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Happy New Year! | 2023 Recap

12.31.2023

Well, a career pivot for Bron coupled with breast cancer, a mastectomy, and complications for me is most certainly the definition of a rocky start for any year! But I am happy to announce that 2023 ended on a high note. All is well that ends well. This December we are all healthy and happy and thriving here in the Nelson home.

I feel so lucky to simply be a cancer statistic. I saw God work miracles in my life this year. It's a story of tears and pain and stress but it doesn't make it any less miraculous. I am ending the year in a state of sincere gratitude for my blessings and heart-bursting love for the boys I get to claim as mine. We fit so much life and adventure into one year!

The Highlights of 2023:

JANUARY

:: Bron began his new job as the general manager of Liberty Basin.

:: The whole family hopped on a plane to spend a fantastic week in Florida swimming, spying alligators on an airboat, and riding all the rollercoasters at Disneyworld and Universal Studios.

:: I celebrated my 38th birthday at the beach.

FEBRUARY

:: Levi enjoyed a fast paced pinewood derby competition with the boys at church. I attended a flower arranging class for Valentine’s Day.

:: Misty had the sweetest and fluffiest litter of Aussie Doodle puppies on the 18th.

:: I prepped for surgery with an appointment in Boise and an MRI in Twin Falls. Then I went in on February 24th for my seven hour Mastectomy and reconstruction surgery.

MARCH

AKA The month everyone wants to forget.

:: I spent three days in the hospital on IV antibiotics. I had surgery to remove my right breast implant. Three weeks later I had surgery to put another implant back in and woke up with a wound vacuum. Five days prior to that I had an in office procedure to clean up and re-suture my left breast incision due to necrosis.

:: At work, Bron dealt with train derailments and a flash fire and loads of stress.

:: The boys had spring break, but of course we went no where.

:: The little ray of light during the month was having my sister visit for a week after my last surgery. She took care of the kids and kept me laughing.

APRIL

:: We celebrated Easter and Jed’s 13th birthday. He’s officially a teenager!

:: Jed and Levi began lacrosse practice and games. They also attended their 4H education day.

:: Ezra began attending daycare full time so that I could rest and heal. I napped almost daily and went for a walk outside whenever possible. I also tried to keep up with my calling as our ward’s Young Women’s president, but I mostly delegated to my presidency.

:: I sold our litter of fluffy puppies.

:: I had one last surgery to get rid of the necrotic skin on my right breast and awoke with yet another wound vacuum.

MAY

:: I met up with my grandma, mom, aunts, and cousins for a girls’ weekend in Utah at BYU Women’s Conference.

:: Our ward youth had their second annual Work Hard Play Hard day. I had to sit out for most of it because I was still limited - no lifting, no swimming.

:: The boys attended their 4H sale day and brought home two new dairy heifers. They continued playing lacrosse.

:: Levi went on a field trip to Craters of the Moon. Levi was recognized twice for his academic achievements at a year end school assembly.

:: Ezra turned three years old!

:: I had a couple more post op appointments, of course.

JUNE

:: I wound up in Doctor Poppler’s office yet another time for some curious red bruising that we decided to just watch.

:: Levi went on an overnight campout with the boys from church.

:: Our family met up with Talon’s family in St George, Utah for a weekend of hiking, biking, and swimming. The boys had so much fun playing with their cousins.

:: I spent a night at stake girls’ camp and enjoyed myself so much that I could hardly speak when I returned because I was so hoarse and sick.

:: We started running a fireworks stand on Five Points in Twin Falls as a family. There were some very long and warm days but the older boys learned so much!

JULY

:: We sold a ton of fireworks over the 4th of July holiday and watched some from the roof of our stand that night.

:: Levi took care of all the neighbors’ animals when they were out of town. The kid is learning how to work hard and be dependable.

:: Jed began mountain biking with his team.

:: I had my last doctor appointment in which I was officially cleared to lift and pursue all the things I love to do! Woohoo!

:: The kids and I spent a day at Roaring Springs with my mom and family.

:: Bron and I spent an amazing week rafting down the Main Fork of the Salmon River! We laughed, we ate, we conquered rapids and jumped off a bridge, we saw a million night time stars, and just plain enjoyed being together.

