Dustin and Halle's relationship

Being the cute husband that Dustin is he was at work today googling how to handle our handful two year old. This is a story that came up...it described their relationship perfectly. Picture it...

"They're So Cute At This Age

My daughter is not yet three years old, but I am beginning to see in her certain behaviors that I have witnessed in women many-times her age. Namely, unabashed rejection of me and the gleeful, long-term possession of grudges.

When we returned home tonight from dinner at a really bad Italian joint, I told her it was time to get into the bathtub.

“No, daddy,” she said in a tone that was more condescending and corrective than unhappy. “I want to watch Cinderella.”

“No, honey,” I said, adopting the tone she’d taken with me. “It’s bath time. You can watch Cinderella another time.”

When I reached out to unbutton her shirt, she pushed my hand away like it was nothing. I gave her The Vulcan Brain-Melting Death Glare, spoke a few stern words and ultimately convinced her that undressing and getting into the bath was the only way to prevent me from killing Cinderella and boiling her guts in a pot with two cans of Pabst and a package of bratwursts. My child was NOT happy, but she acquiesced because, well, as we all know, I’m stronger than the average two-year-old girl and I CAN kill Cinderella.

Less than an hour later, it was bedtime. I scooped my baby girl up in my arms, carried her to bed and tucked her big, fluffy white blanket up under her shoulders. I then leaned in to kiss her cheek, but she reached out her arm and stopped my chin with her little hand.

“Go away,” she whispered.

Bad Influence?

Ok, so for those of you who know me know that I have had a good dozen different hairstyles...this year. So, with Dustin's sister Anne now living with us she decided to make a change-and I think it looks great!! Tish (the hairstylist) is so great!! I am super excited to go see her on THursday before we take off...don't worry though i don't think I am going to do anything different. Maybe.

Trip to Idaho

What a fun weekend we had! Dustin had to go up to Rexburg Idaho (BYU-I) for meetings so we went with him! We had a blast doing lots of fun stuff- checking out how much our college has grown and changed. We also got to go to Idaho Falls and feed the ducks, see the Idaho Falls Temple and meet up with our good friends Hilary and Jerry Craner. It was so much fun being back up in Idaho...especially during the summer when it was only a high of..maybe 85 during the day! (A nice change from Utah!!) We got home late Saturday to find out that my cousin Tiffany is now engaged!! Congrats to her! We are getting excited as we only have one week left here in Utah- I am trying to get everything possible done that I can while we are here.

Fireworks

We also got to do Pioneer Day Fireworks with our friends the Anderson's. It was a lot of fun, i think they were a little loud for Halle but she enjoyed it. I think though that we are all Pioneered out.

Spanish Fawrk (fork) Parade

We also went to the Spanish Fork parade on Pioneer Day.... yes that is a holiday here in Utah too! IT was a lot of fun, Grandma and Grandpa Peterson came and all of us. If you can't tell from the pictures it was Super hot!

Hiking the Y

We had the opportunity to have Dustin's Dad (pappa), and sisters come and visit us. We had a great time hanging out with them- early on the 24th they went and hiked up the Y. (for those of you who don't know is a big Y that is painted on the side of the mountain that stands for BYU). They had a blast doing it!

Mick Mouse Cookie

This is the Mickey Mouse Cookie that Papa gave to Halle. I don't think it had enough sugar, nor was it big enough.

Twinkle Twinkle

The Big Race

So this is Halle helping Dustin stretch for his race that he has registered for. He is running the IU Mini marathon ( go to www.iumini.com ) that is the map of it. It is a brutal mini that is full of uphill roads...and it seems like the whole thing is uphill too!! He is running it on Sep. 8th...yes that is 4 days after I am due but I totally want him to run it...I would if I hadn't just had a baby. We are super excited for Dustin, and who knows...Halle could be joining him in the jogging stroller depending on when little dude makes his big debut! Anyway- thought it was super cute have Halle stretch with him.

Miss Manners

Just as a start off- for those of you who are from Utah...this is not meant towards you, I am sure that you are nothing like this (I know this because if you were we wouldn't be friends!!)

BUT- Here is my question for everyone- Why are Utah'ns (is that even a word?) so ill mannered, disrespect full, and just plain out rude? Now you say oh no it isn't that bad, you just aren't use to the "normal hospitality" as opposed to "Southern hospitality". No, you are wrong. Even though I grew up in Denton, Texas (yes a very nice friendly area), I have also lived in Omaha, Nebraska- Rexburg, Idaho- Bloomington, Indiana- and even Dallas Texas (right downtown) I have never in my whole entire life felt more aggravation towards anyone then this past summer while living in Provo Utah...the "hub" for Mormonville. How are they rude? Well, let us count the ways... (this is a generalization, and for the most part this is what I find. If you aren't like this and live in Provo...sorry!)

First off, "Excuse me" it is a very simple and easy phrase to say. Often said to move past someone, when you bump into someone...or any other movement in which you might have to have someone else move on your behalf. Halle and I went to a store this morning, and I said it about 3 times while we were looking for different items- EACH time I said this the woman would look at me like "oh my... that was polite...what was that word again because I have never in my life heard nor used that word".

