Penalty Box

Amy was complaining about the price of Graduation cards to Diana and I and said she spent about $250 on 100 cards for Paige. I told her she had overpaid and I wished she would have asked me before she did it because if she would have done it through Vistaprint she would have saved so much money. Cyndi has been letting me use her Canva account to do Instagram posts for Dance Connection and then I use it for whatever printing needs I have. I designed Kenedy's wedding invite with it as well as Avynlea's grad cards. I told Diana I could design Natalie's grad card and then she just needed to upload it to VistaPrint, Select Postcard and then go from there. It is way cheaper then any other options I have found. I did Nat's card and Diana ordered it through VistaPrint and paid about $70 for 100 cards, loads cheaper. 

I went to Rylee's Lacrosse game in Middleton and she did a good job playing. She has been getting some playing time every game and I am so glad that she is getting that chance to play and not just stand watching on the sidelines. Some of the parents on our side were not happy with the calls the refs were making and expressed their frustrations quite loudly. I didn't see anything wrong about it, I have sat through enough Football and Basketball games listening to parents yell worse then these few were so I didn't think anything of it. The refs apparently did not take too kindly to it and talked to one of the Middleton Admin at halftime and he told us if the yelling and complaining didn't stop they would end the game and send everyone home. It was a little aggressive in my opinion but they have their rights I guess.

A couple of days later we were playing Boise at Owyhee and Rylee got her first yellow card. She was defending and accidentally hit one of the Boise players in the head with her stick. Rylee didn't even realize anything happened the Ref had to tell her to go to the penalty box. I was pretty proud of Rylee, not because she hurt someone, but because she was actively in the game defending and doing her job. I texted to our family group chat that she got yellow carded and they were all pretty proud of her as well :). She spent her two minutes in the penalty box and then she was able to get out and play some more. She said her coach was pretty proud of her and excited for her that she got her first yellow card, she said she was taking pictures of her in the penalty box.

 

Elder Peterson Week 81

I have my companion scribing for me. I will not be proof reading this, so if there are any errors, know that it was not me. 

Where to start… It was a good week. We have been really busy trying to get things going in our area and in the zone. We spent a good amount of time introducing Elder Gale to the members. Last Thursday, after completing our mail–run we found out that the Beaumont Zone Leaders had more suprise mail for us. So we planned to meet them towards the top of our area at a specific time. We showed up a little bit late but they were not even there. And when we called and asked when they were going to be there, they said that they still have 45 minutes until they would arrive. So we said a prayer (because I was frustrated) and decided to go and contact sombody who was near the place that we had planned to meet. And it turned into a great lesson! Micah was his name. He had really good and genuine questions.Then his dad joined in the discussion and had more good questions. So that was a miracle. We eventually met up with the elders and got the mail and everything was figured out. 

Yesterday was a great day. There is a young man in our ward who has a non-member friend who has been coming to church for a while. Yesterday we caught him (his name is Ethan) and asked if he would like a Book of Mormon. I have talked with him plenty before and I didn't feel awkward asking and I'm pretty sure he did want one. When we asked, he was excited and said yes! So we gave him a Book of Mormon and set up a time to meet with him to explain it further on Wednesday. That alone made the day awesome, but then later that evening we had a really cool lesson with a guy named Ricky. Ricky has 7 very large pet spiders (tarantulas) and a 150 lbs Rottweiler? That was interesting and I don't really understand how he can sleep with 7 giant spiders next to his bed, but you do you Ricky. Anyway, the lesson was great. We talked about our relationship with God and that God is our loving father in heaven. We are literally his spirit children. He was pretty open to everyting that we were sharing and agreed to read from the Book of Mormon and was interested in meeting again. The best part of the lesson was when he asked why we were doing missionary work and we got to share our testimonies. The spirit was very strong and we all felt great at the end of it. 

A lot of other good things happened last week but I believe my scribe is getting bored (not actually though) and I’m getting bored.

I will end with a little piece of my study from Saturday. In Alma chapter 7, Alma counsels the people of Gideon to be temperate in all things (among other qualities he lists). And I got pondering about that. I found a quote by Elder Russel M. Nelson where he explains what it means to be temperate in all things. "Temperance suggests sobriety and self-restraint in action. It reminds one of covenants made. … Repeatedly, scriptures teach that we be ‘temperate in all things.' Temperance can protect each of us from the aftermath of excess” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 81; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 60). I found it very interesting and I started thinking about things that I can do to be more temperate and to make sure that I’m not doing anything in excess. 

Thats all I've got, I hope y'all have a great week.

-Elder Peterson

Side note, there is a strange road in our area that has a turn lane that goes both directions depending on what the light says.

Oh yeah, we had authentic German food on Thursday. I've had schnitzel and can testify that it is very good. (Now I just need to try schnitzel on a stick...)

Fierce Performance Showcase

Avynlea's first Fierce Cheer competition was coming up and so her gym did a showcase for the parents to come and watch them perform their routine. Kefford, Rylee and I went and Avynlea invited Amy, Paige, Diana and Natalie who met us there. It was fun to watch Avynlea perform, she does a really good job. We originally bought a black liner for Avynlea to wear under her uniform but it did not fit her very well and she did not like feeling like she stuck out like a sore thumb so we ordered her a nude liner. 

