SLIDER

A Frozen Falls Family Adventure

1.29.2016


Last Monday just felt like a good evening for getting out of the house.  I find myself craving a little fresh air, family time, and adventure when it's been too long between outings.  So Bron came home from work a couple of hours early and we headed up into the South Hills to hike Ross Falls. 

The boys were excited to wear their new "water backpacks" they received for Christmas for the first time.  We also decked them out in their snow gear from head to toe.  And it's a good thing we did because the snow on the trail was at least a foot deep!  Jed courageously led the way, blazing through the snow like a veteran climber.  "I got this!" he called.  When we arrived at the frozen waterfall, you would've thought he was the first to set foot at the South Pole.  Jed was so excited and proud of himself!  As he should be.  He's a five year old stud.

It was a gorgeous evening and everyone had fun.  The boys are little troopers!  There's nothing like a little fresh air and family time to rejuvenate the soul.   

^^Oops!  Stepped in a hole.  Bron wound up carrying Levi most of the way on his shoulders.^^
^^Arriving at Ross Falls!  We could still hear the water trickling underneath the ice.^^
^^Words don't describe how happy these two boys make me.  I'm such a sappy mama.^^
^^Walking down the trail was much easier than up!^^
^^This happy moment between these two: priceless.^^
^^Bridge crossing.  It looks so different covered in snow!^^

Snapshots and Life Lately in January

1.26.2016

January is flying by quickly!  I feel like I can hardly catch my own breath.  We have been sooo busy.  In fact, Christmas decorations didn't come down until this last weekend!  It was bordering somewhere on the line between pathetic and comical, I think.  But I suppose that I'd rather have a life surrounded with the needs of friends and family than a clean and orderly boring life.  Plus, who has time for the winter blues this year?  Certainly not me!


Jammin' on the piano one morning.  A part of me can't wait to get my kids involved in music lessons.  I suspect they might have some talent.  But that just might be my mommy blinders.  :)  I love this last detail shot of Levi's hands.  My baby is growing up right before my eyes!  I'm so grateful that three year olds are still small and a bit pudgy.


Party Animal.  We enjoyed friends over late one night and this is how I found him: zonked out on the couch.  That never happens!

^^Chilling in the basement at Grandma Nelson's house.^^

Quick synopsis of the third weekend in January:

Bron was out of town and the Nelsons stayed with us in Kimberly on Friday night.  The next morning, Mama Nelson and I drove to Ririe to set up for Kaleb and Chantee's open house.  Bron met us there.  The snow just kept coming down and piling up!  It was a crazy day.  But it was so good to catch up with friends and family at the open house that weren't able to make it to the wedding the week before.  Plus, Reed's Dairy ice cream and cookies galore?  Count me in!  It was a party!  I'm almost positive Levi ate an entire can of chocolate pirouettes by himself.  Little oinker.  That night, Talon and Amber graciously allowed our family to stay with them.  And Bron and Talon stayed up til 4AM (I repeat, 4AM!!!) talking.  If that wasn't quality family time, I don't know what is.   


World, I'd like you to meet my newest niece, Eliza Mae, born to Garret and Nichole.  She arrived earth-side less than 24 hours before we arrived to set-up for the open house.  Talk about good timing!  Eliza has the cutest tiny turned up nose and sweetest disposition.  I loved snuggling this sweet newborn!  And yet, a part of me was glad she wasn't mine.  Babies are so much work.  It was a trip watching Nichole adjust to all the new demands of motherhood for the first time.  She's a wonderful mother already though.


They play the best together (for hours!) as soon as I ask them to clean up.  Hmmm.  It's kind of wonderful.

However, the mess still needs to be cleaned!  A while after I took this picture (and after I cleaned the bathroom and kitchen), I came out with a trash bag.  The boys know the drill: whatever I pick up, I get to keep for a week.  I picked up about four toys when the boys suddenly got their little rears in gear.  "We gotta beat, Mom!" they chanted as they rushed around picking up toys.  And like a miracle, the whole house was de-cluttered in 20 minutes flat.  Parenting win right there, I'd say.  Woot!  If only it worked that way every time. Sigh.


