Nielsen Family Adventures

Monday's Musing"s

2011-11-14T07:55:00.000-08:00

I know, it has been a couple of months.

Life is different in the Nielsen home but we embrace the ever-changing seasons of our lives! A run down of our children:
Chad is still in LA working - yes, working is a good thing when you are a Architect in this current economy. Kayla and I along with my parents were able to see him in February but everyone else has not seen him since Christmas. But, he will be home for Christmas this year and we are excited!

Cort is currently working on his Master's in School Counseling doing night classes. During the day he is a stay-at-home Dad to Lincoln and keeping up with his homework. Chandra is at a new private school this year which just specializes in students with learning/emotional disabilities and is loving not having the restraints of answering to a school district and their want for better test scores to get better funding and not caring about the students. She cares about her students and wants them to succeed as much as they can in life and works hard with them. She is a saint!

Kelsy & Jeff are really loving the Gilbert area and Jeff is enjoying his job too! We as parents and grandparents are really loving that they love Gilbert too as 2 hours away is soooo much better than 13!

Chanelle & Tyler moved from Salt Lake to Saratoga Springs to help with Tyler's commute to work but still close enough for Chanelle to finish up with her Interior Design degree. This has been a great move for them as they love the area and their ward plus being closer to some family members. Chanelle will be done in April and has really enjoyed being employed by Osmond Designs and hopes to pick up some work in her field soon.

Kayla is really liking BYU-I except for the cold! She is learning a lot, probably maturing, dating quite a bit and even talking about staying the summer and finding a job. Living with 5 girls has been a challenge but she is weathering through it!

Ric and I just plug along in the quiet house. He is still serving in the Young Men program and I am in the Relief Society presidency of ward. We recently joined a Gym - believe it or not, Ric's idea! We are looking forward to Christmas with everyone home at once!

Monday's Musing"s

2011-08-29T15:55:00.000-07:00

* Help Kayla sort through clothes making piles of: college bound, give-away, sister/cousin might want - check.
* Finish buying last minute things for that almost College student - check.
* Start getting ready for our first annual "Mother/daughter/daughter-in-law weekend" coinciding with my (icky) birthday year to occur right before taking the one daughter to that College - check.
* Make a list of cold-weather items to shop for in Utah before we kick the girl out in the cold (literaly) of Rexburg. Hoping that we desert rats know what to get - check.
* Need to finish stocking up the freezer for Ric who will not be with us in our travels. Yes, lone man in the wilderness...
* A little bothered when in the make-up section for concealer at Target, I am standing next to two boys buying eyeliner...
* Missing my oldest son. Haven't seen him for awhile.
* In charge of Super Saturday as the Relief Society Counselor and not very crafty-ish. Glad I have some talented people on my committee!

Rains bring out friends

2011-08-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

When it rains in Tucson, the tarantulas come out to play! Kayla caught this one and thought we needed it as a pet. She named it Roosevelt.

Summer in Arizona

2011-08-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

Splash Pads are a big deal in the Phoenix/Mesa/Gilbert area where all the grandkids live with many to choose from. Even ones open at night with lights!
Tucson, when are you going to get on the bandwagon?...

Short Stuff

2011-06-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

* Got Jeff, Kelsy & the kids moved to Gilbert from Utah!
* Jeff is loving his job so far and glad to not be a student anymore.
* Kayla is working long hours as a lifeguard and saving money for school.
* She and I are gathering apartment stuff for her departure to BYU-I.
* Our State is on fire in many places... Fasting and praying for rain to come.
* Tyler started a new job in Utah being a doing maintenance on drone planes for the US Army.
* Cort has a new job for fall as a Teacher's assistant with a disability class that will allow him to do his Master's program plus give him some experience.
* Chandra also got a new job with a pay increase at a private Middle school for kids with Emotional Disabilities - her passion. Yes, she will automatically go to the Celestial Kingdom for her endeavors!
* Ric has a new Church calling along with his Young Men's calling to be the Stake Public Relations Rep.
* I have a new calling also working with the younger girls in Activity Days. Very fun stuff!
* Chad will be running his own project this summer with his Architecture firm in California.
* Life moves rather quickly!