Avynlea's team did a good job, towards the end of the routine the stunt Avynlea was basing fell so once the routine was over her coach had them redo the pyramid to show it better. The fall in the performance did not worry me too much, it has been my experience that the worse the dress rehearsal the better the actual performance and this was their dress rehearsal so they should do awesome at the competition!

Andreya, Avynlea, Hannah, Natalie and Paige 

Paige had shoulder surgery just before Spring Break, her shoulder was doing ok but it was so nice that she came to watch.

Avynlea, Natalie and Paige

 

Spring Break in Utah! Cousins Table and Dustin's

Leona is going to be the Flower girl for Kenedy's wedding and while we were at their house she tried on the dress she is going to wear for the wedding. She looked so cute in her dress and I am looking forward to watching her walk down the aisle, she is a pretty spicy little girl and so there is no telling what antics she will pull. She definitely makes life fun.

For lunch we went to Five Guys, Joshua and Andrew were coming off being pretty sick where they were not able to eat much. They were both feeling much better and were craving burgers so that helped determine our restaurant. It was me, Avynlea, Rylee, Matt, Emily, Andrew, Joshua, Mallory, Amos, Fred and Leona. Kefford was not hungry for fast food having eaten on that the day before and so he dropped us off and then went to introduce his Cousin Bryan to his friend Reno. They both are Bronco lovers and Kefford felt they should meet. We had fun at lunch and the cousins sat together at their own table which they deemed the Cousins Table. 

MAtt and Emily were going to look at a subdivision as a place to possibly move, we did not really want to go and so they dropped us off at their house. Kefford got bak pretty quick after we did and we went over to Spanish Fork to see Dustin and Sara and their kids. We spent a couple of hours visiting with them. I was so tired and was having a hard time not falling asleep on their couch. Little Sophie was so sweet and spent the most time with us out of the kids. She is so cuddly and a couple of times just climbed up on my lap and snuggled in. She is a little doll and really enjoyable to be with.

Elizabeth and Sophie

 

Kenedy's Lingerie Shower

Emily wanted to throw Kenedy a Lingerie Shower in Utah and she put together a really cute invite for it. She wanted me and my girls to be there and when she asked us when would be a good time to do it I suggested the Friday at the end of our Spring Break. We could spend a couple days in Utah beforehand and it would be a good time for us to be there. 

Kefford was at the Utah Jazz game with his friends so it was just us girls at the party, rightfully so. Emily did such a great job planning for the shower. She put a lot of time and effort into it and it showed. I know Kenedy loved it and had a really greta time. Emily made yummy cupcakes, she had a popcorn bar and a soda bar. She also had ring pops, goldfish and Hershey kisses, the food was yum! 

Some of Kenedy's friends couldn't make it because of sickness or being out of town but we had a o lot of fun with the ones who did come. Sara Peterson came but she had her baby Nate with her and he was not feeling it, after a while she had to leave because he was crying too much. I was bummed she had to leave but so glad she was able to come. I know she and Dustin miss out on a lot of Peterson stuff living in Utah so I was glad she could come to this. 

Emily had two games for us to play, the first one was she asked a question and gave us an answer to it and then we had to guess if it was Kenedy or Tyler who gave the answer. I won that game but I am the mother of the bride and know her pretty well so I felt like I had an advantage so I let the second place person get the prize. The second game was Bridal Scattergories and I thought I did terrible but it turns out everyone did more terrible than I did because I won that game as well, too funny! This time I accepted my win and took the prize which was a yummy smelling bath bomb.

Kenedy got a lot of fun lingerie and accessories. After she opened her gifts she was pushed into trying them on for us. She had her garments on underneath so it was scandalous but not too spicy scandalous. Cassie got her a really pretty, pale pink, lacy piece of Lingerie and also this pink Muumuu. We told Kenedy she should wear the lingerie under her muumuu on her wedding night as a prank, lol. 

Isabelle, Mallory and Emily 

Avynlea Rylee, Cassie, Meg, CJ and Alyssa

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Elizabeth, Kenedy, Isabelle and Mallory 

Avynlea, Rylee, Cassie, Meg, CJ and Alyssa

We took some pictures with the Bride and then Tyler showed up because He and Kenedy were leaving for Reno that night to spend time with his family for their Spring Break.

Avynlea and Kenedy

Isabelle and Kenedy

Rylee and Kenedy 

Avynlea

Elizabeth and Kenedy

Emily and Kenedy

Cassie and Kenedy

Alyssa and Kenedy

more of Avynlea and Kenedy

Ty and Kenedy

These three could not get it together for a picture. They were laughing so hard and it reminded me of when I get together with my sisters. I am so glad they have such a good relationship and have each other as their best friends.

