It Started with a Rug!!!

The rug store in Turkey!


Well actually, it started when our friends, Rulon and Nancy invited us on a Mediterranean Cruise last year. When the ship arrived in Turkey, we were taken to this amazing 6 or 7 story rug store; store seems like an understatement. The salesmen wine you and dine you (or in our case, apple juice you and dine you), show you the rugs in the colors and styles you are interested in, share the history of the hand made rugs and then the bartering begins! That's when I walk out! I wasn't even aware rug shopping was on our agenda. I did know however, that Dennis has always had a passion for oriental rugs, since he was raised in a home with hardwood floors and rugs everywhere. So, we bought a beautiful rug, which they told us they would have it delivered to our home. I was surprised to see that they actually delivered our new rug, in person, to our home in Utah! Now that's service! About six months later, they showed up at our home again with a moving truck full of, what else, more rugs. While I was tending to grandchildren in the other room, Dennis purchased another rug!!! This is a very frugal man I am married to, so it surprised me to no end!!

That one event spawned a remodel in our living and dining room, and our Master Bathroom. I had been bugging Dennis to raise our Living Room floor to be level with our Dining room floor for years now. When we built our home in the 90's, it was vogue to have a sunken living room! What were we thinking!? It doesn't really work when you are trying to fit an ever growing family in your dining room to eat.----- Ok, long story short, I flooded the upstairs during the remodel (on accident!! REALLY!!) making it necessary to re-carpet and repaint pretty much the entire main floor, as well as the upstairs now. I swear, it would of been easier to just build a new home. Dennis doesn't agree, and he probably would know, but it has been months and months and months of ripping off, tearing down, re-sheetrocking, repainting and lots of lots of sanding etc. etc. We are almost to the end of our journey. I still need to make window treatments for the Living Room and Dining Room and we are still waiting for the Master Tub to be repaired, but we are definitely in a livable state again!

That cruise ended up being a lot more expensive that we ever imagined! One of the reasons we went, besides being with our dear friends, the Hornes, was because it was such a good deal!! Ha Ha! on us!

Bailey and Trinity turn 10 years old!!!

These two cousins born a week apart, May 22 and May 29th couldn't be more opposite. But their differences is what makes them so charming! I love them so much, and had a blast spending the afternoon with them! Happy Birthday Bailey Alexandra Peters and Trinity Ann Sansom!!!

Happy 86th DAD!

The last several months, my father's health has declined quite alarmingly for me. It has saddened me to see him struggle with his memory and his body. His birthday was May 11th, we tried to show him our love with a birthday luncheon at his place of residence. I think he will remember it this year since I took pictures and put them in his room. I just want him to remember he is still loved by his family. Last week, we moved him to an Assisted Living facility, which will be better suited to meet his needs. Thanks a million to my family members that were able to come visit him or give him a phone call that day!!

Lewis!!!!

Our newest grandchild is Lewis Hendrik Peters. We have done his photo shot in stages. He is a beautiful little man and a great addition to his family. If you check out Sara's blog, you will see he has already changed from a few weeks ago when I took this shots!

Mother's Day 2011-gifts from the heart

This canvas picture was designed and made by my dear daughter Telisa!! The quote is by Abraham Lincoln!

This beautiful pillow was hand sewn by the talented Tristen! I love it!!!!

Tara graciously offered to host the Mother's Day dinner at her newly remodeled home. Our home was a construction zone on Mother's Day. Besides having the joy to be with my children, even the little VanLeeuwens via Skype, we had another lovely surprise that day. Elder Oscar Aguilar, one of our dearest missionaries, was in town that weekend for a seminar. He was Dennis' AP, twice, actually! So our kids were very close with him. When we walked into Tara's home, the kids were surprised to see a blast from their past! Chad, our son-in-law was also very close friends with Elder Aguilar. It was nearly a perfect day!! (missed Clay and Telisa, Kim was very sick and Adam was taking care of his sick kids) Thanks you to my sweet children for their love, cards and handmade gifts and exciting gift cards to some of my favorite places!!

I LOVE BEING A MOM!!!!

