30 April 2017 - Can you believe that it is the end of April already? Can you believe that Emma is 18 already? Can you believe that Thomas and Victoria are graduating college already? Lots of things have crept up on me it looks like!
I spent a majority of this week at a conference in Atlanta which was exhausting. I think all of the major traveling is done now (until the gathering of course!) but there is still a lot of local traveling going on in the next couple of weeks.
We have had 3-4 freezes this past week so the flowers are not looking very healthy but the veggies are still safe and sound in the greenhouse.
We went branding yesterday which is always an experience. We branded 64 calves. There were 8 of us and it only took about 2.5 hours or so. Always a fun experience, for the most part!
I can't really think of much else to write about. We were excited to hear that the Mannings got a little more direction about their future. We were ecstatic to hear about Emma's triumph at nationals. And thrilled to get the Thomas Belliston's graduation announcement! Lots of good thing happening in the family!
Love you all! See you in a month or so!
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Flake Fun
23 April 2017 - First off, a HUGE congratulations to Nick on his new job! Can't wait to see the adventures that will unfold! Hope you find out soon where you will be teaching and that you'll find a place that you like.
Also, congrats to Grant on his amazing goals at the soccer game yesterday!
This week has been a little crazy as it always is after a vacation. I spent 3 days in a training so I only had 2 days in the office to get things caught up there. Luckily I was able to get all of the vital things done. Scott has also been really busy at work but I think he is getting slightly caught up.
The weather has been gorgeous; up in the 70's most of the week. I was able to plant a couple of flower beds this weekend and did some garden prep yesterday. Still a frost or two on the horizon so the tomatoes are still safe in the greenhouse but hopefully we'll get them transplanted soon. Our pepper and onion starts are also looking pretty good.
We had our first pack meeting which went really well...we are the new cub masters. Scott is great with the boys and they seemed to have a lot of fun. We have great den leaders which makes things fairly easy.
Can't wait to hear about the Hart's new chicks and all of the other family adventures! See you all in a month or so!
Also, congrats to Grant on his amazing goals at the soccer game yesterday!
This week has been a little crazy as it always is after a vacation. I spent 3 days in a training so I only had 2 days in the office to get things caught up there. Luckily I was able to get all of the vital things done. Scott has also been really busy at work but I think he is getting slightly caught up.
The weather has been gorgeous; up in the 70's most of the week. I was able to plant a couple of flower beds this weekend and did some garden prep yesterday. Still a frost or two on the horizon so the tomatoes are still safe in the greenhouse but hopefully we'll get them transplanted soon. Our pepper and onion starts are also looking pretty good.
We had our first pack meeting which went really well...we are the new cub masters. Scott is great with the boys and they seemed to have a lot of fun. We have great den leaders which makes things fairly easy.
Can't wait to hear about the Hart's new chicks and all of the other family adventures! See you all in a month or so!
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Hart Happening
Happy Easter all! Ruth did a great job of relating our Easter celebration yesterday. It was such a wonderful day. We always feel especially smiled upon when the weather is pleasant which it was yesterday. The kids had a great time together and it was fun to visit with the adults and bask in the sunshine.
Unfortunately, the flag football game that night wasn't so pleasant. Our team got super beat up and lost rather miserably. Plus our adorable little fans about froze to death once the sun retreated for the evening. I was enjoying a lovely Book Club discussion group with some of my favorite people and so was blissfully unaware of the carnage and hypothermia happening with the male side of the family. But they were all clean and tucked in bed when I got home except for Alex. I made him take a bath to soak off all the mud and blood and grass stains. Hopefully he recovers before this coming weekend when he is going back out there to chase the glory. Make me laugh.
We've had nice weather and cold weather and nice weather and cold weather. I told a friend of mine that spring in Idaho is bipolar. We wear our coats everywhere, just in case. On Friday it shined in the morning, then blew like crazy, and then rained a bit, shined again, and then snowed! I wanted to pull my hair out!