:: Jed, Levi, and Conrad all visited Commander and Liz in California for a few days. They went to Knott’s Berry Farm, played at the beach, and made lots of special and funny memories with their cousins and family.

:: We joined all of Bron’s brothers in Ririe, Idaho for a Nelson family reunion that included an obstacle course around the farm and a giant blow up water slide for the kids.

AUGUST

:: Levi turned 11 years old!

:: My family photography season officially began.

:: We took the family camping at Cabin Creek near Stanley, Idaho and made some great memories.

:: Sports started in earnest. Levi played football. Jed rode on the mountain bike team. Levi had his first games and Jed had his first race of the season.

:: The boys started school: 8th, 6th, and 1st grades.

SEPTEMBER

:: We spent a week at the Twin Falls County Fair! Jed and Levi showed their dairy heifers.

:: I began potty training Ezra.

:: I was released from my calling as young women’s president. Whew! Don’t worry, I filled all my “extra” time quickly with violin students. The family photography season chugged on. I desperately tried to keep my balance as I juggled all the things. September was intense.

:: I spent my weekends taking Jed and his friends to their mountain bike races across the state. Levi crushed his football games on Saturdays.

:: Jed went on a day long fly fishing trip down the Snake River and is totally hooked on the sport now.

:: Misty had her third (and last) litter of puppies; ten fluffy Aussie Doodles! Ooops.

:: Bron spent a couple of days in Denver for work.

OCTOBER

:: Football and mountain biking continued until mid month. Then Levi started wrestling at the middle school.

:: I continued to take family pictures.

:: Bron and I got Nitrox certified with our fellow scuba diving friends.

:: We celebrated Halloween! Bron and I dressed up as each other for our annual adults only party. Then Jed hosted a friends party at our home while the rest of the boys went trick-or-treating.

NOVEMBER

:: We discovered Levi had head lice! He probably got them from another kid at wrestling. It took weeks to successfully rid his head of those nasty little bugs.

:: I sold Misty's puppies. It always feels bittersweet.

:: Conrad turned 7 years old!

:: Bron and I went on another scuba diving trip of a lifetime to Roatan, Honduras. We spent a week eating, diving, diving, eating again, diving some more, eating some more, and sleeping. We saw sharks and baby box fish and iridescent strings of pearls! It was a beautiful, warm, and sunny dream vacation.

:: We celebrated Thanksgiving with the entire Nelson family in Ririe, Idaho. This year, dinner was held at the church where we played games of lightning and pickle ball between eating and chatting.

DECEMBER

:: Ezra qualified for preschool due to his speech (or lack of it). We are still trying to potty train him, by the way.

:: I played my violin for an MCO concert in the Boise area. The best part was that I got to sit and play right next to my mom! I love playing my violin for MCO. It’s fast paced and they always do an excellent job with their concerts.

:: Bron and I enjoyed a fun night out with friends at an annual Christmas party and white elephant gift exchange.

:: We celebrated Bron’s 40th birthday!!! I surprised him with a date to Miracle Hot Springs for massages and a soak in a private pool. Then we met our friends at Texas Roadhouse for dinner.

:: We celebrated Christmas and surprised the boys with a week long cruise to Jamaica, Grand Caymen, and Cozumel in January. Of course we squeezed in some cookie baking, craft making, skiing, and extended family time over the break too.

*****

It's been a wild year with a toddler, a teenager, and two kids in between. But they are good kids. Jed and Levi have matured quite a bit. They stepped up to help out around the house and with their siblings when I could not. Then they continued the habit. They are thriving in school and in sports and becoming their own people with their own talents and interests. I could not be more proud.

Jed is so tall now! I'm not sure he ever stops eating. Lucky for me, he still allows me to kiss his cheek before he leaves the house each morning.

Levi is confident and ambitious. He has the best group of friends at school and has the work ethic of a lumberjack.

Conrad still talks a mile a minute and is our creative child. There's never enough tape in the house for his projects. He loves to play outside with friends every chance he gets and can ride a bike like a mountain goat climbs a steep cliff; it just comes naturally. Conrad is also learning how to read.

