Darren Noah Petersen

The Fonz has nothing on me

Which style will get me the most face time with all the cute girls? I'm trying that less is more attitude where you close your eyes while looking toward someone. All in all it's been a rough day. I used a diffuser to get a fuller look. The whole point of this is I would like you all to choose which style is best.

Happy Birthday

Bradley suggested we sing happy birthday to Darren when we went to visit Sunday afternoon. Yes, we have a new baby boy. He was born on Sunday. He weighed 8lb 7oz. 20.5" long, and as you can see, he already needs a haircut. Amy is doing great. She was amazing during labor. The doctor let me catch him. I really enjoyed that. I also gave the doctor a hard time about getting up in the middle of the night for the last 23 years. He just shook his head when I told him that when orthodontists get an emergency call, it usually ends with, "put some wax on it and come in tomorrow." Anyway here are the pictures.

A day at the ballpark

Matt and the boys came to watch JJ play baseball. I thought this picture needed to be shared! (April 2007)

Dawn

The vanderpool home in all of its glory--recovered from the post traumatic wedding disorder.

I'm not too sure how many of you read the blog anymore, but I thought I'd try it out and see.

I need a little bit of advice. You see, I've always sent one child off to school before I had another one. It doesn't look like that's going to happen this time though, unless Joseph magically turns five by October... It could happen. Right? He could have his third birthday in July, his 4th in August, and one more in September. That would make five! I think that will work, don't you?

Dawn

Kenta Dean Vanderpool

Kenta Dean Vanderpool was born on saturday Feb. 9th at 2:26 pm. He was 8lbs. 7oz., 21 inches and is a pink and beautiful. he was born very quickly with only 4-5 pushes from Rieko. she was incredibly brave and strong and had him completely naturally. she only yelled a fow times and was able to control her tongue. she didn't even blame me or cuse me at all. it was an amazing and wonderful experience different from our first. our first was very calm and quiet. this was much more raw and natural. the result is the little miracle that is featured in the pictures. thanks for everyone that has lended so much support both near and far. love you all.
spencer rieko taiki and kenta

How many...

co-dependent mothers does it take to change a lightbulb?

That's ok, I'll just sit here and rock in the dark.

This is my guilt ridden post. Here are the pictures of the house in construction as requested.

Grateful to be alive

I wanted to get up in sacrament meeting and bear my testimony today but four different people decided to take the entire time by bringing up their scriptures and preaching sermons. So I will tell you all that I do indeed know that God the Father lives and is aware of our every need, desire, action and thought. If you haven't heard already I was in a pretty crazy car accident on Friday afternoon. I was on my way to the temple in Alan's little chevy cobalt. I was driving down the freeway in the far right lane just about to get off at my exit when a woman decided to change lanes right into me. We were almost neck and neck so I have no idea how she did not see me. I swerved to the right into the emergency lane and tried to speed up to avoid an accident but she hit the back left side of my car. This spun me out into traffic. I crossed four lanes of traffic and was about to slam head on into the median when a van hit my left front of the car by the tire. That turned me back across the four lanes of traffic and onto the shoulder where I ran over a sign and finally realized I still had my foot on the gas and was able to find the brake. I stopped the car about 15 yards from a gigantic sign that would have been very bad to hit. The traffic was heavy at the time so I have no idea how many more cars were not involved. It was just mine and the two cars that hit me. My airbags went off and I was able to walk away. The paramedics did take me to the hospital in an ambulance but only because I was pregnant. I went and they monitored the baby for six hours and then released me. I feel there were many miracles that occured during all of this. First that I lived through it and that no one elso was seriously injured. That I was hit in the perfect spots that caused me no harm. It could have been so much worse. Alan happened to have the day off of school and could come right away to me. That the neighbor girl just happened to be walking by our window home from the bus about 10 seconds after I called Alan. She stayed with the kids until 10pm that night when we finally got home from the hospital. I met a nurse and nurse midwife in the hospital that both gave me their home numbers, cell and pager numbers for when I go into labor since the hospitals here are not natural childbirth friendly but they are. I feel very blessed and grateful to only be sore and tired after it all. It was terrifying but most of all I know that the Lord protected me and kept me safe. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that blesses you when you are trying to live the commandments. This will not keep me from the temple. I will be returning as soon as I possibly can. Maybe even on Tuesday. I miss you all and can not wait to see everyone in a month. I can't wait to see Mom and Dad's new house and yard. I hear you can not recognize the place.
Amy