Anyway, it keeps things interesting!
Looking forward to a new week and some new baby chicks!
Unfortunately, the flag football game that night wasn't so pleasant. Our team got super beat up and lost rather miserably. Plus our adorable little fans about froze to death once the sun retreated for the evening. I was enjoying a lovely Book Club discussion group with some of my favorite people and so was blissfully unaware of the carnage and hypothermia happening with the male side of the family. But they were all clean and tucked in bed when I got home except for Alex. I made him take a bath to soak off all the mud and blood and grass stains. Hopefully he recovers before this coming weekend when he is going back out there to chase the glory. Make me laugh.
We've had nice weather and cold weather and nice weather and cold weather. I told a friend of mine that spring in Idaho is bipolar. We wear our coats everywhere, just in case. On Friday it shined in the morning, then blew like crazy, and then rained a bit, shined again, and then snowed! I wanted to pull my hair out!
Anyway, it keeps things interesting!
Looking forward to a new week and some new baby chicks!
Nilsson News
I haven't been on the blog in awhile so I thought I would change that today. Merry Easter to everyone! I had some really cute pictures of the kids in their Easter outfits but my phone is giving me fits again. I hope to figure it out soon! Yesterday we had our annual/traditional Easter festivities with the Harts. We started the morning with some fun egg dying and not just the typical methods. We pulled out the cool whip, the cabbage, paint pens, kool aid, and had a great time. The kids did a great job with the designs they invented. After the BBQ lunch, came the epic egg hunt. We probably had close to 150 eggs stash full of wonderful goodness. The two dads had the duty of hiding all of the eggs over the vast expanse of the Hart yard. They were actually good enough to limit it to the back yard. We had a great time sitting in the spring sunshine and fresh air watching the excitement and enthusiasm of the little people. If anyone would like to join with us next year, the invitation is always open!
Along with the rest of you, we are getting spring fever. The kids and I took a tour of the local greenhouse (thanks to the Hart's for the idea!) and while being there I got the digging in the dirt itch so bad! But, our dirt has to warm up a bit more and it still needs to get tilled. In the meantime, we are enjoying the more frequent warmer days, the blooms, the buds and the bees. I love the springtime and the new life that it represents. I love Easter and the reminder that it gives us of new life. It is because of what happened on this day thousands of years ago that we are promised of being reunited with our little twin boys again. How grateful I am for this! We are so blessed to have the truth! I hope you all enjoy this day and this lovely time of year!
Along with the rest of you, we are getting spring fever. The kids and I took a tour of the local greenhouse (thanks to the Hart's for the idea!) and while being there I got the digging in the dirt itch so bad! But, our dirt has to warm up a bit more and it still needs to get tilled. In the meantime, we are enjoying the more frequent warmer days, the blooms, the buds and the bees. I love the springtime and the new life that it represents. I love Easter and the reminder that it gives us of new life. It is because of what happened on this day thousands of years ago that we are promised of being reunited with our little twin boys again. How grateful I am for this! We are so blessed to have the truth! I hope you all enjoy this day and this lovely time of year!
Flake Fun
16 April 2017 - Happy Easter everyone! We hope that you are all having a wonderful day.
We got back from our vacation late last night and I think we are ready to face the world again! We'll see!
San Diego was great. We were able to do a lot of things, see a lot of places and spend time together. Did you know that San Diego has a Museum of Making Music? It is a little place but awesome! It walks through the modern-ish history of music and has instruments that you can play!
We got back from our vacation late last night and I think we are ready to face the world again! We'll see!
San Diego was great. We were able to do a lot of things, see a lot of places and spend time together. Did you know that San Diego has a Museum of Making Music? It is a little place but awesome! It walks through the modern-ish history of music and has instruments that you can play!
This is the first "recording" piano model. It allowed performers to "record" their music and then have the piano play it back!
I'm not sure what this is but we figured that Joe might know!
