/ Nelson Notes

A Traditional Nelson Thanksgiving {Video}

12.05.2019

We just spent yet another Thanksgiving weekend doing what I think we all prefer best: hanging out on the Nelson Family Dairy Farm! Merri Sue does not get enough credit (nor gives herself enough credit) for all that she does to make this holiday so special. Those Nelson boys all come flocking home for a reason -- or maybe twenty reasons. And they're all so good. I feel so lucky to have married into such a loving and solid family.

This year, I decided to practice my budding videography skills to make a moving video of a typical Nelson Thanksgiving. This video really is made just for sentimental value and the learning experience. There was low light, mixed light, color casts... all sorts of difficult and unpretty photography situations. Plus, my weaknesses in videography are becoming pretty apparent to me, which honestly just makes more anxious to hurry and learn some more!

BUT this is what a typical Nelson Thanksgiving looks like. It's pretty special, actually. The house is busting at the seams with people and noise. We chat and play games and eat until our stomachs can't stand the thought of another bite. Then the next day, we go bowling. It's a tradition worth repeating every year.

P.S. I love how the cabin/farm is a character all of its own!

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!

11.17.2019

BIG changes are on the way for the Nelson family! Do you want to hear the exciting news first or the really exciting news?

I'll begin with the really exciting news: we're expecting a baby due the end of May!

The news came as sort of a shock and sweet surprise. I honestly thought three children was our number!

We tried to get pregnant for a year or so with no luck -- even with a little medical help. Eventually, I decided to give the quest up all together and hopped back on some oral birth control. (For reasons I don't feel obligated to explain here.) As we gathered our family around for prayer in the evening, seeing my three boys there just made me feel content and at peace. However, every time I mentioned to a friend that we were done having kids, something inside me said that wasn't the truth. I chalked it all up to just being in my head; it's hard to let go of a dream.

Fast forward to this summer when I forgot to take my birth control pills a few times and my period came nearly a week early two months in a row. I thought, "Forget this! I'll call my OB when school starts and get on something more permanent. It's about time I seriously start the cancer prevention ball rolling anyway."

Well, a few weeks later found me in the bathroom trying to smear what just had to be a hair casting a shadow onto a positive pregnancy test, right?! LOL.

I instinctively knew I was pregnant. I was getting light headed when I stood up too quickly. I was using the bathroom in the middle of the night. And I suddenly wanted nothing to do with my poor husband. Haha.

Still, that positive pregnancy test came with a host of emotions! They ranged from joy and excitement (A real squishy baby to hold! More innocent childhood to soak in!) to disappointment (All those summer backpacking plans put on hold!) to fear (What if I miscarry again? Can I really handle four kids?). But really, that second pink line was the most welcome surprise. I still can't help but thank my Heavenly Father for this sweet blessing to be pregnant once again.

11.11.2019

I can't believe the day is here. Our littlest man turned three years old! He has been SUCH a sunshine and delight in our family. Conrad is a big personality wrapped up in a little body. He makes us smile and laugh (and pull out our hair too) all day long. Have I ever mentioned that he's high energy, super independent, and loves to run away from me? That last part causes me so much stress from time to time, but still, I just can't get enough of him. And he knows it too. Conrad can get whatever his little heart desires, including a donut with "sprinklers" from the grocery store, every time.

This year, I wanted to capture Conrad at this cute stage in the way only video can. I wanted to make sure I captured how he's obsessed with all things that "go round and round". I wanted to document his "Uh-uh" jump (I have no idea where that came from, but it's important to him.) and his imaginary birdie that hatches and comes to play with us daily. The sweet little yellow bird lives on either my shoulder or his until it ultimately flies off or dies. (Is that not a boy thing, or what?!) Most of all though, I wanted to capture his voice. Conrad never stops talking and he is such a tease! I will miss that little voice as he inevitably matures. There's just something extra cute and special about this innocent toddler stage.

Don't grow up too fast, Conrad! I kind of want to bottle you up just the way you are now, forever. But I know there is so much more fun ahead. Happy 3rd Birthday!!! We love you so very much.

11.01.2019

"It's Halloween night. A night to beware. A night to scare." -- Olivier Dunrea I couldn't help myself. I've been reading Ollie's Halloween to Conrad on repeat; the words are just stuck in my head. Even Conrad quotes it! Haha.

One of my favorite holidays of the year came around again: HALLOWEEN! After summer is over and school begins, I live for all things Fall. (Except for pumpkin spice. You crazy folks can keep that nasty flavor.) There's something about the crispness in the air, the colorful leaves spread all over the ground, and the anticipation of all things spooky and fun that just gets me excited.

This year, Jed had his heart set on becoming a creepy vampire for a night. (Don't you love his makeup?? I'm pleasantly surprised with myself.) Levi found his kick butt ninja costume for $2 at Once Upon a Child. And Conrad, well, he wouldn't let me sway his decision to be a pumpkin on Halloween night one bit. His mind was set in stone. It was so funny and cute! Ever since we carved Jack-o-lanterns last season, Conrad's intrigue in pumpkins has only heightened.

We've been living in our neighborhood eight years now and we've developed a tradition with our neighbors on Halloween night that I think we've all come to love. It's super simple really. First, everyone gathers in our front yard for pictures. (Yup, you guessed it, I'm the official photographer.) And then we all head out together as one giant group of friends to trick-or-treat around the neighborhood. Some years the turnout is bigger than others, but the invite is always there and my boys love, love, love the tradition of going door to door with their friends. This year, we did just that again. Such sweet childhood memories! Halloween night would not be the same without our awesome neighbors.

10.28.2019

We carved our Jack-o-lanterns tonight! Jed and Levi carved their very own for the first time (I'm impressed Levi didn't cut off an eyebrow or something) and Mickey Mouse was done free hand by the best dad in the world -- who does not like Halloween by the way, but humors the rest of us anyway. The boys are so excited! However, none were more excited than Conrad who, during the entire carving process, would not quit talking.

Also not to be forgotten, is the night I took Jed and Levi to their very first spook house. They had been begging to go to one. We headed out on a Friday night around 7pm to Stricker After Dark. The old Stricker station is kind of creepy during the day! But the haunted house is a short tour of the old museum that I know the boys are familiar with, so I thought it might make for a good first experience. We sat around the bon fire eating caramel popcorn until our group was called. Levi wasn't sure whether or not to believe the short story that was told before going into the spook house. "Mom?" he asked uncertainly. There were actors, low light, and lots of loud noises. It even creeped me out! "That wasn't real, right Mom?" Levi asked as we left. "No Bud. None of it is real. It's just for fun," I explained.

No one had nightmares so we'll totally be back next year. I love that my boys share my enthusiasm for Halloween.

Nelson Notes

SLIDER

A Traditional Nelson Thanksgiving {Video}

12.05.2019

Exciting News: Part II

11.21.2019

Exciting News and Really Exciting News!

11.17.2019

Happy 3rd Birthday, Conrad! {A Video}

11.11.2019

Halloween Night 2019

11.01.2019

The Jack-O-Lanterns Have Been Carved

10.28.2019

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