Fall Happenings

I have been in somewhat of a blogging slump lately, so I have a lot to get caught up on.

Sean celebrated his 30th birthday. We had a little party at our house and then him and I went out. It was low key, but a nice birthday.

We have also reached a very happy milestone with Gracie. She is POTTYTRAINED!!! Most milestones kids reach are kinda bittersweet, but I can't think of anything sad about her getting pottytrained.

The gals played doctor one day. It was way cute!! They got all the gear out and Gracie was having a baby. She took it very seriously, as did Brooklyn being the doctor. These 2 are the best of friends and I am so glad. They play so well together (most of the time).

The Petersen men made their annual trek up to the mountains to try and secure food for the winter. The gals and I headed up one day after school. The gals were so excited to go on a horse ride. Brooklyn even got to ride her own horse. She was a little scared, but my uncle Ron led and they had a great time. They are still talking about the horsey ride.

We also went up to Stone to visit Sean grandparents. They are so good to us. The gals talked grandpa into taking them on a ride in the tractor and then in the Ranger. I was sad I failed (again) to get a picture of grandma. :(

Tonight we painted pumpkins for FHE. Brooklyn decided she wanted to paint them instead of carving and Sean and I were more than happy to go along with that. The clean-up is so much easier. We also made caramel apples- they were delicious!

This fall has been BEAUTIFUL!!! I love the fall and it seems like it never lasts long enough. I feel like it was perfect this year. It was warm and sunny and dry- until the past 2 days. And we have paid for it. Our window started leaking yesterday and we have a mess! The paint down the wall has bubbled and looks bad. Here's hoping for a perfect winter!

Merry Chirstmas Mom and Dad

For Christmas this year, my siblings and I decided to give my mom and dad family pictures. My sister-in-law Sher's sister Carrie took the pictures and she did a FANTASTIC job. We are so happy with how they turned out! Here are some of my favorites of about the 5000 that were taken.

Brooklyn had a picture that she just had to have done and it was on the loveseat in the back of Carrie and Derek's truck and she is absolutely thrilled with this picture

LOTOJA

We made our annual trip to Jackson last weekend to see my brother Brian participate in his 6th LOTOJA!! I think to finish once would be amazing, but 6 times. I think is amazing! In the words of Brooklyn, "We were such proud of him!" Thanks to the place we were staying overscheduling and offering us a free night, the gals went up the night before and met up with B along the way. We had a blast!! On Sunday, we decided to take a major long-cut and went home through Yellowstone. We were so excited when the first animal we saw was a grizzly bear. Our family LOVES Yellowstone so it was fun to drive through! Thanks B for taking place in this so we can go and make some fun memories!!

With these cuties cheering for you- how could you not get motivated?

So cute!

Gracie and Pops cheering for B

Mal wanted in on the action- so she grabbed Garrett's Magnadoodle and came up with her own picture.

B and Sher at the finish line

The kids were SOOOO excited to see some buffalo.

The Tetons are amazing!! This is the bear we saw and the entrance into Yellowstone!

Random Things

I can't let summer end without posting about some things that happened. I have meant to put Brooklyn in swimming for several years now and then before you know it summer is over. That was the #1 thing that I wanted to accomplish this summer. She took at The Peak in Brigham. I was really happy with her lessons she learned a lot in the 2 weeks and 1 private lesson she had.

The gals had fun in our little pool. I love how Gracie is cheesing it in this picture.

We also sold our Durango to Sean's brother, Brent. I was super sad to sell it and I miss it! It was a good car for us. It took us all over. To California, Island Park/Yellowstone, Jackson. We are on the lookout for another SUV or van. If you know of any good deals let me know. We thought we were going to be able to upgrade. But to our surprise the used car market is up 30% right now. It is really discouraging- making me miss the Durango that much more!

One day I put the sprinkler under the tramp and the gals LOVED it!

There were several nights this summer where there were AMAZING sunsets. I love sunsets.

We had a great summer and now we are moving into my favorite season- fall. Everyday I look at the Wellsville's and see more and more color changing taking place and I am SOOO excited!

Funny

I don't know where Brooklyn comes up with some of the stuff she does, but she crack me up. It is hard when she says these things not to burst out laughing.

My sister was asking her how her first day of school went. This was Brooklyn's reply, "Nat, I REALLY want to tell you. But so many people have asked me about it and I didn't tell them and it just wouldn't be fair if I told you!"

I asked her how her day was. Her reply, "One word, AWESOME!"

She was talking to a girl that was going to be going into Kindergarten. She says, "I really like to talk. They tell me I'm a socialist."

The other night she was in bed and called me in. She tells me, "Mom, I have a crush on Justin. That means I want him in my heart." She said this with this dreamy look in her eyes. Heaven help me!!

Gracie is following in her sister's footprints because she has said some things that crack me up to.

I was trying to get the gals out the door and she was just laying on the floor. I told her to c'mon. She then tells me, "I can't walk my leg is broken."

Today she was saying the prayer "Heavenly Father thanks for Elmo." (It happened to be what she was watching.)

My life would be pretty dull and boring without these 2 little gals to keep me on my toes. I don't know what I would do without them!

The Big 3-0!!!

Yesterday was my birthday- not just any birthday, it was my 30th birthday!
It is kinda weird that my 20's are behind me now. I enjoyed my 20's!
A few things that happened in my 20's
- I got married
- I became a mom to 2 sweet little girls
- Sean and I bought our first house
-I went to Hawaii (LOVED it!!)
- I lost my 3 remaining grandparents
- I graduated from college
- I went on some fun vacations

Me and Sean on my 30th

I had a great day. I got Brooklyn off to school and hung out with Gracie for a little bit. And then Nat came and got her, I turned my phone off and had a nap. It was a nap like I hadn't had in years. Quite possibly the best present I could have gotten. Then we had dinner at Cafe Sabor with my family and Sean's family. It was a great day! While I have enjoyed my 20's, I am excited for my 30's and can't wait to see what they bring!

Week of Firsts

We have had a week of firsts in our house this week. On Monday, Gracie and I started a mommy and me dance class. It was quite fun- she had a few moments of needing me to hold her but other than that she had a fun time. Brooklyn also started dance on Monday. Yesterday, was Brooklyn's first day of school. she started first grade so she is gone all day. It is a little weird for me to have my little side-kick gone all day. She has Mrs. Giddings and we are hoping for another good year.

Gracie looked so cute in her little leotard

First day of first grade!

She picked a Barbie backpack this year

In front of her classroom

A picture with grandma. (this is grandma's last year of teaching and then she retires)