Peterson Family Reunion - Aug 5-6, 2011
August brought us to the peak of the insanely scorching temperatures in Arizona. We headed up north to get out of the heat and enjoy my dad's family reunion in Lakeside. It was an area I hadn't been to in 10+ years and I forgot how amazing it is. Arizona is known for it's heat, but not everyone knows about the hidden treasures in the north part of the state. They are close by and have great weather in the summer. The boys had fun playing with cousins, checking out the pond, throwing rocks in the water and going on a hike with us. A place like this is paradise for 3 year old boys!
Jamison's blessing - Aug 7, 2011
While we were in Spokane we missed out on all the little family events like blessings and birthday parties. It was fun to be here for our nephew's blessing.
Amy, Jon, Abbie and Jeffrey Visit - Mid August
The Millers had a layover in Phoenix on their way to Hawaii and a short layover turned into a overnight stay in Phoenix. We were thrilled to have them around for a night. Abbie and the boys are only a few days apart in age and were great friends in Spokane. They picked right back up playing together and the adults chatted the night away. Heidi and Mark came over too. I only took 4 pictures the whole night and they are all of the kids playing with GeoTrax. I am sad we didn't get a good group shot. The August heat was making me miss Spokane and it was good to have visitors. The Millers are some of our best friends from law school and it was so great to have them here! We miss hanging out with them multiple times a week. We probably should have cranked the A/C for them. I don't think they will be making another trip to AZ in August anytime soon.
Jeremiah, Sam and HelenAnn Visit - August 15-22
Right after the Millers left, the Stoddards came to AZ for a week long trip. I tried to warn them that August is a HORRIBLE time to come to AZ, but they didn't listen. I was glad though because we sure had a lot of fun while they were here. We met the Stoddards at one of our first excursions out of the house in Spokane. We had been there a few weeks and were settling into life with our 3 month old twins. We had an exciting three years in Spokane with them and loved having them come to visit. Heidi and Mark joined in all the festivities too. It was a constant party for a week! We shopped, swam, ate, played, BBQ'd, ate some more, shopped some more and chatted the nights away. We sure miss living by the Stoddards!
My dad gave the kids a ride to the tire swing in his tractor. I think they all enjoyed the tractor better than the tire swing.
One of the first days Sam was here, we went out for a girls day of shopping and food. We met up with Trisha and showed Sam around Scottsdale Fashion Square. We had lunch and chatted. Heidi mentioned wanting to get her ears pierced and we marched right down to Claire's before she could chicken out. We also took Sam to Last Chance and a crazy fabric store called Sas.
Towards the end of the week, Mark, Brooks, Sterling and Jeremiah went to the Grand Canyon and backpacked to Deer Creek Falls. It was insanely hot and a horrible time to hike the Grand Canyon, but I think they had fun anyway. I am just glad they made it home in one piece.
How many kids can you read to at once? I somehow pulled off reading to all seven of these little cuties at the same time. Heidi and Sam were frantically gathering pajamas and cleaning while I was distracting the kids. Heidi came to stay the night at our place with all her kids while the guys were gone hiking. That night she stayed was one of my favorites. It reminded me of why we loved living in Spokane so much. We stayed up late crafting and talking just like the many times we did that in Spokane. I know I already said this a few too many times, but we had such a fun week with them here!
Random from the rest of August
By the end of the summer, the kids were learning how to swim. I am sure they will forget by next year and we will have to start over.
The boys love to come and "bug" my mom upstairs and she almost always accommodates them. One of their favorite things to do is help her when she is making rolls. They get out the cookie cutters and mini rolling pins and "help out."
At some point in August, Brooks and I started to question our decision to go back to Washington for another year of school. We though about it, talked about, prayed about and went crazy trying to make a decision. We took a trip to the temple and decided to stay in Arizona. It was a tough decision because we loved Washington so much, but for some reason we are supposed to be here. We are still working on figuring out why, but for now we are moving forward with our plans.
Grandpa and Grandma Great were up at the cabin a few times this summer while we were there. I loved that the boys got to know their great grandparents because of that. We spent our afternoons on the deck riding bikes, reading books and enjoying the cooler weather. Our evenings were spent playing Domino's and other games.
This is Landon's "shy" face
I wanted this picture on here in order to remember Landon at this stage. Even though he is 3 and old enough to walk by himself, he likes to be carried sometimes. I am a sucker and give in to his requests. He still has a lot of growing up to do, but he is a sweet boy and I love having him around.
