PowderPuff Game 2021!

September 28: Tuesday night I was doing my online Barre class when I noticed Avynlea and Rylee watching and laughing at things on Avynlea's phone. I thought it was such a cute moment I had to take a picture. Avynlea has been so busy with cheer, school and work that it has been hard for her to find any down time. I am so appreciative of these moments where she spends her small amount of down time bonding with her sister.

September 29: A cute pumpkin shaped roll recipe popped up on my Facebook feed and I really wanted to give it a try. I thought I could make them for the Homecoming team lunch the parents are putting on for the cheer teams. I signed up to bring bread and I thought this would be fun to send in and I decided to give the recipe a test run Wednesday morning. The rolls turned out so cute and were a little time consuming, but not bad at all, and were so yummy. I was really excited how they turned out, we had them for dinner with some homemade potato soup and they tasted and looked awesome. Unfortunately for the team lunch they are wanting us to bring in loaves of bread, boring but ok, I can find another time to use this cute pumpkin shaped roll recipe

Avynlea had her Junior year Powderpuff game Wednesday night, if it feels like we just did this for her Sophomore year, we did, because of Covid the games which are usually in the Fall were pushed back to Spring but now this year we can get back to our regular schedule. The Juniors were against the Seniors and Avynlea went into it knowing that while the Juniors would try their hardest, they were no match for the Seniors who had 3 really great rugby players on their team. The final score was 28-6 and I am really impressed with the Juniors and how well they did despite their opposition. I thought it was going to be a shutout with Juniors not being able to score at all and the Seniors getting touchdown after touchdown, so 28-6, not too shabby. Avynlea was put in the second half and did a good job being aggressive and playing her part. I like watching her on the football field during these games because she always shows such determination with how she gets in there and fights. 

Paige, Hailey, Avynlea, Dreya and Hope

Hope transferred to Owyhee for her Junior year but came to the game to watch and cheer on her friends which was nice.

Paige, Hailey, Avynlea and Dreya

Avynlea, Hailey and Dreya

 

Elder Peterson Weeks 3 and 4

Ayyyy!!! Sorry for not writing last week, I was exhausted from travels and I didn't feel like writing a ton of blah on my phone (no computers to write emails...). So let's see, where did I leave off...

My last week of MTC was awesome, we had good class and the sisters wanted a billion pictures. But who's surprised. I can't actually remember a ton about that week, so... Dang. I do remember when Elder Saathoff, Frogley and I peer pressured Elder Sonne into doing 10 push-ups and then after we tried to get him to do 10 more he blew a casket. He starting ranting about how he "doesn't have to do squat" and other hilarious nonsense. It last about 6 minutes and I was dying laughing the whole time. 

On Monday Elder Frogley, me, and about 30 other Missionaries got on a bus to get on a train to get on a trax to get on a tram to get on a plane to Houston! Where I am currently being slowly boiled alive. 

The mission president and his wife, President and Sister Larkin, picked us up from the airport and we had a very long intro/info meeting that basically lasted until Tuesday noon. We all (most of us) slept at the mission home Monday night and had our 60 second interviews with president. It was a super fun night. On Tuesday we had more info stuff, like I said, and then I met my trainer: ELDER PAULSEN.

He's an awesome missionary and he's super fun to be around. I've already learned a ton from the guy and I'm excited to learn more. Last week we met with a couple of people and had some good lessons. We invited a mother named Jada to come to sacrament meeting, but she didn't come cause her family wasn't going. Dang. We'll get her there eventually. Another person, George, what an awesome man, also agreed to come to church. But didn't. We'll have to get him to shut off his golf so he'll come. We also did a lot of street contacting and met an awesome kid named Daniel, we got his info and we're gonna contact him again later today. 

Last Wednesday my nose started to get a little congested and I was like "oh no." then I got sick. I've been running at about 100% instead of 1000% since then, but I'm feeling a lot better today, like, 836%. I think my body just doesn't adjust to new climates very well, same thing happened in Hawaii. During my illness I did an exchange with the Zone Leaders. I was with Spanish speaking Elder Galvan. And even though I don't speak Spanish, the appointments we went to were awesome. I would share my testimony and he would translate, I loved it.

On Sunday we went to church (obviously). And our ward (Elder Paulsen and I, and Sisters Lake and Masson) is TINY. I swear, maybe 30 people were there. Maybe. It was good times though. 

Last night Elders Prisbrey (silent r, like Frisbee) and Westover (who is also from Meridian Idaho) came over and we played Frisbee in the apartment until about midnight, awlful idea, but it was fun/funny.

Now it's p-day and we need to set up the gym for Hermana Steffensen's birthday! It's gonna be lit. If you want to know anymore about my last two weeks, email me. But only 3 questions a person, my sisters are going nuts with ?'s.

