Merry Christmas!

This year we had our Annual Losee Christmas Eve party, the day before. We met at the new Pirates Island Pizza for dinner. What a fun environment. All the kids got $5.oo stuck to a candy cane that they could spend either in the arcade or the gift shop. After dinner, we went to my parents house for the rest of the party. One of our annual traditions is to act out the nativity with the grand kids. Last year's nativity was very eventful. We had kids fighting over who would be Mary, we had kids refusing to be in it at all, we had wisemen's carrying staffs, while the shepherds carried the gifts, and we had kids playing tug a war over baby Jesus. So this year we decided that the adults would act it out this year and show them how reverent it should be....

Yea right! Oh my gosh I was laughing so hard I about wet myself. Adam's child costume didn't fit so it was held on by clothes pins, my brother obviously didn't want to cover up his awesome Christmas Sweater so he only put his costume on half way, the angels wings were too small, the costumes got mixed up so we ended up with a couple of colorful shepherds and Mary fell off of her donkey on the way in. I don't know how well we did trying to set an example but it was sure funny. Defiantly a memory I won't be forgetting for a while.
After the reverent Nativity we played a game where we passed a present around a circle and when the music stopped whoever was holding the present had to unwrap it and do the task that was inside. There were about 12 different presents. Here is my niece Jadyn shoving marshmallows in her mouth and saying "God bless us everyone"

Calli had to get dressed up and act out the song "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas"
And here are some of the grand kids spelling "Christmas" in the air using only their bums. It was a blast!
And last but not least the grand kids all got their new pajamas from grandpa and grandma.

Christmas Eve and Christmas!

We had a nice and quiet Christmas Eve, which was nice for a change. We had our own little family party that night. Usually we do a talent show at the Losee Party but didn't do one this year, so the girls felt like we still needed one. So we all prepared a talent to share. After the amazing talent show we opened our Christmas Eve gifts. These are the gifts that we buy for each other. A few days before Christmas we draw names and then go shopping. This is one of my favorite traditions. I love watching my girls walk around the store looking for the perfect gift for that one person. They are supposed to keep it a secret until Christmas Eve but every year as we sit down to unwrap them we have already figured out who has who. But they still get so excited to open these presents. We spent the rest of the night watching "It's a Wonderful life" and Tracking Santa on the Internet. We got to bed just in time, before Santa made it to Utah.

Christmas Morning!

We woke up to a White Christmas.

I'm such a loser when it comes to taking pictures on Christmas, I get so excited about what's going on that I forget. So here is the only picture I got of that morning. It's the girls going through their stockings. Calli's favorite gifts were a Nintendo DS and a Digital Camcorder. Sadie's was her Nintendo DS and her boots. Gentry's was her Baby Alive and Bath paints. After opening presents Adam made us breakfast and we spent the morning, playing with our new toys. That afternoon we went back over to my parents house for Christmas dinner and then we all went to see a movie. (Bedtime Stories) After the movie we all went house hopping to see what everybody else got. And after that...we all crashed, we were exhausted.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

The Day After

We had our Peterson Family Christmas Party December 26th. We all drove to Enterprise and had Christmas Dinner at Adam's sister's house. Then we all went snow sledding! It was so fun to watch my nieces and nephews that live in Enterprise, they were all pros. They come out in all their snow gear: snow suits and boots while we are all in our levis and mittens. My niece who is 2 years old climbed out of the car and without any hesitation she jumped right on the sled picked her hill and away she went. Then she would carry her sled (which was twice her size) back up the hill and do it again. We got quite a kick out her. Although, after a while we were all pros. Everyone kept tring crazy stunts trying to out do somebody else. Calli attempted riding the sled down on her feet...noticed I used the word "attempted". We only got a few bruises, but had a lot of laughes. What a great time!

Slow Sunday!

