Nilsson News

I didn't post last week because it was a rather miserable week with Garrett being gone for a conference in Boise and three of the five kids ending up with the stomach flu.  No fun!  In spite of being sick but on the uphill climb, Addy competed in the local Sonatina competition (one of the judges was Kevin Olsen, one of Lauren's USU professors) and took first place in her division!  It was definitely a blessing among the trials of the week.
Yesterday, Addy, Emerson and Eliza had a neat opportunity to participate with their choir in filming a music video.  It was filmed in Frank Vandersloot's barn on his ranch.  He is the owner of Melaleuca and is the one who funds the 4th of July fireworks.  When we walked into the building, the kids looked around and said, "Mom, is this really a barn?"  Compared to ours,...um, no.  It was an awesome venue and the kids did great!  We will let you know when the video comes out so you can all see it.  Hopefully in time for Christmas!
They have broken ground across the street from us for a new subdivision (tears).  What would make it not so horrible of a thing is if some of you built a home there!  There will only be seven homes I believe and they will be on three acre lots.  Any takers?  Mannings?  Bellistons?  Flakes?  We would love you for neighbors but we wouldn't be in the same ward.  Think about it....the Harts make pretty good neighbors too!
We are super excited to see you guys  next week and for Thanksgiving!

 The sonatina competition

 We went with our homeschool friends to see the Darwin and Dinosaurs exhibit at the museum.  It was a blast!

 Look how much fun we have in Idaho!  We had a great craft day, making dream catchers and medicine pouches to go along talking about the Native Americans who lived in Idaho.  The kids went adventuring afterward and filled their pouches with all sorts of herbal leaves and remedies.

 Leaves!  We are just getting to our leaf raking.

 This is the Rexburg children's choir with the Fiddle Express singing "Stars Were Gleaming."  Addy is with the middle group and Emerson and Eliza are off to the right side.

T-N-T

Well it's been "freezing" here, like it got all the way down to 40 degrees... But thankfully it came back up and was a beautiful 75 the last few days.  So if anyone gets tired of hypothermia up there let us know, we'll clear out a room for ya!

Speaking of rooms, we're closing on a home this week, so that's exciting!  It's a townhome closer to downtown so it'll cut down the travel to and from work which will be nice.  That's basically the only exciting thing that's been going on down this-a-way.  Tori's traveling like crazy, nothing new there, and I'm teaching more and more classes as they open up!  It's been busy but great! Hopefully we'll have everything all moved into the new home and yall can come visit for a warm Christmas :) .

Hart Happenings

Happy Sabbath everyone!
  We had a wonderful Primary Program today.  The children did an excellent job and sang their hearts out.  There was an enormous congregation and it was just a great experience all around.  Primary is the best!
  Jack and Peter decided that soccer isn't the only sport on the planet and are now playing on basketball teams.  So fun!  But Jack is still playing indoor soccer.  Their last game was so much fun to watch!  They won handily.
  We are enjoying a heat wave here in Idaho which makes for nice working in the yard weather.  We've been hovering around 50 degrees as a high.  Yippee!
  The whole fam took a quick trip down to Brigham City on Friday night to see Alex' niece in her school's version of Newsies.  They did great and Ian especially loved it!
  Ian was hired over the weekend by a man in our ward to rake the leaves off and pick up the sticks on his 10 acre property.  There was a crew of boys over there and Ian got to drive a four wheeler so it sounded like it was a good time.
  Ruth had sick kids so we cancelled our field trip plans and just had Emerson over for a fun afternoon playing with Jack and Peter while Ian watched The Sound of Music.  Mom, he LOVED it.  So there, Thomas.  That was the day that Alex took a road trip with his Dad and brother to Casper, Wyoming to see if they could get the building they own there on the market to sell.
  Ian is gearing up for his Matilda performances which start this Friday.  It's going too be great!  We are excited to see all his hard work pay off.
  Life is trucking along!  Hope all is well with you guys.  If you're looking for another really thought-provoking podcast, check out the Maxwell Institute podcast.  There's a really wide variety of material on there and some deep religious discussion.  I've really liked it so far.
  Take care!
 

Nilsson News

It sounds like winter has hit most of the family.  I was looking at the Idaho Falls weather forecast while we were in California and the low was supposed to be -1 and the high 25 degrees.  I was glad to be enjoying 65 degree weather for a few brief days.  California was a blast and the only thing that would have made it any better would be to have the Flakes, Mannings, the T's and Emma there.  I can see it in the future!  After the epic Spartan experience, our family traveled on to Monterey, CA to explore the beach.  Here are some pics...

 

 
 

Ian got first place!!!!

