My Own Square of Sunshine

Remember Angus and the Cat?  Remember the competition list included Angus's own square of sunshine on the floor?  Yesterday, out of the blue, Joel proclaimed that he had found HIS own "Square of Sunshine" and he stayed there for a long time, feeling the warmth of the early morning sun.  May we all find our own special square of sunshine even on cloudy days.

Spring

A couple of weeds I found growing in the backyard this morning. Nothing like being outside after days and days of steady rain.

What We Do In Our Spare Time

 To the joy of a little boy, Ben arrived home from North Dakota.  It was a 3 AM arrival so when the kids woke in the morning, there he was. 

 Hi Daddy! was all he could say.....over and over.

Offical welcome home portrait.  Typical Quinn.

GIVE ME YOUR CHILD FOR A DAY...........

 My tape measure became Quinn's "tape thingy", and I promise I didn't influence that.

And she knew exactly what to do with it.  I will have her sewing yet.

Bob was trying to fix the toilet and had never had so much help in doing so.

While Ben & JoLin were in Idaho on a fact finding trip for four days, these two kids found great comfort in clinging to each other without any encouragement from us.  They can torment each other if the mood strikes, but there were some pretty sweet moments this time.



Nap Time

 On a hot summer afternoon, this little boy would not take a nap.  But later he came and flung across my lap and promptly fell asleep.  Because he was so warm, I slipped out from under him and he assumed this position.  For ventilation?

Much later we could not wake him.  Even his sister could not get his attention.  This must be a hard way to sleep.

Happy Father's Day & Happy Birthday Ben

Happy Father's Day Dad & Happy Birthday Ben!

Grandma let the kids put candles on their Dad's cake.

But the frosting was too tempting.



So Joel came up with a great idea to fix it!



See? If you put a bunch of candles in the hole,

you'll never know someone's finger went through the frosting!

Happy! Happy! Two!

Cupcakes are always called "Happy".  And so yesterday was a cupcake day.

Thomas and Percy

Playing with Thomas (the blue engine) has comsumed more days than I can count. If I am really good, I get to play with Percy (the green engine) and together we create the most amazing train adventures. Our best efforts are during Quinney's nap, as she hasn't quite got the hang of the trains staying on the track. I must confess, this is more fun than I deserve.

Work is the Best Play

I remember my mother giving me jobs to do if I got difficult. Ironing the flat pieces or weeding a row were her favorites.  That little trick still works.  There is nothing like a good project to help us have a good day.  Besides that the cinnamon rolls were yummy.  Those in the pans on the stove were minutes away from baking and then were gone while still hot.

Scripture Power

A couple of weeks ago Grandpa was preparing a talk for Sacrament meeting and  he brought his scriptures with him to do some studying.  Whatever Grandpa does, Joel is interested.

After reading a few actual verses and  telling a Bible story, Joel exclaimed:  "I love these scriptures!"

May that always be so.

The Two Name Heir Grandsons

With an 18 year span between them, these two are the only name heirs of the original immigrant Andrew Petersen.  Among all of Robert's cousins there is no one else to carry on name line.  So these two have a special mission.  In the meantime, the younger is reading the Little Red Caboose to his cousin, whom he adores.

Our Favorite Song

Play Project

 There is nothing like putting together a play set: a zillion pieces of wood and 10 times that of nuts, screws, bolts and other hardware.  However, the pros handled it in no time.....1 week.

 The clamps were called in to keep everything square while running the drill.  Just count the screw in this picture alone!

Ben is giving it the "will it hold my weight" test.

A Typical Day With the Kids

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This little frog is a frequent visitor to their front yard.  Bob picked it up and it jumped out of his hands!

Grandpas will do anything to entertain.  Joel would not touch it!!!  I finally picked it out of Bob's hair and it did feel rather cold and clammy. 

A rare picture.....Quinn's shoes are still on.

Keeping the boy busy watering the grass.  What kid doesn't love playing with water?

Sure, I'm going to take a nap.

Another good day.........

Quinney's First Birthday

Celebration of a child's first birthday is probably more for the rest of the family than it is for the child.  It is the mark of countless sleep deprived nights, feedings, diapers, cutting teeth, rocking and sharing with a brother.  However, at the sight or sound of her parents, her face beams and an otherwise wobbly line of walk becomes a straight line......to them, with baby chatter to the destination.

Like Father Like Son

Church Basketball

There are no other players quite so intense as a bunch of men playing church basketball.  But it was fun watching Benjamin play ball again.  Thank you, JoLin for inviting us.

A Boy and His Mechanics

The day started with TONKA

Moving on to JOHN DEERE.  Joel got onto the tractor, looked around and said, "Where's the key?"

And finally it's the EXPLORER with his dad.

Million Dollar Smile Worth Waiting For

Quinney has always been very suspicious of me.  Smiles were only given if she was in the safe arms of her mother or father.  Until.............

........last week.  We are now friends with her strawberry blonde hair and all.

Washing Dishes

I borrowed Joel one morning and let him play with Graces's tea dishes.  The funnest part was dipping in the kitchen sink.  He will make a great dishwasher.

Simple Pleasures

What is the purpose of a dress? Only to grab the hem and try to stuff in the mouth. Quinn works very hard at this talent and entertains us all as she does so. We love having the kids only ten minutes and a phone call away.