Random Recents!

We went to the car show down in North St. Paul. Mostly to get out and get some fresh air on this rainy day! The kids loved it.

Alex is eating his popcorn. As long as he has popcorn he is happy.

Kayla is holding her shoe. We can not keep them on her feet. . .her socks either. She likes to be barefoot!

Whitney pushes the kids. . . we are going to miss her when she leaves. She goes back on Monday. :(

Alex playing at the beach in Nisswa, MN!

Kayla was eating the sand!

A friend of mine from my mission came to minnesota a week or so ago. She was with one of her old college friends helping her out with her baby. They had to go to Nisswa MN for work. Well after spending a great day with my friend golfing and going out for sushi they headed up north. Then I got a call from them. They were in a ginourmous cabin and wanted to make good use of it. So they invited us to come up and stay. So Whitney, Alex, Kayla, and I went up there. (Erik had to work) It was a lot of fun. Alex and Kayla played on the beach. The resort had a pool with a water slide too. So we went down the slide at least a hundred times. I went down with alex and Kayla. They both loved it. I wasn't sure what Kayla would think but she loved the water. Both of my children are little fish!

I showed Kayla the piano and she loved it so I put her in her booster seat right next to it. She had a ball playing.

These flowers are from my garden. . . I am proud that I actually grew them!

Kayla being cute!

Kayla was playing with her plate after lunch. I liked this one of her hiding behind it.

She has the cutest little smile. She is such a happy little girl!

On the way home from the car show tonight I turned the radio on and Kayla started dancing. So I told Whitney to grab the camera and record her. Alex thought Kayla was hilarious!

Happy Birthday DAD!

I think they are feeding each other cake! I love this picture of them. . . they look so happy together! I hope after being married that long that Erik and I still feel that way about each other. This picture really makes me miss them.Here is my dad dancing at his birthday bash!

Yesterday was my dads birthday! As most of you know my parents are on a mission in India. So it is time to pay a tribute to my dad. My dad is the most patient guy in the entire world. I can only remember maybe 1 or 2 times where he lost his temper, and that is really good when you have 4 daughters and 3 sons, but especially 4 daughters. He is kind and loving and so fun to be around. He has so much talent too. He can play the piano by ear, he plays the guitar. . .he writes music, and he has even written a book, yet to be published. He has a beautiful voice too. I remember when we were first learning to play basketball he would go to the church or to our front yard and shoot hoops with us. I am sure he used his patience then too. One story I remember is he was saving his money to buy his dream car. . .a 58 Chevy. . . (this is the way I remember it so if I am wrong sorry) Well he also wanted to take us on a nice vacation. So he cashed in his savings for the car and took our family on a nice long road trip. He has always made those kinds of sacrifices for his family. He gave up a dream to have memories for a life time. (mom got him the car a few years ago for Christmas) He never LET any of us win in anything. If we won. . . it was because we won! I think I got my competitive spirit from him. I like to win and I will try my hardest to do so. He taught us to always try and never to give up. I love you dad. . . I can't wait for you to come home! I hope you had an awesome birthday! From the pictures I saw it looks like you did. You are such an influence in so many peoples lives. People love you and love being around you. I know I do!

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!~

GIRLS CAMP!

Last week I went to girls camp and I had a blast! WE camped in levels this year. For those who do not know what that means let me explain. In our church we have wards where we meet for church on sunday. There are 7 or 8 wards in a Stake. Normally you meet with your stake to go to girls camp. When I was growing up we camped in wards so it was all the girls in our ward of all ages. When you camp in levels you are put with girls your own age but they are all in different wards. SO then the girls have an opportunity to meet and make new friends. Anyway I was over level 2's which are mostly 13 year old girls. Our level color was orange. Level 1 had red, level 3 had yellow, level 4 had green, and the YCL's (youth camp leaders) had purple. So the girls in the orange bandana's were in my level! We tie dyed, learned how to make bracelets, went hiking, got soaked in the rain, ate a lot of awesome food. I of course brought my volleyball net and we played a lot of volleyball. I met a lot of girls playing volleyball with them.

