Gratitude.

This house we decided to build seems to be coming along. We made some major changes on the plan and are so much happier with what the end result will be. It was just too much house and too much! for us, so we had to make some hard decisions that were really good decisions, but decision that affected a lot of people. So come back later and I will take some more pictures when they get started up again:) THIS time on our real dream house.

 This little lady is my buddy while EZ and Miss Blue are at school. Obviously, she loves all things girl and Frozen. We actually have 2 Frozen cd's in the car along with the Frozen story that they read to you. Good times, friends. I mean who wouldn't want to listen to that every 15 minute, one way drive that I do a total of 6 times a day to pick up from various schools. But the happiness on her face is what it is all about.

 The funny story is that we ran a mile fun run as a family. It was one of those crazy Saturdays complete with rain for the run. Bluebird took of strong and finished on her own. Ez and I held hands and finished strong and B-rad took Lola across the finish line. I had to race to a soccer game and B-rad and the other two stayed for the raffle because Chloe was convinced we would win something. So they waited for about 45 minutes. That was a good decision. Lola was honored as the  youngest runner and got a huge melissa and Doug art set complete with easel and all the extras. She kept talking about how "they all clapped for me". And then we won 2 other prizes. Brad gave the cheese basket prize to a young couple because he said he felt embarassed taking so much. So I think a Red Ribbon Run tradition has begun.

 Ez had a great soccer season. The best part was during the last game his sweet coach positioned the players to help EZ score a goal. And he did score that goal. It was perfect!

 And these three...I am so blessed to get to be their mom. I love them so so very much.

Summer in the WEST.

As I sit back tonight, kind of sad, slash happy, for Chloe to start 2nd grade, I thought i better get this blog updated before there are another bazillion things to post. Good thing I don't have a nice phone so that my pictures can stay neatly contained on my Canon.

Anyway...let us look at summer:

It seems like we have been in Logan for a couple days then we would drive down to Salt Lake the rest of the week. We did that for several weeks. Why not when we have great people to see and all this gorgeousness.

My parent's cabin. I am so glad they bought this cabin so many years ago so we can go and enjoy the peace and beauty and be together.

 Another view of the meadow. Sometimes I really want to have a horse and know all things about horses. But then I drive away and that feeling is gone. I did go to a week long horse camp when I was about 10. I think I realized that owning a horse is kindof a big deal. I need a friend with some horses, though.

 My dad volunteered to take some photos and he got this one. I love it.

 This girl...determined to the end...pulled her front tooth out. Took her about 3 hours, blood, sweat, and tears but she did it. She isn't super thrilled with putting the effort in to getting the other tooth out, though it is loose.

 It is always all about the games when we get together with the Nelson side.

 My sweet mom. She made home made fried chicken for the whole group and it was amazing. She is amazing. She even made home made icecream.

 At the river.

 My cute niece Rachel is moving to USU for the year. We are excited to see them every once in a while.

 Our other cute niece Annie is moving up here, too. We are so happy they are going to be Aggies.

 The whole group got in.

 And then for fun...Look how ridiculously happy we are at throwing water at their poor dog. Simple pleasures.

 This girl cries like she is seeing the Beatles for the first time whenever she sees Brad. It is a cute bond.

 Chloe just decided she could tube down the river with the bigger boys.

 Ahhh...the beauty.

 We were in Utah to celebrate birthdays in August. I am bummed I didn't get any of all the grandkid b-days, but here is B-rad in all his 35 year old glory. He is such a handsome guy:)

 One morning I went running and saw this beauty and had to drive back and take a photo of her splendor.

They started to dig our hole for our house. The kids are going to ask if they will just keep the dirt mound in the back yard. They really really love that dirt mound.

 On Brad's day off we decided to do the Ogden temple open house. I am so glad our kids had the opportunity to go inside such a sacred place for us. The temple is exquisite.

