Piano Lessons

Mia has been taking piano lessons from Mammy.  She is doing great!  And is almost done with the first book.

Emma can't wait until Mia is done with the first book, because she then gets to start taking piano lessons as well.

And I can't wait for Emma to finish the first book because then I get to start taking piano lessons.

Watch out world, pretty soon we will be concert pianists!

New Addition To The Family

We got a puppy!!!  Her name is Sarah.  The girls and I love her while Erik tolerates her like he does the cat. 
He is a good man that sacrifices a lot so we can be happy and have what we want.

Utah And Idaho Trip

Better really late than really, really, really, really late, right?

In February made our annual trip to Utah for the Life The Universe And Everything Symposium, affectionately called LTUE.  This is were we get to meet author, illustrators, comic book writers, movie makers, screenplay writers, costume makers, photographers, etc.  We get to sit and learn from these people who have made in their field, or at least starting to make it.  Erik is in heaven when we go. 

Every year there are a bunch of different classes going on and a lot that happen at the same time, so Erik has a hard time choosing what ones to go to.  In the past the girls and I have gone to a few to take notes for him, this year the girls and I decided that we would sit in on more for him, okay I decided and the girls went a long with it.  They are great sports!  We also got a digital recorder so I didn't have to worry about taking notes and worry if they were the right ones that Erik would like.

But before we went to LTUE we spent the night at Grandmother Peterson's.  We had dinner with her and just talked and visited.  The girls played in the snow and got to see the animals and pet the cows.

 

We then continued on up to Rexburg, Idaho to visit with my brothers Isaac and Vaughn who are attending BYU Idaho.  Isaac was staying with Vaughn, his wife Tasha and their four kids.  We had not met their two youngest before so this was a fun time to see family.  The girls got to see and play in a lot more snow and Mia has decided that, "She knows why we live in California, no snow."  After a while we all pretty sick of the snow.  We stayed with them for  a couple days, and were there on Valentine's Day so the kids gave everyone valentine's and decorated heart cookies.

After that we headed back down to Utah, but before we left Idaho we had to make a stop in Napoleon Dynamite's hometown of Preston.  This was an unscheduled stop we didn't realize that our directions would take us through Preston on our way to visit friends in Logan Utah.  Erik would have plotted out many things for us to stop and see had he known. 

We then stopped and saw the Schofields.  They use to be in our ward before we moved to Rialto.  They moved around the same time as us, though they went further.  I use to visit teach her and the girls loved to come with me so they could play with their dogs.  The dogs and girls were reunited and got to have a chance to play.  They also have had a beautiful baby girl since they have moved and I am afraid that I monopolized the baby during our stay.  And dork that I am forgot to take pictures, they all look great.

We also stopped in Bountiful to visit an old friend of Erik's, Robby Hall.  (I can't say his name without wanting to say the whole thing, Robby Hall.  Whenever they talk about him they use his full name, so he will forever in my mind be Robby Hall.  Even when we were there I had to stop myself, in my head I would complete the whole name though.)  I finally got to meet Robby, his wife, and three boys.  (They might have been at our reception but lets face it, everyone there were new names and faces so please forgive me for not remembering.)  I have heard many storied about Erik and Robby!  So it was great to put a face with the name.  Again I forgot to take pictures, if the camera is not in my hand I will forget to use it!

We then continued on to Highland, our last stop.  We stayed with friends, Lori and Derek White and 5 of their 6 kids, that use to live in Pennsylvania.  Lori was in the Young Womens Presidency with my mom when I was in Young Womens and I use to babysit for them.  And now I am going to date myself, their oldest son Jason who I babysat just left for his mission!  They graciously allowed us to use their beautiful home as a base of operations!  They didn't get to see us much, which can be either a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it.  You can decide that one.  We did have an excellent dinner with them and the girls spent some time playing with their youngest two kids.  I didn't get any pictures with them either.