Bad Blogger

2011-05-24T09:08:00.000-07:00

Since I have not updated this for quite a while, I thought I would share a few quick thoughts:

* We are still here on earth - I tend to go with Mark 13:32!
* Kayla our baby is graduating high school tomorrow night - sigh...
* After almost 3 years, I was released from being Young Women's President in our Ward. I am sad but know it is time for someone else. Now I get to work with the young girls and Activity Days. :)
* Our daughter-in-law Chandra, just graduated with her Master's degree a couple of weeks ago. Cort our son is beginning his Master's program in the fall.
* Our son-in-law Jeff just graduated from Utah Valley University and got a great job in Gilbert Arizona. He only has 2 weeks from getting the job to moving his family and beginning work!
* With that move, ALL 3 OF OUR GRANDCHILDREN in one state!!!

Signs of Hope

2011-03-30T15:39:00.000-07:00

This is what happens to things like citrus in Arizona
when you have an unusually devastating freeze.
You are looking at one of our lime trees with a
grapefruit in the back where it too is frozen a
couple of weeks after the fact.

Now, warmer weather is producing hope! We are
seeing new growth on the orange, tangerine, kumquat and
grapefruit but, the lime trees are not so quick to come back.
Our big lime may be ok but the little one may need to be
replaced. Besides the citrus, 1 out of 5 queen palm trees so
far seems to have survived.
I still have some hope!

Big Machine Concentration

2011-03-11T08:44:00.001-08:00

When Mason was here visiting, he got to do the ultimate
boy activity - playing on a back hoe!

Then, his great grandpa started it up and taught him to operate
the shovel. He helped dig a big hole and he got really
good a moving the shovel back and forth dumping
the dirt! He was in such deep concentration as he
learned that he never cracked a smile but when he got
off, all he could do was talk about it and couldn't wait to go
see, "Grandpa with the backhoe" again!

Fry Concentration

2011-03-11T08:36:00.001-08:00

What happens when the tray with the fries gets moved out of reach...

Helping Hands

2011-03-11T08:23:00.000-08:00

While Kelsy & the boys were here visiting last month,
Mason got to help Grandpa put together a wagon
for his cousin Lincoln for his birthday.
He took it very seriously!

Happy Birthday!

2011-03-10T10:52:00.000-08:00

On February 14th, Lincoln turned 1.
What first birthday is not complete without
a cake of your own to devour?

Needless to say, he loves chocolate!

Then, he started flinging it and before we
got it stopped, it was all over the floor and
nearby wall. Fun stuff for a one year old!

The Newest Silver Beaver

2011-03-10T10:13:00.000-08:00

Last month Ric was a recipient of just about the highest
award you can ever receive in the scouting program,
The Silver Beaver award. It comes from years and
years of scouting work and he definitely deserved it!

It is hard to see from this picture but it is
a metal beaver in great detail including
long little teeth hanging from the blue/white ribbon.
What is in more focus on the right is his father's
Eagle Scout Award that Ric wore in honor of
his Dad who unfortunately, did not live long
enough to see his son receive one of these rare awards.

Good Bye Old Friend

2011-03-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

This had been our family friend for many many
miles. It was time for something smaller and newer
so she went up on Craigslist and we sold her
to a nice family with 4 little kids.
Hope they enjoy her as much as we did!

Ric is at it Again

2011-03-01T13:51:00.001-08:00

Ric is at it again.
Scarring parents but the grandkids seem
to love it!

A Russian Spy

2011-03-01T13:49:00.001-08:00

Kayla and her Russian spy look getting
ready to go on a night sledding trip while
in Utah...with boys. :)

Temple Square Lights

2011-03-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

Mom & daughters seeing the lights
on Temple Square. Cold?
Ha ha ha, yes!!

Favorite Uncle

2011-03-01T13:40:00.000-08:00

Guess who the favorite Uncle is??

How to Keep a Baby Warm

2011-03-01T13:38:00.001-08:00

A cold baby just needs to be zipped up
in Grandpa's jacket!

