Back to real life, I guess. Garden, here we come......
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Hart Happenings
I must concur with mom that Lauren's wedding was one of those rare perfect days. It was soooo good to see everyone! I loved the dancing and visiting and passing of the children between the aunts and uncles. Nice to know wherever they are someone has an eye on them. I also enjoyed the late night game session in the hotel lobby and Aggie ice cream the next morning for elevensies along with watching Joe, Garrett, and Alex play hacky sack. One aspect of the whole event that really intrigued me was the fact that everyone who came (family and guests) intended to be there. There are so few occasions these days where everyone is attentive and 100% present but I think the whole ambience was buoyed by the fact that everyone was there to celebrate and support The Belliston/Manning clan and for those few hours everyone was fully present. Bliss!
Heavenly Hyde Park
The wonderful feeling of love is lingering from Lauren and Nick's wedding! It has been a precious gift to us - and especially to her. I hope you felt it. I have been awed by the sweet, tender mercies of that absolutely perfect day - from the gorgeous weather to the beautiful decor to the intoxicatingly fragrant flowers. I have tried to think of anything that could have been better, but to no avail! It was a rare moment in time that was so very perfect. I hope it was perfectly satisfying to all of you in the end. I know there were moments of stress and anxiety beforehand (most of which were caused by me) and I'm grateful to all of you for putting up with my endless phone calls, questions and requests and for hanging in there to the sweet end!!
Favorite memories for me include:
- Emma's lovely cake and watching Scott help her frost and decorate it
- Thomas and Joe singing together (definitely need more of that...)
- Jenn's fun slide show (perfect music, perfect flow, perfect choice of photos, just perfect)
- Ruth's never ending ideas to make things so very lovely (and the constant remarks from guests about how beautiful it all was!)
- Elise's public revelation about Lauren's self-defense response to having too many mothers (I so needed that comic relief just then!)
- Grandkids eager to help before, during and after (so very, very cute and much appreciated)
- Tolerant in-laws who make things much easier and nicer (many thanks to Lori, Scott, Garrett, and Alex for putting up with it all and helping it run more smoothly than it would without you!!)
Thanks for helping me find the right shoes, the right blouse, the right words, but mostly for helping me maintain a perspective of what's really important. You are all so wonderful and I am very grateful for all of your help and support and love and patience and forgiveness. I guess that's what family is all about after all! I love you all!
It was a sober time for us when everyone left. Dad and I spent quite a few moments trying to absorb the thought that we are looking at lots of lonely days in the future. It is the plan, but we are wondering just how to change that plan a little bit. It sure would be nice to have more family around more of the time...
Enough of that! I hope everyone's feet have recovered and that all of your gardens will thrive now that there is time (and sunshine) to focus on them. We hope to get ours planted one of these days :) I love the photos and videos that you guys post at times. I hope we get some wedding photos on the blog. I don't have any, but can't wait to see the ones you all have (hint, hint)!
On to the next party..... July 2015 Belliston Family Gathering...... Can't wait!!!
Favorite memories for me include:
- Emma's lovely cake and watching Scott help her frost and decorate it
- Thomas and Joe singing together (definitely need more of that...)
- Jenn's fun slide show (perfect music, perfect flow, perfect choice of photos, just perfect)
- Ruth's never ending ideas to make things so very lovely (and the constant remarks from guests about how beautiful it all was!)
- Elise's public revelation about Lauren's self-defense response to having too many mothers (I so needed that comic relief just then!)
- Grandkids eager to help before, during and after (so very, very cute and much appreciated)
- Tolerant in-laws who make things much easier and nicer (many thanks to Lori, Scott, Garrett, and Alex for putting up with it all and helping it run more smoothly than it would without you!!)
Thanks for helping me find the right shoes, the right blouse, the right words, but mostly for helping me maintain a perspective of what's really important. You are all so wonderful and I am very grateful for all of your help and support and love and patience and forgiveness. I guess that's what family is all about after all! I love you all!
