31 January 2016 - This week has been pretty good. The weather has been cold but sunny. Right now the wind is blowing like crazy. We had a road runner visit our backyard the other day which was fun.
Scott spent some time in Phoenix this week on business. I had a 2 day long training on mass care coordination. So, work was good. They are still doing construction on the government complex so both Scott and I are in office limbo which is hard on productivity levels.
Yesterday we spent the day helping with the siding at TJ's. We got most of a wall done. Building a house takes a VERY long time, especially if you are doing things yourself. Just FYI in case anyone is thinking of building in the near future!
That is what has been going on in Arizona! Hope everyone has a great week! Can't wait to see everyone soon!
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Nilsson News
Well, Garrett let out the word to the ward today. He was advised by the Stake President to hold off telling only a few people at a time and just announce our move at the end of sacrament meeting. It was a very stressful thing for Garrett, trying to come up with the right words to say so as to not offend anyone. It is interesting how many people think that if you have certain callings, like bishop, you are not allowed to move. Everyone was very complimentary and kind and they all had wonderful things to say about Idaho Falls. We are getting excited! Garrett's start date is March 12th but we are still unsure about whether we will all be up there by that time. We are considering having a contractor come and finish up the basement bedrooms. We still need to find out if it would increase the value of our home enough to make it worth it.
The house hunting continues. Our criteria is, no exceeding our price, at least one acre of land, at least two bathrooms and Garrett says at least within 10 miles of his work. Doesn't that encompass the entire city? This really makes me all sorts of nervous but I just hope someone is praying us to where we need to be. For the next little while, this is most likely all you will hear about. I'll end with some of the pictures we took recently.
The house hunting continues. Our criteria is, no exceeding our price, at least one acre of land, at least two bathrooms and Garrett says at least within 10 miles of his work. Doesn't that encompass the entire city? This really makes me all sorts of nervous but I just hope someone is praying us to where we need to be. For the next little while, this is most likely all you will hear about. I'll end with some of the pictures we took recently.
Hart Happenings
This is Ian: at my singing class this week it was Opposite Day! It was weird,when my teacher said hello she said goodbye and when she said goodbye she said hello! Today Peter gave his first article of faith In sunbeams! He did so good! Jack just lost his tooth on Friday! For movie night we watched seven brides for seven brothers for the first time! Our grandparents that were on a mission just came back from Thailand! So we were at our cousins house just playing around when all of a sudden our grandparents just walked threw the door! It was a surprise!
Elise now:
This week was nice. The boys finished their snow fort and slide that they've been working on. I've never seen anything like it!
We got to go on a fun field trip to the library with our homeschooling group and play with their KEVA planks. There are pictures of what the boys built as a collaborative effort between them and another boy.
Our good friends, the Cronins, are moving back up here from Logan and actually bought a house across the street from Alex's aunt and uncle and will be in the same ward as them and Alex's grandma. Small world! We got to have dinner with Chad this week and we're so excited for the whole family to join them.
In my book club this month we are reading The Rent Collector. It is such a good perspective building book. I highly recommend it! To everyone. Seriously. Go read it.
Things are going well here. We're excited for the upcoming nuptials! 
Hyde Park Happiness
Two births took out much of this week. One was very long and ended up at the hospital so the mom could get an epidural. Just what she needed - pushed the baby out shortly afterward and was very happy with her experience. On Thursday, Emma and I went to Ogden/Layton. The plan was to drop the quilt off that I've been making for Victoria and Thomas to a machine quilter in Wellsville, then go help Ruth get her basement cleaned up a little in preparation for getting organized to move. I also had to do a prenatal visit at the birth center. Lastly, Emma and I were going to look for dresses for Thomas' wedding. Well, it took much longer to finish the quilt than anticipated, so we left several hours late and couldn't drop off the quilt on the way down. I went to the birth center while Emma went to play with the Nilssons for a few minutes before returning to pick me up. We went to the mall on the way to Ruth's to peek at dresses, but while there I received a call that a mom was in labor in Logan. We rushed back to Ruth's to pick Chester up, put gas in the car and headed back home. No looking at dresses; no helping Ruth. We did drop the quilt off on the way into Cache Valley. I took Emma home and grabbed some things to go to the birth. Got home at 2:00 a.m. after a lovely birth. We hope to try again this week to get to Ruth's house to help out - but there's another mom due this week....
