A Quick Little Update . . .

  I found some pictures that should have gone with my last post. And I'm adding some recent ones too.

This is from a recent coast trip we too. She loves stripping down

and running up and down the sand dunes

Wildlife Safari trip. This was so much fun. No one

was there and we got to see so many neat animals. 

We will definitely be going again.

Our Sun River trip. 

Best buddies

Back home during the snow. Jordan got a little risky

and decided to play on the froze over slew

Austyn and KODA playing in the snow at home

Picking out our Christmas tree

We went to Bounce in Corvallis for a Birthday party.

It was so much fun.

Austyn and her cousins at Nana and Grandpas for 

Christmas Eve. They all got jammies for presents.

What a neat idea! Then they all had to put them on :)

Quade was napping so Austyn is holding his up.

Our most recent coast trip. It was so beautiful there. 

I love the coast.

Quade is crawling now. And he didn't even eat the 

sand. 

This girl would literally play on the beach all day long

if she could. She just loves it. 

Austyn had her first horse show! She did all the gaming

events and had an absolute blast.

  We have been so busy with so many fun activites lately. Hard to list them all. We totally took advantage of all of Jordans time off. Our poor kids didn't have naps for like 5 days straight. I think we were all ready for Daddy to go back to work so we could get some rest :) We had the best Christmas ever! We spent the morning at our house with my parents and brother. Then went to Jordan's parents for the evening. So laid back and slow paced. Just right for the kids. 

  Quade is full blown crawling. I love it so much. And Austyn is starting to ride horses in some gaming events. It is so cute to watch her bumping around. She really loves it too. Her next one is in February. Can't wait. 

  I think in the next few days we will be going to the Bandon Zoo and then to Charleston to see some really cool Christmas light displays. And then after that, Jordan is taking me Antiquing for my Birthday present. I'm really excited to go. I'm hoping that 2014 will be not as big as 2013 was for us. That was one fast and furious year. Probably one of the best years of my life, but I would like a more slow, relaxed, and just enjoyable year this year. But I'll take whatever is thrown my way, as long as everyone is happy and healthy. 

My favorite thing to do is make my resolutions for the new year. And here are mine for 2014:

• Be the best mother and wife that I can possibly be
• Get myself healthy. As is diet and exercise to some extent 
• Find away to contribute financially in anyway shape or form that fits into my schedule

  There it is. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to achieve at least the first two. But the last one, I'll have to wait and see what happens. And see if any opportunities come my way. I hope everyone has a great New Years. Stay safe.

Christmas Time With the Petersen's . . .

  OK, so I've noticed that we haven't slowed down too much since Jordan came back from Elk hunting. But it's been just enough to be able to enjoy our time.We were able to go to Sun River for a few days over my Birthday this year. We got to go with our best buddies, The Bishops! I was kind of bummed to go when we were supposed to get snow at home, but turns out on my Birthday it started snowing in Sun River too. We ended up with 8 inches or so. We had the best time doing nothing. It was a cool house, it had a fireplace which was awesome to have, a hot tube that we never got in, and season passes to the local activities. We went swimming one day and the kids had a blast. Quade had the most fun of all of them. What a water dog! We all want to go back next year. We also just had our annual Christmas party. Another fun night was had by all. It was fun having it at the new place and having everyone over to see our new house. We were very fortunate through all the cold weather we had that none of our pipes froze. So many people were out of water, with broken pipes. What a mess that would have been. Through the cold snap my poop Dad was in charge of 7 houses to keep unfroze. He managed to keep 6 out of the 7, and if the 1 set of renters would have listened to his advice (keep a faucet dripping in the house, and a heater turned on in the pump house, and unhook and turn off all hoses) they wouldn't have froze up. Some people are just too stupid to help sometimes. Needless to say, he was ready for it to warm up a bit. 

  The kids are doing wonderful. Both are growing like weeds. Austyn is still loving school. Even after her 6 snow days in a row! That's got to be some kind of record. She is so funny and the joy of all of our lives. Quade is still a mommy's boy, but getting a tad better about it. He has started crawling. He isn't too interested in it, he would rather walk with our fingers instead. He is also cruising along things and beginning to stand by himself. He can feed himself and drink from a sippy cup. And to my heartbreaking dismay, beginning to wean himself from the bottle :( I could just cry. By this time with Austyn she was down to just 2 bottles a day, morning and night. But Quade is getting 3 still. I just can't bear to give it up, even though I practically have to force at least on down him a day. MY BABY IS GROWING UP AND I HATE IT!! I hate to admit this too but, I am slowly finding out that Quade might have a bit of a temper. I was hoping that he would be like my brother as a baby, sweet and cuddly and even tempered. But he's showing signs of little temper. Oh well, I'm use to one kid with a spark, might as well have two. 

