A few things worth documenting

1st- Conner started Pre-school way back in January. He absolutely loves the social interaction away from home. I think its hard on him being home all day with just Brynlee and I. He does miss playing with Ryker. Whats even harder is that he has another whole school year to get through before he starts Kindergarten. I guess because he is tall it seems like he should be starting next year. He has grown so much this year. He is wearing all of Ryker's kindergarten clothes and sometimes shares the shirts Ryker wears now. It is actually kind of nice because Ryker dislikes many of the shirts I bought him for school so Conner makes good use out of them. I worried for months about Conner's behavior, mostly because of comments people made about him. I really had to think back and remember that we went through this same sort of struggle with Ryker. But just recently I have started to see some changes. Conner will sit and actually color an entire picture, not just scribble a few scribbles and call it good. Books and other activities hold his attention for longer. The icing on the cake was when I picked him up from his Primary class and his teacher says -I quote "Conner was so good in class today. He did such a good job!" I sure love him!
2nd- Brynlee had a scary accident last week. Tuesday morning I was cleaning the kitchen and Brynlee had been in and out getting into things. She was just in a diaper, which she rarely is. Anyways, I had put a mug of water in the microwave to boil so that it would steam the microwave and I could wipe it out easily. It had boiled away for a few minutes and I took it out and placed it on the counter. I got busy doing other things and Brynlee came in and reached her little hand up to the counter and dumped the boiling water all over her face and scalp and upper body. I feel sick just writing about this. Anyways I called Brad at work terrified that I had just ruined her precious little face. She was as red as a tomato and obviously in a lot of pain. It broke my heart. He rushed home and he and Dave gave her a priesthood blessing. Not soon after the redness started to fade and she calmed right down. It was a miracle. The next day the only signs of burns she had was right in between her eyes was a scab starting to form. Her eye lids were very scaly looking, her forehead and part of her scalp was still a little red and she looked a little swollen. No real damage though. I normally wouldn't share such a sacred experience but felt I needed to write it down before I forgot it. I am so thankful for the priesthood in my home and for a loving Heavenly Father who was mindful of Brynlee that day. I have heard many similar stories lately and I feel very fortunate.

The long journey to see the Grandparents

Well, we took the long drive to Washington last month. I am SO GRATEFUL that both Brad's and my parents come to visit us in Rexburg often. Traveling with a baby makes for a long day. Even though the trip was long with lots of screaming it was worth it. I do love how it feels to go "home." Even though I consider Rexburg my home, nothing beats going around the corner and up and down the hill and seeing the house you grew up in come in view. It just brings back memories and happiness. Brad's parents farm also feels a lot like home. I also have very fond memories there and love being there. It was a very laid back trip with lots of talking and laughing and playing.
First stop was Basin City:
It is weird going to the Nielson's and having only Blake there. The house is very quiet. We showed up and all that changed.

Brad and I went for a little scenic Four-wheeler ride.

The boys are checking out the farm, they loved being able to play outside for more than half and hour.

Brynlee and Grandma

Conner telling Grandma something pretty profound, it always is!


The boys made a fort in Blake's room and slept there every night. Poor Blake had a couple days off of school and was probably hoping to sleep in a little. They were jumping on him bright and early every morning. He is such a good sport.


Blake had been shooting hoops for awhile and wasn't doing so hot. So I told Blake that if he made this impossible shot and would feed him a whole week when he comes for college, of course he made the shot. (I'm glad he did, I hope he will come over often, we love him)
Next stop to Edgewood:
I am so glad my brother Dan and his family have moved back to Washington. They came over lots to play. One day we went to Olympia to a children's museum. The kids loved it. Brad and my Dad also went to Seattle for the day to the body exhibit and the space needle. my mom and i spent the day shopping at all the stores i miss.

Conner and Broden playing in the water. Conner commented that "Broden doesn't have any meanness in his whole body!" They got along very well.





Jacey sculpting baby Bryn.

Conner picking apples

(Jacey and Ryker) These two could play all day together!

Brynlee's 1st Birthday

Happy Birthday to my baby girl. Wow where did the year go? Brynlee came right when I needed her. Her dad didn't know how much he needed her either until she won his heart. That is probably one of my very favorite things that has happened at our house since she was born. I love the change of the boys (including her daddy)voices when they talk to her. Very soft and sweet. They are so attentive to her every need. She is pampered to the max by the boys in her life. She already carries some SASS around with her. She is usually so friendly and happy. I love the scrunched up face she gives us, so cute. She also knows how to nod her head -like she is saying yes. I love you so much Brynlee and am grateful you were sent to me.