When there is much to do, the time goes quickly! But the quilt is nearly finished, the bridal shower is planned (you should all get an invitation this week), the wedding gift has been purchased and will be delivered to the apartment tomorrow, Thomas is nearly moved out and has been staying in the apartment in North Logan, and the announcements are almost all sent. What a whirlwind this month has been! But it's nice to have something worthwhile to spend time doing. Next thing on the list is clean the house!
Dad is on his way to Salt Lake tomorrow for a three day conference. That leaves just Emma and me and Chester home. Strange. We'll likely have a party! Anyone who wants to may join us :-)
When there is much to do, the time goes quickly! But the quilt is nearly finished, the bridal shower is planned (you should all get an invitation this week), the wedding gift has been purchased and will be delivered to the apartment tomorrow, Thomas is nearly moved out and has been staying in the apartment in North Logan, and the announcements are almost all sent. What a whirlwind this month has been! But it's nice to have something worthwhile to spend time doing. Next thing on the list is clean the house!
Dad is on his way to Salt Lake tomorrow for a three day conference. That leaves just Emma and me and Chester home. Strange. We'll likely have a party! Anyone who wants to may join us :-)
Manning Musings
Well I have not been the most exceptional blogger since school started and before that too! But school did start and it has been a lot more manageable and relaxed than last semester. Nick has a much lighter schedule and I am only teaching one section twice a week. So we are very happy about that. Nick was given the option to student teach seminary this semester which is what we have been wanting but we couldn't seem to find a time every day that would work. So after a lot of thought and prayer we decided to refuse the offer and hope that the opportunity comes in the fall.
Funny story of the week: We have been taking Sher Anderson's birthing class which is excellent and very informative. She talked about Cayenne pepper being a great source that helps with picking up iron and blood clotting. So I decided to make a Cayenne/Apple Cider Vinegar/Honey concoction yesterday. I knew Nick would like it because he loves hot and spicy things. As I was measuring the water and honey, Nick was opening the Vinegar. He asked, "so do you like this stuff?" I thought he was talking about the concoction but he was talking about the vinegar and so I said, "yes, I've acquired a taste for it." The next thing I knew, Nick was spewing vinegar everywhere and sputtering! Once I realized what happened I have to say I couldn't stop laughing! He really is not afraid to try anything edible and maybe not so edible so I need to be careful about that. The burn subsided after adequate amounts of water were consumed but I think it had an effect because he called it his near death experience.
So that is the excitement at the Manning house!
Funny story of the week: We have been taking Sher Anderson's birthing class which is excellent and very informative. She talked about Cayenne pepper being a great source that helps with picking up iron and blood clotting. So I decided to make a Cayenne/Apple Cider Vinegar/Honey concoction yesterday. I knew Nick would like it because he loves hot and spicy things. As I was measuring the water and honey, Nick was opening the Vinegar. He asked, "so do you like this stuff?" I thought he was talking about the concoction but he was talking about the vinegar and so I said, "yes, I've acquired a taste for it." The next thing I knew, Nick was spewing vinegar everywhere and sputtering! Once I realized what happened I have to say I couldn't stop laughing! He really is not afraid to try anything edible and maybe not so edible so I need to be careful about that. The burn subsided after adequate amounts of water were consumed but I think it had an effect because he called it his near death experience.
So that is the excitement at the Manning house!
Flake Fun
24 January 2016 - This week has been a good one but nothing much of consequence happened. Yesterday and Friday we helped TJ start on the house wrap and siding for his home. It will be a long project but since the drywall installers will be working inside all of next week, there isn't much for us to do on the inside!
The pinewood derby was yesterday. Perhaps I have already told you but there is a man in our stake that runs all of the pinewood derbies for us. He sets up his top of the line, 4-lane track with a laser finish line. There is another guy who sets up his racing software that runs the brackets and final scores. And they always include a "guest" competitor. This year it was Kung Fu Panda. He did some martial arts moves with the scouts and then they raced. Panda's car was the slowest but he had fun anyway.