It was a sober time for us when everyone left. Dad and I spent quite a few moments trying to absorb the thought that we are looking at lots of lonely days in the future. It is the plan, but we are wondering just how to change that plan a little bit. It sure would be nice to have more family around more of the time...
Enough of that! I hope everyone's feet have recovered and that all of your gardens will thrive now that there is time (and sunshine) to focus on them. We hope to get ours planted one of these days :) I love the photos and videos that you guys post at times. I hope we get some wedding photos on the blog. I don't have any, but can't wait to see the ones you all have (hint, hint)!
On to the next party..... July 2015 Belliston Family Gathering...... Can't wait!!!
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Flake Fun
24 May 2015 - Yesterday was a very productive day. We (Scott mostly) got nearly all of the garden prepped and the oil changed in the car. Wow, when you get it down on paper it doesn't look very productive! With summer approaching we decided to build a fire and make tandoori chicken for dinner since it could be the last time in a while that we get to build a fire. Since it is a long weekend, we are hoping to finish the garden prep tomorrow and then get some stuff in the ground!
Thought you all might enjoy this little blast from the past!
Thought you all might enjoy this little blast from the past!
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Flake Fun
17 May 2015 - Ah, this week...last weekend (and other nights of the week) Scott was working on digging out the final 3 feet of the garden. We took the excess dirt and dumped it on some ruts in our lane to try and level out the road. Well, it rained on Friday night and the dirt hadn't been compacted. So it turned into a sludgy mess. So Scott parked the truck in the middle of the lane and we now have a detour through our car port! We were afraid that people would get stuck in the bog. The sun has been shining all day today so it is getting a little more manageable.
Two cows got out yesterday and took a stroll through our garden. Luckily they didn't do too much damage. It was just a very country thing to have happen..."Come on wretched cow. Don't even think about Rachel's cabbages!"
I met our renter. She has purple hair. She raises great danes as service dogs. I think it will be a good fit for all of us. (Fingers crossed)
Other than that we went to work and did audits.
Two cows got out yesterday and took a stroll through our garden. Luckily they didn't do too much damage. It was just a very country thing to have happen..."Come on wretched cow. Don't even think about Rachel's cabbages!"
I met our renter. She has purple hair. She raises great danes as service dogs. I think it will be a good fit for all of us. (Fingers crossed)
Other than that we went to work and did audits.
Hart Happenings
It's been interesting the past few weeks to go through our ward being dissolved and the entire stake reorganized. I never understood with all the ward changes that we went through as kids what a logistical and administrative challenge it is! But it's good to get shaken up every so often. It reminds us that we're alive!
Can't wait to see everyone in a couple weeks. It'll be the event of the season!
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Flake Fun
10 May 2015 - It was a pretty typical week with work, work and more work. We finished up another audit. Always nice to cross another one off the list. I am still working on trying to wrap up all of the documents for the audit of my program. Sometimes I think it will never end!
Scott dug out another 10 feet or so of garden. For reference sake "dug out" includes cutting off the grass/weeds on top, shoveling and soaking until dirt is removed for 2-3 feet, layering pine needles, manure and compost and then topping off with dirt with all large rocks removed. He wants to do another 3 feet and then we should be good to start planting. He is a little bit sore from doing it, as you might imagine.
Our broccoli and peppers have sprouted in the greenhouse and our tomatoes are looking healthy and getting quite big.
I had Friday off which hasn't happened for a while so I was able to get the house a little bit organized and find a place for all of the tools that we have accumulated in our remodeling. Speaking of which, the house is done! We finished the clean up and all the little projects that we were hoping to. Kris will start moving in on Thursday. We are going to be landlords. Ah, the adventures of life!
The bunnies are "multiplying and replenishing" at an alarming rate. We saw 4 in the field the other morning on the way to work and 2 more at the neighbor's house this morning on our walk. So far they have left our garden alone so we are still friends.
It has rained quite a bit lately which is strange but a blessing. If it keeps up there won't be as much trepidation about fire season as there has been in the past.
We are excited to see everyone again in a couple of weeks!
