Family, Fowl, and Football!

November 20 - December 2, 2024

With Thanksgiving celebrations quickly fading into the past, I decided it was way past time to recount our blessings as we have so very much to be thankful for.  

Overall, our health has continued to allow us to keep busy and stay on the go.  Dick’s battle with glaucoma resulted in having a tube shunt surgically implanted in his right eye. The healing seems to be moving along, although at somewhat of a tortoise’s pace!  It’s a long process but worth it.  The idea of the procedure is to drain fluid and reduce eye pressure.  I think it’s fair to count medical advancements and our physicians as a huge blessing!

With that said, we’ve taken a couple of trips over the past couple of months (that’s a pretty good ratio if you ask me!).  Our first adventure was a trip to Salt Lake City.  It was a positive take on a “one-two punch” that led us there.  The first nudge that got us there was Brandon and Anne’s standing invitation for us to visit. We’d never spent Thanksgiving in SLC which was more than reason enough to go!  Add to it that the Cyclones played the Utes only a few days before Thanksgiving, making it a trip that was impossible to resist!  

It was a “house divided” at the game as Brandon teaches at the U of U, so you can guess who he was cheering for.  Josh also joined us for the game and followed in his father’s loyalty to their local team.  We didn’t hold that against them.  All looked good for the local team as the Cyclones seemed to be doing their best to lose the game.  Just as I was beginning to resign myself to a loss, the Cyclones managed to pull ahead with only a couple of minutes remaining on the scoreboard.  Just to top off the suspense, the Utes’ response was to march down the field, getting close enough to attempt a last second, game-tying field goal… which they missed.  With that, the stadium fell silent – except for the smattering cheers of glee from the Cyclone fans!  Our visit was off to a solid start!

As much fun as the game was, having the opportunity to follow Zoe, Eva and Josh in all of the activities they participate in was even better!  We got to visit Zoe’s preschool, which Zoe was very eager to show us!  It was delightful seeing her eagerness for us to meet her teachers and friends.  Zoe doesn’t have a shy bone in her body and is such an easygoing gal!  I also got to participate in Zoe’s Music Together class.  Again, the interaction with her friends and the teacher was heartwarming.  Newly released in the theatres was Moana 2, which Zoe was super excited to go see.  It was fun to go see the movie with her, but what made it really special was that this was Zoe’s first trip to a theatre.  I’m not sure Zoe was really quite ready for the “big screen”, as some of the more dramatic moments of this Disney film were really quite frightening for this three-year-old!  Apparently, size does matter! 

Zoe and Nana being silly

Zoe’s first movie!

Zoe and Barb with Magnetiles

Josh was busy with piano lessons, choir rehearsals and performances (for both West HS and Madeleine Choir School), cross-country practice, and homework.  In his spare time he joined us in watching televised football games!  This 14-year-old certainly has a lot going on in his life.  Josh has jumped into life at West High School with both feet – quite literally!  Cross country has captured his heart and Josh is very committed to getting in his daily workout routine.  Josh’s competitive nature not only serves him well with the XC team, but academics are another area where Josh thrives.  Despite being constantly involved with one thing or another, he managed a 4.0 GPA for his first quarter of high school.  To top things off, Josh took on the role of Teddy Roosevelt for the school’s production of Annie.  It’s a good thing this kid can survive on minimal sleep!

Josh is officially taller than me.  Did he grow or did I shrink?  I know the answer to that question.

Eva seems to be following in a lot of Josh’s footsteps.  As a 6th grader, Eva has been asked to sing solo spots that are typically sung by 7th or 8th grade students.  Eva has a voice of an angel and takes her role in choir very seriously.  

Eva often accompanied me on morning hikes along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.  Access to this trail is only a short distance from their front door.  It’s hard to find a better way to start a day than a hike on one of the many trails in this scenic spot!  Sometime ago, Brandon showed me a 2-mile loop that leads you up to a stunning overlook of the city.  Although there are so many trails to choose from, I consistently choose this one.  Knowing I won’t get lost on it is, honestly, another appeal of this particular trail!

Thanksgiving was extra special this year as we gathered around the table not only with Brandon’s family, but also with Anne’s parents.  Maurice and Julie purchased a home in nearby Bountiful fall of 2024 so having both sets of grandparents joining in on the festivities was delightful!

With “the feast” behind us, decorating for Christmas rose to the top of the agenda.  It was with much joy that we joined in on adorning their Christmas tree!  This was another first for us.  It was made especially sweet as we had decided not to put up our own Christmas tree this year.  We would be getting home in a week, and then leaving on another trip the day following Christmas.  With such a short season to enjoy the tree, we decided to omit it for the very first time in our life.  

This also was the beginning of Advent.  The Madeleine Choir School has a wonderful tradition of inviting the families to join together in their cafeteria to create an advent wreath for their own dining room tables.  We’ve always had an advent wreath at our dining room table, but not one with fresh evergreens!

Anne’s skill in the kitchen, with all of her culinary delights, made taking daily hikes more than necessary.   Burning off some of those calories was dictated or I was going to have to purchase a new wardrobe!  It was fun working side-by-side in the kitchen with both Anne and Eva!  I have to admit, I kept my duties mostly focused on the clean-up side of things.  I think there is a saying about the number of cooks in the kitchen that offers some sage advice! 

There were several hikes that stood out as highlights, one of them being the trip we took to Mill Creek Canyon.  We were well removed from the sights and sounds of the city, remotely tucked away on a trail lined with junipers and stunning snow-covered mountains.  Zoe really wanted to be an independent hiker, but with some of the steep drop offs, she was restricted to holding an adult’s hand or being carried.  Oh, for the years of being blinded from the hazards life offers!  Life through a child’s eyes really is a beautiful thing -- full of curiosity and innocence.

The Cyclone game was not the only game to occupy our time together.  Notre Dame had a big game against USC that we gathered around the big screen for, cheering and jeering the afternoon away.  It was fun having the three generations of Petersons analyzing, anticipating and celebrating all of the elements of good football!  Observing Brandon and Josh take in this game brought back so many memories of Dick and Brandon from what seems like only yesterday.  

Before we knew it, it was time to head to the airport and get back to somewhat of a normal routine.  Our timing was pretty good.  Shortly after we left, the inversion that Salt Lake City occasionally experiences began to move in.  It seems there is always a trade off in life.  The beauty of the mountains offering the stunning hikes and views is a hard benefit to overtake though.  I imagine a few days of “fog” is worth the trade off!

Obviously, family is another huge blessing.  In addition to Brandon’s family, we are so very thankful for Venems’ and Cranes’ love and support.  When it comes right down to it, family is what it’s all about.  

It’s been close to 20 months now since we have re-established a residence. Our community, neighbors, friends, church, and activities in greater Des Moines are also on our list of things we are thankful for.  We truly have a blessed life and count each day as a gift from God!

Next up:  Bahamas!