Weekend in Wyoming

This weekend was Alex's grandma's birthday so we headed to Wyoming for a family reunion. We got to Star Valley around 7:30 on Friday night. We got some dinner and then went to check in at our hotel. There was no one at the office and the sign said they would be back at 9:00. We tried to go visit Alex's Aunt Celeste, but no one was home. So, we went to his grandma's and visited with her for a little while. We were finally able to check in to our hotel at 10:00. This was honestly the worst hotel experience ever! First of all not being able to check in. Second the room smelled bad. Then, the bed was so hard! I really did not sleep all night. My hips and shoulders ached from lying on my side. Alex told me that all of his limbs were asleep from the pressure on his hips and shoulders! The next morning I went to shower and the bottom of the shower was almost black. It was disgusting! It was not a good hotel and I will never, ever stay there again!


Well, enough complaining. The rest of the weekend was actually pretty good. On Saturday we went to Grandma Hoopes' house and Alex, Sally, and Macee rode horses. After that we went to Aunt Celeste's and had the birthday party/ reunion. The boys all went swimming in the river and the rest of us visited and prepared dinner. We then had dinner and then played in the yard. I played Bocce with Alex and his uncle Richard for the first time. It was a lot of fun. Plus, Alex and I were losing 6-0 and came back and won! That night we had a bonfire and just talked and sang songs. Sunday morning Alex and I went to church and then had breakfast at Aunt Celeste's. It was a pretty fun weekend, even if I am exhausted from not being able to sleep on the hard bed!

Great Aunt Colleen, Aunt Carolla, Sally, Aunt Celeste, and Grandma Hoopes

Alex and niece Macee at the bonfire

Alex and Eric serenading everyone

Another Shower!

Last week one of my best friends, Adaire, had a shower for me. Adaire and I met at the U of U and went to nursing school together. So, she just had a little shower for my nursing school friends. It was so much fun! We didn't end the party for about five hours! It was so much fun to catch up with such good friends. We had a really delicious lunch and played some fun games. BriAnne was the best and won all of the games. Then, I got to be spoiled and open gifts. I got some really adorable things. I got some cute outfits, sleepers, onesies, a blanket, and stuffed animals. Adaire and her mom, Janette, also gave me a swing that is so cute and this adorable blanket that is so soft! The cutest thing was a wipe holder that matches the blanket and looks like a clutch purse. I love all of you girls and thanks for everything!

The adorable wipe holder!

Erin, baby Miles, Emily, Adaire, Mariah, Milan, and BriAnne

BriAnne and her one-year-old, Milan

Opening gifts!

The cute centerpiece which I got to keep!

Erin and her brand new baby Miles

Baby Time!

I was thoroughly spoiled this weekend! Some of my best friends had a baby shower for me in Nephi. Natalie, Mandee, and McKel planned a shower for me and it was so much fun! I had a really great turnout and feel really loved! I had about thirty of my friends there. I can't believe how much people gave me! I would open the gift and instead of there just being one outfit there would be an outfit, book, bib, and blanket! My gifts completely filled my trunk and half of my backseat! I got tons of adorable outfits, a bumbo seat, a high chair, bath stuff, many adorable hand made blankets, and much, much more! Thanks so much to all of my friends who always support me and who are so generous! Especially thanks to Nat, Mandee, and McKel for taking the time and effort to throw me a shower! I love you guys!

JHS Class of 2003!

Saturday Alex and I went to my five year class reunion. I can't believe it has been five years since I graduated from high school. These five years have really flown by. The reunion did not have a great turn out, but it was still fun. Most of my good friends were there. There were also several people who I haven't seen in five years. It was fun to see how people have changed and what they have been up to. I had a wonderful high school experience and it was fun to be able to spend time with my friends from those years and reminisce. Because I am feeling nostalgic here is a list of some of my fun high school memories!

• Mandee and I stealing McKel's car
• Hot tub parties at Mandee's house
• Many hours of bowling with Christina
• China Club Tuesdays with McKayla, Laura, Jen, Lindsey, and Cheyenne
• Beating Manti at region drill team meet
• Dances
• Long Drill team practices
• Lisa falling off of the balcony at Drill team practice!
• Student Body Officer camp and activities my junior year
• Hanging out at US
• Working with amazingly fun people at Two Jacks (Karson, Jade, Travis, Steve, Joey, Benji, Clayton, and Jed)
• State wrestling weekend trip to Cedar City
• Baseball trips to Mesquite with Christina, Courtney, Jay, Dustin and Karson
• Graduation and my speech
• Senior Trek to California

These are just a few of the wonderful times I had! Thanks to really excellent friends I had a great high school experience!

Cute Invitation!

Here is the adorable invitation that Chelsea (my cousin) made for my shower at the family campout. It is so dang cute! I especially love the pregnant lady outline! Thanks Chelsea!

Petersen Family Campout 2008

Last weekend was our annual family campout. It was such a fun weekend, but it flew by way too fast! We camped from Thursday until Sunday. I haven't been able to go for the entire time in a few years so I was very happy to be able to this year. We got to camp Thursday evening and that night we played Murderer in the Dark. It didn't work out as well as it could have because there were a lot of little kids who didn't really know how to play. It was still fun though.

Friday was extra fun for me because we had a baby shower! My cousin Christie is also pregnant and is due eight days after me. So our moms, aunts and cousins threw us a shower. It was a lot of fun and I got so much adorable stuff! I have such a generous family and I appreciate them so much! My cousin Chelsea made the cutest invitations too. I am going to try and scan it into my computer so I can post it. The shower is actually the only part of the campout that I got pictures of because my sister Samantha took over as photographer.

Christie and Mariah (the guests of honor!)

Cute outfits from Aunt Patty

Adorable diaper cake from Chrisite, Heather and Aunt Maria

Cake from Aunt Bobbie and Aunt JoRae

Kellsi and Kelli playing games

More present opening

Super cute quilt from Grandma

Also on Friday I played Rook with my cousins and Aunt JoRae. I am not that great, but I got lucky and took second place! It was very fun. I also played some Rack-O, but I lost to my little sister Kaitlin. Alex, Brandon and my Uncle Richard went shooting clay pigeons. They had fun and Alex said that he did well, so he was happy! That night we played Mafia (one of my favorite camp games). It was extra fun because we made it adults only so the game actually flowed like it was supposed to.

Saturday was more games and relaxing in nature! There was also a hike, but I skipped out on that. I really don't like to hike, but I still go every year. But, this year I decided that being seven months pregnant was a good enough excuse. I will admit that Alex and I went to my Aunt Bobbie's house to take a shower (I am not the best camper because I really hate to be dirty!). That night we sang songs. My grandpa also recited some poems for us that he memorized a long time ago. He is such a cute man! Alex and Brandon did a wonderful rendition of Lunch Lady Land with Alex as guitar and lead singer and Brandon as back up singer/dancer. They did a wonderful job! It is always so funny and is requested every year! Alex then played some more songs for us on the guitar. He hasn't played in a while so his fingers hurt, but he did great.

Sunday we had our annual church service in the canyon. My brother Jordan spoke and he did a fabulous job. He is such a good speaker and the spirit was so strong. There really is something about being in nature and feeling the spirit. Then my wonderful grandpa spoke to us. He shared his testimony and let us know how much he loves us. He does this every year and every year he cries and laughs at himself for it. It is my favorite part of the campout. I come from some amazing people and it is such a special experience to be with them. I am so thankful for such a fun family. I really love being with them. We had a great time and can't wait for next year!