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

James and Karla Vanderpool Family
For all of you who didn't know Tara had a tumor removed and it was totally benign. We are grateful for that. Today we are pouring the front walkway and will irrigate soon with our whole new irrigation system. I love all these improvements and can't wait to see the final product, if we finish on time. The Morrisons have even sent their boys over to help. Their job is to remove all the lumber and stuff out back, which we will not miss. Dad has decided to hire someone to frame the house on Broadway. The stem wall is being poured this week. Mindy and I are on a diet to lose a little weight before the big day. She is doing well and Dad has even lost eight pounds on our diet. Only he still eats whatever he wants. I guess all men have to do is think it off. I have tried working outside like he does to see if that helps and only succeeded in injuring my already fragil knees. Andrew and Jonathan went skiing in Utah and Tuesday and I am wishing they were here to use all that energy helping on our yard. I am sure they are thrilled that they are not. Well see you all in March.
Love , MOM

Happy Anniversary mom and dad!!!!

Andrew, Thank you so much for the walk down memory lane. I loved it there in Rulison, Colorado. I almost cried when I thought of all the neat things we used to do there. Peter was a bueatiful red headed baby and Amy was so fun for Mindy and I to dress up. Mom never went more than 10 feet from the stove so we had alot of freedom. There was always somewhere to explore. The neighbors dump never got old. Who new there could be so much good stuff in the garbage. Mom grew the best carrotts ever. They tasted the sweetest laying on my stomach in the garden eating them fresh out of the ground with a little dirt still on them(sorry mom). Aaron walking Suzyanna the cow for hours because she was bloated and then the whole knife thing. I never noticed it was cold there. That little cabin by the stream was the best fort ever. I do remember those red skies could go faster down that hill than Aaron and Andrew could run from dad after his little brush fire. All the elk that would come up from the trees. I remember dads denim jacket he used to wear up on those cliffs. I felt like he was never warm enough for that job. I remember the day he lost that job on the mountian and dinner that night in the kitchen. The sled rides to the bus stop where the highlight of my day. Mom sliding the black Datsun into the ditch. Mindy and I spinning in the tire swing at school until I thought for sure my head would fall off or I would throw up my entire insides. Meeting the Potters for the first time. Being so thankful for the job Brother Potter got dad. Those were some of the best days of my childhood. It felt like all we had was our brothers and sisters to play with and our family to love. And that was enough.

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

James and Karla Vanderpool Family
Hi everyone! Where are you all? This site is worth keeping because of the news and pictures, especially for all those in foreign lands and artic places. Those of us in desert oasis's are very busy getting ready for a certain wedding reception happening on March 2nd. Hopefully when you all come you will see a completely new outside and at least a painted inside. Right now it looks like Iraq or better yet Afganistan (lacking the poppy fields which would be an improvement but have to remain unharvested). We have a hospital infirmiry going here for all the victims of the latest exotic flu going around. I felt like I had arthrites in my hands shoulder and neck, where Cory and Stacie looked like they were about to expire last night. Oh by the way thanks go out to Aaron for installing our new TV and surround sound. We can really blast the basement now. Speaking of the basement, Mindy is getting really excited to move to Idaho and get her own home again. And Rieko is looking forward to the arrival of Kenta and her mother, who ever come first. So never a dull moment here. Alan it is time for another of you juicy morsels.
MOM

We are having a hard time keeping Granny and Grandpa off the teeter totter that Santa Claus brought. We had to bribe them with kool aid and cookies so the other kids could have a ride.

