Nilsson News

 It's amazing how the time flies and Addy finally pointed out that we hadn't posted on this blog since the beginning of November.  I guess we get so caught up in the daily routine it doesn't feel like there is much we can write about.  We had a wonderful time with all of you at the gathering.  There was great food, visiting, playing, and family history fun.  We've since been involved in the holiday doings.  We aren't quite as ambitious as many of you and we don't make Christmas bread but we had a Saturday afternoon where we dipped pretzels like crazy and decorated them.  Millie and Henry went a little crazy with the sprinkles!

We missed going hunting for a tree up in the hills but the kids decided it just wouldn't be the same unless there was snow so we went to the small town hardware store and picked one out there.  Garrett has been adjusting to his new calling as the Elder's Quorum president.  The "old men" just aren't as exciting as the young men.

Addy had her clogging recital and did a fantastic job.  They didn't have an official recital last year due to Covid so it was fun to be there again.  We were grateful that the Harts joined us and cheered Addy on.  Earlier in the week, we enjoyed a geography and Shakespeare day with the Harts.  The kids are starting to memorize the countries of Europe so we celebrated by enjoying some delicious, authentic, Belgian waffles.  Then each of the kids presented a Shakespeare quote.  It was great!

We've been working on finishing Eliza and Millie's bedroom downstairs.  It's the last unfinished space in the house so we are excited to get it done.  Yesterday, we got the closet built and started dry walling the ceiling which is always a tricky task.  I started taping and mudding and it's nice to see things taking shape.  We are hoping we can have it mostly done so the kids can have their Christmas Eve sleepover in there.

That is the report as of late.  Nothing super exciting but sometimes we like it that way!

Flake Fun

 The past month has been fairly decent.

As all of you know, James is now walking and I am having a hard time keeping up with him.  He and Rand like to play together sometimes and I have to remind both of them to be soft and gentle; Rand because he likes to wrestle and rough house and James because he has quite a grip and can really do damage when he latches on to a body part (usually the face). 

I was asked to substitute piano today in primary. It went well until about 15 minutes into singing time when I heard Robin wailing from nursery.  I waited but they didn't bring her so I motioned to Dona and she went, picked her up and brought her to me. So, nursery is still not going well, to say the least. 

We had the ward Christmas party breakfast as well as the Bailey family Christmas party yesterday so I am pretty beat but here are some pictures since a picture is worth a thousand words. 

There is a reason that these plants are struggling but he loves sitting among the pots and digging. 

Doing the dishes is fun to do...

"I'm making Daddy some zucchini"

He spent most of our tree decorating dancing to Christmas music

Flake Fun

 The last several weeks have been doozies to be honest.  We did enjoy a visit to Smithfield and seeing some of you wonderful people! The kids particularly enjoyed Grandpa's swing!  

As soon as we got home the kids came down with a stomach bug which was quite the adventure. I went 5 days before having a vomit free day. (I am sure that some of you are thinking "5 days is nothing!" but it was exhausting).  

All 3 kids are teething which comes with hair trigger emotions but we are getting through it.

Robin has been struggling with aggression and wild emotions and the last several days have put together a very sad and heartbreaking puzzle for me. Last Sunday was our week to teach Sunday School. I have had conversations with the nursery teachers about not letting the kids cry for more than a few minutes before they bring them to us.  I thought perhaps that it would be easier for Scott to take the twins to nursery and I would take James straight to class. Scott came in after a few minutes and said that Robin was pretty sad. I reassured myself that the leaders would bring her if she was sad for more than a few minutes. To make a long story short, there were 2 substitute teachers in nursery, one that Robin is afraid of, and that substitute had walked the halls with her for the duration of nursery. Needless to say, she went to Relief Society with me today and it could be 2022 before she will go back of her own choice. 

We went to the Mesa temple open house on Friday and it was a good experience.  The kids really loved the reflection pool on the grounds.  

Well, I'm heading for bed. See you all next week!!!

I knew that they were not feeling well when they climbed on the couch and zonked for 90 minutes less then 2 hours after they woke up.

Carving pumpkins with Daddy 

Victory! A successful table climb

Nilsson News

 I can't stop laughing at Lauren's post!  I love the simplicity of her schedule and maybe I should implement it at our house.  I think all my kids would be on board for the 30 minute run around, jumping, punching part.  Little kids are so entertaining!

