We have all enjoyed spending time together this month.

 As you can see in the picture we all received P.J.s. for Christmas. This year we all dipped chocolates and froze while we did it (Mike, Lee Ann, Chelsey dipped most of them while the others tested them) Jordan counted them this year he counted 1,054 chocolates. And that's not counting pretzels and cinnamon bears. We have made lots of candy and have enjoyed doing it together as a family. Of course some have enjoyed eating while others made it..... we wont say any names :)
Christmas has been a special one for all of us, knowing that this will be our last traditional Christmas together. Our traditions are going to be changing and we will all be making new traditions. We all know that at this time next year Jordan with be somewhere in the world celebrating Christmas with his Missionary Companion. And we will all be excited to talk and hopefully Skype him on Christmas. (Best Present his parents will receive). This year on Christmas Eve we all played games watched Christmas movies and then later that night our neighbors The Parker Family invited us over for a neighborhood dinner. So we all went over and visited and had a great time. At about 9:00 p.m. we came home and read about Christ Birth in Luke, and watch the Nativity then we opened our presents and enjoyed being with each other. Then it was about 12:30 they all decided it was time for bed so Santa could come. So all the kids took their sleeping bags and went upstairs and slept on the floor in the computer room. Dad and Mom made Christmas stew then went to sleep until C.J. woke everyone up at 5:55 a.m.
Everyone was happy with what Santa Brought. Later that morning at about 9:30 a.m. Grandpa and Grandma Barker invited us over for a Christmas Breakfast. We enjoyed spending the morning with them and the Barker family. After breakfast we came home and continued to enjoy our Christmas gifts. Jordan received a phone call telling him that the Newton ice ring was open. He was a very happy Man. So him and Caden went ice skating while the rest of us stayed warm. Then we all Played games and ate lots of food. Our neighbors the Jensen's came to see what the kids received and later that night Grandma Crossley and Uncle Leo and Stacy came to see what the kids received for Christmas and then they ate dinner with us and visited. We have had many late nights playing games and eating lots of food. The morning after Christmas was a little sad here in our house. Jordan's dog Dutchess passed away. She was 11 years old. We could tell that she wasn't going to be with us much longer. We are really going to miss her. We have all enjoyed spending time together this Christmas. We have enjoyed spending time with Grandparents, Friends and family. This year has been a year of memories. We have really missed My father and Mikes Father this year, but they have blessed us with two additional Grandparents. The Boyeas and the Barkers. We know that are fathers are watching over us and are always there in spirit. We are looking forward to bringing in the New Year with family and friends. We are also looking forward for Grandma and Grandpa Boyea to arrive and celebrate Christmas with them.

It's been awhile since we have posted anything....

 We have all been keeping really busy. Here is a quick update on what everyone has been doing. Mike has been keeping busy with his new position as a LT at the Sheriffs Office. We thought we would see him more but we are seeing him less. He has been in the Newspaper and on the local News many times. He is enjoying what he is doing and also looking forward to the day he can retire. Lee Ann has been keeping busy working at the Newton Court. I am looking forward to being done October 2014. I informed Judge Barker that I would stay until he retires he keeps trying to train me to become the next Judge. I have informed him that I am only there for him and so when he goes I go with him. My Church Service Mission has been a blessing to my family and I. We have all been blessed. I have enjoyed talking with many patrons from all over the world. They have all touched my life in so many ways. Jordan had a great football season. He has done a great job. We have many great pictures and video of him playing. The team made it to the playoffs this year. We was really proud parents watching him play and hearing the announcer say his name. The last game on the home field was a sad night for all of us. And the last game he play at Timpview High School for the playoffs was also. None of us wanted to see it end, especially Jordan. Memories we will cherish forever. Jordan is working on Kyle Anderson's farm here in Newton and really enjoying working. He is close to getting his Missionary papers done and waiting for the date he can press send on the computer.
Lyndsey is taking a lot of college classes this year. She has decided that she wants to be a school teacher. She is really enjoying school. She went on her First date in November. Its was Girls Choice. She really had a lot of fun. She is still working at Lee's Market Place in Smithfield and is really enjoying it. She really enjoys what she is doing (stocking shelf's) and enjoys who she works with. She has met a lot of great friends. Chelsey is also enjoying school this year. She is learning a lot and also has made a lot of new friends. She has really took an interest in baking, sewing, painting nails and practicing a lot of different hair styles on her mom. Caden also had a great season playing football this year. His team was the champions in their division. He has developed many new skills and is looking forward to playing next year. Caden is also working for Kyle Anderson milking cows. He is really enjoying working with his older brother. They have both really bonded this year. C.J. is really going to miss Jordan when he leaves on his mission. We are all looking forward to spending time together this year for Christmas. We all know that this will be our last traditional Christmas because Jordan will not be here for the next 2 years and Lyndsey could be gone to school somewhere or also be serving a mission before Jordan gets back. We are all looking forward to a new chapter in our lives. Mike and I are looking forward to seeing what our future is going to bring .

