Nathaniel Christopher Black, The One and Only

I've taken some heat from a certain sister (you know who you are) about not including enough Nathaniel lately, so here's a post devoted to my number one son!

Nathaniel is growing so fast I just can't believe it. Sometimes I will look at him and just be amazed at how grown up he is. What happened to that little baby boy I used to cuddle with for hours and hours? Now he's a big 3rd grader who will be turning 8 and getting baptized in just a few months.

The boy is a bookworm. It is incredible how well he reads -- he's on a 5th grade level at least! He recently finished reading the third Harry Potter book and started the fourth, and he will sit and read for hours at a time. Every day he amazes me with the things he knows. I'm so proud of him.

While he does love to devour a good book, I'm sure he would tell you his favorite past time is playing video games. He can beat the pants off of anyone at Super Smash Brothers or Mario Strikers (although I can still take him at Mario Golf)!

He's also gotten into chess. I think it's so cool that at 7 years old he understands the rules and really enjoys the game. He's pretty good, too!

Another thing I really admire and appreciate about my son is what a good big brother he is. He truly cares about his little brother and sister and always tries to help them out. He is conscious of their feelings and sensitive to their needs. And he loves to help mom and dad when we need something, too. I couldn't ask for a better kid! I love him so, so much!

IT IS COLD, PEOPLE!!!

Well.....in a moment of brainlessness I had the idea that maybe we could get the kids outside and take a few photographs. After all, it was a balmy 18 degrees, much warmer than the last few days with temperatures hovering right around zero! It's been a while since we had a good photo shoot, and Chris hasn't gotten to use his cool new lens very much. So we ventured out to a picturesque spot on the Provo River where there's a really neat bridge. It only took a few seconds to realize things were not going as planned. First of all, Lindsey and Bradley fell asleep in the van on the way over; we knew they'd be grumpy when we tried to wake them. (And they were.) As soon as we stepped out of the warmth of our vehicle, it was like we stepped into the arctic. It was dang cold. Within seconds we were surrounded by ducks who evidently thought we might be bringing them a snack. They were pretty friendly at first, but once they ascertained that we had nothing for them, no more Mr. Nice Ducks. To make matters worse, Lindsey took one look at the flock and began to scream her head off. I was surprised that she was afraid of them as she always seems excited to see any kind of animal on TV, but real life is evidently a different matter altogether. The boys enjoyed them, though.



They had fun chasing the ducks around! We tried getting a group shot, but it just wasn't happening.


It really was freezing, as you can probably tell from the expressions on Lindsey's and Bradley's faces. Nathaniel looks like he's doing ok except for his little red nose.




Since Lindsey had had enough, I took her back to the van to warm her up a little. Chris tried to get the boys to smile; he told them to say 'hamburger,' and just as he did, a duck began quacking really loudly just behind them, as if responding. They thought this was so hilarious! Then we got a few smiles.


Still, we had little success in the bitter cold, so we decided to take them somewhere warmer....the mall. They hate going to the mall, but we promised if they would behave we would take them to play at the treehouse, which for some reason they love.



Here are the boys peeking out of the giant tree inside the mall. I don't know why they love this place so much -- it's always overrun with germy little kids and full of chaos. But I suppose they just like the opportunity to play in the middle of the "boring mall."

What's Happening

Life is busy, busy, busy! Chris is working hard as Elders Quorum President in our ward, and he's always in meetings. Add to that his busy work schedule and the two classes he's taking this semester (EMS and Family Finance) and I never see him. I was called last Sunday to serve as the secretary in the Stake Relief Society presidency, and they have already put me to work. It looks like I too will be living in meetings from now on. But it's great to serve the Lord in any way we can, and we have great people here in our ward and stake.

I know I have been lax on the postings, but I also had a root canal last week, and it is killing me. Seems like it's always something with my teeth. Also the kids have been passing a cough and cold between them for weeks. Nathaniel seems to be ok right now, but Lindsey has it pretty bad. And Bradley had croup a couple of nights last week. I can't wait until they are all well again.


Silly kids! Chris caught them goofing around one morning at breakfast. Lindsey loves to do everything her brothers do, including making funny faces. They are so funny together. She also is living life as a nudist these days, and she strips down to her diaper as soon as she possibly can. Whenever I get her dressed, it's the same thing: first she takes the barrettes or ribbons out of her hair, then she takes off her socks and shoes, and then the clothes come off. I don't know how she stands it as cold as it has been here. Even though we have the heater cranked all the time, it can hardly fight the 1 degree temperatures outside! (We've even gotten into the negatives overnight a few times! Oh how I long to be in the warm south!!!!)


We found our little angel fast asleep at the table one morning. I guess breakfast just wore her out, poor thing. She isn't dangling off the edge, though, so don't panic. She had been kneeling on her stool and just lay down on the counter for a nap. I know how she feels.



What a good little mommy, always taking care of her baby. Linds loves her newborn cabbage patch baby that she got for her birthday. She is always concerned that the baby might be hungry or sleepy or cold . . . she loves to tuck her into bed for a nap. (Just like real mommies do!)

WHAT?? This baby is hungry AGAIN???

How 'bout those special effects? Chris is getting pretty good with Photoshop! This is Lindsey after church last week. That skirt is getting too short for her, so I wanted to get some pictures before she outgrows it completely.

Bradley loves his sister so much! Both of the boys are great big brothers. I am so happy and fortunate that my kids seem to really care for each other, although they do fight and argue like all siblings do.

Well, last week I told you Bradley had his hearing tested. Even though his doctor originally told us he did not have an ear infection, the tympanogram they did at the hearing center proved otherwise; he does have an infection in one ear, and this was affecting his hearing somewhat. We are hoping it will clear up on its own, and we will take him in for a retest this week sometime. He seems to be hearing a little better.