To celebrate her Birthday we invited all the Nielson and Sillito cousins who live around her over for dinner and a party. The house was full of cousins and Aunts and Uncles who love you!

The Castle Cake!! So I was trying to figure out what kind of cake to do for her and my sister Courtney suggested I do I cake that I want, that's really girly, because the following Birthdays my opinion might not matter. She may want something not girly at all, that will be sad. So the cake turned out to be a little harder then expected. All the layering caused the cake to slide a little. I was ok with a little sliding...or a LOT. After cooking all day and the kitchen being so warm the cake started to melt and really slide. I am just glad I took a few pictures before it got too disastrous. It barley lasted for the candle to be blown out.
Before

After

Conner's Birthday and Sledding

My blond hair boy is now 4! I still call him my baby sometimes. He was my baby for three years and I still have a hard time letting him grow up. I could write a book about Conner, he does and says so many funny things. I have learned that just because he is VERY busy, doesn't mean he isn't listening. Conner is very willing to share just about anything with anyone. He has such a big, kind heart. He is also one heck of a kisser. He will sit on your lap and give you 20 kisses in a row. Hopefully that kissing stuff will become gross in a few years, but I will take all that I can get! He has brought so much love and laughter in our home. I love him to pieces. Happy Birthday Conner! For his birthday he requested a "Rock Guitar" cake. He also got a real one to jam out with Grandpa. We spent his Birthday with family. We went and saw a movie that afternoon and had cousins over for a party.
Grandma and Brynlee
Grandpa and Conner

The crazy cousins


New Years Day was a blast. We finally got enough snow to play in. Brad plowed a road down to the little cabin so everyone could come and play. Brynlee wasn't very happy with the cold, but as soon as Brad put her on his lap and started the snowmobile, she didn't make a peep for over an hour, she even dosed off for a few minutes. I love living on a farm and having so much room to let the kids play and be free. The boys used there Christmas sleds and had a blast with there cousins.

Christmas Celebrations

How can December be almost over? The Christmas season goes by way to fast. December is such a fun month filled with parties, baking, shopping, being with family and friends, I hate that is over. On the other side, I am ready for my life, house and diet to be back to normal. My parents arrived on Christmas Eve and we have been sharing them with my sisters and there families for the past week. We went caroling Christmas Eve at an Assisted Living Center. Our vocal abilities astounded the audience (ha ha). We then came back to our house for some more singing and lots of eating. Of course, the kids put on a wonderful Nativity. Ryker played a wonderful baby Jesus (he insisted) and Conner was a Shepard. Christmas morning was a success, the kids were spoiled rotten. I remember the excitement of opening a present to find a doll I always wanted. Being a kid at Christmas is magical. That afternoon we headed to my sisters for a WONDERFUL Christmas dinner. It was so yummy. Beef Tenderloin, ribs, roasted asparagus, loaded mashed potatoes, the best salad, and homemade rolls. And to think in a couple hours we were eating again. It was nice to eat all the traditional things I would eat at Christmas time growing up, including eggnog punch that nobody in my family will drink. Love it! Well we still have one more party till my parents leave. It is always so much fun when they come.

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Conner, Brynlee and I all had the flu earlier that week and was over it in time for the feast. Dave, Alea and Avery as well as Justin, Michelle, Kensi and Bronson joined us for dinner. No pictures were taken. After some serious shopping for me Friday morning, Brad and I and the kids headed to Salt Lake City to Greg and Brooke's house. Grandma, Grandpa and Blake were there Friday so we hung out and enjoyed being together. We stayed until Sunday. It was a quick trip but lots of fun. Thanks for having us Greg and Brooke, I am sure your house is much quieter now.

After church we took the kids to the conference center. I hope Ryker can remember the experiences he had there.

Waiting in the cold as Mom takes a picture

No one knew where the kids were?

And they found my camera

Brad and I are building a new house, we hoped to go a little bigger but money was tight(Just Kidding). This is actually the "Stamp'n Up" lady's house that is up the road from Greg and Brooke's. I couldn't get over the size.

The Boys

Brynlee surviving the chaos

The boys looking at the fish at Cabella's, fun store!