 We are glad Brett and my parents and Nancy could join us. Afterward we ate a great lunch and witnessed how Farr's icecream is becoming super rich off these temple open houses and people's undeniable craving for the best icecream. It's all true:)

 Here is what the temple looks like. Crazy how different it looks from the original. If you remember the original. We do because our first apartment was right down the street in the "classy" part of town. "classy" meaning someone died on our front sidewalk because he was shot somewhere down the road. But seriously, Ogden, who knew?? The downtown is beautiful and has totally been renovated and there is lots of cool stuff to do. We will be exploring it further.

Then we went to Eden, Utah. It really is paradise. I met my 3 college roomates and their kids. It couldn't have been a funner getaway.

 The kids were entertained doing about anything.

 Pineview Reservoir is close by.

 We have 10 kids between the 4 of us.

 Here is picture of the two littlest. Lucy (lulu) and Lola.

 9-8-7-7-6-5-5-4-3and2 (their ages...did you crack that code?)

 And hopefully you looked at this picture and thought that we went in that air balloon. We stood in line for 2 hours (or forever) and they cut the line off and US! It was kind of a bummer but probably more for me. The kids rebounded fine. we were going to head back to Farr's icecream (mentioned above!) but I had lost my wallet. So we just drove home and thought about how amazing our friends are and how beautiful Utah is. It really is such a beautiful state.

 And the BIG news is that we have a foundation in our house as of two days ago. This is a huge deal considering I have thought and talked about this house since April. Hello beautiful foundation. We are happy to have you here.

 And since we have to live in an apartment we may as well choose one with a pool.

Back to school tomorrow.

From there to here!

They boxed up our house one day and the next day we moved. It was crazy how all of a sudden the past "medical training/journey/experience away" was over. I am still scratching my head at where the time has gone. When I look at Brad and me I just can't believe what we've learned, endured, and the joys we were lucky to experience.  So back to our move. Thank goodness we didn't accumulate much stuff along the way and we were actually able to really downsize. Utah...here we come!

 Rather than fly we decided to make a trip of it. If you know me...traveling and seeing new places is probably my favorite thing to do. So...we did it and it was awesome and the kids were awesome. It was an incredible memory. So here is the journey through a few pictures. I have a million i could've shared.
It has been a treat to be able to take my family in different stages to the Liberty Jail.

 Was  I really a missionary there 11 years ago??

 Thanks to some help from the moving allowance we got to stay at the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City. Do this if you ever can. Indoor water park, bunk beds, pure kid fun. They kept thanking us over and over again for taking them there.

 I never thought there would be a temple in KC, but there is and it was beautiful inside and out.

 Then we journeyed up to the Winter Quarter's temple in Nebraska. I loved the stained glass.
We checked 2 more temples off of our list of 50 before we're 50.

 From there we drove north to Sioux Fall's, South Dakota. Sioux Fall's...who knew? It was so cool to explore there falls.

 Chloe has talked about this "daring leap" for a long time so here it is.

 Then you can't travel 1-90 and not stop at Wall Drug where "water is free" and the donuts are homemade. They also have a huge dinosaur that feeds every 12 minutes. I can tell you about that funny experience sometime.

Mount Rushmore lived up to all my expectations. It was spectacular. Another bucket list check!

 They did a little program at night and lit it up.

 They honored servicemen and women from all branches of the military. Brad is on the end in orange representing the AirForce. I always get some super patriotic pride whenever they do these military things.

 Then it was off to Custer state park.

 Breathtaking.

 All of it...simply breath taking.

 This guy greeted us along the way.

 And this.

 We finally got to Utah after driving through Wyoming which has nothing except for a super yummy mexican restaurant somewhere before we hit 80.
Made it to Utah in time to celebrate Mamma Ruthie's birthday.

 And to go to Bear Lake for the 4th.

 Watching fireworks goes from excitement.

 to slight trepidation...

 to...what on earth are these bright lights and sounds!

 boating with cousins.

 Sweet sweet mountains. Utah...we are so glad to be back.

 The annual pilgrimmage to take the kids to the place we were engaged.

 We always tell them the romantic story and then walk around the lake.

 This guy came to say hello.

 What did we do to be lucky enough to see all the wildflowers in full bloom.

 And now...with a snap of our fingers...we live in Cache Valley. And the mountains up there...perfect!

Happy Happy Summer to you all.