Sleeping like a...well, like only Ella can.

Since all the pics we took our still on our camera awaitng us to download them, I leave you with this pic of Ella on our trip. This is how most of our roadtrips start and end actually. This girl can fall asleep in the car in 5 minutes flat!!

A few more wedding pics

Wedding of Jessie and Scott Stallings

 All three girls could not wait thier turn to go up to the bride and give her a hug! So cute.

 Maya SO looks up to her big cousin Sofia. They were practically inseperable the entire day!

 Our not so little anymore-Miss Ella. Starting her lunch with dessert first. We let it slide!

I need to get the pics that I took on here, but thought I would steal a few of Josh Hansen's so others could see as well. This last weekend Jessica got married to Scott Stallings and it was a long and fun weekend full of a reception, sealing luncheon and more. Here are a few pics of all the fun we had and of course-The Happy Couple. Congrats to them!

Mormon Battalion Museum

During our vacation to California, we hesitated on making the drive to San Diego for the day, but in the end, our curiosity won out and we drove South to the border. We did not cross the border into Mexico, but got close going to Old San Diego and walking around. We also visited the Mormon Battalion Museum in Old San Diego. If you have not been there, and are in the area, we HIGHLY recommend going. Our friends the Kings recommended us going and were SO glad we took thier advice. I don't want to ruin the fun, but its super fun with up-to-date technololgy that takes you back in time to when the Mormon Battalion was formed and what they went through.
The girls got to pan for gold, pump water and make bricks (those pics are coming!). We are now honorary members of the Mormon Battalion and even got our picture taken. The missionaries on the site were great tour guides and not only answered all of our questiong but were very nice. It was a TON of fun- and FREE!

The girls had to get one with just the two of them and we also got one of our family of four.

Downtown on Dwellable

This kind of bond does'nt break

Back in 1998, I was serving a mission in Russia and my district in the city of Perm where I was serving was working on getting a young man baptized whose parents were already members. I remember praying for this particular potential member who we all knew would be a great addition to the church someday. Well, Artyom decided to get baptized and Louis aka Elder Horvath was the one who baptized him. I remember getting a picture with a short note on the back telling me that it finally happened. It was a good day. Well fast forward 7 years later and that "young man" and myself were sealed in the Portland, Oregon Temple. Another good day.
Last week, we were able to travel to California and see one of my old companions who I served with in Perm, Russia-Kristina Crain King. Yet another good day.
When I found out that we were going to California, I decided to see if I could pull off the ultimate surprise for Artyom. I emailed Louis Horvath and asked about getting Artyom and himself together. He was great and agreed immediately and promised to keep the secret! Well we pulled it off. I had to totally throw Artyom off a few times, but I was able to keep it underwraps. Saturday we made the drive, telling him we were meeting a bunch of friends for a BBQ. When we pulled up to the house, I asked him, "Who do you see?" Well at the time, there were just Horvath's kids running up to the car so he smiled, waved and said, well I see kids. I said look again! Who do you see?! Horvath came up to the car and Artyom did a double take. ITS HORVATH!!! It was awesome. Alot of laughs, some tears (coming from me of course!) and after 15 years, Louis Horvath and Artyom Martushev were able to see one another again.

It was a VERY good day...

Well in THIS economy...

Here's the thing...I have been wanting to get the girl's pics done for awhile now. I've REALLY wanted family pics to be done, and they will ne next month, but it has taken 3 cancellations to get there. Were busy people. Anyway, when I came across the 16 x 20 freebie I took advantage and then got a 10 x 13 to boot for $4.99. so these are the ones I picked out. SO CUTE!!! Im very happy with the way they turned out. These two are growing up WAY too fast one me, and I needed a photo to freeze at least THIS moment in time.
After all, in this and EVERY Economy, I'm sticking to the Pederson Family Mantra..."Free is a very good price." If you can tell me who we took that slogan from, I'll be VERY impressed!!

A Rhyming we will go

Our Ward recently split our primary into Junior and Senior classes and as much as it had to be done, the Junior Primary seems a bit sparse at times. This means that the roatation of kids giving talks, prayers and the scripture comes around your way much faster than before. You may recall that Sofia gave a talk 3 weeks ago. The next week Ella had the scripture and then again the week after that, Sofia came running up with that slip of paper that you KNOW means you will be rhyming once more for a talk that kids will understand and finding pictures to go along with it.
The latest subject? "When I turn 8 I can be baptized" So here is what she said, rhymed, repeated...whatever. ")

8 is a magical number, the others are still as much fun

But when I turn 8 I can be baptized so its kind of a magical one.

I want to choose right, I want to follow- the example the Savior gave me

And so I'll be baptized, fully in water whether it be the lake, a font or the sea.

I choose the right when Im baptized- I choose the right when I'm confirmed

It's a gift of the Holy Ghost we are given -It's a gift that has to be earned.

I love our church and always want to be part of it-and go to the temple some day

So it's my job to choose the right in each and every way.

I love my Heavenly Father so I always try to choose right

I know sometimes I don't do so, but I try to with all of my might.

So I promise to my Heavenly Father-to always do my part

To choose the right, to be baptized, and love others with all of my heart.

Welcoming Summer Party!

 Trying to blow bubbles through the hoola hoop! Genius!!

Ella was in the water so much that she started to shiver and her lips were going a bit pale shade of blue. But much like our Ella, NOTHING could keep her out of the water!!! In again she went.

 Phahaha! This one just makes me laugh...It took Sofia a minute to actually WANT to go on the slip and slide, which is typical for her. Once she did though, she LOVED it!!

 Look at this bunch of kids!!! So much fun!!

You know you have a pretty great bestie when she ASKS to watch the girls on a certain day to take them to the "Welcoming Summer Party" that she and her sister had for all the kids. The girls got an invite in the mail and everything and were over the moon excited about it. Sun, water, popsicles, games, and kids. What could be more exciting than that?! So shout out to Jacki and her sister Becky for the fun time.

Our Preschool Graduate

There she is...in all her preschool cardboard and string hat glory. Sofia Hope has once again hurdled another milestone...She has graduated Preschool. I was ever the Mom as I met Artyom and the girls at the school. I had comb, headband and bows in my purse and was doing the girls hair as we walked into the school. Sigh. Such is the life. She sang "Horray for the Parade of Colors" song that she had been telling me about for weeks saying, "Mom, you are just going to LOVE it. It's SO cool!" It made me laugh each time. She was the color yellow and "wiggled like jello" and on cue, did her part. The preschool teacher asked that we no post pics of the entire class for privacy reasons, so these are the few I have from my phone. Not the best quality, but they work!
The other with Sof and The Red Flame I specifically posted for my Dad....Recognize the shirt? It is one you gave him. He wore it proudly!