Christmas Fun

We had a great Christmas! This is Christmas Eve waiting for Uncle Jesse to call from his mission in Korea. Braden loving on his brother a little too much and cute cousin Brielle wanting to join in on the fun!

Talking to Uncle Jesse! Braden loves his uncle Jesse and can't wait until he will be home (in 1 1/2 years!!)
After talking to Jesse, we went to my grandparents house for soup, singing, visiting, laughing, the Christmas story, games, and fun. Kyden was big Baby Jesus (it's a good thing they don't come out that big!!) and Braden wouldn't cooperate (he's not even in the picture)!
Cute picture huh! Notice the goofy brother in the back! When I was taking the pictures, I had no idea he was in them until after! Funny though!

It is a rare occasion when we get a picture of just the two of us so I thought I would post it for the fun of it! Love you honey!
Picture with my Great Grandpa Christensen. He is 96 or so--I can't remember now, but he just keeps on a ticking! He is such a sweetheart!
After dinner, we went to my parents house to open the traditional pj's present from my parents! Who knows how long that tradition will continue with the added family members! We will start the tradition with our kids because I love it so much. We also opened our gifts from our siblings--we draw names and always open those presents on Christmas Eve. We also sit around an angel candle (sounds weird but it's neat), drink hot chocolate, eat donuts, and talk about what we are thankful for. It always brings the spirit of Christmas more to light.
Christmas morning began with Braden saying he was too tired to get out of bed. We finally got him up though and the fun began. We are staying with Jason's parents right now and so is Jason's brother, his wife, and baby (for 2 weeks before they move to Texas) so it was one big happy Christmas. Braden got the kitchen he has been asking for with some dishes (Santa's workshop slaved over that white trash cardboard kitchen that luckily he loves). And no he is not turning into a girl because he likes to cook! It's just a phase and I think it is so cute!

Kyden went straight for the food! He knows exactly what those are! Kyden wasn't interested in helping unwrap his presents--just in putting anything and everything in his mouth (he is our little vacuum) and playing with Braden's toys!

Kyden stole Brielle's bottle--he doesn't even know what a bottle is but he sure did want it!
The grandchildren lined up with there new pillows and matching blankets.
Kyden also just liked playing with the empty boxes. He climbed right on top of this one.

After we opened presents at home, we went to my parents house where we ate an awesome breakfast cooked by my Dad (as tradition is) full of hashbrowns, eggs, bacon, toast, and orange juice. It was yummy! But Braden never made it to the breakfast table. He knew there was a present for him under the Christmas tree from last night (he doesn't forget anything!!) so that's right where he went first. He got a tool set he wanted also. He always gets grandpa's out of the tool drawer to use and now he won't have to.

Kyden with his presents!
Braden with his presents from Santa and G&G Peterson.
We went to a movie Christmas afternoon because that is the Peterson tradition to go to a movie Christmas Eve--it just worked better this year to do it on Christmas. The boys were great and we had fun. Thank you everyone for making our Christmas so wonderful! I can't believe it is over already! It always comes and goes so quickly. I stress about gifts for months and then it is over in a day, but good memories are created! Merry Christmas and hope you all have a Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving in...Hawaii

Yes, we had Thanksgiving in Kauai, Hawaii! Lunch was served up with p.b. and jelly sandwiches, carrots, water and tuxedo cookies! What a feast! We did go to a lauai (don't know how to spell) for dinner which was a ton of fun and super yummy! Braden loved the fire guy and the dancers! We spent a week in Hawaii with my family. The boys were great! I started worrying about them the closer it got to the trip, but they were wonderful on the 4 airplane rides and the many car rides. It was so nice to just be away for a week together every day not having to worry about a thing! Everyone needs a week like that! The weather was perfect--we couldn't have asked for a better week. It was pouring rain when we flew in and rained for about a day. It was calling for rain the whole week, but it didn't rain again until we flew out! What a blessing! So, we saw a lot of sun on the beach and pretty green scenery! My cousin and his wife were there too with her family and we got to see them which was fun especially being so far from home!

Braden loved the sand and water! He cried ever time we had to leave! He was so much fun! He thinks we are going back in the morning!Kyden loved being outside and we had to work hard to keep him from eating the sand, but he hated the water!On a hike down to Secret Beach where we all got eaten alive by mosquitos and just about died coming out of there from the steep incline!Grandpa and Braden playing in the sand. Good thing Grandpa came along (since this trip was his idea) to keep Braden entertained!

Grandma was so nice to watch the little boys while the rest of us went zip-lining over canyons and water on 8 different lines and 1 suspension bridge. It was a ton of fun and thanks mom for watching the boys. (She went ziplining when they came to Hawaii in January so she didn't care if she went or not.)The crew--Bec, Ray, Dad, Eric, Mike, Angie, Candi, Jason (Mom, Braden, and Kyden at condo).At Secret Beach. We went there 2 different days--one day the boys played in the waves for 2 hours or more but the second day the waves were huge. No one even got close. We decided to leave after about an hour there and go to a different beach where the waves weren't so big and right after we got everything picked up, a huge wave came crashing in where we were sitting! Good thing we moved--especially the little boys! Scary!

Grandpa and Kyden! First time Kyden got his little toes in the water! He's not so sure!

We flew out Saturday night at 9:30pm (12:30am our time) so Braden was tuckered out!
We are so grateful we were able to spend a week with my family! I love my family and am so grateful for them! They are the best (along with my in-laws who are wonderful--couldn't ask for any better ones--honestly, I'm not just saying that)! I have been blessed to the max! Thanks Dad and Mom for a wonderful week! We love you!

