WOW!

I can hardly believe it is the end of another year. Elder Neilson has been gone for 3 weeks now and has entered the mission field. We can hardly wait to hear his voice on Christmas Day when he phones us! Here are a few pics a dear friend Miss Shannon took for us before our dear Elderson left!

 

Exciting times happening here!!

I am not sure where to begin so I think I will start with the present and move backwards. 
Monday Nov 28, 2011
Elder Neilson left for a 2 year mission! He is currently in Provo, Utah for about 3 weeks at the training center. He will head to the Nebraska, Omaha mission and settle in just before Christmas. Special thanks goes to Uncle Doug and Auntie Evie for picking him up from the SLC airport, seeing that he shopped for the last few items on his list, took him for a tour of Temple Square, and made him feel 'right at home' for his brief stay before reporting to the MTC. He was thrilled to visit with some of the many many family members we have in Utah and wished there would have been time to see them all. 


"So as we stood in the toasty lobby of the tiny airport in Port Hardy doing the wave for Elder Neilson as he sat on the small twin engine plane under the 'S', I put myself in his shoes. An exciting new chapter begins!! The sun will rise and set today before he reaches his destination." written by Cori on the day Elder Neilson flew to Utah. 

Our Missionary sitting under the "S"

The farewell crew.. sniff sniff, WE LOVE YOU ELDER NEILSON!

This is the leader of the luggage herd which drew attention  on their travels!

Sunday Nov 27, 2011

Leading up to this was the Primary Presentation in Sacrament Meeting. Alick did a great job on his talk. With the completion of the presentation so does my time serving in Primary. (Though I was officially released a year ago I continued to serve until a counsellor was called.)  Below is what he said in Sacrament Meeting last Sunday. Great work SON!

Nov 25^th 2011

The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored.

In the early 1800s Joseph Smith was questioning all religions at the time because he didn’t know which one was true. He read a scripture from the holy bible, James 1:5.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and unbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

He decided to pray to Heavenly Father and expected an answer of which church to join. But he didn’t get the answer he expected. He got the answer, join none of them. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ came to him in a vision. We call it the first vision.

I saw 2 personages whose brightness and glory defy all  description standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me calling me by name and said pointing to the other “This is my beloved son. Hear Him.” (Joseph Smith History 1:17)

Joseph followed the commandment to not join any other church. The next few years he learned more about the scriptures to prepare for restoring the true church on the earth.

On 6 of April 1830. Joseph restored the church and became the first prophet in the latter days.

The church is the same now as in ancient times.

-The 10 commandments

-Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins

-12 apostles leading the church

-a living prophet and revelation for the people

-temples

-churches

These are just a few of the things we have in common today with Saints of olden times.

Saturday Nov 26, 2011

We met up with the Stake President in Qualicum for a final interview and setting apart. All of us traveled down Friday, did some shopping and visiting and happily spent some time together for the last time in a long while. Carter was thrilled to see his brother friend Logan park beside us shortly after we arrived at the Qualicum chapel, Saturday morning! After a wonderful time with President Van horne and his wife we carried on our journey home with a brief stop in Courtenay to pick up Janae from the bus!! We were thrilled with the outpouring of love for our missionary son that day!! We ventured home in plenty of time to meet up for pictures with Shannon :D before the evening events - A baptism and a gathering to say our best wishes to Elder Neilson!!

Elder Neilson performed the baptism for Kelly! It was a wonderful way to finish the day!

YAY!

There have been countless other events happening but this will be all for now!

A couple of things

I love the time spent outdoors!
I love to spend time with dear friends and wunnerful family!
I feel blessed that I can do both!


