cathy's page

2010-02-24T14:06:00.000-08:00

Elan reads "Goodnight Moon". Very cute. You can catch the phrases he says!@

2010-01-21T12:57:00.000-08:00

The Petersen Salon! It was pretty pricey, but I think she gives doscounts if she doesn't paint your WHOLE toe...so check it out!

I splurged because I wanted my toes to be stuck together with polish..

I love the tongue!

2010-01-21T12:50:00.000-08:00

Famliy Day hike at Rober E Lee.

Esther "found" some deer anters that were covertly placed on the trail by Daddy. She walked right by it twice and them tripped over it before I had to point it out to her. Ha!

It was SO muddy!

Esther was summoning the deer with her recorder.

2010-01-21T12:47:00.000-08:00

This is what I mean when I say that she piles things up from around the house.
This laundry basket consisted of all my jewelry, the diry clothes that were in the basket and pillows and books. (I removed the jewlwry and dirty clothes before taking this picture)

She called it her boat. She was the captain.

The chairs were all lines up, and then the laundry basket and then the blankets and pillows.

2010-01-14T13:10:00.001-08:00

It's about that time when mommies start to lose their minds from being imprisoned by the cold weather. The kids start inventing tidy games such as "pile everything in the cover and make a fort" and mommies start inventing games such as "hide all these books that I've already read 40 times today". I tell them 'maybe they fell behind the couch" and leave it at that.
It's also the time when I have time to reflect on the past year's happenings and I contemplate whether I have done anything substantial, (besides raising children). There is a yearning in my heart to be a part of something more than this. I don't mean that I want something more than my family, by any means because there is nothing in the world that could take the place of them. I just want US, as a unit, to be involved in something more. I wish that we had a vision, or a calling. We have always wanted to go on the mission field and join a team and be a part of the work of God in another area. We are just waiting for God to speak that vision into our hearts. It seems that every summer when the missionaries come back from all over the world, we become enchanted and in love with each and every story and fall in love with the people we see in pictures. WE are just waiting for God to tell us to GO! Maybe we are waiting for something grandiose like a message in the sky because we can't seem to hear any still small voice. We have made it very clear to God that we are open and willing and praying and waiting....
The bottom line is that we are not attached to our house, or our cars, or our lifestyles. We know that this life is not our own and these possessions are not ours to keep. That is actually the one thought that beings me peace when times like these set in.
I know that I will not be here forever and that my roots are much deeper than where I live! I am called to a higher adventure and that is the will of God!
Obviously He wants us here now, but I'm glad that He can still l hear me as I pray to Him even if it is from under the couch cushions as I hide in the corner of my "cave" and wait.

2009-11-30T13:37:00.000-08:00

We visited David's college friends on our way back to New York. Some very remarkable people were there! Glad we made it!! Thanks Steve and Nicole for hosting and Winona for the place to stay!!

Here is Uncle Poss rousing the kids with wrestling moves!

Those Arensen kids are so sweet and polite. I'm sorry that I don't have a better picture. The group one didn't take on our camera:( We'll have to steal yours Sandy!!

Luke and Andrea's sweet dog Harper. She ate up all the messes!! It was great!!

A group photo after the Arensens left.

Here we have the Hardy family with the adorable Aurora!! She is a little older than Elan and half his size!!

The Wallenbach's and Mr. Jennings

The BardyKings sporting the milk mustach..( or should I say cream)

2009-11-30T13:27:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving in New York!! What fun was to see both sides of our families and to enjoy the "expansions". We just keep growing!

Cody and Esther are the best of friends!! Esther was sad to leave him.

Lily is so sweet and aparently she soothes herself to sleep by spitting for 20 minutes. Impressive!

Esther and Cody watching Grandpa make them Mickey Mouse pancakes! Yum!

Elan always has some extra personality for the camera. I think "cheese" was one of his first words!!

