Aug 2009

Trip to the cabin.

Logan's first day of 1st grade.

demolition derby with friends.

opening presents

Thomas the train cake.

getting to see his room for the first time.

It has been a busy month with getting ready for school to start. After mom left we tried to get back on a schedule. We went to the demolition derby, Ethan turned 3, Logan started 1st grade, and I started a new job.

July 09

Logan's fake piercing. He won this at Chuck E Cheese. I am not sure about it.

We spent time at Chuck E Cheese and Riverfront park with mom the night before she left. During the rest of her visit we were able to get caught up on a few movies (True Confessions of a Shopaholic, He's Just Not that In To You, Twilight-yes I watched it and am hooked, and The Proposal). It was great to visit with mom and just have her around. I sure do miss her!

Mom's Visit

We did many things while mom was here to visit.....Logan showed her how well he does in Karate, cheap waterpark, and swimming lessons.

Mom's visit....

More swimming lessons, Riverfront Park, and Monster Trucks! We had a blast!

Silverwood

Dustin, Logan and Ethan by No. 7

After we dropped mom off at the airport we went to Silverwood Theme Park the for the day. The boys had a ton of fun and Logan even rode his first rollercoaster, but I bet he won't be doing that again for a LONG time.

Independence Day!

As I reflect over the past 11 years, I have grown to understand more what Independence Day really means. To many it is a day of get togethers with family and friends watching fireworks and time off from work, but to me it has come to mean so much more. To me it is a day to give thanks for the freedoms that I take advantage of every single day, to be thankful that I am at home in a nice comfy bed with my family, and a day that I think of every soldier, seamen, airmen, and marine that is serving our country fighting for those freedoms that I enjoy. This 4th of July has weighed heavy on my heart and mind for two different reasons. One reason is that my brother, Kyle (SSG Peterson) is currently in Iraq serving in harms way and the other reason is that a dear friend to my brother was KIA on 29 June 09. This is particularly hard for me due to the loss of a fellow soldier, but also because now his family will be without a husband and father. I have rationalized the loss of this soldier and the reasoning behind Kyle having to go over there since I have once to served, but what is so hard is that I don't understand why God has chosen to take the lives of these soldiers to leave loved ones in so much pain. I can't wait to ask Him. I understand that every individual that joins the military signs his/her name to the dotted line with the understanding that someday they will be expected to give their life for the freedoms that are enjoyed by all....been there done that. With all of this being said, please pray for the soldiers that are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and that they all will have a safe return home. As Kyle prepares for his leave, please keep him in your prayers that leave goes well and that his return to Iraq is safe and his return home even safer. I love you, Kyle.
Kyle on the day he deployed with Chase.

Some soldiers that Kyle is serving with in Iraq.

The boys with their cousins as we were watching the fireworks.

Emma, Logan, and Ethan.

Alex, Drew, Emma, and Logan.

4th of July

The boys playing on the slip 'n slide. They didn't like having the water on when they were sliding.....Crazy boys!

Ethan taking a break from playing cars in his favorite spot....the laundry room counter...to say hello!

The boys taking a break from the slip 'n slide to eat "Wiggle Worm Dirt Pie." They LOVE this snack!!!!