Midnight Snack.  This photo pretty much sums up Levi's food habit.  Seriously, this kid opened the fridge and freezer simultaneously and asked, "Hmmm, what should I eat?"  It was like I suddenly saw a pint-sized fifteen year old!  I laughed.  Bottomless pit child.


Nap time in my bed.  Levi is three years old and thankfully still naps several days a week. He often asks me to lay down with him. I gladly oblige and we drift off to sleep together. Sometimes we even hold hands. I am really, really going to miss this one day. Don't grow up too fast, okay little man?


We cared for a petite little girl affectionately called Cora Dee in our home last week.  Except for a few screaming tantrums (the girl was determined to get in the pool at swimming lessons!), she was a joy to have, just waddling around and smiling at us.  And though she eyed my husband suspiciously (it was hilarious), she became quite attached to Jed and me.  That was the best part.  It was fun watching Jed take on the caring older brother role. Cora trusted Jed! She ran to Jed in tears for a hug after Levi took her toy.  I nearly teared up.  It was so sweet.  I really hope another baby for our family is in our future because I'd love to see this in our home more often.

Squishy Kissy Cheeks and 14 Honest Answers from the Boys

1.24.2016



Squishy cheek kisses.  It's how Levi gets away with kissing me on the lips in front of his dad.  Haha.  I cannot get enough!

One of my goals this year is to get in front of the camera more often (at least once a month!) with my kids, unflattering angles and all.  You've been warned.  I know we'll all appreciate these pictures one day because I was there too! 


  *****

I saw this little questionnaire floating around on the internet and thought I'd snag it to try for our family.  Jed and Levi had some very accurate and not-so-accurate answers.  See what's going on in their little heads about Mom!


1. What is something I always say to you?
Jed: No
Levi: What are you doing?

2. What makes me happy?
Jed: Flowers!
Levi: Getting flowers!

3. What makes me sad?
Jed: I don't know
Levi: I don't know

4. How do I make you laugh?
Jed: Giggling.  Tickling too.
Levi: With Tuesdays (???)

5. What was I like as a child?
Jed: A baby
Levi: A kid

6. How old is Mom?
Jed: 7
Levi: 28

7. How tall is Mom?
Jed: 3, 4, 5, I mean 6
Levi: 89

8. What is Mom's favorite thing to do?
Jed: Play with her kids
Levi: Do the dishwasher.  That's your favorite chore.

9. What do I do when you're not around?
Jed: Play with Levi
Levi: Go on dates with Dad.  I miss you a lot.

10. What am I really good at?
Jed: Art projects
Levi: Making lunchables

11. What am I not very good at?
Jed: Climbing trees
Levi: I don't know

12. What do I do for a job?
Jed: Take pictures
Levi: Clean up

13.What is my favorite food?
Jed: Pancakes
Levi: A shake

14. What do you enjoy doing with me?
Jed: Making art projects
Levi: Playing outside

Our Three Day Utah Trip for a Wedding (And the Aquarium as a Bonus!)

1.12.2016


It feels like we were gone a full week and over a weekend too, but we weren't!  We were gone for two nights in the middle of the week and somehow it turned into a mini family vacation: hotel stay, parties, exploration, and all.  It was a little winter getaway that won't soon be forgotten by any of us.   

Last Wednesday afternoon I packed up the boys and we headed south towards Salt Lake City, Utah.  Bron was already there for a work trip.  I called him when we were just a few miles from our freeway exit and he suggested we meet him at the giant outdoor store, Scheels.

The little boys were excited to finally be out of the car!  (They're exceptional little travelers.  Four hours without any stops or fits is pretty impressive.)  Inside of Scheels, they were mesmerized by the giant fish tank and the snuba diver.  But then, Bron told them we could ride the ferris wheel!  Jed and Levi were eager to climb aboard.  Up, up, up, we went.  And then we stopped at the top.  The operator was unloading and loading some other riders at the bottom.  I only mention this because Jed claims he is afraid of heights.  He looked around from our high perch and started to freak out: screaming and tears!  Poor kid.  I gently reassured him and hugged him tight.  Somehow, Jed miraculously calmed himself down.  It was really unlike him.  Jed soon realized that nothing bad was happening and we happily went around several times.  It was the best feeling.  Bron and I were both so proud of Jed for conquering his fear, the very definition of brave.         