Our level had 24 girls and 4 leaders. The rest of the levels had between 12 and 14. My cousin Whitney brought Kayla up to visit 1 day so she is in one of the pictures taken. Last time we left her with grandma over night for a couple of days, she did not do so great. SHe really missed her mommy. She really loves her grandma but still is young enough that she needs me. So I planned to have her come half way. Alex would never leave if I were to let him come up so he stayed home with grandma!

I met some wonderful girls, and I think I camped with THE best leaders that went. I had a grand ole time. If you want to see pictures here is the blog to our camping trip!

http://oakdalegirlscamp.blogspot.com/

Kaylas big Adoption Day!!!!!!!!

This was taken after we got home! She is getting into the toybox. She is chewing on one of Alex's army guys!

She is such a happy baby. One of the witnesses in the court room said she was one of the happiest babies she has seen.

We took some family pictures after we got home from Court! This is on the side of our house.

Erik told Alex to give Kayla a hug. . . .and so he did! The funny thing is, Kayla loved every second!

THis was taken in the court room right after the proceedure!

L to R~ Audrey (grandma), Erik, Alex, Michael McNabb (Lawyer), Kristina, Kayla, The Judge, and Whitney!

Today was such a special day for our family! It is a relief to have the legal side our adoption complete. I never really worry that anything will happen but it nice to have it done. Today Kayla is officially Kayla Louise Peterson! Now we wait for the paperwork to come back and then we can have her blessed and sealed to us! Time to shope for a white dress! YAY! We love you Kayla and we are glad you came to our home to be a part of our family!

3 on 3 volleyball tournament!

Well this is the biggest grass tournament in the USA. . . I think! That is what I heard anyway. There were nearly 200 nets set up. We didnt play as well as I would have liked, but now I know what to expect I am ready for next year. Erik and I are already planning the trip for next year and how to make it better.

We got to Wisconsin Dells on Thursday and played at the waterpark. . . we played Friday too! Then Saturday we played volleyball all day! That is pretty much all you are getting out of me for this one! LOL

4th of July!

Selah is such a doll!
Jared and Porter in front of this old garage/barn. I don't know what it is but Jared thought it would be cool to get a picture.

Sack race in the park after the parade!

Porter in the sack race!

Alex did really good until he saw everyone had finished and then he fell. I tried to pick him up and help him finish but he was done. He was so tired!

Alex is the little guy lined up with all the big kids.

He was so excited to race!

Whitney and Kayla! Best Buds!

Erik, Kristina, Alex, and Kayla

I think Alex was upset because Porter and Selah picked up the last 2 pieces of candy that were thrown! It is amazing the way a 3 year old thinks!(the end of the world)

Fire trucks and police cars are being really loud! Alex cried once because one of the fire trucks honked his horn and startled him. It was endearing!

Jared, Tia, Selah, and Porter

Princess Selah

The fire trucks got pretty loud!

My little sweet angel!

I love this girl!

Tia and Selah

Watching the Parade!

Tia, Me, and Whitney!

Getting ready to pose but Tia had some parenting to do before we posed!

I guess this is just a random shot of everyone waiting for the parade!

Porter and Selah!

They are so cute!

Alex chomping on his candy!

Tia and Jared drove all night and got here at 4 a.m. on the 4th. We got up and got ready and went to the 4th of July parade in Afton. . .Minnesota. (that was for all you Idahoans and Wyoming People) It was such a fun day. The kids had a great time. We decided instead of leaving quickly we would hang out in the park and let the kids play. We all had something to eat (hot dogs, brats, chicken, egg rolls and rice), the park had several stands to choose from. They had bobbing for apples and sack races for the kids. Then we walked back to our cars which I forgot to mention were parked at least a mile away. Then we went home and relaxed. Erik and Jared got stuff to BBQ, so we BBQued later in the afternoon. We left at about 9ish to go watch the fireworks. Then we all came home and crashed. It was a fun filled day with good company and good food. . . what more can you ask for!