JENNY & ROYCE PETERSON FAMILY BLOG

Happy New Year!

2012-01-10T17:09:00.000-07:00

Peterson's Top 10 for 2011:

1. Eva potty-trained herself and speaks in sentences now: Me watch movie!

2. Maren started tap dance and goes to Primary all by herself now!

3. Brynne started a book and got her ears pierced!

4. Duncan started a book and increased his weapon arsenal!

5. Jen started a new support blog and went to San Diego for FUN!

6. Royce bought a hunting rifle and completed a WarH army!

7. We improved our punctuality as a family (nobody laugh).

8. Royce started a second dental job.

9. Royce and Jen celebrated their 14th Anniversary.

10. We built our first snowmonsters in Flag at Little America Hotel during a snow storm and ate ice cream after!

Ringing in the New Year at Vaughn and Tammy's new casa!

Rootbeer floats and a belching contest!

Good old-fashioned boy fun!

Julia, V & T's youngest.

Playing Jen's new game: Qwirkle.

New Christmas shirts from G&G Peterson

Weekend Partying!

2011-09-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

Jen turned 35 on August 18. We had an adult date night kickball game to celebrate. The next morning we went boating/skiiing with our good friends the Larsens, then down to Sedona to hike with Jen's dad. We were pretty sore and tired by Sunday. :)

Duncan earned his Tenderfoot at the Court of Honor.

1st Day of School!

2011-08-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

Another year has started! Brynne is a big 4th grader at Knoles now, and Maren a 1st grader. They both have great teachers, and Brynne was lucky enough to get her best friend in her class AGAIN! Maren had a hard time letting me leave the first morning back, but was fine by lunch time, playing with old and new friends. Duncan is in middle school as a 6th grader at Basis. He had a rough first day but was able to get into his favorite elective, art, so he's feeling much better. He's also excited to be at the same school as his cousins.

Princess Eva with the Knoles Knight!

Front of school-Brynne wanted a pretty background!

Anniversary Trip!

2011-08-23T13:29:00.007-07:00

Men vs Ocean.

Our good friends invited us to go to San Diego with them the first weekend in August. We drove over Friday morning, went to the beach that afternoon, and ate at a nice Chinese restaurant for dinner. Then Saturday we went to Balboa Park-hit 5 museums-then ate Hawaiian food for dinner and went to the San Diego temple.

Royce and Brady-the first ones in.

"Let's go throw our wives in!"

Aircraft carrier off Coronado Island.

Jonathan Seagull-an inspiration to the world.


We fed crackers to these guys and they gagged them down whole:)	View of Coronado Island in back.

Balboa Park!

2011-08-23T13:00:00.004-07:00

Natural History Museum: Royce and a Sloth!

Jen and a Mammoth.

Photography Museum.

Roxanne and Brady in front of the best Poi Pond outside of Japan!

Same pond, different couple.

Giant organ you could hear all over the park.

Air and Space Museum - Royce's fav airplane.

San Diego Temple

2011-08-23T12:56:00.018-07:00

R and J in front of San Diego Temple.

We ended up staying at the temple so long that the sun set and we were able to get some great after-dark pictures as well. Such a beautiful temple...much like a fairy-book castle. There was a great spirit there.

The grand front entrance. (Royce took this picture.)

We ran into some friends from Flag...small world!

The temple at night with its lights on. (Royce)

Another favorite pic Royce took....can you find the bride-to-be?!

Spiders, Snakes, Scorpions...Oh My!

2011-07-26T08:36:00.000-07:00

Wild Man Phil was at the Branch Library last week...the kids loved it and got to see and pet many creepy things!

Princess Fashion Ball!

2011-07-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

Brynne's cousin Nicole is spending the week with us, and the first day here they created a fashion show. Enjoy!

