Home for the Holidays

It is wonderful to be back home after a week in Logan. We had planned all along to spend time up there for Thanksgiving, but we ended up leaving 5 days earlier to be there for Justin's grandpa's funeral. It was a hard week for everyone. It's never easy to have a death in the family and a little added family drama never helps. But the funeral turned out nice and Justin gave a wonderful family prayer before our last good-byes to Grandpa. The graveside service was especially moving because the American Legion gave him military honors including a 3 round rifle shoot and a bugle call.
Thanksgiving Day was filled with the usual delicious food and good times with family. We had dinner at Aunt Karen's and we provided the turkeys that Justin got from work (last year's and this year's). We only provided them, seeing that I don't dare cook a turkey and I'm going to avoid learning as long as possible. I'm afraid if I learn I might be expected to host. The only thing I cooked was a dish of my favorite yams!
We haven't been in the picture-taking mood lately, but we dug out the camera when we got home to take a picture of the aftermath of Nolan's first shave. He found a razor in the bathroom while we were staying in Logan and did just as he's seen Dad do, except that he was bleeding for about 30 minutes. It wasn't too bad really, but it definitely left a mark. By the look on his face you'd think he'd just done it!
Lastly, we put up Christmas decorations on Saturday. I'm looking forward to enjoying the Christmas season here at home and the actual holiday in St. George with my side of the family. I gave Nolan his own little tree to decorate. He loves the train and car ornaments that best, of course! We hope everyones holidays are off to a good start. I've already gotten new socks and that's always a good thing!
One more thing!!! We saw Twilight! I couldn't believe my watch when I realized it was two hours long. It seems like it was too short but I loved nearly every second (the meadow scene was my only complaint).

Grandpa Petersen

Yesterday morning Justin received a call that his Grandpa Derrall Petersen had passed away. He had been battling several types of cancer and we're glad that he is no longer in pain. It's never easy, though, to lose someone you love so much. Justin was always close to him. Ever since I met Grandpa over 5 years ago, he has treated me like his own grand daughter. I don't have any more of my Grandpas alive, so I've been really close to him as well. We'll both really miss him. He loved working on the farm, relaxing (and working) up the canyon, and spending time with the little ones in the family. He and Justin loved reading Scientific American and discussing the articles together. Nolan was always so happy to see him too. It's easy to see what kind of person he was from just this one picture. We love you, Grandpa, and you are in our prayers, Grandma.

Not a singer

I've never thought of myself as much of a singer. Now I know that Nolan agrees. This morning we were all eating breakfast and Justin started singing a silly made-up song (he actually comes up with great lyrics). Nolan immediately started dancing and "leading the music." Well, when Daddy finished, Nolan looked at me and waited for me to take a turn. I started singing the ABCs. I only made it through the first line when Nolan gave the sign for "all done." No leading the music, no dancing, nothing. Clearly I'm not a singer.

Book Club and Birthday

Last Thursday I hosted our ward's book club. We read Nobody Don't Love Nobody by Stacey Bess, who was my student teaching supervisor two years ago. Stacey was nice enough to come all the way out to our neighborhood and talk with us for an hour. I think everyone really felt inspired by her book and the things she had to say that night. I'm glad we could have such a great turnout.

Justin recently celebrated his 30th birthday! He's not too thrilled that he's getting so "old." But he did love all the cards and phone calls from family. We gave him a new belt and a locator system so he won't lose his wallet, keys, etc. His mom gave him SimCity for the Wii. He's been having fun with that. After we ate dinner, I took Justin to Cold Stone for his free ice cream. As we were walking in, Amber and John were walking toward the door too. Then in line were Jen and Kyle. After a minute or two, two other couples (both Anderson families) we know walked in. Finally I told him that I'd invited all our friends to join us for ice cream. He was pretty surprised. Rob and Lacey came too! Thanks to all of you who came to celebrate with us. I know it was short notice but I think it made his birthday a little more exciting.

Nolan had a wonderful Sacrament meeting yesterday. He crawled under the bench to the family behind us and they were nice enough to give him free reign with their washable (thank goodness!) markers. He colored his arms, hands, neck, mouth, and even his clothes! He's our little tattoo artist! Sis. Broadhead kept apologizing but Justin and I couldn't help but laugh. I'm not really the type of mom that gets worried about these things. In fact, it was the most pleasant sacrament meeting we've had in a long time! Except that I had to sing with the Young Women. I guess you can't win them all! Anyway, Nolan had a great tub after the meeting... the water even turned blue! I think next week we'll bring some of our own markers (or maybe just crayons).

Halloween in Logan

We had a fun Halloween weekend visiting family in Logan. I was a mad scientist (that's Justin's lab coat), Justin was his Dad as a sorority brother, and Nolan was Eeyore. We visited the Petersens, had a fun pizza dinner with the Moultons, and then went to a Halloween party at the Campbell's pool house/garage. We let Nolan eat all the candy he wanted (it's just one day, right?) and he's never been happier! We only trick-or-treated to 3 houses, which was too bad because he loved it! He wouldn't let go of the treats and so the third house posed a problem. He had run out of free hands! I think he thought we'd take his treats away unless he held on tight. The party was a blast! It was the happiest time of Nolan's life! He danced nearly all night. In one of the pictures, you can see him gettin' down in the middle of the crowd. At one point, a couple of mimes showed up and Nolan was so fascinated with them. He wouldn't let them put him down! We went to the fishing pond and had our fortunes told too. It was a great night!

