Partners in crime

Yes, those are beans ALL over the place! I was grinding wheat when I asked Braden to pick up the small pile he made up! And this is what I found! The whole box empty and guess who got to clean it ALL up! Yep, me! That's what mom's do--clean, clean, clean! It's alright though--I wouldn't trade my boys for anything! And they are growing up way too fast. I also found them in the dog food the other day emptying the food into the water bowl! I think this is just a warning for the future and all the trouble they are going to get into! Wish me luck!
Matching Little Guy sweatshirts! Jason is supposed to get one that says Big Guy! Kyden looks like he has been caught and yes he does have a bunch of cards scattered around.
Braden was having quiet time on the couch and it got really quiet (because he was reading books to himself) and this is how I found him.
Jumping on the bed!
Yes, the toilet paper! I think every kid has to have a picture like this!

Weekend in Boise

We had a very fun weekend spent with Brion, Ashley and Maddy. My roommate, Debbie, from college got married and her reception was in Boise so we decided to go since Brion and Ashley had just moved there and we thought the trip would be worth it! Nothing against my roomie's reception, but I don't know if we would have went all that way just to see her for 30 minutes! It was very fun to see her though--Congrats!! I'm so excited for her! I also got to see Shelby, another roommate from way back when! We missed each other at the reception, but got to catch up the next day since she lived just 10 minutes away from Brion and Ashley! It was fun to see her since I haven't seen her in years--besides catching up through blogging! So, we had a very fun and productive weekend! Oh ya, we also went to see Jason's cousin. She and her husband just adopted 2 kids and they are so cute!! It was fun to see them too. The weather was so nice and we did not want to come back to snow. It was soooo beautiful! We even got to go to the Zoo in Boise! Braden loved the animals! Kyden especially loved the monkeys! He just giggled and giggled at them--it was so cute! Wish I would have had my video camera! Thanks Pearson's for such a great weekend! We want to do it again soon! We miss having you guys around!
Leopard, Braden, Dad!!

Awesome giraffe slide huh! The kids loved it!

Eating at McDonald's after seaching, I swear, the whole town for something to eat!
Kyden loved it outside! As for the rest of us! And today the weather is so nice--I just want it to stay nice!! I walked outside today to birds chirping and it just made me want to jump up and down, scream and dance!! I'm ready for spring!
Braden and Maddy having a ball on the slide!

Our handsome boys! Braden's thinking--oh mom, quit taking pictures (I really don't take THAT many)! They are growing up so stinkin' fast! I can't believe I almost have a 3 year old! Where did the time go to? Kyden is 11 months old now and has been walking good for about a month! Yah, exciting, but so much more work, but then again he did crawl at 7 months so what's the difference between walking and crawling--they still get into everything! Braden is almost 3 and likes to pretend he can read! He loves his brother and does not like to be apart from him!
My cousin, Jake, and Braden playing with the car race track. I watched him a couple days last week while his parents were on vacation! Braden loves playing with him!

Highlights of the last month

Super Bowl Party--or at least for the husbands!! We didn't catch much of the game since we had our hands full being moms and chatting!Braden has his cheesy smile down quite well--Don't you think! He was pretty proud of himself because he would stand on the stool behind him and jump onto his Clifford bike. Cool huh!
Kyden loves food--this night was very messy with berries!
The new thing for naptime--I set the timer for 60 minutes--yes 60 minutes (on purpose) and let Braden sit on his bed and look at books. My plan for him to fall asleep usually works and I end up going in and stopping the timer before it goes off!
Braden with my cousin. He loves my cousins since he doesn't have any his age and they love him. We have gone to a couple of there basketball games and loves them. He is cheering for my cousin in this one with her sister. He had a blast!
Watching the basketball game!
So, I just had to put this picture on because it is just so cute! Braden put this tin can on Kyden's head and he didn't mind it until Braden bumped it and I think it scared Kyden! He looks like a Russian huh! Yah, I love it because I saw a lot of men who wore those hats when I was in Russia! Oh and Braden's new thing to do is wrestle with Kyden. Braden will lay on him and Kyden takes it pretty well. Usually he laughs but I have to stop it because Braden is going to break his arm one of these times if he's not careful! Braden just doesn't understand how big his is compared to Kyden! Oh well, I guess it's just a stage--another one I should enjoy!
We went rollerskating for FHE with my family and we had such a good time! Braden hasn't stopped talking about it! Braden refused to wear rollerskates, but he loved riding in the stroller and walking around. Kyden wasn't so sure about the whole thing!
Eric and Braden!
Our Valentine's ice cream. We went to Sub Zero and it was so good! And it is just a fun place for kids because it is cool to see them make the ice cream with freezing nitrogen (I think that's what it is--oh well if not) and the steam. We told Braden all day that we were going to get ice cream so when we headed there and had to stop at a store before ice cream he almost had a melt down! It was a great night! Thanks babe!!

Flushed away

Our lives have significantly slowed down since the holiday's are over! We stay busy, but it seems like everyone was here at once and gone all at the same time! Isn't that life--when it rains it pours! We have had a lot of fun! The boys are growing up so fast it's crazy! Braden loves to hang out with his dad and play in the snow! Kyden likes to get into everything and put it all in his mouth! But we love them both and they are such a joy and blessing in our lives! So, story time, my phone is out of commission for who knows how long! And I can't even blame the boys on this one! I flushed it down the toilet yesterday!!! Yah...bad news huh! It fell out of my jacket pocket and in the toilet right as the water was getting flushed away! I really didn't even have time to realize what had dropped! All I saw was a black thing and GONE! And it wasn't even my own toilet--I was babysitting my aunts children! And then they called me last night to tell me that they found it! It was stuck in there toilet so they took the toilet off and there it was! Yah--poopy phone that doesn't even work! Good story though! I actually stayed quite calm since there was really nothing I could do about it! It was toast! Oh well, at least we have to get new phone because Edge changed to AT&T so we are being forced to renew! We said good by to Travis, Jessica, and Brielle who moved to Texas for Travis's intership and maybe full time job after 3 months! It was fun seeing them over the holidays and we will miss them! Here is a picture of the 3 cousins--the only 1st cousin the boys have so far!!Kyden, our little puppy!!I think we are getting closer to potty training, but I guess we'll see! Braden finally let us buy him a potty chair! We have gone to the store a couple times to buy one and every time Braden cries cause he doesn't want us to buy him one but he finally picked one out and we got it! He sits on it in his clothes--sometimes! It kind of scares me to actually potty train but I'll do it eventually! I'm not going to force him because I think that will just make it worse! But if he is four and not potty trained we will be doing some serious work!! Maybe Braden and Kyden will potty train at the same time!!

Okay, so update on the phone! While I was posting, my aunt brought my phone by and Jason tried the SIM card in another phone we have and IT WORKS! Crazy huh, but such a relief! We don't have to get new phones quite yet!! And what a blessing--must be doing something right!
And yes--a pink background! The boys are JUST FINE with it!!

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!