Meet the Pete's: 2012

Turkey day! One of the best holidays in my book. Mom and dad came up to SL a few days before, then we all drove down to southern Utah to be with grandma and other family for Thanksgiving. It was a feast! Aunt Wendy broke out the china, and cooked up a fancy meal for 30+ family members. We had parts of each family. Most of the Madsens, all of the Ludlows, half of the Clives, two of the fears, and all of the Jay Clark family. Only the David Clarks were missing. So many good memories were made that week. The boys played golf and went shooting. As a group we went to a trampoline place (probably my favorite part of the trip) where we played jumping dodge ball. That was a blast. Cousin Ruby got baptized. We all went and saw a movie. Lots of card and board games were played. Perfect family activities!

Scott and I stayed a few extra days so he could work down there. We also headed down to Vegas and stopped by Brandon and Amanda Smith's for a night. We always love our time together with them and baby Max.

It wasn't until our last night in St. George that we were ready to head home. Scarlett screamed all night in the hotel, which put us sitting in the parking lot so as not to wake the other guests. We were out there until almost 4am.. It was awful. But that was really the only glitch in our whole trip! It was a Thanksgiving to remember.

Okay, super random. They had a camel at the St. George farmers market. Beck loved it! Maddy did too of course ;)

Scott saving the day to get the frisbee on the roof.. My hero.

As usual! Uncle E with his girls.

Nap time at the trampoline place. These two were all tuckered out.

Cousin Julia!

The two Antoinettes

Giving Papa Rock a back rub

Looking so big

With her favorite babysitter, Guy!

Baby Max Smith! Love this kiddo.

Ruby's baptism

Mami and Papi

Smiths

Petersons

Raspopis

Auds

What I am truly thankful for.

Here are mine and Scott's Gratitude lists for 2012

Oakley's;

Scott & Scar

family

temple work

sacrament meeting

knowledge of the gospel

best friends for parents

exercise

avocados

scars new milestones

how scar makes us laugh

scott's work success

longer hair (from having a baby)

a good mother in law

christmas music

cello music

modern technology

new friendships

old friendships

church leaders

4 seasons

getting in shape

red mango

sisters who are my best friends

scar, scar, scar

scott, scott, scott

traveling

founding fathers

holding a temple recomend

nieces and nephews

Scott's;

sweet baby Scarlett

good, beautiful wife

good job

good boss and co-workers

twins are healthy

BYU cougars

the gospel and my testimony

Cancun trip

church calling

new friends in the ward

Brandon's new job and baby

our safety

our beautiful home

good in-laws

good parents

christmas

nieces and nephews

health

volleyball

family

beowae job

our new piano

We had a lot of fun in her last month as an infant! Ahhh, it kills me that my baby is growing so fast. She continues to develop a fun and sassy little personality, with snuggles and sweetness in between. She literally has us laughing every single day. Everywhere we go, we're stopped by strangers that Scarlett trys to talk to from the shopping cart, or people who she gives a friendly wave and "hi" to as we walk. With fear of sounding like a boastful mama, I have to say that I'm amazed at how many people compliment us on having such a smart little baby. Obviously I love this... It is pretty amazing at how well she says words, and how she knows just how to get what she wants. She picks up on things that we haven't even taught her! For instance, neither of us taught her about dogs, and she rarely sees them. But when our friend Yaya gave her a stuffed dog, she started saying "wuff, wuff"! Now when we ask her what a dog says, she goes "wuff, wuff". No idea where she picked that up. Maybe from baby signing time.

In November we went on a couple little trips. The first was to So. California. Scott had to go for work, and at the last second he decided to bring us a long so that I cold see some of my favorite people. Sweet hubby! We got to stay with Stevie and Becca one night, then once Scott started working, I stayed with Lauren and Brian who just moved back there for law school. Scarlett and I had an absolute blast with all of our So. Cal pals. We even did a spontaneous trip to Disney land with Lauren and Claire! That was a major highlight. Scarlett will never remember this trip to Disney, but I will remember how excited everything made her. She could not stop looking around at all the rides and characters while bouncing up and down enthusiastically!

I also got to see Brittany P! One of my best friends whom I haven't seen in literally years. It was a long overdue reunion. Pretty much a perfect little trip.

We also went to St. George for Thanksgiving with my family. That will be a separate post!

Scar's latest tricks include;

-She started going up and down the stairs at almost 11 months. And she mastered the down route almost as fast as up.

-Picking up phones, holding them up to her ear and saying "ayyo" is a new hobby. Then she hands it to me and wants me to talk into it.

-She points to her (or your) nose when you ask where it is. She picked that one up real fast.

-Probably my favorite new trick of hers is playing "peek-a-boo". It is ridiculously fun to watch her do it. She puts her hands over her eyes (or somewhere on her face), holds them there for a little too long, then yells "pick-boo". We have it on video, and it is my favorite video of her.. ever.

-The little copy cat started picking up my brush and rubbing it on her bald little head. When I start laughing, she gives me this look like "mom, this is what you're supposed to do with a hair brush.. duh."

-She also takes Q-tips, completely missing her ear and rubs the side of her head with them.

-She fake laughs a lot. It's pretty cute. I'm just glad someone thinks I'm funny.

-She finally started saying Mama clearly. So Mama was like her 10th word... I'm lame.

-Third tooth finally came in. Making breast feeding more painful than it should ever be..

-Lover of almost all foods. Great eater.

-New dance move is a "raise the roof" type of move.

-Hates her big girl car seat almost as much as her infant car seat..

-Says "yeah" to almost any question. Once in a while she throws a "naa" in there.

-Loves to go hit daddy's bum when he is playing the piano until he puts her on his lap.

-Social as ever. She always wants to play with someone. Does not care if its a complete stranger.

-Throws the most dramatic tantrums (luckily not often). We're talking face down on the ground pouting, then sitting up and throwing her head back in the air. Such a girl..

-Understands "No" very well. And sometimes gets upset when we say it..

-Started saying "uhh-uhh" while shaking her head. It's hilarious. And she says it like a chick with attitude, like "oh no you didn't!". With the tone and all. Once again, no idea where she picked that up. Possibly aunt Summer? ;)

-Starts fussing, then quickly gets cuddly when we say "time to go night-night".

-Clinches her fists and shakes them when she gets excited. It is so so so funny. She makes the best face when she does it. We have tried to get it on video countless times. I think uncle Eldis finally captured this. She's actually been doing that for months now.

-Absolutely loves being read to. Holds still and snuggles, which makes reading time extra fun for mommy and daddy.

-Her favorite toys are musical toys. She loves to play and dance. Possibly her favorite pass time.

-Continues to love hearing herself sing. When she sees me watching her, she smiles and keeps singing. Melts my heart.

-Says "oooooohh" when she is amazed by something.

-She thinks she's a real big girl when her baby cousins (James and Thea) are around. She bends into their car seats and kisses them. They're about 5 months younger than her.

Scar-baby continues to be our little best buddy! She enjoys all of our little adventures and is such a playful joy.