Memorial Day...

We have always began our Memorial Day on Sunday. That is when my grandma always went and put the flowers on the graves. The tradition continues. We started this year going to the Newton Cemetery. It is always a fun time to walk around and tell the kids about the graves and our family and also seeing family and friends and visiting. I miss my grandma and grandpa Petersen so much- it is crazy how much time has gone by, but seems like yesterday at the same time. After Newton, we went and hung out Claudia's, had dessert, and visited. Then it was time to head to Wellsville. There are a couple notable classic Garrett comments that must be documented. When we got there Garrett goes right to the grave, bows his little head, and places his hand on his heart. My mom asked him what what wrong. His response, "I am just so heart broken that Grandma Ila died." My mom and I looked at each other and almost died laughing. We then walked around looking at some other graves. Garrett sees a grave and says, "How did this man die Emmy?" I tell him I have no idea and that we don't know him. He says in a very serious voice, "I am sure he touched the grill at In-N-Out Burger and died." HAHAHAHA!!!! How do you not laugh at that? I did my best at holding it in and told him that I didn't think that is what happened and he ran off on his way. I just love these kiddos! I also miss my grandma Ila so much!! It is crazy that it has been 8 years since she passed away!! She would just love these kids.

On Monday, Memorial Day, we headed up to Idaho to Sean's grandparents. We had so much fun. Their farm is one big playground. I even rode a motorcycle for the first time while up there. It was SOOO much fun. Sean's sister Chantel rode it too and we talked my niece Celina into as well. We couldn't get Brooklyn off the little one. She LOVES it. Gracie also loved riding with Sean. And I think Ella slept the whole time we were outside playing. We headed to the Stone Cemetery and checked things out and then headed home for the last couple days of school. I love Memorial Day and the time we set outside to remember our loved ones who have passed away and also the brave heroes who fought/fight for our Freedom!

Last Soccer Game...

Gracie finished up the soccer season strong. We were so proud of her for how hard she played. It was cold and miserable most games, but the last one was nice! She had such a great coach- I am always so appreciative to people who volunteer their time to coach!! Gracie is already looking forward to next season!

Gracie was thrilled when Kami and Kyle showed up with this trophy for her- (Kyle works at a place that makes trophies and had gotten one for her and Garrett. They love them!)

Ella's 2nd Birthday

On May 10th, we celebrated Ella's 2nd birthday!! Why oh why does time go by so fast? I can't believe my baby is 2!! Ella LOVES Mimmie (Minnie Mouse) so we had a Mimmie party. Our wonderful family came and celebrated with us. Our little blue eyed beauty has brought so much happiness into our lives- we love her so much!!

Some of the faces Ella makes

Ella had LOTS of help opening her presents!! ;)

After the party was over she entertained us by gathering all her presents and carrying them around- I think around this point she was on a big time sugar high!!

Happy Birthday Brooklyn!!

April 27th was Brooklyn's 9th birthday!! NINE- I can't believe she is 9!! I remember her birth like it was yesterday. She decided that she wanted to Hogle Zoo for her big day.

(A little side note so that I remember. We ended up having a crazy week before her birthday! Sean's grandpa was going in on Friday the 26th for an Angiogram. Since Sean's parents are in South Carolina, I had promised Sean's mom that I would go down and sit with grandma while the procedure was done. My sister-in-law Chantel left Smithfield at 4:30 A.M. and headed down. Gracie and Ella had a sleepover at my parents house and Sean dropped Brooklyn off to school and my mom picked her up after- thank goodness for family!! Sean's grandparents were so surprised and grateful when Chantel and I walked into the room. We waited for awhile for grandpa to be prepped and then it was finally time to take him down for the procedure. We said good-bye to him and went to the little waiting room and got situated for the hour wait. It had been about 5 minutes and we hear, "Code stimi to the ER, code stimi to the ER." We mentioned that that hadn't sounded too good. About 5 minutes later, a nurse comes in and tells us they had had an unforeseen medical emergency. Our hearts dropped- we couldn't imagine what could've happened to grandpa in that amount of time. I think he noticed the looks on our faces and then told us that someone was coming in with a heart attack. Oh my gosh, I almost had a heart attack!! Anyway it ended up putting them about 3 hours behind so when they finally got him in, he ended up needing to have a stint. So we hung out for the day until Sean could come down and spend the night with his grandma. Despite him having to have the procedure and stint, it was actually a fun day- no responsibilities and I got to sit and visit with Chantel and grandma all day! I got into the valley around 8:30 P.M. and was exhausted! The gals and I ended up staying at my parents again, woke up for Gracie's 9 A.M. soccer game, got ready and headed to the zoo.)

We had a GREAT day!! The weather has been so yucky this spring and this was one of the first good Saturdays, therefore meaning the zoo was packed!! We managed to have a fantastic time even with the crowd. Brooklyn saw that they rented wagons and decided that she wanted one so my brother Brian who is a great uncle and gives the kiddos anything they want and his wife Sher went and rented one. It was classic when I looked up and saw my dad pulling Brian in the wagon! The kids ended up have a blast in it. Some of the favorites were the monkeys, polar bear, and giraffes. There is also this cool exhibit there now where they have Lego sculptures. There is a life size polar bear made out of Legos. We have such a great family that loves us and the gals- they were willing to drive down and spend the day with us at the zoo.

We stayed at the zoo right until closing time and walked over to a little park and Brooklyn got to open her presents there. All she wanted was the McKenna (American Girl) DVD and leotard for gymnastics. She got spoiled from everyone else there. The next day, pops made her a cake so she could blow out her candles and we had cake and ice cream. Happy Happy Birthday Brooklyn!!! We love you so much!!!

April Come and Gone...

Well, April has come and gone. We had a great month! Gracie started soccer this year and has LOVED it!! The weather has not been ideal- freezing, snowing, raining, windy all the kind of weather you want to sit outside in and watch games. She has been fun to watch progress this season. When the season started, she wouldn't touch the ball, she would run around with everyone, but didn't touch the ball. But her past 2 games it is like she has come alive. She is kicking the ball and getting in the middle of things to get to the ball. She has 1 game left and can't wait for next season!

Brooklyn participated in an after-school jump rope club. She loved it and learned so much. It was fun to watch the new things she would learn every week. To show the routine they learned they had a little program at school. It was fun to see her routine and to have the whole school cheering for them.