Ezra deserves the nickname Gremlin. He's our growling monster that we are lovingly trying to tame through silly songs (he requests Baby Shark each night before bed) and dance (he loves it when Jed spins him around the living room) and family meals. Ezra can entertain himself for hours with his favorite toys that wind up all around the house. He's a mama's boy whom loves to climb into my lap for cuddles every chance he can get.

2.18.2022

Puppy fever! Our dog Misty gave birth to 9 puppies Wednesday night February 9th. Bron and I had just left the house to run into Kimberly when we got a phone call from the boys. "I found a puppy!" It was an exciting evening for all.

Misty birthed two puppies out on the back porch and the rest in the whelping box in the garage that Bron and the boys made. A few hours later we moved Misty and the puppies all inside to the office to keep them dry and warm and they've been there ever since! We did find what must have been a stillborn puppy in the hallway the next morning. It made us all sad.

It's been so fun and eye opening to watch Misty become a mother. She's a natural nurterer and becomes an anxious basket case if she's separated from her babies for more than a few minutes. I totally understand that. Nursing and keeping nine babies clean is a full time job! Misty hears their cries and comes running. I'm so proud of her. She's also very protective and doesn't like anyone taking the puppies away from the box.

Now that we're ten days in, Misty is ready to be outside; I think she's bored inside the house. It means she's in and out the door about 19 times every day, tracking dirt all through the kitchen. It's driving me a bit nuts, so we will probably move the whole box with the puppies out to the back porch where it's protected from the weather with a heating pad.

The puppies are so cute and sweet. I love hearing their little whines and purrs. They're also therapeutic to snuggle with! In fact, if I cannot find Ezra, there's a 90% chance he's visiting the puppies in their box. We're all anxiously awaiting the day the puppies open their eyes and become extra super cute!

For now, pictures from the puppies' first week on earth. A litter of puppies is a whole new experience for our entire family!

2.15.2021

Goodness, these photos were taken on a Saturday afternoon following a really rough week. Parenting is HARD. It is constant round the clock work. I feel overwhelmed with people to help and listen to and things to do. This entire year has felt chaotic and defeating. Was it worth it to build a new home and add a brother to the family? Absolutely. But I feel like I try only to fail. I pick myself up again just to get knocked down, over and over and over. I make plans only to have them derailed. I'm talking about simple things from getting enough sleep to eating better to exercising to getting that one thing ticked off the to do list. And what about my efforts to teach the boys how to properly clean their own bathroom or turn off the light or behave like thoughtful human beings? Over and over again I teach. I hand out consequences. Sometimes I yell. Nothing seems to work; I am not seeing any changes or progress. I am swimming against the current. Stagnant. Frustrated. Miserable.

And then there's this one successful afternoon when everything felt okay! Getting out with my crew of boys always leaves me feeling happier and lighter. This afternoon of snowshoeing was just what we needed as a family. The snow was fresh and beautiful! The air brisk and cold. We laughed and played and explored a new trail. Conrad is such a stud. It was his first time wearing snowshoes and he rocked it! Kid is capable of anything. And it was Ezra's first time riding in the hiking backpack. He seemed to enjoy his perch and the views.

I love them.

1.14.2021

We officially packed up and moved into our dream home! I'd heard awful stories about local moves, but moving went about as smooth as it could possibly go. Low expectations? Possibly. But really, we were extremely fortunate to have so many friends step in to help - from 20 people showing up for a "cleaning party" to my friend Lacey babysitting my babies so I could pack boxes to men who showed up to load and unload the Uhaul. It was pretty amazing. In fact, we moved a whole day earlier than expected! I was planning on packing all day Friday and actually moving on Saturday when many of our friends texted Bron saying they were available to help Friday but not Saturday. So we did it all at once in a single day! Whew. Our family of six slept in our own beds in the new house Friday night. I was so excited I could hardly wind down to go to sleep... but I was so tired that I slept like a rock. Lol.

The last few days have been a whirlwind of unpacking and organizing. It has been SO FUN to play house. I actually get to put things all together in my DREAM HOME. The little daily conveniences that we planned out are still blowing me away. I feel spoiled rotten.

Also, on another note, I totally bawled as we cleaned and locked up our old home for the last time. So many sweet memories were made in that home with the tera cotta tile.