Mother's Day 2007

This was a major surprise for me!! Dennis and I were touring parts of Europe with a group of friends. Once again this year, we were gone during Mother's Day. I'm not going to lie, I was SAD to be away from my children and grandchildren. Sunday morning on Mother's day I was sitting in a restaurant in Vienna, Austria having breakfast when a friend came up to me and said, "Check out what I have on my laptop!" I was screaming and crying at the same time. I'm surprised I wasn't kicked out of the restaurant!!! What my children lack in singing ability, they make up for in enthusiasm, passion, devotion and unconditional love!!!! Telisa just found this clip and emailed to me this morning!! Tears came all over again!!!

Bodie and Tatum in Utah!!!

Took a few shots of Telisa's boys. She wanted me to make them antique looking. What do you think?

Cougar Fans!!!!

True blue BYU fans, Dennis, Treavor and Owen Peters weathered the storm to watch their football team play their spring(!?) game. According to Dennis, Bronco Mendenhall begged and begged to get a picture taken with them, they finally consented!

Baby Shower for Sara and Lewis!

The Peters' girls and the Bell girls got together for a little baby shower for Sara and Lewis!! We waited until after Lewis' birth so we would know the gender of Treavor and Sara's second baby! We feel very blessed to have another healthy little guy in our family!! Good work Treavor and Sara!!! Thanks to everyone who helped with the shower!! Especially Tristen, for hosting the event!

Lewis Hendrik Peters #22

Treavor, Sara and Owen Peters have much to thankful for. Lewis Hendrik Peters was born to them on March 24, 2011 with a healthy holler, "I'm here!" "My dad thought I was girl!"

Sara's delivery was much smoother than the last time! Lewis' parents were overcome with joy and excitement for another healthy little boy!! Tears streaming down both their faces. Lewis got his name from his parents' great grandfathers. Treavor's great-grandfather was Lewis Wilson Stout and Sara's great great-grandfather was Hendrik Bell. As for the big brother Owen, I think he would like Lewis to just get up and start playing tackle with him!! Soon Owen!

Sugar Tot Designs

I want to take a moment to share my daughter's new Business Blog. She has been designing and creating cards, posters and anything else that involves words and art for sometime now! She decided to make a business of it since Clay won't be making any income next year. It's all her!! Check it out! sugartotdesigns.blogspot.com

Telisa, we're so proud of you!!!!

Trinity the model!

Trin was my little partner during a photo shoot. The family was about an hour late showing up for their appointment, so I took the opportunity to take a few shots of my cute grand daughter, Trinity Ann while we waited!!!

Whitley turned 12!!

It's hard to believe we have another teenager in our midst! But we do!! Our Beautiful Whitley Erin Peters turned 12 years old in November. We were a little late with the photo shoot, due to crazy lives and even crazier weather. The weather chose not to improve much. I don't know if you can tell, but both Whitley and I were freezing during these shots!!!!!!

Missing Teeth and Giggles

Morgan, Cade and Grace showing off their missing teeth!! Cade was pretty excited to be hanging out with two cutie cousins!! It was his idea!
They loved playing with their DS's !?

Valentine Craft!

We have some extremely talented crafters in this family and also those of us that like to copy genius! We decided to have a Girls Craft Day each month. I took the first turn, and called upon Telisa and Tristen for the ideas. The topiary was from Tristen and Telisa designed the Valentine Word Art that we simply framed and embellished with felt flowers. It's a fun afternoon!! Looking forward to more!!!! Your turn next month Kim!

New Years 2011 - The Oldest Five!

Sabrina and Whitley learning to Snowboard!
Kourtney- second time out! She's a pro now.
Gunnar was interested in speed!
Jess was a bit more cautious!

Den and I had a little sta-cation with our oldest five grandkids, Gunnar, Jessica, Sabrina, Whitley and Kourtney over New Years! Gunnar brought some back up with his friend Harley. A few weeks later, the three 7 year old cousins, Cade, Morgan and Grace wanted a sleepover at Grandma Kat and Grandpa's house.

Snow boarding, movies, Carl Bloch Museum, swimming, shopping, eating, giggling a lot! (the girls only) games, DS, good talks and goal setting was just part of the fun.