Again!!??

Abby just keeps loosing teeth. This has to be some kind of record - losing two teeth in within four days.
Here is a pic from after the one came out:

And here is the pic from today's loss:

Surprisingly, it hasn't affected Abby's speech too much.  It does look freaky when she sticks her tongue out through the gap.
Fortunately, new ones replace the lost ones - this time.

Tooth Fairy Update

Just a quick update on the tooth count.  Abby lost another one yesterday.  Sheri says she looks like a "Jack-o-Lantern."  And I would have to agree.
Pic coming soon.

The Storm That Wasn't

The news channels were saying 1 to 3 inches of snow - a very rare event along coastal Texas.  Ice would be part of the mix as well.  The schools closed.  Everyone got ready.  And then...
Nothing.
All we got was a thin coat of ice on cars parked outside.  Other than that, nothing.  The snow didn't happen until you looked much farther north, around College Station and beyond.  The City of Houston had much more ice.  But here in Friendswood, literally nothing.  Now FISD will have to "pay" for this un-necessary day off in some manner: an extra day, a few minutes longer of school each day, something.
On the plus side, we did get to sleep in.

Grandparent Visit

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit the past few days. They took advantage of the three day weekend (MLK day) - more time at home with the girls. And took advantage of the warmer weather here in Houston compared to St. Louis were they have enjoyed a lot of snow. It was planned to be a low-key time. We didn't have much of an agenda to follow.
It is quite rare for my Mom and Dad to see me preach. So I switched preaching dates with Pastor Ralph so I could preach while they were here. I had a good time doing so.
We played a lot of Uno while they were here. The girls really enjoy it and are actually quite good. It was fun playing with all six of us. I think the longest game lasted almost and hour and a half.
Thanks for visiting Grandma and Grandpa!

Christmas 2010

A most merry Christmas from us to you! This photo was taken on Abby's new camera (though it's obvious she didn't take this photo.)

She brought it to church Christmas morning so she would have a chance to try out her camera.

Once again, may each of you have a most blessed celebration of the Christ child and a happy and healthy new year.

Jon, Sheri, Abby, and Emma Petering

Emma's Looses First Tooth

The headline tells the story. (And please, kindly ignore the "breakfast" around her mouth. We took the pic early in the morning.) Emma finally lost her first tooth. Unlike her sister, Emma lost it at school - in the library. She came home Tuesday proudly wearing a little tooth-shaped plastic case around her neck with said tooth inside. According to Emma, when you lose a tooth at school, they send you to the school nurse who issues the tooth case.
And yes, the Tooth Fairy left evidence of her arrival overnight.

Camping 2010

Camping has become an annual autumn vacation for us. For the past three years, we have journeyed to Garner State Park - about 2 hours northwest of San Antonio. The plan was to go with friends this year, but last-minute illness prevented that plan from happening. So, last Thursday morning, we began the 5 1/2 hour journey to Garner.
Once there, we set up camp in a new location for us, but quite close to where we have been before. This time, we added electricity to the mix. And I have to say, once you go electric, you never go back! It was great having a coffee maker, lights, and the ability to recharge devices.
The weather was not as good as was hoped. We encountered rain nearly every day. The longest it ever rained was about an hour, so that wasn't too bad. The ground was quite dry, so it soaked the rain up instead of making mud.
The girls 8th birthday took place the Friday we were there. So, we celebrated camping style - with gifts we brought plus peach cobbler made over an open fire as their "birthday cake."
We spent quite a bit of time exploring the Frio River. And I did convince Sheri to hike up a trail into the hills (almost mountains) to see the Crystal Cave. It wasn't too far only about a mile - but that's a hard climb up and a steep climb back down. It's not much of a cave, but it's something. I think what impressed her the most was the view.
We headed back on Sunday morning. Oh, and one more thing we did new: we visited Bucee's in Luling, TX on our way out and on our way back. For you Texas folk, you know what I'm talking about. But for those of you who don't know, check out the link. Let's just say it's the biggest Texas-sized gas station in Texas with 30 gas pumps, as big as a large grocery store inside, and some of the largest restrooms in the world. One recommendation - don't stop there on Sunday like we did. WAY to crowded!
Good trip, good times, and we will do it again.