The summer that never ends

Since school has started and I have not, it totally feels like summer is just going to continue on forever and this is just my life now. It really has been such a terrific summer, and one hugely fun part was our annual trip to OR.

We drove and drove and drove to OR (13 hrs to the coast), then drove every day we were there, then drove and drove and drove home. TP estimated that we put on close to 2800 miles! Too bad we didn't spend much time in the car. Ha. The kids actually were excellent considering, the dvd player that we borrow from our neighbors for OR trips was a gift from heaven, and Kate just is a content kid and stuck it out. Also, we rented a ton of books on CD for Cole from the library and those were diverting as well. Anyway, aside from the driving we did a ton of fun things and got to spend some great time with our loved ones.

TP looks forward to riding his dad's Harleys while we're in town, but this ride was not so fun although very memorable for all of us. We were just a few miles out of Prineville after a long drive from Junction City, it was dark, and he ran out of gas. I luckily was right behind him, so I pulled off the rode and put my flashers on. Well he wasn't just going to sit on the side of the road and wait for me to save him, he starts pushing this huge beast of a bike for at least 2 whole miles before he wears out. Another truck pulled over to see if we were ok and offered to let us use his CFN card to get some gas (ironic, but we ran out of gas right by a gas station but you have to be a member to use it so we couldn't) at a station nearby. So he pushed it over there and the guy was super friendly and wouldn't even let us pay him for the gallons he bought us. So we took his picture and thanked him much.

One of my favorite days was spent at the lake, Tyler drove the boat most of the time and pulled everyone in the tube. Us ladyfolk spent most of the time on the shore with the little ones, but I did get out on the boat with Cole a couple times and he was very concerned when people would go flying off the tube. It was cute. Something not so cute is what Cole did to TP's arm when we were packing up to go home, I'm sure by looking at the whole picture here you can tell what happened.

Just give me my glove and my snacks and I'll stay happy!

Kate slept most of the day, we had fun dressing her up a little.

Earlier that day we ran in the Scandia Run, a 10K in Junction City. It was so great that all 4 of the Petersen siblings ran it, and did amazing. We had a yummy breakfast at the Goodman's (family friends) after, this is everyone!

We also had fun at the Scandanavian Festival, Cole even got to do some rock climbing! He loved it.

Cole's favorite thing though was going to Uncle Jordan's fire station and getting to see everything up close. Jordan was so great, he put on all his gear for us and let Cole try everything out. It was really awesome to get to see where he works what he works with, he was so sweet to take the time to do that for us.

Just look how Cole is looking at him! New BFF!

He also got to go riding when Lisa and Jess did drill, he is so brave up there and can name almost all the riding equipment (bridle, reins, stirrups, etc.)

Another great day was spent in Portland with Jackson, Janale, and the girls. We didn't have much time to spend there but really loved staying with them and just hanging out. We hit up the Tillamook cheese factory on our way home which was super cool. They had like a cheese sample buffet you could go through (for free!) and you also got to see the assembly line of how the cheese is blocked and put into packaging. Totally entertaining for a couple who loves to see "How It's Made". We had Kate with us, who was an angel as always. Look at that precious face, I can't tell you how many times those cheeks get kissed every day!

YUMMMMM. It really is the best cheese out there.

I stuck the camera out of the window while we were going 40 mph and got this shot, we also were going around a corner and I had to hold it behind me! Not bad. Hard to see, but it's my favorite lighthouse in the world, Haceta Head.

We went and ate at Jessica's restaurant in Florence, and Cole had his first taste of shrimp. Cold, slimy, not breaded shrimp, and he loved it. Weirdo.

We had so much fun going to the dunes with Jordan, Jolene, Jess, and Lisa. Cole's telling me about the four-wheeler guys that ride up the side of the hill.

Oh, and Koda came too! The front seat of Jordan's bronco.

In the backseat: TP, me, and Cole in the carseat. He loved it! And eventually fell asleep.

A different day, we went to the beach because although a little chilly, you can't be that close to the ocean and not go. This is what Kate did...

And yes, being the responsible mom I am I left Cole's coat home so he got to wear my hoodie.

We love the beach! I'd bring the kids here ALL the time if I could.

We had a great visit with Nana, Grandpa, and Aunt Ronda too. Ronda made some beautiful things for Kate, and also brought a gift for Cole so he didn't feel left out. So thoughtful :)

Thought this was cute. We should have got one with Nana too!