June 2011

2011-07-02T16:10:00.008-07:00

Happy Father's Day Royce!
Learn more about Royce from his kids:

Dad is...36 years old (Duncan), 35 (Brynne), 18 (Maren)!
You taught me how to...paint (D), read my scriptures (M).
I want to...draw just like you (B), paint like you (D), play just like you (M)!
I love how you...are funny (B).
You love to...make songs; Your favorite band is...U2 (B).
You can play...the guitar and piano (B).
Your favorite drink is...Dr. Pepper; favorite food...ribs (B).
You like to watch...football...on tv (B).
You can fix...anything! You use...your tools (B).
You love to...paint in your free time (B).
You are...5 feet tall (D), 6 feet tall (B), really tall (M)!
It is funny when you...make jokes (D, M).
I think it's funny when you...sing "Families Are So Special" (B-a family joke!)
You are great at cooking....fried rice; it tastes REALLY good; you like to put....onions in it (B).
You work at...Freeman Peterson Dental Office; You...clean people's teeth (B).
You have a...jeep car; I am allowed to...eat in the car; I am NOT allowed to...have muddy feet in the car (B).
If you were a Super Hero, you would be...Captain Humor Pants because you are funny! (B)

WE LOVE YOU ROYCE/DAD!

2011-07-02T14:48:00.025-07:00


Eva playing games on Cole's phone at Grandpa's!

My father's dad, Eugene Porter, passed away Wednesday, June 14. I took the kids down for the viewing at my dad's house in Mesa where I got to see my siblings and cousins. We spent Monday playing, swimming, and visiting with family.

Visiting Great G. Peterson after swimming w/ Lin's family.

Maren climbing at the park.

Eva on slide.

Duncan checking out huge tree!

My cousins at cemetery.

The next weekend, Royce and I drove up to La Verkin, Utah for Grandpa Porter's funeral. We enjoyed the siblings' remembrances of Grandpa and my dad's testimony, as well as Grandma Mitchell's testimony and words of love to her kids and Lou's kids. I had a wonderful time visiting with extended family at my Uncle Sandy and Aunt Deanna's home afterwards.

Uncles Scott, Sandy, Ed; Cousins Rachel, Jesse.

Dad and kids.

All my dad's siblings and spouses.

Posing at uncle's house.

Hanging out at U. Sandy's.

The day after the funeral we hiked the Lower Emerald Pool trail in Zion's with Dad and Kari. Then they left for Vegas, and we hiked down to the Virgin River and played in the cold, cold water for a couple hours until we had to head home.

2011-07-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

Royce had a gig in Williams the last week of school. My dad was in town, so he and the kids stayed up late eating junk food and watching a movie while I went to hear Royce with a friend. Dad also took the kids to a movie Saturday and we all went out after. On Sunday, the kids sat with him while he let Royce and I sit by ourselves during Sacrament. We all got spoiled and wish Grandpa would move up here permanently!

2011-07-02T14:32:00.003-07:00

June 9! Last Day of School!!

Heading off to school-free hat day!

Kindergarten Graduation later that morning!

Duncan and friends miniature golfing.

Party at Bear Paw after school!

The girls all trying their hand at golf!

April 2011

2011-05-03T14:30:00.003-07:00

Easter Weekend, we had Stake Conference. Elder Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve came and Elder Cook of the First Quorum of the Seventy. It was very good. After the Priesthood and Adult Sessions Saturday, Royce and I went to Outback with the Strands and Larsens, some good friends of ours. We had Easter Dinner with the same after S.C. on Sunday.

On Monday, Christy and Jose came for dental work. The kids LOVE to see the triplets! They helped feed and play with them. After naps, we went on a walk to the duck pond. The kids road their bikes and Dunc and Brynne went to the rope swing. Grandpa and Grandma Mitchell dropped by on their way back to Utah to see the kiddos.

We had an Easter egg hunt that night and did FHE using Easter eggs telling the story of Jesus's death and resurrection. I'm so grateful for the Savior, his selflessness and love, his example and Atonement and Resurrection.

