In January we took a trip to Utah. The airline let us board early since we had a young child. When we got on the plane the pilot was very friendly and invited Kaden up to the cockpit. The pilot also gave Kaden his first set of wings!
In Utah we did a lot of fun things. We went to the Children’s Museum at the Gateway, the Natural History Museum with my friend Megan and her kids, and visited Temple Square!
Neil and Kaden at the Children’s Museum at the Gateway
Neil and Kaden standing behind a replica conference pulpit at the Church History Museum.
While we were in the children’s area of the museum, there were only two other families visiting. Ironically, every family there had a little boy name Kaden. Each family spelled it K-A-D-E-N. What are the odds?
Here Kaden is sitting with his friends in a petrified dinosaur foot print at the Utah Natural History Museum.
February 2012
In February we announced we were expecting Baby#2. Here is the announcement we sent to our family in a Valentine’s Day E-card.
We were surprised in the morning with a goodie bag and card on our doorstep from Neil’s twin brother Brandon and wife Michal. They also had the clever idea of announcing that they were expecting baby #2 in their Valentines Day card!
March 2012
In March we traveled to Neil’s hometown: White Rock, NM. It was Kaden’s first visit to New Mexico. He was thrilled to see all of the toys that Grandma and Grandpa had preserved from Neil’s childhood! We also enjoyed visiting with Sean. Jennie, Brett and Eric. We visited the Albuquerque Aquarium, Botanical Gardens, and almost every park in White Rock! Kaden was also enjoyed watching many classic Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck cartoons with Grandpa. Kaden’s favorite cartoon was with Donald Duck and his toy train. You can find it online. It’s called, “Out of Scale.”
Looking at all the cool fish! Fun in the gift shop.
Checking out the gardens. Hanging at the Park with Uncle Eric!
Watching Donald Duck with Grandpa. Proof that Rebecca was there too!
April 2012
Holidays are getting to be a lot more fun with a toddler around. We had a lot of fun taking Kaden to a local community Easter Egg hunt! We went with our friends Sara and Mary and Brielle was also able to join us for the fun! Kaden did a great job finding lots of easter eggs!
By easter morning, Kaden had a lot of experience finding eggs!
Kaden’s “Rabbit Treats” as he called them, included a 3 airplanes and a helicopter. All day long Kaden kept saying, “Wo! Big Airplane!”
In April we also went to Kaden’s first UVA Baseball game, celebrated our 7th anniversary at a fancy restaurant, and found out Baby #2 is a girl!
May 2012
In May we enjoyed the beautiful weather outside. Kaden also worked on many of his new acquired skills like reading and peeling an orange all by himself!
June 2012
In June Kaden turned two! We celebrated his birthday by transitioning Kaden to a “Big Boy Bed” and going to Virginia Beach!
Kaden loved celebrating his birthday! He found out opening presents and eating cake was a lot of fun!
July 2012
For the Fourth of July we barbecued with Brandon, Michal and Brielle. After dinner we headed over to a local park for some fun before the fireworks!
Summer is our favorite because of all the fun things we get to do outdoors! We enjoy the splash pads, pool, and eating popsicles (which Kaden continues to be thankful for in his prayers!)
August 2012
In August we said lots of hellos and goodbyes! Many of our student friends left and moved on to their new careers! And we made many new friends who are just beginning student graduate life!
We said “Hello” to the arrival of Lily Elise Peterson!
And we said “Goodbye” our daily playmates Will and Brandon!
September 2012
September brought a balance to our little force with the arrival of Alexis Carol Peterson!
We were grateful to be the first stop on Grandma McKenzie grand baby tour! (Two of Rebecca’s sisters had babies just after us!) We had a lot of fun while she was here!
Grandma stayed very busy! In addition to making meals and keeping the house in order, she ran errands and canned relish! She kept Kaden occupied making cookies, going to the park, story time and music class. She also helped out with Alexis and kept Rebecca company while Neil stayed very busy at work and school!
October 2012
In October we were blessed in many ways! We were blessed to find time to celebrate Neil and Brandon’s birthday! We were blessed by having family here for Lily and Alexis’ baby blessings. And we were blessed to finally meet Eric’s girlfriend Natalie!
Since the kids had both recently experienced how fun birthdays are, they were both really helpful when it came to opening the presents! Thanks Michal for making a yummy birthday cake!
We were also blessed that Neil was able to find some time to join us in some Halloween fun!
At a pumpkin patch we got to see farm animals and take a hay ride pulled by this tractor!
Carving pumpkins!
Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn
November 2012
In November, Maria and her family came for Thanksgiving! We visited sites around here and traveled to DC to see the monuments and museums! We also deep fried our turkey! It was fun finally meeting Jaxon (who is 2!) and McKenzie!
At Monticello in the Childrens’ section of the museum!
We walked the majority of the monuments, saw the Hope Diamond and Aero Space museum!
Here is our Thanksgiving Turkey! The girls played happily after their tummies were full of their thanksgiving feast!
December 2012
Merry Christmas!
December we were again blessed with family visiting us! All of Neil’s family (minus Brian serving in Russia) were able to come to Charlottesville for Christmas!
We had a great time creating memories and sharing the holidays together!
Christmas Eve we acted out the story of Jesus’ birth!
Joseph holding baby Jesus. The wisemen bring their gifts!
This is how we found Kaden dressed Christmas morning! (Notice how his arm is in his shirt…thats not how we put him to bed!)
Playing with Grandparents, bowling and seeing movies were also highlights of the holidays!