  Jordan has slowed down a bit. He actually will sit down once and a while and do nothing. He's been able to do a few projects that were needing to be done. And I'm pretty sure he's enjoying the slower pace of things. I can't even think of his next trip/project/job planned. Although, I do know that there is an annual Coyote trip in January. I just haven't heard anything about it yet. 

  And as for me, nothing new here. I am enjoying our house hold not being sick with some kind of ailment. I'd better knock on wood, but I've probably just jinxed myself. Our last experience was head to toe poison oak. Jordan had never been so miserable. He had to go to Urgent Care, and you know if he goes to those he thinks he dying. Poor guy. And I'm not complaining, but I did get it on my thighs too. But nothing compared to him. It was awful. So now that that's over, Austyn and I are now having some of our finger nails fall out because of the hand foot and mouth we had two months ago. They said it might happen, but it would be a while after we had gotten over it. Always somethings. 

  I hope everyone has a wonderfully perfect Christmas and New Years!!! 

Family Pictures . . .

  We finally got our family pictures back! Can't wait to hang them up. I want to do a cluster of pictures on one wall. Hope it turns out well.

These two are my favorite

The Days of Glitter . . .

  I made Austyn's Halloween costume this year and it turned out amazing. Best costume I saw out this year! But in the process of making it our house has been coated with a heavy dusting of glitter. It's everywhere. It's going to take months to get rid of it all. And my car now is also very sparkly :) Oh, the days of glitter. Austyn has so many shirts with glitter on them too. I'm just getting used to looking at a sparkly floor. I know I will miss this sparkly stage, but I guess she needs to wear something that matches her disposition. I was going to make Quades costume too, but ran across one at the store that was about the same as I could have made it for. So I took the easy way out. He looked absolutely adorable. This was the best Halloween ever. The kids are so cute at this age and so excited about everything. I love it.

Austyn was a scarecrow 

Quade was a gnome 

Howdy

We made it through Lone Pine and now for a week of Elk Hunting. I'm so use to Jordan being gone that I honestly wasn't dreading him leaving at all. Not to sound cold or mean or anything. It's just such a norm anymore that he's gone, that 5 or 6 days wont be too bad. Of course we already miss him, but I'm glad to be able to start hanging out with my Mom again. Austyn can't wait to be able to spend the night with her. She's been patiently waiting for months and months. We still have nothing planned after Jordan gets back from his hunting trip. So we might actually get to slow down a bit. I'm really excited about that. 

   Our house is officially cleared of disease. My hands are totally back to normal. That was one long stent of sickness :( Very miserable. So hopefully the readings are true and we won't get Hand, Foot, Mouth, and Butt again! I have to hand it to my kids for being the biggest troopers ever. Being drug around all month long making daily trips to Lone Pine (sometimes multiple trips a day), while being sick sometimes, and tired other times. They never complained once. It helps that they love going there and love everyone there too. While being out in the public more than I usually am I have come to appreciate my kids even more than I did before. Austyn has the best manners for her age. And is so friendly and smiley to everyone. Even strangers (as long as I'm close). She talks to adults clearly and looks them in the eye when she does. And she minds so well for her age. She minds me so much better when we are away from home, so that helps out a lot. And Quade is just an angle baby. The only time he fusses is when he hungry, tired, or poopy (or if anyone besides me does anything with him or even makes him think they might. MOTHER!!!) And I usually don't let any of that happen so he is so easy. Unless we are getting family pictures, then he will decide to be a fuss bucket that day only :( I'm pretty sure I've never seen him be that cranky. What are the odds. He is the sweetest baby, I'm trying so hard to enjoy every stage he's at and not ever want him to go on to the next stage. I know it's my last and I don't want to rush through it like we did with Austyn. It was just so exciting with her, because we wanted the next stage to come and see what that brought with it. The second kid is sooooo different. I love my kids so much. I was thinking today as I was rocking Quade to sleep, that the love you have for your son is so different than the love you have for your daughter. And maybe it has something to do with the last baby thing too. But Austyn is like my sister/best friend. We are total buddies. I miss her so much when I go to town without her (which is practically never), I'm lonely without her. And I just feel like Quade is a part of me. We are just connected in a really deep way. We know each other so well, that we work great together. The amount I love both of them is them is the same, but it's just a different type/way. I didn't believe people when they told me that, but I guess it is true. My kids definitely complete me.