12.31.2020

The year 2020 definitely took a few unexpected turns. It's been a stressful and emotionally taxing year. And strangely, a very lonely feeling year. I do NOT recommend having a baby, selling a house and building a home all amidst a global pandemic and political/civil unrest.

I feel like my head is on a swivel from being pulled in so many directions at once. My time is not my own. My plans get derailed nearly daily. Four boys = noisy crazy town.

Ironically, most of these challenges can be pointed back to myself or humanity in general. In other words, 2020 was a man made problem! Lol. Everything from choosing to build a home while pregnant, to the lockdowns that had dire economic effects, to the protests and destruction of cities, to protocols in the health field that are making the jobs of doctors and nurses feel insurmountable, and to a presidential election that was just plain awful.

Wow. I'm glad we're in the home stretch of the year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that many of our problems will resolve in 2021. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to moving in to our new home in just a few short weeks!

But for all that went wrong, so much went right too. Everything has its opposite and I would be ungrateful if I did not recognize the mountains of blessings that Heavenly Father bestowed upon our family this year... beginning with the most smiley and squishy baby named Ezra who joined our family!

2.21.2020

We took the boys on a short snowshoe adventure over the long weekend! I admit, the idea was initially met with resistance. A pair of certain boys did not want to get dressed and would have rather watched tv all afternoon. Bron and I insisted they come anyway and the afternoon wound up ending in exclamations of, "That was fun!" and "Let's do that again!"

I am always blown away by how much snow there is in the South Hills even though there is none down in the valley where we live. Driving up there, it's like entering into a whole new magical world!

It's just another gentle reminder to myself that getting outside to burn energy and enjoy some beauty (I mean, look at all that POWDER!) is always worth the effort.

I've gotten quite a few questions about how difficult it is to snowshoe and how I outfit my kids for these adventures. I'm answering as many of those questions as I can below. So read on!

2.07.2020

^^Breakfast at Snooze^^

Bron went above and beyond to celebrate my 35th birthday with one of the most elaborate surprises he's pulled off yet. The man keeps outdoing himself. He claims that one day he will fall flat on his face with a particular gift and that I will just have to forgive him. I'm not sure he's capable of that kind of failure. Bron is one of the most thoughtful and giving people I know -- on his own terms, of course. It's one of my favorite qualities about him.

Anyway, my 35th birthday landed on a Friday. Bron took me out to breakfast at Guppy's Hot Rod in town (with our silly little third wheel, Conrad) for some seriously delicious high calorie food. He kept hinting at some big surprise. As Bron headed off to work for the day, he told me to be all showered with makeup on and hair done by 5pm. Of course I assumed we were going on a date!

Bron walked into our bedroom at quarter til with two very excited giggly boys; Bron had told them the surprise.

"Want a big hint?" Levi asked. "We're getting a boys' weekend until Monday!" He fell onto the bed laughing.

I looked at Bron a bit confused. "What? Where are we going?"

Bron chimed in. "You're going to Arizona to visit your sister... tonight! Your plane leaves from Boise at 9:23PM."

I was so surprised I burst into happy tears. "What? For reals?!" My sister means the world to me. To spend the weekend with her in warm sunny weather would truly be a vacation dream come true.

Bron launched into all the details (like how we'd be staying in a hotel in Gilbert paid for with points) and before I knew it, I was kissing him goodbye and hopping into the car with a small suitcase.

It felt so surreal. It was all such a big surprise that I could hardly wrap my head around it all! Excited would be an understatement.

Lauren picked me up from the airport in Mesa, AZ. She had known about this surprise trip for a couple of weeks and had an entire weekend planned of places to eat around the valley.

And so began what will undoubtedly go down as one of my life's most memorable weekends!!!

12.15.2019

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!! Look at that beautiful winter wonderland.

We enjoyed our first big snowfall this weekend: inches where we live and a couple of feet up in the mountains! The best part is that it's cold enough to stick around for a while. I love going up into the South Hills after a fresh layer of snow has fallen. The snow hanging on the evergreen branches just feels magical. It makes me giddy with happiness... until about February. Haha. But for now, I'm soaking it in for all it's worth.

