September 2009

September went by in a blur. The fall always does...it is so busy! Eva turned 9 months and is growing by leaps and bounds, astounding us every day with new skills and growth. She says Ma-Ma all of the time now, has perfected crawling on her knees, is walking holding on to things, and even let go of something to stand a second by herself and take a little step! She communicates joy by squinting her eyes, scrunching up her face and smiling or blowing noise and spit out of her mouth. She sits at the table with us and loves to eat too and screech once in a while so she can be part of the table banter.

Duncan had his first official football game at Chino Valley Saturday the 12th. He has improved a lot, earning compliments from both teammates and coaches alike. They say they can't believe how hard he can hit/tackle for how little he is. The team consists of 9-11 year olds, so he is the youngest group, and this is his first year playing. He did so well recently that the coach announced to the whole team that he would start at the next game as Cornerback, telling everyone Duncan proves that size doesn't determine how well you can play. The coach calls him the Atomic Ant because he's little but hits so hard. Duncan found out his Grandpa Porter played football too and could have gone to the local college on a football scholarship but chose to attend BYU instead. The Peterson side loves football too, so it goes to show.

He is flying through different series at school, reading above his grade level, and in the highest math class. He loves to take care of his baby sisters, carrying Maren on his back and teasing her, and also playing with Eva as well. He is our early bird, and we recently gave him the charge of waking everyone up on time, including Mom and Dad if necessary!

Brynne is excelling at everything she touches as well. She is a little ball of energy, always busy creating something-she's very artistic like her grandparents on the Peterson side. She reminds me of her Grandma Peterson-happy, easily excited, always working on something, full of enthusiasm and ideas, expressive and spirited, and loving. She reads a ton-a babysitter recently couldn't believe she was already reading chapter books. One of her favorite series right now is American Girl-her cousin Nichole introduced her to it. She is staying busy still with piano and music lessons. At school, her teacher says she is doing wonderful-responsible, a hard worker, quick, if a bit shy. I had to smile at this because at home Brynne is our loudest one!

Maren is enjoying pre-school and loves to play with friends. Every day she asks me if this friend or that friend can come over. She is our social one! She loves to talk and had a friend over that also loves to talk. They spent at least an hour telling each other stories in our living room-doing nothing else but that! At bed time, she never fails to ask for a story or two or four, however many my patience and time can handle! Her favorites are any involving princesses, ponies, rainbows, and happy endings with little babies. She says the cutest things like, "Okay Mom. It's my turn to talk and your turn to listen." She makes us laugh, but if we laugh and she notices, she gets sad and says "People laugh at me." She is loving and tries to help with Eva every way she can.

Royce had another gig at Charly's over Labor Day Weekend. They are popular and do well. He loves it more than tongue can tell. Charly's had a cancellation recently so they will be playing there again in October. They also were asked to play New Year's Eve, which was a huge compliment because it was a choice between them and another very popular Flagstaff band. I'm glad he has constructive hobbies that develop his talents. He stays busy painting too, when he can find time after doing dentistry, working on the house, serving with the 14 year-old young men, and spending time with the family. He stays busy-sometimes too busy!

Jen has stayed busy with family, writing the Primary Program for October, and the Wellness Challenge. Royce and Jen finished in the top 10. Hopefully we can keep up all of our new good habits!

As a family, we've had several rewarding activities and vacations. We ran as a family in a fundraiser for a neighbor boy with leukimia. Serving made everyone feel good. Over Labor Day, we went to the Peterson Reunion (Jen's side). It was fun for the kids to swim with second cousins and for me to learn more about my grandparents and see my family. September 17-22 we drove to Vegas and flew from there to Pasco to visit Royce's parents and brother Aric, recently returned from Iraq, and his family. We had never seen his children in person, having kept missing each other with different pregnancies. What a lovely family they have-all sweet girls. It was all Duncan could do not to go stir-crazy teasing all of his female cousins. He was the only male cousin present! We loved being able to see his parents, grandma Inez, and Sabrina and Gary and kids. The kids really enjoyed picking and eating fresh fruit and vegetables from Grandpa and Grandma's garden and a neighboring apple orchard.