A Maad Tea Party!

Yesterday my mother-in-law took Andalyn and I to "A Maad Tea Party" in El Dorado Hills. We had our own little quaint tea party! It was so much fun. We all got to wear hats and eat our little sandwiches and treats....oh and of course sip our tea. Andalyn looked like such a little lady. For a 3 year old she was so good in a place that almost everything was breakable. :) We got threw our little tea party with only a couple spills and lots of smiles. Thanks Kathy for such a fun time!!

Our baby girl turned 3!! Happy Birthday Andalyn!!

Dear Andalyn,

You are our sweet baby girl....and always will be. We can't believe you are three! You are getting to be such a big girl. You can do so many things all by yourself and continue to try new things everyday. We can't help to think, when we look at your sweet face, of the day 3 years ago when you came into our little family. It was November 27, 2005, mommy had been very sick during the last 6 weeks of her pregnancy and was induced to make sure you and mommy stayed healthy. You came to us on Monday night November 28th at 9pm. You were a month early and weighed 6 pounds 1 ounce. From the instant that we saw you we fell in love with you. Although you had some problems the first couple hours after you were born, you came to be by mommies side at 11:30 that night never to leave again. You were so beautiful...mommy made sure you had all of your fingers and toes. Made sure you had your cute little ears and then spend most of that night just staring at you. Daddy and Mommy haven't stopped since. You are such a good little girl and you have surprised us everyday the last 3 years with how fast you can learn and grow. Your little eyes shine with the light of Christ and daddy and mommy count you and your brother our most treasured gifts from our Heavenly Father!! We love you sweetheart and will always be here for you whether you are 3 or 33....Age will never change the fact that you are our baby girl!!

Love always,

Mommy and Daddy!!

ANDALYN'S 3RD BIRTHDAY PARTY WUBBZY STYLE

A week before Andalyn's birthday we threw here a Wow Wow Wubbzy Birthday party. It is one of her favorite shows on Nick Jr. There isn't too many Wubbzy party supplies out there so we had to get creative. My mother in law got a plain white cake from Sam's Club and I decorated it. I was really nervous at first but I think it turned out pretty good. :)

One of Wubbzy's favorite things are "doodleberries" so we had the kids pick "doodleberries" off the wall for their first wubbtastic game. So with their baskets in hand...the kids raced to see who could get the most berries.

For their next game they played pin the tail on Wubbzy....this is what Wubbzy looked like once the kids were done. :)

Andalyn is so lucky to have so many people that love her. Our friends and family brought so many sweet gifts! Here Andalyn is opening a Disney Princess bedding set that her Grandma and Grandpa Cashdollar got her. I don't think it's a coincidence that she is sleeping through the night now without a peep! She loves her princesses!!

I saw this hat on a Wubbzy blog site that took me to a women's blog that hand makes these hats! Isn't it adorable!? It was only $18. If you are interested you can go to her blog http://hottophats.blogspot.com/ she has a variety of hats that she does.

Then it was time to sing to Andalyn, it was so cute she got so shy and embarrassed when everyone started singing. I guess to a 3 year old 35 people in one room singing to you is a bit overwhelming. :) Thanks Uncle Logan for holding the cake. :)

Once all of the planned activities were done...kids being kids...made up their own game. Throw rocks in the pond. As Andalyn would call it nutty nut toss. (From the Wubbzy show)

It was such a fun day...thank you to all of you that came to Andalyn's party. She loved having everyone there! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDALYN!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I love this time of year. It gives everyone a chance to really reflect on the things that we are thankful for!! As Dave and I were driving from My parents house in Elk Grove where we had our Thanksgiving feast, to my in-laws home in Folsom where we would end our holiday with some yummy homemade pies....he asked me what are the top 5 things I am thankful for. I thought I would share....now they aren't any spectacular things...but it is truly what I am thankful for.


1. My Husband Dave:
Although as married couples do....Dave and I have had some ups and downs in the last 4 1/2 years....I can not imagine my life without him. He is my everything. The only word I can think of when I think of him and what he means to me is......my SAFE place. I feel incredibly safe with him. I trust him with all of my heart. I know that he would do anything for me or our kids. With that being said...I am so thankful for the ups and downs of marriage because if we didn't have those, I know I would not be at this place in my life and feel the way I do about my husband. Dave knows that feeling "safe" is A #1 in my book....and to me honey....you are that safe place for me. I love you!