I left for Women's Conference Wednesday and came back Friday night to attend the funeral of a close friend's mother on Saturday. Royce held down the fort while I was gone, and I enjoyed a nice trip with good friends, good classes, and semi-good sleep! My favorite part was probably Sis. Julie B. Beck's talk-the RS General President. She is amazing...she knows who she is and why she is here. I LOVE listening to her.

Family Pics!

2011-02-01T14:32:00.002-07:00

January 2011

2011-02-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

January was a blur....as Januaries always are...I only took one pic (of Duncan in the spelling bee) and it didn't even turn out...so guess your stuck with just a summary.

WE....rang in the New Year with Vaughn and Tammy's family playing, talking, checking out Royce's 3D tv, and watching the latest Twilight movie. New Year's morning we continued our tradition of eating at Cracker Barrell and then took the kids to see Tangled at the theater.

DUNCAN was in the school spelling bee....smarty pants....and bought an axe, to go with his sword, to play with Will and Henry and their swords and weapons. We are having an arms race over here in Flag. Royce helped him build a shield out of an old, large piece of tree bark to protect himself!

ROYCE (not to be outdone by his son and nephews) bought a gun and went shooting twice already.

BRYNNE lost a tooth, Jen accidentally threw it away, and the Tooth Fairy wouldn't pay Brynne until Brynne apologized for denying the fairy's existence. Duncan also lost a tooth and learned from Brynne's lesson to not offend the fairy kind. They were both rewarded handsomely for their teeth.

MAREN asked Dad to save the wishbone from dinner one night..she broke the bone with Brynne and won...later that day when Royce asked her if her wish had come true, she declared angrily, "It's not true...none of it's true!" I asked her what she had wished for and she replied, "To be a princess!" (To be a princess to Maren means no chores whatsoever and servants brings you everything while you sit in front of your vanity singing and putting makeup on.) Royce tried to tell her she really was a princess because she was a daughter of God but didn't get very far because "REAL princesses don't have to do chores!"

EVA started potty-training herself...she pointed to her bum and said "poo-poo", so we put her on, and now she tells us every time she needs to poop. I am loving it! She is also learning a new word everyday, including: apple, rice, blue, yellow, baby, poo-poo, etc.

JEN set a goal to finish decorating one room this winter and has made great strides with that. I'll take a pic of it and post it soon. It's looking good.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

November 2010

2010-11-29T13:41:00.001-07:00

Eating cherry pie!

Maren & Allie, Jose & Jax, Brynne & McKinley

Royce's 37th birthday was extra special...the first snow of the year! His celebrations included a WarH Tournament, the new HP movie w/ friends, Eagles vs Patriots game w/ V & T, dessert w/ J & C & Kids, and gifts!

D, B, M: Sledding down the driveway.

Eva's about as happy about the cold as her mom!

2010-11-11T20:41:00.008-07:00

Let Your Light Shine
Brynne really likes to write and illustrate her own books, so she read a story she wrote called "The Mermaid Girl" for Talent Night at Activity Days. She received compliments on her creativity and her picture. Another good book she's written is "Little Blue Riding Hood." She is very talented!

Sometimes, even mommies need a time-out!

Time Out In Washington

My sisters and I flew out to Camas, Washington to visit Amanda and to go to "Time Out for Women" in Portland. We had a GREAT time laughing, talking, eating, and staying up late. Royce held down the fort for 4 days! Amanda's house is in a beautiful area that reminds me of Pennsylvania. Lucky!

2010-11-09T16:38:00.001-07:00

VETERAN'S DAY ASSEMBLY! Duncan's Veteran's Day Essay was 1 of 6 essays, out of all the 5th grade classes, chosen to be read at Knoles' Veteran's Day Assembly. He did it on his Uncle Aric! Click "Read More" to watch the video-the text of the essay is in the video as well.

October 2010

2010-11-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

STAR OF THE WEEK:
Duncan was Star of the Week at school. He picked these pics to show: King of the Tube at Lake Powell, Hike over Labor Day Weekend, Mammoth Creek in UT, Service at the Retirement Home. He also got permission to bring in his sword for show-n-tell.