After a few chores around the house yesterday, Bron and I loaded the boys up into the truck to take them sledding for the first time this season. The hill was surprisingly uncrowded. Bron helped the boys cut some brand new tracks in the snow and they careened down the hill over and over again. I'm pretty sure they all got a face full of powder at one time or another!

Conrad would not keep his gloves on. He complained that his hands were cold, so he'd take his gloves off only to stick his hands in the snow. That routine was obviously not working for him, but a couple of cups of hot chocolate seemed to reverse the damage. Conrad is such a happy kid. He really had a good time overall and chatted my ear off about it.

After our snowy sledding adventure, we returned home for some dry clothes and then took the boys into town for dinner and some Christmas shopping. We really wore them out! Sunday morning I felt so stupid walking into their room after 8am to wake them for church. Who wakes three sleeping boys?!?

Good memories I hope we'll get to repeat a few more times this winter.

11.21.2019

It's HAPPENING! We got an accepted offer and just signed papers to buy five acres of land. We're going to build our dream home!!! And add a few trees and animals to the property too.

It's all been a whirlwind. I went out with Bron one Sunday afternoon to see this large triangle shaped piece of property and its beautiful views from atop a hill. I wasn't expecting to even like the property, but it was love at first sight. You know, one of those things that just feels good.

The property is in an oversized neighborhood just a few miles South of our current home. In fact, we know most of the neighbors. Nothing significant will change for the boys. They will still be in the same ward at church and go to the same school; just ride a different bus. So they're all in on the move!

I know for a fact that a new home will not make me any happier; I'm already happy and content with where we are now. But selfishly, the idea of more space for the kids and more organization and a home that is designed with things I love, really appeals! More importantly however, the boys will have opportunities to raise their own 4-H animals. (I might throw an alpaca in there because they're fuzzy and cute.) They will learn the value of responsibility and physical labor by digging fence post holes, changing water lines in the pasture, and feeding their animals. They will also inevitably spend their summer days playing in the creek in the canyon with the other neighborhood kids. All these factors combined are what really appeal!

9.06.2019

Remember when I wrote a blog post about performing my violin in Carnegie Hall? And remember all those silly pictures I shared of my siblings and me having a fun time and making awful faces? Well, this is the post where I share the rest of the story and pictures. Are you ready?!

This trip to New York City in July had been planned months ahead. It all began when my mom joined the Millennial Choirs and Orchestra in Boise and encouraged me to join as well because they were going on tour to play in Carnegie Hall -- pretty much every musician's dream venue. Of course, the plan snowballed to include my sister. And so a girls' trip to New York City was born! We spent a few days exploring the city, performed in Carnegie Hall, and then hopped on a plane to Indianapolis to visit my brother Joe and his wife Karmen for two days. It was sooo much fun! (Even more amazing, you'd never know my sister battled breast cancer just over a year ago would ya?)

Thanks Mom for putting this all together. It will for sure be a special memory that I will cherish for a lifetime.

8.27.2019

A couple of weeks ago we were headed up into the South Hills together as a family on a Sunday afternoon when Jed asked if we could go camping. I could see Bron mulling over the request in his mind. He passed the idea by me later that evening. I was all in; it sounded fun! But then we debated on where. Do we keep it simple and head up into the South Hills or travel a little further and discover some place new? I am so glad we decided to put in the extra effort at the last minute to camp in an area of Idaho none of us had ever visited before because... It. Was. Epic.

We left the house on Friday afternoon, three days before school started; one last summer adventure. We found a large camping spot in a grassy area near a creek under some beautiful mountain peaks. The place was like a dream! We hardly saw or heard other campers all weekend. The place felt so remote. It was wonderful.

8.22.2019

^^Two year old potty humor. He thought he was hilarious! 😂^^

You guys, I take it back. I'm not quite ready for summer to end and school to start after all. It's no secret that summer is hands down my favorite season: the warm sunshine, water play, adventuring, sleeping in, and being together as a family. It just can't be beat! I am going to miss these carefree days and late backyard sunsets like crazy.