One big highlight to our trip was that the Red Bull AirRace was in San Diego this weekend so we were able to watch a couple of hours of the qualifiers from a pier. Those pilots are incredible!
Anyway, that is all that we really have to report. The sun is shining in Arizona. The plants are growing like crazy. We are waiting for the next freeze to pass so we can plant outside. Can't wait to see all of you in a few weeks!
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Hart Happenings
It was so fun to touch base with everyone in our family this week at some point! We love our family!
Sunday we were in Logan for Conference and got to see Lauren, Nick, Wesley, and Thomas, along with the parents and Emma. While there we found out that Joe and co. were going to be up in Logan on Thursday for their Spring Break so we decided to come back down to hang out with them. We went to Baby Animal Days at the American Heritage Center which was a blast! It is so fun to watch the cousins playing together. Dad and Mom and I were getting all kinds of excited about the pioneer games we played and are going to figure out how to make some of our own. Simple but hours worth of entertainment. After touring the dugout and cabins there Peter now wants to grow grass on our roof. Jenn and I had a lovely conversation on Thursday night while she and Scott were out doing good deeds for their neighbors. Saturday afternoon Emma came up to do some shopping (she really had to twist my arm) for some items she wanted for the pending D.C. trip. We had so much fun! Mom, Thomas, and Victoria came up for Millie's baby blessing today and it was so great to see Victoria! I feel like it had been a while. It was delightful to visit with the Nilssons, as always. Being with family just never gets old!
This week Jack started soccer and is having a great time! He is a natural and we are excited to watch him develop those skills.
Peter got a bike for his birthday and he has totally mastered it and is zipping around like a pro without training wheels. He never used them once! It makes his mom nervous to watch him attempting the tricks that his big brothers can do, but there's been no bloodshed to date.
We had a productive weekend (those are the best kind) and were able to wrap up and tackle a few projects that had been lingering on our list. Hooray for a clean garage. We haven't even wanted to park the cars in it yet!
One of our really good friends got baptized this week which was so special! We have been through a lot with this family and it was such an amazing thing to see the dad turn his life over to the Lord and take this step. He has been investigating the church for a few years and finally decided to commit to baptism. We were talking afterwards and I said to him "it has been a good day", to which he responded, "yeah, the very best". It was especially poignant because the day before that we had all attended the funeral of his father. It was an interesting juxtaposition and a reminder that the good and bad, sad and splendid are all wrapped up in one big package that makes up our mortal journey and that can exist side by side and that one doesn't necessarily negate the other.
We are really looking forward to the Family Gathering. And I would really like to hear Joe's interview with Dad. It think that was such a brilliant idea.
Love to all!!!!
Sunday we were in Logan for Conference and got to see Lauren, Nick, Wesley, and Thomas, along with the parents and Emma. While there we found out that Joe and co. were going to be up in Logan on Thursday for their Spring Break so we decided to come back down to hang out with them. We went to Baby Animal Days at the American Heritage Center which was a blast! It is so fun to watch the cousins playing together. Dad and Mom and I were getting all kinds of excited about the pioneer games we played and are going to figure out how to make some of our own. Simple but hours worth of entertainment. After touring the dugout and cabins there Peter now wants to grow grass on our roof. Jenn and I had a lovely conversation on Thursday night while she and Scott were out doing good deeds for their neighbors. Saturday afternoon Emma came up to do some shopping (she really had to twist my arm) for some items she wanted for the pending D.C. trip. We had so much fun! Mom, Thomas, and Victoria came up for Millie's baby blessing today and it was so great to see Victoria! I feel like it had been a while. It was delightful to visit with the Nilssons, as always. Being with family just never gets old!
This week Jack started soccer and is having a great time! He is a natural and we are excited to watch him develop those skills.
Peter got a bike for his birthday and he has totally mastered it and is zipping around like a pro without training wheels. He never used them once! It makes his mom nervous to watch him attempting the tricks that his big brothers can do, but there's been no bloodshed to date.
