Skipping School

I may be slow to blog about it, but school does go on in Kentucky.

Addie is in the 3rd grade.

Ethan--the 6th, which means he is a mighty middle schooler.

And with great power comes great responsibilty so he has been designated Owen's chief transportation officer. 

We did play hookie and joined the Bangerters in North Carolina for some special education of its own kind.

And for some amazing views.

Giving us the opportunity to take some unique pictures. (Staircase inside the lighthouse.)

Owen did put in some time driving truck, however.

But it was obvious when he was ready to clock out...

And walk off into the sunset.

Ethan and his cousins labored too, but learned there is no structure that can match the strength of the tide.

We had a super time at the beach.

And felt inspired by the tenacity of the Wright Brothers when we visited Kitty Hawk…

to hang out with Wilbur (or Orville?).

We hiked the same hill these men hauled their airplane up over 1000 times during the course of a summer until they successfully flew.

There we soaked in the view...

then coasted on the backs of others down the other side.

Our education continued in Virginia at the early settlement of Jamestown. 

Where the kids helped with...

this:

On the way home we stopped at Hillbilly Hotdogs. Guy Fieri recommended it on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. He was not wrong. 

We did eat in a tub because…well, because it's Kentucky. (Actually, West Virginia...same difference.)

With our vacation over it was back to work adding some pizzaz to a boring, little bathroom. "After" pictures coming soon.

Cousins

We've been enjoying our nephew/cousin's company. Christian is visiting from VA. 

This kid thinks he's as big as the boys:

Ethan waited for his cousin to come to celebrate his birthday with a friend party.

We've had a fun week.

15 Years, Baby!

Randal and I went to Cancun, Mexico for our 15th anniversary.

We had an amazing time.

The view from our room:

We ate chicken mole here:

It was so delicious. 

At the Mayan ruins in Tulum, Mexico:

Where we met this guy (along with his entire family):

And where we cooled off at a beautiful beach:

We ran into these guys:

And him. He blessed out tour group. We think. He was speaking Mayan, so for all we know he was giving us directions to the nearest souvenir shop.

Weaving a hammok. (I wish I'd brought one home.) 

At the Mayan observatory. Evidence in this building alone shows the extent of the Mayan's knowledge of the stars and the earth. It was fascinating. And hot.

Something cool:

Ta-dah! One of the 7 new wonders of the world:

It was amazing, even at a distance like it is here near the burial ground. See all the heads engraved in the stones of the wall. Creepy. 

Here we are being stupid:

And here:

15 years. It really doesn't feel like it should be that long. Sometimes I still think we are just playing house and that we really are still just kids. But maybe the saying is right and feeling like time has flown is because of all the fun we have had. And we have had some fun. We have three awesome children, we have picked up and moved to new places, and we have seen a bit of the world too. But mostly we have spent our time doing all the mundane, everyday things that build a solid foundation to one incredible life together.  I love you, Randal!

UT/ID 2014

We made it another year. So we rewarded ourselves with a trip West.

First thing on bucket list: trains with Grandpa.

Next: a bridal shower for Tammy and Ashley. You might be asking where are they? Well, I didn't take any pictures of them! No, apparently this is where my priorities are:  

I had fun planning the shower with Jessica and Dana. Jessica had everything decorated so cute. The truth is, I didn't get any pictures taken during the shower because I was too busy enjoying the chance to be with everyone again. 

Tammy's wedding was beautiful. No camera at the temple though. (I'm seeing a pattern here. Check Dana's blog, she thinks ahead.) 

One of the highlights at the reception was the boys razzing her with their orange "tuxedos". Tammy really didn't take the bait though. I think she knows them all too well.

It did make for memorable wedding line. And not the least bit tacky. 

Beautiful cake. Don't you think, Mom? You did good. 

Our sweet Addie was baptized. It was such a special baptism, due in part to the sacrifices these great people made to be there (and all those who wished her well and who would have been there if they could). 

 With Grandma and Grandpa Nelson:

And Grandma and Grandpa Rimington:

If it wouldn't be a violation of her privacy, I would transcribe some of Adelaide's touching journal entry on this blog. But it would be so I will not. Let me just say, she really felt the Spirit on her baptism day and I am so grateful for the experience she had. I am so blessed to have her as my daughter. She is one amazing kid! 

After all this and more, we said goodbye to Utah/Idaho...

 for another year. Sniff, sniff.

I realize this last picture is a bit of a duplicate, but I'm trying something new--to actually have pictures with me in them. It's going to be hard, but it's time to do it. 

Also, there is an amazing lack of pictures of our time spent in Idaho. Why?! Why?! Why?!

Suffice it to say, we ran them ragged up there too. And we had a great time doing it! :)

PS--Congratulations, Tammy and Conley and Ashley and Tony! And to the parents of the brides, as well!

PSS--Congratulations, Annisa and Lindsey. We look forward to meeting your new little ones next year!

Current Events

Summer is nearly here. We can't wait! It would have come a lot sooner had we not had so many snow days this year. But we're making the best of it by cracking out the sandbox. Owen loves playing in the sand, and the kids are good sports squeezing themselves into it to play with him. 

Addie hit a big milestone. She decided to have her ears pierced. I found a pediatrician that would do it which made me feel a whole lot better about the potential outcome.

Wah-la! Done! And she was thrilled. (Yes that is two more Nanny McPhee teeth hanging on for dear life there. I wish she'd approach those with the same bravery she did her ears.)

Here she is admiring her new earrings after the big event:

This is Ethan with his very tall piano teacher, Jane, at his recital. I told her he will probably pass her up in no time given his Nelson genes. He really is quite a talent at the piano. He made it through two rounds of school talent show auditions playing the theme song to Lord of the Rings blindfolded.  

And here is Owen patiently waiting for me to figure out how to put his new ride-along car together. This is the kind of job usually left to Randal. But with his travels, I wore the handyman hat this time. And, well, it took me forever, but I did it! And with only one part left over. No joke. It seems structurally sound without it though, so score one point for me.  

And score one point for you too for checking in on us from time to time and seeing what we're up to. We love you all!