Joseph Smith Memorial Building

2011-03-01T13:29:00.000-08:00

While in Salt Lake, Chad drove from his home in
California and met us for a few days.
We visited the Joseph Smith Memorial building because
it is pretty during the holidays and well,
to warm up from the cold that we desert
rats are not used to!

Riding the Rails

2011-03-01T13:25:00.001-08:00

In December between Christmas & New Year's
we went to see Kelsy, Chanelle and families along
with Ric's family in Utah.
While there, we took a ride on the Trax system (light rail)
to Salt Lake for the fun of it. Both boys had the same expression
as we were pulling out of the station.

Christmas Baby

2011-02-02T09:52:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas baby turned 18 this year.

We always have a birthday party

on Christmas day evening and this year

was no different. The camera surprised her

as it should!

What More Does a Man Need?

2011-02-02T09:47:00.000-08:00

A camouflage snuggie, new U of A hat and a leather jacket.

He is in heaven.

Christmas Always More Fun With Children

2011-02-02T09:36:00.001-08:00

Christmas is always more fun with kids around

especially grandchildren.

Ric is pretty good at scaring the parents with his trick...

Santa visited

2011-02-02T08:50:00.000-08:00

Santa came to visit on Christmas Eve and

had kids of ALL ages on his lap.

Yes, he was being a little naughty...

Yes, it was December!

2011-02-02T08:45:00.000-08:00

This was the week before Christmas and it was warm enough for shorts!

Lincoln's first swing and he loved it.

It Just Takes One

2010-12-06T08:30:00.001-08:00

Silly Tucson bi-polar weather.
Beautiful plants.
One night of a very very early hard freeze.
Dead, plants.
Been in the high 70's since then,
Yeah, silly Tucson weather.

Swim photo

2010-11-17T15:59:00.000-08:00

Swim team is over for Kayla for the last time. She qualified for 2 different relays to go to State. This picture was taken for the Newspaper and we know it appeared online. She is the girl sitting on the right.
We are proud of her accomplishments!

Out With the Old, In With the New!

2010-11-15T11:41:00.001-08:00

Friday was Ric's last day working for the City of Tucson after 31 years! He received a "Copper Letter" for recognition of his time spent working there and they even had a reception along with the Mayor presenting it - which he doesn't normally do. The funny thing is that years ago, Ric actually designed this copper letter!
Today, is his first day on the job as head of the Graphic Arts department for Brown Mackie College. He was a little nervous...

Swimming

2010-11-08T16:04:00.001-08:00

Lincoln came to visit.
He thinks bath time is swim time!
Not a dull moment with this boy...

Halloween

2010-11-08T15:51:00.001-08:00

For Halloween, we had Yoda come visit.
He brought Princess Leia and
Chewbacca - who is a UofA fan by the way!

Lesson learned

2010-11-08T15:38:00.001-08:00

Back in the early spring, my pomegranate tree was looking a little misshapen and so I thought I would give it a good trim so that it would become a real nice looking tree when it began to leaf out and put new growth on.

Dumb move apparently.

I have since found out that you don't do a lot of trimming of pomegranate trees, especially the older branches as that is where the blooms will come on and develop into this wonderful unique fruit.

This year, we got ONE. So, the three of us enjoyed it as I used it sparingly in fruit salads.

I am looking forward to an abundance this next year because I am not touching that tree!

Hiding

2010-10-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

Why is it that hiding to do your "business"
is something some kids like?
The look on Mason's face as it is that time
of the day for him cracks me up!

Real Fall!

2010-10-25T11:02:00.001-07:00

One week ago this is what
Alpine Loop in Utah looked like.
These were taken out of the front
windshield as we were driving.
We did stop and I collected leaves
and now they are scattered in a few
areas of my house to remember...

NEWS RELEASE!!

2010-10-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

A VERY EXCITING NEWS RELEASE GETTING
READY TO GO OUT TO
BROWN MACKIE COLLEGE
AND THEIR WEBSITE.

Academic Affairs is excited to announce the hiring of the first Chair for the new Graphic Arts program. Mr. Ric Nielsen’s first day at work will be November 15th, 2010. Ric earned a BA in Fine Arts with a major in Graphic Design and Photography from the University of Arizona. For the past 28 years, Ric has been the Art Director for the City of Tucson. In his present capacity he has interacted with major publication houses, book publishers, graphic design outlets and been commissioned by many special foundations and galleries. His experience and contacts in Tucson will be a real benefit for the students in that program. Please be prepared to welcome him when he arrives on campus.

