What We're Up To...

All is well at the Nielson house despite the lack of blog entries! Seems like we've been on the road a lot lately and it has felt good to settle back in to the normal, boring routine!

Here's the run down on what we've all been up to lately:

Jacob...
...is a Sunbeam now! We can't believe the Nielsons are out of the nursery for good. I don't think I've quite adjusted yet as I keep catching myself wanting to look through the little window in the nursery room door to check on...nobody! Jacob continues to love his weekly playgroup with his buddies and likes to follow me around and be my helper throughout the day. He's been coming out of his shell a bit more, too. He didn't have any trouble with the transition to Primary and the past couple of weeks he's even been agreeing to go to the childcare place at the YMCA while I work out!

Danny...
...is all action! He definitely keeps things interesting at the Nielson house! Lately he's been going through a growth spurt - eating hand over fist and all his pants are getting too short again. He's having a bit of a 'pants crises', actually - those pants that aren't too short do have holes in the knees! He loves to dive, tackle, slide...you name it! I think Danny's biggest news since our last update is that he is READING! He is SO proud of himself (and we are proud of him!) I knew he was getting close but the other night Brad told me that Danny had read him a few early reader books. I had Danny get a book and sit down with me and sure enough - he read it! After he had finished the book I told him, "Danny, I'm so proud of you that you're starting to read!" and he said, "Mom! I'm not starting to read, I READ." My bad.

Alyssa...
...continues to do well at school, enjoys her piano lessons (probably the only kid I don't have to force to practice) and loves playing with her friends. She's at such an interesting age - trying to transition into the Tween stage of life (probably because she has older sisters) but definitely still a little girl. For Christmas she hoped Santa would bring her a Nintendo DS, but he decided to give her something age appropriate that she could use her imagination with - a big doll house. We were a little nervous she wouldn't take to it, but I'm happy to report that not a day goes by that we don't see her lying on her bedroom floor playing happily with her doll house and looking like the 8-year-old she is! Whew! Alyssa also continues to bring laughter to our home. She is such a card. This morning it was Jacob's turn to say family prayer and sometimes he can be a little hard to understand. He said, "We thank Thee for Jesus" at one point in his prayer and after he had finished and the amens had been said, Alyssa piped up with her burning question, "Did he just say 'We thank thee for Cheese-Its?'"

Haley...
...We're so proud of the way Haley has productively used her down time while waiting for her knee to heal. Her first love is sports so it has been a hard year for her...not to mention that it has been a much longer recovery process than any of us anticipated. But she has spent very little time moping and a lot of time getting involved with fun pursuits she can participate in. She even entered our school district's Reflections competition this year with a photo collage of pictures she took when we were in Canada this past November. We recently found out that Haley's entry was selected to be sent on to State! She is doing well with her piano lessons, really enjoys playing the Alto Sax in her school's band and continues to get very good grades. I would venture to guess that what she is most excited about right now is moving on to Young Women's in March - she can't wait to be a Beehive!

Amber...
...is so gently introducing us to life with a teenager that we just have to appreciate her! She is definitely not the typical almost 14-year-old :) She is so comfortable in her own skin, so unconcerned with what others might think of her and so true to who she is on the inside (even when it might not be "cool"). Quite honestly, I know a lot of grown ups who act more like teenagers than Amber does! Amber continues to really love music. She plays the piano and clarinet, but her new love is the Tenor Sax. She decided to give it a try so she could play in her school's Jazz Band. We have been really proud of her for getting herself up early on Jazz Band mornings - she is one who loves to sleep in and usually has to be dragged out of bed! It's impressive to see her get herself up all on her own and take responsibility in that way. Nice to know it can happen! Amber is looking forward to turning 14 next month, becoming a Miamaid and going to stake dances! We can't believe she will be starting high school next year...I'm not even going to go there yet!

Brad...
...is doing great! He continues to enjoy work and recently got a new calling as YM President in our ward. He likes working with the young men and I happen to think he is great with them! I'm impressed with how Brad balances his life. From his days in Optometry School juggling classes, tests, work and family, to today as he juggles busy callings, a busy career and a BIG family - the kids and I have not once felt neglected by him. I don't know how he does it, but we always have plenty of daddy time. I so appreciate that - both on behalf of my kids and as a sometimes stressed-out mommy :) He is always there for us, always an actively involved head of the family, always fully invested in us. Definitely one of my favorite things about Brad.

Amy...
...is busy as usual and happy! For all it's craziness, I really do enjoy this stage of life. It's such a challenge to balance meeting the needs of others (kids, husband, etc.) with meeting the needs of ME! I like a challenge, though - it keeps life interesting and fun! I started taking a new exercise class at the YMCA with Brad that is kicking my bum! I love it...though I'm sore at least 3 days a week. I also got a new calling as Asst. Girls Camp Leader for our ward. Amber and Haley will both be going to camp so it'll be fun to be able to go with them...even if it's just to ensure that Amber brushes her teeth this year!

Valentine's Day

Years ago Brad instituted what has become a much anticipated Valentine's Day tradition in our house. Whether he intended it to be an annual event or not, an annual event it has become! Every year he gets up early on Valentine's morning and cooks up a huge, fantastic breakfast for our family while the rest of us sleep! He even goes so far as to decorate each table setting festively...it's sort of his Martha Stewart event of the year. Unfortunately for Brad, there is now no getting out of this because it has become tradition. He has dug himself into a Valentine's hole that he can never climb out of. Let this be a lesson to the rest of us to keep our thoughtful, service-oriented ideas to ourselves and not dive in without thinking of the consequences!

Lisa and Lee

Another wedding for our family! My sister, Lisa, married her husband, Lee, last Saturday in the Bountiful, UT temple!

Lee and Lisa are really great together and we are so happy to have Lee join our family. I know I've mentioned this before, but I have 3 siblings and I am 3/3 where great in-laws are concerned. My sisters-in-law and brand new bro-in-law are just awesome!

Here are a few (very few) pictures from their special day. I will post more when I get more. I was so excited/distracted that I didn't take many!