Christmas Decor

Christmas may be my favorite holiday. Halloween is close, but I think Christmas edges it out :) I love this time of year. I have gone away from just red and green and love the bright christmas colors.

At the end of the holiday last year, I was walking around the leftovers at Tai Pan and saw this huge, white, sparkly star. It was 75% off and not expensive to begin with, so, I picked it up - not exactly sure what I would do with it. Turns out it was perfect to hang in one of our kitchen windows. It was big, but it was great! It took me a day or two to get used to it, but each time I walked into the kitchen, it made me smile. Yep - that's a keeper.

I also changed up our picture frames. I printed out and put pics of Reagan and Cole with Santa. Almost every year since they have been born, we have visited Santa. What better pics to put in the frames this time of year than pics with Santa. Love it! 

My other new find this year were the luminaries from White Barn. You'll remember that they had ones with pumpkins on them for fall. When I walked in and saw the ones with snowflakes on them, I was giddy. I bought enough to replace the pumpkin ones so that we had no break in luminary light :)

This year, we also found Lego Advent Calendars. They are basically a Lego set with a little window for each day of December, leading up to Christmas. Each window has a little character or item to build and the box folds out into a scene that you can put the characters on. Cole chose Star Wars (of course) and Reagan chose Lego Friends (of course).

I put the snowflake luminaries all around our tub and put battery operated candles with timers in them. I love these - they come on at 6 automatically and stay on until 11. Perfect!!! 

Reagan and Cole got into the Christmas spirit as well and decorated their rooms with nativity sets and their own little Christmas trees and even decorations for Reagan's American Girl Doll. Gotta love it! Yep - Christmas decorations are great - we love them!!!!

New Year's Eve

For New Year's Eve, we headed out to my parents' house. We had lunch and talked and played and, of course, my mom had a bag of presents for Reagan and Cole. Cole said "Grandma, you don't have to get us gifts each time we come here - we love to come here." She just sees something and picks it up and when we get together, she gives Reagan and Cole whatever stash she has built up to that time. Love her!

One of our favorite things this visit was the foot and leg massager that some of us sibs gave my dad for Christmas. He has had gout for probably 25 years and has numbness and tingling in his legs. Apparently this machine helps the circulation and the pain. He uses it several times a day. Well, he couldn't use it the day we were there because Steve, Reagan and Cole.... and I'll admit me as well.... were constantly fighting over it :) It was actually cracking Steve's joints and we could hear it - wow! But, he loved it. Yep - going to have to get one of those!

We love hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa and we are blessed that they are only an hour's drive away. We get to see them pretty often whenever we head out there or they drive in to see us. We left after dinner because we didn't want to be on the road too late given all the crazies that would be driving on New Year's Eve.

Once we got home, Cole insisted that we "toast" or have a toast. He LOVES to celebrate with Martinelli's.

Another year is about to expire. I can't believe how fast time is going - it doesn't feel like it has been a whole year since last New Year's Eve.

What a year it has been. We are truly so very blessed. We have been healthy (for the most part) and happy, we have traveled and worked hard and had fun. We have certainly faced challenges, but are so grateful to our Heavenly Father for the bounteous blessings that he has bestowed upon us. To be together is our favorite thing and to be working and playing and enjoying life together... well, it just doesn't get better than this. Happy New Year and bring on 2016!!!!!

Petersen Sibs Christmas Party

A few days after Christmas, we got together with Steve's siblings and their spouses as well as his parents. It was a nice time to get caught up a bit. As usual, I love watching Steve with his sibs. They reminisce, they laugh, they play jokes on each other and they bring up inside jokes. Some of us spouses don't get it, but we love watching them. As unbelievable as it sounds, it seems like there is always some story that is revealed to their mom for the first time (something they denied doing for years and now they come clean or something she didn't know or something one of them did). I know she hates it, but it's just part of these sibs getting together :)

We were missing two couples and wish they could have come, but it was a very snowy night and some people were coming from far away - it wouldn't have been safe for them to be on the roads for a long distance. We took a pic on the stairs, leaving an empty step for each sibling who had passed or who wasn't able to make it that night.

What a group this is. I'm so blessed to be able to have joined this family and to be part of this crew. I love them so much!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

It's Christmas!!!! It's Christmas!!!!! Yeah!!!! We spent Christmas Eve with Steve's girls and their families. We had a dinner and then put together a basketball game for our basement (that Santa actually brought LAST Christmas ..... I know, we're fired) and played basketball. We enjoyed just being together and hanging out.