We also got to visit with our friend Frank Livingston, from when we attended BYU.  Frank was one of the coolest guys we knew!  He and Erik both love movies and would have movie nights.  It was at Frank's house that I watched all three original Indiana Jones movies!  And the food Frank would make.  Mmmm, I get hungry just thinking about it.  I did get a picture of Erik and Frank together at Frank's house. 

The girls and I went to a playground in Provo while we were there.  Don't ask me the name of it we just passed it in the car and decided to get out and play. 

We also visited the Museum of Art on BYU campus and got to see the huge exhibit of Christ paintings done by Carl Bloch. This was a awesome exhibit and if you are in the area and get the chance I highly recommend checking it out.

Then there were three days of the symposium.  Three days of classes.  Some interesting and some not so much, especially for the girls.  Did I mention that they are troopers? 
 
We were also able to get a bunch of books signed, Erik if you don't already now is a collector of books and loves to get them signed if possible. The girls even got a comic book signed by Jake Black, I think it was a Batman comic, but it was a month and a half ago.


Mia and Emma both caught a tiny cold, each of them had a day that was the worst but they kept plugging on.  We have great girls!  They did have books, and paper to draw on, and some toys and such as well as schoolwork in their bags.

One of the days we were in a class that had tables set up so the girls were excited because they could lay their heads down and rest.  So they had laid their heads down and the speaker, screenplay writer, MichaelBrent Collins, started his lecture.  And looks over and sees the girls with their heads down and makes a comment on how cute they were.  And then he looks at Emma and asks her, "Am I boring you?"  To which Emma nods her head yes.  Everyone laughs and he tells them, "Go ahead and go to sleep.  But if anybody else in the class goes to sleep I'm going to throw something at you."  Everyone laughs again.  Leave it to Emma to tell the truth when someone else would have told a white lie.

Mia, Emma, and I skipped out on some of the classes and went to Carl's Jr to meet up with a Sister Missionary that served in our branch when I was baptized.  Sister Montgomery, the boys and I called her Sister Montgomery Moose after some cartoon character.  She brought her mission album and we looked at old pictures, reminisced, and I got her caught up on everyone's lives in Slippery Rock Branch.  Thanks mom for keeping me updated!  Again no pictures!

Mia, Emma, and I were also able to attend an event at the Smith Fieldhouse.  They had all the womens sports teams there to meet everyone.  And they had little stations set up where the kids could try out different sports.  Cosmo, BYU's mascot was there.  Mia even caught one of the t-shirts they were flinging into the crowd.

On Sunday we went up to Salt Lake and watched Music and The Spoken Word.  Took a tour of the conference Center and visited the two visitor centers on Temple Square.  There was a lot of snow and we were even driving and walking in a snowstorm.  The girls certainly got to see their fill of snow this trip.

We then stopped at Erik's friend Andy Meisenbacher's, I probably butchered the name I'm a phonetic speller sorry about that!  We had a wonderful dinner at Andy's beautiful house with his wife and kids and another old friend of Erik's, Larry I forget his last name and his wife and kids. 

We then headed back to Grandmother Peterson's for another visit.  Where we again talked and hung out.  It was great to see her. We try to split our visits up so we don't wear her out or overwhelm her.  We spent the night again and then headed back towards California.

We did pull off in Vegas to drive through the strip and see the casinos but we didn't get out this trip.  Then homeward bound.

We made it home safe and sound, just worn out! 

A big thank you to the Frosts who took care of the animals and house while we were gone!  They even hung up a welcome home banner.  Thanks you guys, we love you!

I think I covered everyone and I apologize if I forgot anyone, it was not intentional.  There were a ton of people we didn't get to see this trip, we hope we can catch you next year!

Haircuts

Okay, I know I need to do a post about our Utah/Idaho trip as well as our trip to Disneyland with the Peterson ensemble but I just had to post this quick one about the girls' haircuts.

