Brett's underwater adventure--Happy Birthday!

I have a difficult time surprising Brett with anything. Between my lack of creativity or Claire's inability to keep a secret; Brett always knows what he is receiving for a present. This year I decided to surprise him, for real! For his birthday, I brought him to Underwater world at the Mall of America where he swam with the sharks. He loved it so much, that he is hoping to someday go back and Scuba with the sharks (it turns out my hubby is a certified diver, who knew? I learn something new everyday). The kids enjoyed getting the behind the scenes tour and watching their daddy swim in the tanks. Brett was a bigger tourist attraction than the fish themselves. He remarked after his big adventure that it was the "best birthday gift ever". I guess I have succeeded in surprising him!!!










It wouldn't be a day at the Mall of America if we didn't stop at the amusement park. The kids love rides, the crazier the better. Claire's favorite ride was a roller coaster, while both Greta and Charlie loved the Log chute and getting wet. Mom and Dad were good sports and went on the rides with the kids, even though mom didn't get a chance to go shopping. Mom didn't go down the log chute, didn't want to wreck the hair and makeup :). We ended our day at the Rain forest cafe where Greta watched the dolphins sing, Charlie hated the indoor "thunderstorms" and Claire enjoyed singing along with the other guests' birthday songs. Daddy was pretty tired from his big day, so he enjoyed his Volcanic Meltdown (aka bloodymary). Mom enjoyed driving home while everyone slept :) Happy Birthday Brett, we love you!

Our romantic weekend get away!

Brett and I were blessed to spend a weekend away at a wonderful bed and breakfast in duluth. The AG Thomson House was more than we could have ever expected. We spent our weekend relaxing and being pampered by wonderful food, conversation and atmosphere. It was the perfect way to spend our 10 year anniversary. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Kelm and Grandma Jeanne for watching Claire, Charlie and Greta, it meant the world to us!
What a nice surprise to come home and have the grandparents describe our children as well behaved, sweet and polite; it makes a mom proud. I guess all of our hard work pays off. We are truly blessed with a wonderful family.

What would our world be without children

I often wonder how I would spend my time if I did not have children. There would be less laughter and happiness in our home, no doubt. Greta gets bored easily and has a very independent spirit. The other day, she decided she wanted to wash her hair, without mom's help. She was so proud of the bubbles she created. Oh Greta, that independent spirit will serve you well later in life!

Just a little snack

Greta is our independent little girl. Greta took it upon herself to fix a snack tonight. Here is her creation: a bowl of Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese and 3 pieces of broccoli. She even made a snack for her "friends". Yummy. Mom grabbed her camera, daddy grabbed the vacuum. Gotta love Greta!!

My cool dude

Charlie had fun picking out his costume for actor/singer day at preschool. Charlie decided he wanted to be a rockstar and wear his "totally awesome and cool" black leather jacket. He is our cool little dude!!
My cool little dude continues to brighten my world! The other day, Charlie decided his mommy looked "sad". Mom was having a case of the winter blahs. Charlie asked his daddy to by the bright red bouquet of carnations he spotted at the grocery store. He walked proudly around the store telling everyone that he was buying these flowers to make his mom happy. He was so excited to give them to me. He told me that I need flowers because I looked sad. Everyday he asks me if I get "happy" when I look at his flowers. Of course I do! As I said before, everyone needs a Charlie!!!!

A dancer in the making

Claire graced us with her dancing talent at another dance show. I don't know what was more fun to watch, claire, or her cousin Ava. Ava danced along with every song during the show. I think we have a dancer in the making. Thanks for coming to the show Ava, Aunt Jes, Grandma and Grandpa Kelm!!!

Our Valentine's Day (a little late)

With mom busy with school and dad busy with remodeling our upstairs bathroom , the peterson household had a very quiet Valentine's day. To make up for it, Greta and I decided to make some pink cupcakes with pink frosting. They were a huge hit with everyone!

Cure for the winter blahs!

Finding ourselves smack dab in the middle of another Minnesota winter, we decided to head to a water park hotel for the evening. The kids had a great time going down the water slides and splashing in the pools. Charlie and Claire enjoyed going down the "big kid" slides all by themselves. Claire was the perfect big sister, carrying charlie's inner tube up the hundreds of steps to the slides when mom was tuckered out. Our chatty and social Greta made many friends in the little kids pool. She made hundreds of trips down the "little" water slide, without help from mom and dad. Our children love the water and thoroughly enjoyed this break from the winter blahs!