2009-11-29T21:16:00.000-08:00

Ciccarelli famliy photo

2009-11-29T21:13:00.000-08:00

Family pictures with the Petersens

Elan and Grandma Susan

The Christmas card...sorry for spoiling the suprise Mom...:)

2009-03-15T18:54:00.000-07:00

Horsey Daddy

Auntie Melissa

Esther and Cody building a "swimming pool"

2009-03-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

Me and my sisters

Esther and Cody

My carefree little girl

2009-03-15T17:28:00.000-07:00

Esther and Callia dancing ( I think Esther has food in her mouth int he first picture)

2009-03-15T17:22:00.000-07:00

Elan made a mess out of all my potted garden plants while I was drying my hair in the other room.

Esther got too tired of waiting for me and just feel asleep where she was...notice that only one leg is on the treadmill

Elan's first birthday..not a happy time. Cupcakes can be scary things!!!

2009-02-05T18:48:00.000-08:00

Esther is singing"I LOVE MY BABY BROTHER" at the top of her lungs.....

2009-02-05T07:40:00.000-08:00

Elan is walking by himself now, but a week ago he got around by pushing this little thing.

2009-02-05T07:32:00.000-08:00

Elan was helping Mommy with the laundry.

2009-02-05T07:24:00.000-08:00

grandma and elan

esther and daddy washing the car

2009-02-05T07:10:00.000-08:00

Esther and Elan's Birthday Party. Esther turned 3 and Elan turned 1. Here's a shot of all the birthday kiddos.

Mommy Daddy, Esther and Elan

Curious George Birthday cake

Alfredo Buzzito, El Blimpo Bubblebeeto Buzzito, The birthday pinata that was impossible to break!!

2008-11-20T07:43:00.000-08:00

Our friends from New York came down for a visit this weekend. Esther and Zebedee are like two peas in a pod!!

Esther Zeb and Jael

Elan is a "pea" in Daddy's "pod"

My handsome boy!!

2008-11-20T07:38:00.000-08:00

Biting my face

Family picture

Can I help you??

2008-11-20T07:23:00.000-08:00

This one is for Grandma Susan!!

2008-11-20T07:16:00.000-08:00

Cody's 3rd Birthday!!! He had a Lightening McQeen Cake!!

They were climbing a tree looking for "Huffalumps!"

2008-10-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

Jesus loves me!

2008-10-28T09:38:00.000-07:00

We took some pictures in their pumpkin shirts.

My beautiful flowers int he front of my house

Elan blowing spit bubbles

2008-10-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

Do you see esther telling them not to get out of their beds!!
So I have been very busy lately re-doing the kitchen cabinets. I will get a better photo of them up on the web when they are all back on their correct door place...but while i was crazily in the midst of my re-doing, bear-bear decided that it would be a nice place to bring all the couch pillows and some blankets and take a nap.

2008-10-17T19:12:00.000-07:00

We decorated pumpkins yesterday with some of Mr. potato head's adornings, and some random things from the house. Esther has to go ot and "spend time" with them. They are her friends

2008-10-17T19:03:00.000-07:00

Some random pictures of late

Elan looking very messy and tired and cute. It's a rough life!

Esther tried on last year's halloween costume and it barely fit her! Daddy's costume barely fit him as well. It look a lot of convincing that there is no sleeping with costumes on.

Esther is rather barbaricly biting off Alfred's head,( and enjoying it!)

2008-09-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

Elans first tooth, (est. 9/10/08)

Bottom left!

Sorry that one pic. is sideways, I tried to fix it by failed:(

His second tooth has arrived as well, bottom right! He is rather grumpy about them, but it interested in his new abiblity to chew.....

2008-09-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

My happy little bug, reading away as always!

2008-09-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

This is the only good picture we got from a photo shoot at picture people last month. I'm so happy with it:)

2008-09-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken at the labor day picnic at Oregon Ridge. David and Esther went down the slip-n-slide together and then Esther went down by herself. She was really heistant at first... but you can see how long that lasted!!

2008-09-10T07:17:00.000-07:00

This first picture is Esther putting all of her animals in all of her shoes. It was really cute, but this picture doesn't really do it justice:)

Elan is learning to ride a bike:)

This is Esther at Camden's birthday party a few weeks ago. They have this huge water park thing. It's like a kid's dream come true. My brave little girl was not so eager to try it though...what's happening to her??