I went for a walk at the beach last week with Nicole! It was a beautiful day! Nicole took some amazing pics. We saw flocks of Dunlin, a couple of Harlequin Ducks, a couple of Canadian Geese, Seagulls and an American Red Squirrel.. (It is has always been a passion of mine to identify the name of each species I come across.)  Check out her blog for the pics and a great write up about our little adventure! http://bnthowler.blogspot.com/


The birds have returned to my yard! I love their happy chirping noises! The feeders are up and one is already empty. I have always wanted to participate in a backyard count... I hope this year will be the year to participate! If I remember correctly it will happen around Christmas. 
YAY I found the site! Feeder Watch Feeder watch is another program I discovered last year and didn't get myself registered for... I am so excited!!! It was quite funny... Friday afternoon my dear friends the Shepley crew came for a sewing project visit! We sat out in the backyard and sewed our own version of felt angry birds! (Pics later-Shannon borrowed the camera with them on it) While we enjoyed a bit of sun and fun a flock of geese flew overhead.... mid conversations Keisha and I look up to locate the honking flock! 


The angry birds began with these darlings... 

With my new job I have been weather watching.... A week ago we measured how much rain fell. From Friday to Monday we received 203mm of rain in our backyard! Apparently there is another weather system rolling through starting today.... my rain can is ready! 


I am off to refill the feeder for those sweet darling feathered visitors and then to the kitchen to make muffins for my hungry men!

A new chapter begins

Interesting things are always happening around here.... but by the end of the year a few big changes will occur and so a new chapter in our book of life will begin. 


Carter will be out on a mission in Nebraska! This is quite a journey and reflecting back we have enjoyed the challenge it has taken to get to this point. We still await news on his Visa and continue to get the other stuff in order. His reporting date is at the end of Nov... only 2 months left! Wowzers... 


I have hung up my Mother Goose wings. I have a new job! Assistant Emergency Program Coordinator for the Regional District. This career is a direction I wanted to head but honestly thought I wouldn't get there for another 5 years... when opportunity knocks at your door not once but three times... I really should answer it. This leads to a new education direction and so far it has been really great.  


Summer was a wonderful time together. Keeping in mind this was to be our last summer all together for a little season we enjoyed being together at home, with friends, exploring, at the lake, and beach! 

Random sites...I am interested in lately!

So I have been searching and creeping other blogs lately and found some cool things out there. 


1. I love flylady and her habit a month plan. I found this site quite by accident and was happy to hear of other women out there in the world trying to get their stuff organized or junked out!  http://orgjunkie.com/2011/01/52-weeks-1-where-will-you-start.html
2. My cousin Alli got me hooked on this site.... I love their links to creative things for life and home! http://storageandglee.blogspot.com/
3. Recyling and crafts together what more could I ask for! http://thelongthread.com/?p=3855&cpage=1
4. I have been interested in finding new crocheting patterns. This is only one of the many I have found. http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-to-crochet-heart.html
5. This guy shares his projects on his youtube channel. I love his ideas! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_j0WbdSr0c
6. I love this music! I have another fave site but couldn't find it but this was the band that I listened to on the other site as a promo! http://redbirdmusic.bandcamp.com/album/were-all-friends-and-lovers-until-it-falls-apart

A few days without 4 men....leaving only 2 of us at home! Can you guess what happens?

Let the jam making begin...

First up Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

This is not all of it.....

Over 3 or 4 days I made 7 Strawberry Jam, 6 Strawberry/Rhubarb Jam, 14 Rhubarb Jelly, 4 Mixed Berry/Rhubarb Jelly and 4 Mixed Berry Jelly. Can you tell I LOVE homemade Jam and Jelly?! I think this will be all for now.... hopefully there will be more to come later this summer! I have so many faves. The boys LOVE RASPBERRY! But the raspberries are not ready yet. It will have to wait.

We worked in the garden on the only sunny day.

I insisted lil A come outside for some natural warmth!

Meet Flappy and friends!

We sorted through all the lego one rainy afternoon, laughed as we watched some youtube clips and vids, ate nachos for breakfast, went for a couple of walks between rain showers and read Dr Seuss stories each night!

It was a great week!

Backyard fun!!!

