Scrooginess...

Sometimes when life gets crazy, even the smallest things can seem completely overwhelming to me. Case in point--as I was getting my Christmas cards ready this year, I debated back and forth about including a "family update" with them. As it got closer and closer to the time to send out my cards, my husband worked more and more hours and life got a little nuts, the idea just seemed overwhelming (I know, not really a big deal, but that's me.) So, I didn't do it. Here's the problem; as I've started receiving cards from friends and family, I've really enjoyed reading about their year and their family happenings (i.e. I'm regretting my decision.) So, here's our family update for 2009.


We've had a busy year---here's what's "new" with the Peterson Family

A new brother...Liam James was born on March 24th, and we couldn't be more happy to have him in our family. He is almost nine months old now, is crawling, pulling himself to stand up, and making messes as good as the big kids. We just love our sweet boy!

A new job...In May, Andrew graduated from medical school (yeah!). He is now a first year pediatric resident.

A new state...Andrew matched for residency at the University of Arizona in Tucson, so we are adjusting to life in a brand new and very different place. The summer was hot (really hot), but the 70 degree winter has been awesome. We are loving how unique and different it is here, and my kids think the Christmas lights on the saguaro cactuses here are so cool!

A new house...yep, we bought our first home here in Tucson and are loving being homeowners (and also realizing it's a lot of work!)

A new car...we bought a van! I couldn't have been more excited. It has made my life so much easier...yeah for vans!

A "new" get together with old friends...In August, I got to fly to Boise with Liam to attend my 10 year highschool reunion. Just writing that makes me feel old, but it was a lot of fun and it was so good to catch up with old friends and spend some time in Boise.

A new school...Owen started kindergarten in August and is loving it. He's learning to read and is growing up so fast!

A new pre-school...Ella started pre-school this fall and loves being able to go to school like Owen. She is in a Joy School (a co-op pre-school of sorts) with other kids in our ward, and has made a lot of new friends.

A new tooth...(or two or three!) Owen lost is first tooth this fall, and since then they've been falling out like crazy. He's lost three so far, with another ready to go before too long.

New friends...we've really enjoyed the new friends we've made here in Arizona, but we're also grateful for all of our dear, old friends and our wonderful family. We love you all...Merry Christmas!

Arizona Thanksgiving

A family walk...

And a Thanksgiving Sunset...

We Went to Utah

...a couple of weeks ago. I'm late, but it was fun, so here goes.

Andrew had two weeks off in the beginning of November so we made some plans.

Plan #1: Take my Dad up on his offer to come and visit, and then put him to work helping us put in a sprinkler system. Seriously, my Dad is the best. He flew in on Friday, flew out Sunday night, and I think he was working almost the whole time. He must really love us---and we definitely love him. Thanks so much Dad! Now, who wants to come and help us put in the sod, rocks and plants?

Plan #2: Drive to Utah to visit Andrew's parents who just finished a mission in Nova Scotia. We drove my Dad to the airport in Phoenix Sunday night, and then drove to Flagstaff and stayed the night there. We drove the rest of the way on Monday. From the moment we got to Utah, we were going non-stop, but it was a lot of fun.

Some Highlights:

Cooking with Grandma. This may have been my kids favorite part of the trip. They both looked forward to it throughout the week.


(love the gum, lovey lou)

Visiting Temple Square


Visiting with dear friends

Playing with Grandpa, Grandma, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins






Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of one of my favorite moments of the week. Friday night we got a baby sitter and went out with Andrew's parents and two of his brothers and their wives. We went to dinner and then to a comedy club in Provo. The comedian was in Matt and Kim's ward, and was really entertaining. But, the best part was when he called Andrew up from the audience to participate in the show. The comedian was making the point that boys are just better at making sound effects than girls. Andrew had to make a bunch of sound effects to go along with a story the comedian was telling and then a girl attempted to do the same thing. It was hilarious, but even more funny for Andrew and I because we have had the same conversation about boys and girls, and I distinctly remember being teased endlessly for my attempt at making a "truck" sound. Who knows, if this doctor thing doesn't work out, maybe this can be our back up plan!

It was so fun to see everyone! Now, who wants to come and visit us this winter(it's been in the 70's here)?!

Thankful Thanksgiving

We just got back from a week in Utah with family and friends. It was hard to leave, and I'll be honest, this being on our own, living far away from family thing is tough sometimes. It's looking like my little family will be spending Thanksgiving (for the first time, ever) with just the five of us this year.

I'll admit, thinking about Thanksgiving this year has made me a little depressed, but just like they always do, my kids are helping to change my perspective. We made thankful turkeys for FHE this week, and Ella (and Owen) hit it right on the nose. I have a wonderful family, food to eat, a nice, comfortable home, and the knowledge that Jesus Christ is my Savior. So, I'm trying to be thankful, and gear up for making my first turkey ever (any tips?) Happy (early) Thanksgiving!

P.S.(Annie & Kristi, I can't believe I actually wondered out loud to you guys if I would get bored living in the same place for more than 3 years. Hello pessimistic me. Um, I'm definitely looking forward to it.)

Halloween

Thanks to my Dad, I LOVE Halloween. There are so many fun things to do leading up to the BIG day...October always flies by. Some of what we've been up to...

The Pumpkin Patch--Kind of a disapointment, expensive, fair food (no apple cider donuts...boo), no Daddy, can't even compare to the pumpkin patches in Illinois. Not to mention it was 90 degrees outside...BUT we got our pumpkins!




Carving said pumpkins...


Making Sugar Cookies...

The Big Night...

Miss Ballerina, Monster Baby (I was told he looked like the boy from Where the Wild Things Are), Indiana Jones


(Liam's classic "workin' it" pose)

Now that the festivities are over, here comes the sugar high...I love Halloween.

Party Girl

Some pictures from the party...
The birthday girl

Ballerina cupcakes

The pinata

Presents

Candles

Happy Birthday Ella! It was so much fun celebrating you...We love you!

4

Happy Birthday Lovie Lou!
(I'm a little late...her birthday was Saturday. Pics of the party coming soon!)