The other day I turned on Pandora to jam out while I cleaned my kitchen. The song 'Summer of '69' came on.... "those were the best days of my life." I wondered to myself what the best days of my life might be when I'm old and wrinkly and ready to pass on. I thought of those days when Bron and I were dating and newly married. Those were definitely good ones. And then it occurred to me that these just might be some of the best days of my life. Right now! The last couple of years and perhaps a few more ahead. The kids are at such fun and innocent ages. They're independent enough that they sleep through the night and can grab their own breakfast. The boys love my attention and don't mind hanging out with me. In fact, they think their parents are pretty cool! Bron's career is humming along. We live in a nice home on a beautiful piece of property with some of the best friends God ever created. Life is good and we're pretty darn lucky. Yup. These are the days!

8.18.2019

By Wednesday evening, after Grandma and Grandpa Nelson had gone home, Bron and I weren't ready to be done vacationing! We were having too much fun exploring with our boys. Then we had this idea. Since we were so close to Glacier National Park, we should drive up there for a night and show the boys one of our favorite places. After all, it had been on our wish list to take them there since Bron and I visited five years ago! So that's how we spontaneously extended our family vacation. Worth it!

We miraculously pulled straight into a parking spot late Thursday afternoon in Glacier National Park and took the boys on the short hike to Avalanche Lake. But first, to see the Cedars Trail.

8.16.2019

Tuesday was a bit more low key as we set out to explore a few of Coeur d'Alene's downtown highlights at the kids' pace.

First on the list was to hike Tubbs' Hill! We didn't finish the hike. Instead, we pulled off at a beachy spot and the boys enjoyed playing in the water! I didn't think to wear swimsuits or bring our towels. (Actually, I wasn't thinking at all. I was just surviving with my sore throat!) But we all had a blast anyway. I didn't talk much, but I sure did enjoy myself. Hanging out at the water's edge in the sunshine and watching my boys happily play is a day in heaven in my book!

8.11.2019

We just arrived home from an epic family vacation to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho -- and a last minute extension to Glacier National Park! Something about vacations makes me want to simplify my life so that my real life can feel more like this: time together. We saw so many incredibly beautiful places and went on some adventures that I know the boys (and me too!) will be talking about for a long time. These family vacations feel so special to me. And this one went so smoothly with the kids.

We arrived in Coeur d'Alene the evening of Saturday August 3rd. It just happened to be Levi's actual birthday! (We celebrated with chocolate cupcakes from the store.) We checked in to our cute three bedroom Airbnb located in an older neighborhood among some tall trees. That little home made our stay so much more comfortable! I mean, I was doing a load of laundry after our first day. The boys are always getting their clothes so filthy. I love that we had a separate bedroom from the kids and that there was a full kitchen. Plus, the boys' room had toys and the front room was loaded with family friendly movies. It was great!

But it gets better. The rental was just a short bike ride from Ross' Point, a little park on the river! That was our first stop Sunday morning as we ventured out to explore for the day.

7.31.2019

This cool kid turns 7 years old in a few days! I cannot believe it. He is getting so big and grown-up. Like, how are his hands 3/4 as big as mine already?! We celebrated his upcoming birthday with something Levi has been talking about doing for a long time with his friends: a Nerf Gun War + Night Games!

You guys, this was hands-down the easiest, most fun, and thrifty party I've ever hosted. Forget Pinterest. Simplicity is where it's at.

Levi said he wanted a vanilla cake with vanilla frosting. I came through with a Funfetti box cake poured into a 9x13 pan. Then I spread some green (Levi's favorite color) homemade frosting and sprinkles on top of it a couple of hours later. Voila. No stress and little mess!

As for décor, well, I lost my birthday box full of balloons and streamers and more! I asked Bron to pick up some balloons; he accidentally bought a bag of pink and purple ones thinking they were multi-colored. Bahaha. So no decorations for Levi. Honestly, he didn't even notice.

I did order a bag of glow sticks from Amazon and my friend Janie generously donated this box of 500 bullets. Genius. It was honestly all we needed for a good time. That, and ten of Levi's best friends, of course. Friends always make the party.

So after some cake, ice cream, and presents, the boys loaded up their Nerf guns and went to war!

They played a version of tag with two teams. Each team had a secret medic. When a guy got shot, the medic could rush to his aid and revive him.