Scott dug out another 10 feet or so of garden. For reference sake "dug out" includes cutting off the grass/weeds on top, shoveling and soaking until dirt is removed for 2-3 feet, layering pine needles, manure and compost and then topping off with dirt with all large rocks removed. He wants to do another 3 feet and then we should be good to start planting. He is a little bit sore from doing it, as you might imagine.
Our broccoli and peppers have sprouted in the greenhouse and our tomatoes are looking healthy and getting quite big.
I had Friday off which hasn't happened for a while so I was able to get the house a little bit organized and find a place for all of the tools that we have accumulated in our remodeling. Speaking of which, the house is done! We finished the clean up and all the little projects that we were hoping to. Kris will start moving in on Thursday. We are going to be landlords. Ah, the adventures of life!
The bunnies are "multiplying and replenishing" at an alarming rate. We saw 4 in the field the other morning on the way to work and 2 more at the neighbor's house this morning on our walk. So far they have left our garden alone so we are still friends.
It has rained quite a bit lately which is strange but a blessing. If it keeps up there won't be as much trepidation about fire season as there has been in the past.
We are excited to see everyone again in a couple of weeks!
Nilsson News
Can I just say that Lauren is incredible! She came down to our house on Tuesday afternoon to help me with my yard which was in sad shape. I'd made up a long list of things to do thinking and hoping we would check off one or two of the items. We got ALL of them done! It honestly would have taken me at least a month to complete all the projects and we got them done in a day and a half. Then today, Emerson and Eliza were sick with colds and both Garrett and I had to teach lessons in church. Lauren to the rescue again! She and Nick came down and while Nick went to listen to his dad speak in church, Lauren watched Emerson, Eliza and Henry. When I got back, I noticed that Henry was stripped down exposing all of his cute, round, chunkiness and knew there must be a story. Lauren told me that Henry had a "massively explosive diaper"and while she was attempting to clean him up, Eliza was yelling at her to get down a necklace or something and Emerson was in the other room throwing a fit about his lego tower. Lauren, I hope that did not completely scare you out of motherhood. You are so prepared. Thank heavens that you have had nieces and nephews to practice on. So, Lauren gets the super amazing, get it done and keep your cool award.
Well, the big news for the week is that we now have five new, little peeping pets downstairs and they are a delight to all the kids. Yes, we got chicks - again. I'm not sure what the names are because Addy keeps changing them. Something like, Penny, Fluffy, Slinky, Jumpy and Fuzzy. Very descriptive. Hopefully we will have pictures soon.
Happy Mother's Day to my amazing mother and to my incredible sister's as well! You are all an inspiration to me and help me to do and be better.
Well, the big news for the week is that we now have five new, little peeping pets downstairs and they are a delight to all the kids. Yes, we got chicks - again. I'm not sure what the names are because Addy keeps changing them. Something like, Penny, Fluffy, Slinky, Jumpy and Fuzzy. Very descriptive. Hopefully we will have pictures soon.
Happy Mother's Day to my amazing mother and to my incredible sister's as well! You are all an inspiration to me and help me to do and be better.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
The Circus
So we don't have to vacuum anymore. We have hired our two youngest to take care of that for us. I don't know how healthy it is but they seem to like it and they are still alive. We still use the powered one when company is coming over.
We are really trying to put our yard together and are really grateful that dad came down with the truck and helped us for a few hours. Hopefully we will be able to grown something edible this year.
I made an amazing swing set for the kids which is the best thing I have ever done. It has turned into a trapeze and all sorts of circus equipment. Grace said they are opening the circus this week. It's actually just a rope hanging from a branch.
We are really trying to put our yard together and are really grateful that dad came down with the truck and helped us for a few hours. Hopefully we will be able to grown something edible this year.
I made an amazing swing set for the kids which is the best thing I have ever done. It has turned into a trapeze and all sorts of circus equipment. Grace said they are opening the circus this week. It's actually just a rope hanging from a branch.
Happy in Hyde Park
Dad and I have been sitting her splitting our sides laughing at all the funny posts! You are all soooo entertaining! We love reading about the amazingly funny things you do and the way you keep a positive perspective when it might be easy to throw up your hands and give up. What incredible people you are! Thanks for keeping this treasured blog going :) And thanks, especially for the pictures! That's the best part.