Here is the conservation that Gentry and I had this morning while doing her hair for church.
Gentry: I don't want to go to Primary today.
Robyn: How come?
Gentry: Because.
Robyn: Well, then your going to miss all the fun Christmas stuff they have planned. I bet they do something really fun today and maybe you'll even get a treat.
Gentry: We only get treats on slow Sundays.
Robyn: What's slow Sundays.
Gentry: You know, like on Fast Sunday you don't get treats, but on slow Sunday's you do.
I had to stop doing her hair right there and walk out of the room because I was laughing so hard. She was right though, it must have been a slow Sunday because everyone in primary got a treat...well everyone except for Gentry, because she didn't go.

Happy Snow Day!

Boy, was our house hopping last night. The phone calls started coming in around 9:00pm and didn't stop until after 11:00 informing us that there would be no school. Needless to say my girls were to excited to go to sleep.

I've lived here my entire life and I don't remember ever having a snow day...How Fun!

 

Look at their big Snowman

 My three snow angels

Sadie made a snow cone out of the snow. 

The sweetest thing...

Okay, so if you read my last post this will make more sense but my husband is so sweet.
We had our Young Women activity tonight and while we were inside the church it snowed 3 inches. Adam knowing how scared I would be, texted me during the activity and told me that he would come and get me if I wanted him to. So as soon as the activity ended and I saw how much snow was on the roads, I called him. Everyone kept asking me what I was going to do with my car. I said "I don't care, I'll come back when it's sunny." The Bishop and Priesthood came in and said they would drive all the girls home...what a blessing! So Ronda (Bishops wife who also does not like driving in the snow ) went outside to wait for Adam. She was going to wait and then drive behind us in our tracks. So there we were sitting in Rondas car waiting when we hear a knock on the window. AS we look out we see Adam and Bishop standing there covered in snow. They had both WALKED down together so they could drive us home and also so I wouldn't have to leave my car there. I think that was one of the sweetest things he has done for me. I know it's just a simple thing and probably silly to some, but to me it meant the world.

What is all of this white stuff and what is it doing here?

I love the snow. I love looking out the window in the morning and seeing the white covered ground. I love watching my girls hit each other in the head with snowballs . I love making snow angels, and snow forts. I love putting the raisins, carrots hats and scarfs on the snowman. I love going sledding. But all of this seems to be forgotten at the realization that I am going to have to eventuallydrive in it. I am scared to death to drive in the snow. I'm the kind of person that likes to be in control of my surroundings and when you are sliding off the road you are not in control. It's the worst feeling in the world. I dread having to drive in the snow. There is a reason why I live in Sunny St.George.

So this morning I embarrassed my girls as we drove to school (which is 6 blocks away). We left about 20 minutes early to give me plenty of time to get there. As we drove 2-3 miles per hour, my girls were mortified as cars lined up behind us. To make it a little more adventurous I started singing the theme song to Indiana Jones. This only got a "Oh, my gosh mom" from my girls. I continue explaining that this is what happens when it snows in St. George, everybody gets freaked out, drives slower and takes more caution. In which Calli replied, "Just you mom." Needless to say we got there safe and sound. I'm already gearing up to go pick them up at 3:30. So, if you see me putting along and think it would be funny to honk or speed past me, just remember, I do not have a problem using my middle finger. HEE HEE JK! and Happy Traveling!

Christmas Countdown!

Our Countdown to Christmas usually involves lots of Fun Family Traditions.

Each year we like to...

Make Gingerbread Houses!

(actually graham cracker houses)

Add another year on our "All I want for Christmas" pillowcases.

Get a visit from "Jingle" our family Christmas elf.


Go to the Green Valley Stake Nativity Display. This is one of our favorite Christmas family traditions because my dad was the Bishop in the Green Valley ward that started this 8 years ago. My mom and dad still take turns being hosts, so we like to go in while they are there.

Take a trip to the St. George Temple to look at the lights,
and listen to the Nativity.

