Summer Fun

Montana's life is a little adventure. Sometimes, I wish I could be her. :) Being with her everyday makes my life exciting, joyous, hectic, fun and eventful...I love it all. These are some of the fun events she enjoyed a few weeks ago.

Hiking with friends in our playgroup...

Going to Bounceopolis with Mommy and Daddy on a Saturday-(this is her coming out of the slide. My camera died after that).

Going to Dream Xtreme with our friends and "jumpy-jumping" with Kami.


Kami's mommy Samantha and I...

While the Daddy's did this...


CHECK IT OUT IN ELK GROVE THIS SUMMER- ALL THE COOL PEOPLE ARE DOING IT!

Dream Xtreme

And a drive in movie to see "Up" for the second time with my family. She loved snuggling with Aunt Nicole and Aunt Tiffany in the back of Grandma's car.

The summers just begun--and so, the adventures of Montana Belle remain to be continued...

My Brother, the Missionary...

If any of you know my brother Logan and would like to be updated on his mission and read some fun letters and experiences or check out some of the photos he's sent home, check out his blog:

Elder Logan Petersen

Prayers

Our Stake President (who is a local area leader for our church up here in the Folsom/El Dorado Hills area) and his sweet wife were in a car accident last Friday night. The tragic accident killed Kathy and critically injured President Wood. Traveling home from girls camp where they had just borne testimony and spent time with the girls of their stake, they were only miles from their home when the accident occured. They are the parents of six children, the youngest of which just graduated from Folsom High School this year. Kathy was only 51.

There is a blog being kept kept up to update people on the status of President Wood's condition which continues to be critical as he still battles in the ICU.

If anything, please take a moment to watch the video on the blog of the two of them singing a duet together when they were in their twenties. The line that they continue to repeat, which is one that gives comfort in this time of tragedy, "Even death won't part us now".

And as the children of these amazing parents write on the blog, "If you pray, please continue to pray for our father."

Kent and Kathy Wood

It's Not Goodbye-It's See Ya Later...

I love my friends. A few weekends ago, I got to spend some time with a few friends that I cherish time with. The times we spend together are always so easy, fun, drama free and real and I just love the dynamics of our families. Our husbands all get along, and our children play great together. The only bad part about this particular weekend, was that it was sort of a "farewell" to Rachel and Trent Barker as they embark on a new journey, moving to Chicago for about a year for Trent's dream job. We are all so happy for them, but we will miss them SO much!

Friday, Rachel and I did what we do best and we went shopping at the mall! :) I also love that she will buckle down and buy See's candy with me and we will induldge on the heaven that is a Bordeaux chocolate.

After the mall and some quick lunch at Chick-Fil-A, we went to a park where Montana showed Rachel her new princess scooter and we all went on a make believe road trip with Montana behind the wheel.

The way that Rachel attends to kids and plays with them, there is no doubt in my mind that this woman will be the most amazing mother ever.

The next evening, we met up with our good friends Samantha and Eric Lindsay and their little girl Kami along with the Barker's for some dinner at Joe's Crab Shack.

The girls loved the balloon man, who made them heart roses with pink teddy bears.

We had a little photo shoot by the river. Rachel always the So Cal hot blonde in her shades and Samantha just about the most adorable pregnant woman I've ever seen. She is about 6 1/2 months pregnant with their little boy, Dylan, here. I look like this when I get bloated at that time of month... haha. Gorgeous friends!

Cutie pies...These girls are only 2 weeks apart in age.

Even the men got in on the photo op. We are lucky girls, aren't we?

The food was good and the dancing and fun was even better! The girls had LOTS of energy and it was the perfect restaurant for that. I think we tuckered them out a bit and Montana slept wonderfully that night!

I know the Lindsey's echo our sentiments in saying, we will miss you so much Trent and Rachel! We are all sad to see you go, but refuse to say goodbye...more of a see ya later. In the meantime, you may have to get ready for some visitors in Chicago. :)

Lightning McQueen and Flounder

Last week we had some crazy weather. The lightning storms were beautiful, especially from the view up on the hill. I hadn't really ever sat and enjoyed a lightening storm myself and so we decided to check them out. Here is some of the footage I caught on video-


And here is Montana's priceless reaction to what she now refers to as "Lightning McQueen" (lightning) and "Flounder" (thunder).

Feeling old...

The weekend of Memorial Day, my two youngest sisters (forever known as "the babies")- promoted from sixth grade. What the?? Where did the time go? I remember so vividly when they looked like this:

And now, they are getting ready to walk through the halls of Joseph Kerr Middle School as-#6 & #7 as well as THE LAST of the Petersen children to do so.

Nicole and Tiffany doing the promotion walk...

With the proud parents...

They make me feel OLD

The promotion services tired out Ry guy a bit. He took a quick breather atop Mama's head.

Another reason I feel old? Their teacher was my high school friend Tyler who was actually a grade YOUNGER than me.

The girls with their principle, who was very sad to see them go.

Andalyn and Montana were proud of their aunts. The girls are lucky to have the twins as aunts- it's more like having a big sisters that play with you all the time. And I think Court and I feel lucky to have them to entertain our children! :)

As if the promotion wasn't making me feel old, my oldest little brother (make sense?)- turned 23. I had to step back, because I thought I was 23 for a second and then realized that I'll be 26 this year. Oh.

And I also remember when he looked like this...

His fiance Ashley threw him a surprise BBQ.

"Happy Birthday To You"

I want some cake!

The happy couple

David and Ashley with her sweet mom, Beverly

Some of David's friends, Nelly, Kurtis, Sam (Logan's girlfriend) and Katie.

It's a big year for my family. Logan left on his mission, David's getting married, Nicole and Tiffany start Jr. High and Whitney is turning 16. Where has the time gone??

UP

Last weekend we took Montana to se Disney*Pixars new movie "UP"- in 3D. We are Disney freaks, of course, and so we would love it regardless but I have to say, we laughed, we cried...we laughed so hard we cried! We love it and we give it SIX enthusiastic thumbs up!

Montana wore the 3D glasses the entire time and sat through the whole thing. She LOVED it!

Afterwards we came out to Town Center square for some ice cream and Montana danced to a local band playing at a restaraunt. Such a fun family night.

We definitely reccommend taking your family to see "UP"! A Rogers family must see of the summer!!!

School

Marc and I have debating about whether or not to put Montana into pre-school this year. When I was going to be due mid-October, we were pretty sure a two day a week gig would be nice for me to have while getting settled with a newborn. But, since that is no longer the case we decided we'd try the homeschool/preschool route for this year, and put her into preschool next year. She's a November baby anyway, and so this would be an early start as it is.

That being said, everyone thinks that their kid is Einstein. I fall into that category. We have one smart cookie on our hands and she has been so anxious to learn some things at school. The entire trip of Disneyland she was talking about how she was starting school when we got back home. Seriously, at the DISNEYLAND she was excited about SCHOOL. Like I said, Miss Einstein! ;)

Anyway, so when we got back I went out and purchased some school supplies and we have had fun finger painting, learning to use safety scissors, working on our shapes, colors, using a glue stick and I'm in the process of teaching her how to trace her name and spell her name. We made up a little song that spells her name out.

It's all proving to be pretty fun for me and I'm enjoying watching her learn. Here is some video of "school". (Please don't mind me in Marc's baggy shirt- and NO I'm not pregnant, although this shirt may suggest otherwise.) Also, please excuse Montana's topless-ness. We have yet to get a painting apron.