Traditions

Now that I have finally become a part of the "kid club" I have really been trying to start some family tradtions with the girls. Sofia is at the age that she remembers some of the smaller ones that I have tried to pass on from my childhood days. Here's the question...Can you tell me some of your own traditions that you do (or would like to start). I would love to hear them and if you don't mind possibly incorporate some into our family. Keep in mind that imitation is the best form of flattery! So list away- you might even find some we do interesting.

• Every Sunday morning we make pancakes: it varies on what kind depending on what I have in the fridge. Some of our favorites are blueberry, applesauce, peach and banana. Sofia says "see" and drags the chair to watch me make the batter.
• Now that Sofia is past her first Christmas, as kids we were allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve. Well be starting that tradition but having the girls open a "special" gift this year. Were going to have christmas pajamas each year. Artyom and I have matching and the girls will as well this year. So each year, the present our kids will open on Christmas Eve will always be thier Christmas Pajamas to put on and wear Christmas Day.
• Daddy/Daughter Date night- Artyom started this with Sofia when I just needed a break. Now we have decided that we need to do it with all of our kids. He takes Sofia out once a week for a night with Dad. It usually is only for an hour or two, but I love that he does it. It might get a bit complicated when Ella gets old enough to go and we add more to our brood, but we have already started the practice and want to keep it going.
• My girls (however many we end up having) will have christmas tree ornaments (all Russian ones). They get one each year and I put them in a box. I had heard of other moms doing this and then giving thier girls the ornaments when they get married. I loved the idea and am doing the same.
• Our tree is only decorated with Russian ornaments. I really try to incorporate our Russian culture and even try to keep the holidays that Russia celebrates.

Those are a few that I could think of...Please, list yours and lets brainstrom together!

Devon is one

On Tuesday our little boy turned one. We took him out for ice cream on his birthday, or the truth be told we took ourselves out for ice cream. He did enjoy very much the little tastes that he got. Today we had some neighbors over for cake, ice cream and presents. Our neighbors are like family to us and so it was nice to have them over celebrating this special occasion. Devon had no interest in the presents basically, however he loved the camera. It is rare I know but he actually likes to be photographed. He will probably have the best scrapbook.




Now to explain why it may seem unbelievable that Devon is one year old. I was sure he would be my biggest baby, he definitely was in my tummy. Once again I have been disappointed, and I am starting to become frustrated with the dead-beat Pederson genes. At one year Devon is my smallest child. I will not state his stats for fear that some of you may judge my ability to feed my baby. I will just say that as I got out his winter clothes (6-12 mos.) I cringed because I still had to roll the legs. Who knows when he will face forward in the car. Poor guy!!

Life's simple pleasures...

Granted, it would have been better if I could say this little outing was free...But she loved it so much (well worth the $2) that when we took her to the petting Zoo next to the horse rides, it took all 3 of us to tear her away from looking longingly through the fence to where "HER" horse stood...riderless once more

Maya's Blessing...and so it begins.

All the Pederson Cousin's with spouses that were there...Not a bad looking group!

All the GIRL Pederson cousins with 2 newborns and 2 pregnant...all girls!

Here are a few pictures from Maya Hansen's blessing. Keep in mind that Ella and Maya are a mere 2 days apart....

Concert in the Park.

If you have not been to a concert in the park, please go. It is a great way to hear some fabulous music and spend some time with your family. We went to the "culture night" where a friend of ours was dancing in a Russian group. 

As most of the people were watching the dancers.....a few Russians we met were watching another Russian dancing queen...

Notice the shot I caught mid "Jump"

Blog Vomit

I am in no way making excuses for myself, but due to the fact that I have 2 kids, a husband, and work full time I rarely find the time to make up a creative blog entry let alone put in a picture as Sofia is often taking the garbage out of the can (she is doing this as I type...) and using the can as her personal shopping cart as she goes throughout our house which she mistakes as a Smith's.... Anyway. Excuse the blog vomit of entries one after the other and not spread out as I am taking advantage of some free time. 

Again..

Whoops. you will have to put the year born down for the grandkids...forgot that part.

Family B-Day List Revision

For those of us who read this....Liane? Liane are you out there? Have you come to the blog? Anyhoo- this might be for Tonya more than anyone since I cant change things on the main page...but I think it would be easier to put the months down and then the birthdays in that month- I put some spelling corrections in too. That way as the grandkids list grows and Russell's future spouse (wherever she might be) we can just update the month rather than the order. What do you think? I have it listed below for all to check. We will just update as they come. Feel free to just cut and paste onto the main page. Thank you over and over again for doing this. I love it!

January

1-Grandpa Ped

20-Nicole Ped

February

?-Kurt Ped

6-Paul Ped

March

8-Artyom Martushev

April

11-Heidi Ped

17-Nathan Ped

18-Derek Ped

May

9-Jon Ped

12-McKena Ped

14-Spencer Ped

?-Krystal Ped

June

2-Charity Martushev

July

7-Ella Martushev

17-Liane Ped

August

14-Tonya Ped

25-Ryan Ped

September

15-Lauren Ped

21-Madalyn Ped

23-Devon Ped

October

7-Sofia Martushev

November

1-Mason Ped

10-Russ Ped

December

27-Dave Ped

* We just need Krystals day in August...anyone else?

Jon and Heidi

Here is the blog that Heidi set up for them. Just an FYI. http://www.jon-heidi.blogspot.com/

Birthday List

Tonya,

Since you created this wonderful Blog, can you put on the layout a birthday list? If everyone would put thier birthdate on here including any kids, I think it would be a great reminder for all of us! Tonya, here are the ones that I know of if you could add them. If they are on the "layout" it will be on the front page for all to see.

Martushev's
Artyom- March 8
Charity - June 2
Sofia- October 7
Ella- July 7

Paul Pederson's
Paul- February 6
Liane- July 17
Madeline (sp?) TBA

Russ- November 10
Jon- May 9
Grandpa Pederson-January 1

Dave Pederson's
David- December 27
Nicole- January 20
Nathan- April 17
Derek- April 18


I know Im missing a couple, but that is all I could remember. Please add and post to the main page everyone! Thanks!

Family Pics

I love Sofia's eyelashes in this picture!!



Just a few more pictures from our "photo shoot" with my friend Emily.

Big girl...

We took Sofia to Gardner Village the other day and let her ride the horses. To say she loved it would be an understatement. My friend Plaksey got this one of her as she tried to escape back into the horse arena to get another ride. She is growing up too fast.

It helps to have friends with talent!

Our growing family...
Thank heaven for little girls...
There are no words...

A friend that I used to work with is now into photography and offered to take some pictures of our Ella and Family. I wanted to post a few that she has taken. These are just a few that she gave us to peak our interest. Ill post the others when I get them. What a talent she has. Let me know if you would like her information. She is terrific! Thanks so much Emily- we love them