Quade finally learned to love the jumper. 

Here is Ausytn a month younger than Quade is.

Austyn and Quade at the same age

Recovery . . .

  So I ended up going to Urgent Care the next morning after my middle of the night blog post. And I did indeed have the adult version of Hand, Foot, and Mouth (and Butt). Not fun!  My hands were so painful that I was crying just trying to make a bottle for Quade. My poor sister-in-law, had to deal with me and help me do everything with the kids. Including changing poopy diapers. She's a saint. The only thing the doctor could do was give me some really strong pain pills for comfort measures. I was just amazing at the horrible symptoms that came along with that disease and especially knowing the kids went through it and acted like nothing was going on. I asked the doctor about that and he said that when adults get it the symptoms are extremely escalated compared to the child version. Of course it is. Lucky me! So now, my finger tips are all peeling and cracking because of the rash I had. It is almost as painful as the Hand, Foot, and Mouth. I'm thinking by the weekend my hands will be back to normal. And in the mean time, I got a bladder infection. I swear when it rains, it pours with me. I'm just waiting for my third strike. But the kids are all better, besides the typical seasonal runny nose here and there. Needless to say, I'm ready to start using my hands without it being painful.
  This is the last weekend for Lone Pine. Austyn and I will miss it, but I know my family will be glad it's done. They are all so exhausted. Time for a few months of down time! I'm not sure what we will do with all of our time now. I'm sure we won't have an troubles finding something to do.
  Jordan is getting ramped up for Elk Hunting. He is leaving after we go Trick-or-Treating and driving all night with a buddy. I guess it takes 10 hours to get where they are going. It's a new spot, so hopefully everything goes good. I think he will be gone for 5-7 days. Not too bad. He is also off work until the 15th of November. So it's been amazing having him home everyday. I'm loving it so much. Wish it didn't have to end.
  Nothing new with me. Kids are great. Quade has started to roll now. And he is thinking about crawling and pulling up on things. Won't be too long. He has become such a Mama's boy it's pathetic. It's me or nothing. He will only eat a bottle for my Mom and Jordan. But he won't let anyone feed him food, or give him a bath without crying the whole time. I know it's irritating to people and me too sometimes, but what can you expect when it's been him and I his whole little life. Since he was born Jordan and my parents have been so busy with working and Jordan building our house that they haven't been able to spend the time they did with Austyn when she was that age. But I'm not saying at all I don't like it :) Austyn is doing great in school, she loves it. We got to go on her first field trip to guess where... Lone Pine! We rode the bus and everything. She had a blast with all her buddies. She was the tour guide through the whole thing.
  We took our first ever family pictures the other day. I'm soooooo excited to see them. I can't wait to hang them up on our blank walls (that are driving Jordan nuts).
  Hope everyone is happy and healthy as we start heading into the Holidays. My favorite time of year. I'll keep the posts coming.

This is of Austyn at her school's Jog-A-Thon.

Each kid ran laps for 30 minutes and gets pledges for

each lap they did. Austyn did 13 laps. Way to go!!!

Please donate if you want to. Funds go straight to her

class for field trips and supplies.

Brother cheering sister on as she ran

Lone Pine Buddies

Love this one!

Sick Days at the Petersen Compound...

