Senior Night at the Football Game

The little boys had yet to attend a football game this season, and they all really wanted to go and see Tanner perform in the band.  We settled on Senior Night so we could also support Savannah as well.  She is such an incredible girl.  She's been looking out for Tanner since they were in Jr. High together, and she's been an amazing Class President in Young Women's as well.  That girl is going places and has a great head on her shoulders.  We're all going to be sad when she graduates in the Spring and heads off to college, but we can't wait to see where life takes her.  The band played a fun pre-show to showcase all the Seniors and then we got to see them play at half time too.  It was COLD so we all snuggled up in our blankets in the stands and of course had to sample some concessions food too.  Landon and Braddock found some friends to pal around with and it made for a great Friday Night.

Go Savannah!!  We love you!

All the band Seniors this year.

Tanner likes to act like he's too cool for us, but we know he loves having us there! ;)

Landon hanging with his buddy Carter.  They'll be staring in Suessical together soon as The Cat in the Hat and Jo Jo!

Braddock Plays the Sax

 

Starting in 5th grade, students can choose to join the Jr. High Band.  They start off pretty slowly just meeting once a week, but Braddock has been counting down the days until he could start learning the Saxophone.  I had been scouring Facebook Marketplace to score a good deal on a Sax, and finally the stars aligned and there was one that looked great in Pittsburgh.  Dean and I ran out there one day after school and then we took it in to the music shop for a good cleaning and once over so it was in good shape for Braddock.  He is LOVING it so far and can already plink out "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Hot Cross Buns."  He says his teacher is impressed by how fast he's catching on too.  Pretty soon we're going to have a full band around here!

A Very Band Filled Weekend

Friday night Dean and I worked the band concessions stand at the High School Football Game.  Tanner of course played in the band and performed his halftime show during the game.  The next day they had their first big showcase at Geneva College.  All the bands in Beaver County were there, so we went as a family to support Tanner and see a bunch of the youth who are in their bands too.  We cheered on Cooper, Savannah, Milana, and Brooke too.

 

It's not often you get to see Tanner dance, but somehow they get him to in marching band! ;)

Indy Fall Fest

This year the elementary school tried something new and put on their first fall festival.  We took the whole fam and even our teenagers were nice about being there.  It was really well done and a lot of fun.  Live music, pumpkin painting, caramel apple stations, air-brush tattoos, bounce houses, balloon art, concessions, and the police truck made something for everyone.  The weather was beautiful and we had a fun night.  Thanks to all the awesome PTA Mom's who pulled the whole evening off!

RS/YW Billion Graves Activity

We had a combined activity with the Young Women and Relief Society to index some graves through the Billion Graves App.  It was especially cool to find Dean's Great Grandparents headstone and enter them in.  Mom did the honors.  Our turnout wasn't great, but those that made it out learned a lot and had a great time.  Then we hit up the Windmill down the street for ice cream to finish up the night right.

The Flying Squirrel

Labor Day was rainy and grim, so it was the perfect chance to use our "Get-Out" passes and hit up the trampoline park.  Unfortunately that also means the rest of western Pennsylvania decided to do the same.  Haha!  Even though the place was packed we still had a lot of fun.  Tanner figured out the music system and downloaded an app that basically put him in charge of the radio for the rest of our stay.  

 

Surprise!

We surprised the boys with the big news that we're expecting Baby #5!  It took some convincing but eventually they all believed us and are excited to welcome them to the family in April.  Then they helped us tell all the Nelsons on Family Chat that night too.  They put together a funny little skit involving Dr. Tanner delivering some balloon babies.  Hahaha!  And then Tanner animated a fun little clip to announce to the rest of the world.  So the secrets out and we're anxious to meet this little one!

Bridger Plays Piano

Now that Bridger is in first grade, that also means it's time to start piano lessons with Grandma.  He's been waiting for this day for ever and is super excited to start learning like his big brothers.  That didn't exempt him from complaining about practicing like his big brothers though.  Hahaha!  

(I'm also pretty obsessed with his cute curls and toothless grin.  Never grow up buddy!)

He also brought home this gem from school this week.  I guess he spent his whole summer doing chores....we're slave drivers over here....

And I love how he's still the little baby around here.  We watched a movie the other night when Dean was gone and Bridger just couldn't quite hang with the big boys....