A New Friend, Vintage Wedding Dresses, Fun With The Lyons

Monday we all went to PetSmart to help Avynlea pick out her new Hamster. Unfortunately they did not have any Hamsters in stock but Avynlea was able to find some things for the Habitat. She bought a clear plastic tote from Walmart and turned it into a shelter by cutting out part of the lid and replacing it with chicken wire. She bought bedding, food and some toys at PetSmart and then we went over to PetCo because they did have Hamsters in stock. After much debate Avynlea picked out a cute new friend whom she named Peaches. Her Hamster is super cute and we are all excited for her.

Kenedy and Tyler were supposed to go to California to visit his Dad and family for the holidays but their flights got cancelled and they were unable to find a new one. Southwest was having issues and they ended up cancelling about 2,000 flights over the holidays, not cool. I was really disappointed for Ty and Kenedy and his Dad but unfortunately there was nothing they could do about it. 

Kefford took the kids to the farm on Wednesday and while they were there Kenedy tried on Alison and Marge's wedding dresses. She had fun trying them on and is even contemplating wearing Alison's dress for her Temple Sealing. I love that idea and really hope she does, I think it would be really special.

Alisons Dress                                 Grandma Marge's Dress

I had my Wedding Dress packed and sealed in a box and I always said I wouldn't open it until my girls got engaged. When they came back from the Farm they were showing me the pictures of Kenedy in her Grandma's wedding dresses and I decided to pull out my dress. Kenedy didn't want to try it on right then because she had already taken off her makeup and only wanted to try it on when she felt cute but Rylee tried it on and she looked really pretty in it. It was fun to pull it out and have memories come to mind of wearing it on my wedding day, 

Over the holidays Andrew Brown tripped coming down the stairs while holding Abigail and fell on top of her. They checked her over and didn't see anything wrong and so they tried not to worry about it. Abigail wouldn't walk the next couple of days and seemed in pain so they took her in and found that she did have a break. Andrew Brown felt terrible but accidents happen and he shouldn't blame himself because nobody else does. It reminded me of when Ryker broke his leg while wrestling with Kenedy and we didn't realize it until the next day, things happen.

Thursday Kenedy decided to head back to Utah and a couple of hours after she left she called me crying saying she missed us, she shouldn't have left and she was having thoughts of us dying and it was making her really sad. Poor kid. After talking for a bit and assuring her we would be careful so we wouldn't have any accidents we hung up and the four of us left at home went over to the Lyons to play games with them. They wanted to play a game called Wingspan but were having a hard time remembering how to play it so we abandoned that game and just played Uno. We had so much fun and laughed so much. The winner got to make up rules for the next round we played and we had all kinds of craziness going on, we love hanging out with Kyle and Nikki.

 

Elder Peterson Week 68

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

     I'd like to just leave it at that... but I suppose that would be boring. So, allow me to entertain. I guess.

     We caroled almost every night this past week with the other missionaries. There was usually about 8 of us (a couple times 10). We have only practiced Silent Night and that's the only song we can all effectively sing. So we sang that song. Many many times. I think I mentioned it last time, that I've gotten pretty good at the bass part (it's very simple). So I've got that going for me. 

      We also had our mission Christmas Conference on Thursday and it was really fun. Sister Larkin wanted us to perform the 12 days of Christmas thing during the talent show. I did not enjoy doing so, but at least I didn't have to do the dancing part, I only sang. I saw a lot of friends, so that was really fun. Elder Simpson performed and did amazing. He's just incredible at the piano and it's not fair.

     Elder Frogley got covid a couple days ago, so he's been hidden away. We decided to go carol to him (upon his request) and it was pretty funny. The weird thing is he feels fine. His companion has covid and his covid test came out positive, but he hasn't felt sick at all. Strange. Other missionaries are getting sick too, but it hasn't been anything like last year when almost everyone got covid. I'm glad I haven't gotten sick.

     Yesterday I found out that the Dick's Sporting Goods over here has a golfing simulator that anyone can swing on. So I stepped up. It was nice, I haven't gone golfing in a long time. I tried teaching Elder Colt how to hit with an iron and it was pretty funny. I don't know if you're familiar with the game Wii Sports, but his whiff sounds exactly like the one on there. I'm sure everyone's does, but he was whiffing a lot and the sound had me cracking up.

     Today we are at the church with other missionaries to play games and relax. It's the first Sunday in a long time where I've actually been able to do that. The ward has also brought us some really good food for lunch, so that was sweet.