I decided that I had put off trimming the girls hair long enough.  I pulled out the haircutting stuff and asked Mia what she wanted, usually she chooses as little off as possible, but today she surprised me.  She said, "Maybe about shoulder length."  Looking at how long her hair was I had Emma run and get a ruler.  I showed that if we went a little shorter she could then donate her hair to locks of love, but told her it was totally her choice.  I know how much she loves long hair so I didn't think that she would go for that, but to my surprise she said, "Let's do it!"  I gave her a couple chances to change her mind but she said no. 

And then as soon as I started cutting she said maybe not, but it was really too late.  She teared up a little but has since been smiling.  She then said, "At least those who don't have hair can have some, and my hair will grow back."  She's such a sweet sweet girl.

Then it was Emma's turn and she has always liked short hair and I was the one that told her she should grow it out a little bit so I thought for sure she would jump all over donating her hair.  But again I was surprised, she decided she wanted it about shoulder length. 

I think that they both look really cute with their new haircuts!

Birthday Bash With The Family!

The girls' birthdays are only 3 weeks apart and I am right smack dab in the middle.  So, to make it easier on everyone, okay so I don't know exactly how easy it is on everyone else but it sure is easier on me, we have the family birthday bash on the same day.  And then they get to have their party with their friends.

This year, my mom, my dad, Wesley, Jordan, and Austin were able to be here for the party again.  Others who came were, Erik's parents, Michelle and Dustin and their kiddos, Ryan (Lizeth and Leilani had something else at her parents), and Nikki (Andy had class that night).  Also our dear friends, who might as well be family, Shonna and her kids made it over as well (Andy had a bunch of work to do). 

All in all it was a fun evening, I think.  Okay, so the girls and I had fun.  I hope everyone else did as well!

I made this really cool sunflower cake with Hershey Kisses, yummy!  Chocolate!

Thanks everyone who was able to make it and spend some special time with us.  And those of you who couldn't, wish you were here!  Love ya!

The sunflower cake. Can you say awesome?  and easy?  The petals are twinkies!

And of course you have to have a cake that says their names!  This was thrown together last minute, not my finest.

Family and friends!

Blowing out the candles!  They should get their wishes!

Love having everyone over!

Opening of presents, the girls' favorite part.  Thanks everyone!

Mia Got Her Ears Pierced!

We, well mostly Erik but I went along with it, decided that the girls could decide for themselves when they turned eight whether they wanted their ears pierced or not.  We figure if they are accountable in God's eyes, we might as well have them start making some choices. 

Mia went back and forth between wanting them pierced and not wanting them pierced.  She finally decided for sure that she wanted them done, and then we had to figure out a time to do it.  I could have just taken her one day to get them done but Erik really wanted to be there for it, so we had to coordinate with his crazy schedule.  And then remember to do it some evening when Erik got home from work.

Anyway end of August we finally had the time and memory to do it. 

We got there and there was some teenage girl having the cartilage pierced and freaking out so Mia who was already apprehensive about lost it.  We told her she didn't have to get it done but she really wanted to.  I told her that getting the earlobe pierced was totally different from having the cartilage done.  (I had my ears pierced when I was about 8. I finally got the cartilage pierced when I was at BYU, I always wanted that.  I really wanted a couple more holes as well.   And then the prophet came out with one hole per ear thing so bye bye all other holes and I took out the other.)

Mia was strong though.  She gripped my hand for dear life and with tears welling up she tells the guy to do it.  After he did the first one she asked, "Was that it?  Are we done?"  Love you Mia!

She can take them out October 18th, and have the fun earrings!!!  She is so excited! 

Emma said she didn't want her ears pierced but now that she really looked at all the fun earrings she wants hers done as well.  But she promised her friend that she would wait and go with her after her 8th birthday the end of November. 

Emma's Birthday and Baptism

Once again I am playing catch up.  Emma had her 8th birthday on August 26 and we had her baptism on her birthday! 

When she woke up she got to open her presents, she got a lot of Littlest Pet Shop stuff, her book was even a Littlest Pet Shop book. 

My parents and two youngest brothers, Wesley and Jordan, were in town visiting from PA for her baptism.  Ian, Angela, Adelia and baby Joseph were also able to make it up from San Diego where Ian is doing his internship at the Naval Medical Hospital in Balboa Park.