The latest happenings around here were Addy, Emerson, and Garrett's trip to Oregon.  They flew up there and met up with Garrett's parents.  It rained every single day but they were able to enjoy plenty of museums, aquariums, and when the clouds let up, walks along the coast.  They learned a lot about Lewis and Clark at the National Park there and were able to visit the Columbia River and see the salmon in migration.  They were also able to attend the Portland temple to do baptisms and that was a highlight.  I challenged the kids to try some fish since they were at the coast and it tastes good there.  Emerson was not super keen on the idea but did try some really good fish and chips and reported that they tasted like chicken nuggets.  That's not exactly what I had in mind but it is a small step forward.  Other than Emerson, they each had a day of not feeling great with fever, chills and aches.  They didn't know it at the time, but it was Covid.

The little kids and myself, stayed behind and tried to entertain ourselves.  We ended up going down to Mom's while Jenn and her kiddos were there and that was so much fun.  I had a small cough and debated whether I should go, but after weighing all the symptoms, decided it was safe.  We visited with Emma and Cam and briefly saw Lauren and her boys.  After returning home, and a couple of days later, I lost my smell.  Mom's crazy immune booster goop was our smell test with all it's apple cider vinegar, garlic, horseradish, oregano and who knows what all, and I couldn't smell a titch.  I went to get a test and it came back positive.  I felt fine other than my tiny cough and no smell!  Garrett and the others came home that night and the next day, Addy reported she couldn't smell nor could Garrett or Eliza.  They all took the goop smell test.  Garrett called his parents and they tested positive for Covid as well.  So quarantine, here we come!  I don't know which is worse, to be cooped up for several days feeling totally fine or at least make it feel productive by feeling horrible?  We missed out on the trick or treat festivities which was a big disappointment for the kids but luckily they had been able to attend a Halloween party earlier in the week.

We survived and are in the clear zone now.  We can't figure out how Emerson escaped without any symptoms whatsoever.  Maybe it's his steady diet of hamburgers from his trip and one serving of very healthy fish.  We are hoping this keeps everyone healthy and good for the Thanksgiving holiday and gathering!  Can't wait!

A bat, cowboy, and ghost, oh my!

Manning Males and Mom

 I need help with our title. Lots of M's.

We have had an interesting week. School has been very fun and the boys are learning lots of great things. We got supplies to make rockets and that has been a blast, literally. We have to balance everything out and it usually goes something like: 10 min. reading, writing or math, 30 min. running around, jumping or punching. repeat. 

The boys had fevers this week and it caused Chet to have a night terror which was terrifying. I don't think I've recovered from that! They also started a Parkour class and it is hilarious to watch but they love it. They try to climb our walls and everything. 

Unlike many of you, we have enjoyed nice weather but it is getting colder. I really like the heat:)

There isn't a whole lot to report but all is well.

Flake Fun

 James is making great strides these days and loves to walk most of the time.  He gets downright angry when he falls and can't see any reason that he can't do everything that the big kids can. 

On Wednesday Rand fell and hit his face on the corner of the speaker under the computer table. Withing 60 seconds his cheek was bruised and the blood finally stopped after he ate a frozen GoGurt. He had a fat lip and cheek for a few days but now his little face is back to normal except for the nasty yellow bruise that is lingering.

Robin has recently started a new comedy routine that keeps us chuckling. She'll pucker her lips up, furrow her brow and then start to talk about whatever is on her mind: "Mommy has jammies on?" "Daddy likes broccoli?" It is hilarious and so spontaneous that we haven't gotten it on video yet. 

Hope that you all have a great week. Love you all!

Flake Fun

 I'm sorry that I have only been writing once a month.  Sundays just fly by.  I'll be glad to have morning church in a couple of months. I hope that it will be easier for naps and meals!! 

I don't feel like there is much to report so here are some pics!

The twins are doing really well at nursery. Robin has no problem but Rand still has a hard time letting Mom and Dad go to class.  He is doing lots better though. 

It has rained a lot lately so we've played in a lot of puddles.

A new favorite activity- yogurt painting!

James' 1st birthday party. He insists on feeding himself.

Our weekend activity: replacing the chimney