2. My Kids, Andalyn and Ryan:
I eat, sleep and breath my kids as mothers do. Sometimes that can be wonderful and sometimes it can be a lot to handle. However when I look at my kids and remember where they came from and how uniquely special they are....I fall in love with them as if it was the day I gave birth to them. Nothing will ever take those moments away and for that I am eternally grateful!!

3. Our extended family:
Family means the world to me!! Those who know me well, knows that I am so happy to be back in California....although we only spent a year and a half in Albuquerque, I still was ready to come home. I find such strength in being around my family and my in-laws. I love them all so much! They have been such huge supports to us in every aspect of life. There is nothing like the love of a family.

4. Dave's Job:
If it wasn't for Dave's job with Verizon Wireless we would not have the opportunity for our kids to grow up with there mommy at home. This may not be on everyone's priority list and that's ok...but for us is was. Both of us were so blessed to have mothers who stayed home with us while we were kids. For this we are eternally grateful to our mothers. For that reason we felt it was so important to provide that to our kids. Not only that, but Dave's job provides us with the means we need to live comfortably and have the necessities of life. Thank you honey for working so hard and such long, funky hours! :)

5. A roof over our heads:
I know this one kida fits in with the last one...but when I think about how lucky I am to have a roof over our heads and a bed to put my kids down every night in. I feel incredibly blessed because I know that not everyone is so lucky. I am thankful for a roof that doesn't leak if the weather is bad. I am also thankful for walls that allow us to dwell in a safe place where my children feel loved and where the spirit can be felt.

I hope all of you, even though it is a few days past thanksgiving can dwell and ponder on the thinks you are thankful for even the most simplest of things.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

The Rewards of Facebook!

If you haven't joined facebook, you should definitely think about it. I have gotten in contact with so many people that I have unfortunately lost contact with through the years. I was able to meet up for lunch with my dear friend Rachel Iuli this last Monday. She and I worked together when I was 18 at Stockmans Bank. We became instant friends. Wow...I just realized, we have been friends for 10 years now...gosh time flys! Anyway....we lost contact about 4 years ago. Needless to say I was so excited when I saw that she found me on facebook! She has since moved to San Diego gotten married, and is 4 months pregnant with her first baby! We chatted for over 3 hours about our lives and how grateful we were to have gotten back in contact. I love you Rach...and look forward to seeing you at Christmas time!

www.facebook.com

Fun with the Webb's

A couple weeks ago we spend some time with Kristina and her boys. We had so much fun...I love seeing Kristina. I sometimes can't believe it has been friends for 15 years. Gosh, that makes me feel old. It is so nice to know that our friendship will always be one I can count on! Here is her little guy Rowan going down the slide with Andalyn. Our kids have so much fun together!



Here's my little guy having a blast on the swings! I know he is mine....but dang he is cute!! :)


I wish I had taken more pictures, but we were having so much fun I didn't get a chance. We had so much fun with you Kris....can't wait to see you this weekend!!

Opening Night

I am so excited I can't hardly stand it...I just got Dave and I tickets for the midnight showing on Thursday for Twilight!! I have a feeling this movie will make some history at the box office seeing as the soundtrack is already topping the charts. Who is as excited as I am??

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL MY GIRLS!!

Montana Belle turned 2 on November 9th. Stacy and Marc threw her an awesome Snow White Birthday Party!

Here she is enjoying her yummy cupcake.

What a cutie!!

My sisters Tiffany and Nicole turned 12 on November 10th. The whole family enjoyed celebrating their birthday at Johns Incredible Pizza in Roseville. It was a blast!!

Sam celebrated her 19th Birthday with us on November 10th at Johns Incredible Pizza too!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL MY GIRLS!! We love you and hope you had wonderful days!!

Petersen Family Disneyland trip October 2008

This past week my side of the family took a trip to Disneyland. My brother Logan will be putting his mission papers in very soon, so we wanted to take a family trip to Disneyland in his honor.

Logan with the "L" from California Adventure.

Logan and his girlfriend Sam.



There were 17 people in all that went on our "little" trip. :) This included my parents, all of the Petersen kids, spouses, grandchildren, 2 girlfriends and a good friend. It was so much fun, and you would think that with that many people it would of been difficult maneuvering around the park....but to our pleasant surprise, it worked out great. We all stayed at the Anaheim Fairfield Inn by Marriott. It was across the street from Disneyland. We didn't use our car the whole time we were there. It was great. We got some great rates too because we reserved our rooms so far in advance. We all spend two fabulous days running around the park, hopping on all the rides we could all along enjoying each others company.