Michael J. O'Donnell, Ph.D.
Dean, Academic Affairs
Brown Mackie College-Tucson
4585 E. Speedway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85712

After 31 years at the City of Tucson and recently finding out his department and job were being eliminated, this comes at a really good time in the Nielsen household. Ric is so very excited!
We are very, very blessed.

Baby in the Bucket

2010-10-25T09:53:00.000-07:00

More things Grandma does when
Mom & Dad are not around...

Precious Time

2010-10-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

Spending time with a grandson
just blowing dandelions.
Can't trade that for much!

Our Interior Design Student

2010-10-25T09:42:00.000-07:00

I was able to get a tour of the LDS Business College a couple of weeks ago where Chanelle is attending in the Interior Design Program.
It is small but she is loving the program and learning tons!

Conference

2010-10-04T11:41:00.000-07:00

Loved all the sessions of Conference.
- even the deep talks.

Love that we have a Prophet with a sense of humor!
- but more importantly his counsel.

Love to still hear of Temple announcements.
But seriously, no Tucson yet?
- just a very tiny bit bitter...

Payback for Parents

2010-09-28T11:23:00.001-07:00

Having a child go through the Temple for the first time is a wonderful and fulfilling experience and is one of those things that makes parenthood so worth it!
Bright red Temple bag for Tyler, big over-sized black/white polka dotted with a big bow on the side (yes, it was being sold in a nice Utah temple clothes store as such) for Chanelle.

Perfectly explains their personalities!

Oh Ouch!

2010-09-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

Rushing to get out of the hotel room between
wedding and luncheon.
Hot iron just unplugged but
not put away.

A 2 1/2 year old curious boy.
"No, don't touch that!"
Still curious and yes, he touched.
Yeah, two solid hours of crying all during
the luncheon while holding on a
bag of ice. 4 fingers with huge burns.
Tried aloe vera, burn medication
and of course, pain reliever.
It was so sad
because we could do nothing for distraction
to help make it better.
Four giant blisters past the first the first joint.

This picture was taken about 5 days later and
only one finger still looking bad.
Grandma needed it for her lesson in
Young Women on "Wise Choices..."

Well, it was an opportunity right there in front of me!!

2010-09-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

In July, Ric's sister Kylene and her husband Lynn came to Tucson for business (because no one in their right mind would visit tucson for fun during this time of year) and stayed a couple extra days to play with us. We had a ton of fun because, well, they are just fun!
We decided to take them to Kartchner Caverns and ended up with a overcast cooler day. As usual with the caverns, this outing was amazing. We were here sitting and waiting for our tour guide along with a few others from various parts of the country.
If you have never been, you are truly missing out on a awe inspiring place!

Honor

2010-09-28T10:45:00.001-07:00

In honor of grandpa, Lincoln owns
and wears hawaiian shirts when
he comes to visit!

Wedding Pics

2010-09-24T08:47:00.001-07:00

The Wedding is over (yea!)
It was a lovely time overall,
despite a virtual downpour at
the beginning of the reception!
However, it cooled off greatly.
The chances you take for a
end-of-August wedding.

The newlyweds are figuring life out.
Like how much paying bills stink...
A Ward that needs you.
A Bishop that extends you a calling in less
than two hours of your first Sunday.
Making new friends in your apartment complex.
School starts.
The Utah light rail system - fantastic!
As long as you get on the right one...

But, they are very happy!

We hired a wonderful photographer who really captured
some beautiful pictures and we love what we see!
Her name is Erin Wilkes and she is from Tucson
but lives in Mesa now with her husband & kids.

One Word...

2010-08-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

I have not kept up on our Blog.
We left for vacation the first part of July
and after that life became way busy.
To sum it all up with one word,

Wedding...

Stay tuned as I will get back with posting.
Life will return to normal,
I think...

It Was a Fun Mutual Night

2010-06-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

This is how we looked driving the building!
The Youth had a "ball" for Mutual...