At Nana's playing in the rock water fountain. Yes, some of that mossy water did end up his mouth.

A great time! Can't wait to get back next summer.

Blessings

Hello dear friends and family! I know I'm extremely behind with my blogging, but I don't feel guilty! We've been playing our little hearts out this summer and posting does not make the top of the to do list, unfortunately :) I'm going to break this into several posts, starting with Kate's blessing day and a wonderful announcement at the end of this (that I'm sure 90% of you know, so maybe it won't be such a surprise) so read on.

A month ago...Tyler gave Kate a beautiful blessing, I am so proud of him for living such a worthy life that he is able to bless our children and me when I need it. I could feel the power that is in those words, making beautiful promises if she lives worthily. I'm so excited to see the wonderful person she'll grow into, I know this girl has big things in store for her, just like I feel for Cole as well. I'm sure every mother feels that way right :) Just thinking about them coming at this time when things in the world can seem so crazy and dark, they really are going to shine.

So it was a wonderful day for our little family, we were small in numbers but happy to be together, those of us that could :)

Kate was totally decked out in the family garb, she wore my blessing dress and had on mom's blessing booties which were adorable. What a sweetie! Cole still dotes on her and is extra careful around her. He's so great.

She also had on a bracelet I had made for her...I'm such a sentimental person and love traditional, family-passed-on things and I've been thinking about making something special for Kate to wear on her blessing day. Then I thought how cool would it be if she could wear it on her blessing day, baptism day, and then wedding day. And wouldn't it be even cooler if it had something to remind her of the women in her life that came before her, as in me, my mom, and my grandma Bliss (where she got her middle name from). SO...since I am not so talented in this area, I asked my teacher friend from school if she could make me something like this, and this is what she came up with.
The turquoise piece was my grandma Bliss', the heart is from mom, and the single diamond is from me. We just doubled it up for the blessing day and it fit her perfectly, I hope it's something special for her that represents love and reminds her of her heritage. She looked so beautiful! I am so grateful to know that our family can be together forever, not just in this life. I really hadn't felt pure joy and peace until I became a wife and mother, and it's hard to comprehend how it would feel to think I could only have them until death. Why would I want something so fulfilling and wonderful to end? I'm so glad it doesn't have to. Oh, and speaking of being a mom, we've decided I'm going to stay home and not go back to teaching this year! Or for a while. I'm so excited I can't even tell you. As a little girl growing up, this was my biggest dream to be a wife and a mom at home with my kids. It's a little scary financially, but we feel so at peace with this decision that we know we will be taken care of and things will come up to cover the expenses, it always does. I have loved loved loved being a teacher for these past 5 years, it truly was what I was meant to be doing. But I know where my true calling is, and it's at home being a teacher to my children and a wife to my sweetie :) What more could I really want??? I can't wait for this phase of my life, it's going to be the best yet :)

Hiking and swimming

Last summer it was all about going to Lagoon (season passes are the best!), but we've decided that our two main activites for this summer will be hiking and swimming. Tyler had the brilliant idea of hiking every trail in Farmington before summer is over, so we got right to work last weekend. Something really cool about Farmington is the great trail system they have, so many beautiful, secluded trails right in town or close by. I've been wanting to check this certain one out (the trailhead is in our ward boundaries) as I drive by it often so we decided to make it our first trip. Here we go :)
We threw Cole in the backpack and Kate in the front pack and took off. It was quite warm, but we had a blast! Here's a cool log we had to cross to get over a stream.

Cole LOVED it! "Me hiking mommy!"

Look at what we saw in the trail! Almost didn't see it laying out in the sun. It's pretty long, right?!

Check out this view at the top!! B-e-a-utiful!

This guys is talented! Look at his arm in our glasses.

Kate's hiking outfit, I was going for the pioneer look :) Actually I wanted a hat that would give her some shade and that's all that we had. How cute is she! And look how chubby she's getting.

Here's our second summer activity, swimming! I guess that's not too interesting, who doesn't go to the pool. But we've made it a daily event. The pool also has this cool splash park by it, so it's pretty fun. We go from the park, to the pool, to the park, to the pool. We go during Kate's nap so she sleeps in the shade the whole time we play :) Cole never wants to go home.

He's wondering if it's time to do the park or the pool. And I promise he does eat really good at home, he's sucking in air so that's why you can see his ribs :) The farmer tan however, we have no excuse for.

Looking forward to some more great summer!!