For their birthdays they get to pick what their "special" birthday dinner would be.  Emma chose homemade pizzas! 

Things were crazy that day running from one thing to another trying to get everything done.  We were not able to have her birthday cake before we had to leave for her baptism so we had it when we got home.

There were about 71 people there at her baptism!  Wow!  Thank you everyone who was able to make it.  You helped make Emma's special day even more special.

After the baptism we all traipsed back home for cake and ice cream.  Emma chose those Cheesecakes from a box, the Jello brand.  We love those things at our house! 

We also brought home with us friends Rachel, Crystal and Winter as their mom had to leave the baptism early.  Mom, Wendy and brother Darian got there shortly after we did so they all joined us for cake and ice cream.

It was a late night getting to bed.

Emma and Erik in their white jumpsuits ready for the baptism.

Emma and Mia making memories.

We are so proud of our accountable girls! ;)

Time for cake!  Happy Birthday Emma!

Give Away On Our Homeschool Blog

So, the girls and I made some homemade soap the other day for school. (I posted about on our homeschool blog)

Head on over there and enter for a chance to win one of our creations!!!

Happy Mother's Day

We want to let all of our family and friends know how much we love them and appreciate everything that you do for us! All the moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, cousins and friends, we couldn't do what we do without your love and support. (As well as all the dads, grandpas, uncles--we can't forget you guys. Without you we wouldn't be moms!)

Vacation--Part 3, The End

I know that the last part of our vacation pictures and fun has been a long time coming. (We just moved into our first home!)

The reason why we chose to go to Utah when we did was because there was a Science Fiction/Fantasy Symposium going on at BYU, in Provo, UT. I call it the nerd convention! But while I was there rubbing elbows with famous and not so famous nerds I realized that I am a nerd too! But don't tell anyone, it's our little secret!

The girls and I went to a bunch of different lectures and panels, Erik and Austin attended a bunch more than we did. We attended a class about making jewelry, Science Fiction and Fantasy books for kids and how to incorporate them in the classroom, supporting your creative partner, and a few others. Erik and Austin attended classes on writing believable characters, intriguing plots, and other such writing classes, since that is what Erik wants to do when he grows up. Austin also attended a class about video games, since that is what he would like to do when he grows up.

The girls and I also got the job/privilege of standing in lines to get books signed while the others attended classes. We got a bunch of cool books, I know just what we need more books--just be glad you didn't have to move them all and try to find a place for them all to go.

We got to talk with a bunch of really neat people like, Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, Jake Black, Howard Taylor, John D. Brown, some of their wives as well as many others. And while they won't remember me from the next crazy person, they will be remembered by us! Jake Black in particular gave way more time than he needed to to answer Erik's questions and concerns about writing and supporting a family on a writer's pay.

One day Erik will be there as a guest speaker/panelist and I will still be the crazy wife but this time I'll be the crazy wife of the famous author!

After our days in Utah we then drove straight through to San Diego so Erik could attend a work meeting there the next day. While he was hard at work Austin, the girls, and I went and played at Balboa Park.

Austin, Mia, and Emma at Temple Square in front of the Salt Lake Temple. Families Are Forever!

Emma and Mia at the Paleontology Museum on the BYU campus in Provo, UT.

On the BYU Campus

Petting the snake at a live animal show at the Bean Museum at BYU

Butterfly Mural made with butterflies at the Bean Museum at BYU

Stuffed African Animal display at the Bean Museum

Mia and Emma by Shasta a female liger. Shasta was born and lived her life at the Hogle Zoo in Utah. A liger is a cross breed between a male lion and a female tiger. A tigon would be a male tiger and a female lion

Austin, Emma, and Mia at Balboa Park in San Diego, CA

Emma and Mia at the Natural History Museum in San Diego, CA

Mia and Emma at the playground in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

Emma, Mia, and Austin at the Japanese Friendship Garden in San Diego, CA

Mia and Emma in the Botanical Garden in San Diego.