We had a productive weekend (those are the best kind) and were able to wrap up and tackle a few projects that had been lingering on our list. Hooray for a clean garage. We haven't even wanted to park the cars in it yet!
One of our really good friends got baptized this week which was so special! We have been through a lot with this family and it was such an amazing thing to see the dad turn his life over to the Lord and take this step. He has been investigating the church for a few years and finally decided to commit to baptism. We were talking afterwards and I said to him "it has been a good day", to which he responded, "yeah, the very best". It was especially poignant because the day before that we had all attended the funeral of his father. It was an interesting juxtaposition and a reminder that the good and bad, sad and splendid are all wrapped up in one big package that makes up our mortal journey and that can exist side by side and that one doesn't necessarily negate the other.
We are really looking forward to the Family Gathering. And I would really like to hear Joe's interview with Dad. It think that was such a brilliant idea.
Love to all!!!!
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Hyde Park Highlights
We are still basking in the glow of General Conference. It was so inspiring and wonderful! We went to Springville for the Saturday sessions, listening to the morning session in the car and spending a few moments with Joe's family before going to Grandpa's to watch the afternoon session. Afterward, we went back to play with the grandchildren and help out for a minute in the garden preparations at Joe and Lori's. Dad and Joe went to priesthood meeting with Grandpa and Lori went to her new favorite shopping spot (Home Depot) while I played with the children. I felt like a real live grandma when Joy fell asleep while I read to her! It was heavenly! Emma enjoyed listening to conference by herself and visiting Lauren after the sessions were over.
It was delightful to have the Hart family come to enjoy the Sunday afternoon session with us. They arrived just after the morning session and we had a fun visit and lunch before feasting again at the feet of the brethren. Then we went for a walk and played at the park until the dark clouds became too threatening and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees! The Mannings joined us for dinner, which was a delight for all! We got a few more minutes of games and visiting before everyone headed home and we are back to our quiet house. It was a nearly perfect weekend! (It would have been completely perfect if we could have seen the rest of our family...)
Dad's boss sent a lovely bouquet of daffodils home with him last week. They are very gorgeous and a taste of spring time in our kitchen. There are a few buds on the trees and the tulips and other bulbs are still coming, but we have to leave the valley and head south before we can see blossoms on the trees and other real signs of spring. It was beautiful in Utah Valley and I'm sure spring will come to Cache Valley one of these days. We are trying to be patient and get ready for it.
Emma is getting excited to head to Washington, D.C. in a couple of weeks. They leave on the 20th and return on her birthday, the 26th. They are getting a bit nervous and feelings are a little on edge, but I'm sure they'll do a wonderful job. It will be a great experience, regardless.
Oh, one funny experience from this week: Dad and I went to the temple Friday to do some sealings. At one point, we did some couples from Australia, which was especially fun for Dad. I was sealed to Brother George Albert Smith from Australia! Very fun :)
Well, I know it will be "business as usual" tomorrow morning when I get up, but I am going to try to remember something from conference every day in order to lift the "usual" to a new height! There are no words to express how much I love conference!
It was delightful to have the Hart family come to enjoy the Sunday afternoon session with us. They arrived just after the morning session and we had a fun visit and lunch before feasting again at the feet of the brethren. Then we went for a walk and played at the park until the dark clouds became too threatening and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees! The Mannings joined us for dinner, which was a delight for all! We got a few more minutes of games and visiting before everyone headed home and we are back to our quiet house. It was a nearly perfect weekend! (It would have been completely perfect if we could have seen the rest of our family...)
Dad's boss sent a lovely bouquet of daffodils home with him last week. They are very gorgeous and a taste of spring time in our kitchen. There are a few buds on the trees and the tulips and other bulbs are still coming, but we have to leave the valley and head south before we can see blossoms on the trees and other real signs of spring. It was beautiful in Utah Valley and I'm sure spring will come to Cache Valley one of these days. We are trying to be patient and get ready for it.
