Hunting-Guns and Kids

So if you will notice I have posted an opinion poll to the right to get anybodies input that visits my website. My son received a big new gun for Christmas. I would say that it is similar to a .22 in strength of firepower. He is only allowed to use it with close supervision from his dad. I think it is great that he and his dad are spending time together and sharing a hobby, but I think the gun was a little much a little too soon. The Red Ryder BB gun has been a good gun for Brayden for the past two years. Must we really upgrade? Is 9 yrs. old enough to really understand the power that a gun has? That it can take a human life? The picture below was taken the weekend of the 12th when Brandon, Brayden and some friends went to Gunnison. For those of you wondering, no, Brayden did not shoot any geese, he was more like the retriever Brandon has always wanted. ie.... he had to go pick up the dead geese in the field.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Yes indeed Santa came to our home early via my friend who lives in Tooele. We ran an errand, (took back late library books) and low and behold when we got back Santa had made his annual appearance at our house. The kids were so excited. Screaming and hollering "Santa's been here, Santa's been here". It was a great Christmas eve night for all of us. After Maddie tore through all her presents and realized that Santa had not brought her a portable CD player that she asked for she was a little down, but luckily Grandpa Don saved the day (christmas day) by giving her what she was truly hoping for. Complete with pink rhinestones. What more could a little girl ask for?

Brayden got a new gun..... 17 mach 2. I think it's a little big for a 9 year old, but he was sooooo happy. And when he saw his new scooter he said "yes, I got my wheels back!" He has been using his sisters pink barbie scooter because his got ran over when he parked it behind mom's car!

A Festive Night

THANK YOU THANK YOU my girlfriends for a wonderful night out!! What a blast to get together and talk about all the random silly things we use to do. And thank you for refreshing my memory about the stupid things I did! And very apparently still do!! Ugh, when will I ever grow up? We all have issues :) For pictures of our happy evening, please see Vanessa and Shannon's blog, because of course, I didn't bring my camera. Love you Mailee, Shannon, Vanessa, Amy and Jody!!! :) :) :)

NOW STARRING BRAYDEN PETERSON in.......

In Grantsville there is but one event that defines your third grade experience. THE NUTCRACKER!!! Apparently it is a Christmas tradition dating back to.... well I don't know when, because I am a newby, but it's a BIG DEAL! They only allow each family 6 tickets and you can only get into the gym with a ticket. Brayden had the part of a spanish dancer. He did an awesome job and he got to touch a girls hand every Tuesday for the past 2 months (rehearsals). LUCKY!! I have to apologize for my terrible camera skills. I have only a couple of crappy shots for my blog, so here goes.


The Dance
(back row, far right)

Final bows, Brayden is in the middle.

The costuming was really great, the kids all knew their parts and participated without too much complaining. What more could you ask for from 8 year olds? Soon to be 9.... tomorrow!!!

Hilly Billy Thanksgiving

DANG... it's almost Christmas and I haven't updated my blog since Halloween. WEAK!!! So here is a snipit of our hilly billy Thanksgiving in Monticello. It actually was a great time! We got there late Wednesday night and all the kids piled into the heated garage (which really doesn't look like a garage, except for the cement floor) for bedtime.

Thursday morning we woke, fed the 16 grandchildren breakfast and started prepping some of the food for the feast. Dinner was fun with 30 of us joining the festivities. My mom and dad, Grandpa and Grandma Hansen, Cindy, Mary, Laura & Rod. Jim, Nat and Kids, Jen, Mike and kids, Me, Brandon and kids, Shery, Quin and kids!!!! Woooo hooo!!!!

Friday we went to the Days Inn hotel that mom, dad and the grandparents were staying at (in Monticello) and swam in the pool. The kids had a blast and we finally dunked Uncle Jim after much hard work and coordination. All in all a great way to spend three days. Jim and Natalie did an awesome job planning the holiday and accommodating all of us. Thank you again guys for the great memories.

Halloween in Grantsville

A big, mean, scary grim reaper was Brayden's choice of costume and a beautiful, dainty fairy was Maddie's choice. We had a super fun time trick or treating in our new neighborhood. They don't do trunk-or-treating out here (yeah!!!) and EVERYBODY was home, so the kids got lots of candy in just a couple of hours. The weather was great so Maddie was able to really show off her costume and not be bundled too much. I missed being with my family in Pleasant Grove, which was our tradition in the past few years to eat chili and bread sticks and then go around my mom's neighborhood. But the kids were as happy as could be; so I was too, after a while. Below is my attempt at using the pattern kit with the little saws.

And here are the kids cutie cute pumpkins. Maddie would have had about five faces going around her pumpkin if I hadn't put a limit of three on her.

Work-Schmerk

Yes, it's true, I have once again joined the ranks of the employed. I am temping with a company named Ajilon. I work in the office of Boart Longyear in Salt Lake. It's an okay job, but I can't imagine that anyone ever did this as a full time position. I am a filing clerk, so far I have just filed, alphabetized, and matched invoices to check vouchers. Pretty much what you would expect for the title of filing clerk. I definitely don't miss the office drama of putting 6 women together in a small space with no windows. I am preparing my Halloween post, so stay tuned! :)