Halloween Activities

Nolan and I have been to the pumpkin walk. Lots of us moms got together with all of our strollers to enjoy the beautiful weather we've been having. The best part was a hay ride pulled by two huge horses. Actually, I think Nolan was happiest when he found a big stereo speaker to play with!

My friend, Terrah, had a Halloween party at her house last week. Nolan was being kind of a pill while we were there, but he was a cute baseball player nonetheless! Thanks, Terrah! It was fun!

In family news: I have been put back in the Young Women presidency but this time as the secretary. I think I'll like this position. We've been busy planting trees and shrubs in the yard. Justin is getting tired of using the pick ax, and I'm sick of shoveling dirt! The weather has been so nice though... about 65 degrees every day. We couldn't ask for better yard work weather. I wish it would last forever!

Nolan did something cute a few nights ago that I want to write down so that I remember. Last Sunday, after returning from a youth fireside, I found Justin and Nolan playing together in our bedroom. They were being all kinds of silly! Justin said, "We have been having so much fun!" Nolan then looked at me and said, "Daddy. Happy! Happy day!" It was pretty funny that he was trying to tell me how much fun he'd had with Dad. His newest word is "hello." He's been saying it a lot today, but when I tried to get him to show his Aunt Lacey, he would only shake his head no. O-well. In his own time.

Fall Days

Before I begin with the regular post, I'll just let everyone know that Justin has a new calling. He is now the 2nd counselor in the Elder's Quorum. Our ward split last week so we have lots of new leadership. I've been released from the Young Women's presidency in the process too. Justin is going to do a great job. In fact, they've already had one successful meeting where they were able to reorganize the home teaching assignments.
Last weekend we had lots of visitors. My brother Grady, his wife Kristen, and their kids stopped by to see the house and have lunch. Lacey's family came over too. Nolan just wanted to be held by his Uncle Rob. There's nothing better than good food and family!

That same afternoon, Justin's Dad and his wife Kathy stopped by too. Justin was happy to see his little brothers again. It's too bad Nolan can't hang out with his little uncles more often... they're all around the same age. They took us out to dinner and then went on their way home to San Diego. They were in Hyrum visiting with our Petersen grandparents.

Yesterday, Nolan and I went to Thanksgiving Point with Amber and Jaxon. We invited lots of friends but we were the only ones that ended up going. We missed them but ended up having a great time. There was a big field filled with Fall activities for kids of all ages. We ate lunch and then went into this huge blow-up monster. It turns out that it was pitch dark and it was haunted. We turned around real quick but Nolan was a little timid for a while after that. I'm happy to see that he might actually have a healthy dose of fear somewhere inside. He warmed up after going on the tractor train ride. The other favorite (for both boys, I think) was the water play area with rubber ducks and old-fashioned pumps. Nolan soaked his sleeves and didn't give it a thought. It was a nice day out. I wish this Fall weather would last!

I got a little camera happy at one point, but only because he kept smiling so much! I couldn't resist!

Worn out

I'm having one of those days that makes me feel worn out. Recently at aerobics, Nolan has been able to open the gym doors and escape. This wouldn't be too bad in itself (churches are pretty kid-proof usually) but then he tries to find any possible way to get outside. Last week, he snuck out and I couldn't even find him. This was the first time and I didn't even know he could push the doors open. After searching the building, I finally found him watching a man fixing the drinking fountain. On Monday, I actually saw him slip out so I immediately went after him. Within 10 seconds he had run out the kitchen side door to the parking lot! I don't know why the door was unlocked (if the church doors are locked then he can't reach the bar to push it in). Today I tried to go to aerobics again and he went up on the stage to play with the other tots. I thought this was a pretty good way to keep him contained. Next thing I know, Sienna (my friend's 4-yr. old) is telling me to come quick. There was some back door on the other side and down some steps that I didn't know existed! I caught him as he was slipping out. Needless to say, we left early and I hate to say it, but I don't think I'll be able to come for a while until he stops being an escape artist! Here we are at aerobics. We set the camera timer and, of course, Nolan wandered into the picture. Me, Holly, Jen, Tracy, Kirsten, and Amber.
We just got home from having lunch at McDonald's. Our ward just divided so the Young Women's presidency was all split up (I was the only one left in our ward, so technically I've been released too). We went for one last get-together and figured McDonald's would keep the kiddos happy. Over the course of 50 minutes, Nolan escaped the play area 5 times. One of those times he ran straight into a man's lap - a complete stranger! He stole someone's drink and was walking around with it. He got lost in the playplace so I had to climb up there and rescue him (this was expected but still tiresome). He stole a chicken nugget from a table nearby, and eventually stole an ice cream cone from a table across the way! These things are embarrassing and possibly unsanitary. And I know what you're thinking: Kenzee, start keeping an eye on your child! All I'm going to say is: I do! Just look at the mischief in his eyes!
I wish he'd do this more often!