Nova at 9 Months

Nova is growing so quickly and is doing so many fun things! She started crawling at 7 1/2 months and is eating whatever she can get her hands on.

Here are her 9 month stats:

• 19 lbs 12 oz 
• 28"

Nova at 6 Months

I realized that for the first time in almost 6 years, I went an entire month without blogging on the family blog.  It really makes me sad because this blog has been a point of reference for me and it has been fun to look back on.  I'm setting a goal to blog at least 3 times a month, just for us and to look back on.  I am pretty active on my other blog, instagram and facebook, but that doesn't record feelings or more than a snapshot and a photo or two.  I have so much more on the boys when they were little and I don't want to forget Nova at this age.

When Nova was 6 months in February, we went to Fotofly and had her 6 month pictures done.  She was such a ham and a great baby.  We got some great shots and blew them up.

At 6 months:
Weight - 17 lbs 11 oz
Height - 27"

Says: dada and nana

Eats: Mostly breastmilk and some solids.

Here are all of the pictures we got.  It's overload but the cuteness is worth it!

Rowan Turns 6

Rowan turned the big 6 back in January.  We had celebrated on the day of his birthday but also the day after.  They made Rowan feel special at school!  He brought treats for his class and came home with this crown and balloon with pixie stick attached.



On his birthday, he wanted to go to chick-fil-a for dinner and then bowling.  I'm not sure we've ever taken the boys bowling but it was a hit and they had so much fun!


The day after his birthday, Rowan invited about 5 of his friends to a birthday party. He wanted a Transformers party. He was so excited when we started decorating for his party and was definitely in heaven. We played some games, colored transformers, hit a pinata and then had cake and ice cream!

At 6 years old, Rowan: 

• Is 43 lbs 45 1/2 inches tall 
• is amazing at problem solving 
• loves Nutella, GogoSqueez, Edamame, Cereal, Cheeseburgers 
• plays with Duplos, Nerf Guns, Transformers and the ipad 

He is so imaginative and cute!

Christmas 2013

Christmas this year was absolutely fabulous.  It always is though when we get to spend time with family.  We went up to Idaho like we usually do.  I didn't get very many pictures and only had my phone, but that's when you know we had a really great time, right?

We spent Christmas Eve at Snedakers.  We sang Christmas carols, ate lots of food, played the chimes, read the Christmas story and opened Christmas pajamas. Nova discovered how tasty Santa is and enjoyed chewing on his head.

 Nova and her cousin Mason. These two are less than 2 months apart.


 

Everybody singing

 

 All 3 kids in their Christmas jammies!

When Santa came, he was very generous! Chandler got a zoomer, a robotic dog and Rowan got a huge hot wheels set. They also got lots of stocking stuffers, some lego sets from us and a few other toys. Nova got a glowing seahorse toy, soft book, stroller toy and some teething toys in her stocking.


 

 It's always fun to see their faces when they come out on Christmas morning.

Late morning, we headed over to Grampa and Puppy Nielson's house to open more presents. The boys spent all day putting together legos and playing with their new toys. Marshall and I pretty much picked out our own presents this year. I was dying to get the third Naked palette and I LOVE It. I might be a little obsessed with makeup!

 We had a fabulous Christmas and were so blessed with family, health, the gospel and happiness!

Saying Goodbye and New Beginnings

We moved the first week in December.  It was definitely bittersweet.  Eagle Mountain was the longest we ever lived in one place.  5 years to be exact. It was the place we bought our first home, basically the only home Rowan has ever known.  We made memories, started school, brought a new baby home and more.  Although we loved our town home, it just didn't make sense to stay there forever.  We needed more of a forever home, one that we could be in and know that our family could grow.

The moving process was tedious.  I was hard trying to get things packed while having a newborn, working and taking care of the rest of the family.  Let's just say that we ate out.  A lot.   On top of moving, I was trying to keep the house clean to show.  We decided not to sell but rent.  We figured it would be a good business investment as we build equity and make a little money each month.  Thankfully, we found incredible tenants who signed a year lease.

When it came time to finally move, it was a very snowy day.  In fact, I'd say it had to be one of the top days for snow this year.  We were really glad to have a bunch of Marshall's family come down to help us move.  I don't know how we could have done it without them.

We are finally almost unpacked.  Our office still looks like something threw up in it, but most other things have a place.  There is so much home improvement that we are going to have to do, so it will be a process.  It's also really hard to keep clean.  I went from 1700 to 3700 square feet and some days it feels like all I do is clean.  I'm getting better on staying on top of things which makes it more manageable though.  We love our new ward and are starting to settle and make friends.  Chandler and Rowan both started their new schools and are doing well.  Chandler is going to our neighborhood school and is on a traditional schedule and Rowan is going to another school in the district since he is in diagnostic kindergarten.  He is on a year round schedule and has recently been off track for 3 weeks.  He is liking his new school and although we've had some really hard days, he seems to be adjusting ok.

I miss friends out in Eagle Mountain, but I do love being only 2 minutes away from a grocery store and only 5 minutes away from Jordan Landing which has a ton of great shopping.  We are a lot more central and instead of being 25 minutes and an hour from our work places, we are now only 10 & 15 minutes.

Here's to new beginnings!

Chandler's baptism and Nova's blessing

I keep meaning to edit pictures from Chan's baptism and Nova's blessing and the longer I put it off, it just doesn't get done.  I've been so busy with our move, getting settled and the holidays that the blog has taken a back seat.  Instead of editing pictures, they are just coming straight from my camera. :)

Chandler was baptized on Saturday, November 2nd.  Since his birthday fell the day before stake baptisms, he was able to get baptized the day after his birthday.  It was an incredibly special day because we blessed Nova that same day.  We figured it would be easier for family if we did it that way.
The way that our stake does baptisms, we each get our own room and program for our ward.  Chandler was the only one from our ward that month, so it was just him.  We figured out the program and invited friends and family.  My sister Avry gave a talk on baptism and I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  It's crazy because I felt like I was just baptized and then I realize that it was 22 years ago.

Marshall was able to baptize and confirm Chandler.  It was such a special moment seeing him take Chan down into the water.  I'm so proud of Chandler for making the decision to be baptized.  He met with the bishop before his baptismal date and knew it was what he wanted.


After the baptismal program, Marshall blessed Nova.  To be quite honest, I don't remember much that was said in her blessing.  I do remember the feeling though and crying almost instantly.  After 3 such amazing ordinances, I thought my heart would explode out of my chest.  In a good way.  I felt so much peace and happiness that day.  I felt grateful for my wonderful husband to perform all of these priesthood ordinances.

Nova wore a blessing dress that my mom made.  It was absolutely beautiful.  She was such a champ that whole day.  Didn't cry, let everyone hold her.


After the blessing and baptism, we went to a church and had a lunch with all of our family and friends.  I am so grateful to be a mother and for the blessing it is.