     I've been trying really hard to remember the real meaning of Christmas, and it's doing a lot for me. I am so eternally grateful for Jesus Christ. Celebrating His birth (and everything else He did) has brought me so much joy. I'm grateful that He loved us and God enough to give His life for us. I love my family and my friends and I know it's because of Him that I find so much joy with them. I know Jesus Christ performed the Atonement for us out of love and perfect submission to Heavenly Father's will. I know that as we focus on what that means for us personally, we will be happier and the unnecessary stress that comes from the holiday season will be made lighter.

     I hope ya'll have a GREAT Christmas and a very happy New Year. 

 

"6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 6:9).

-Elder Peterson

Christmas Sunday

Christmas morning we got a picture from Ryker with his stocking stuff and he also took a picture of the Houston Astros Jersey Kefford got for him. In his Christmas package we also sent him socks, new garments and a t-shirt with a skull and crossbones on it that says "It's all fun and games until someone needs an eyepatch". I saw it a Disneyland and thought it was perfect for Ryker but I did not want to pay the Disney price tag. I looked for it on Amazon and found the same shirt for half the price so that's the one he got.

I love taking pictures of the Tree Christmas morning with all of the presents under it. It is so magical and beautiful and I love the anticipation I feel looking at it all. 

Tyler was spending Christmas with us and normally our tradition with stockings is Santa puts them on the kids beds during the night and then when they wake up they come into our room and open them on our bed. This is something I grew up doing and it is one of my favorite Christmas traditions. With Tyler being here I felt weird about having everyone in our bedroom so we decided Santa would put the stockings on the couches and we opened them all together in the Living Room.

Kenedy started off the gift giving by giving the gifts she bought for everyone. She got Kefford a Red Baron Snoopy Lego, I got curlformers which I have been wanting to try, Avynlea got a LuLuLemon belt bag and Rylee got makeup and a caboodles.

Avynlea gave Kefford a Top Golf gift card, she gave me a beautiful dress, She gave Ty a bat and ball, Kenedy got a makeup pallet and she gave Rylee a watercolor paint set.

Tyler got the girls slime which they were excited about, I guess you are never too old to appreciate slime.

For Christmas we got Kenedy...A new Temple Bag, Converse, a LuluLemon Jacket, an electric Toothbrush, Shampoo and Conditioner, a contour stick, a phone case and Markers. 

For Christmas Rylee received...Dr Martins, an Owyhee Sweatshirt, a Ryan Trahan Howdy Howdy sweatshirt, a Blowdryer with diffuser, a mini camera and Harry Potter Lego.

Rylee gave me some really cute overalls, she gave earrings to Avynlea and Kenedy, Tyler got a game called Poetry for Neanderthals, and she gave Kefford a Lamborghini Lego.

We gave Ty a Nike Football sweatshirt, a U of U water bottle sticker and a tie. Kenedy got him an LA Chargers hat, socks, and a football. Ty was actually super cute while opening his gifts and was excited and so appreciative about everything. He made giving him gifts really fun.

Kefford got...a Mini Retro Batman TV, A flannel and thermal combo, batteries and a battery holder, *32 tops and bottoms for cold weather and a bomber jacket.

Brielle and Qiana gifted Avynlea and Rylee a candle, gummy bears and a travel jenga. We gave their family the Logan Temple Lego set and they gave us a Dunkin Doughnuts and ColdStone IceCream gift cards.

Grandma Bonnie gave the kids snowman candy bars with money and gloves. We put one with black gloves in Rykers Christmas box so he also got one. It was a cute gift and very appreciated.

For Christmas Avynlea received...Calico Critters Restaurant, A Cream Sweater, Calico Critters Lakeside lodge, Bathrobe and slippers, a Lash Lift kit, a Makeup bag, Sports bras and as a surprise....

a gift card to PetSmart so she can get the Hamster she has been begging for. She has been wanting a Hamster for so long and we finally caved and thought to let her get one. Rather then picking one out ourselves we gave her the gift card so she could choose her own and also buy the habitat and anything else her Hamster would need.

For Christmas I felt really spoiled and loved everything I received. I got a Jovi Patch, a More Jesus sweatshirt from Heather, a Lump IPL Hair Removal device, more Pioneer Woman Dishes and Birkenstocks. 

For Secret Person gifts Stephanie had Kenedy and she gave her a cute cropped vest, Anita had Avynlea and she gave her Disney Earrings, a cheer ornament, a jewelry case and Hedwig AirPods case. Fredrick had Kefford and he gave him a voice changing megaphone type thing, Little Jeremy had Rylee and he gave her a watch and a $50 amazon gift card. Andrew Brown had me and he gave me the CoCo bowls I really wanted from Disney but passed on to get the CoCo plates, so I was super excited to open the gift and see the bowls.

