Nathan's Emigration Report - David Richards

Nathan's Emigration Report was due today. I was impressed by how neatly and carefully he colored and wrote. He had to handwrite his pedigree chart and report and do a poster. He really enjoyed learning about Wales and his great great great grandfather, David Richards.

On this line, he had to go back to the 6th generation to find the relative that emigrated. The baby in the picture is Elsie Richards, Nannie's mother. She and her husband Albert Kohler lived on the farm in Midway where we go play and camp each summer for the Kohler Reunion.

Thanks to Aunt Raeann, we found a picture of the boat they came on in 1860, The Underwriter, plus other information about the trip at http://www.lib.byu.edu/mormonmigration/person.php?id=91784&q=David%20Richards. Thanks to Nannie we already had his history and some great pictures of he and his family. We found that history as well as his journals, and Nannie's account of visiting Wales herself on http://welshmormonhistory.org/.

Nathan learned that Wales is one of 4 countries that make up the UK: Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The longest river in the UK, The Severn, is in Wales.

And he really loved drawing this dragon (the Welsh Flag). He did an impressive job on his artwork, just looking and sketching. I don't think he knew he could do that.

Christmas Card in March!

I was going to post an electronic Christmas Card in December, and here it is March! But, I've been sick for 6 days now, and my head feels better when I'm sitting up, so I'd might as well start blog catch up, right? (Since I haven't posted much since the last Christmas Card!)

The Lindsay Top 10 of 2010~ 10 years with Kids

1. Adam is the center of the family, and he seems to know it. He is so fun and keeps us all smiling. He loves books and isn’t afraid to expect a lap and a story from any visitor or family member.

2. Disneyland- This time was especially fun, since the kids were a little older to enjoy more rides. They wanted to stay way later than we expected and loved every minute together.

3. Weston’s Graduation from Regis University with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy and Fellowship in Manual Therapy. The whole family made a trip of it to Denver, Colorado and had a good time.

4. Cousins : We are so lucky to have a lot of family nearby. We love playing games and celebrating birthdays together. We also made it to visit families in Denver and San Francisco whose homes we had not made it to, yet.

5. Hiking! As the kids get older, hiking together gets easier and easier. They do an awesome job and are real troopers. Lena and Weston hiked Timpanogos and made a great memory together.

6. Four Kids in Elementary School. Jacob entered Kindergarten this year and is loving it. Sam is in 2^nd grade and gets “schoolsick” when there’s a holiday. Nathan is in 4^th grade, started the clarinet in the band, which seems to be just his thing. Lena plays the flute and they enjoy practicing and going to band together. Lena is in 5^th grade, getting ready to start her 4^th science fair project and has won first place for 3 years straight- no pressure, right?

7. Soccer keeps us busy, from REAL games to the kids’ games, to Elaine coaching, & Weston reffing. In February, we went to St. George together for a tournament for Lena and enjoyed the “warmer” weather and did some hiking.

8. Primary & Sports are our church callings and they keep us busy. Elaine enjoys being involved with the kids at church- Primary’s a great place to be. She also enjoys doing some church sports together with Weston, like Ultimate Frisbee and Coed Volleyball.

9. The boys’ room. Our newest, biggest project we’ve undertaken has been a lot of learning as well as rewarding and the 3 boys enjoy their cool Space Room.

10. First Marathon Together. In September, Weston & Elaine did the Top of Utah Marathon. To continue with the training in 2011, they signed up for the Ogden Marathon next.

Christmas Card

With Love Chartreuse Christmas 5x7 folded card

Create modern Christmas photo cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

It's that time of year...

Ah, Christmas Cards. Each year, I think, “I’m just going to go digital and skip the post office.” But, then I remember all the friends and family that enjoy an actual picture and update in their hot little hands. And, of course, I love the pictures I receive and being able to put other people’s Christmas cards up as part of the holiday decorations. Plus, this year, rather than taking all the kids one by one to get their yearly picture taken, (and not own the copyright to them) we went up to their Great Grandparent’s one morning in the fresh 9 inches of snow, and took our fun pictures. What a great memory! They love playing there in the backyard, and these pictures are already a fun memory. My cousin Julie lives close by and did a great job being our photographer.

