Trace's #4

4 whole years old! This kid is growing up so fast! Trace watches over his chickens, has a woman all picked out for the future (Rose Chamberlain), and cant wait to start soccer. His favorite color is still blue but now also red and white. He's through with bottles and shoots a daisy. To start off the festivities, we camped out on the lawn for 2 nights in the tent. Then when the 8th of July arrived we ate at Olive Garden (complements of great grandma Nelson), played in the splash pad at the Hogle zoo, and went to a wedding- such a fun day. To end the birthday week (we let our celebrating get a little out of hand) we had a cake fight with Amy and Pat. We're lucky to be able to share his birthday, especially with the way he parties!

July 4th

Chopped 2015

The stakes were high, higher than last year since there were some titles to be defended, and others to be discarded. The wives were brutal in their selection of secret basket items (Fish with the head on- Really?!). We did our best, but no matter how hard we try... Nefi was named champion of the men's round. It's in his blood, he just has a way with the food on game day... and possibly bribes were made. During the women's round, Ronda fought fiercely to the top- her hearty main dish won us over (even myself. It was a close call during the dessert round, but when all was said and done, she stood atop her 3 daughters triumphant. So I guess the illusion that Craig and I are good cooks is fading quickly- being chopped in the 1st round 2 years in a row. I am a little more sensitive to Shayna and the kids when they comment on the blandness or strangeness of something that I've cooked. Until next time, Shayna and I will only hope to make it through the first round in the future. Ha!

Memorial Day Campout

 A perfect trip! We were able to camp in an RV park on the drive down and the kids did awesome. Once on the farm, not only were we around people we love, but we also got to do kayak races, frog hunting, swamp fights working in the garden, cooking out, chopped, and catching up. The weather was perfect! On Sunday, the whole Larson clan was in town, so it evolved into a Collier/Larson reunion out on the church lawn after sacrament meeting. We wished we could have stayed longer, and were grateful that our time spent on the farm was so full of people we miss constantly. We're still hoping to see Kody and Julie and the kids sometime this year since they weren't able to make it. 

Tucker Kase Nelson- Baby Blessing

Tucker Kase- a name that fits him well.. He is chill- we often refer to him as the chum. He has had quite the life up to this point- we have loved every day with him and have also spent quite a bit of time worrying about and caring for him. Ever since he was born he has caught every cold, had chicken pox, bad digestion and for us the biggest scare has been an enlarged lymph node lasting over 3 months now. As parents there is so much uncertainty. As we prayed to our Father in Heaven- we were open to anything- including conventional approaches, and we can say we were guided. Our trust is He knows what will happen, He knows where we come from and what our strengths are, and He knows how to care for us. Our weeks seemed to consist of prayers, trust, faith, temple, blessings and hope. We felt strongly about most of the natural healing modalities we tried, and others we initiated out of desperation. At times where our fear would peak and panic of "what if" would start, we seemed to take turns reminding each other that we had received our answers and it didn't include panic or fear. I am so thankful that we trust God and know how he speaks to our minds and hearts. We have peace, we know that what we have been intervening with has been the best for Tucker's body to heal itself. Unlike a quick fix, this course is one that required us to learn, grow and be more self reliant.
My job ended at the end of 2014 (it is a seasonal job and starts up mid year), which allowed me to be home a lot. Although a lot of the caring for Tucker was up to Shayna, I was able to help with the kids and around the house. Just as our savings was getting thin (after 2 car break downs and lots of medical expenses) a job I had interviewed at 4 months prior, called to offer me a part time position. It has worked out perfectly. I have no doubt that God's timing is the best timing if we will be patient.
A neighbor took us under her care when, early on, and at a desperate moment, we called for advice. She has fit us into her life. We have become quick friends and have a long lasting gratitude to her for her guidance!

Tucker is getting better slowly but surely! He is happy and healthier than ever in his short 5 months of life! He was blessed in church Sunday the 3rd which was a fun day shared with my birthday and Pat and Amy's anniversary.

We love our boy!