ranger with Papa; she even likes to ride the bulldozer with Papa. It's pretty special that Papa will take Addison to work with him just to spend some time with her while Landon is at preschool. He tells her all the time that she's his special "Boo-Boo." 

Field Trip to the Corn Maze

 "Tom-Tom Turkey"

 "Mr. Peanut"

Landon doing the "sneak attack" when Mr. Peanut started to talk to him....

 (Why do my kids pick their noses when they are nervous?!? It drives me insane!!!)

  Landon trying to be nice and share his Moon Pie with Gracie, but then another little girl came along and took a big bite and this was Gracie's reaction to her little bite.....Priceless!

 Landon's preschool class.

Landon and Gracie's preschool went on a field trip to the local corn maze. It was a lot of fun! Mr. Peanut came to visit and tell them about the peanuts that were going to become peanut butter. Landon told Mr. Peanut that his Papa and his daddy were growing "big peanuts." Mr. Peanut asked if they were as big as him and Landon said, "Umm...I don't fink so..." It was really cute! At the end of the tour they each got to go pick their own little pumpkin and I think that was Landon's favorite part because he was searching through tons of them trying to find the "best" one and he was relentless that he would find a "big punkin" in the patch somewhere....