Tree Trimmin'

Tadd is skilled. Way skilled. His skills even extend to that of Christmas Tree Trimming. For the past few Christmas seasons the Peterson family has recruited Tadd to string the tree with lights. He has a certain way of doing it, a knack, if you will. Although we are into the middle of December, and my parents just got their tree, they still wanted it looking it's finest, so Tadd and I headed down there last night to assist with the tree. I was merely there to look pretty, as Tadd put his skills to work.

The beginnings of the trimmings

I got a little distracted documenting this event, and began playing with the snowmen.

The finished product, sans ornaments, while
Dad and Jon looked on.

Mallory, remaining surly, as she was when she first arrived home (wink)

Haley received 21 roses throughout the day from yours truly. Ok fine, Jon gave them to her, not me. Here she is as happy as can be with the lucky boyfriend.

Can't you see the sweat upon Tadd's brow? Stringing the tree is hard work!

Birthday Wishes

Happy Happy Birthday Haley Marie!

Haley Marie Peterson turns 21 today! She is the fourth girl among the sixchix, and 16 months younger than I am. Hells, as she is fondly known, has many, MANY talents. Some of them are as follows...

Flashing peace and love to all

Running ridiculous, lenghthy races

Bonding with sisters

Displaying amazement

Blowing award-winning bubbles


Baking goodies, surprise ones, at that

Graduating from Seminary

Screwing up photo-ops

Loving her bf - Jon

Happy Birthday little sis, may your day be filled with joy and GIFTS!

Classic Calvin

Here are some fun wintery cartoons...

Another Fun-Filled Sunday

A most exciting thing happened at church on Sunday, Tadd and I were told we're moving up in the Primary world. We'll be teaching the Valiant 10 class starting in January. And get this, only three kids! So, we are pretty stoked about that...until we heard church was at nine. Hello, we're late at 1:00 pm! I suppose we will just have to grin and bear it...or, move out!

The little boys looking big

Griffin got his head shaved, compliments of Uncle Taddow

Ava here with her own interesting hair-do, post nap.

Sporting a special headdress

You'll have to excuse my orange camera, I'm in need of a new one.

Oh, the holidays...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both, I love the gift bags found at the One Spot in Target.

2. Real tree or artificial? For us poor marrieds, a fake one will do just fine.

3. When do you put up the tree? This year, never (livin with the 'rents).

4. When do you take the tree down? Refer to above question.

5. Do you like eggnog? I love it. Amazing, thick stuff - add a dash of nutmeg to it, and mmm delicious!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I'll name Mallory's. The doll house!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Sadly, no.

8. Hardest person to buy for? Parents

9. Easiest person to buy for? Sisters, definitely.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? How stupid would we be to send out Christmas cards of just Tadd and me? Oooo...maybe we'll steal the twins, take pictures with them, and claim them as our own!

11. Worst Christmas gift you have ever received? None that I can think of, I've been very fortunate.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Traditional: White Christmas. Trendy: Elf

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever I want. I do lots of online shopping, so if I'm bored at work, and it's August...by golly, what a great time to do some Christmas shoppin'!

14. Every recycled a Christmas present? Just the one I'm giving my mom this year...a smelly old shoe.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Little smokies, cheese balls, Peppermint Hershey's Kisses

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear

17. Favorite Christmas song? Baby it's Cold Outside, Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella, that one advent song with the 15 verses...sisters and mom, you know what I'm talking about.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Sleep at parents house or in-laws

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Whitney and Mom both claimed they can with a big DUH at the end, but none of them actually did...so I'll one up them and prove it! Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither, no tree. :(

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? A little of both

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Christmas has become too commercialized. Why can't it be old fashioned like it used to be? Oh, and the cold.

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? The glittery, gold tree ornament we used to rub glitter on ourselves.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Just some "us" time with my husband.

Finishing up November's Gratitude

I'm back! My sincerest apologies to my many dedicated readers. Allow me to catch up on what I am thankful for...

November 23rd

1. Wonderful in-laws who are willing to pick us up from the hospital after Tadd's surgery

2. Laptops

3. Tadd's sense of humor

November 24th

1. My sissy, Megan, and the fun times we have when I do her hair
2. Dryer sheets that smell amazing (do any of your husbands insist on at least two in each of their loads of laundry?)
3. Cable TV. I never thought I'd say that, but thankfully this keeps Tadd entertained while his hand is extended into mid air.

November 25th

1. Forever 21

2. Fountain drinks
3. Puffs Kleenex

November 26th

1. Camera phones (have I already said this?)
2. The address grid system Utah has
3. Good hair days!

November 27th

1. Jeans parties
2. Cute umbrellas
3. CosmoProf and my special discounts!

November 28th

1. Fun clients like Judy Clark
2. Nail clippers, and nail polish remover
3. Franklin Covey planners

November 29th

1. Bestest friends, Ali and Mary Kate
2. CD controls on my steering wheel
3. Maps of the U.S, so I don't get lost

November 30th

1. Cute little finger braces for Tadd's finger
2. Mechanical pencils with .5 mm lead.3. Fax machines that work

Recent Events

Below is digital evidence of recent events, enjoy.

Tadd captured a picture of Crew executing his new trick, smiling!

My best friend, Ali, moved home, and we went to dinner with Mary Kate, the other BF!

My first Christmas present of the year! Mom gave me a Christmas sleep shirt, so I'm festive while I'm dreaming!

WARNING - below is a picture of Tadd's finger (I got in trouble for no warnings on my last finger update)

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Tadd's grotesque Frankenstein fingie!

I know I've been neglective of my blog, I'm a bad blog-mom, and I am vowing now that I will be better. Many apologies.

Shooting Shinanigans

Mama Sue is quite against guns, but has been forced to consider that guns may need to be welcomed in their new location. Not that gaming is a popular activity in the Peterson clan, but rather the vast amount of mountain around them could be threatening. Sue likes exercising in the outdoors, and mentioned she'd like to start going on hikes on the spring. This thought of hers turned a lightbulb on in my dad's head. You see, because of my mom's feelings toward guns, she hasn't allowed my dad to keep his gun in our house, so Tadd has been in charge of it. Quite frankly, I think it's killing my dad to have something so manly, so far away from him. So, Daddy Jack decided Mom must be taken shooting on Thanksgiving with the boys. I actually ended up taking Mark's place, and off we went past the Payson dump to go shooting.

Mom's first time with a hand gun (that we all know of, anyway...)

Notice my amazing form. (I look like an idiot)

Imagining my worst enemy

Without warning Tadd bought his Christmas present a little early, a Walther P22, but Mom and I enjoyed shooting it much more than the big-man guns, too much kick!

My mom's and my target sheet, we're good litle shooters!

Thanksgiving Showcase

As I previously explained in another post, Tadd and I spent a lot of Thanksgiving Day with my family, and I have showcased proof! Mallory was my Vanna White for Thanksgiving, enjoy!

Enjoying our drive down to Elk Ridge

Pardon my photography skills

Presenting Lauren - assembled the relish tray

Presenting Megan - cooked up the stuffed mushrooms, Tadd's favorite

Presenting Haley - in charge of mashed potatoes...every year

Presenting Betty Lou - responsible for the Peterson insanity!

Presenting Jack - super steak maker

Presenting Sue - the brains behind it all

Assembling the food table

Grandma and me. Please God, grant me those cheekbones someday.

Examining the guns


Hmmm...a closer look is advised.

No place to put the pies? Not at the Peterson home, store them on the kitchen island shelf along with the plants!

A couple of weirdos.

Who just drinks cold liquids from a mug? Sick.

The happiest little Haley you ever did see.

The featured couple of this blog post.