Pedersen Family Reunion

I am very behind in posting pictures...and we have had a lot going on the past few weeks! For Father's Day weekend, Jon's brother, Chris, and sister, Liz, and their families decided to come in from Colorado to surprise their dad. Liz and family stayed with us and we loved spending time with them and letting the cousins play together. The big cousins were AMAZING with the twins!! We spent time at the pool and just relaxing at home, in addition to the surprise party for Grandpa P and we also threw an impromptu BBQ for the whole family the night before everyone left. It was great having the whole family together!
PS Thanks to Liz for most of these pictures!!

The entire Pedersen clan!


Rebecca, Caroline, Elaina, Grandma P, and Owen


Elaina and Grandpa P

Skylar was loving the attention he got at the end of the party when he stood up and down. Such a ham!

The Father's Day gift to Grandpa (and Grandma) and a portrait of all the cousins. They all look happy in this one!


Then all the families got individual pics of the kids. Skylar and Elaina were done being photographed!

Caroline and Julie...she was just born when Jon and I started dating!

WALKING!!

Caroline and Elaina


We never had to hold our kids as you can tell. Here is Claire with Elaina.

Always finding something to tinker with it seems.

Hanging out at the pool, our favorite place to be in the summer!


Caroline and Skylar


Elaina and Claire

Skylar loves the area called Bucket Falls with all the water being dumped...no fear whatsoever!!


Waiting to get dumped on!


Elaina and Claire


Skylar and Caroline


Skylar and Andrew (yes, he is walking in the water!)

Liz, Evan, Gary, Jon, Sharon, and Chris at our house after the BBQ

You Gotta Watch Those Quiet Ones!

We have been juggling finding the right nap time for the kids over the past few weeks. It seems they don't need two (Elaina hasn't for awhile) and we have been trying to figure out a good time to put them down for their afternoon nap. Skylar falling asleep in his highchair during lunch was a good sign he was ready! Well going down early means we have a longer break until dinner. We had been going to the pool or for a walk but today the heat index was too high and just plain miserable with the humidity. So we went to the mall to pick up a shirt Skylar needed for the cousin picture we are doing Saturday. Skylar does not like the mall unless he is looking at the carousal. He is just a stinker to take but I was armed with snacks, drinks, and toys. He would have none of that and was just fussy. I tried to shop and was checking out at Gymboree when he started to fuss louder. I was getting frustrated and told the clerk he hates to go shopping and is always like this. A lady behind me goes Um, I think she is pulling his hair. I turned around to see Elaina with a fistful of hair (and strands laying on her tray!). Poor Skylar, I thought he was fussy but his sissy was quietly tormenting him! Talk about feeling like a bad mommy

David and Amy Get Married!!

Finally taking time to post some pictures from my brother David's wedding last week. He and Amy have been together for several years and finally tied the knot! We had so much fun with all our family in town. But like most things fun, it flew by and we didn't get to spend as much time with everyone as we wanted. Here are just a few pictures from the festivities! Since both Jon and I were in the wedding, we didn't get as many as we would have liked. Oh and we enjoyed a night away from the kids when we stayed downtown after the wedding. Thanks to Grandma Sharon for spending the night with the kids!

Rehearsal dinner at Dubliner. A family heirloom from Amy's family...the Pope nightlight!!

David, looking relaxed and ready to get married.


The Dubliner had a little bathroom issue this evening:( Poor Amy!


My dad giving a toast

The beautiful church at St. Louis University where they got married


Outside the church

Mr. and Mrs. Murray!

My handsome brother

I LOVE this picture! Amy looks like a model in a magazine. She was a gorgeous bride!!

Tim's toast

Jon's Birthday Catch

Two rainbow trout he caught on his birthday while fishing at Westover Farms in Steelville, Missouri. He was pretty proud of himself!

Melissa and Bob's couples shower

What a fun night we had celebrating! The theme was tropical and we were so lucky the weather cooperated. Can't wait for their wedding in August!!

WALKING!!!

The steps Skylar took yesterday apparently were not a fluke. He took several steps in a row many times tonight. So we will officially call today, the day Skylar walked!!! It is Jon's birthday, my brother David's birthday, and the twins turn 18 months today. Happy birthday to all! It was Skylar's gift to Daddy to walk today. He was extremely proud of himself and couldn't stop smiling as he walked. It helped that all of us, Elaina included, were clapping and yelling for him. I have to say he looks a little funny moving upright but we will get used to it. Go Sky, Go!!!

Steps and Kisses

It was a beautiful afternoon yesterday so when the kids woke up from their nap, my mom and I took them to the park. While there, Skylar decided while playing in the grass to stand up. He does this all the time when he is holding onto something and then lets go, but I haven't seen him just do it without any support. That would have been great in itself but then he took THREE steps forward to the wall and squatted down to play with something. My mom and I just looked at him with open mouths and she said I just want to cry! Seriously, Elaina has been walking for 5 months now so to see him getting close is, well, something we weren't sure would happen!!

The other thing that happened was we ran into our friends and little Jack who is almost two and just the sweetest thing wanted to give Elaina a hug. She let him and smiled. Then he high fived her which she has learned to do so that made her smile. Then he decided she was too cute and just planted a big one on her lips. And she smiled looking not at all upset or surprised at his affection! I think she is going to be trouble with the boys!!!