                                                    

I was seriously worried about Joe and Alex and I'm so happy they lived through the ordeal!  Nevermind the mud, Elise, Thomas, Lauren, Nick and Scott, we will see you at the next Spartan.  I think maybe the Super in Mesa, AZ in February?  Aroo to another Spartan!
Here is a little from our adventure in Monterey.  The tide pooling was definitely the best part of the whole trip!

 

 It was a lovely vacation and now we are trying to get back in to real life!  Love you all and can't wait to see you for Emma's homecoming and/or Thanksgiving!

Hart Happenings

Greetings!
  The morning we got back from our week of adventuring Jack woke up and walked into the kitchen beaming and announced, "it feel so good to be home!"  He spoke what I think we were all feeling.  We had SUCH a great time in California with everyone and it all felt so nice to be back home so I think it was the perfect vacation.  Just right!
  I was so impressed with everyone's fortitude during the Spartan.  The kids did great, the adults survived and were so pleasant the next morning despite their aches and pains.  It was such a fun time.  I don't think we would ever want to do Spartans any other way without the whole crew!  It makes it so memorable, exciting and fun!
  Our forays into Yosemite and Sequoia national parks were awe inspiring.  It's amazing to see the diversity of God's creations wherever we go.  We spent time at the beach, in the desert, high alpine forests, and sequoia groves; all so different from each other and all so beautiful and interesting.
  Sorry to hear about Bob, the sucker fish.  Jenn, I think the reason you don't remember fish living that long when you were a kid is that ours never did live that long!  You must be keeping them in a magic horse trough.
  We got home just in time to jump into crazy preparations for our Trunk or Treat that the primary was in charge of, which was a huge success.  Ian also had rehearsals to get back to, Jack's indoor soccer had started, and we arrived back in town in time to celebrate Halloween with our traditional trick or treating rounds with our friends the Martins.
  The Primary is gearing up for their program next week.  We had our first run-through this afternoon and it was beautiful!  I love working with the kids in Primary.
  Alex was up to his neck in work the moment he walked in the door.  It is so nice to have the flexibility he does with his work but he has to work like crazy sometimes to get caught up!
  Mom and Dad came on Thursday/Friday for a midwife thing here and brought us some beef which was really nice.  It feels good to have a full freezer.  They got to see the progress we are making on our fireplace.  Guys!  We are making progress!  We might actually have it finished by Christmas!  It has been quite the ordeal.....
  Happy Daylight savings!  Ian woke up in a panic this morning at 8:45, Alex and I were gone to meetings so he hauled his brothers out of bed, got everyone dressed in record time and hustled them out the door to church.  So responsible.  But then he glanced at a different clock and realized that it was actually only 7:45 and that the super rush was unwarranted.  Peter was livid when Ian told his about the mix up.  That boy loves his bed and being yanked from it so unceremoniously and violently  upset him to no end.
  Alex's mom and dad always host a family dinner the first Sunday of the month so we enjoyed getting to gather with everyone this afternoon.  Soup was on the menu and it hit the spot!
  It is brutally cold here.  Not -48 like in Logan canyon, but plenty cold.  Tuesday the high was 27.  Ridiculous, if you ask me.  But we bundle up and carry on.  I like Lauren's determination to love where she lives year round.  I am going to take a page out of that book.
  Stay warm everyone!  I guess that might take some doing for everyone minus the missionary and T and Victoria.
  Looking forward to Thanksgiving!!!

Flake Fun

This week has been cold and very dry.  So dey in fact that while the night time temps were 9-18°, there was no frost in the mornings!  But I hear that the temps should be more fall like this week and not so much middle of winter-esque.

I had a nice, semi quiet birthday which was very nice.  It was fun to hear the surprise in Peter's voice when I told him that his mom was older than I am! 

Our sucker fish, Bob, died this week which was sad.  I honestly can't believe how well these fish are lasting! I don't remember fish living this long when I was a kid!

In baby news of the week,  they are getting bigger and enjoy chatting with each other.  Rand doesn't like to lay or sit down anymore but helping him stand is a great workout for biceps.   I think that you should recommend it in your classes T.  Maybe have a couple 3 month olds on hand to help promote the new workout regimen.

Well, that is all that I can think of right now. Hope that you all have a great week.

Flake Fun

While it has gotten chilly here we haven't gotten any snow yet.  We have gotten a lot of wins though.

This was a pretty good week. Both babies are learning to laugh which is so much fun. It is delightful to hear them react so pleasantly.  They are also liking to talk to and look at each other.  The latest and greatest toy is the bouncer that the Mannings gave us. Rand is really liking the upright position so it is a lifesaver for my arms!

The big news is that my job was posted and Scott applied for it.  Now we'll see what happens.  Fingers crossed that he gets it because I am planning a "training retreat" in Smithfield next month!

I think that is all for us.  Hope all the Spartans survived! Can't wait to hear all of the adventures!