Yes...I guess...He's crawling

Kyden is crawling and getting into everything! It's still so new to me that I forget he can crawl! I can't leave him anywhere. Wow, the joys of parenthood!
And yes, I know that the family picture does not include Kyden, but we really don't have ANY pictures of the four of us, but we are getting family pictures in 2 weeks so I will finally change the picture!!

Happy Halloween!

Fall clean up! Man, you go Dad! Keep it up! Looks like Braden and Grandpa are working HARD! It was cute though because even Braden had to have a little shovel to help and he knew exactly where to find it!
Braden got some more hand-me-down clothes (which we absolutely love and what the majority of his clothes are) and thought it would be a good idea to get all of them out of the bag and line them up on the couch. He was so excited for the clothes (thanks Aunt Tausha)!

Carving pumpkins! Braden didn't like the insides! He kept making gagging sounds! We were lucky to actually get this picture of him smiling! He's been a bit camera shy lately!

The finished products! Braden liked these!
At the Searle Halloween Party. Ray--BIG pumpkin, Bec--a cheerleader, Braden--the oldie golfer, Candi--oldie golfer spectator of Braden, Kyden--the GOLF BALL because he gets knocked around so much, Jason came from work so he didn't GET to dress up, Eric--soccer player, Mom--soccer mom, Dad--football player. We have a very bad habit of waiting until the last minute to get costumes together so we all raided the costume closet and this is what we came up with! It was a fun party! Thanks Gramps and Grams!
Golfer and his golf ball.

Grandpa and Kyden!

Jason (my cousin) and Kyden. Just thought it was a cute picture.

Dad and Braden playing a game at the party.

Trick or treat! Getting ready to head out the door.

Rotate? Yah, Lazy! But thought it was cute anyway!

We went to the Pumpkin Walk which was pretty cool! Here is one of the scenes--Sesame Street! It was cute! But Braden sure didn't want his picture taken (if you couldn't tell).

Kyden is growing up too fast! He is quickly approaching 7 months. I can't believe it has gone by so fast! He has been sitting up for over a month now, has had 2 teeth since he was 4 months old, eating solids, loving his brother even when he beats on him, laughing, loves watching animals, and is almost crawling (Yikes! I don't know if I'm ready for that! Braden didn't crawl until he was 9 months old and walked at 10 months so I figured they would be about the same. Boy, was I wrong! They are so different! Which is a good thing). Isn't it amazing how much the learn and grow in the first year! I love it!

Spud Harvest

Potatoes, potatoes, potatoes!!! Well, I really missed out this year! I wasn't able to drive truck for my dad this year--I didn't think it would be a good idea to leave 2 boys with my mom especially with one so little! But there is always next year! I love driving truck! It just gives me a thrill I don't get anywhere else! Must be in my blood! Well, the potatoes got all harvested in good time and Braden loved helping! He got to ride with Uncle Ray, who he LOVES, in the tractor a couple times! Oh, instead of driving truck for my dad, I've been doing a lot of book work for him at his office! I enjoy it! And Braden even comes and "helps"!!
Braden riding in the tractor with Ray while they load a truck!Lunch break! Cute kid!Farmer boys! Both in overalls--which Jason thought was dumb, but I thought was cute! I wanted to get a picture of them in the field but it was really windy that day so we got one in Grandma's car instead!!Braden didn't want to take a picture. Can you tell?

Time flies when your busy!!

How the time flies! It is almost November--Kyden is 6 months old already and is trying to crawl and Braden is talking a whole lot more! Sometimes I can't believe I have 2 little boys!! I guess not so little anymore! Well, our life has been pretty busy but not much to show for it. Me, Jason, and Kyden flew to Arizona the first of the month to go to a real estate investing school. It was so much fun! And no, we are not realtors, but investors. I loved the classes I got to take especially my legal strategies class! And you all probably think I'm crazy for loving that class (well, my dad thought I was) but I really did love it! Plus, Cassie, my friend, just moved to Arizona and we were only 20 minutes away from each other and we had a BLAST together! How often do moms get to just spend a day, not worrying about a thing?! Never! Well, I got to! We spent 3 hours at IKEA one day! My new favorite store--I would recommend it to anyone! It was just plain fun! The closest one to me is in Utah so...road trip anyone (when we get a house of course because I have no where to put anything right now). Oh ya, for anyone that doesn't know, we are doing the living with parents thing (Jason's parents) while we look for a house! I think everyone has to do that at least once! It really has been going great! Braden loves it!! Cassie and I also spent almost 3 hours in Burlington coat factory! We went crazy! We couldn't believe that we spent that long in one store, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! I didn't want to go home except for the fact that Braden was at home and I really missed him! Isn't it funny how much work children are, but when you are away from them you miss them like crazy?! Mom thing I guess! So, I have just rambled on about nonsense so I'll stop there! Here are a few pictures of the boys!

Braden, you little sneaky thing! He found a chocolate bar, unwrapped the whole thing, and came into my room with the biggest mischeivious face on I've ever seen! It was so cute though! I couldn't help but laugh (let him eat some of it right before dinner)!
Kyden in his stroller at the airport. He really was a good boy the whole time. I have been blessed with 2 really wonderful boys! Yes, we have our days, but we love them!!
Kyden eating peas for the first time and he really didn't like them! I have to confess, I have been a slacker the 2nd time around with solid food! It just seems like more of a hassle, but we are finally getting that solid food in and Kyden loves it (usually)!
1Braden asleep with Madi's birthday party invite in his hand! He was so excited for the party and it was fun! Thanks for the great party guys!
Sleepy boys! They both made it to our bed early one morning and when I got out of bed, this is how they were! Cute huh! And I have to mention that Braden is sleeping so much better at night! I love it! Kyden on the other hand is still a handfull!