Being the last week in October the park was all decked out with Halloween decorations.




My sweet parents with the Mickey Mouse pumpkin.

When Dave and I arrived Sunday night he wasn't feeling well and was tired from driving all day. So I took the kids across the street to Downtown Disney just to walk around the shops and hang out and that gave Dave time to sleep off the drive. The first thing that Andalyn saw was the HUGE candy corn that had taken the place of the A's in the word California in front of California Adventure. So of course I parked the stroller in front of it to snap a picture.

After walking around Downtown Disney and meeting up with Marc, Stacy and Montana, it was time to head back to meet up with the rest of our family. We all got a good nights rest and were ready for a fun filled Monday.

Dave and I took the kids to Millie's Restaurant for breakfast which was located right in front of the hotel....totally convenient! Here Andalyn is working on stacking up all of the creamers that were on the table. She did a great job.

Once we got into the park...the picture taking began. From Left to right: Andalyn, my sister Tiffany, Logan's girlfriend Sam, my sister Whitney, David's girlfriend Ashley and my sister Nicole.

Andalyn and Ryan road around in a double jogger that we borrowed from my cousin Brittany, however the second we got into the park Andalyn wanted to jump out...I should have expected that. So we threw her "backpack" a.k.a. leash on her and she started marching around the park.

This being Andalyn's first trip to Disneyland, she was very excited.

Dave and I headed straight to the "Pooh" ride for the kids first Disneyland ride experience. At first Andalyn didn't like it because it was dark but by the 2nd day she was used to all the rides being dark and she tolerated it pretty well. At the end she always said...."I WANT TO DO THAT AGAIN."

In honor of that being Andalyn and Ryan's first ride at Disneyland we let Andalyn pick out a stuffed animal at the "Pooh" store right outside the ride. She chose a baby Piglet, so therefore we picked out a baby Tigger for Ryan. They absolutely love them!

Andalyn and Ryan waiting to get onto the Pooh ride.

Andalyn's and Ryan's ride experience...

The ride leads to a surprise birthday party for Pooh.

Next it was Pirates of the Caribbean...the whole Petersen Clan got on this ride. It was really sad because at this point Andalyn still wasn't loving the darkness in the rides. I was also surprised that Ryan really didn't enjoy it either...at one point Ryan clawed his way to Dave from my lap to bury his face in Dave's chest. Cute pictures though. :)

We then went on the Buzz Lightyear ride...it was an interactive ride, you got to shoot laser guns at targets. Very Cool.

Andalyn and Montana holding hands waiting in line to get on the ride.

Ryan and his little green friend.

One of Andalyn's favorite rides was the Monsters Inc. ride. She has never seen the movie but still loved all the "friendly" monsters.

Grandma Petersen, Andalyn and Mommy on the ride.

She has the same look on her face as the monster above. :)

We also made a stop at "A Bugs Life" area. We went on a few rides and also went to the 3D show. Andalyn didn't like the show. In fact she cried....but that is the only thing she ever cried over as far as rides or shows go. I was impressed.

Here we are on the Bugs Life hot air balloon ride.

On Tuesday we tried to go have lunch with the Princesses. However, it didn't work out so with the time that Dave and I had with the kids we decided to take them to the Playhouse Disney Show. By far one of Andalyn's favorite things we did there....besides taking pictures with some princess that we did see later on in the day. Andalyn was in 7th heaven between Playhouse Disney and Princesses.

Andalyn waiting in line to see the show.

Andalyn and Daddy waiting anxiously for the show to start.

Mickey and all his friends from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Handy Manny and his tools.

The Little Einsteins and Rocket.

Ryan totally diggin' the show.

Darby, Tigger and Pooh in the 100 acre wood

Mickey and friends throwing Minnie a surprise birthday party.

So, like I said, we did end up finding a place in Fantasy Land that we could mingle with the Princesses. Andalyn was star stuck. Her whole demeanor changed, she was in heaven! Poor Andalyn, it was so hot both days we were there and she doesn't handle heat very well. That's why she is so red faced.

Andalyn and Snow White.

Andalyn Belle with Belle.

My mom Eileen Belle, Andalyn Belle and Montana Belle with Belle. Both Girls are named after my mom.

Andalyn with Sleeping Beauty.

