Bryant's Blessing

Bryant was blessed on Aug. 30th. Two of Tim's brothers and one sister were in town, so we decided to take advantage of the opportunity and bless him. I cleaned the house and made lots of food for a luncheon on Saturday. We borrowed a cute little white tux from Tim's sister. Everything was going well. Then Tim spent the whole night throwing up. We couldn't really postpone it, so he dragged himself out of bed and put on a suit. Despite his illness the blessing went well. I could feel the spirit in the room and the love both his father and Heavenly Father feels for our precious baby boy.


My uncle and a couple of cousins also attended to represent the Despain side. I know both of Bryant's grandfathers were there in spirit as well. They would have loved to play with this newest grandson. He is such a happy little boy and we feel so blessed to have him in our family.

The luncheon went well, though Tim stayed in our room to try to avoid infecting others. My good friend Amber taught me how to make focaccia bread and it was a big hit. It was wonderful to have so many family members here and I'm grateful they were able to stay and wish us well with our new little one.

Kindergarten...at last!

Lydia's first day of Kindergarten didn't go as I had always planned. Oh, we went and bought special new school clothes and shoes, new school supplies, new backpack, and fixed her hair all cute. There is no bus to her school, so there was no big get on the bus moment. In fact, when we arrived at school we looked on her teacher's door (whom we had met and done testing with the week before) and she wasn't on the list. So, we checked the other teacher's door and she wasn't on that list either. When her teacher came out she smilingly handed out the name tags. The tragic conversations went like this:

Lydia: Where's my name tag?
Teacher(coldly): Your daughter has been moved to the morning class with the new teacher.
Me: You told me she wouldn't be moved because we registered on time clear back in April. We also weren't notified of the change.
Teacher: You'll have to work that out with the office.
Me: Ok, but while I'm working that out with the office can she come to your class today since she missed her class and she wants to go to her first day of Kindergarten?
Teacher: No.
Me: She's been looking forward to this for a long time, and had we been notified we would have gone to her class, but we weren't, so can't she go to your class so she doesn't miss her first day of school?
Teacher: No. She missed her class. She will need to come back tomorrow.

Lydia was of coarse in tears at this point. We went to the office and an hour later she was in the other teacher's afternoon class. She is still in that class, but we are working on changing her school. Needless to say, I am unimpressed with the school. Lydia unfortunately is now disenchanted with school. She doesn't want to go and is already telling me she is sick and can't go to school often. I thought that wouldn't happen until at least 3rd grade. Hopefully she'll have a 2nd first day of school next week.

Ali had to put on her backpack too. She'll miss her sister.



Bye Lydia! Have a great day at school!

Aspen Grove

The Pedersen reunion was at Aspen Grove this past week. Everyone had a blast! They put on a great program up there. Bryant and I stayed home for the most part (we visited one night) so I will post some pictures and a little from what I was told goes with the adventure.

Ali was put into the "stompers" class. She loved her couselors and made a lot of new friends. They did things like a bug hunt, pirate day, arts and crafts, and swimming in the pool. Arrrrgh!
Lydia was in the "kittens" class. She did lots of arts and crafts, mini golf, swimming, and a treasure hunt. She came running whenever she heard the call, "kittens, unite!" I wish I could get her to listen that well.

Every night was family night. They had shows put on by the different classes, frontier night, and other fun activities.





Tim also went with his brother-in-law up to Sundance and took a lift up with bikes and rode down the mountain. They had a great time, except Tim crashed and wrecked his bike. He has some scrapes but he rented another bike and went down the mountain again. Boys.

During their trip, Lydia had her first day of school, that I went and picked her up for. I'll post that soon. Then on Sunday we blessed Bryant while everyone was in town. That will be another post as well. It was good to see everyone. Tim has a fun family that I enjoy being a part of!

Everybody Loves Baby!

I haven't done many baby pictures yet, so here are some of our little guy who is already 5 lbs. and 4 inches bigger! He sure is loved!






Of course there aren't any of me and Bryant, but that is because I'm the one who is usually behind the camera. Maybe soon. Anyway, isn't he just so cute? We are really enjoying our new little man.

The World is a Craft

to Lydia. Seriously, she can make a craft out of anything at anytime. She made this while dad was mowing the lawn.

Lydia Knows Everything!

Lydia thinks that when one turns 5 years old, that person can do and know everything. She turned 5 last month, so she now is one of these omnipotent and omniscient beings. She and her friend Aspen share the same birthday, so we combined their party.

They decided on a water party which we held at our home. We had a small pool, a slip and slide, and a blow up water slide for their water fun.

To top it all off my friend and cake genius (thecakecow.blogspot.com) made this cute beach cake! I strongly recommend her if you need a cake for an event!

Lydia had a great time. I can't believe my baby is 5 already. It causes me to want to savor this time with Bryant even more.
I love my Lydia. She is such a caring soul. When she sees I am sad or sick, she will make me a card or a present. She loves to take care of her little brother and sister, and tries to help around the house as much as she can. Lydia is a little artist and will spend hours on a project. If she wants a toy and doesn't have it, she'll just make it! I'm proud of who she is and look forward to seeing who she becomes.



We love you Lydia!

Camping in Washington!

My family reunion was this past week near Spokane, Washington. We went camping for a couple of days, and I admit I was a little worried on how this would go with a newborn, not to mention the 12 hour car ride to get there. All went very well though. The kids were so tired from the traveling that they slept great during the campout and they all had a wonderful time playing with cousins. Then we went back to my sister's house for Independance Day festivities. I'll try to narrate the pictures briefly as there may be many.

These four girls are close in age and all LOVE to play dress ups. Aren't they beautiful princesses?

Sitting around the campfire singing songs, telling jokes and stories is my favorite part of camping.

We had a little birthday party for Lydia and her cousin Aspen. Lydia's birthday was on the 28th, and yes that blog will also be forth coming.

On the 4th, my brother and brother-in-law had created this big water slide on their hill that Tim and the girls really enjoyed...untill the rocks won out.

Here's that cuties foursome of cousins again in their matching swimming suits. They were SO excited about all being "twins"

Bryant with grandma.

Awwww, I just love my guys!


Happy Birthday America, land that I love!!