Nilsson News

 It was a happening week! The weather was absolutely lovely and we spent a lot of time outdoors.  I feel like we have a million projects on the forefront and I need to sort out the priorities.  Well, on Wednesday we went and picked up a new little batch of chicks.  Millie was too small to remember chicks the last time we got them so she was delighted when we brought the fluffballs home.  We got some Ameracaunas, Buff Orpington, Speckled Sussex and we are waiting for the Salmon Faverolles - a new breed we are really excited to try.  

Garrett had a birthday yesterday.  After enjoying so much good weather we woke up to snow and had a gloomy, slushy sort of day.  We had our traditional birthday festivities which were fun and then the climax came when our new donkey herd arrived!  We have been needing a new jack and this one came with his harem.  We now have an outstanding, small jack, four lovely jennies and two foals.  The have great pedigrees and are a very high quality bunch.  We are excited to see what happens with these guys!  A grand total of fifteen donkeys with two pregnant mamas due within the month! 

We finished off the celebration with the Harts, enjoying a rather incredible cake (it's called millionaire cake) that Addy crafted.  Good times!

Flake 5

 The wind has shown up in Snowflake. We try to take advantage of any non or minimal windy times to get outside.  Sadly, our hoop house got into a fight with a barbed wire fence but Scott did some fortifying and we should be ready to go again. 

We had so much fun in Utah and were glad that we were able to see so many of you. A thousand thanks to Mom and Dad for hosting us, to Dad for chauffeuring us and to everyone for entertaining us. 

Time marches on.. 

Nilsson News

 Spring is definitely in the air!  It is funny to me that when the temps reach 40 degrees, everyone emerges and you see people in t-shirts.  I drove past the park that was still completely covered in snow and just because the temperature was 40, it was packed with people!

This last week, we took a trip down to St. George and Zion's National Park.  Garrett's parents joined us along with Garrett's sister Kate and her family.  The weather was even more lovely and I actually heard more than one of my children say, "Wow, it's hot here!" at 60 degrees.  We enjoyed going on hikes all around the park and Millie proved to be a champion hiker.  The deer were all over the place and not scared a bit.  We woke up to three of them right outside our tent door.  It was a nice break for us.

The day after getting home, Addy had her clogging competition in Pocatello and did a really good job.  We were really concerned because the morning we were packing for our trip, she fell over a scooter and sprained her foot pretty bad.  She limped around for a few days but somehow managed to clog on it and win several first place pins. 

When we got home, we jumped right in to tapping our trees and starting another batch of seeds as well as pruning our orchard.  This week we have our new chicks arriving, some are breeds we have never had before that we are pretty excited about.  This Saturday, our new donkey herd arrives!!!!

Another farm addition that we are eagerly looking forward to is.....a TRACTOR!  Our good neighbor has been on the lookout for one and he found one!  It is a classic little John Deere with a bucket scoop that will be perfect for doing the chores around the farm.  It is going to have a few minor tune ups and then we can bring it home.  Chet will definitely have to come visit!

Hart Happenings

Well, that was an unintended hiatus.  We had a really good time today reviewing all the posts we had missed.  You are an entertaining bunch of people!  Jenn, your pictures are priceless, Lauren, your young childrens' drama makes me laugh out loud, Ruth, your finished projects inspire me, and Emma, your tales had me in stitches!  I love them all!

We have spent a few weeks out of town, chasing warmer climes.  At the end of February you're just kind of over winter.  You know?  So, we decided after spending a lovely weekend in St. George for Jack's soccer tournament that we should turn around the next week and go back, which was even more lovely, weather-wise.  Alex' nephew, James, came with us and we went on some excellent hikes, played pickleball, spent time at the park, and swam all evening in the pool.  It was great.  We had to hold on tight to those memories since we ended up driving home in a blizzard. *sigh*.  Spring will come eventually.  Right?

Ian wasn't able to accompany us on our second trip down south because of rehearsal.  He is currently preparing for two performances.  One is Guys and Dolls (he plays Sky Masterson), and The Fearsome Pirate Frank (he is the titular Frank who is actually not a pirate at all).  We spent some time helping assemble and paint sets on Saturday which was really fun.  Seminary picks back up tomorrow and he is looking forward to that, although I don't know that he'll opt for early morning ever again.

The main event of the week was Ian's birthday.  15 years!  He's awesome.  He got an aerial silk which he has been wanting for a long time and has already learned a lot of cool moves and tricks.  He also got a trip to the DMV to get his driving permit and started Driver's Ed.  Don't ask me how I feel about it. I'm conflicted.  Addy made him a delicious mini cake which was so nice.  His friends surprised him by invading his acting class and singing him Happy Birthday and bringing gifts.  He celebrated later in the week going to breakfast with his homeschool buddies and having friends over on Saturday afternoon.  He is beloved by all. 

Jack has been having a really good time with his Deacon's quorum.  They come up with some great activities.  He is also still practicing and playing soccer.  He is cruising through his piano lessons and practices diligently every day.  A huge source of excitement for him was watching the Perseverance rover land on Mars.  He checks up on it regularly and keeps us apprised of all things Mars related.

Peter won his final indoor soccer game of the season and is now gearing up for spring outdoor season.  He is the reigning chess champion at our house.  He beats Jack consistently (who is the one who taught him), Alex lost to him this very morning, and Ian doesn't play him.  Peter is also learning a lot from his piano teacher.  Have I mentioned that she comes to our house to teach?  It is the very best thing.  It is spoiling us, I'm afraid.  I don't know what we'll do when she goes away to college.....

Thanks for everyone's participation the coloquium.  I have really loved it!  Y'all are brilliant.

Alex and I are mostly trying to keep up with the kiddos.  We did get some can lights installed in our front room which feels/looks so good!  It was always so dim in there and now it's not!

Aneesa's two oldest boys came on Friday night and stayed with us.  It was so fun to have them!  They were on their way to Rexburg to celebrate a cousin's birthday and told their mom they would just find some woods to camp in or something.  She sent me a panicked text and we came up with a better alternative.  It was so fun!  It took me back to the good old days of having the Maloufs just walking in to our house unannounced.  I loved it!

Alex became a Spike Ball ambassador.  Still not sure what that is.  But he has convinced Cam to be his partner in a tournament this weekend.  We'll see how they do.  Awesome, I'm sure.

Fondest regards to you all! I hope you have an excellent week!

                                            Rock climbing.  He's so high!

                  Trying to crack an egg in the crook of his elbow.  Impossible.  Everyone should try it.

                                       

                                           Birthday treat!

 

                                          

                                            Hiking in Red Cliffs

                                            Breadstick heaven!

                     

                                            Spike Ball in the sand

Flake Fun

 The last couple of weeks have been windy and cold with an occasional beautiful day. 

The big project has been building a small hoop house to try and extend our growing season a bit.  As I am sure is true for most of you, the weather will be beautiful and pwefec for planting and then in late May or early June there will be a 1-2 day cold snap that kills or almost kills everything that we transplanted or that is just coming up. It is rudimentary but I think that it will do the trick.  

The kids are growing like weeds and both Robin and Rand are working on their vocabulary. Rand is talking really well although I'm the only one that understands most of the time.  There are some very distinct words/phrases though like, "all done" and "ice".   

Robin on the other hand gets her point across through acting out her thoughts and wishes! It is adorable, as you can imagine.

James is getting pretty vocal as well and loves to tell very animated and intense stories. 

That is all that I can think of to report right now.  We are excited to see you! 

This was after a particularly hard day.