Second- when walking in a crowded area you always bend and move with the flow of traffic...that is just the law of how it works. Walking up to my husbands office I will get more than 5 rude "move out of my way or I will run your big old pregnant body off the walkway" looks and even the occasional shoulder bump for me being in their way while they are with friends or even casually walking to class.

Yes'mam, No'mam- ok so maybe this is purely a Texan thing. I say it to anyone whom I am speaking with who deserves this type of respect. Use it, you will be SO surprised at how much nicer people are to you.

And last but not least...Driving. Seeing as I have lived and driven through more states than the average person I have seen my fair share of drivers. Let's go over the rules one more time- Your blinker is there so that people know you are turning. If the speed limit says 55, I will go 60 and when you honk your horn at me for not going fast enough I am sorry!! I Am already 5 over the speed limit and would like to keep my driving record clean. If I pass you because you are going 10 under the speed limit, it doesn't give you the right to speed up, pass me, get in front of me, and then slow down just to prove a point. That just isn't nice.

Utah is a very gorgeous area to visit...but I think I have decided that if Dustin were to get a job offer here it would have to BLOW all other job offers out of the water. BY FAR! Anyway- that is my vent for the week, I am going to the Doctor this afternoon so wish me luck. I still have to get "pre-approved" to fly in 2 weeks back to Indiana. Oh Indiana...were the people drive nice, talk nice, and even look at everyone with nice friendly glances.

Cheap Makeup

Check this out- this company, e.l.f., was bought out by Nordstrom and is selling all their products for $1 each. Shipping is $5. Go to www.eyeslipsface.com to shop all the makeup they carry.Thought I would just share this with everyone!

Swimming in the tub

Who says you really have to have a swimming pool in order to enjoy the pool toys?? haha, Halle has become such a fish this summer!! It is so bad that her bath tub now has to be cool...can't at all be warm because then it is "way too hot!!" We have loved being so close to a pool...both the big pregnant woman and the 2 year old. I am so glad we got an apartment that has a pool with it for the summer. We have to enjoy it now though, we leave to go back to B-town in 19 days!! YEAH!!

Park City Retreat

Boy do they treat us well here at BYU! This past week Dustin had a retreat in Park City (a really really nice ski resort here) and they invited Halle and I to come along! It was a great get away, and even better since they paid for a lot of it! My parents were still in town so they came up to Park City one day to spend time with us (and of course spoil Halle) and it was a blast! Dustin would be in meetings all day and then would join us at night for fun activities. Halle and I thoroughly enjoyed the Outlet shopping that they offer there, and all the other shopping....did I say outlet?? It was nice to get away from Provo, but made us even more excited to get back to Indiana in 3 weeks! It has just flown by (the summer) but we are ready to get back to our home in B-town. My parents left on Thursday night and drove through the night to get home. They are back in Texas enjoying time with family and spending time with my Meme (who is sick). So- hopefully everyone is doing great!!

Happy 2nd Birthday!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Halle!! She has changed so much in the past 2 years...just look at the difference in these pics! WOW! We are so glad that Halle is with our family and are gratefull for the opportunities in learning that she is giveing us to become better parents! We Love You!

Princess for a Day...

Today was Halle's 2nd birthday party!! It was such a blast, and she had so much fun....almost too much fun! A lot of her friends were able to come,along with family (whom we also consider friends)!! It was a Princess theme, so she had her princess crown, a princess cake, princess decorations...you know the whole shebang! She is such a cute girl and we are so excited to watch her grow and change! Enjoy all the pics- there are a ton!

Happy 4th of July!

It has been a great 4th so far today. We got up at 6 this morning to go to the balloon festival- it was so much fun!! We had never been that close to hot air balloons! The field was crowded but you got to go right up to the balloons and watch them fill them up with air and then take off. Halle loved every moment of it...so did we! Then we went to breakfast at Ihop (a Peterson tradition). We headed towards the parade after that...that was crazy!! I have never seen so many crazy people with zero manners! We ended up only staying for like an hour, it just wasn't worth the hassle! Then we have spent the rest of the day swimming, relaxing, taking naps, and more swimming. Right now we are anxiously awaiting the firework display for the stadium of fire...we only live 3 blocks from the stadium so we figure we won't put Halle in bed because the fireworks will only wake her up...maybe she will sleep in tomorrow?? Hope everyone else had a great 4th!!

Pretty pretty princess

So at first I was worried that Halle woud love Elmo all her life... I didn't think that was a "typical" girly fascination. But, the girly side of her has now kicked in full throttle. She LOVES princess stuff!! From her princess bed, to her clothes, to now wanting jewelry like a princess she is in love. And that doesn't count whenever we see anyone like a Miss Provo (she was a the grocery store the other day) and had her crown on etc...and Halle was just mesmerized by her. Couldn't take her eyes off of her. Needless to say we are a pretty pretty princess and that is why for her birthday we are doing a princess birthday this weekend. (Yes, we wish you all could come...I am pretty sure I invited all those in the Provo area but if you live here and weren't- let me know because we want you here!!) Anyway- that is all that has been going on. Dustin just got back from a weekend camping retreat up to Martin's Cove with the Student Leadership Program- and he had lots of fun. We had fun here at the house doing girly stuff but am glad to get him back here. I'll try getting more pics up, especially since this week is the 4th of July (YEAH!!)