Christmas Day Dodge Ball

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Today is Christmas, and over the years, we've had a tradition of "challenging" another family to a dual, of sorts.  We either play dodge ball, volleyball, or basketball.  Today was no different.  We weren't about to let a little thing like moving to a new place stop us.  We've had 4 months to scope out our new "victims" and we found just the perfect family.  It happens to be our Bishops family.  We issued the challenge, they accepted, we met at the chapel at 11am.  We might have neglected to tell them of our distraction tactics.  Small little detail. 

While getting ready, we all decided to wear bandannas but that soon turned into other outfits.  As you can tell by the picture, the Batman costume and Nacho mask found there way out of the depths of the closet (Thank you Jones' for both of these awesome items)

The look on their faces was priceless when we emerged from our car to begin the game.  At first they coward in the corner, not really sure what to make of us but that didn't last.  They came out fighting and won the first 2 games!

But their winning streak didn't last long as we (okay Dave and Chris) dominated the remainder of the games.
I think is was the Doo rags on their heads!

Poor DeeAnn didn't know what to do but she was a good sport about it.  And Micah, with a broken hand did very well and even ended up being the soul survivor on their team several times.  Fun was had by all and we will reconvene next year for another dual.

SNOW DAY!

Poor little tree, just trying not to break

We woke up this morning to a winter wonderland.  Seriously, everything is white.  The neighbors say they haven't seen this much snow in TEN years!  Just my luck. 

This is the railing on our back deck, topped with lots of snow!

Amanda trying to leave for school this morning but got stuck.

Jeffrey and the boys next door having a snowball fight at 7:30AM

Oh Happy Day!  They just found out they don't have school!

Thank goodness for a neighbor who has a REALLY LARGE snow blower!

Crazy teenagers standing out in the snow talking about the NO school day!

What do you do in the winter time? When all the world is...white?

Kids are funny creatures, aren't they?  I've got one (Amanda) that curses the cold weather almost everyday and two (Jeff & Becca) that seem to like the white stuff.
So the other day, Amanda decided to go for a run.  Yup, a run... in the 5 inches of snow that we got the night before.   She put on her running shorts, plugged her ipod into her ears and proceeded to run in 30* weather.   It wasn't long until she became sidetracked by Jeffrey and some friends that were out snowboarding across the street at "The Hill".  But instead of coming home a putting on her snow clothes, she just went over in her shorts and running shoes.

Amanda, Jerom & Ben posing

More posing.  Notice Jeffrey in the back ground with snowboard...Dressed for winter.

She thinks she's so funny.  And those boys love her.

So after she stood in the snow for a while, this very cute little girl that Amanda baby sits came over and asked if she would go down the hill with her...on her sled!  Justice was about to be served...frozen!!

Amanda is probably asking her if she REALLY wants her to go with her.  HaHa!

Reality is starting to set in.  But how do you refuse such a cutie?

Like a lamb to the slaughter.

Oh, isn't this FUN!!

She made it.  Then she went straight HOME for some hot chocolate.

 Kids are WEIRD!!

Christmas & New Year 2010-11

I love getting letters and Christmas cards in the mail.  I don't know anyone that doesn't.  When ever I go the mailbox and there is something other than bill or junk mail, it makes me happy.  
I really like to hear from those people that have touched my life in some way.  Some of them will remain intertwined in our lives forever and some will forever be held in our hearts with strong memories, even if we don't see each other for years.  I love to be remembered by those that I love and who love me back.   

Surprisingly, I really do enjoy sending cards out too.  Just writing the addresses of those whom I keep in my address book, makes a flood of memories come rushing into my mind.  Different times in our lives, different experiences with each person, different, yet shared events in our lives.  Each card that shows up gives me time to reflect on those people, times, and events that have shaped my life and the lives of my family.  For some it means funny, hilarious, and a little (okay maybe a lot) of irreverent times.  For others it means remembering deep conversations, spiritual moments, or once in a lifetime times.  But for most, it means that we shared a small space in time together that, when remembered, will always bring a smile to my face.


Sadly, this year I just wasn't on the ball enough to get cards out before they became irrelevant to the season.  Although perhaps getting a Christmas card in March wouldn't be so bad.  I'll give that some thought.  Maybe there's hope for me after all.  


So this year I will blog my Christmas letter.  I know you've been waiting by the mailbox for it and I'm sorry to disappoint you, but...it's probably not coming. So here goes...

Petersen’s Top Ten News For 2010 

            1.   We moved!!  This should not be a shock to those who have known us for any length of time.

We lived in Mesquite for nearly 8 years which was a record… for us!  We really miss our friends there and come February, they might just see us so we can escape the snow!  Hint Hint. 

Our new info. is:

2694 E. Canyon Crest Dr.

Spanish Fork, UT 84660

Ph # 801 804 6773

2.  Our daughter Sarah got married in August, just one day before we moved!  We couldn’t have pulled it off without our friends.  Yup, we’re lucky to still have any hair left.   

Okay, the truth is, what’s left is turning gray very quickly.  

3.  We really like our new son in law Christopher Hendrickson.  He is very good to Sarah and fits into our family very nicely.

4.     Sarah & Chris live in Hawaii while he finishes school at BYU-H.   

Can you say “ROAD TRIP” to Hawaii?

Wedding Day Aug 21, 2010

For more on them, see alohahendricksons.blogspot.com

 

 5.  Amanda tried out and made the varsity volleyball team here at her new school (Maple Mountain High School).  The school is more than double the size of her last high school.  The team really welcomed her in…maybe it’s because she could probably spike the ball in their face if they didn’t.  Makes a momma proud.  HaHa!

(For more pictures, see previous blog.) 

Amanda & Jeffrey playing in the snow.

 

       6.  Jeffrey tried out and made the golf team at his new school (Diamond Fork).  He still thinks he’s a comedian and makes me laugh (or want to smack him) daily.  Oh, and he decided to focus on his grades this year…he figured out that the cute girls like the smart boys,

what a concept!

 (For pictures of Jeffrey, see blog about his winter "sport")

He can run that snow blower like crazy!

Jeffrey doing "the pose" while hanging the Christmas lights! Notice there aren't any lights hung yet?

Becca, just before she was arrested!  She looks very happy doesn't she?

       7.  Becca made the school choir and has met some good friends here.  Dare I say she's a drama queen?  No, but she does like the theater & singing.  She also has quite the softball throwing arm  She is growing very tall and might end up being taller than Amanda who is 5 10’…or 5 11’ when she stands up straight!

      8.  There is NO shortage of kids in Utah!  This means lots of friend choices for our kids.

This is me, Jeff & Becca sitting in the HOT sun for a BYU football game while Dave sat in the air conditioned BOX!

      9.  Dave likes his new job at BYU.  He has an “All Access” pass to everywhere and gets to attend all the games he wants to.  Bonus: he gets to sit in “The Box”, without me!  Rude!!

      10.   We are so grateful for our family & friends but especially for the birth and life of 

Our Savior Jesus Christ.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  We love you!

Dave, Sharie, Sarah, Chris, Amanda, Jeffrey & Rebecca