AUTUMN FUN:
Thursday night, we went to "Which Witch is Which?"--a play for children at Theatrikos. Friday night, I took Maren and Brynne to the school carnival. I didn't think Eva was old enough to participate but she played games and made sure the adults punched her punch card! Brynne won a cake in the cake walk too!

The football season closed Saturday with a loss in the playoffs to the Cottonwood Colts. That night was Trunk-R-Treat at the park, then Royce had a Battle-of-the-Bands gig at the Grand Canyon Hotel. They won out of 3 bands!

2010-10-25T14:21:00.001-07:00

DUNCAN'S BIRTHDAY!
Duncan turned 11 on the 21st, only a year away from YMs and Scouts! On Sunday, he asked Royce: "How much longer do I have to go to Primary?" :) For his bday dinner, he wanted lasagna and for dessert homemade ice cream sandwiches using crinkle cookies-his favorite. Royce and the girls hid his presents and made clues for him. He received: a DS carrying case, cookie dough, and a Hershey bar from Mom; the Ook and Buk book and treats from Brynne and Maren; and a Halo Lego set from Dad. G&G Peterson gave him a book set about warrior owls, he bought a sword with his money from G Porter, V&T's family gave him a dragon, and A&S sent a card.

Dunc got to pick the night's activities which included: a pillow fight/wrestling and playing Fantasy Forest, which he won! Some of the nice things family members said about him were: he's nice, shares, obedient, a good example, good-looking, intelligent, and plays with his little sisters well.

Brynne: Boy Eva: Hulk/Superman midget Maren: Gangster?Dad?

HALLOWEEN BOOING!
We've made it a yearly tradition to BOO a few families before Halloween. For FHE, we made

Dunc: Squishy eyeballs are the bomb.

bags of treats and Halloween treasures and each child picked a family to Boo. With Duncan's help, Maren even knocked and ran this year! Brynne wanted to disguise herself using our costume bag, and all the kids followed suit. The kids had as much fun (and probably spent more time) dressing up as they did BOOing their friends.

September 2010

2010-09-01T12:52:00.005-07:00

The highlight of this month was our Porter Reunion at Lake Powell!!
Day 1, Sat.: Jet-ski and boat to camping location, then play the rest of the day!

Brynne and her cousins being pulled by Uncle Ryan's boat!

Royce got on a jet ski as fast as he could!

Camping at the base of a butte...Lots of sandy beach to play and dig on!
Top Right: Cole's dad bought him a fishing pole. He caught a fish and all of the cousins followed him to the other side of the beach to watch him gut it. Yuck! Bottom Right: Jen, Maren, and Eva going out for a nice, slow ride.

Eva filling pails of sand while adults visit.

Kids digging in the sand.

Royce and Maren going out on a kayak.

A New Year: January 2010

2010-02-10T20:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome 2010! We rang in the New Year with breakfast at Cracker Barrell and sledding after with Ryan and Leslie's family. Happy New Year to all our family and friends!

January was full of activity. Royce had 2 Buckit gigs: One New Year's Eve until 2 am at Charly's and at Oak Creek Brewing Co. in Sedona 2 weeks later. They are growing in skill and popularity! He also got some new WarH figures for Christmas he's been putting together, and he saw the band "Humphrey McGee" at The Orpheum here in Flag with Vaughn. His practice is doing well, and he is learning new skills as he fills the role of owner now.

We went to Mesa over MLK weekend to visit family and swim at Dad's hotel. We saw Richard and Lindsy's new place and Jared and Kathy's. We also visited with Dad and Jason and Julie. The pool was chilly, but Brynne jumped right in. Maren frolicked around the deck, picking flowers and talking to herself. I noticed how nice the flowers smelled and how each one, though small, was unique and beautiful...like my children.