Andalyn LOVED all the Characters at the Park, Dave and I were pleasantly surprised. We thought she would be afraid of them. Here are the ones we met.

Here we are with Goofy in his Halloween costume in the heart of Disneyland.

We found Goofy again in Toon Town.

Pluto was the first on Andalyn met....she loved him!

She had to pet his nose before we left, just like she would any other dog....so cute.

Andalyn and Minnie.

One of my favorite rides form the last time I went which was before my brother David left for his mission was Soarin' Over California. Well it was one of the only rides I went on because on the way to Disneyland in May of 2005 I got a phone call with the result of a pregnancy test…positive. I was pregnant with Andalyn and therefore couldn’t really go on any rides other then Soarin'.

Here are the boys being silly...from left to right, Marc Stacy's husband, my brother Logan, my brother David and David's friend Kurtis.

All of us waiting in line for Soarin'.

Here is my sweet blue-eyed girl waitin in line for the carousel with her Mickey Pumpkin ears on. I love this picture, thanks Stacy for capturing it!!

Here she is on her purple horse.

Here's Andalyn with my sister Stacy, her husband Marc and daughter Montana on the horses.

Continuing our way around Fantasy Land we found the Sword and the Stone right by the carousel. Here is uncle David with Andalyn while she tries to pull the sword out of the stone.

My brothers Logan and David with the sword and the stone.

Now David's friend Kurtis takes a shot at it.....I don't think it is even budging Kurtis!! :)

Next it was on to the Dumbo Ride. Grandpa Petersen got to take Andalyn on this one...she had such a great time.

Here I am with Ryan on Dumbo, he really liked it too!

Everytime we watch a Disney movie she thinks the castle it self is Disneyland....so when she saw it was so much more she was so excited. She still really loves the castle though.

Me and my sister Whitney waiting in line for the Toy Story ride....I love this chick!!

Here I am with my sweet girl with our 3D glasses on ready for the Toy Story ride.

My brother David and his girlfriend Ashley....oh and that's my other brother Logan in the back ground....what a goof. :)

Stacy, me and Whitney waiting for the drop in Tower of Terror.

Whitney, me and Stacy at Tower of Terror.

Here we all are on the Tower of Terror ride. We are in the very back row. Yes, my brother and Ashley are kissing. :)

Here is Logan's sweet girlfriend Sam with my sweet boy.

Andalyn and Montana enjoying the jogger together.

Uncle David with Ryan on his shoulders. Everyone took turns holding Ryan...it was great and he loved it!!

Our friends Dusty and Melissa Hogge met up with us while we were there...I didn't get any pictures of them except their oldest daughter with my sisters. Sorry guys...it was so good to see you, can't wait for you to move back up to Sac!

Here are my kids....they got so tuckered out running around the park all day. My sweet angels.

My sweet twin sisters, Tiffany and Nicole.

Here is David and his sweet girlfriend Ashley....so glad you could come Ashley!

The original Petersen clan. From Left to right...Logan, me,Nicole, Whitney, My mom, Tiffany Whitney, my dad, Stacy and David......LOVE YOU GUYS!!

All good things must come to an end....Wednesday morning we left Disneyland....hopefully we can all go back soon.

Here is Tinker Belle thanking us for our visit.

Me and my honey on our way home.

Littly Ry Guy happy as can be in his seat on the way home.

Our sweet Andalyn Belle watching her "shows" on the way home.

On our way home we got a chance to meet up with one of Dave's college roommates....Randal was also in our wedding in 2004. We met up with him, his sweet wife Ambrea and their two adorable kids Brigham and Ammon. What a beautiful family!

This is Ryan in his high-chair at the restaurant, so tired from the last two days and time spent in the car....so funny.

Me, my two cuties and Ambrea and her two cuties Brigham and Ammon.



Now it'sthe daddy's turn...Dave and the kids and Randal and the kids.

Last but not least this sweet woman in this picture with Dave and Andalyn is Randal's Grandmother, Ruth Banagas. She and her husband retired from Disneyland 12 years ago. She was nice enough to meet us at the gates of Disneyland both days we were there and get Dave and I in for free. It's not a secret that October was the worst month in our whole marriage, financially. And without Ruth, (and another very special person whom I won't name because they're very private) we were able to take this trip with my family. To be honest this trip was more likley NOT going to happen then happen just 2 weeks before.

So thank you Ruth and our very special relative who made this trip possible and unforgettable! We love you!