2008-09-10T07:08:00.000-07:00

This is the yurt that David and I stayed in for the past three days In Deep Creek MD. We got to go away WITHOUT the children thanks to the overflowing love from David's family:) There have been some nasty rumors that we actually stayed in a B& B, but those just happen to cost $250 a night, and the yurt was a much cheaper alternative, (and we would have missed out on the "ever-seeing eye" at the top of the yurt.) It looked like a space ship. It was covered with canvas and then at the top was this plexiglas opening to see out. We were blessed with a raging thunderstorm the last night we were there and the whole inside of the yurt was lit up with bright flashes from the "eye" the whole night. It kept us up, but it was fun to watch:)

2008-09-10T06:43:00.000-07:00

David is kayaking at the ASCI in Deep Creek , MD. It's this cool man-made water rapid park that brings you back up to the top on a conveyor belt. David got to do 100 runs and play in the waves for hours. I just ran around the park because I don't know how to roll in a kayak and I didn't want to pay for a lesson( cheap-o!)

2008-09-10T06:29:00.000-07:00

David jumping into a wave, not so graceful:)

2008-09-10T06:22:00.000-07:00

This is Cathy diving into a wave. Watch how graceful she is:)

2008-09-10T06:16:00.000-07:00

We followed this bear from the street, down a road and flushed him out into this persons driveway. Of course he was after the trash. He was totally unaffected by the cars and the people. We stayed in our cars, but we were like 20 feet away!!! Crazy!!! He opened this "bear resistant" trash door, swung it around and then proceeded to peel back the rubbermade container! Watch the video!!

2008-09-10T06:04:00.000-07:00

I love how this bear stops to look at us in the middle of his pillage!!

2008-08-14T19:43:00.000-07:00

First bath together!

Esther says "Yook! Momma duck an baby duck takin a baf."

Elan's covering up with the bucket, how cute!

2008-08-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

What better way to show you care than to eat fruit together?

2008-08-14T19:38:00.000-07:00

"Look, Elan fits in Bear-Bear's stroller!"

2008-08-06T15:19:00.000-07:00

A Petersen family picnic
David hurt his back so I was helping to get to and fro. Andrew was helping him first and it was so funny, but being the copy "Cat" that I am, I wanted to do it too!

Sarah and Erin

David and Erika

Jeremy and Elan share a moment

2008-08-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

A beautiful walk on the beach. The sunset was gorgeous!

We took advantage of the opportunity for a family photo

2008-08-06T15:11:00.000-07:00

Drip castles- Esther learned about these magnificent edifices while on vacation this year.
Another young girl showed her the technique and shortly after she asked the helping friend, " Girl, can you go make your own..."

2008-08-06T15:05:00.000-07:00

Elan's first beach expereince: Sleeping in the car seat

Grandpa showing him the waves

Grandma time

2008-08-06T15:02:00.000-07:00

Esther learned about being a "T.V. junkie" from Grandpa

2008-08-05T18:50:00.000-07:00

Rachie walked to the beach with us one morning and we made sandcastles (as tall as Olivia's..the pig) and Elan saw the ocean for the first time.

2008-08-05T18:49:00.000-07:00

Elan's first time at the beach...asleep in the snuggly!

2008-08-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

Nikki and JOsiah.

Esther and Hope got a chance to play at the tot lot a few weeks ago. They are both so independent though and sometimes would rather play alone. But here, Hope shares her raisins and Esther waits patiently with her hand out.

Hope in the car, she hops in the the Dukes of Hazard and doesn't use the door:)

Little Elan snuggling in the sling

2008-08-05T18:40:00.000-07:00

These are our friends who are missionaries in Northern China. Pastor Javid, Rassima and Mikki. They are awesome servants of God. Right now they are by themselves, but they are praying for a larger team......hmmmm

2008-08-05T18:36:00.000-07:00

Elan has been watching me eat and opening his mouth like he wants to eat.