The night we drove back, a snow storm hit Flagstaff, lasting until Saturday. The kids were out of school the entire week! The kids played in the snow, sledded, played with friends, had sleep overs, and stayed up late lots. Royce joined in on the fun on Thursday when the worst of it hit, and they closed the office early. He did a lot of shoveling but also enjoyed the down time.

In the spirit of setting goals, I made a decision this year to have more fun and to develop my interests and talents more. So...I'm now attending a Scrapbooking group, re-started Book Club with a friend, am writing weekly, will be leading a church group on Parenting, and am creating a blog about overcoming depression and anxiety, focusing on Pres. Monson's adage to "Find Joy in the Journey." I also planned a getaway for the Porter family in March at our Bishop's vacation rental.

Duncan had a blast recently digging snow caves with Royce for a Scout campout. They slept in their cave overnight and survived, with minor frostbite! At the campsite, he sledded with the Scouts and learned some snow survival skills. He is doing well in school still and reading series after series. If I can't find Duncan, I know to check his room where he is often reading or inventing something.

Brynne was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints on the 9th. Lots of family came, making the occasion even more special. As I helped her into her all white dress, I reflected how one day I'd be doing this same thing for her wedding. She is a beautiful girl, on the inside and out. We did a "Great To Be 8 Countdown" with her the 8 days before. She is still enjoying music class, piano lessons, and Activity Days.

Maren is glad that Music, Pre-School, and Story Time are back in session! She is a social girl and likes to be doing and playing with her friends. She loves books, dancing, music, singing, and playing dress up. She is also becoming a shrewd shopper, having found a 3 Musketeers Dress on clearance to buy. Maren's rule of thumb for dressing/shopping/learning is: If it's not cute or princessy, she's not interested.

Eva, though barely one, is already filling the role of girl/sister: she fights with Maren over Maren's things-screaming, pulling, and sometimes hitting (Maren is already talking about her own room); she wanted a purse to put things in and carry around (we hang it on her shoulder and she holds her hand up to keep it on); and she likes to give kisses and talk. In her repertoire is now "owie." She also shakes her head no adamantly now and knows what it means.

Hope your new year is off to a great start too!

December 2009

2010-02-10T20:54:00.000-07:00

We did it! We made it through the holidays healthy and sane, though this was the latest we've
ever done Christmas shopping before!

December Highlights:

Royce achieved his goal of playing a large-scale Warhammer game. They tied in the end, but he
had a great time and made some new Warmonging friends!

Jen got to go see "The Christmas Carol" with Duncan at NAU for school. Excellent production.
She took Maren and Eva to the Lollipop Concert-a short version of The Nutcracker production
with lollipops at the end. She made her first necklace at a friends' gathering, went to Enrichment
which was fondue dinner and dessert and a white elephant gift exchange. And supported 3
service activities : Munos, make cookies, wrap presents. Sang in the choir.

Duncan went on a fieldtrip to the Landfill-the coolest trip ever. he came home asking why he
can't just go get things out of the pile-so much cool stuff to build with.

Brynne obtained 2 American girl dolls-Marisol and Kit-for Christmas and her birthday. Her mom
drove her and the kids to Sedona to get them, at night during inclement weather-a 4 hour trip!
She also went on a daddy-daughter date to "The Christmas Carol". And she attended her first
Acitivity Day on her birthday and got to wear her pjs.

Maren went caroling for preschool, finished out her music class, had preschool Christmas party.

As a family:
We watched "The Sound of Music" for the first time. The kids loved it!
Attended Tithing Settlement: the older kids were full-tithe payers.
Attended the Porter Family Christmas Party in Mesa-dinner and Temple lights and music.
Grandpa gave the adults a weeklong houseboat vacation at Lake Powell every 2 years.

Ryan and Sandy (Royce's parents) drove from Washington for Christmas. They came the 23rd
through the 28th. The kids loved it! On the evening of the 23rd, we had Brynne's 8th birthday
party. She decided she wanted to have it with Grandpa and Grandma instead of friends this year.
The cousins came too and made gingerbread houses, Brynne's favorite. The boys focused on
accumulating as much sugar as they could on theirs, and the girls' houses actually turned out cute.