Avynlea, Kenedy and Rylee 

The aftermath. Somebody made a stink and as soon as I hear that somebody passed gas I am covering my nose, I do not want to smell it, gross. Avynlea thinks it's a funny quirk of mine and likes to laugh at me when I do it.

 

Spring Break in Utah! Kenedy teaching, Escape Room and Jazz Game

Thursday morning Kefford, Avynlea, Rylee and I left for Utah. We drove in separate cars, Kefford and Rylee in the Farms mustang and Avynlea and I in the Traverse. Matt expressed interest in buying the mustang so Kefford agreed to drive it down for him. On our way through Salt Lake City we stopped off at Kenedy's school to see her and to see her as a teacher. It was a half day for the kids and we got there as they were eating lunch. After lunch they got their coats and went outside, Kefford had fun interacting with some of her students as they were getting themselves ready to go out. 

Kefford wanted a picture taken of him at the little sink in the bathroom in Kenedy's classroom. He was trying to look like a giant at the little sink

After the kids got their backpacks ready to go home Kenedy gathered them together and read them a story. She is such a cute teacher and it was so fun to see this side of her.

Later that night we went with the Robertsons and Kenedy and Tyler to an Escape Room. I have never done an escape room and was pretty excited to try it out. Isabelle works at this one so we got a discount and a little bit of extra help from her. She and the actress in the room with us did a good job playing a part, giving us clues, and guiding us in the right direction without taking away from the experience or making it seem like we didn't do it on our own. It was a Harry Potter themed Escape room and we had to make a decision to help the Minister of Magic or join with the Death Eaters. I found it a little overwhelming in the beginning of the hour, there were a lot of us in the room and everyone was talking and doing different things and it was a lot. I found myself just standing there for a couple of minutes not knowing what to do and feeling like a dum dum. I finally jumped in and started helping and doing puzzles, it was really chaotic without any organization so I spent a lot of the time trying to help but not really knowing what was going on. Once we competed all of the puzzles we had the choice to help the Ministry of Magic and destroy the time turner Voldemort wanted or to join the Death Eaters, kill the actress and procure the time turner for Voldemort. We were pretty divided on what we should do, I went back and forth a couple times, but in the end we decided to do the right thing and destroy the time turner. It was a lot of fun and I would like to do another escape room, hopefully feeling a little more confidant in what I am supposed to be doing.

On Friday Tyler took Avynlea and Rylee out to lunch and then they met up with Kenedy at the mall. While they were there they randomly ran into Danny Ricks. Danny is in town to go to the Jazz game with Keffird and Renn but how fun that the girls got to see one of their favorite humans and visit with him for a little bit. 

Later that evening Kefford went to the Utah Jazz game with Danny Ricks and Renn Lamm, it was fun for these three to get back together and hang out. They are good friends who do not get to see each other as much and it was fun for them to hang out and catch up.

 

Rylee's Big Week!

We didn't have anything planned the first half of Spring Break and when Rylee's Lacrosse friends invited her to go on a hike I encouraged her to get out of the house and go. She was not excited abut it at first but went and ended up having a lot of fun. They hiked and took pictures and went to Costco and just had a lot of fun hanging out and bonding. This is one thing I love about my kids being on a team. They meet people they wouldn't otherwise meet and find friends outside of their little circle. 

left picture l-r: Rylee, Esther, Emerson, Shay

Kefford told Rylee she could open a checking account when she turned 16. We started savings accounts for all of our kids when they were little but Rylee really wanted her own checking account so she could have a debit card, its cooler to use a debit card then cash for this young generation. On Monday Kefford met Rylee and I at the bank and we got her signed up for her checking account. Both Kefford and I had to be their in order to be signers on her account. I like my kids having their own checking account because it helps them learn how to budget their money and helps them to learn to prioritize what they are spending their money on. 

At the start of the week I decided it was time for Rylee to get her drivers license and looked at the DMV's close to us to get an appointment. Of course they were all booked so I had the thought to look at the Payette DMV. It is where we got the girls their passports and there was no line and no wait for that so I thought it would be the same for getting license and it was. They are walk in only and so I decided to take her to Payette for the skills test and then immediately after go to the DMV for her knowledge test. Patricia did her skills test and Rylee was really nervous but Patricia was so kind and helped Rylee feel at ease. I was allowed to ride in the car during her test as long as I did not say anything about her driving. I could see some mistakes Rylee made but thought she did a great job over all. At the end of the test Patricia went over some of the things she saw that Rylee could do better at and then said she had to get no more then 12 to pass and Rylee got 5 so she passed!

Once the skills test was done we went to the DMV and were helped right away. I had to sit in the car during her knowledge test and it did not take Rylee very long to come and get me with the news she passed, yay! Rylee now has her license and is so excited to have a little bit more freedom. When we got home Rylee asked if she could drive around by herself for a bit. She said she would just drive to her high school and around in our neighborhood. I said it was fine and let her go, I tracked her on my find a friend app and saw her go to the high school and then she went to Sonic and around our neighborhood. When she was in our neighborhood I kept expecting her to come home but she drove around for a while enjoying her freedom. It was a red letter week for Rylee!