Goodbye Navy!!!! Hello Utah????

Yes, you read that right. Utah. I'm not too sure how we settled on that state but here we go. This Vanderpool family jumps in head first intead of feet first and it might just knock us out one of these days.
Jonathan is just 22 days away from being a civilian again (thank goodness) and we are planning a move away from trees (darn) and toward warmer weather (goody). Maybe we can go swimming this summer. I havn't put on a bathing suit since we left Arizona over 6 years ago.
Asher is excited to see his DaDa again but will miss his Gama and Pa Pa. We are planing on being in Arizona for Cory's wedding. But sadly, will not make it as we had hoped for Christmas.
So, on a more family related matter, those of you who provided me with correct current addresses and phone numbers for the family phone list, thank you. However, I have proof that at least five families goofed and gave me either incorrect addresses or have moved since early December. Multiple Christmas cards have come back to me as undeliverable. However, we have received more Christmas cards this year than in all the past 5 years combined just from the Vanderpool relatives. I love it. I get pictures of kids I have never met from their parents I have never seen and they are sincerely wishing me a great holiday season. I love it.

Info on Aaron's graduation ceremonies

I know that this is a little late in coming, but Aaron is not an easy man to pull details from. Here is the scoop on Aaron's graduation ceremonies. Please know that we would love to have any one that would like to come be there. We also know that life is crazy for one and all, so please don't feel that we are requiring your attendance. Come to one, both or none of the ceremonies, do what works for you guys.

Thurs Dec. 14th is the university grad. ceremony. It starts at 10AM at the Wells Fargo Arena on ASU campus. They will open the doors for seating at 9AM and the ceremony starts at 10AM. There is free parking in lot 59 and handicapped parking in lot 58 (i thinks this is the NE side of the arena if not follow the signs). The ASU website says it should last 90 minutes. Aaron will be hooded at this ceremony.

Friday Dec. 15th is the college of engineering grad ceremony. It will start at 4:30 PM and I believe that the seating times will be the same, they website didn't say for sure. They are saying 90 minutes for this one too. This will also be at the Wells Fargo Arena and parking is free in lot 59. Aaron will be presented by his advisor here.

AFTER THURS. CEREMONY THERE WILL BE A LUNCH HELD AT MY PARENTS HOME FOR EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED GRADUATION OR ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US. We are guessing that everyone can be to the Anderson home by about 1PM. We will have lunch at the park across from their house. If you have camp chairs please throw them in. You might need a jacket if it is cool. My parents live on Higley just south of Broadway. From the 60 head north on Higley, cross Southern, on the right hand side of the road you will pass an LDS church. Just pass the church you will see a big white sign that says Monarch Homes Heritage _______( something) turn right just after the sign. You will go through some black gates. Turn right as you come through the gates. My folks are the house in the corner as the street curves. Their address is

5229 E. Carmel Ave. Mesa, AZ 85206
Call their house if you have problems 480-838-7520.

If you have any more questions please give me a call 480-840-3081.
Thanks,
Jennifer

James and Karla Vanderpool Family

James and Karla Vanderpool Family
When we got home from Hawaii I was discoursing at great lengths to Amy about what a great time we had that she got tired of hearing about it and told me to just blog some pictures. Put up or shut up basically. It intimated me so badly that I haven't been able to blog in over a month. So please believe me that Dad and I had a wonderful time in paradise and will be forever grateful to our children for making it all possible and will prove it in a year or two when we finally develop the pictures, wait is that what you do with digital pictures? I'm so confused.
We have been seeing a lot of a young lady named Stacy around here lately and think she will be a fine addition to our collection of inlaws. She however is still waiting for us to begin acting normal and I would except it has been so long that I not sure what normal looks like. If you read Alan's last blog the picture doesn't clear up much but at least he blogs. He has promised to teach us how to smoke when he gets here so we can have our new daughters family over for dinner. You see they cater and when they had us over the food was hard to beat. So Alan knock yourself out. By the way did everyone get their Christmas assignments. If not let us know and we will email then again. See, I'm not technically backward.
Love,
MOM

Why are the labels on my pants different?

