Tree Trimming

We usually set up the tree the day after Thanksgiving, but this year we were a little late.  We were about a week into December before finally dragging it out.  Sean's aversion to hanging lights (even though he is excellent at it) has rubbed off on the boys, so it's a good thing we now have a pre-lit tree.  It took us a total of about 15 minutes to unpack, set up, light, and decorate the tree (start to finish).  Yes, I know, we are amazing!  It looked beautiful when they were done.

Gingerbread Houses 2011

The boys have at least one tradition they will still participate in.  This is their favorite one I guess.  Trevin was pretty psyched that he didn't have to give his to his teacher this year since he isn't in elementary anymore.  They have let the traditional houses go by the wayside though.  This year Travis, our future missionary, made a temple gingerbread house filled with lots and lots of gumdrops. 

 Trevin started out making a rocket ship, but that didn't quite work as planned, so he just stuffed it with as many mint m&ms as he could. 

 Tyrel made an architectural wonder that I'm amazed could stand on it's own.  

Christmas Tree

We decorated our tree for Family Night tonight.  I again couldn't talk my boys into setting up their tree downstairs.  It's kind of a bummer they are getting old and grinchy.  I love Christmas and it makes me sad that it is like pulling teeth to get them to help decorate.  I mean it took all of 15 minutes to set it up and decorate it since it is prelit and only has 4 sections.  Can they not just be happy for 15 minutes to humor their mother?  There will come a day that they will be sad they are not here for the tree decorating and it's coming soon.  Next year Travis will be gone on his mission and so this is probably the last year he will be here to decorate the tree with the family, so I guess that is why I was sad they weren't excited to help.  They are excited to do gingerbread houses next week though, so at least they like some of our traditions.

Thanksgiving Day

It was my first time pulling off Thanksgiving dinner by myself, and I must say it went fairly smoothly.  Since it was our turn for Thanksgiving with the Nielsen's and LaMarr and Diane are on their mission, I volunteered to have it here.  It was also Todd's family, Melisa's family, Sharlynn, and Traci's turn for the Nielsen year so between all of us, we had a great spread of food and way too many pies.

Shar came a day early because she wanted to learn how to make pies.  I did talk Trevin in to making his annual pie, but I had to take over for Tyrel and Travis because I couldn't talk them into it since I had help from Shar.  We ended up with 7 pies, that was almost 1/2 a pie a piece but no one ate that much so we had lots left over.  Trevin made an Oreo pie and then Shar and I made 2 pumpkin, 2 apple cream, chocolate peanut butter, and banana cream.  I brined the turkey the night before and I was also in charge of potatoes, gravy, and stuffing.  Sharlynn made her yummy rolls and did the vegetable tray, Haylee brought her yummy sweet potatoes and cranberries and then they threw in the most delicious cheese ball and crackers for snacking on.  Traci brought junkfood salad, and Melisa brought corn and green bean casserole.  It was all so yummy!

We ate at noon and then the boys went out and played football in the street while the girls worked on our Thanksgiving craft project that was almost a failure because the vinyl wouldn't stick to the paint, but I think we all got ours working eventually.  Carter was so cute, he came in saying "That Tyrel, he is tricky."  I guess he can outrun all the little guys.  The weather was so mild that the kids were all able to play night games with just their jackets on.  They played ghost in the graveyard and I kept hearing the little kids say "Tyrel is freaking me out." but they had fun.  Travis had to work in the evening, so he missed all the kid fun.

No Shave November

Travis and Tyrel both decided to do no shave November along with their friends at school this month.  Tyrel shaved his off before he let me take a picture, although his is so blonde and thin, you may not have been able to see it anyway, and Travis grudgingly let me take his.  He only made it 1/2 the month and then it was driving him crazy, so he ended up shaving mid month.

Youth - Temple Site

I was lucky enough to get asked to go take a picture of the youth in our ward at the newly dedicated temple site for the Payson, Utah Temple. The plan is to take another picture sometime during construction and yet another one when the temple is complete. All three of my boys are here for this picture, but I’m pretty sure I’ll just have two around for the “during construction” photo as Travis will probably be on his mission, and I’ll probably just have Trevin around for the “completed construction” photo as it will probably be either really close to Tyrel leaving on his mission or he might already be even gone. We are hoping that it is done in time for him to go to before he leaves on his mission.

Pictured:  Trevin Nielsen, Sister Nikki Johnson, Erika Adams, Jessica Larsen, Kylie Anderson, Courtney Moody, Anika Stepp, ?? Stepp. Sydney Shuler, Sister Lucia Newman, Garrison Barnes, Mason Fullmer, KC Johnson, Brother Andy Haskell

Becca Newman, Daniel Larsen, Victoria ??,  Andrew Romare, Ryan Concoby, Jeshua Anderson, Bailey Johnson, Shelby Oliver, Sister Sherry Moody, Sister Amber Haskell, Sister Tori Mitchell, Sister Sheri Clark

Nicole Smith, Kira Cottam, Ellie Cottam, Jade Fullmer, Katie Newman, Emily Adams, Rachel Fletcher, Kaylie Peterson, McKenna Concoby, Bishop Dale Christofferson, Beverly Christofferson, Ashlyn Horrocks, Whitney Gunnell, Mori Anderson, Cheyenne Deeben, Ben Cromar, Brother Brad Shuler, Daniel Stepp, Joe Cromar, Cameron Howell, Jack Newman, Porter Barnes, Travis Nielsen, Tyrel Nielsen, Mac Johnson, Gage Oliver, Zac Adams, Brother Eric Adams, Harrison Shuler, Brother Toby Fullmer, Zac Fullmer, Brother Olsen, Taylor Fletcher, Brother Hal Shuler, Brendan White, Sister Becky Concoby, Brother Seth Wright, Emily Clark

K, those of you in my ward, help me out with the question marks please.......

Q's Wish - or Travis and his friends dance for ManHawk Dance Off

Every year the school provides a "Make A Wish" for someone in the school or in the community. As the project has grown every year, sometimes they are even able to provide wishes for multiple people. This year, the school picked Quinten, an 11 year old who had a tumor wrapped around his spine. One night they did a movie, another night the Skyhawk gorge, the ManHawk Dance Off plus they sold Tshirts and did various other activities to raise money. This year for the “ManHawk Dance Off” Travis and his friends received a special request by the principal to do a dance to help boost ticket sales for the event. They only had 2 days to practice for it. They practiced hard with their dance coaches and came home exhausted but had a TON of fun. The song they danced to was “Shut Your Mouth” by Attack Attack. After performing at the Dance Off, they were requested to perform again at the Skyhawk Gorge. He loved every minute of it and it was so fun to watch too. When he came home that last night he was kind of bummed that it was all over and he didn't know what he was going to do with his time now that he didn't have dance practice anymore.

He's the one on the far right at the beginning, and then is in the middle most of the rest of the time.  He is also the one that they all lift up towards the end.