  It seems as if both kids have been sick in some way for the last month. Austyn started it off with a weird outer ear infection. Then Quade had this weird fussy spell. We all got a small little cold. And last but certainly not least, we ALL (with the exception of Jordan of course) got a good does of Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease! All the reading I did on it said that usually adults have already come into contact with it so they usually don't get it. So of course I thought I was in the clear. WRONG!!!!! I have to feel even more sorry for the kids now, because I know how miserable it is. So far I've had the worst sore throat imaginable. And my palms are so sensitive and sore it's unbearable. And to top it off my hands are so itchy. I can't itch them because it hurts too bad. I can barely do anything with my hands. Literally driving or making a bottle or anything that touches my hands. It sucks. I can't sleep at all (even after two benadryls) so I'm up at 1:30am writing this blog. I'm deciding weather or not to go into the ER or try and tough it out. I'm thinking it's only going to get worse for the next couple of days and it would be a really convenient time to go in the middle of the night when the kids are sleeping and they don't have to come with me. I just don't want to get there and pay for an ER visit and essentially have them laugh at me and tell me there's nothing they can do for me. And having the husband I do an ER visit means you must be literally dying. I know he would frown upon me even thinking of going. We'll will see what the next couple hours bring.
  Kids are doing fine, besides the sick spell we are under. Austyn is still really enjoying Preschool. She got her first fat lip. She was walking with her hands in her pockets and looking at me coming across the parking lot at school and tripped and landed right on her mouth and chin. It was awful, blood everywhere and an instant fat, black lip. Poor girl had rocks in her mouth and everything. But she powered right through it. And she's rocking her fat lip now. I wonder how many people will think I beat her? Quade has started to roll all over now. He has also started to attempt to pull up on his bumpers in his crib and think about crawling. But it's still a ways off still. So exciting to see him start moving around a bit. Still no teeth at 8 months. So it should be really fun when they all hit at once :)
  Jordan is hot and heavy into Lone Pine these days. He works every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday over there from about 10 am to 11:30 pm. Then he has to go back to the fire station once or twice during the week. He is exhausted. Poor guy. So we are pretty much living at Lone Pine so we can see him and my parents a little bit. When he is home, he has been organizing and building shelves for the garage. He almost has everything in it's place. It looks so nice. He's so handy, he amazes me.
  We have had Jordan's brother and his family from Utah staying with us for the last month. His brother got a job here and they are staying with us until they can buy a house. It's been so fun watching the kids play together everyday. They have three kids, so it's like a built in play date all the time. It has also been nice having my sister-in-law Jackie around while Jordan has been so busy. It's so nice to talk and hang out with her. And having the extra help around the house is priceless. When I come home from my parents they come out and help me unload all my stuff. Because with kids, no matter where you go and it doesn't matter how long you've been gone, you always have at least two arm fulls of stuff. Not counting the kids. Then they take Quade and feed him while I get Austyn to bed. It's amazing!!
  I have been doing a little bit of crafting. I made Austyn's Halloween costume. And a few fall decorations for the house. My new favorite thing about the house is being able to have a craft space and being able to leave it all out. It's awesome.
  Things I'm looking forward to:
After Elk hunting-this is the time that Jordan will finally have NOTHING planned. We will see if it lasts.
Holidays in the new house
A little vacation to Sun River with our best buddies the Bishops
Slowing down and enjoying our new house
Did I mention slowing down and enjoying our house
One more time, slowing down and enjoying our new house

I hope everyone is happy and most importantly HEALTHY. It's now 2:00 am and it's gotten worse as I've sat here. Might be a visit to the ER in my future. I'll keep ya posted.

Quade's Photo Shoot

  I did just post, but I wanted to share some photos of Quade and didn't want to rain in on Austyn's Birthday Blog. I was kindly informed that no one has any pictures of Quade. So with that brought to my attention I had to do a photo shoot of him. I think these are the best pictures I've taken so far. He is the best picture taker. We couldn't get him to stop smiling to get a serious picture. Total difference between him and Austyn. We had a 5 to 10 minute time frame to get the photo shoot done with her. And on top of her short attention span and patients we had to work our butts off to get her to smile. I could take pictures of Quade all day. He's a dream!

  Austyn had a random outer ear infection pop up that we've been dealing with. It was so painful to her that she couldn't eat solid foods. It was so miserable. I felt terrible for the poor girl. But she powered right through it. Still no clue as to how she got it. Weird. Quade is doing great too. Still growing like crazy.He's 7 months now and is over 20 pounds. I keep wishing he would crawl or scoot or walk while holding my hands just for my poor backs sake. I keep thinking about how much weight he's going to gain before he starts walking. :( So he pretty much lives in the stroller if we are out and about anywhere.

  Jordan is hot and heavy into the Corn Maze stuff now. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from here on out (until November) he is working over at Lone Pine. He's very busy. He is still working one Overtime shift per weeks, so with that Lone Pine and his regular working days we don't see too much of him. But we try to go to Lone Pine for lunch time and dinner time to see him if we can. Good thing we like going to Lone Pine too, or it would be a long two months. He's started to organize his side of the garage. It's his temporary shop, so he's built shelves and hung up peg board for his tools. It's looking really nice.
 
  As for me, same ol same ol. I'm getting the hang of our new schedule with Austyn's preschool. I think with her gone, it's made me think more about how fast Quade is growing up. :( So sad. I keep going back and forth about having another baby. But I think that with our life style, two kids is just perfect for us. I feel like I might be too busy to enjoy the little things if we had any more. But I don't think we will be certain in either direction for awhile.