Our Charlie

With Charlie, came our gift of smiles. He is our happy go lucky, nice to everyone, happy about everything child. If you need to brighten your day, come talk to Charlie. You are guaranteed a "your hair looks great" or "I love you" from Charlie. My personal favorite is when he wraps his arms around me and says "mom, I love you, did I tell you today?" Everyone would benefit from a daily dose of Charlie.
Charlie was very proud to participate in his first gymnastic show last weekend and was quick to show off his ribbon he received for participating. He was especially excited about the fact that his favorite cousin Jack likes gymnastics as much as Charlie.
Today, I had the pleasure of a parent teacher conference with Charlie's teacher Mrs. Mtowa. I was told that charlie was a great friend and very kind to all of this classmates. He is doing well with his numbers and letters. He is very proud that he can write his own name. He enjoys playing with his friends jackson and hudson but prefers to sit by Macy and Darcy during snack time. I think we have a future romeo on our hands. Mrs. Mtowa smiled as she talked about Charlie's dancing skills and how he is happy to show the class how he can bust a move. He loves to sing and is an active participant during music class. The boy can carry a tune thanks to genes from his grandpa chet and mom. Mrs. Mtowa started the conference saying, "oooh, that charlie, what would I do without that charlie in our class.." I couldn't have said it better myself!

I want to DANCE

Greta loves her big sister claire and everything claire does! Greta was so excited to put on her dance clothes and show us how she loves to dance like her big sister!

Our beautiful ballerina

Claire with her friend Kirstin

Claire before her dance show

Claire has always enjoyed dance, just as much as we have enjoyed watching her in her dance shows! We know, as she gets older, that we are on borrowed time and these years will soon come to an end. Claire always looks so pretty and delicate when she is in her dance costume and this year was no exception.

Burr and Bored!!!

With the artic blast that hit minnesota this week, came school closings and cooped up children. Claire, Charlie and Greta have been stranded inside the house this week because of all of our subzero temps. Claire claims to desperately miss her friends from school while charlie has become addicted to his video games. Greta has enjoyed her extra naps with mom, who has been a little under the weather. We are all looking forward to warmer temps and the chance to breath some fresh air!!! We all hope everyone was able to stay warm this week!!

Because he will kill me when he is 18!!

Ok, I couldn't resist adding this picture. Charlie has a weird habit of taking off ALL of his clothes when he uses the bathroom. This is how I found him the other day. What a nut!!! Yes, those are goggles on his face. Like I have said before, he is our comic relief!!

Ice skating anyone?

Claire and Charlie decided it was time to try out their ice skates! Claire was getting used to her hockey skates, which she now prefers over her old figure skates. She fell only a couple of times and still managed to have fun! Charlie, well, you put him down and he is off to the races! He seems to be a natural at anything that involves coordination. He did pretty well keeping up with this big sister, however, claire is a little more graceful!! Greta decided to stay home where it was warm, prefering cooking with mom over the cold of the minnesota winter!!

I was tagged!

I was tagged by Jessica so I was supposed to take my 6th file of pictures and take the 6th picture and explain it. Here goes! This was a picture of Claire after her piano recital! She was so proud of her duet with mom :)
I tag Kathi and Shannan!!

Happy New Year!! 2009

We had a blast ringing in the New Year with old friends. We swam, ate, played games, watched movies and just talked as the new year came. The kids were excited to count down the seconds until the ball dropped in New York, as I enjoyed a new year's kiss from my hubby. On New Year's day, we spent the evening with my family, playing games, and eating. I think I have done enough eating in the previous week to last me until 2010!! We were blessed in 2008 and we feel even more blessed as we start 2009. I have a wonderful husband who is selfless and allows me the time to pursue my dreams and goals. Without him, I would never be able to accomplish dreams. I want to take this opportunity to thank Brett and tell him how much I love and appreciate him for all he does for me and our family. I am also blessed with three wonderful chldren who make me smile everyday. I have a wonderful family, great friends, my health and a rewarding job. My life is full of so many wonderful things that I look forward to what 2009 has in store for me and my family. God's blessing to all of you as you embark in your adventures of the new year!!

Christmas #2

We are blessed to have two wonderful families who enjoy the festivities of the holidays. We spent the weekend after christmas at Brett's sister/brother -in-laws house in Askov, MN. Our family loves spending time at their house. It is claire's idea of heaven with 10 acres of space and animals galore. Charlie loves the opportunity to ride his 4-wheeler through the trails in the woods, while Greta loves to play with her cousin Xander (it is amazing how much mischief 2 two year olds can find in the middle of the woods). Brett loves it up there because their garage is bigger than our house, fully equiped with a bar, TV, heat, the works! Brett also loves to say hi to the second love of his life, his boat, which is parked in the "garage". We all enjoyed spending time with Brett's side of the family, listening to new and old stories of times past. Some stories never get old, right Brett?? Claire, Charlie and Greta were showered with more christmas presents and we all stuffed ourselves with more christmas goodies! Greta especially loved all of the cookies that were free for the taking. Claire was excited about her bella sera cards, while Charlie was quick to try out his new snowboard and Greta was all smiles in her new princess dress. We all had a wonderful second Christmas with the Peterson Clan! In the words of Claire, Charlie and Greta "mom, can we just live at Jennifer and Gerry's?" I think they had a great time too :)