Anyway, love y'all 

Elder Peterson

Oh yeah, my first area is Broadway 1 North

1) sweet helmet at the ZL' s place

2) Elder Galvan watching a random cat trying to steal his pizza

3) Elder Paulsen and his spirit animal (he's pet about 12 random cats this past week) 

4) Houston city (my area is south of that intimidating place) 

Rylee's First Stake Dance

September 25: Rylee was invited to go to the Stake Dance by her friend Taylee who was putting a group together. She had fun eating dinner and getting ready at Taylees house and all the girls were excited and a little nervous about their first Stake Dance. Rylee said it started off pretty lame with no-one dancing except for an autistic kid who was tearing it up on the dance floor. Rylee turned to her friends and said lets go dance with him so they all went over and started dancing and that broke the ice and soon the floor was filled with lots of kids having fun. She said she danced with some guys who were nice but not that cute and overall it was a fun night. I am glad that she had a good time and for being a trend setter and getting the party started started by initiating the dancing. That's my girl!

Taylee, Lizzie, Kate, Ella, Naomi and Rylee

Football; Rylee Cheering on Owyhee and Avynlea Cheering for Meridian

One of my cute little dancers, Roen, made a bracelet for me and forgot to give it to me after our recital. Her Mom mailed it to me along with a sweet picture she drew and it was so cute. Avynlea took the bracelet and wore it for a while but when I finally got it back I took a picture while wearing it to send to Roen and to tell her I miss her and thank you for the bracelet. I have the sweetest little dancers and I just love them so much!

The Superintendent has been going on a school tour and visiting all of the Student Council classes of each school in the district. I found a picture of Rylee's class when he went to Owyhee and managed to get a screen shot of it. Rylee has really been enjoying Student Council which I knew she would and I am glad that she is loving it and being involved.

Rylee is wearing a blue shirt and standing in the lower part right behind the two girls in black.

Rylee went to the Owyhee football game against Mountain View at Mountain View with her friends Tayci, Ella and Avery. Avery is new in our ward and Rylee has been able to get to know her and just loves her. I am so glad that she is making good friends and that she is loving going to the games and being involved. She had a really great time cheering on her High School team, they ended up losing really bad to Mountain View but that didn't dampen Rylee's fun and she came home happy that she got to be there with her friends.

Final score 56-0

Tayci, Ella, Rylee and Avery

The girls were being picked up by Tayci's parents and Avery came over to our house a little earlier so she and Rylee cold get ready together. Rylee has two Owyhee t-shirts and ket Avery borrow one since she didn't have any. Every football game has a theme which allows the kids to dress up and this games theme was western. Rylee wore the cowboy hat she got from the rodeo and she she looked pretty cute. I tried to get her to wear my red and black buffalo print flannel thinking she would be cold in just a t-shirt but she declined and sent me a text later saying she was so hot in just her t-shirt. I could see that happening being in the student section surrounded by people , it would be pretty hot and stifling. 

Meanwhile I was at the Meridian game against Eagle in Eagle cheering on Avynlea and her team. I had a really good view of Avynlea throughout the game and loved watching her lead her team. She is the Captain but there are two game day Captains that help her out, Rory and Hannah, and the three of them did such a great job. Meridian had the lead for most of the game but Mountain View was able to get the win by 1 point in the end, it was a really sad loss but Meridian played hard and did their best. 

Final score 24-23

Paige, Natalie and Avynlea

back row: Emma(Pam), Ellie, Paige, Hailey, Natalie, Parker, Allen, Hannah, Melanie, Jadyn, Katie, Annie and Mary

front row: Madilyn, Sienna, Avynlea, Dreya, Kylee, Roree, Megan, Alyssa, Tessa and Kaybre

I loved watching Avynlea at the top of the pyramid flying, she is so good and loves being up there.

Paige, Avynlea, Hannah and Rory

I love my cheerleader and am so proud of her and her leadership skills. She is a great leader and example for her team and they are lucky to have her. Emma/Pam's Mom was telling me how happy Emma was that Avynlea was chosen as Captain and that she was the obvious choice. I have heard nothing but positive feedback in response to Avynlea being chosen as Captain and that makes me so happy that my girl is such a good leader and friend. 

Colton and Avynlea

Welcome Elder Peterson!

September 22, 2021

 

Dear Brother and Sister Peterson,

 

We are excited to welcome Elder Ryker Jeremy Peterson to the Texas Houston East Mission!  He arrived Monday evening and was warmly welcomed by President and Sister Larkin.  He was treated to a Texas barbecue dinner and a gathering with the Larkins and the Assistants to the President and 32 other newly arriving missionaries.  Yesterday morning he was assigned to his Trainer, Elder Ethan Paulsen, and was given orientation about the various activities and procedures in the mission.  His first assignment is in the Broadway 1st Ward in the Houston Texas East Stake in Houston, Texas.

 

Attached are photos of Elder Peterson with President and Sister Larkin and the entire group of newly arriving missionaries.  Thank you for sending your son to serve with us!

 

 

Sister Dickman

Mission Office Secretary

Texas Houston East Mission

2815 W. Lake Houston Pkwy #109

Kingwood, TX 77339

281-361-8710

Avynlea Cheer Captain and Homecoming Invite

September 16: This week Friday Nights game was on Thursday. Meridian was playing Capital at Capital and I don't know if Capital doesn't have a field but the game was at Dona Larson park in downtown Boise. It was a good game with Meridian stomping Capital, final score: 35-0

I was able to get a picture of Avynlea with Hailey and Dreya and that's about it. It was a crazy night and there wasn't an opportunity for me to get much more then that.

