We went camping in Island Park for our anniversary last week.  Melissa's Dad and uncles all share a piece of land up by  Max Inn where most of them have an RV or two parked up there to stay in.  Her dad built a small cabin just big enough for a few beds and a bathroom.  I had been up to the lot before but this was my first time seeing their cabin.  Also first time either of us had been north of Rexburg since we've been married. We left Grover with Melissa's parents which was good because it was kind of cold and we got covered in mosquito bites.

We drove by Grandpa's cabin one of the days since Melissa had never seen it.  I couldn't find the key in the outhouse, but I called Scott and he informed me that the key was hidden back behind the toilet, where all the big scary spiders could protect it.   There ended up not being any spiders by the key, luckily.  I had heard from Scott and JoAnn that the room at the top of the stairs had a leak and was moldy and smelly.   We could see where the roof is damaged, but it didn't smell bad.  I think the window had been left open in that room so that probably helped.

Saturday we hung out in West Yellowstone and went to the Playmill.  I took a 4 day break from my diet and gained 8 pounds back.

after church

Bananas I think

An elephant nose he likes to chew on when his teeth grow

This morning wide awake at 4 am.  He falls asleep around 9 every night.  He'll make it 5 to 7 hours then eat and sleep sometimes til almost 7, but sometimes only til 4 or 5.

Grover now has 2 bottom teeth and eats bananas, peaches, carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, and milkshakes.  Although he did throw up all his beans. 

I didnt actually feed him any milkshake

Hello from Texas!  Here are a few pictures from the last couple of weeks.  We are loving summertime and we are super excited to come to Idaho and Utah for a month!  

Corey and I have been running most mornings together and it's so fun.  Sometimes we get back and everyone is still asleep.  Sometimes this is what we find:) There's a TV there at the end of our bed.

                                  Happy Father's DAy Corey!  We made him a fruit pizza.

 summertime snack when the chores were done.  My friend gave us a "whirly pop" and it makes great popcorn!

 Learning how to "dress up" early.  Our fourth girl will be expert at it with all the help!

Maddie at 5:45am, headed off to girls camp! She had a great week in an air conditioned cabin.  They also had a cafeteria cabin and couldn't light a fire.  Hmmmmm... rough camp










                                      Just a teeny tiny time out for Hazel in Costco.  The little sweet girl can throw a mighty tantrum

Ephraim in a tree with his new friend Grayson.

 Well, it's not a pool like any of our neighbors have...but they use it every day and love it!  Especially this day because mom and dad got in with them.

 Clara and Nori did soccer camp this week.  They had so much fun.  I loved seeing them stick together and bravely do something new where they didn't know anyone.

 The next two pictures were taken from the truck window on our way to the temple Friday morning.  We took a picture of the first car engulfed in huge flames but it was a little too far away to tell what it was.  We pulled up next to it just as the fireman did his thing.  Needless to say we were late for the session, and we drove super safe the rest of the drive.

We have had a great couple of weeks.  Spent  time yesterday as a family at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.  It's a water park.  We had a great time together.  In light of the tragic accident the Randall family is enduring, we have really been holding our children tight and having thankful hearts for every moment we get to spend with them.  We have not stopped praying for them.  Life can change in an instant. We love you all so much and look forward to seeing you soon. 

Maybe we should all email and let Kevin (and everyone else) know when you'll be arriving in SLC, if you're staying in the hotel or not, and what activities you want to do Friday and Saturday.  I already sent mine in an email so I won't repeat it.  But I do think the zoo would be fun, and a waterpark...maybe Lagoon since it has Lagoon-a-beach.  Do the Utah natives and current residents have other good ideas?  

And happy birthday today Mike!  You're the oldest and wisest sibling.  But you're still young, even if you're three years older than me now;)  

See you all soon! 

Marc and Alexis

I finally have pictures to put up, so I feel like I can write! :)

We went on a hike to the wind caves a few weeks ago. The internet says it's 3 miles...but we think it's more like 4. :)

Half way up

At the cave looking out

At the top!

This was our summer camp at school. Two days and about 55 kids. I was in charge of the 3-year-olds along with another teacher. We had 9 of them from 9-5 both days. I was exhausted!

8 of my kids that we packed into a wagon to go for a walk. The  9th is with mom changing a messy diaper. They were adorable kids. :)

We love going on dates to "our" park across the street. Last weekend we got Subway and took Skip-Bo to play in the park.

