Happy 15th Anniversary!

We celebrated our 15th Anniversary on May 29th of 2007. It was a special evening alone for the two of us, something we don't do very often. Larry took me to an outstanding restaurant which gives new meaning to the words "fine dining". We decided that we would definitely be coming back to that restaurant.

We are both very thankful for the work that God has done in our lives and in our marriage over the past 15 years. It has been His hand that has sustained us and brought us through the trying times. May we continue to seek Him together for the rest of our days.

Musings from Mom.

1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

I must admit that often times I find myself weary in well doing. This verse was salve to my soul this morning as I read it. All that we do as Moms and as Dads will not be in vain, if done for the Lord. May God grant each one of us strength to do the work set before us this day. ~Amen

Monday, May 14, 2007. Track awards.

Our Hayden Tigers. Brian, age 12 on the top, Ellie, age 14 bottom left and Thomas, age 14 middle right. They all did a tremendous job and increased their speed throughout the season. Spending time with the schools kids from the area was very eye opening for them. They are very thankful to be homeschooled.

Brian is in the center of this picture with the plaid shirt on. Due to the very low battery on the camera and the generally dim conditions of school auditoriums, the pictures didn't turn out as well as we hoped.
Ellie is on the left in the white skirt and flowered top. Thomas is to the immediate right between Ellie and the tall boy at the right.
You may be able to make out Thomas in this picture, although most of his body is covered up.

Day 5 of the concrete. May 18, 2007.

Today was the day to pour the front walkway and stoop. I am standing on what will be the stoop looking down the walkway. It curves to connect with the driveway at the far end.

I included this picture with Seth in it so you can see the finished house slab which was poured on day 4, May 17th, just one day prior. On the far right of the picture is the patio slab, poured on day 3.

Day 2 of the concrete. May 11, 2007.

Today was the driveway pour. The house is situated on a cul-de-sac so our driveway is curved. See picture #2.
This was a fun picture to take right up the chute. The concrete was thick enough that it was coming down pretty slow. *nobody was injured in the shooting of this picture*
You can see the arch to the driveway in this picture. I can't wait to use it!

Concrete, concrete and more concrete. May 10, 2007.

First day of pouring. The garage slab will get done today.
This would be the initial conference while waiting for the concrete truck. Notice the fashionable rubber concrete boots. Also notice the in-floor heating tubes. That's a very nice thing on a cold morning.
This would be boss Larry commanding the "troops". What a great group of guys we had to help with the pours. Thanks guys!
And the power trowel to make the finish nice and pretty. Behind Larry you see the house area prepped for it's concrete. It will be a few days before that gets poured.

mini-update

Since the last post, we celebrated two birthdays, ran in several more track meets, busily worked on the foundation of the house, purchased our summer swimming pools and have read a few good books.
Here are the athletes posing after the Hayden Tigers track meet. They came away with a medal and many ribbons from this event. It was a joy to watch them run. The track season was supposed to be wrapped up today, but due to inclement weather, the track meet was cancelled/postponed. We will find out more details this week.

Larry has been a member of the American Legion Post 89 for the past 2 years. He was recently voted Chaplain for his Post. He is pictured here in his official uniform just prior to a funeral.

Because will have grass seed sown in a few weeks, we needed to find outdoor activities that didn't involve the yard. Following in the footsteps of last year, we decided to purchase a few small inflatable pools that will fit on our back deck. These kept the children cooled off and occupied during many a hot summer day last year and we look forward to many great pictures this year.

We try to read each day a little from a good book. We are engrossed in a Lamplighter book right now, called "Christie's Old Organ". Such a beautiful story. The children are eager to get to the end! They don't know that this book also has a sequel.

Finally, some concrete! April 16, 2007

After a few days of setting up the forms and tying endless bundles of rebar, Monday came and so did the pump truck and concrete! I like to watch the whole process, so I made my way down to the lot and watched them dump the concrete into the forms. It is quite amazing how the sludge turns into such solid, smooth concrete. We look forward to pouring the slabs and walkways in another week or so.

"Siamese twins". April 14, 2007 - Kremmling Track Meet, Kremmling, CO

These two characters, Joseph on the left and Matthew on the right, were stuffing themselves into Dad's coat as they watched along. We all had a great time!

Editor's note: This post as well as the following two, are all in regard to the same activity. I am not yet capable of posting the words directly below the pictures without doing them in separate posts. Please excuse my ignorance as I fumble through my first blog.

Her first dash.

Here runs the full-of-stamina, Ellie, at the end of her 200m dash. It was a great run for her first time and she is excited about the next track meet this Wednesday. Thanks to Dad and to Grandpa Terry for the pointers on form!

Their first track meet.

This would be the handsome duo, Thomas on the left, Brian on the right, in the first 800m run of the season. It was a beautiful day for a jog and the boys did a fabulous job. Kudos to both of you for a fine run.

the little girls

We had great fun trying to get the little girls to pose for this picture. Ruthie is now walking everywhere so she was not very willing to stand still. She kept walking to me, wanting to touch the camera. Sabrina's hair is just long enough for piggy tails, although they more closely resemble fuzzy antennae. We weren't able to get a picture of the girls in their matching pink spring dresses before they had them dirty. Stay tuned, that picture may show up soon.

before & after

It was obviously time for a buzz. They are all sporting their spring/summer look with "high and tights" for three of them and just a trim for the other two. Joseph is sure to let haircut Alice know that he doesn't want her to cut off all of his curls.

An afternoon at the park.

The first picture is Matthew. The second picture is Ruth fighting the wind. Note the monkey hanging by one arm in the third picture. That would be Nicholas right next to Maria. This little park is located a few blocks from our house in a new sub-division going in right next to ours. For now, there are no homes built so the park is usually empty. It was about 60 degrees yesterday and the kids were itching to run and enjoy the fresh air outside. We spent about an hour at the park with some of the Chaney family, Natalie, Julia and Elliot. One bloody nose and the afternoon was complete. The kids are already asking to go back this afternoon.

Its that time again.

It is spring and we find ourselves at the beginning of another exciting building project. Let's call it 304 Lilac Ct in Hayden, CO. On the left we have "Big Henry" the equipment of the day, helping to dig out the trench that will service this new house. Looking on, from left to right, are Joseph, Maria, Seth, Sabrina, Matthew and Nicholas. They had to look into the trench to see what Dad was doing.

Spring is full of new beginnings for just about everything, the Pederson family included. I look forward to watching this new house get out of the ground and the children love to walk down the hill to see what Dad and Seth are up to. Walking down snacks and water gives each of us an excuse to see the progress being made, and the messenger is always willing to share the latest news with those of us at home that didn't make the trek.