And then get all tuckered out driving around looking at lights.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

Bedtime

Okay, so this is how bedtime went last night. After sending the girls to bed more than a dozen times they finally laid down. After about 1.5 seconds, we hear chatter, bangs and whining. And sure enough here came the Informer.
Sadie: Calli and Gentry were beating up on me and put my face in a pillow.
Adam: Calli and Gentry come here.
Adam and I continue to explain to the girls how pushing ones head into a pillow is wrong and can be dangerous. Even when you're just playing mistakes happen and someone can get hurt.
Robyn: Now why were you pushing Sadie's head in a pillow.
Gentry: Because she threw a CD.
Calli: And then Gentry hit her.
Adam: Sadie, why did you throw a CD at Gentry?
Sadie: I didn't, I threw it at Calli.
Robyn: Okay, let me get this straight, Sadie threw a CD at Calli, but Gentry's the one that punched her.
Gentry: "No I POUNDED her."
Oh my gosh, have you ever had one of those moments when you know it is not the time or place to bust up laughing but can't help it. After we all had a good laugh we made everyone apologize and sent them to bed for round two. Bedtime is never dull around here.

Dickens Festival!

Dickens Festival 2008

Calli & Sadie

(This year the directors really wanted families to be a part of this together. There were several mothers and daughters, father and sons and entire families in the casts. I actually thought about trying out with my girls, but I knew they would have more fun having their freedom without mom always on their cases, so I volunteered my sister and I to be the make-up artists. That actually turned out to be a lot of fun. Before each show we got to put the make-up on all the actors, it was great fun!)

Sadie as an Orphan in Oliver!

Sadie Singing "Food Glorious Food" with the other little orphans.

Sadie as a Match Girl in Scrooge.

Calli as a Pick Pocket in Oliver!

Calli "picking" Fagin's Pocket.
Calli dancing with her cousin Talen to the song "December the 25th" in Scrooge. Holy cow, when she walked out on stage the first time in her darling dress I about cried. She is such a Tom boy and does not like being dressed up, but up on that stage you would never know; she looked like she was having the time of her life. When I asked her about it later she said "I was in character mom."
This was Calli's 4th year and Sadie's 3rd, along the way many cousins have joined. This year there were 7 cousins in the two plays together. Talen, Jorrin, Jaicelyn, Tavin, Calli, Kassidy and Sadie. They had a ball hanging out and performing together. This picture was taken after the last show on the last day so everyone is sad and had been crying.
(Actually Sadie and Kassi and still crying)
After Hours, Days, Weeks and Months of spending time with this cast, it was hard to say goodbye. This is Sadie saying Goodbye to the director Matt Boulton. Matt is so cute with these kids, they all just adore him. I don't know how he does it but he takes 100 kids and gets them all to listen to him and perform. He is amazing.Calli's turn to say goodbye.
They loved being a part of this cast and will miss everyone, but Matt holds a special place in their hearts.

Thanks Matt for another great year!

Gentry's Dicken Festival Adventures

So what did Gentry do while at the Dickens Festival night after night, show after show...she owned the place.

She colored...

She hung out with her cousins...
And in between shows she took over the stage.

For as many hours as we spent there she did really good!

Home away from Home

I have moved, and I just wanted to let you know my new Temporary Address. It is front row, Victoria Stage, Dixie Center. I will be living here for rest of the week... The Dickens Festival is here again which means I pack my bags every day and go camp out. For the past 4 years my girls have been in the Oliver and Scrooge plays for the Dickens Festival. They have been rehearsing twice a week for three hours each since September. It is a huge commitment from the entire family but they absolutely love it. They never complain or seem to mind the late nights and early mornings. I have to admit I love it as well. I am there for all 10 shows and it never gets old. They perform everyday Wed.-Sat. Oliver is at 6:00 and Scrooge is at 8:00. On Saturday there is also a matinee at 1:00 and 2:40. So if you come to the Dickens Festival come on by Victoria Stage and I'll give you a tour of my home away from home. (I'll post pictures at the end of the week after all the performances)

Sky Show

December 1, 2008Did anyone see the "One Night Sky Show" last night when the Moon, Venus and Jupiter all joined together for a few short hours. It was Amazing. (Sorry the picture isn't great, but if you look close you can see the Moon and Venus and Jupiter forming a tight triangle. You can see it really well if you zoom in on the picture) This event will not happen again until November18, 2052.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

The Girls decorating our Christmas Tree!

As soon as I pull out the camera they all want to "Strike a Pose" instead of just letting me catch them in the action!

Black Friday!

