Grandma Bet-Bet

My dear, sweet Grandma passed away this last February after a long, hard battle with breast cancer, and subsequent illnesses. I headed out to California for the funeral with a number of my family members, leaving behind Tadd (who had to work), and Samson (whom my awesome SIL, Lindey, offered to watch while Tadd was at work). 

As much as I would've loved for my extended family to have met Samson, I am unbelievably grateful I didn't have to take him along on that 24 hour drive, round trip. 

No matter the age, no matter the circumstances, it is always tough to bury a family member. What was even harder, was watching my daddy bury his mom. Our parents are our rocks, and they have strength beyond words. To see my parent break down in tears, and hurt along with the rest of us, broke my heart. 

My dad loved his mom dearly, and never spoke ill of her. He has taught me so much about respecting my elders, and I only hope I can live up to the standard he has set for how we should treat our parents.

On the trip over to Northern California, Haley and I rifled through Grandma's jewelry boxes, and tried to call dibs on a number of items, although we'd be going through them with our aunts and cousins later. 

A sweet bracelet of Grandma's three children's names and birth dates

Grams had some style! I inherited the button bracelet and the fishbone bracelet! How long until my "lovely" child lost the fishbone one? About 3 days.

Amazing cameo necklace Lauren snatched up

Cat ring holder! Of course I got that!

Haley left Addie behind, and took along Claire, who was beyond perfection! Sleeping almost the whole day, and then huge stretches at night!

Dad felt it was important that he and five of his six girls document our shoes at the funeral.

Nick n' Mal

Aunt Sue, Grandma's oldest, and her grandchillins

Aunt Lana, Grandma's sister, and her family

Cousin Andie married to Morgan with their kids, Bailey and Easton; Cousin Lindsay married to Norm with their kids Carter, Marin, and Brody; Aunt Sue, Cousin Chad married to Janeen with their kids Briggs, Olivia and Emily

Dad gave a beautiful talk at the gravesite, which had us all in tears. A moment I never want to forget was Dad standing next to his mother's grave speaking about her sweet spirit and the life she lived with such courage and love, and as he began getting choked up, struggling to speak, we watched his two sisters, Sue and Robin, simultaneously begin walking to him from across the gathering to stand by his side for courage and strength. So very touching.

At the luncheon afterward. I am not joking when I say Claire was out the whole trip!

Enjoying our extended family we don't often get to see over at Aunt Sue's.

As we rummaged through some more of Grandma's things (which was when I snatched up her awesome robe!), we came across a collage of her grandkids, and boy was I surprised to see how similar Samson and I looked at this age! All I ever hear, and all I believed, was how Sam is 100% Tadd, but turns out he's got a little bit of me in him (namely that giant head of ours).

All the family went out to Lorenzo's one evening, which is where Dad proposed to Mom!

We also drove past a number of other important landmarks in my parents first few years of dating/marriage, and drove past my mom and dad's house where I remember spending quite a bit of time as a child. 

Lorenzo's

May I someday find this in my house... 

To Remember...

Sam is learning his colors, his favorite so far being blue, or "boo cuh-yur" as he calls it. Sometimes he points out "geen".

"Ok" is a big agreement term around our house. And when his answer is "no", it's become "No-K".

Sam is very, VERY attached to me right now (something I doubt I'll ever forget), and although it is mostly frustrating, stressful and a titch annoying, my heart just melts when he reaches up to me (wailing or not), and says "I want hold you". I never want to forget those big brown eyes, his arms reaching toward me, and little feet on tip toes.

Samson can also be very intense. He's been doing this teeth-clenching, cheek-shaking, grab-my-face, show-of-love (???) thing. Where does this kid come from!

The Dull Month of January

I was looking back through my January photos, and I realized there is next to nothing to document. Well, anything (and everything) we did has been documented via Instagram.

Hmmm nothing to write home about...other than my new extensions, but whooooo cares about that? And my fabulouso teefers my BIL, Rick, worked on and improved! Another thing to TRULY care about!

There was much Claire snuggling, baby sitting of nieces and nephews, Cars watching, hair doing, Bachelor obsessing, Instagramming, Temple Running (the game), Samson entertainment, late night ice cream eating, job site visiting, and a night away from the bebe for Dad and Mom.

New Year's Eve

Another New Year's Eve for the books. Lindey, Tysen and I teamed up for the decorations, and although it was just for one night's entertainment, it was still really fun! 

Our very own Macbook countdown at the end of the night. 

To Remember

With life going by so quickly, I can barely remember what day it is. I fear the little things that happen in our day to day life will be forgotten, so I am making an effort to journalize them.

A few mornings ago we were awoken by Samson's morning squeals and crib conversations as always so I walked into his room to get him up. He was still laying down with his beloved binki in his mouth, clutching his zebra in one arm, and Bee in the other. He looked up at me, smiled and said, "Happy". I about died.

Unfortunately, I couldn't catch this one on camera although I desperately wanted to! Sam was in his porch swing one sunny afternoon, with Tadd and I inside on the couch (with the door open, and blinds up of course). His swing has a lap harness and a tray that clicks into place. With the monkey of a child that I have, I always use both restraints...luckily. We suddenly heard Sam panicking on the porch calling for me, so I looked out the window to find he'd unclipped the tray, and pushed it away, then somehow flipped his swing forward so he was facing the ground, tightly secured by his lap harness, but absolutely freaked out. I couldn't help but laugh hysterically the whole time I was rescuing him.

More remembrances to come...

Arrival of Claire Katherine

Newest niece (on the Peterson side) joined our family December 30th, 12 days early. We like to call her Jon and Haley's tax baby!

Group text among the family that still brings tears to my eyes when I see it. There is nothing, nothing, more special in this world than the delivery of a brand new baby.

Megan and I took it upon ourselves to overload the new(again) parents with treats at the hospital!

Darling little Claire, a darker-haired replica of older sis, Addie.

Sweet little button nose!

Enjoying Christmas

We soaked up as much of Christmas break as we could, and enjoyed each others company, lots of family time, great food and played with Sam's new toys.

Walked in on this Christmas night, and about died. 

 The kid may have gone on a few caffeine benders.

I guess we played with Tadd's toys too. :)

Oh, that belly. 

Insisted on Dad's new remote control truck accompanying us to Grandma and Grandpa's.

That Violet girl and her love of food. So adorable.

Watching nephew Jack beam with pride as he read to his brother and aunt's was the sweetest thing.

Mom's UNREAL bread pudding.

Sprinkles cupcakes brought by Internet Jessica. She's real.

Leaving Mom's one evening at 3AM after a lot of chat-chat-chatting. We girls do it good.

Chuck E. Cheese's. Where a child gets his wiggles out, and contracts many communicable diseases.

Off roading like a champ

Taking Miss Nora out for a cruise.

Surrounding himself with fun, new things to play with.

These magnetic letters have been so fun for Sam, and has sparked an interest in the alphabet. Repeating the alphabet after us has become a fave around here.

Rest of Christmas

Um, am I seriously posting this in March? 

We attended my parent's sacrament meeting in the early afternoon, and then waited for everyone else to arrive for the rest of the festivities, while Samson napped the afternoon away.

There was much spoiling that evening by grandparents and aunts n' uncles.

And much sharing (sometimes forced) among the cousins with their new gifts.

Remote control train Mal and Nick so thoughtfully gave Samson so he and Tadd could play with it together!

We had an excellent Christmas this last year, and felt very blessed to be among so much family!