After our adventure at Scheels, we grabbed some dinner (gourmet pizza) and then dessert (frozen custard, yummm).  Finally, we checked in to our hotel.  Jed and Levi were elated.  To them, there are few things more exciting than sleeping at the Comfort Inn.  Levi even talked my aunt's ear off about it the next day.  He rambled on about the elevator with the buttons, the pool, the microwave and refrigerator in our room, and how he had not one but TWO breakfasts that morning and he ate sausage.  Lucky kid, huh?  Anyway, even though it was past their bedtime the night we arrived, there was no way we were going to get the kids to go to sleep without a dip in the hotel pool.  So down to the pool we went.

It was one of those nights I felt grateful just to be alive.  Looking around at my little family, I felt overwhelming love for the man who loves me back unconditionally and the two precious little boys I get to call mine.  We were happy, just enjoying each other in the moment.  Life doesn't get any better than that! 

Thursday was Kaleb and Chantee's wedding day!  But first, we hit up the climbing gym.  Yes, we totally did.  It's such an addicting sport.  After all, we weren't the ones that needed to look picture perfect, right?  Right.  We got in a good sweat, showered, and hurried to the Oquirrh Mountain LDS temple in just enough time to hug a few family members before the ceremony began.  

I love sitting in on sealings.  It is so fun to watch the happy couple, giddy and sweetly head-over-heels for one another, at the precipice of their life's greatest adventure.  But better yet, I like sitting next to my husband during those ceremonies and squeezing his hand.  The spirit there brings such a sweet reminder to me of all the reasons I love my man, the special intimate relationship we're fortunate to share, and the potential we have together.  I am grateful for the comforting knowledge that we belong to each other forever and that those family members in that room I adore so much will be gathered together over and over again in this life and in the next.  There is so much beauty that comes from the temple!             

^^Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce the newest Mr. and Mrs Nelson!!!  Aren't they an amazing fit for one another?!  I was able to sneak a couple of photos over the photographer's shoulder after the ceremony.  (And some pictures here on the blog look more sharp than others because I saved them for the web through different programs.)^^
^^Our Aunt Heidi made this stunning wedding cake!  Isn't she talented?^^
^^Cousins chowing down on their candy-loaded cheesecakes.  Yummm!^^

After the temple ceremony, we all gathered together at a pizza place that had been rented out just especially for the couples' luncheon.  Then it was on to the reception where there were giant cheesecake slices to load with candy and berries and chocolate, a photo booth where we took silly pictures, and loud dancing.  Jed and Levi even got out in the middle of the dancing circle!  Levi's break dancing moves (aka, rolling on the floor in a circle) and Jed flipping his tie into the air brought on cheers.  They loved the attention.  My favorite part of the night was catching up with family.  We don't see everyone enough; I'm glad weddings are a must-show-up excuse to get together.   

Finally, since we weren't in a hurry to return home on Friday, we explored the Living Planet Aquarium.  What a treat it was!  It was like we entered into another magical world; I completely forgot there was six inches of white cold snow on the ground outside.  Jed and Levi were just the right ages for exploring the aquarium, excitedly running from exhibit to exhibit.  I think their favorite parts might have been the penguins, the otter, the 4D movies, and the frogs from South America.  Okay, they enjoyed it all!  The aquarium did not disappoint.  We spent three hours there oohing and aahing over the animals.  I'd love to repeat it all over again.       

^^Looking for hidden frogs.^^
^^Penguins!  Those things were like little water missiles!  So cool to watch play and swim.^^
^^Jed followed this otter back and forth, giggling.^^
^^4D movie experience fun!  We got sprayed and blown with air and our seats rumbled beneath us.^^
^^Turtles are so cute!  I wish we could have one as a pet.  Maybe someday.^^
^^Jed was brave and felt some sea creatures!^^

Quick funny story:

As we were packing up Friday morning, I heard the hotel room microwave ding. "What's in the microwave?" I asked confused. Jed opened the microwave door and held a pair of boots to his chest. "Aahhh. They're warm!" he exclaimed. Nutcase. Good thinking on a snowy morning. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

Thanks for the good times, Utah.  And a whopping big fat congratulations to Kaleb and Chantee!  We are so happy we got to celebrate your special day with you.  

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