It's 11:30 and I just walked in from doing my Black Friday Shopping. Yea Baby! My morning started at 4:00 am as I rolled out of bed and met up with my sister and sister in law for our Annual Shopping Day! It was so nuts this year, but we managed. We went to Walmart, Roberts, JC Penny, Sears, Target, Boulevard, Walgreen's, Big 5, Kmart, Kohl's, Hurst, Krumpets, & Bed, Bath and Beyond all within 6 hours. Now that's speed shopping. I am now ready for Christmas... and a Nap!

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 27th 2008

A view of the Red Mountain Thanksgiving Morning
Adam preparing his Famous "Fried Turkey" YUM!
After the tummies are full all the Guys kick back and play "Halo" on the Xbox...
While the girls gather around the Ads and map out our Early Morning Shopping Spree. This is my favorite part of Thanksgiving! Go Fight Win!

2 of my Favorite Thanksgiving Poems!

I AM THANKFUL FOR…
I am thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have
enough to eat.
I am thankful for the mess I have to clean up after a party, because it means I have been
surrounded by friends.
I am thankful for the taxes I pay, because it means I’m employed.
I am thankful that my lawn needs mowing and my windows need fixing, because
it means I have a home.
I am thankful for the heating bill, because it means I am warm.
I am thankful for the laundry, because it means I have clothes to wear.
I am thankful for the space I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it
means I can walk.
I am thankful for the lady who sings off-key behind me in church, because it
means me I can hear.
I am thankful when people complain about the government, because it means we have freedom of speech.
I am thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it
means I’m alive.

This one will make you cry..
THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL-
A weary mother returned from the store,
Lugging groceries through the kitchen door.
Awaiting her arrival was her 8-year-old son,
Anxious to relate what his younger brother had done.
'While I was out playing and Dad was on a call,
T.J. took his crayons and wrote on the wall!
It's on the new paper you just hung in the den.
I told him you'd be mad at having to do it again."
She let out a moan and furrowed her brow,
"Where is your little brother right now?"
She emptied her arms and with a purposeful stride,
She marched to his closet where he had gone to hide.
She called his full name as she entered his room.
He trembled with fear-he knew that meant doom!
For the next ten minutes, she ranted and raved
About the expensive wallpaper and how she had saved.
Lamenting all the work it would take to repair, She condemned his actions and total lack of care.
The more she scolded, the madder she got, Then stomped from his room, totally distraught!
She headed for the den to confirm her fears.
When she saw the wall, her eyes flooded with tears.
The message she read pierced her soul with a dart.
It said, "I love Mommy," surrounded by a heart.
Well, the wallpaper remained, just as she found it, With an empty picture frame hung to surround it.
A reminder to her, and indeed to all, Take time to read the handwriting on the wall

Happy 11th Birthday Callister!

In honor of Calli on her 11th Birthday, here are 11 things We love about her.

1. She is such a good kid. She is always trying to please her parents and Heavenly Father. She loves trying to Choose the Right.

2. She is a Daddy's Girl: Adam says he doesn't need a boy with Calli around, she loves fishing, camping, snakes, bugs, sports, mud and doing it all with her Dad.

3. She is absolutely the best big sister. They are best friends and play all the time together. She includes them in everything and never gets mad at them for going in her room and touching her stuff. Their favorite thing is making up plays together. Sh eis also very generous. Every time she makes any money she wants to spend some of it on her sisters.

4. That she lets me play the "Does this bug you game" without getting mad at me. She has a great sense of humor.

5. That she would rather play with the boys than the girls. She would much rather be hanging with the boys than giggling with the girls. (She stays out of all the girl drama that way)

6. That every time we go shopping for shoes, she heads straight to the boy section, and then when we walk by the bra section and I tease her she just laughs and says "Oh, my gosh mom."

7. That she loves sports and has natural athletic ability, and that she doesn't get embarrassed when I cheer for her really loud.