The day we have all been waiting for....

 Today I was honored to pin LT bars on my husband. Yes Mike has been promoted to a LT for the Cache County Sheriffs office. We have been praying for this for many years. Out prayers have been answered! August 21, 2013 Mike received a call from one of the Secretary's to meet with Sheriff Nelson and Chief Slater on Friday August 23, 2013 at 10:00 am. Mike went into the interview and was asked a couple of questions. When he was done he called me and said he felt really good about it. That weekend both him and I had many sleepless nights. Sunday night he went and worked a graveyard shift came home and slept. At 8:20 I notice he received a text from the Sheriff that said " are you awake?" I was just getting ready to go downstairs to wake him up as I seen him come upstairs. He looked at me and said "I can't sleep". I smiled and said " the Sheriff has text you". Mike went and grabbed his phone and responded back. The Sheriff then called and said "are you ready for a change?" With tears in his eyes Mike said "yes". We was both crying! He talked with Mike on the phone for a little bit. The Sheriff told him as of August 25, 2013 you have been promoted as LT for the Cache County Sheriffs office. When Mike hung up the phone we hugged each other and cried. We now know where are Heavenly Father wants us to be for the next couple of years.
On August 27, 2013 Mike received his LT bars. We was blessed to have family and friends there to support us. We are so blessed. We have learned through this experience that are Heavenly Farther knows when the time is right for things to happen. We are so blessed to have the Gospel in our lives. We know that through fasting, praying and serving the Lord many great things can happen.

August 4, 2013 was a really sad day at the Peterson Home

 Our family dog Lexey has been having a lot of back pain the last couple of weeks. On Thursday she stopped eating and would wine when we touched her. Saturday she wouldn't eat and would not walk we had to carry her. Late Saturday night as a family we decided it was time to put her down. The kids all wanted one more night and day with her.
Saturday night Caden asked if he could sleep by her. So him and I took sleeping backs into her favorite room (upstairs family room) and slept by her. CJ held her paw as he went to sleep. The next morning we all went to church and when we came home she had no strength to go out to do business. We all new it was time to say our good-byes. Jordan, Caden and I went out and dug a hole. When Mile came home from his meeting we told him it was time. So he made a phone call to a good friend of ours to come and take her and put her to sleep for us.
Jordan found a box for her, we put a piece of her blanket in the box. We all said our goodbyes. Not an easy thing to do. I carried Lexy out to the truck. :( When I came back into the house there was not a dry eye. After awhile our neighbor brought her back. Caden asked to carry her to where she would be buried. So he took her to the spot and Mike put her into the ground. Mike said a prayer and thanked our Heavenly Father for having her apart of our life. Caden,Mike and I put dirt on her and the we put rocks around the spot. Caden made a sign that said "Lexey Peterson August 4, 2013. Family of Mike,LeeAnn, Jordan, Lyndsey, Chelsey, Caden" then Caden gave me some fake flowers for my birthday and asked if he could take the white roses and put on her grave. He said to me "Mom do you know why I picked the white ones?" I told him no he said "because Lexey is clean and pure"

( Lyndsey had told Caden to break one of the roses off and put it on top of the box before they buried her) Then Lyndsey was holding the rest of them and counted them and said "there are 5 one for Jordan, Lyndsey, Chelsey, Caden and Lexey". Caden then Laid them where she was buried next to the sign.

Later that night as we was getting ready to go to bed Caden asked me if I would walk out to where Lexey was buried with him to tell her goodnight. Chelsey, Caden and I walked out there and said goodnight to her. As we was walking into the house Caden said " Mom did you notice the wind is blowing?" I told him yes, he said "do you know why?" I said 'no' he said "it's blowing because Lexey is running fast up in Heaven."
Talk about make a Mom cry some more.

We have all made some great memories with Lexey. We will always remember her and we all look forward to seeing her again.

Heber City Utah

June came and went way to fast.

 We have all been keeping busy working and playing. We all enjoyed our little trip to Heber. Jordan played his football games really well. We have enjoyed watching him improve. Mike, I, Jordan, Lyndsey and Chelsey enjoyed going with the Stake to Martins Cove, six Crossing an independence rock. Is was a physical and spiritual experience. Many blisters, aches, and pains along with many tears and laughter. We are all happy to be home. Caden enjoyed going to Grandma Crossleys and playing with cousins and getting fed like a King. He also enjoyed bringing his Aunts over to our house and decorating our house inside and out with signs and toilet paper for my 40th Birthday...,, he also took fliers all over Newton with a picture of me when I was little that said its LeeAnns 40th please text her Happy Birthday. Believe it or not I still love him.
I received my Mission call on June 18, 2013. I was set apart June 23, 2013 and I started training on July 1st 2013. I am really enjoying serving The Lord. Our Family has been blessed in many ways.
We are getting ready for a couple more camping trip. We are planning a trip for Chelseys Birthday at Bear Lake and then we also plan on Going up to Logan canyon a couple of times.
Everyone is surviving the hot weather....

