Petersens Young

I was thinking a few months ago that I have never seen a picture of Grandpa and Grandma Petersen when they were young. We have so few pictures of them, but I was glad that Mom was able to rummage up the one above. The younger kids probably don't remember much about these two when they were old, let alone when they were younger, so I thought I would post these pictures. Grandma pretty much looks the same to me; I see very little resemblance between anyone in our family . . . what do you think?

I Remember

I remember:

A box full of oranges
Picking out a christmas tree at the Elves Christmas Forest
The Carpenters Christmas CD

Mom taking FOREVER to put the lights on the tree

The tree always looking amazing because mom took forever

The manger scene tree ornament

A special FHE to put up mom's Nativity scene

Watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

Trips with all of us stuffed in the van to see the lights

Christmas parties at dad's bank

Sugar cookies with icing three inches high

Egg nog in dad's wooden glasses with the faces

Our Christmas eve program that Jenny would always put together

Dancing to "Have a Funky Christmas" by New Kids on the block

A HUGE "It's the Night Before Christmas" book

Listening to the Burl Ives narration of the christmas story

Opening a gift on christmas eve

Sleeping in the same room on christmas eve

Not getting any sleep because we slept in the same room

Pounding on the ceiling to wake mom and dad up on christmas morning

Dying of boredom waiting for them to tell us we could come up

Boxes of cereal in our stockings

Dying of boredom while we waited for our turn to open a gift

Always having a really great christmas

Thanks Mom and Dad for making our childhood so special!!

I'm curious as to what all of you remember about christmas when we were kids.

Do share!!

Lovely

Lovely. I always use that word to describe my wife because I think it the most appropriate. What do you think of when you hear the word lovely? A soft-petaled flower touched by morning rays? A fresh-fallen snow on a crisp winter morning? A broad-brushed painting with a parasol or a covered bridge?

I wish I could paint, because if I would I could capture the radiance, the beauty, the hilarity that is my wife. I would need every color in the universe to make a proper picture.

Then again, even if I had the talent of Monet or Rembrandt, I could never capture her true essence and the happiness that she brings to my life. I truly do think that I have the most wonderful life on the planet. I have a fantastic wife that has brought me two glorious children. I have a family. Not a family just in the organizational sense, but in the true sense of the word, I have a family.

I am so thankful for my wife. She anchors our family in the Gospel and makes life a pleasure. Happy birthday, lovely. You are my tiny.

I propose a Haylee Day!

Happy Birthday Haylee! Even though you live far away, and we don't get to see you nearly enough, we want you to know how much we love you! We're glad that Greg chose you to be part of our family, thankful for your willingness to be a mom, and for the good care and love you give our brother. We look forward to getting to know you for many years to come! Have the best birthday ever!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAYLEY!

Happy Happy Happy Birthday!

My Baby Grows Up

Brooke is dancing in the Hmong New Year celebration tonight. Our neighbors dressed her up all fancy, did her hair super cute and off I sent her for a day of fun. We'll meet her there tonight, but for now she is off on her own. This is our 4th year attending the New Year celebration, so it's easy for me to gauge her age and maturity based upon the things we let her do each year. The first year she stayed right by us and wasn't allowed to wander. Three years ago she could walk around in the main room, and I kept her in sight at all times. This year she left early and I didn't even worry (too much)! She'll be 10 years old in a couple of months.

Makes me feel old.