2008-08-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

Elan is getting so big that he is now in the "johnny jumper". he doesn't like it though because he has to use his fat legs to jump:)

2008-07-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. We've been been busy busy busy and I don't know how mom's do it!!!!

Becca came to visit for a while and got to meet the newest member

Esther showed off her motorcycle outfit once again. Wish Becca's husband Ward was here to see it! He would have appreciated it

2008-07-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

We went to Lake George for the 4th of July. WE got to go on P.Moore's boat and stayed on the island with him and his family! It was so fun. Elan didn't quite fit in the life jacket. It smooshed his chubby cheeks.

2008-07-14T14:41:00.000-07:00

David and Esther relaxing

Auntie and Elan

Esther "watching" Elan sleep

Auntie and Esther on P. Moore's boat...one of Esther's favorite memories!!

Mommy and Esther on the tube@!

2008-07-14T14:31:00.000-07:00

Lake George continued...

Elan taking an afternoon nap on the grass

Esther and Tuomas go fishing....

Esther salutes our flag

David and Esther gaze at the beautiful surroundings

2008-07-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

We had a long car ride up to new york. we found this tactic works pretty well to keep him quiet...

2008-07-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

Esther decided that this pink fleece hat is her "motorcycle helmet", she suits up so she can get out and ride. luckily she also found some rec specs and and old belt of mommy's. the perfect outfit, I'd say.

2008-07-14T14:14:00.000-07:00

Rach's booth at convention. Her and Mama P. worked so hard in the heat to raise money for the mission field. She will be leaving in October. Please keep her in your prayers as she prays about where to go and how (money) to get there.

Esther enjoyed the freedom of almost being outside the "safety" of the booth...

2008-07-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Happy 30th to Cathy!
My lovely sister and handsome husband had a party for me! Lots of kids, water balloons, and fiends!

and of course a cake. miles and I enjoy it on the back porch

2008-07-14T13:56:00.000-07:00

Fun with Grandma Barbara.
Roar!

A very labored "airplane"...but at least she can still do it upon request!!
Not bad for 64!!

Grandpa Joe, on the other hand....well once he's down on the floor he takes advantage of the opportunity:)

2008-07-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

Fun with Grandpa Joe! WE took my dad to the Orioles game for father's day. It was lots of fun to see a game in Camden Yards.

2008-06-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

Esther got to ride the "tractor" at Cody's farmhouse. She did enjoy it but later she told Auntie Ya ya that she was a little scared...

2008-06-06T20:18:00.000-07:00

A hot day at the park in P.A.

What a smile@!!

2008-06-06T20:12:00.000-07:00

WE had a fun day at Dutch Wonderland with the JC Cellas.
Here is Esther and Auntie onthe log boats

And Esther and Cody on the bulldozers. Apparently Cody and Esther are riding different kinds of bulldozers but I couldn't tell you which one is the front loader..Cody could...

Cody and Esther on the crazy monster truck ride that they rode over and over and over......

We never did actually find out who this purple dinosaur is, but he makes for an interesting picture.

2008-06-06T20:08:00.000-07:00

A much needed lunch break

Auntie Ya-Ya!!

The monster trucks.

The carousel.

2008-06-06T20:06:00.000-07:00

Esther and Grandma

Esther and Mommy

2008-06-06T19:53:00.000-07:00

CUTIES!

Elan watches intently as Esther shows him how to protect bear-bears eyes from the harmful ultra-violet rays....

Safe at last!

Esther always makes sure she is protected- indoors and out.

A pensive moment for the youngest Petersen..He might even inherit " the blank stare" from his father.....

2008-05-28T12:38:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day at Oregon Ridge

2008-05-28T12:31:00.000-07:00

Mommy saving time: nursing and hiking!!

The fam!!

Esther frolicking..

2008-05-28T12:29:00.000-07:00

2008-05-25T18:39:00.001-07:00

Esther and daddy spend a quiet moment together..it was so cute so I took a picture

2008-05-25T18:34:00.000-07:00

Great granparents Petersen with baby Elan

Four generations of Petersen men( well..one baby!)

