Spring 2013

Thank the good heavens above, Spring has arrived. Here is what we have done lately...

Nelson got himself a motorcycle. (Shocker) He has a new hobby every time I blink. I told him to snap a picture of me wearing a camouflage shirt (I was only wearing it for the hunting show) while sitting on his motorcycle. That's his idea of a real woman.

We went to the Outdoors show at the Expo Center. Nelson is all smiles at this thing. Evy loved the dog show. There is some major people watching here.

This is mean to snap a picture of his distress but it was funny. I promise I helped him out of this predicament eventually.

I had to work Easter weekend this year. Nelson stayed home with Coleman to do yardwork. Evy went with my family on Saturday to Grandma Carol's farm in Idaho for an Easter egg hunt. This is one of the most amazing places on earth. It never disappoints. I am glad Evy has had the chance to experience it.

Evy, Kate, Zach

Coloring Easter eggs.

Our (soon-to-be) yardwork has started again this year. Grass will soon be on its way! Once spring hits, Nelson is always outside in the yard. He says his garden brings him such a high. Who would have thought? My Dad and Grandpa Jack have always been the same way. Evy insists on dressing fancy when she comes out to work with us. Always a lady.

Getting his garden ready. Don't ask me how he paid someone to bring in a bunch of dirt. Just don't ask me.

We have started going to parks again. We meet up with neighbor kids. The best part about parks is having a picnic. This means no huge cleanup at home after they eat. Small things make me happy.

He looks so much like me at this age. I need to post a picture. It's kind of weird to have a son that looks like me.

We have gone to Jump Zone a couple times too. It's a trampoline park. This is Avery and Evy on The "Rody" and "Rody max."

We went to a fish pond in Pleasant View we went to last year. It's a way easy way for kids to catch fish; too easy that we have to slow them down. Evy loves it but gets grossed out and kinda freaked when they come near her. Avery was holding up a fish and one slapped Evy on the cheek.

Robin, Evy and Nelson

Evy watching the kid hit the fish over the head then filet them. What a gross job but probably a teenage boy's dream.

Coleman started walking this week! He still prefers crawling but he is improving. I love that milestone.

It's Winter time and we're doing a whole lotta nothing..

We are super done with winter and finding things to do. For Valentine's Day Evy made some Valentines.

We made our annual heart shaped sugar cookies.

Evy loves to bake but she thinks the only thing worth really baking is cookies.

The artist.

We took our kids to Hardware Ranch to see the elk. They weren't totally up for it that day. Oh well, we tried.

We went to the Smithfield Fire Station as a Joyschool group today. Evy loved the fire trucks.

She said she loved the ambulance the best. Let's hope this is her first and last trip inside one of these things.

Fire Marshall Evy reporting for duty.

Ok. We're ready for Spring now.

Coleman's 1st Birthday 2013

So I had a super busy week at work. Sarah lent me the stuff to make this adorable dinosaur cake. I knew it would never work so I just frosted it as seen below and called it good. I had my family over at 1pm on Saturday. I had to make lunch, take care of my kids, make the cake and set up chairs before that time by myself. Nelson had the flu. This was the beginning of a not fun week. I did try a new enchilada recipe which turned out pretty good I thought.

Can you even tell it's a dinosaur? Well, it is.

Gene and Karlene came and spent the night on Friday night. They watched our kids Friday night so we could go to our neighbor's house for dinner. I was a total dud that night because I had a terrible day at work. Moral of the story is to not work the day before birthdays anymore.

Casey's family, my parents and Nelson's parents all came.

Coleman did not disappoint. He loved every minute of that cake. He was so fun to watch. Poor kid got sick two days later and is still sick.

Coleman got a cute bouncy bike, John Deere tractor and a toy puzzle.

The next day was Coleman's actual birthday. It was a Sunday and I kept the family home. Evy started to get a cold and Coleman has a hard time at church until 4:00. We kept our germs to ourselves and have had sickness in our house ever since (except me thank goodness). I let the kids paint in the tub for something to do. Evy decided to paint Coleman instead. Please acknowledge his chicken legs.

Evy giving Coleman birthday hugs before bed.

 

 

I also haven't mentioned that last month I finally finished my bachelor's of science in nursing. It is so nice not to have homework to deal with along with everything else in life.

 

 

Since I finished, I had Evy start in a joyschool group. There are 4 kids total. Evy is the only girl. All the moms rotate weeks teaching. This was my first week teaching the kids. I remember my joyschool group as a kid and my mom reading us the manner books that were popular in the '80s. I also remember getting my eye poked for the first time. It should be fun!

December 2012

We tried to get our kids to cooperate for a picture in front of the tree and it was nearly impossible.

I told Evy to smell the pine trees outside the store and she hated the smell. We had a fake tree this year and I missed this smell.

Coleman was always trying to snatch the cards off the fridge.

Evy colored some cute pictures.

We went to the North Logan Library's Polar Express party. They had a coloring station, candy train station, and gingerbread house (with stickers) station. Then Santa came. Santa was an 18 year old black- haired teenager. I am not sure it had the same effect on the kids. Ha ha. They then split into groups. One group watched part of the movie while the other group listened to the story told by the conducter and then swapped. They served cookies and hot cocoa. Evy loved it.

We went to the lighting of the Hyde Park City tree ceremony. Let's be honest, the tree is only like 5 feet tall but it has potential. Maybe we will see it one day when it is has finally reached its peak. Santa rode in on the city's fire truck and talked to the kids. They served wassail and cookies.

Evy and I made lots and lots of treats. We made over 100 or so cookies one day.

Evy visited Santa at the mall. She kept asking for a princess baby doll of Cinderella or Ariel.

Coleman loved the tree and kept unplugging it.

Holly and Coleman

On Christmas Eve we ate breakfast at Mimi's Cafe with Nelson's family. We then went to visit the Camblins. We ended up sleeping at my parents' house. Nelson's parents came and had dinner with us on Christmas Eve at my parents' house as well. This is Evy finding her dollhouse and Little Mermaid vanity.

My dad got a tribute "grumpy" mug to his personality.

Coleman loves the girl toys he's constantly surrounded with.

Nelson got lots of clothes and treats. He claims he is going on a diet in January.

Nelson and Evy built a Mickey Mouse snowman.

We had a yummy turkey dinner at Darren and Camille's house in Saratoga Springs. I just love it when Coleman falls asleep on me.

Linley put her new makeup on Evy.

On Dec. 27th we went ice skating with my mom and Casey's family at the Eccles Ice center. We took our stroller out on the ice and that made all the difference.

Coleman

Evy wasn't much of a skater but she loved it when people took her for a ride.

Gene and Karlene came up on Dec. 30-31st. They came to church, helped us take down our outside lights and went to dinner with us on New Year's Eve.

New Year's night we went to Casey and Melanie's house. They invited 23 families over and cooked the main dish. Not everyone came but it was a big turnout. We only stayed until 8:30 because there was no way our kids would last. Maybe we will party again in a few years.

Winston and Coleman playing with the door as usual.

Happy 2013!