Then as it got dark, I busted out the glow sticks and Bron taught the kids how to play Steal the Flag. I think it was every boy's first time playing the game. I am so proud we were the ones to introduce it to them; it really is the best summer time game. They played five rounds before someone squirted himself in the eye with glow stick juice. Ouch! It was about time to call it a night anyway.

The kids had a blast! They were all high on life and adrenaline as I dropped them off at their homes. We are totally going to have to do this again.

A big thanks to all the neighborhood boys and their moms for making this dream of Levi's a reality.

Happy Birthday, Bud! I love you so much. Levi, you make me so proud in so many ways. I can't wait to see what you do this year and for many years to come.

7.25.2019

We went for our first mountain bike ride as a family of five. Yes! Conrad went along! It's kind of a special feeling to be all together on the trail. Jed and Levi even conquered the entire Eagle loop for the very first time too. Go boys!

We bought Conrad a rad new toy, er actually it's a seat. It's called a Mac Ride, made by some crazy and innovative Canadians, of course. It attaches to both Bron and my mountain bikes quickly and easily. It's genius! Then Conrad hops on the seat, places his feet in the stirrups, and grabs the handle bars.

"Ready, set, go!" Conrad excitedly chants.

Conrad can't get enough. He's right in the middle of the action with us, both uphill and downhill; no fear. He actually thinks he's in charge. "Daddy on the side," he says. It makes me chuckle.

Here's to many more priceless family bike ride memories!

7.24.2019

We've lived in the Magic Valley for eight whole years this summer. (I suppose that makes us boring and stable, but I welcome those two adjectives to describe my life with open arms.) While living here, we've discovered some pretty amazing places to play that are worth visiting over and over again. And we do! However, as I put together a list of ideas of day adventures to do with the kids this summer, I suddenly had this desire to discover something new. It felt like we'd been there and done it all, but I knew that couldn't possibly be true. Turns out, all I had to do was broaden my radius a bit. Enter Thousand Springs State Park. There are multiple attractions to explore within the park, just about an hour's drive from our home. Sweet! So on Monday, the hottest day yet this summer, we checked off one of our summer day trip items: Ritter Island.

Ritter Island is literally an island that sits right smack in the middle of the Snake River. It was once a self sustaining farm with dairy cows, fruit trees, and all sorts of other agriculture. We wandered around the property and through the near one hundred year old barn. We heard some owls but never did see them.

There is also a natural underground spring that bursts from the canyon walls in that area. The crystal clear water is used to create electricity before running into the river. Our volunteer guide told us that the water runs at about 52 degrees all year long and is so clean we could drink it! (I wouldn't drink it downstream of Conrad though. He pooped in his swimming suit. I dumped the turd out in the bathroom but had no other choice but to put his trunks back on! No worries, they were clean by the time we left. wink-wink)

So after touring the island, we set up a picnic on the grass and ventured into the cold water. The river there is shallow and very slow moving and just plain gorgeous. The boys weren't too enthusiastic about the water at first, but soon realized they could float underneath the bridge and then they were all in! A set of grandparents offered to let us borrow their tubes for the afternoon. We took turns taking short lazy trips down the river and made some pretty amazing memories together! I can't wait to go back. (I already bought tubes!)

And just to keep it real, I have to mention the ginormous splinter Jed got stuck in the bottom of his foot! Poor kid. He went to cross the old bridge with a tube and must have dragged his foot a bit. I have never seen a splinter so big or seen one lodge itself so deep. (Lesson learned: always wear shoes on the bridge!) Fortunately, I asked around and someone had an entire nail care packet in her car that included tweezers. Jed screamed dramatically, but I successfully removed it! We were then able to spend a couple more hours playing in the water. Never a dull moment with three boys.

So a big fist pump for generous and friendly people who helped make our first trip to Ritter Island so much fun. I love Idaho and its many pretty gems, but the good people here are what make it so great.

7.23.2019

Last weekend: Carnegie Hall in New York. This weekend: a twelve hour relay style bike race in the Rocky Mountains.

I can't help laughing at myself. All those personal healthy habits I've been working on all summer suddenly got thrown away this month. I've eaten way too much sugar, gained three pounds, and haven't gotten nearly enough sleep, but I'm not letting myself feel even a twinge of guilt because this is what living life to its fullest looks like for me right now.