Well, it has come to the time of year when the graduating class here is getting ready to leave. I have made some good friends, but I must take my rightful place at the top. It's a dog eat dog world out there, and I have one of those invisible shocking fences, so good luck. Anyway, we had our friends over for dinner tonight. I helped them pack their truck for a few hours, and we thought it might be nice for them to be able to sit down and have a home cooked meal with utensils etc. I promised them another delicious barbecue chicken meal. They think it's the best chicken, and they're probably right. I had timed everything (because that's what I do) to be done on time. I lit the charcoal, allowed time to burn down, and then placed the chicken on the grill. I then had what we in the barbecue world affectionately call a "flamey". Needless to say, I asked, "What?" as in what did I do to deserve this? Within a few seconds, Amy came outside to see what was the matter. Apparently, I exclaimed this to the entire neighborhood. She was concerned, probably one of those image things again. Boy have I got a lot to learn. The chicken turned out OK. No, who am I kidding? It was delicious.

I left school a little early today to help my buddy pack. We had a lecture from a guy who mistakenly thought I cared where he went on vacation last year. He also thought I was listening fifteen minutes later when the actual meat and potatoes began. Again, mistaken, for it was only the top of my head he did see. He went off on facial asymmetry, I went off on why they chose the always loveable Mark Linn-Baker to play Balki's cousin Larry Appleton in the late 80s hit Perfect Strangers. Oh the hijinks those two got into. Did you know that this show enjoyed 150 episodes spanning more than seven years? Anyway, two minds diverged in the lecture hall, and that is what made all the difference.

I am looking forward to spending some time with you all in Arizona. I can't wait to see the palm trees with Christmas lights. To close, I would also like to tell you that Amy keeps washing my shirts in hot water, and they are getting smaller. Some of my classic "blood donation" shirts barely reach the top of my pants now. Amy says I need new shirts, but they remind me of what I have eaten, and that feels good.
Later.

Alan's famous brother

I was sitting down eating breakfast this morning when I saw a familiar face come on the TV. It was Dr. Aaron Petersen doing a commercial for Southwest..... Eye Care. It was a kick actually knowing someone on TV. The kids wanted to know when it was uncle Alan's turn to be on TV. They figure Alan is famous because his brother was in a commercial.
Jennifer

Halloween Fun

I thought I would post a couple of pictures from Halloween. I haven't posted in way too long. Eleanor was the only one who stuck with the same costume at all four Halloween events we went to. She is a "ballerina witch" but lost her hat (when it is sitting in the middle of the family room it is quite hard to find)for one night. Mark was so excited to get the Jedi costume from the Whites (Thank you so much for sending that)so he didn't have to be the same ninja as last year. Bradley had a few costumes from Superman to Woody and anything else he could pull out of the dress up box. Luke got to be the standby lamb and also a dinosaur. Luke was in absolute heaven the night of Trick or Treating. He said it so cutely and thought it was fabulous that you could go from door to door and they would give you candy. With his eating obsession this was the best night of his life. Mark and Bradley figured out that if you ran the whole time you got way more candy. Thank goodness we went with friends and one of the dad's was willing to run with the older boys. Eleanor loved her costume and had a great time at all the parties and trick-or-treating. She did get her face painted at the ward party and it broke her out horribly. We will never do face painting again on her. We had a fun time this Halloween but I am glad to be done with it as well. I learned it is much easier to set out a bowl of candy than to constantly answer the door. Everyone was great about only taking a few until late at night and then, thank goodness, someone cleaned us out. I love that method. I would love to see pictures of your kids as well.
Amy