Emma is getting excited to head to Washington, D.C. in a couple of weeks. They leave on the 20th and return on her birthday, the 26th. They are getting a bit nervous and feelings are a little on edge, but I'm sure they'll do a wonderful job. It will be a great experience, regardless.
Oh, one funny experience from this week: Dad and I went to the temple Friday to do some sealings. At one point, we did some couples from Australia, which was especially fun for Dad. I was sealed to Brother George Albert Smith from Australia! Very fun :)
Well, I know it will be "business as usual" tomorrow morning when I get up, but I am going to try to remember something from conference every day in order to lift the "usual" to a new height! There are no words to express how much I love conference!
Flake Fun
2 April 2017 - Things are looking like spring in Snowflake. The trees are budding and blossoming, the prairie dogs are chirping, the sun is shining (for the most part) and plants are starting to pop up.
This week has been a long one. Scott has a lot on his plate at work which keeps him really busy. I had a training this weekend so I was "at work" on Friday and Saturday which made for a very short weekend. Luckily I have a wonderful husband that did all of the shopping and laundry while I was gone!
The training I was at was for CERT - Community Emergency Response Teams. It was very enlightening and caused some good preparedness reflection. Have you ever wondered where to start with you emergency preparedness? The thought came to me that we need 72 hour go-kits but we also need 72-hour stay kits. Just consider, IF you were stuck at home for 72 hours, do you have everything that you need? When I say stuck I mean, you can't leave, you have no utilities, no phone, no water (coming through the pipes) or anything. Are you ready for something like that? I have learned in my job that, for most people, when a disaster occurs, help won't be there for at least 72 hours. When I say help, I mean government/utility/the Calvary type help. And even when they do get there, you might not be at the top of the list. Did you know that utility companies have a restoration hierarchy...critical infrastructure first (your house isn't critical to the utility company! - unless you have a life saving device in it that has been registered with them). So, a fun exercise for you (if you want) could be to write down everything that you use in 72 hours. Don't scrimp, don't change your routine, just write it down. At the end of the 72 hours, look over your list and adjust your 72-hour stay kit accordingly. Anyway, that is my preparedness thought - same thing goes for the students Dad.
We are getting excited for the Gathering! We'll let you know as soon as we decide what we are going to be making for the mission dinner. Love you guys! Can't wait to see you all.
This week has been a long one. Scott has a lot on his plate at work which keeps him really busy. I had a training this weekend so I was "at work" on Friday and Saturday which made for a very short weekend. Luckily I have a wonderful husband that did all of the shopping and laundry while I was gone!
The training I was at was for CERT - Community Emergency Response Teams. It was very enlightening and caused some good preparedness reflection. Have you ever wondered where to start with you emergency preparedness? The thought came to me that we need 72 hour go-kits but we also need 72-hour stay kits. Just consider, IF you were stuck at home for 72 hours, do you have everything that you need? When I say stuck I mean, you can't leave, you have no utilities, no phone, no water (coming through the pipes) or anything. Are you ready for something like that? I have learned in my job that, for most people, when a disaster occurs, help won't be there for at least 72 hours. When I say help, I mean government/utility/the Calvary type help. And even when they do get there, you might not be at the top of the list. Did you know that utility companies have a restoration hierarchy...critical infrastructure first (your house isn't critical to the utility company! - unless you have a life saving device in it that has been registered with them). So, a fun exercise for you (if you want) could be to write down everything that you use in 72 hours. Don't scrimp, don't change your routine, just write it down. At the end of the 72 hours, look over your list and adjust your 72-hour stay kit accordingly. Anyway, that is my preparedness thought - same thing goes for the students Dad.
We are getting excited for the Gathering! We'll let you know as soon as we decide what we are going to be making for the mission dinner. Love you guys! Can't wait to see you all.
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