Esther has so many grandmas!!!

Petersen women...and baby!

2008-05-25T18:31:00.000-07:00

This is the last day of my ESL class (May 7th). He are all my students with their certificates and the other picture is of a few of my fellow teachers.

2008-04-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

Elan had another "play date" with Josiah and this time Jadon came too:) from left to right it's Josiah, Elan, and Jadon. They were all moving all over the place on the floor. They were doing the baby dance.

2008-04-22T11:34:00.000-07:00

Erika and Elan had a time of bonding the other night.

2008-04-19T16:35:00.000-07:00

It might seem very mean that I taped him crying but it's so so darn cute. I love the way his bottom lip curls up! SO CUTE!!

2008-04-19T16:07:00.000-07:00

2008-04-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

a sneeze!

2008-04-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

These are some new pics so you can get an idea of how big he is right now.
He's HUGE!!

cute little toes!!

l little smile

2008-04-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

Esther likes to carry her bear-bear in a sling just like Mommy and Daddy carry Elan. It's less of a hassle than dragging him in the dirt.

2008-04-19T15:44:00.000-07:00

Elan was dedicated to God last Sunday in church. That means that we are "offering" his life to God and we vow to attempt to raise him in a Godly way. Please pray for us as we try to do this with both our children( without killing them before their 20's!!)

2008-04-12T12:49:00.001-07:00

Zucchini!!!!

2008-04-12T12:44:00.001-07:00

Elan wakes Esther up from a nap.....neither of them are too happy about it though....

Elan has his first "play date" with Josiah. They could barely contain themselves!!

2008-03-26T14:42:00.001-07:00

These are more of some of the pictures David took a few days before Elan was born

2008-03-24T20:28:00.000-07:00

2008-03-24T20:20:00.000-07:00

2008-03-24T20:16:00.001-07:00

Esther at the duck pond

Elan in the crack of the couch
Esther, Elan and Eliza at Easter ( lots of E's)

2008-03-24T20:06:00.001-07:00

Esther was helping Daddy burp Elan

2008-03-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

An Eskimo kiss..too bad about the double chin:(

Esther convinced Grandpa to" hide" from the rain under the table....sucker!!!

Esther and Elan

AWWWWW!

2008-03-11T18:16:00.001-07:00

AWAKE!!

Esther has started to share her toys. Sometimes they end up in his face, but luckily Miss Piggy was only going along for a ride in the swing and not trying to suffocate him.....

2008-03-11T18:14:00.001-07:00

Esther visits the firehouse with grandma and grandpa. (Who had more fun, I wonder...)

2008-03-08T08:51:00.001-08:00

Elan's first bath..not a happy time. But he does enjoy it these days. He likes the sound of the water and the new environment maybe...

2008-03-08T08:48:00.001-08:00

Esther has been watching what I do with the baby very closely and now she's trying things out with bear-bear. She unzipped her pj's so that she could breastfeed!!( and she's sitting in the thing I use to breatfeed)

2008-03-08T08:14:00.001-08:00

We had so much fun at Erin's gym. There is a foam pit, and a huge bouncy slide and all these fun things to climb on!!! Perfect for Esther:)

2008-02-14T14:15:00.001-08:00

2008-02-10T08:50:00.001-08:00

Here he is! After a pretty short labor and a very short delivery....I present you with ..... Elan Jon Petersen!!!

2008-02-01T19:14:00.001-08:00

I deleted the other picture due to the naked-ness of my daughter, but i replaced them with these amazing pictures from the picture people taken just days before Elan was born.

2008-02-01T19:09:00.001-08:00

Esther's new favorite thing to do is watch the Elmo's Potty Time video, although she wasn't using the potty . David had the genius idea of having her sit on the potty while watching the video. Low and behold- she peed in the potty last night and then 3 more times today!! We are so proud of her:)

I don't know what this face is all about- it wasn't painful I promise!!

2008-02-01T18:36:00.000-08:00

Esther's 2nd birthday!! Can you believe she's that old???