My in-laws spoke in church today and it was a great meeting. Dona spoke about being kind and how much of a difference that can make in the lives of those around you. Randy spoke about the miracles of Christ. But not in the traditional sense. He related a very moving story from his personal life about how President Kimball's successful heart surgery personally impacted him (Randy).
The ward elders also spoke. One, Elder Anderson, has been in our ward for about 5 months. Transfers came yesterday and he is being transferred.....to Taylor!!! For those of you who don't remember or know, Taylor is the next town over...literally less than a mile from our house!
Well we hope that you all have a great week. Can't wait to hear updates from everyone!
The pinewood derby was yesterday. Perhaps I have already told you but there is a man in our stake that runs all of the pinewood derbies for us. He sets up his top of the line, 4-lane track with a laser finish line. There is another guy who sets up his racing software that runs the brackets and final scores. And they always include a "guest" competitor. This year it was Kung Fu Panda. He did some martial arts moves with the scouts and then they raced. Panda's car was the slowest but he had fun anyway.
My in-laws spoke in church today and it was a great meeting. Dona spoke about being kind and how much of a difference that can make in the lives of those around you. Randy spoke about the miracles of Christ. But not in the traditional sense. He related a very moving story from his personal life about how President Kimball's successful heart surgery personally impacted him (Randy).
The ward elders also spoke. One, Elder Anderson, has been in our ward for about 5 months. Transfers came yesterday and he is being transferred.....to Taylor!!! For those of you who don't remember or know, Taylor is the next town over...literally less than a mile from our house!
Well we hope that you all have a great week. Can't wait to hear updates from everyone!
Sunday, January 17, 2016
From Hyde Park
It's interesting how quickly one's perspective of what's important can change. I was watching a documentary on birth in the U.S. while working on a quilt last Monday when I got a call informing me that Danton Balls had passed away unexpectedly at his home that afternoon. Danton is about Lauren's age, maybe a year older. Dan and Jan Balls both have callings in Dad's YSA stake and have been our friends for a couple of decades and we have mourned for them and with them this week. Yesterday there was a viewing then a short program for immediate family, then they went to the cemetery for a short dedication of the grave and to release some balloons. Though very hard and sad, there was a distinct peace throughout the day, and throughout the week, really. What a great blessing the gospel is at times like this, a sweet mercy to those whose hearts are heavy and who seek comfort and peace. Although they understand The Plan and are quick to acknowledge the help they've received, prayers for the Balls family would be appreciated.
Dad and Emma are recovering from illness. Dad has been watching the presidential debates with great interest. Not sure who to vote for yet. Thomas is getting things ready to move into the apartment he and Victoria will be living in. I'm finding more to do than can possibly get done. Things are moving forward for the wedding. We have enjoyed several storms this week, with snow about every other day. We are glad for it! All is well.
In Sacrament Meeting today, one speaker talked about becoming. She said, "Many of us have set some goals for the new year, or at least have made some lists of things to do this year. How many of us have made a list of what to be?" That was an interesting thought. Perhaps I'll write down two lists: Things to Do and Things to Be. I hope I can make some progress on accomplishing something on both lists!
Watch for the 2016 Predictions to be posted later today....
Love you all! Have a lovely week!
Dad and Emma are recovering from illness. Dad has been watching the presidential debates with great interest. Not sure who to vote for yet. Thomas is getting things ready to move into the apartment he and Victoria will be living in. I'm finding more to do than can possibly get done. Things are moving forward for the wedding. We have enjoyed several storms this week, with snow about every other day. We are glad for it! All is well.
In Sacrament Meeting today, one speaker talked about becoming. She said, "Many of us have set some goals for the new year, or at least have made some lists of things to do this year. How many of us have made a list of what to be?" That was an interesting thought. Perhaps I'll write down two lists: Things to Do and Things to Be. I hope I can make some progress on accomplishing something on both lists!
Watch for the 2016 Predictions to be posted later today....
Love you all! Have a lovely week!
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