 Marc's sister got married yesterday. It's been crazy trying to get everything together. She'very particular, which made everything more stressful than it needed to be.  Unfortunately we added to Corene's stress that morning by forgetting Marc's pants. She had his grey pants he needed for the reception, so we just worried about bringing the shirt and tie. We forgot that he'd need pants to go into the temple. Whoops! Luckily his grandma was able to wait inside the SLC temple waiting room with the pants. So I went in to get them and he was able to change before the wedding. :)

Marc's outfit...we got a lot of funny looks walking across Temple Square like this. :)

The luncheon and reception were at Eldridge Manor in Bountiful. It was beautiful! It's right off the freeway and a really old house. Apparently it has the oldest toilet in Utah. :) 

At the reception

Everything went well for the wedding and it was a great day. I got to meet Marc's grandpa and two uncles that weren't able to make it to our wedding. All three of them mentioned how pretty my smile is, and Dale (Marc's dad) said it's the "Peterson Smile" because all of us have it. :)

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! ....Love, the Boise Petersons

Hello everyone!  We finished school last week and we love having everyone home!  Eleanor has quite a few pictures on but I guess that's ok, she had a special week.  They do Kindergarten graduation here, and it was pretty cute.  So proud of her, but it always makes me sad when I get to the end of a school year and realize that it means each of my kids will be in the next grade up.  Growing up too fast.  We went to lots of end-of-the-year awards ceremonies for the kids.  We're proud of all their hard work and adjusting to a new school this year.
Saturday our stake had an "activity day girls" activity and they said to bring a friend.  So proud of Clara.  She invited a friend from school...of course a nonmember.  I talked to her mom and told her which church it was.  We picked her up and they had a great time.  I asked Clara what Savannah thought of everything.  There were lots of activities centered around the Savior, and one station about the temple.  She asked Clara questions like, "why are you called a mormon" and "My mom said mormons don't believe in Christ."  But she had lots of fun and I'm happy that one more person who was confused about that aspect of the gospel won't be anymore.
We said goodbye to our good friends the Davidsons this weekend.  They are moving to Georgia.  Ephraim and I are the most sad because we saw them almost everyday.  Ephraim's only consolation is that we can visit there and "maybe curious George lives in Georgia!" he said:)
We're getting our summer chore chart ready and realizing we'll be gone a huge chunk of it, but that's ok:)  Our plans are finalized. We will get to Idaho late June 29th.  Corey will do some coming and going from TX to work, but by coming sooner, we worked it out that he'll be able to fly to UT Thursday night, and make it to the temple sealing!  We'll have fun with everyone that weekend, then drive home to Texas from there after the blessing.  The kids are all ecstatic.  Hopefully there's more of a chance to see Mike and Christi and family???  I don't think one morning at the temple is enough, and I'm thinking I can't camp Thursday night and make it to the temple the next morning.  So we can come down sooner.  Will you be at Lagoon Thursday too?  We could do a bounce back day with everyone else if that's what the plan is.   We were talking about Justin's funny picture on his post, and Isaac said, "he's funny.  Hey, so is your brother Mike.  And actually Scott's super funny when he tries to eat broccoli."Then he laughed and said, "man, ALL your brothers are funny!"
Keep posting, I love hearing what everyone's doing.
Love you all!


Here's Nori.  She's become a great reader and loves participating in scriptures in the morning.  The curler heads were my favorite:)

 Maddie sang at a concert in the park.  I didn't get a picture of her at the microphone, but that's where we're at here.  She did a great job.

                                                                                         
                                                      Nori and her sweet Kindergarten teacher


Nori and her sweet big sister:)                                                                                                     

 They had an art table set up at this park.  I don't think he realized how many kids I had when he motioned me over to have them make a puppet

 I couldn't resist taking a picture during primary of Ephraim in his sunbeam class at church (I play the piano) They were doing a chicken dance.

 Isaac helping nori during FHE

 FHE treat

FHE game of sardines:)

While Scott runs - We play

Scott has been doing more running lately so the kids and I come along and play while he gets his run on.

 Just finished a run at the Green belt

 We love time at the Green belt.  We take our bikes and ride around the path and feed the ducks and look at the beautiful falls.

 Yes, this is Rigby Lake. It is only about 2/3's full but the kids still got in. They thought it was so fun... for about 15 minutes and then they were all freezing and ready to turn the heat on in the car.