Christmas morning was great. Santa did come and it was awesome!!!!

Cole LOVED his gifts.  

Reagan LOVED her gifts. She was so kind. She made coupon bundles for Steve, Cole and me. They were beautifully made and cut and they were so thoughtful. She gave me things like helping clean the kitchen or making a meal. She gave Cole things like doing his chores or letting him design a coupon for her to do. She gave Steve things like scratching his legs or pulling his hair (he likes that..... crazy). Each of our bundles was wrapped up in a beautiful box. Reagan had clearly put a lot of time and effort into her gifts.... so sweet!

Steve's girls and their families came over Christmas morning and we had a great breakfast. One of Cole's favorite gifts was a Star Wars video game. It was a hit with everyone. I think from the time he opened it, someone was playing it until we left the house that day :)

We opened more gifts, ate and laughed. 

Of course, we played more basketball.

Then, Steve's girls went to visit other family and we headed to Steve's parents' house to visit with them and his siblings and their families. We stayed for hours (probably longer than his parents wanted us to stay). I always love seeing the sibs together - chatting and reminiscing and joking. Reagan and Cole love seeing their cousins and we had a fabulous day. Yep - Merry Christmas it is!!!!

We can't help but reflect on this beautiful Christmas day how blessed we are to be free to celebrate the birth of our beloved Savior - how wonderful it is to have the world stop for a day and reflect on his birth and on his life. Merry Merry Christmas!!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Yes - it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas and I LOVE IT!!!!! The snow just keeps on falling which is fine by me. I love Love LOVE a white Christmas!!!

Lights at Temple Square

As is our tradition this time of year, we hit Temple Square to see the beautiful Christmas lights. This year, we invited our friends the Pescis to join us. We had a great dinner at the Garden Restaurant overlooking Temple Square. Then, we bundled up and headed outside to walk around Temple Square.

There are so many lights everywhere. The staff here starts in September putting up lights. They are so beautiful and I love the spirit that is felt here. 

We walked into the Tabernacle (no concerts or events were going on) and then we walked over to look at the nativity. There are lights that shine on the parts of the nativity that the recorded scripture is talking about. At the end, they are all lit up and there is a recording of President Monson talking about the nativity. I love it!

Then, we walked into the Visitor's Center and waited to go up to the upper room to see the Christus statue. There is a recording talking about Christ and there are sister missionaries that talk about Christmas, the Savior and how it relates to our lives.

Next, we walked by the reflecting pool. They have a beautiful nativity set out in the middle of the reflecting pool as well. I love coming here each year and I'm so glad that we could share it with our friends this year. I know it cliche to say, but coming here totally adds to my holiday experience each year and helps me remember the reason for the season.

Christmas Cookies with Alexis

My sister Brandi and I LOVE sugar cookies. We always had them growing up, but let's be honest... they are a pain to make and to clean up. Brandi always says "Let's make sugar cookies.... I'll do the sprinkles." Of course, doing the sprinkles is like 1/100th of the work involved in making the cookies. But we both love them, so, whenever we make them, we invite Brandi or we make sure to give her some.

We planned to make Christmas sugar cookies and invited Brandi and her family to Sunday dinner and then to make cookies. Unfortunately, Brandi was out of town on business, but her daughter Alexis and Alexis' friend Caleb joined us.

Reagan were thrilled to be hanging with Alexis and there may or may not have been a flour fight during our process. Then again, Reagan and Cole may have just been jacked up on too much sugar from the cookies and the frosting. Oh well - we had fun and we missed you Brandi!

Primary Nativity

In our Primary on Sunday, we had a little nativity that the children acted out. They donned costumes and had a few speaking parts, but mostly the narrator read and the children followed the narrator's instructions and then sang Christmas songs as they performed their action.

Cole was a shepherd and Reagan was an innkeeper.

We had angels, sheep (and other animals), wise men, Mary and Joseph and, of course, baby Jesus.

After our nativity, we had a little movie party and the children ate treats while we watched Bible videos of the nativity.