I didn't realize how long it's been since I've posted! Fortunately, or not, you are all aware of what we've been doing. It was absolutely delightful to have you all here last weekend - we did miss Lori and babies, very much. My favorite parts are too numerous to mention, but I have a special memory of time alone with Grant while he was in the treehouse talking non-stop: "Look Gramma Chesto! There is popcorn on this tree!" "Now, look Gramma Chesto - the popcorn turned to yogurt!" It was heavenly to listen to him and see his enthusiasm for everything he was observing. I loved riding in Grandpa's truck with Peter grinning ear to ear, taking Emma out for her birthday, seeing Jenn take photos of Grace shooting her weapon... and so many more fond memories!
Thanks to Jenn and Scott for coming so far, especially when you needed a root canal, Jenn!!! So sorry about that! I'm glad it's feeling better now.
It was fun to have the Hart boys stay for a couple of extra days while their parents got away to celebrate 10 years of marriage! What a milestone!
Thanks to all for coming to support Lauren and Nick at their recitals. They were very grateful for your kindness.
Lauren received her Master's degree and was recognized on Friday at the "hooding ceremony" at USU. Quite an honor. We decided to take the family out to dinner to celebrate the occasion. We all drove separately for various reasons, but when I got to the restaurant no one was there. I wondered if they had decided to go somewhere else and didn't tell me. Come to find out... Thomas remembered he had to work, so went to the Sports Academy. Dad picked Emma up there since she had gone with Thomas. Nick and Lauren were in the parking lot at Lowe's because someone had run into their car on their way to the restaurant. Dad and Emma stopped at Lowe's to see if they could help. I was waiting at the restaurant for everyone. The officer who helped at "the scene" happened to know Elise, so he hurried through the legalities so he could talk to Lauren about what her sister was up to. Finally, they all got to the restaurant! Lauren is relieved and grateful to have school behind her and to look forward to the next phase of life.
Emma got her license on Monday morning. She has been driving all around town - all by herself. Kind of scary, but kind of nice. She loves running errands for the time being :)
Thomas leaves on Friday for Oklahoma. He will be there until the wedding. Come home for the weekend and head back out. I've got to talk him into posting on the blog while he's gone so we can see what he's up to!
School starts for me again tomorrow..... Not real excited. Too much to do. But it will all work! I'm beginning to see a small light at the end of the long tunnel. It won't be much longer.
I didn't realize how long it's been since I've posted! Fortunately, or not, you are all aware of what we've been doing. It was absolutely delightful to have you all here last weekend - we did miss Lori and babies, very much. My favorite parts are too numerous to mention, but I have a special memory of time alone with Grant while he was in the treehouse talking non-stop: "Look Gramma Chesto! There is popcorn on this tree!" "Now, look Gramma Chesto - the popcorn turned to yogurt!" It was heavenly to listen to him and see his enthusiasm for everything he was observing. I loved riding in Grandpa's truck with Peter grinning ear to ear, taking Emma out for her birthday, seeing Jenn take photos of Grace shooting her weapon... and so many more fond memories!
Thanks to Jenn and Scott for coming so far, especially when you needed a root canal, Jenn!!! So sorry about that! I'm glad it's feeling better now.
It was fun to have the Hart boys stay for a couple of extra days while their parents got away to celebrate 10 years of marriage! What a milestone!
Thanks to all for coming to support Lauren and Nick at their recitals. They were very grateful for your kindness.
Lauren received her Master's degree and was recognized on Friday at the "hooding ceremony" at USU. Quite an honor. We decided to take the family out to dinner to celebrate the occasion. We all drove separately for various reasons, but when I got to the restaurant no one was there. I wondered if they had decided to go somewhere else and didn't tell me. Come to find out... Thomas remembered he had to work, so went to the Sports Academy. Dad picked Emma up there since she had gone with Thomas. Nick and Lauren were in the parking lot at Lowe's because someone had run into their car on their way to the restaurant. Dad and Emma stopped at Lowe's to see if they could help. I was waiting at the restaurant for everyone. The officer who helped at "the scene" happened to know Elise, so he hurried through the legalities so he could talk to Lauren about what her sister was up to. Finally, they all got to the restaurant! Lauren is relieved and grateful to have school behind her and to look forward to the next phase of life.
