Peatross/Mortensen Christmas Party

We had the Peatross/Mortensen Christmas party on Saturday. After it took us 11 hours the Tuesday before to make it to Utah we were ready for some fun with the family. The food was delicious as usual, and we were able to see all the Aunts, Uncles (except Brent we missed you Brent) cousins,Grandma’s and Grandpa. Living out of state can be really hard and its always great to make time to spend with family.

Brandon, Brian, Shawn

Grandma Terrie put together a cute little ornament craft for the kids. They all had a great time making ornaments for Grandma’s tree and their own. Thanks for putting that together Terrie the kids loved it.

Shawn, Grandma Nancy, and Heath

The annual family picture.

Terrie, Brian, Shawn

Grandma Nancy gave all the girls these cute hats and Krissa and Paislee a headband and Tutu. It was all so cute.

Thanksgiving and Bird Hunting

We went to my Aunt Tina’s house for Thanksgiving. Sadly the only pictures I got were pictures before we left my moms house.

Krissa and Kamrie

I love this picture. Ray may have hugged Quade to annoy him and then the other kids joined in to annoy him too. But since you can’t see Quades face it looks like they are all willing participants haha.

Shad, Darin,Brady, Ray, Quade

The day after Thanksgiving Brian arranged for all the guys to go bird hunting in Lehi. They had a great time and got 8 birds between all of them. I was also really proud of them for taking my camera and getting some pictures. Good job guys.

Snow and Parent Teacher Conference

We got our first real snow of the season and the kids are loving it.

Now I’m just going to brag for a few minutes so if you don’t want to read it stop here. haha

We had parent teacher conference this morning and it actually went really well. Krissa struggled a little last year so I was kind of dreading parent teacher conference. But luckily she has improved a lot this year getting all A’s and B's and improving in most areas. Yeah for Krissa. Brady’s teacher actually told us they are going to test him to see if he needs to be in the Arch class in Hailey which is just above the advanced kids.  Apparently she is running out of Math to give him because he wizzes right through it and he is the top reader in the class. In fact she said she couldn’t remember what the little thing on a turkeys beak was called and Brady raised his hand and said it’s a snood. Now I don’t know about you but I had no idea it was called a snood. I’m so proud of all my kids and I almost cried when she mentioned Arch for Brady. Especially since at the start of 1st grade he couldn’t even read. Looks like we will be going to the gas station to get everyone a special treat. Yahoo.

Ok I’m done bragging. For now. haha

Flash Back Friday and Art

For some reason lately I have just been amazed at how grown up krissa is looking, so I had to do a flash back friday so everyone could share in my amazement. What is really sad is how fast the first 9 years went. Let hope the next 9 go a little more slowly.

Krissa is also our family artist. She loves loves to draw and create and sometimes I catch myself asking if she really drew it or if Brian did. She made the butterflies to go around her light all by herself she even cut the fishing line the right length and everything. In fact I didn’t even know she did it until I went to tuck her in that night. It has been so nice having a responsible little girl around. We were able to go to a movie the other night and leave the kids with Krissa (and a little bit of Brady) in charge. Brian told them if the house was clean and they were asleep when we got home they would earn 5 dollars. I almost cried when I got home and the house looked better then when we have babysitters and they were all fast asleep. I was asking Krissa the next day if it was hard to get them to go to bed and she said (in her sweet little voice) “No I just told them I would kill them if they didn’t go to bed”. Haha I guess it worked.  Gotta love her!

Bobcat

Brady got his Bobcat badge tonight. He is loving scouts and loves getting badges.

Star Student

Brady was star student at school today. Along with these pictures he picked out. He wanted me to bring our dog Chewy and his Venus fly trap plant. I was pleasantly surprised when he wrote that who he most admired was mom and dad. Gotta love that. After he showed all his pictures, his dog and plant the teacher let all the kids ask him a question here are a few of them…

What do you like best about your mom and little sister-Brady said they keep me company.

What is the coolest thing you have hunted-Brady said ducks.

What is your favorite holiday and season- Brady said Fall and Christmas.

I thought they all asked good questions and it was hard for me to hold back tears as he talked to his class and showed his pictures. He is growing up to fast.

And she didn’t even care…

I got home the other night and saw this note on the washer along with Krissa’s shirt. Apparently a kid in Krissa’s art class got paint on her shirt=)

The best part was the p.s. on the back “she didn’t care.”  Apparently the girl was very unapologetic. haha

Duck Hunting

Brian and Brady went duck hunting this morning. Thanks to some waders given to Brady by my friend Christie (thanks again Christie) and some Hot chocolate in a thermos (as you can see in the picture above he really got into the hot cocoa)they had a great time. They only ended up with one duck but that is plenty if you ask me.

 

In the past 12 years

We have….

Lived in 4 houses (one was a rental)

Had 9 different vehicles (down to just one now=)

Had 6 dogs (4 we still have)

Moved 4 times (All of those in the past 5 years)

Work for 5 different company's between us

Been on 2 vacations (both were in the past 2 years and no we didn’t take a honeymoon)

Lived in 2 states Idaho and Utah

Struggled with infertility and then struggled with 2 kids 14 months apart=)

Had 2 boats (we still have one)

Done foster care (which apparently was the cure to our infertility haha)

Had 3 kids

Grown up a lot….Physically and emotionally

I can’t wait for the next 60. I had no idea when I married Brian how great he was going to be. I didn’t know what a great dad he would be or that he would just be a great husband. I knew he was a great guy and I loved him so much. I just didn’t know then that I would be able to love him even more after 12 years. I truly feel like the luckiest woman in the world. The only thing that will make me happier is if Krissa and Paislee find a guy just like him and if Brady turns out just like him. Yep I’m lucky.