That Time of Year

I want to post a report and a few pictures from Thanksgiving, but I keep forgetting to transfer pictures to the computer. We're currently planning/preparing for a little Christmas party at our house, so when I get home my mind is on cleaning, decorating and baking rather than pictures and blog posts.

In the meantime, I'd love to share/get opinions on the many calendars I've found to choose from this year. There is so much letterpressed, printable and screenprinted loveliness out there!

Ilee Press

(This is the calendar I've gotten for the last three years. I still like it, but I'm considering changing it up. Or maybe not. I think the different colored papers is what does it for me!)

Up Up

Sure As Blue

Saratams

Pink Roses 1220

Pinecone and Lola

Nella Designs

Naomilynn

Ruffhouse Art

Missprint Design

Livingroom Floor

Jelly Beans


Egg Press

Coreymarie

Bomobob

A Line of Her Own

3 Sisters Love

1 Canoe 2

Baptism

Sean and Chase Peterson were baptised two weekends ago, on November 7. Kelly and I were lucky enough to be there, along with most of the family. The boys had it all planned out -- one was baptized first, and the other was confirmed first. The near-scalding hot water in the font will definitely make theirs a memorable day. (It's like they were baptized by fire twice!)

Congratulations Sean and Chase!

So, I'm still the newest member of the Peterson family and during the trip I noticed that I shied away from taking pictures of the adults. (Kelly's intense dislike of having his picture taken just might have something to do with this!) But I have lots of picture of the cute Peterson kids as follows. . .

These cute kids are ready for pizza!

Since he was sitting at the head of the table and had a crowd watching, Will decided to put on a show.

He learned this dance from Kung Fu Panda. His older brothers (and Dad) get a kick out of it!

Uh oh, here comes Dad.

Tate and cousin Misti.

Tyler loves her new braces!

Since I'm relatively new to the family, it is fun to spend time together and be there for important events. I might have missed the twin's first six years, but I was there for their baptism!

When I think of my own extended family, I don't think of the in-law aunts and uncles as add-on's. (Even those who's weddings I remember.) They are just part of the family. I don't feel out of place in the Peterson family, (on the contrary, they are great at making me feel welcome) but it's good to know that I won't always feel "new." And each opportunity to spend time together makes me feel less brand-new.

Dinner is Served

I arrived 30 minutes early to a BYU Marriott Society lunch meeting at Planet Hollywood yesterday. I made good use of those 30 minutes at Sur la Table!

After struggling with my old pastry cutter earlier this week, I decided a new one was in order before the Thanksgiving pie making begins. Can't wait to give it a try.

In the clearence section I scooped up a gorgeous turkey-sized plater and these lovely yellow serving platers that match my house perfectly. I also bought the turkey yesterday.

We're ready for Thanksgiving!

Halloween

Kelly and I were senoir missionaries for Halloween. It was a fun, easy costume that may be recycled in future years. I just wish I had found suspenders for Kelly and a short-sleeved shirt!

Love his old man expression in this one.

Upcoming Events

Kelly and I are going to see Aida for our second anniversary. It's broadcast in HD from the MET, to a nearby theater.

You can see it too!

For the Record

In case it's not clear, I am stating for the record that my blog header is purposefully over-the-top. My intent for this blog is to celebrate all the things that are sweet in my life, and the gooey sweetness of the picture sums it up quite neatly!

Of course, all is not sugar and spice, but keeping my perspective centered on the blessings is the point.

Several months ago, on the verge of a difficult season I didn't know was coming, Kelly gave me a blessing promising that I would look back on this time as a season of joy. The seeming contradiction of the blessing has helped me to recognize the Lord's tender mercies as He has calmed my troubled heart in the midst of difficulties and shown me that I am richly blessed in all the ways that actually matter.

I started writing this post just to tell you that I know my blog header is cheesy. But as I tried to pinpoint why I haven't taken my cheesy header down (even though I've created a couple of good replacements) I realized that it reminds me that, although life is not always sweet, "the sweet life" is always available. It is a gift of the spirit that is available in abundance when I keep life in in the right perspective.

Visions of Sugar Plums

Yesterday, my parents called to suggest that we have Thanksgiving in Las Vegas this year. It feels like some kind of milestone to be the Thanksgiving host! I'm excited to share our new home with the Provo-Orem Wilsons.

In addition to the visit itself, I'm looking forward to the planning: what to make for dinner and where to go for fun.

I'll have visions of turkeys, pies, jello salad and maybe a few sugar plums dancing in my head for the next month. (Last year, my sister-in-law made an amazing turkey that involved a marinade and bacon. I think I'll need your recipe April!)

As for things to do, here's my top-10 list of things to do in Las Vegas (including a few my family has already done):

1- Red Rock

2- Hoover Dam and the new bridge

3- Mount Charleston

4- The Springs Preserve

5- Neon Boneyard

6- Eldorado Canyon Mine tour and kayaking on Lake Mohave

7- Shark Reef Aquarium (haven't seen this, but I want to!)

8- Imperial Palace Antique Car Museum

9- Bellaggio fountains and gardens

10- And, because I'm a water person, the River Mountains Water Treatment Facility and Las Vegas Wash. (I think they're interesting!)