Kids singing on Christmas Eve!
Rick and Donny having WAY too much fun!
Having fun playing cards with the fam!
Kristen, Donny, and I having fun together!
Fun on New Years Eve!
Playing in the snow!
Jordan and Grandma and Grandpa!
Cody and his Night Vision Goggles!
Fun at the Ice Exhibit!
I'll give you a hint....he is wearing the orange hat! Sometimes the game even got a little serious! 
Another favorite of the night was spoons. Now this game has proven to get a little ugly and aggressive! But we wouldn't have it any other way. 
I have some great video of bodies flying over the table, adults stealing spoons from small children, and battles of who was stronger! 
In the end one came out the winner! Shane deserves the golden spoon! 
Of course in between the games we would take food breaks to refuel! While we refueled, Jordan was busy getting ready for her New Years Eve dance at the church. 
I definitely had mixed feelings about this. This would be the first time EVER that she would not be with us on New Years. Trying to handle it...I helped her get ready and do her hair. Should I feel bad she was so excited to go and be with her friends?? Can you tell, I'm trying to handle it. :) Jordan looked beautiful. Once again, it just reminded me of how fast she is growing up! Before I drove her to the church, I insisted on New Year Family photos! 
I think she took a picture with everyone in the entire house! Jordan had a great time at the dance and even got some pictures of her and her friends while she was there. 
They are all so beautiful! 
I am so glad she has such good friends!
As the clock stroke midnight we all headed out and in our celebrating fashion....banged those pots and pans as loud as we could...just to make sure everyone heard us. 
Then hurried inside for our toast and New Year wishes. 
The cousins had such a great time together. Not a one of them was even tired! As I stood there looking at my family, again I was reminded one was missing....yes I cried! 
I know, I'm a baby. What in the world am I going to do when my kids go off to college or on missions??? I did get to talk to Jordan on the phone, so that made me feel a little better. 
The picture above are the "reserved" Petersons! This is how we REALLY are!!!!
I am looking forward to a wonderful new year!
Well, somehow he convinced Sarah she needed to match him. SO...the good sport that she is - she made her very own skirt to match! I have a feeling they have new outfits for future Christmas's! Sarah not many girls would do that!!! Your awesome! 
Each year gets better and better. Thanks babe for loving me, for being my best friend, for laughing with me, watching girl movies with me, and for being a great husband and father! I love you! 
yes, I was a little nervous! But Grandpa and the dads did a great job of showing the kids proper gun safety. The kids did a great job!
They did a great job for their very first time shooting! Grandpa, you may have started something!
The day after Christmas was a special one! My nephew Parker got baptized. We started the day at the church for the baptism. It was a very special day and I'm so glad he made the trip from California to be baptized here in Texas! 
It was a nice family baptism! Almost everyone in the family participated. I loved it! 
We had a BLAST!!!! 
We stood in line and they gave each of us huge blue parkas to wear! They said it would get cold, but I had no idea how cold it would get. Let me tell you.....it was COLD!!!! 
Donny's girlfriend, Sarah flew in on Christmas night to stay for a week. It was super fun to get to know her. She is great for Donny. We had a great time getting to know her! We are looking forward to spending a lot more time with her in the future. :)One of our favorite things was the slide. (both for kids and adults) I took a turn down the slide....I can't say I have ever riden down an ice slide before!
Mom and dad had a great time! Dad even took a spin down the slide!
The exhibit was so amazing. If I didn't know everything was ice, I wouldn't believe it! 
Another favorite spot was at the end...we felt like we were in an ice cave!
Kristen and I were having fun getting to know Sarah better! 
After we warmed up, we decided to walk around the hotel a little. The hotel is absolutely AMAZING!!! 
It was hard not to take a picture in every spot! There were bridges, fountains, tons of lights, train tracks....AMAZING! 
I'll have to try and talk Rick into taking me there sometime for a special occasion!!! :)
The night ended with Chase getting an awesome present from Grandma and Grandpa! His Disney Scrapbook! It's been a long time coming, and he was so excited to finally have it! Looking through it brought back so many fun memories! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!
Next it was time for each family to get the yearly "stair" picture. 
Then just to prolong the excitement a little more.....I threw in a family picture! 
Finally, the kids were able take off and see what Santa left for them. 
Before they ran to their presents, they ran in to wake up Uncle Donny! (I'm sure he appreciated that :) They each found their stash! They even found a special note from our favorite elf...Zippy! As you know, Zippy has been at our home over the holiday season, but travels back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve with Santa....so he wanted to leave the kids a little note. 
The kids had a great Christmas....here are some of their favorites!!!!!
Cody had Zhu Zhu Pets on his list way back in the summer...he was so excited to get them. 
Chase asked for a Powerwing. Wow this is awesome...he already has been riding it everyday...it gives you an awesome workout! 
Paige was SO excited to get an itouch. I actually have a picture of both girls in shock...Paige in shock that she got one....and Jordan in shock that Paige got one! 
Jordan was okay with not getting an itouch when she opened the box with her ugg boots in it....she had no idea Santa was bringing them! Everyone had a great Christmas!