I love serving in the Primary. It's funny how, when I was serving in Young Women, that was the only place I wanted to be. Now that I'm in Primary, I can't imagine serving anywhere else. I love being in here with Reagan and Cole and with the other children. Some of the things they say are so funny, some are so revealing and some are truly profound. Not sure how long I'll be in Primary or where I'll go next, but I'm loving every minute of this calling :)

Star Wars.......Finally!!!!!!!

Cole is a HUGE Star Wars fan - like I mean HUGE!!!!! He watches the movies, he watches the cartoons, he collects costumes and light sabers and Star Wars stuffed animals. He LOVES Star Wars. So, when we learned that the new movie would be coming out in December, we bought tickets as soon as they were available.  I had a bit of a panic when we were in Hawaii as the tickets looked like they were at the same time as our belt test, but my phone had adjusted things by 3 hours, so, it was on Hawaii time for the belt test. Good thing because I'm truly not sure which one we would have opted for :)

After our belt test, we headed to lunch with our friends from karate to celebrate our new belts. Then, we hit the movies. Seeing the new movie in 3D on a huge Imax screen was epic! I loved the movie. Seriously - I could have walked out, turned around and walked right back in to see it again. Cole loved it but was upset that a key figure was killed. Steve was ambivalent. I don't think he ever saw all of the original 3 movies, let alone the prequels, so, for him, it was just a movie.

I thought it was awesome and we will for sure be reserving tickets in advance for the next one.

Yeah Star Wars!!!!!!

Karate Belt Test

You may remember that the last belt test we had (in September, 2015) was our last with the whole studio. Once Reagan and Cole earned their last belt, they moved up to Ban Bu level. Ban Bu belt tests are much smaller (we only had a dozen students at our belt test). They are also MUCH more involved and MUCH harder. Rather than knowing one form, the students need to demonstrate four forms. Rather than one weapon form, they demonstrate two. They demonstrate about a dozen self-defense techniques and several different grappling moves. One of the instructors told me that less than half of the students testing at each Ban Bu belt test pass their test.... gulp! The good news is that Reagan and Cole worked very hard, practiced, took some private lessons with their instructor and practiced with friends. I hoped we were ready.

Reagan and Cole have really progressed over the last three months. Their kicks are getting better and better.

Their forms are more exact and they are remembering all six of their forms.

Their power karate continues to improve, with stronger kicks and hits and more combinations to learn.

They continue to learn more self defense techniques and grappling moves.

They are really getting good at sparring. 

In Black Belt Training, they have been breaking boards. I love watching that!

In Black Belt Leadership, they have been working with the sword. I was pretty concerned at first, but they have learned how to hold it and work with it. Their sword form is amazing!

They have continued to get stronger through many of the exercises they do in class - squats, pushups, v-sits, splits, plank holds, wall sits and many more.

They continue to do lots of different things in class - playing games, learning about life skills, doing back handsprings and learning leadership techniques.

So, it was time for their belt test and to show off what they have learned. Of course, they start with a meditation each class or test so as to set their intention for the class or test. Next, they had the physical fitness part of their test - 75 squats, 25 pushups, 30 v-sits, 30 shoulder rolls. That would have been exhausting for me, let alone continuing to do the test.

Next, they performed their punches, their kicks, their blocks, their heel palms, and their elbow strikes.

Then, they performed their forms and their power karate. They do the forms as a group and there is one student who acts as the leader. The group is supposed to stay together and not get ahead of or behind the leader. Sometimes that is tricky. Reagan was asked to be the leader of one of the forms :)

Next, they demonstrated their self-defense techniques and their grabbling skills. Cole was a bit frustrated because he was paired up with a new student who had transferred from another karate studio. This guy had either been taught something different or something because he didn't know what he was doing. The instructor had to come over and show him what to do. I was concerned that it would hamper Cole's performance, but I think the judges know Cole and what his abilities are. Finally, they showed off their kicks.

At the end of the test, they had both passed and earned their next belt. It was awarded to each of them individually and then they had the little ceremony to acknowledge their path in learning and to transition to their new belt. Then, they gave their parents some applause for helping them in their karate journey.

Finally, they took a group picture. We are so proud of Reagan and Cole for working so hard to earn their next belts. Two more and they will be preparing to test for their black belts. Whoa!

I made a little movie to show some of their belt test. My camera lens broke and I had to order a new one, so, we only had our phones at this belt test. Oh well, it's all good. Way to go Reagan and Cole - you are amazing!!!!!!