Bron and I packed up the truck and the kids with us and headed down to Ogden, Utah on Friday night to meet friends for the El Doce bike race at Powder Mountain.

We used Bron's points for a suite style hotel room. As we were unpacking, I just had to Polo my sister about the room we were staying in; quite a drastic difference from our hotel in Manhattan. When I hung up, I realized Conrad was not there. "Did Conrad just leave?" I asked in disbelief. That toddler is Harry Houdini re-incarnated, I swear. So Bron took off down the hall one way while I took off down the hall the other way. Luckily, Bron found Conrad fairly quickly... riding the elevator. Of course! Conrad was having the time of his life pushing allll the buttons. It took a while for Bron to catch the elevator, but when he did, Conrad's fun stopped immediately and some fear about not seeing Mommy ever again instilled in his little head. But probably not. Conrad is two, forgets quickly, and has no fear. So even though I hope Conrad never runs away again, he probably will. The whole scenario was stressful then, but hilariously funny now. Whew!

We tried to rescue the evening by going out to eat at a pizza place down street. Dinner was a fail. I mean, the food was great but it took more than an hour to be delivered to our table. To sum it up, everyone was feeling and acting hangry.

So with our tummies full, I took the boys swimming at the hotel pool. Finally, a success! Because the pool was so small and shallow, I decided to take Conrad's life jacket off to hopefully instill some realization that he can't swim on his own just yet. Conrad immediately jumped right into deep end! I grabbed his foot and scooped him up. No problem. Conrad had held his breath and was all smiles. He then continued to throw a ball and jump in after it over and over again. Each time, he would kick his eyes to the surface but just couldn't quite get his nose and mouth above water. Conrad is totally getting survival/swimming lessons as soon as school starts. While we were there, Levi practiced swimming laps. Then he did countless push ups. He was determined to wake up sore in the morning! Haha. It worked. The pool was a fun way to end the night for all of us.

So yeah, vacationing with kids in a nutshell.

And then... we were all up to see the sun rise at the top of Powder Mountain.

7.18.2019

Someone pinch me. I got to check off a once in a lifetime bucket list item by performing in Carnegie Hall Friday night!!! And with my mom nonetheless. It still feels surreal.

I also got to fan girl over the violinist Jenny Oaks Baker in person too. She was there just four feet from me during both rehearsal and during the concert. The rehearsal in the cultural hall below the LDS Temple in Manhattan was probably one of my favorite parts of the whole trip, honestly. All the orchestra members from all five MCO locales gathered in one place. It was huge. It was loud. It was fun. After the concert at Carnegie, we celebrated by going out for gelato at Grom. And guess who was there in line with her girlfriends in front of us? Jenny Oaks Baker! So I can pretty much claim we got dessert together, right? Haha.

I was also awed by the sopranist, Erin Morley. After performing the Doll Aria, she stayed in character, hanging her head and arms as if she was a tired mechanical doll on stage. The conductor didn't know what to do! It was hilarious. Erin is definitely a performer.

Take me back to do it all over again. I love making music.

But that's not the end of the story...

Unfortunately, while I got to perform in Carnegie Hall on Friday night with the Idaho and Texas groups, the concert on Saturday night for the Utah and California groups was cancelled. Break my heart! The concert was cancelled due to a blackout in Manhattan that lasted hours. All that sacrifice of time and money for a dream crushed. What are the chances of that happening? New York City hasn't seen a blackout like that in fifteen years! It was also the first time in the history of Carnegie Hall that a concert was cancelled due to a blackout.

However, I'd like to believe it wasn't a coincidence at all. I'd like to believe God had his divine hand in it. After delivering the sad news of the cancelled concert, Brandon Stewart stood up and said, "We're going to leave this city with 'I Believe in Christ'... and we're going to let it rip." The videos show just how powerful that moment was! Thousands of people getting off dark subway routes, walking through the city, or peeking their heads through the windows of adjacent buildings stopped to watch and hear the message of hope and faith in Jesus Christ. The message has been shared a million times over now. Wow.

This is exactly why I feel the Millennial Choirs and Orchestra are worth my time and effort. I get to be a part of something bigger than myself.

SLIDER