I thought it would be kinda fun to look at the year 2015 in review, as this is the last year we will remain a family a 3! (If I'm lucky, baby sister will arrive in just over 3-4 weeks tops! If I'm not lucky, well, let's not go there yet...)
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The Peterson's started off the year 2015 with a bang as they prepared to embark on a great move across time and space to the place of East Mesa, where they enjoy quick access to the freeways and a lovely view of the mountains. Danet insisted on finding a house with a pool, and since Danny and Joshua loved the water, they couldn't really complain when the dream house made itself known last Christmastime. After a month and a half of grueling packing and workouts daily (if you don't know Danet is a beach body coach), the old house was cleaned, and the 2 week stay with the grandparents commenced. Joshua enjoyed his time to play with aunts and uncles and Danet and Danny are thrilled to report their sleeping schedules were not too drastically interrupted by the growing and excited toddler.
When the time for the move arrived in February, the Peterson's were all too ready for their next adventure, and were pleased to begin enjoying the pool from a viewing perspective as the water was much too cold. They are happy to report that since that February of moving in, there will never be another cold water season as a pool heater was installed in October of this year to make it so swimming is possible even when ICE is coating the grass.
But onto other updates.
Danny has made some drastic improvements in his work situation as an electrical engineer and is currently on target to become the next head of the Electrical Group, where his title will continue to be "Great Efficient One." He has a knack for completing work in an incredibly fast period of time and his co-workers never cease to remind him of his continued success. His path to greatness only further advanced when we received word in June that he would become the father of not just ONE crazy red head, but potentially two! That's right, if you missed the memo, the Peterson's are growing by one more and becoming a family of FOUR in January or early February at the very latest in 2016. (Danet never fails to continually remind everyone of this fact on facebook and instagram, so if you've missed it, you've REALLY missed it.) Danny is thrilled to be a father of almost 2 and can't wait to get chased around by two little nutters in the near future, as well as being the primary care taker of two now declawed cats, Charlie and Niza (nee-sa).
Charlie and Niza, for those who know them, have enjoyed a year of relative peace and quiet since moving to the new house. Unless you count all the times the toddler boy of the house chases them up and down the stairs. They are fed and groom themselves all too well. There was a period of the cone of shame in October of this year as they were declawed so that Danet stopped wanting to kill them both for clawing up the carpets and rugs around the house. Their favorite past times are sleeping, eating, and sleeping. (often with one eye open since Joshua tends to attack when they least expect it.) They are not exactly sure of how to behave with a new baby arriving, but are trusted to remain calm and uncaring when the situation arrives.
Danet has spent the last year developing her online marketing business as a beach body coach. She posts about 20 times per day on facebook and instagram and is known to annoy her family members horrendously with constant workout selfies, videos, food pictures, and the occasional family updates. She taught swim lessons from May-June of this year in the once freezing pool. She also conquered the art of traveling with a toddler from AZ to upstate New York this summer on her own. For those who have never attempted traveling with a toddler (while in the first trimester of your second pregnancy), feel free to try it sometime. It's no small feat. Some of her classic moments this year include announcing a second baby this year (many many times), spending two months straight nesting and cleaning and decorating the heck out of their house before company arrived for the wedding of her oldest younger brother, and continuing in the position of super mom to Joshua. That position comes with the duty of horrendous diaper changes, chasing him down the street as he runs after neighborhood children with his dinosaur tail swinging, and of course, cutting shapes in all his food to entice the little bugger to eat well throughout the day. Lunch and dinner are the most difficult meals. She has continued singing in the small choir group and is happy to report she'll be singing again next year, along with her newborn girl, starting in January 2016. She continues to enjoy playing the piano and writing blog and facebook posts. A lot of posts.
Joshua, for those who have met him, is now a bouncing off the walls crazy two year old. His latest talents include refusing to go to sleep for nap time, meowing like a cat, and interpreting what the cats are saying. He is also fluent in fish and bubble talk, having learned from his swim teacher coach Jon how best to speak these languages. Academics wise, Joshua can count to 24, starting with 3, 4, and so on, and he can also sing the ABC's with absolutely no help at all. His parents continue to be amazed at the talents of their Little Einstein child who makes an instrument out of anything he picks up and plays flute, violin, bass, cello, piano, harp (the list could keep going), all the while, swinging his baton to direct the music. His favorite times of the week include nursery at church where he thoroughly intimidates his leaders and fellow children with how gigantic he has grown (36 inches according to the giant ruler on the wall in the house), as well as weekends when he gets to play more with his daddy and have more help to create elaborate and complicated train tracks that Thomas and his friends can drive around. His favorite books are Chugga Chugga Choo Choo and Goodnight Train, and yes, these books must be read every night or he will not fall asleep. This year, he has learned to sing happy birthday and will gladly sing it to you if you ask (over and over and over, and then he'll blow out your candles with an excessive amount of spit and air). He can also say "trick or treat" and throw a classic two year old tantrum on the floor (the kicking and screaming and flailing is no myth) if he doesn't get candy out of it. This Christmas he is hoping Mommy will let him trick or treat all the ornaments off the tree so he can save them for later. He's also hoping that his baby sister stays in mommy's tummy as he has know clear idea of what having a baby in the house will really mean for him.
As you can see, the Petersons have had a busy year and next year is just going to get busier! We're thrilled to be adding to our family and cannot wait for you all to meet our newest little princess!
Merry Christmas everyone! And Happy New Year as well!
Love,
The Petersons
PS:
If you love Christmas caramels, but didn't receive any from me this year, check out my recipe below:
I promise, they're not healthy. ;)
Christmas Caramels
1 cup butter (2 cubes)
1 cup light Karo syrup
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
a dash of salt (about 1/4-1/2 teaspoon depending on how salty you like them)
optional toppings: nuts, chocolate chips, candy canes, etc. to be added on top after caramel has cooked fully.
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a heavy pan on medium heat ( I suggest starting with the butter and stirring until it's melted BEFORE adding all the rest of the ingredients.) Using a wooden spoon, stir the caramel over medium heat until all ingredients are combined. Continue stirring frequently for 15-20 minutes, or until caramel has reached the firm ball stage on a candy thermometer. You may also test the caramel in a glass of ice water. It's done cooking when it is cooled to room temperature (ice then take it out) and is the consistency and chewiness you would like. My favorite consistency is chewy, but not TOO chewy and it's usually a darker caramel looking color.
When caramel has finished cooking, pour into a buttered 9x13 in pan (glass ones are great) and allow to cool completely before cutting and serving, or wrapping in wax paper squares. Makes about 75 pieces depending on the size of the caramels you cut.
Tips: Get an electric stirrer to stir the pot for you and avoid burning the caramel. DO NOT DOUBLE THE BATCH! Make one at a time. It'll take just as long.