Dancing in Duncan

Talent Show 2011

Adventures from home.

 We have had some fun lately. 3 different trips to the fantastic Telegraph Cove! One trip was Lil man A Kayaking with Dad and the YNC! The next trip was with Auntie Lara and Uncle Jer. Another trip was last week with the Sister Missionaries!! You know what??? !!!  People pay a lot of money to visit here!

The Bones Project is an amazing place to learn about the local wildlife. Lil man A tried out the benefits of blubber, we stood inside the jaw bone of a blue whale, checked out the skeletons of seals, sea lions, eagles, cougars, otters, porpoises, and various whales. There were even casts of animal paw and hoof prints. My foot is beside a grizzly bear paw print below.

Kayaking with Dad was boring....(I don't think he even got his paddle wet ;0) ) I know Drew enjoyed the time on the water! Throughout the year he mentions the desire for purchasing a kayak....one day.

Blueberry Banana muffins that I baked in June! The cards are a something I did one evening for friends!

Lastly the Black bears were spotted on our way home from one Telegraph Cove visit! I love it there!

Grizzly paw beside my foot! Yikes!

Have you ever seen white forget me nots?

I LURVE POETRY! ;0D

Lil man A came home with a poetry assignment. Have you ever heard of Clerihew????
Today is the first I heard of it. Here is the poem Drew, A man and I worked on in honour of NCAA's 2010-2011 player of the year who happens to play for BYU Cougars!

Jimmer Fredette
Is your best bet
In every game
You'll hear his name.

Last week's assignment was Cinquain.
Here is what I wrote for my little man!

Nelley
Loves to jump high
Great builder of lego
The youngest son of four brothers
AWESOME!

Spring 2011 ~ I know not a very exciting title.....

Birds chirpin'

Family Lovin'

Friends visitin'

Garlic growin'

SUN SHININ'

Weed pullin'

Wood stackin'

What more could anyone ask for during 

the first week of spring!!!

Big thank yous to my boys and a couple of friends for helping weed the garden 

and stack wood!

The Crazy Life and I am Thankful for Angel friends

This week I locked my keys in the van and I phoned a Dear Friend to be my angel for the morning to bring me a key from Drew at school. The children in Sointula thank her so very much because it meant Mother Goose could do the scheduled visit. Other Mother Goose visits took me to Woss, Alert Bay, Port Alice and in my home town. Other activities this past month included youth activities, walks and talks with friends and family, cleaning house and dejunking, playing in the snow (The boys had a snow day in Jan (no Schoo)and it was a quiet one for me I sewed all day while the boys spent time with friends outside!), helping A man deliver papers once a week, cooking, baking, reading, helping in Primary, teaching Nursery, doing school assignments, reading and researching, attending a few meetings and sleeping!
Last week we went to Nanaimo, French Creek and Campbell River for youth activities, time with Nana and Grandpa and Gymnastics Zone Competition. Both competing boys did well and look forward to heading to Delta for the High School Competition in March.

Carter is home for the week. YAHOO! He did a thorough job of cleaning the kitchen and did some laundry. Dexter is thrilled with his new AMP from Uncle James!! I look forward to hearing new songs on the guitar! Maybe one of these days we will team up and he will play and I will sing, since it is difficult to do both at the same time I have been told.
Hyrum is taller than me and loves getting new clothes and shoes since he keeps growing out of them. ;0)
Lil man A continues to build his lego creations and has discovered youtube has how to build videos. He gathers all the pieces and bit by bit watches the vid and builds the creation. He makes his own as well but I thought what an interesting use of technology!

I am married to a Gram Weenie..... Drew has been investigating and acquiring gear to do light weight camping. He has been enjoying the time outdoors. He went camping one night with Lil Man A. They slept great except for A man's burned finger..,and they were grateful for snow to cool it down. Yes, they camped on a snowy weekend in January and both of them slept cozy in their bivy sacks.