So, now I can do whatever I want with my photos. Yeah! My cousins’ wife shared on her blog about Shutterfly’s great cards and their deal for 50 free ones, so I decided to try it, plus it got me back on my blog! But, I’ll have to hurry if I’m going to get them out for Christmas. I’ve done a few things with Shutterfly in the past. I love photobooks. They make the perfect gift for Grandparents. Last year I did a book with pictures from all of my siblings’ families and it was so easy to pull off just getting photos from each family. I remember past projects for special occasions and how much harder it was to pull something like that off. Now, we can make something once, and order as many copies as we want. Love it. Shutterfly is easy to use and it will even put your pictures into an entire book and then you can just make the changes you want. I haven’t made the total digital scrapbooking switch, but have played with it. I think it is such a fun and efficient way to go. They take up less room, and making multiple copies is feasible. My cousin’s wife (different one- I have a lot of great cousins through marriage) does a digital scrapbook and “publishes” it by each year. It’s so fun to see the hardbound picture books their kids can flip through and remember their family adventures.

As I was deciding what to do for my Christmas card, I looked at a couple of different photo websites and Shutterfly had the best layouts for what I wanted. We have 5 kids and I wanted to include each of their individual pictures as well as our family shot. They had several ones to choose from that included 6 photos, other websites didn’t seem to think anyone needed that many pictures on a Christmas card! I’ve narrowed my Christmas card down to these layouts I liked the best: Family Wall Red, With Love Chartreuse, Pictures in Red Christmas. So, check back closer to Christmas, and I’ll have posted my digital version of my Christmas Card here to share. Good luck with all your fun photo projects!

9 month milestones as documented by my big sister videographer

Lena's favorite thing to play with me is to take pictures and videos of me. So, here are some of the things I've been working on that she's caught on camera. Big sister, babysitter and photographer in one! My Mom's got it sooo easy!

Here's my 2 bottom teeth and my cute smile. Unfortunately, I'm not always smiling lately, because all 6 of my top front teeth are hurting and trying to come in. I love to hang out in the backpack with Mom. I get a great view of all the fun stuff she does, like playing in the sink with the dishes and water, snacking on chocolate chips from the freezer, pushing the noisy vacuum around and talking to my Aunts on the phone. There's a great built in alarm system too, with a fast response time- I just pull her hair!

Jacob got me this great toy from the grocery store the other day. As you can see, I've learned to growl, which gets a great response, too.

Since I got these great blocks for Christmas, Dad and I have this fun game we play, where he builds towers and I knock them down. Sometimes we see if he can build them while I'm destroying them.

Mom brought this big table out to my play area so I won't get into her project, but this has been a great toy, too. I did this a couple months ago at the Children's Museum while playing in one of their wheel barrows, but that was easier. This took more muscles. Lena and Nathan cheered me on while I practiced this a bunch this morning until I could stand forever and even let go a little bit. Just you wait, guys!

Christmas Card

I'm trying to become more online than paper, but it's hard to eliminate the mailed Christmas Card. For those who are computer savvy and enjoy the blogging world, you get the benefit of several different cards-choose whichever you prefer!

This one's fun since it's our most recent family photo.

Can't you just hear Jacob's thoughts, "All I want for Christmas is..."

The outdoorzy one.

The Lindsay Family 2009

Adam was our main event this year! was born on April 14^th and is now 8 months old! We are very busy as learns to get around. Unlike his siblings, has loved being on his belly, even in the bathtub, where learned to crawl or “swim”. loves trying new foods and being at the table with everyone else. His siblings are a very excited fan club. They all love and enjoy interacting with him.

Lena (9) is a little mommy and early on showed she could take care of her littlest brother, changing diapers, putting down for a nap, and playing with him. continues to enjoy dance, soccer, and school. Nathan (8) is very sweet with . For Reflections this year he made of video of called, “Beauty is…My Baby Brother Adam.” did a good job and it is very sweet to watch. was also baptized this summer and loves to read his new scriptures. enjoys being a scout and playing soccer. Samuel (6) always wants to hold and read him his take home books from school. loves soccer and school and has discovered the freedom of reading and not having to ask others for help. , , and have been enjoying piano lessons this year. Jacob (5) is a great help at home with his only little brother while the others are at school. is a great friend to Mom and enjoys going to playgroup, preschool, computer class, and learning some piano with at home. claims has been saying “words” and has been keeping track, counting 20 so far. is happy and always has a smile for his siblings.

Elaine is enjoying the kids in all their varied stages and unique strengths. keeps busy with primary, playgroup, co-op preschool, PTA, running, projects and family. Weston finished his classes through Regis University and we look forward to taking the kids with us to his graduation next May in Colorado for ’s transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy (tDPT) degree and fellowship in Manual Therapy. continues to help with the REAL Salt Lake major league soccer team and is excited about them winning the MLS Cup for the first time. also enjoys hiking with , , ,,, & and working with the sports programs as the Stake Physical Activities Director.