We actually decorated!!!

What a year! We got our first REAL christmas tree (the biggest tree we have ever had). Thanks to my grandma. She wanted it cut down last year, but we didn't get to it until this year. Hopefully she doesn't regret the decision. The sacrifice of a real tree made me definately feel the need to enjoy it. So today I started trying to decorate it and it just wasn't happening. So I called my mother-in-law and asked her if she could come over and give me some advice. She came and brought more stuff to help pull it all together. She is awesome! I have never really known where to begin with decorating and she is so good at it. It was alot of fun and hopefully next year I can conquer the task without so much help. I cant stop looking at the room. (you just cant get the same effect with the picture) It looks great! I dont know if she knows about our blog, but if she does "thank you SOOO much".

So I realized I have had my wonderful camera for nearly a year and haven't taken full advantage of it. So this past month I have rewatch the instructional videos and have been trying to "get to know it" a little better. I decided to practice on these two. Madi was a great sport until we got down to the bare shots (cant blame her there). Trev was fun but got bored real quick and then just got silly. I love my camera and it is fun to have such cute targets! Photo editing is fun too. It is amazing how you can get rid sores with a click of a mouse.

Last night I was looking through my file of thoughts and stories that I have collected through the years. I was looking for a poem that Matt needed for his lesson he is teaching today. As I was looking I came across some that I just love. I thought I would share one of the shorter ones. "Under God's Wings" This was an article that appeared in National Geographic several years ago: After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the infernos damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mothers wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live. Check out Psalms 91:4. Remember the One who loves you and then, be different because of it. Isnt it great to know that someone loves us so much that he died for us. I dont know that I really knew that love until I had kids.

Madilyn was the most cooperative . posing for a picture so I got a little carried away. But she was so much fun, I just had to post these pictures.

Halloween

Carving Pumkins!

Grandpa & Grandma got us some awesome pumpkins to carve this year. We did the messy part at their house and then brought them home for dad to use his creative juices in carving them. They all had a good time. We even tried to get madilyn in on the fun. But she just thought it was one more interesting thing to put in her mouth. She ate the pumpkin goo and I think she actually liked it.

Our Trip to the Zoo

The peach harvest came to an end and me and the kids celebrated with Natalie by going to the zoo! Natalie hadn't been since grade school and we hadn't been since last year. I was so glad Natalie came. We all love her so much!

We went up in the mountains and had some family pictures taken last Sunday. It was so beautiful. All of the leaves are changing! These were the best pictures we got. Getting 4 kids to smile and look at the camera at the same time seemed to be impossible!

Our Beautiful garden!

Not quit sure about Dallin and the stick!?! :)

Also pay close attention to Treven's shorts. It is his latest fad!

Kids are so funny.

We actually had our first "garden" this summer. We still have a few kinks to work out. But it was sure fun being able to go out the back door and get some produce. I think that was the ONLY part the kids liked to do. Our main problem was the good old dog. Trigo loved to dig and roll in the tomato plants! It wasn't so cute I actually wanted to do some major damage to her. (oops did I say that!)

Sweet Madilyn!

We have done lots of yard work this summer and Treven has been there every step of the way. Some days he drives me crazy but with his cute personality it is hard to get mad at him. He always makes sure I am happy and wants to do all he can to make me happy. He is at a fun age. He has a passion for tractors. He has even learned how to work Grandpa Stans backhoe. I must admit I have never had the same interest but it is sure fun pointing out hydraulics and stabilizers with him. I must say I am living my dream.

Makayla's choir concert

You'll have to forgive me this is all new to me. I am trying a little of everything so I thought I would try adding a video.(this might be a little too shocking Bryson:).) This is Makayla's concert from the end of the school year. There is a group of about 40? 2nd and 3rd graders who are in the after school choir program. She started to get bored of it until she got her own part then she loved it. She loves attention and always has.

The joys of bear Lake

Makayla and Emily gearing up for a 4-wheeler ride

Dallin loved the water and it actually wasn't too cold

Madilyn and Jordans trip to the beach

Treven wouldnt be Treven without his tractor

Bear Lake with the Nielsen clan!

Makayla got baptized

Sorry for those who couldn't make it. She got to sing for the program and did a great job. This was an eye opener and a milestone in our lives. It amazes me that eight years has passed since she was born. Boy does the time fly. I now have a daughter who is at the age of accountability and in 4 years will be in young womens! This reminds me that I need to enjoy each moment and live in the present, be happy with the past, and looking forward to the future. I know my family has been blessed in so many ways. I sometimes wonder what I did to deserve all that I have.

We went swimming today. Natalie had the day off so she came and helped us out. Thank heavens grandma Baxter was willing to keep Madilyn so we only had three kids to watch between the two of us. It's sad to think I ever thought it was hard having one or two kids, that was cake! Our trip went great though. Makayla had her friend there so we just saw her once in a while. Dallin is a regular old fish. I couldn't believe how much he loves the water. Treven on the other hand had to be coaxed into the water and after five minutes wanted to go sit on a chair and watch. He HATES getting wet with clothes on so to have his swim suit on was tough. By the time our day was over he was pretty comfortable with the water so we will have to swimming more often.

Here we are

I decided it was time to jump on the train after I realized I was the only one in my family without a blog!