School is out! The fun will now begin

 All the kids have done really good in school and have been involved in many things.
Jordan is still milking cows for Kyle, mowing Glenna's lawn and moving pipe for Kelly. He is really working hard to reach some big goals in football this year. He has become really strong. So strong that he can do squats with his Dad on his shoulders. He has also become really strong spiritually and is preparing himself for his mission.
Lyndsey just started a new Job at Lee's Market Place in Smithfield. She is really enjoying it... She is our social butterfly. She is also going to be moving pipe for Kelly and is Also helping our neighbor with her business. She enjoyed learning Chinese and her teacher asked her to take it next year. I don't know what the heck she is saying but she does a great job speaking Chinese. She is working hard at trying to receive her honor bee. She just needs to finish reading The Book Of Mormon. She has been working really hard and has become really strong spiritually also. She has talked about also serving a LDS mission.
Chelsey has enjoyed school this year. But is really excited about summer. She will also be moving pipe for Kelly and will be pulling weeds for our neighbor. Chelsey just received her Young Women Medallion with her Mom. I really enjoyed working with her on this. She is now working on receiving her Honor Bee. She was just called to be Beehive President in her Young Women class. She's really excited about this calling. She is also talking about serving an LDS mission.
Caden is still our little guy full of a lot of energy. He is keeping us all on our toes. He will be moving pipe for Kelly, feeding
Cows for Kyle and pulling weeds for the neighbors. He has been practicing football with JP and is working hard to be just like his Big Brother. He is really looking forward to playing football this year. He is hoping that him and his brother can be the same number. Caden is also talking about serving an LDS mission.
As a family we have really been blessed. We have had our ups and down. The downs have really strengthened us and made us strong and closer as a family. Last week we all enjoyed going camping as a family and making memories. We are all looking forward to many more camping trips. Mike and I have realized that our family is going to be going through some big and great changes next year so we are doing as much as we can as family as possible.
Mike is working hard at the Sheriffs Office and we are praying for a promotion. He is also serving as 1st Councilor in our LDS Ward. He is really enjoying it. All of us but Caden will be going on the LDS Trek this year with our Stake. We are really looking forward to walking the same trail as our Ancestors did.
I am still working for the Newton Town Court. I have really learned a lot and really enjoy working for Judge Barker. He has been a blessing in our Families lives. I am also waiting for my Mission call to arrive in the mail. I have applied to serve a Worldwide Family Search Church Service Mission. I began training in July. My call should arrive any day.
Well that's all for now!

We enjoyed our Super Bowl Party

. Mike put together a couple of games for everyone ( with prizes), we ate lots of great food, and there was no major fights. We are all still a happy family. Congrats to the Ravens!! We enjoyed being with family and friends. It was a great Super Bowl game. We are all looking forward to next year.

We All received NFL shirts from our New York Parents/Grandparents The Boyeas

 It's been along time since we have updated what we have been up to. We had an amazing Christmas. A lot happened during the holidays. We spent 2 days putting up our amazing Christmas Village, had our family/friend Christmas open house, dipped 40 pounds of Chocolates with Grandma Crossley After dipping we went to the famous Newton Market for an amazing hamburger. Christmas Eve we spent the afternoon with Nanna And Grandma Peterson had lunch and the kids counted a jar of Nanna's coins for her.
That evening opened gifts played games and CJ called the North Pole to see where Santa was. We all said goodbye to our elf on the self Polo who of course made a mess of the house again this year.... He toilet papered the Christmas tree, drew a picture of himself with chalk on the wall, wrapped presents and of course made a mess while doing it... And many many more things for Mom to clean up. We will really miss him!
The Kids were all excited Christmas morning waking up to seeing a dishwasher in the kitchen... They have been without one for a year and that's what they all wanted. Caden was singing "we got a dishwasher" while running around the house waking everyone up. Christmas Day we played Games, sang on our New Karaoke that Santa left us.......and latter that night we looked at the stars/moon with our new telescope from Our New York family.
We brought the New Year in by going to a motel in Logan with Grandma Crossley, the Crossley Cousins, Uncles, Aunts. We all played games, swam, and enjoyed a lot of great food.
The kids and Dad have been enjoying many days ice skating and sledding....Mom has enjoyed staying in were it is warm and counting down the days until summer.
We are all looking forward to the big Super Bowl. Mike team the Ravens against Chelsey and LeeAnn's team the 49ers. There will be lots of food and cheering....hopefully no fighting

NFL shirts from our New York Family! Go Niners and Ravens