Merry Christmas!

Thanks to my dear friend Michelle we were able to pull off a family picture a week before Christmas (cards coming soon!). We walked over to a neighbors yard, threw our coats in a pile and smiled big as little Mary held branches behind her momma's head like antler ears as she snapped away.

It truly is such a magical time of year. Having all my babies home snuggled under my protective wings makes it extra special. We are blessed and give thanks to our kind, loving Father in Heaven and to his Son who sacrificed all to give us life eternal.

From our home to yours, have the Merriest Christmas! Love, the Nielson's

gratitude

Our sweet little 9th grader heads up to the high school at 6:10am for early morning seminary. On most days her Dad shuffles out of bed to drive her there. A few days ago he found this note on his pillow.

How happy I am to have a child (and children for that matter) with a grateful heart.

Halloween at the Care Center

We decided to visit some old friends at the Alzheimer's Care Center by singing, playing some tunes and trying our skills at puppet theater. Samuel wasn't sure what was scarier, his monster puppet, Chomp, or some ornery patient shouting at him to sit down. I looked over at him and gave him the crazy person sign. He smiled, nodded and understood. Just sharing some Halloween love, people! Who knows if they'll remember us tomorrow but we had fun dressing up and sharing nonetheless.

π

Thanks to the generosity of our sweet neighbors the Hills, Katherine was taught how to make perfectly scrumptious homemade pie. Paul's 110 year old recipe is the best! We all gained a few pounds just smelling it. So good!

Midway to heaven

I highly suggest you take a couple hours out of your day to day, grab a picnic, crank up a tune like this (or whatever tickles your fancy) and head for the hills! You'll be glad you did. Promise.

this little piggy went to the market

How I love Fall with all it's sights, tastes and colors. My handy little phone has doubled as my camera as of late. Life has been crazy, busy, wonderful! With the convenience of Facebook and text messaging I have neglected this sweet little site. But since those things aren't as easy to print, I will have to try and keep this dear blog/book of mine alive with pictures and small tales of life as I see it. Happy Fall!

Nielson girls at their best, kinda

I was uploading footage from my Flip camera on to my computer and found all kinds of little treasures!

The first was taken early this summer at one of Sarah's voice lessons. Oh how I miss those times with her. Listening to her sing and make little break through's was exhilarating.




This next clip is of the multi-talented and athletic Analisa. She makes it look so easy! If only it were so.




This was taken last week at an informal violin recital. The song suited my lovely Kate so perfectly.




The last clip I found on my handy camera was taken on my 40th birthday in NYC. I'll have you know it takes incredible talent to enjoy food the way I do. Don't believe me? Try taking my last bite of something I'm savoring and watch me bite your head off;)

College Bound

Our girl Sarah starts life in the big school today. The big ole BYU that is. It's been a roller coaster of emotions for me since we dropped her off last Wednesday. Sunday dinner was straight up SAD. We miss her crazy, bubbly self around these parts. And her singing. Ah, her singing. That's probably the thing I miss very most. I can text and call and hear her sweet voice through the phone, but I love busying myself around the house while listening to that voice float out of her room. There's nothing quite like it to this mothers ears. I am adjusting though. Enjoying loads of one on one time with Analisa before she turns around and does the same thing a year from now. There are gobs of books and classes on bringing these little one's into the world but no one can quite prepare you for letting them go.

Happy Anniversary Gipsy Style

Last night we celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary with one of my favorite outings, an outdoor concert under the stars, dancing to awesome music.

We met up with some dear friends, Rhett and Willow and danced the night away.

And by the way, if you're ever hurting for motivation to deep clean your house, turn this up really loud and watch the clutter practically put itself away;) Gotta love The Gipsy Kings!

7 Brides for 7 Brothers

Once upon a time there was a 12 year old girl who reluctantly went to a combined Young Men/ Young Women volleyball activity at the church. She noticed a curly haired blond boy, just barely dating age, and became smitten when he turned and smiled her way. A few minutes after this exchange a volleyball came crashing down on her face leaving her totally embarrassed thinking life as she knew it was over! Surely he'd only think of her as the clumsy little beehive who couldn't play volleyball.

There were other small exchanges over the years even a couple letters from Brazil. But it wasn't until last fall, 5 years after that first encounter, that the same cute boy got the nerve to ask her to join him on a motorcycle ride. Her mother watched out the kitchen window as she hopped on the back of that bike grinning from ear to ear, arms wrapped around him holding on for dear life.

They have had many adventures over the past 10 months. One of which was doing a summer play together. Something I'm sure he never imagined doing. He learned a solo for the audition. And even learned to polka with the best of them. Oh, the things he's done for love! The hardest thing he's had to do is watch her kiss another guy three times a week on stage during the wedding scene. How many couples can say they've been through that one? The show plays Tuesday, Thursday and closes Saturday this week.

They are off to college next week. Who knows what the future holds for these two dear ones. But oh what a fun ride it's been!

h2O

I asked the Dad of a struggling teenager who's life had miraculously turned from dark to light what made the difference in his daughter's transformation. His response was simple, "We bought a boat."

Thanks to the generosity of Papa Hill, (Blake's Dad) I understood why an afternoon on the water surrounded by nature and loved ones would make for the best kind of medicine.

Here are way too many pictures (30) of our recent boating adventures.

cute little boating couple


Samuel is so lucky to have discovered the joy of boating at the ripe old age of 6! He loves the tube but mainly he likes to lay out at the very front of the boat and daydream.




My first time on the tube ever. I laughed so hard I cried. Thank goodness Paul was driving the boat. He was gentle but still made it to where it was fun without tossing us over.








Kate decides to water ski for the first time ever. Can you see the excitement in her eyes?


Paul and Blake gave her careful instructions. No one better to learn from than the patient Hill boys.


Love her nervous little grin here.


And she's up. First try! Way to go Kit-Kat!


Cute couple again.


Sammy took his role as flag holder very serious.


Analisa's turn.




And she's up. First try too!












The girls decided to go tubing rough style. Blake is giving Sarah instructions on how to hold on for dear life.






I love this picture even though it's blurry. So fun!




After everyone had their fill of skiing, the boat became a napping boat. The mellow playlist kicked in on the speakers and people clustered in different areas of what we affectionately call the Paul Hill/James Bond boat. Here he is chit chatting with my Katherine asking her about Junior High and life at 14. What a great time to relax, munch and mingle all on the quite of a beautiful lake.


Here I am before my first attempt at water skiing. Everyone made it look so easy. What was I thinking?! Yes folks, I even got my hair wet.


Blake was even sweet enough to get in the water to help me. Unfortunately, I was only able to stand up for 5 seconds, if that. Well, there's always next time!