Christmas Break 2023

The week between Christmas and New Years is chocked full of cousin time.  The boys have the time of their life and pack in the fun.  There were games played, Rube Goldberg Machines built, magic tricks done, 3d prints designed, and lots and lots of Keaton time.  Sure grateful for this family of ours.

Landon found some willing players for his new Lego Harry Potter Chess set.

Hylie and Braddock had been planning to build a Rube Goldberg Machine since Thanksgiving and were collecting supplies.  Dean was the best and spent the morning in the barn helping them design and build it.  They pulled it off and had a successful run.

Tanner and Hyrum were enlisted to try and fix Eliana's claw machine.  They did a great job designing 3d prints and doing their best but ultimately they decided it would be best just to return it.  Proud of these kind cousins for being so willing to help.

Playing a little switch while they waited for their print to finish.

Gaming together is even more fun when you get to speak in single syllables and hit your cousins with clubs.

Uncle Jared is always a favorite.  The applesauce didn't hurt. ;)

Endless magic tricks

These three got lock picking sets for Christmas and quickly got to work practicing.  Nothing will be safe around here!

The End of an Era

 By their best estimation of the rings they counted, this oak tree has been around for at least 170 years.  It was sad to see it go, but it's causing damage to Mom and Dad's roof and it's just seen better days.  So while everyone was in town for Christmas Break they took full advantage of the work crew and took this beauty down.  Dean was voted the monkey who got to scale the tree and Jared and Hyrum shared their chainsawing skills from their many hurricane relief trips over the years.  Then lots of grandkids jumped in to help move all the sticks and logs once it all came down.  Memories were made and they all worked really hard, but it's still going to be missed.  Especially when we can't run the zip line there anymore.

Happy New Years (Early!)

We were invited to a super fun early New Years Eve Party the day before New Years Eve.  We were each assigned a color to bring a charcuterie board and we were supposed to come dressed as our spouse.  We obviously got yellow and went to town gathering yellow things.  I knew there was no way I'd convince Dean to dress like me, so I just did my best to look like him and we ended up being more like twins.  Hahaha!  It was really funny seeing all the other couples and how their costumes turned out.  We played games, ate lots of yummy food, and just had a blast visiting with each other.  The boys all got to hang with the family in town and then came home and got everyone to bed.  Pretty proud of them for pulling that off so we could go.

We happened to be standing the same way during the game too.  Guess nearly 18 years of marriage make you at least a little alike.  Hahahaha!

Nelson Family Christmas

Once all the visiting family had arrived we made plans for the Nelson Family Christmas Party.  This year Janna had us and spoiled us with a family membership to the Carnegie Science Center.  We'll definitely put that to good use this year!  We sent Eric and Morgan a karaoke set and hope they have as much fun with that as we do.  The boys were super spoiled by the grandparents this year and all thrilled with their gifts.  We pulled a pretty great gift off for Mom and Dad and went in with all the siblings to get them tickets to Shen Yun.  They'll be going the end of January.  We loved spending time with everyone and watching everyone have so much fun with their new toys.  Best part of Christmas is being with those you love.  Just wish we could have everyone here.

Christmas Card 2023

We look forward to celebrating our Savior’s birth as the Christmas Season is here again.  Here’s a peek at our lives this past year…

Dean is as busy as ever.  He’s still over the NHS, Class Club, Student Council, Stage Crew and serves as the Union VP at school.  We’re not sure how he fits it all in!  He’s constantly helping with the technical needs of our Ward and Stake at Church and for Christmas we think he’d like nothing more than a chance to just breathe a little.   

Andrea has a new calling as the Stake Relief Society Secretary at Church, and loves getting to know new people through her service.  She stays VERY busy being the cook, maid, chauffer, homework helper, PTA-er, party planner, and therapist around here, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Tanner is 15 and is the Junior Drum Major in the High School Marching Band.  He’s also a prosecution lawyer on his Mock Trial Team and looks forward to that.  He plays the clarinet and continues his piano lessons as well.  He gets to work with Dean in NHS and Class Club at school.  His interest in chemistry continues and we’re all curious what his future will hold.

Landon is 13 and just finished up his role as “Sir Harry” in his school’s production of “Once Upon a Mattress.”  He plays the trumpet and piano and participates in Table Top Game Club, Tech Ed Club, Graphica Club, 8th Grade Class Club, Newspaper Club and NJHS.  He serves as the Deacon’s Quorum President at Church.  His love of reading continues and we catch him up reading way too late each night!  

BRADDOCK is 11 and is in the 6th grade.  He just wrapped up his musical debut as a Knight in the Jr. High Musical with Landon.  He plays the saxophone and piano and is in Table Top Games Club as well.  He’s making a name for himself as a scavenger who brings home all sorts of “treasures” from school each day.  But he puts those items to good use by building and making all sorts of cool things around here.

BRIDGER just turned 8 and made the choice to be baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We’re proud of his choice to follow the Savior.  He played soccer this fall with Dean as his coach and they both had a lot of fun with that.  He continues taking piano lessons and has really started to love reading this year.  He currently holds the record for the most reading points in the 2nd grade at school.

KEATON is 8 months old and our smiliest baby to date.  He’s got 4 teeth and is working on cutting the 5th and 6th right now, and let’s just say we’ll all be thrilled when they’re through!  He’s not quite crawling yet, but is the most proficient roller we’ve ever had.  He spends most of his day getting into the dog’s food and knocking our fake tree over.  Guess it’s time to baby proof again!  He is easily everyone’s favorite and a bright spot in all of our days.  

We visited Utah this summer and loved seeing so many family and friends.  We also squeezed in a quick trip to Hocking Hills, Ohio in August and had so much fun exploring there.  We are in a very busy season of life right now, but we know how quickly time flies, so we’re doing our best to soak it all in.  At the close of another year, we count our many blessings, and that includes each one of you!  We hope that your holidays are full of peace, joy, and love this Christmas Season!

Love,

DEAN, ANDREA, TANNER, LANDON, BRADDOCK, BRIDGER, and KEATON

Jolly Old St. Nick

 I know I said I was done posting about Christmas, but I forgot about these pictures/video. Braddock got Keaton a little ball that jiggles and bounces around for Christmas, and when we put it in his shirt it made the funniest little Santa belly! We *might* have enjoyed it more than Keaton did! 🎅🏼🤣😂

Christmas 2023

We had one incredible Christmas.  Bridger was mostly feeling better and they all patiently waited until 8am to go open gifts.  Everyone was genuinely thrilled with their presents and it was especially fun to see the boys give their gifts to each other.  Bridger was so excited for us to unwrap the things he picked out for us at school.  We all got a kick out of his gift for Tanner which was a slinky that said, "#1 Sister!"  Hahaha!  Oops!  And to top the day off Dean and I won Christmas by surprising the boys with an Oculus.  We just hung out in our PJ's all day and had a delicious breakfast and played with our gifts.  It was slow, and chill, and wonderful in every way.    

Tanner was shocked by his foundry.  He somehow missed the picture of it on the box when he brought the package in from the mail man.  Hahaha!  

Can't wait for Landon (and Braddock!) to get good use from this gift! ;)

There will be some homemade hot chocolate in our futures.

Braddock and Bridger were thrilled with their motor scooters.  They'll be cruising all over the neighborhood.

Braddock and Bridger worked hard to make these lego creations for Dean and I.  

Our #1 Sister!

Bridger gave Keaton this stuffy.

Hand ground cocoa beans turned into hot chocolate by our own resident chocolatier Tanner.

Christmas snoozing with Dad.