8. That she sticks with Piano, even though it's not her favorite. Also, I love her obsession with Les Miserables.

9. She is a great friend and seems to attract people to her easily.

10. That she still likes me coming and helping in her class and still lets me give her hugs & kisses.

11. She gives 110% at EVERYTHING she does. She is such a hard worker and always does her best.

Boy, that was harder than I thought. I had to keep squeezing things in to make it all fit within the 11. Happy Birthday Angel,

We Love You

Twilight

It's 11:30 pm and we just walked in from seeing the movie. Yea baby! I'm not going to say much for all of you that have not yet seen it. But I will say..."I'd see it again!"

Bitter Sweet!

After 14 years of serving in the primary, my streak came to an end. It's no secret in my ward how much I adore Primary. So when I got a phone call asking me to meet the Bishop right before church I was a little suspicious, but put it out of my head. We had only been in our new presidency for a year and half. Then when they called back again and requested that Adam be there too, I immediately knew and started to cry. I didn't sleep much that night. I was really nervous and sat in the foyer with my brave face on...until they opened the Bishops door to invite me in, the tears started again. I cried through the entire interview. The Bishop had said that this is something that they had been fighting with for a while now. They kept putting it off knowing how much I loved Primary. But there is no fighting against the spirit, once that confirmation is there. They released me from being 1st co. in the Primary and called me to be 2nd co. in the young women's. I think I was shocked for a minute, and can't remember what was said after that. I haven't been in Young Women's since I was one. So, there is no point in saying I was scared out of my mind, but I accepted. We ran home and got the girls and then came back for sacrament where the changes would take place. Again, I cried. The Bishop looked at me and I felt bad that I wasn't making this easy for him. After Sacrament I went to Primary for the last time. I even had to conduct, I bawled the whole time. I bore my testimony to the children and told them how much I will miss them. I am going to miss primary very much especially the Awesome Presidency that I have been working with. These Women are so amazing. I have learned so much from each of them and feel honored to have been able to serve with them. Kristen , Lori, and Andrea I feel truly blessed to have you as friends and am excited to continue our friendship outside of Primary. However, I was really excited to hear who was replacing me. Deborah you will do Awesome. It was kinda funny, you'd have thought I had a baby or something, I had so many people in the ward calling to congratulate me and others calling to see if I was okay. The day was hard, but as time went on I found my self getting more and more excited. I now know that this truly was an inspired call from our Heavenly Father, and I am so grateful to Sydnee and the Bishopric for being in tune to receive this inspiration in my behalf. The Lord knows us better that we know ourselves and what we need and when. I'm just glad their are righteous people that The Lord trusts to be Instruments in his hands and to receive this information when I come up short. (You always here about those people that had a feeling or knew it was coming, I had no idea. )I am so grateful for this calling and fell truly blessed. I am so excited to work with the wonderful women in Young Women's and all that I will learn from them.I am also really excited to get to know the girls. My biggest prayer is that I can teach them as much as I'm sure they will teach me. (Calli, Sadie and Gentry, I will miss you the most, but look forward to seeing Calli come into Young Womens next year.

Water Fight!

Well, with the weather getting colder, my girls have tried to find other ways to entertain themselves in the house. The girls had gone out in the garage to ride wiggle cars, after hearing them laughing and squealing we went out to take a peek We found the girls having a water fight...in the garage.... in their swimming suits.... on Sunday. I guess we better have another Family Home Evening on keeping the Sabbath day Holy. Actually I thought it was pretty funny.

Another Girl Moment

Okay I don't mean to bore you with things my girls are always doing, but for some reason I seem to blog a whole lot faster than I scrapbook, so I've started using my blog as my journal, so I won't forget some of this stuff. So anyway, Adam and I came down stairs the other morning and there was a trail of cereal leading us into the study....

There we found a note and our "suitcases" The note said to follow the arrows...
After following three, the arrows led us to the garage...


Where we saw a sign that said

"Welcome to Disneyland"...

As we walked through the main gates of Disneyland, we saw three of our favorite rides
Splash Mountain...
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad...

And my favorite Peter Pan.
(And yes, the girls made us go on every ride until they were satisfied.) It was so cute. If any of you know us, you know that we are huge Disneyland fans. The girls are begging to go again, saying that's all they want for Christmas. But, unfortunately this is probably as close as were going to get for a while. Thanks Girls you guys are awesome.