On Christmas Eve, we went to V and T for visiting, dinner, and a Christmas Eve Program
Christmas Morning: short b-day celebration for Eva, since the kids didn't see her until then.
Boxing Day: Triple date to Avatar-3-D

New Year's Eve: Family Party, then Charly's for a gig-the biggest turnout ever with people

waiting in line outside in the cold for an hour to get in.

November 2009

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October 2009

2010-02-05T17:43:00.001-07:00

Over General Conference weekend, Christy and Jose came up. We celebrated her birthday Friday night with dinner at Black Baart's Steakhouse, which has live theatrical singing. Afterwards, we went to the NAU Observatory and viewed Saturn (we saw the rings!) and its moons through their telescope. At home, we looked at the moon through my telescope and had ice cream to celebrate.

We went with some friends Geo-Caching at the Aspen place, found some treats, did a haystack maze, then off to a football game. Royce played at Charly's

We went to the trunk-r-treat at church, then Duncan went with Cameron around the neighborhood while the girls passed out candy. For FHE one week, we "BOOed" several families. The kids had so much fun knocking and running. Duncan had to hide on someone's porch once to avoid getting caught, and we took off and left him for a minute. On Columbus Day, Duncan had a friend bday party at the Aquaplex, invited Cameron Larsen and Koby Dillon. They swam and then opened presents and had dessert at home. For our 12 year anniversary, Royce and I attended the U2 concert in Phoenix October 20 and did sealings the next morning at the temple. Christy watched the kids while we went, and took Duncan on a birthday hike the morning of his birthday. Brynne went with me to Craft Day where we made some quiet books and Halloween blocks.

Jen pulled off the Primary Program, yeah, then got released a couple Sundays later!

Washington Trip Pics

2010-01-12T20:55:00.001-07:00

September 2009

2009-10-05T20:20:00.000-07:00

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.

August 2009

2009-09-01T15:22:00.000-07:00

August was a crazy month as summer break ended and school began. Maren and Brynne finished up their soccer season. Maren improved greatly, going from sitting down in the middle of games to running the whole time, and even kicking the ball! Brynne is a natural and scored several times-she is naturally competitive, quick, and a go-getter. Duncan started Football-it is very time intensive but he gets compliments from the asst. coach often who is his best friend's dad. He was lucky enough to get on the same team-the Steelers-as his best friend, Cameron.

Royce went on a canoe trip with the Scouts for a weekend and to a Cult concert w/Vaughn. Jen went to her b-day dinner with the RS, out to a movie with friends on her b-day, and to a friend party for August b-days. R&J had their 12th Anniversary-we'll be going to a U2 concert in October to celebrate. We met my dad and Catherine in Sedona on a Saturday and enjoyed the company and scenery, going out to eat at the UFO Diner. Dad also stopped over and spent the night one weekend, taking the kids out for breakfast and going on a bike ride.
Before school started, Royce gave the kids blessings and we had a big swim party at Bear Paw w/friends. Maren started a Pre-School with friends and the moms switch off teaching; she is also in a music class called "Let's Play Music." It is a piano-prep class and she kept asking Royce to give her piano lessons, so she's enjoying this until she's old enough for R to teach her.
Brynne is in 2nd grade and has Mrs. Susan Davidson, the same teacher Duncan had. Mrs. D loves Brynne and has already showered her with compliments. She is also taking a music class like Maren's and enjoying it with her friends.
Duncan got a new teacher for 4th, Ms. Brown whom he enjoys. He injured his knee in f-ball and sat out for a week. Both he and Brynne are still taking piano lessons from Royce.
Royce has been practicing for another performance in the band "Bucket" this weekend. They are good and fun to watch and dance to. Jen is trying to get back into writing and scrapbooking.
On the weekends, we've been improving our backyard, adding grass and preparing to add new woodchips. And lastly, Royce and I started a Wellness Challenge that lasts through September. Already, we are seeing the positive results!

