We are America

My cousin Jim Funk wrote this song and his talented wife, Jessie, sang it. My grandfather is the one pictured in the first scene. He served in World War II and has shared many memorable stories about his time in the service.

He actually served in the San Diego area in Escondido for a time which is about 15 miles away from me now. My mother, Shauna, gave to each of us children a written history or his autobiography and it is definitely something I will treasure along with my other grandparents and greats.

Just last night Reeghan asked us about our history and about how we became members of the church. It was a great opportunity to show her the book that my parents had given me of our deep rich pioneer history about the Peterson and Wood side families.

I can't wait to share more with my children about our family history. Its just a great reminder of what I am doing here on this blog. I am creating our own family history here and some of the time may be cheesy information but at other times it will be well worth recording our special events and happenings in life!

Peterson Photo Session

With my new camera I got for an early christmas present that was put on a tripod and we took my side of the family's pictures which hadn't been done in 5 years!

Baby Ella has arrived!

Ella Kathleen Peterson
June 20, 2009
8lb 5 oz

My niece Ella has come! Proud parents are David and Tera! We welcome you to the family and your life will be filled with much happiness and love from everyone! Its been a long time coming and enjoy your life with your new parents!

Joe and Rebecca Sealing

They were sealed in the Manti Temple and I was so excited to go inside and to witness this event. It was the first sealing I have attended where a child was involved. Wesley was so adorable and I just remember watching Joe and Rebecca look into eachothers eyes and then look at their son and it just brought so many tears! I love these guys and I am so happy for them and what they have been able to go through together to become a forever family! Thank you for allowing us to share this beautiful day with you!

Wakeboarding

I learned how to wakeboard while on this trip. I have never had a desire until I saw David with one. On Friday we went on 2 different runs. The first one I went out with Tera and I tried about 7 times and then finally got up for like 2 seconds. Then I tried again and again and about the 3rd time after that I got up for like another 5 seconds. I was too excited that I got up that I didn't know what to do once I was up. After that I was too tired and had to take a break.

The 2nd try I went out with Joe and David and it was about 6:30pm and we were like the only ones on the lake it seemed like. The water was smooth and perfect. This time I did alot better and got up like 3 times for a little bit longer. This time though I would get up and be outside the wake and then I would crash.

The 3rd try was on Saturday morning because David was leaving so I had to get another run at it. Once again I got up 3 times and then I stayed up just a little bit longer than the other times.

That night I was begining to become sore andmy hands were a little rough because of my grip on the handle. I had so much fun though that it didn't matter! I can't wait to get my own board and go as often as I can.

I have video of me trying and trying so I do have proof that I did it!

Waverunners

Erin and Mallory
Grandma and Reeghan

On Friday Reeghan went out on the waverunners only once. But Saturday I think she warmed up to the idea and went out 3 different times. The last ride she went out with Grandma.

Lounging around at Bear Lake

Little Cousins at Bear Lake

Kaitlyn
Kourtney
Conner, Mallory and Leah
Haley
Andrew

Cabin Fun

I brought my Ipod with me and we had a little dance party with all the kids! They thought it was the best thing and they just loved singing and dancing around on the deck. The first picture is some of them on the riding lawn mower.

Camp Fire Smores

Leah, Colten, Rebecca, Dad and Andrew
Joe (Rebecca's husband) and Reeghan
Aleece, Kaitlyn, Mom and Haley
Reeghan and I
Tera

Christmas Day

We were at my G&G Wood's house for christmas because they have the bedrooms for us to use. When we go back home my grandparents house is the biggest one to use so we all tend to flock over there to stay. So we woke up the girls and Conner, Kourtney and Russell. It was fun to see their faces when they came around the corner and saw the presents under the tree.

Peterson Family Christmas Party

The Crosby's

We were able to hang out with the Crosby's for a couple of days over the holiday. They are best friends with Trent's side of the family. Their children were able to be home for christmas and one of the girls is my age and she has 2 girls as well and Reeghan had a ball playing with them as you can see.

Park City

We met up with Ryan and Leah Miller who came from Williamsburg for the christmas vacation. We went without our girls and left them with my parents. We picked up Leah in Stansbury Park at her mother's house and then went to SLC to get Ryan at his dad's office. We headed out to Park City and went to the outlet mall then to Park City Pizza and Pasta for dinner and I ate the best pasta! Then we went down main street and browsed through the shops. We stopped at some jean stores and had a ball watching Ryan and Trent try on designer jeans and mock some of the looks and prices of the clothing in the store. It was so much fun! That night we stayed at his parents place and watched a practical joke of one of Ryan's friends about him applying for the Apprentice. Then we ended the night with "The Office"

The next day we went down to SLC to the temple and my father was working their and he got to help me at the end of our endowment session. It was so nice to be at a live session and admire the workers who memorize all those lines. I also got to see quite a few people from Tooele and my old home ward (Jerry and Beverly Elton)

We then left our husbands and went to American Fork to the Shade Clothing store. Leah and I tried on their new line of dresses and I ended up with one of the them. While we did that the boys went to a movie at the Gateway. We met up with them and shopped some more and that ended our time together. It was so good to hang out with our close friends who don't really live close.