Emma got her license on Monday morning. She has been driving all around town - all by herself. Kind of scary, but kind of nice. She loves running errands for the time being :)
Thomas leaves on Friday for Oklahoma. He will be there until the wedding. Come home for the weekend and head back out. I've got to talk him into posting on the blog while he's gone so we can see what he's up to!
School starts for me again tomorrow..... Not real excited. Too much to do. But it will all work! I'm beginning to see a small light at the end of the long tunnel. It won't be much longer.
Flake Fun
3 May 2015 - It's May already? This week has been pretty normal with work and that sort of thing. We transplanted 3 corn plants from our greenhouse to our garden (they are over a foot tall and had outgrown their little containers). We have potatoes coming up. So we should have fresh potatoes and corn at the family gathering!!!! We have 52 healthy little tomato plants in the greenhouse that we will transfer to the great outdoors in the next few weeks I assume. Scott has been working on extending the garden another couple of yards which is hard work but it will be well worth it.
We went branding yesterday which is always an adventure. The day was overcast which made it very pleasant. If you have never hung out with old cowboys just doin' their job, I highly recommend it. The topic of the day: proper castration methods for various types of animals.
Nathan (Scott's brother) blessed his baby girl Katelyn today so we went down to Mesa. It was hot but the blessing went well and there was a lot of support for the new little family which was nice.
It has rained a couple of times this past week which we always enjoy.
Oh yea, and I had a root canal...and it got infected. But I'm doing much better now that I have antibiotics!
Have a great week you wonderful people you!
We went branding yesterday which is always an adventure. The day was overcast which made it very pleasant. If you have never hung out with old cowboys just doin' their job, I highly recommend it. The topic of the day: proper castration methods for various types of animals.
Nathan (Scott's brother) blessed his baby girl Katelyn today so we went down to Mesa. It was hot but the blessing went well and there was a lot of support for the new little family which was nice.
It has rained a couple of times this past week which we always enjoy.
Oh yea, and I had a root canal...and it got infected. But I'm doing much better now that I have antibiotics!
Have a great week you wonderful people you!
Nilsson News
I can't think of much that happened this past week other than the normal. School, work, reception stuff, etc. Garrett and Emerson went to the father and son campout on Friday and that was enjoyable for them. Those left at home watched Frozen and then had a sleep over in my room. Addy, Eliza and I were in the bed and Henry was close by. It was quite the time!
Yesterday, I was in cleaning mode since the house kind of falls apart throughout the week. I have been wanting to organize the shoe/coat closet in the entry way for a long time. Garrett was there and as we were pulling everything out, he kept on going and ripped out the coat rod and the shelf. Before we realized it, the paint had been opened and we were transforming that little closet. It looks SOOOO much better! It is amazing how old white paint can become so yellow and gross. I do not have any before and after pictures because I didn't realize we were going to do anything so drastic. I've noticed that is how we do things around here and at the Harts and at Mom's. We are good at ripping things out. Now I'm just itching to do the rest of the painting upstairs and redoing our pantry as well, oh, and the front doors. Paint is a blessed invention!
Yesterday, I was in cleaning mode since the house kind of falls apart throughout the week. I have been wanting to organize the shoe/coat closet in the entry way for a long time. Garrett was there and as we were pulling everything out, he kept on going and ripped out the coat rod and the shelf. Before we realized it, the paint had been opened and we were transforming that little closet. It looks SOOOO much better! It is amazing how old white paint can become so yellow and gross. I do not have any before and after pictures because I didn't realize we were going to do anything so drastic. I've noticed that is how we do things around here and at the Harts and at Mom's. We are good at ripping things out. Now I'm just itching to do the rest of the painting upstairs and redoing our pantry as well, oh, and the front doors. Paint is a blessed invention!
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