and we're back........

ok... and we're back...........

we took some time off...from blogging... life was too busy... we are settling back into a norm now. Summer has officialy begun... Jeff and I are both working @ the big I, as I lovingly call it. This is a picture from the local DBQ Relay for Life event we attended a few weeks ago.. we stayed the night and walked all night - We joined our church's team this year - it was such a different and wonderful experience to just be a participant and not a committee member...

Summer is going well. The boys are working their chore lists in the morning, playing with friends in the afternoon. so far so good. I started HCG again this week, hoping to continue my weight loss.. I will post progress.. today is day one of the VLCD (very low calorie diet) and i won't lie.. i am hungry!

Will is in a local production of Annie jr, here and is happy to be back into the acting gig again... He plays the Prez... Franklin Roosevelt! We are looking forward to the performances in July!

Hank is playing some pick up Hockey this week - and will be going to hockey camp at the end of the month in Madison...

Test

passing the torch

Now that Hank is 13, he has been anxious to mow the lawn! He moved the lawn a few times when we lived in Phx.... but truthfully, it was just too darn hot! So he was excited to mow the lawn here in Iowa yesterday, it was gorgeous outside... The torch has been passed from us to Hank.. Jeff and I both mowed our lawn - in Phx. There is just something about a finished product.. Hank even mowed the neighbors lawn (she lives in the duplex next to us) - He did a great job and did not even complain once. (which is rare for teenagers hahah) - I love this guy, he is growing into quite the responsible man

Breakfast for Dinner

One day last week, we all were craving breakfast for dinner... the boys just love it when we mix it up and do this. Jeff made pork breakfast sausage from scratch, even grinding our own meat (i just love our meat grinder) - the pancakes were gluten free! We even shredded potatoes for hashbrowns, Jeff and I worked together to make it and it was so delish! Some days you just have to mix it up!

Rachel's Challenge...

http://www.rachelschallenge.org/LearnMore/WhatIsRC.php





Last night we attended an assembly @ the middle school to learn about Rachel's Challenge. I highly encourage you to go to the above website - and learn more about it - and if it hasn't been to your school yet - ask your Principal - it's worth it.





We listened to Mr. Scott (Rachel's Uncle) speak last night about the tragedy @ Columbine (we all remember that!) - and he spoke about Rachel's life and her death (She was the first person killed @ the school that day) - and her goals and the goals of Rachel's Challenge - and it is truly inspiring.

Blog is going private

I have decided to make this blog private and invite only our closest friends and family to view... In today's society of cyberbullying, and advanced social networking - i want to keep our family live private to outsiders.. We have two growing boys, a Tween and a Teen - and I don't want anything we post on here to be seen by just anyone - that way our private life can stay as private as we choose... Many of you who know us, know that we are an open book - if you are close to us, you know everything about us - we like it that way - We do plan to use this site to keep our network of loved ones updated on our life -on a more regular basis. I am backing off alittle from facebook updates... i don't want the boys worrying about private family life details getting out and into their networks without their permission!

So stay tuned... as always for the antics of the Peterson Zoo

tuesday tens

- so it's Tuesday.... which is always better than Monday... but not as good as Thursday... to keep our families in the loop.. here are ten things on a Tuesday @ the PetersonZoo

1> Going to an assembly tonight for Rachel's Challenge (for more info: http://www.rachelschallenge.org/LearnMore/WhatIsRC.php

2> Spring is in the air, and we ALL are enjoying spending more time outdoors - running, biking, walking, ripsticking and playing street hockey - just getting outside is good for the soul

3> This weekend is Easter - We found a church that we love - (Hope Church) ehope.org. We are planning to attend the EARLY service this Sunday (8am)- we have been attending the 11am service - and we really like this church...

4> Will is attending weekly acting workshops and is enjoying the drama

5> Hank is enjoying a slowdown right now with hockey season over - he is enjoying not being so busy...

6> I am planning to fly to Phx for Mothers Day weekend to spend it w. my Phx family...

7> Jeff has been enjoying the weather by getting out on his mt. bike - its good for body and soul (altho he has quite a few cuts on his legs... from trying out a new trail)

8> My friend Julie and I started a running club, a spinoff from the phx version - of the Cupcake Runners. We had our first meeting/run last Saturday and plan to run every Sat morning...,

9> Jeff and I are planning to start the 30 day shred dvd - to add to our running/biking regime - in an effort to get in better shape..

10> Every day we are thankful for the blessings we have here - for our family, for our dearest friends and our newest friends who are becoming like family.

Just another day in paradise...

Oh Fudge!!

Well.. you may not know this... but i have a love-hate relationship with fudge. I have fun memories of my dad making homemade fudge, standing at the stove and stirring and stirring... cooking the most delish fudge... then my sister, Cheryl - nowmakes the best fudge! especially the peanut butter fudge, its the best i have ever had!~ When i was a teen, I was constantly trying to make the best "Penuche" Fudge.. i had a recipe... Penuche fudge is like a maple flavored fudge.. its my fav!! but it is HARD to make... it just never sets right... so i tried and tried as a teen to make the perfect penuche fudge.. it was my favorite and a favorite of a lady who important to me. June Rogers, the pastors wife @ the church were I grew up - she also shared my love for penuche fudge.. well - i never have mastered it, so now i just buy it!

Now - my mother in law makes the best chocolate fudge... every Christmas she sends me a tub and i devour it! its heaven! So i have never tried to make fudge since I was in my 20's.... it seemd to much effort... and why, when my mother in law and my sister do such a fabulous job! - and well if i make, it will eat it.. hahah ALL of it!

so - i made chocolate fudge today! from scratch.. gluten and dairy free! and I have to say, it came out great - surprised myself.. it was easy to make... and now i have to give some of it away - so i don't eat the entire pan!

Beer Can Chicken!

Two of my favorite things for dinner last night! Beer Can Chicken & Sweet Potato Fries!!

Boys will be boys...

I say this all the time, I love being a mom of just boys! They are easy to understand... not complicated and while they do have their share of d r a m a ... they are still fantastic! Last Sunday, Hank and Will had some of their buddies over for the day to hang out... they played xbox video games, knee hockey downstairs, and street hockey outside. they build snowforts, snowmen, etc... I captured a few pics from the day...

We all watched the Canada vs. US hockey game - with so much excitement. We shared the moment with our neighbor/friends who are from Canada and the teasing back and forth made the game even more fun for all of us! And when all was said and done, we all were happy for either team to win...

Hank has watched the movie "Miracle" abotu 20 times... he loves the movie, loves the story... so I was so glad that he was able to witness this exciting moment in history instead of reading about it or watching a movie...

sunsets - enjoying the view

We have a beautiful view from our backyard. The sunset views we see are so spectacular (I cannot type or say that word without thinking of a Seinfeild episode.. if you are fan, you will remember it, but i digress...) - so as often as I can I run outside and snap a photo or two of the sunsets... I think I have enough sunset photos now... and these pictures just do not do it justice..

For me, it is just a reminder of how awesome thing thing called Life really can be... I view them as a reminder from God - Hey I am still here! and every now and then I really need that reminder...

There is something really comforting about a cup of hot chocolate. It's like a hug

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