Fun party..

Yesterday, Ryan and Lizeth had their daughter's 1st birthday party. It was at a new park in Fontana. We really enjoyed it there. Chase and Savannah played really hard. The guys played football and even had a jump rope contest--pretty funny. They were seeing who could jump and do a push up. It was pretty cool to watch and it looked difficult to do. It was a hot windy day but later it cooled down. We drank lots of water. It's so crazy when you get pictures taken of your kids and realize how fast they're growing. Every month feels like they grow an inch. Here are the kids playing at the playground:

Counting down the days....

A week from today, Greg will be leaving. I'm trying not to be sad, and I'm just making the most out of it. The farewell party was perfect. It was everything I imagined, and Greg and I will never forget it. We even managed to keep it a secret from Greg. That was really tough!!

I had Greg's brothers and his friend Josh "roast" him. They said some sweet things too. After that we watched a slide show that Ryan but together for me. I am excited to start a new chapter in our life, but pretty scared to be away from him. Thanks to everyone for helping make it such a special night. Here are some pictures from the party:

We're here!

Just wanted to post what we have been up too. Lately, we have been here at home spending lots of time with Greg. It's been so much fun. Chase and Savannah have been able to play all day with their dad. We also have been swimming a few times. Last week we went with Kristin, Monty, Mammy, and the boys to a water park in Fontana. It was really fun and I loved the water temperature. There is a lot of fun stuff to do. Yesterday we went to Marci and the girls' pool. Another fun day! All of the Peterson grandchildren played all together. It's fun to watch them play together.
This week Greg started a mini-preschool schedule for Chase and he really likes it. Savy joins in too. One morning I did it and it felt like Chase wasn't taking me as serious as he did with Greg. I'm not going to give up though, until he takes me serious. He did well with me but when I asked him to answer questions, he wouldn't answer correctly when I knew that he knew the right answer.
Last Saturday we had a Farewell Surprise party for Greg. I made it a surprise because he wouldn't have let me do one for him. He was very surprised! I don't have any pictures because my batteries where died. I'm a little mad that our batteries didn't charge but no worries my sister in law Michelle got some pictures and is going to give them to me this weekend. Thanks Michelle!

The kids' photo shoot with auntie Michelle!

I am so glad Michelle took the kids' pictures because we needed updated professional pictures. We are VERY lucky to have an amazing photographer in our family. I told Michelle even though we will be moving away, she's still going to be our photographer. She does an awesome job! Thanks again Michelle! These are our favorite pictures:

Savy's 2nd birthday!

Our little Savannah is two now. She had a special birthday weekend! We had a good time with our family up in Big bear. It's beautiful there but the car ride up is rough. Chase gets real car sick, like me, so going he got sick. He felt better right after losing it. Coming back home I gave him dramamine, soooo no sickness. He and Savy had a blast playing in the cabin. Heres a picture of Chase and Savannah playing outside with their cousins Xavier, Alyssa, and Kayla:Downstairs there was a big game room that had a pool table, air hockey, and foosball so we played lots of games most of the time. Here's Chase playing a game with grandpa and Xavier in the early morning:On Saturday, afternoon we visited the little zoo in Moonridge. Savannah loved it but would get scared if she felt too close to the animals. Funny girl! That night she had her party. She's a pro blowing out candles. The lakers won the finals.YYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY! Well, we had a good time watching the game with Lizeth and Ryan at their house. They made a cake for Savy. Lucky girl! Chase loved playing with Ryan and Lizeth's WII station. He was in heaven! WE are soooo blessed to have a wonderful family. WE love you!

Our little Savannah!

This Sunday Savannah will turn 2! She has grown up so much. She is really pleasant but lately is becoming a little rough:) We love her so much and she brings soooooooo much joy to her brother, Dad, and Mom. I wanted to write down 1o things about her:

1.She wants to eat all day, but eats very little at a time.

2. She can't stay still not even to watch TV.

3. She tries to do whatever Chase does.

4. She LOVES to play, especially outside.

5. If she needs to be outside, she'll get Mammy to change her diaper so that she will take her to the outside trash can. Then she'll want to set on the door step--she says, "sit down, sit down."

6. She is starting to talk more but is really quite.

7. One of her favorite things to say is "happy candy." Whenever she gets really hurt, her dad gives her candy to make her feel better. He calls it happy candy. So sometimes she'll get a really sad look on her face and say as sadly as she can "haaapppy caaandy."

8. She runs very fast.

9. She loves to do a half summersault. She stops right before she gets all the way over, when she's right on her head and just looks between her legs and laughs.

10. When it's time to change her diaper, she'll bring you a diaper, wipes, and a blanket, and then lay down and pick her legs up. She's pretty great!!

This weekend we are going to Big Bear. My dad is on vacation and he wanted all the family to spend a weekend together. My family is going to have a Dora party for Savy up there. We're excited to have a fun short trip with my family. Savannah when her auntie Michelle took her 1 year portraits:and now. Michelle took this a few days ago:

MY MAMA'S B-DAY PARTY!

Yesterday we celebrated my mom's birthday! She had no idea we were going to have a party for her. It was a surprise. After dinner we watched the Laker's game. This was the first time that I ever was able to watch a whole game without getting bored. They played really good, but lost.

There is a new member to the Duarte family, and we just got to play with him. My sister Susy just got this cute puppy. His name is Chito. It looks like a little ewok from Star Wars: Happy birthday mom. She looks so happy here with all her grandchildren:

Fun full weekend!

It's been a week since Savannah's accident. Her finger is looking better. On Wednesday she had a check up with her primary doctor. She said her finger looked good, but it may take 6 to 12 months for her nail to grow back. Thank you all for your prayers. Here's a picture of her at church with her grandpa Duarte. We had an exciting weekend! Friday auntie Michelle took our kids' pictures. I'm really excited to see them because Michelle does such a great job.

On Saturday, the whole Peterson family made it out to the beach. Every month each family is in charge of preparing a family home evening as a way to get us all together. Greg wanted to have our FHE at the beach. The weather in Rialto was cloudy and there was a chance of rain. I was a little disappointed thinking it was going to rain because we were planning this since January. Any ways, it didn't rain and the weather was perfect at the beach. Kristin was really sick (she's pregnant) but she still came with all the boys. This made it even more special because Greg had all of his family there. Here's Kristin being brave:

We also celebrated Savy's Birthday. We had a really FUN day! Thanks everyone for coming out--especially you Kristin--and for Savy's birthday gifts. She loves her new clothes and her Dora cell phone. I'm happy to see her like girly stuff because she sees lots of boy stuff. Greg was in charge of the menu so you know we ate great!!

We made ceviche tostadas: Greg grilled some salmon for fish tacos: And no meal at the beach would be complete without hot dogs:Savy's birthday cupcake!Loving opening presents:Top the night off with smores. Chase is in heaven when he has them. We were up late with the bonfire. It was fun. Chase and Mia enjoying their smores. This was probably Chase's third:Chase loves to be buried:

On Sunday my niece Valerie had her blessing. It was a special day! My sister had her blessing in the Spanish ward where we went during our childhood and youth. It was fun to go see familiar faces and visit with friends. I haven't been back there since I was 15. After that we went to my moms and had chile rellanos that my dad cooked. It's my favorite food. The Morales Family:

My sister's and I. My sister Susy is excepting her 3rd baby. She's 5 months and she still doesn't know whats she's having. We think it's a boy!

Here are some more pictures from the beach: