Nilsson News

 I haven't been on here in awhile but I feel like there isn't a whole lot to report.  February is the shortest month of the year but definitely feels like the longest.  We have been cold, cold, cold, but thankfully there has been snow along with the cold.  With the hope of helping to usher in the spring, I have started a few of my early seeds and a couple of them have sprouted!  Yay for green!

Garrett went to LA for four days for a work conference and he got to enjoy some sunshine and warm weather.  The kids and I survived while he was gone and tried to entertain ourselves as best we could.

Addy has been heavily involved in the high school choir, Bonnevaires.  Last night, they put on their annual dinner show and we were happy to have grandma and grandpa and Ian join us there.  It was so fun and Addy did a terrific job especially on her solo pieces.

Emerson has been wood carving things but just recently turned his attention to metal working.  He is very eager to build a forge so he can make his own knives and machete.  Who knows where this is going to lead to!  He has been enjoying his scout troop and survived his snow cave camp.  He said his cave only got down to zero degrees and he was quite toasty.

Eliza now has a bunny.  I real live, fluffy, breathing one.  His name is Opie and she loves him like crazy.  Her fiddling is going really well and her ear is quite astounding.

Henry can't get enough of cars and Legos.  He can name every fancy car out there and is constantly on the look out for fancy cars on the road.  There aren't too many of those on Idaho Fall's roads however.  Henry told me that when he grows up he is going to be a car collector.  He is going to build a barn that won't be for animals but for his machines.  I asked him how he was going to pay for all his cars and machines.  He answered that he was going to be a rocket scientist.  I don't doubt it!

Millie has taken off with her reading thanks to Gerald and Piggie.  She is preparing for her first piano recital and is a little nervous about it.  I told her we could play duets and then I'd be able to go up with her.  She liked that idea so we chose some songs that had a duet part.  Only after a day of practicing, she had MY part figured out on the piano!  I can't keep up.

Speaking of keeping up, Dane is all over the place and doing all he can to try to walk.  He pulls himself up on everything and only holds on with one hand.  Usually he will let go just to see if can stay standing.  He's in the phase of a lot of head bonks and bruises.

Life is good and we're counting down to spring!  Now for some pictures!

Henry's lego and car obsession combined!

When winter gets long, go to the library!

When winter gets long, do yoga!

When we were down to -27, there was thick ice on the inside of all our windows and doors.

Cute, fluffy Opie.

When the winter gets long, go to California.

Addy's dinner show.  She was a great waitress.

When the winter gets long, just play with Dane!

 

Flake Funnies

Well we have spent the at several weeks fighting off "the wog" in every variety but I think that we may be on the mend for the most part. 

Robin received 9 Fancy Nancy books from Aunt Cynthia for Christmas so we have been fully immersed in fancy-ness and big words.  It is not uncommon for her to run into a room exclaiming something like, "mom, there is something terrible in the greenhouse," or "that is so incredible." 

Rand is still fully immersed in all things construction and is thrilled when he can take his diggers and dumpers to play in real dirt and sand. 

James is increasing his vocabulary even though I seem to be the only one that understands him.  He loves being a big kid especially if Rand will do something with him. The other evening he saw Scott driving up.  He jumped down from his chair, looked at Rand and exclaimed, "Ra! 'Mere!" (Rand, come here) and he raced to the front door.

Scott's new boss started last week so we'll see how that works out.  Hopefully it will take a load off of Scott's shoulders.

Hope to see you guys soon!! Keep the baby and other kid pics and videos coming. We all love to see them!!

Manning moments

 Well, 2023 started off with a bang! Everyone know about Chet's broken elbow and we are so grateful for all the prayers and help. It was pretty ridiculous that I couldn't take care of anyone but I am feeling much better these days and very grateful for that. Nick was a super star through everything and took care of laundry, food, work when he could, cleaning and playing with the boys. He is amazing! 

In the midst of that, Gus got croup which he passed onto Nick, Chet, Wes and now I have it. I am so glad I got it after the morning sickness has subsided! We also had someone in the ward back into our van after church. Not a huge smash but expensive to fix if we do that. Then Gus fell on the snow shovel and cut his head. After I broke down about that I realized I needed to change my mindset. So I was very grateful that the shovel missed Gus' eye and very grateful that the car wasn't damaged more that it was. I have been trying to look on the bright side and it proves to be a better perspective.

Chet got his cast off and it has been challenging to see him not use it and be afraid of so many physical efforts but I'm sure it will just take some time. 

In the meantime, we are very grateful for legos. Chet and Wesley have been building legos almost around the clock! They are so creative and remarkable with how they use legos. Wesley is doing well with reading and math and continues to love science!

We sure are grateful for all of you and hope to see you soon!