We got done opened gifts and then we got ready for Church and left to go to Christmas Service. It was fun being able to go to Church on Sunday,  but I was disappointed in the program, there was one Christmas Song and a speaker and I really wanted more music. After we got home we took a picture outside because it snowed and then we changed and left for the Farm.

Alison gave Ty a restaurant Gift Card which he was surprised by but so appreciative and then she gave the girls money and jewelry cases which they loved. She also included special notes expressing her love for them and the Temple.

Hazel took a liking to Ty and spent a lot of time hanging out with him. He is so sweet with the little kids and is fun for them to be around, he will be a great Dad someday. I think she had a little bit of a crush going on which is pretty cute. 

We got some pictures from the family as they opened their Secret Person gifts. Kefford gave Mallory two Harry Potter books, I gave Heather a London Architect Lego as my besties gift to her and I also had her for Secret Person and I gave her the light kit to go with the Lego set. Kenedy had Dillon and she gave him a Star Wars card game and Lego pack, Rylee had Andrew Brown and he got a workout tank and nutter butters. Avynlea had Amos and she gave him a ride on sand digger. 

After fun at the Farm we came home and played games. We played the game Rylee gave Ty and we played Twister. Natalie was bored at home so she came over for little bit to hang with us and it was fun having her.

We had a good Christmas, we had a lot of fun and I am so glad that next year we will have Ryker with us again!

 

Christmas. Eve

Christmas Eve was super low-key like always and exactly how we like it. We started the day by doing some service. Christmas Eve was on a Saturday and it was our turn to help clean the church. We got there at about 8 and quickly got to work so that we could get finished quick. It wasn't really how we wanted to spend our morning but it was nice to serve the Lord and the next day at church I felt very proud of how clean the church was and it made me happy. 

After we were done cleaning we went to Shop for Breakfast. It was fun having Tyler with us and we had a great time. I did have a moment of really missing Ryker and I turned to Kefford for reassurance that Ryker was happy and that missionary Christmases were good and not lonely. Kefford assured me that he was in fact having a good time and that he was ok. 

After breakfast we went to Walmart-Mart so we could pickup some last minute things.The rest of the day we relaxed around the house watching movies and being together. I kept it really simple for our dinner and I did more hors-d'oeuvre's type food and it was good.

After dinner the kids opened up their pajamas and new ornaments. Avynlea got Curious George, Rylee got a girl doing yoga, Kenedy got a stack of Harry Potter books and Tyler got a cookies and milk double ornament that magnetized together.

Later we watched The Chosen Christmas episode and watched movies then Kefford and I went downstairs to get things ready for the next day.

 

Wedding Dresses Try on and Mall Gift Wrapping

Kenedy is not engaged yet but the ring has been ordered and so we know that a wedding will be happening. Tyler was planning n proposing over Christmas break but the ring did not get here in time and so he has to figure out something different. Meanwhile we thought it would be fun to do a little wedding dress looking. A lot of the bridal stores did not seem to have last minute appointments but I found a shop called Modest Couture and they had an opening so we gave it a try. Natalie, Avynlea and Rylee came with Kenedy and I and as we drove to the appointment we quickly realized this was not going to be a place that we were picturing. It turned out to be a shop in someones home and it was a little awkward but we made the best of it. Kenedy was a good sport and tried on dresses and it was actually fun to see her in some pretty dresses. She didn't like any of the dresses and the vibe was a little weird so after about an hour we got out of there.

I was able to get an appointment later that evening for Davids Bridal and we had Kefford and Tyler drop us off so Kenedy could try on dresses. The shop is in Boise and we were going to the mall later to gift wrap for the cheer boosters and so this was good timing for Kenedy to try on dresses. 

Davids Bridal had some beautiful dresses but nothing that would work for Kenedy. Midway through the appointment the consultant realized that Kenedy wears garments and so she tried finding dresses that Kenedy could wear with her garments and again she couldn't really find anything. She did try to fashion some sleeves and said we could have them add a liner and sleeves but I did not want to piece together a Dress that we would have to order on good faith hoping when it comes that it would look good. We had fun watching her try on dresses and then it was time to go.

Mikell had her baby girl and she sent me some pictures of her wearing the head bows I bought for her. Her name is Emily and she is so sweet and I am really sad that they are living in Montana and we can't just go over and see her.

After the bridal appointment we went to the mall to do gift wrapping. Our shift was only an hour and a half compared to all the other ones which were two hour shifts so we lucked out for that. Natalie and Diana, Paige, Avynlea, e, Kefford, Tyler, Kenedy and Rylee all were workers during our shift and it was fun, busy and over quick which was awesome.

Paige, Natalie and Avynlea