Eva Peterson

2008-12-26T21:18:00.001-07:00

Everyone loves our new baby. I think you can see the excitement on Maren's face.

Christmas morning

2008-12-26T21:14:00.000-07:00

We had a great Christmas. The kids woke up to presents, and a new baby sister. Here are Christmas morning pics, and some of our newest daughter Eva Peterson.

2008-12-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

To all our Democratic Friends,

Please accept with no obligation, implied or explicit, our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially acceptable, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. We also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but with the respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country, nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishees.

To our Republican friends:

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! America Rocks!

Royce, Jen, Duncan, Brynne, Maren and unnamed 9 month old uterus dweller.

Fall in Flagstaff

2008-10-19T16:48:00.000-07:00

Maren AKA snow white, loves her binkies so much, that she is willing to risk life and limb by pulling a stool up to the mantel to reach the sacred binkies. One is never enough. The only way it would have been more death-defying is if the fire were burning.
Duncan and Brynne helped out in the backyard by raking up all the pine needles off of our grass in the backyard. The pile was big enough, but noone wanted to jump in. Pine needles are kinda scratchy.

Here we see the rare, blond-headed, red-bellied, gogurt sucker in attack mode. Jen was lucky to get away with her life.

Campout and canoe trip

2008-09-28T13:09:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went on a campout to blue ridge reservoir. Brynne got the nickname 'Brynne the Brave' after being the only kid willing to have a 2 foot long snake draped around her neck. Duncan was working on his perfect rowing form, and Maren was pretty much ballast for the canoe. It was a lot of fun.

Girls, girls, girls

2008-09-13T18:38:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Jen and Brynne at Brynne's kindergarten graduation a few moons ago and Maren ready for church. Next is a picture of Maren after hearing that some people don't floss their teeth! Jen then made her feel a lot better by showing her what perfectly flossed, brushed, and polished teeth can look like, and she felt a lot better.

Brynne and the Turtle

2008-09-13T18:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Brynne before, contemplating eating the turtle raw, and her post-turtle grin missing a tooth. (That shell is tough on baby teeth). The last picture is her on her first day of school with plenty of energy from all the yummy turtle protein.

Airshow campout

2008-09-13T18:19:00.000-07:00

Duncan and I got to go on a campout to the Valley Airport south of the Grand canyon. Duncan drove the tank in, and I flew the plane he is standing next to. We were the main defense of the airport for the weekend. And you thought scouting was all about merit badges! Duncan got his tank navigation, homeland security, and WWII tank restoration merit badge.

Maren the sniper

2008-09-13T18:15:00.000-07:00

Maren has finished her sniper training school and is ready for her first assignment. She graduated second in her class. Her first target is the person who beat her out of the first position.

Warhammer Lives!

2008-09-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

Royce invited someone he met through the internet over to play a warhammer game. Aric was a little busy and couldn't make it. Duncan told me that it isn't smart to give out personal information over the internet, but this time everything worked out ok. Jen was gracious enough to allow me the time to play, and take up her kitchen for a few hours.

There is also a picture of some figures I have been painting, and my new bat cave (aka Royce's side of the closet).

Now I don't have to spend 20 minutes setting up and cleaning up and can leave things a relative mess. Once again Jen has been gracious enough to allow me the space.

Ward Campout

2008-07-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

Friday we went to Willard Springs for our ward campout. It is south towards Sedona. We went earlier in the day to make the most of it. Royce carved Duncan the sword "Sting" from the book The Hobbit out of a piece of wood he chopped off a fallen tree in our backyard. I had read the book for book club and told the kids stories from it at bedtime. Duncan became so interested he wanted to read the book on his own and has used the storyline for imaginative play since. He has also started reading The Lord of the Rings series now. While at the campout, the boys made their own little firepit and Duncan blackened the sword in it.

Night At The Circus

2007-09-15T15:32:00.000-07:00

We took the kids to Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus in Prescott Valley, about 1.5 hours away.