Avynlea came home from the game Thursday night and found an invite to Homecoming for her on our doorstep. Kyle asked her to Homecoming. Avynlea was set up on a date with him by her seminary teacher, Kyle Lyons and it must have gone really well for him since he wanted to ask her to Homecoming. Avynlea's friend Colton was planning on asking Avynlea but Kyle swooped in and asked her first. Avynlea  felt really bad for Colton but he can find another time to ask her out.

September 17: Kyle likes beans and Avynlea took that and the theme of his invite and came up with the idea for the response. 

Friday night Avynlea got the message that she was chosen to be Captain of her cheer squad, this is a pretty big deal and I am excited for Avynlea and know she will be such a great leader for her teammates.

September 18: I went to Target on Saturday to find Avynlea a white shirt for her team pictures. I saw this dress and thought it looked pretty cute on the hanger but when I tried it on I instantly felt like a pioneer and couldn't take it off fast enough. But not before taking a picture and sending it to my sisters, is this really what fashion is right now?

Cristal and I signed up to work the BSU game to earn money for Avynlea's cheer account. It was super awesome of Cristal to work it with me since she was not getting anything out of it. We worked security at the Garth Brooks concert a couple years ago and did not want to do it again and were hoping they would put us somewhere easier but we were put at security again. Basically we had to check people's purses and make sure they weren't bringing in stuff they ween't allowed to. It wasn't as bad but it was cold and windy and I was exhausted and just wanted to go home. We worked from 4-8:30 pm and then stopped at McDOnalds on the way home to get a bite to eat, my treat since she was so gracious to help me out.

September 19: I wanted to celebrate Avynlea being made Captain so for Sunday dinner I made Chicken and rice casserole which is her favorite, she didn't have to help with any of the kitchen cleanup or dinner prep, she ate off the special plate and I bought her favorite frozen treat mini Drumsticks for dessert. Rylee and I also made a poster and hung it up for her to see. I wrote out the letters and  Rylee drew the cheerleader, it turned out super cute. While we were on video chat with my Mom she let me know that I put "Caption" instead of "Captain" on the poster, lol, dumb mistake. I fixed it by taping card stock over the I and O and added A and I. It still looks pretty cute and we got the message across that we are proud of Avynlea.

Rexburg Trip

Kefford had a couple days off from work and really wanted to go and do something. He heard about the Pocatello Temple Open House and has been wanting to visit the Ricks family who live in Rexburg plus Kenedy is in Rexburg so he decided we should go to Rexburg, visit the Ricks and Kenedy and do the Temple Open House. We took Avynlea and Rylee out of school early on Friday and headed to Rexburg. Kenedy was working until 7 so we went to BYU-I to wander around but the girls got bored very quickly. We looked around in the bookstore and then left to go get a stadium chair for me at Big 5 and then we headed to the Ricks house. It was fun to see their family again and to hang out and visit with our friends. Avynlea and Rylee got pulled upstairs by the kids to play Mario Kart and it was decided that the losers had to do Karaoke. Rylee got a picture of Avynlea singing Karaoke with her fellow loser Coulson.

Danny thought the sunset looked spectacular out his front window so he had us go stand outside so he could take a picture of the 4 of us in front of the sunset. 

Kenedy arrived and once it got dark we sat outside around the fire and roasted s'mores and visited some more. It really was so much fun being all together again.

Danny, Angela, Avynlea, Kenedy, Kefford, Rylee and Coulson

Once the kids wee tired of the fire we went back inside for more Mario Kart and Karaoke.

Rylee and Kenedy

Avynlea and Kenedy

Avynlea and Rylee stayed the night with Kenedy at her apartment while Kefford and I crashed at the Ricks house. The next morning we had to get up early so we could drive to Pocatello in time for our Open House slot at 8:20. The Ricks live right next to a beautiful forrest and they were telling us about the Moose that live in there and that come out occasionally. I had seen a deer jumping through there the night before and we all saw a mama with her baby deer but Kefford really wanted to see one of the Moose and was disappointed that we were leaving without him seeing one. Wouldn't you know as we were driving down his street out steps a moose and just casually walks across the property. We were all pretty excited and Kefford stopped the car to get some pictures and then Avynlea jumped out to get in one of the pictures. 

We made it to the Temple Open House and it was beautiful. The tour was pretty quick and we were rushed through a little bit but it was so great to be inside another Temple with my family. I missed having Kenedy and Ryker there with us but the spirit was so strong and I had so much joy being inside the Temple and in the Celestial room with Kefford, Avynlea and Rylee. I love how Temples can bring families closer together as well as uniting families for eternity. Any time I can be in the Temple with the ones I love is a good day. Rylee loved the inside so much that she mentioned she wanted to get married in this Temple. It was beautiful with lots of flowers and colors of pink and gold.