Little Lincoln

2010-06-09T14:58:00.000-07:00

Lincoln came to visit for a couple of days.
Oh yes, he brought his parents too.

He is an easy going 4month old
who is beginning to look a lot like his Mom!

Lincoln cracks us up and loves to
play with his feet!

In full concentration, notice even
his toes reflect that!

Ryker Lee Thomson

2010-06-05T07:22:00.000-07:00

Weighing in at 7.5 lbs 19 in. in length,
Ryker Lee Thomson was born on May 25th.
Complete with the chubby cheeks!

It was a 10 minute push effort to get him here!

Don't let this picture fool you,
This was the only time we could
get Mason to give Ryker or Kelsy
the time of day for the first few days.
The day after the birth, Chanelle and I were
getting ready to take Mason to the hospital and
asked him if he wanted to go see his baby
brother and Mom. He replied,
"Don't want a baby brother!"
Once Kelsy got home, it just took a day for Mason
to touch Ryker and then only a little
more to begin to smother him with kisses!

Mother, baby & Grandma right after birth.
Such a wonderful thing to experience as a
grandmother!

Aunt Chanelle.

Ryker is such a good sleeper!
Even now being a week and a half old.
When he is awake, he has a voracious appetite.
Mom & Dad hope this pattern lasts.

Hair Cut

2010-06-03T18:05:00.001-07:00

Kelsy and I decided to take Mason to get his hair cut before she had the baby. He did fine until the woman brought out the clippers, turned them on and got close to his ears.
He had big tears running down his cheeks and kept scrunching his shoulders but we managed to get it all done.
Fortunately, we had a special sucker for him after he was done that seemed to make it all better.

Are You Kidding Me?

2010-06-03T17:56:00.000-07:00

While in Utah for the birth of our 3rd granchild, I got up early on Monday morning (May 24th) to go on a walk and was amazed that it was still so dark out. I opened the front door and this was my surprise! You can see when you look at the street area that it was coming down pretty heavy. It did melt by the end of the day after the sun came out.

The whole time I was there, I experienced Utah's very bipolar weather.

We Are Proud to Say, Our First One!

2010-05-16T13:42:00.001-07:00

After 7 years of school, 5 in the Architecture College, Chad graduated on Saturday!

Forever a goofball!

We found him!

This is his Capstone project he spent hours and hours
with little sleep on and a couple of models
you can't see below him.

Now he gets to find an Architecture job in one
of the hardest economic times...

It Is Official!

2010-05-07T17:29:00.000-07:00

After 11 months of dating, Chanelle & Tyler
are engaged to be married!

It was amid real fireworks that his brothers and friend
let off in a beautiful canyon in Utah,
that he got down on one knee and proposed.

We look forward to having Tyler join our family.
He is a good man that will take care of our daughter
and you can't ask anymore than that!

Strawberries & Snails

2010-05-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

My strawberries have been quite abundant this year, we actually can have a meal with them!

This is the first year I have ever found these in my yard, they are so huge! They remind me of areas of the country where it is cooler and wetter. Maybe all our rain early this year helped.
The cup did not contain him by the way...

FHE at the Church Cemetery

2010-05-05T14:53:00.001-07:00

For most of my life, we have been involved with the Church Cemetery here in Tucson. My grandfather took care of the grounds and buried people by digging 6ft deep graves,
all by hand, for many years. He also provided work for grandsons during the summer learning about manual labor. He had a vested interest in it as almost all his family, extended family and many Binghamton Community members (the original Mormon community in Tucson) are buried here. As the Tucson Mormon Community grew so did the Cemetery for any members wishing to be buried here.
We often would go as a family and provide some service by doing clean - up usually for Family Home Evening.

When Grandpa became too old to handle much of the work, my Dad would help him out. Then when it got to the point where grandpa could do no more, Dad just kind of took over for the members in the Tucson area. It is kind of regarded as an extended mission call.
Under Dad's direction, the cemetery purchased a back-hoe and the work was made a little easier.
Dad can dig a grave with the absolute straightest sides you can imagine with the machine - he is the master!
On Monday we worked in the family area doing weeds to be cleaned up for Memorial Day. With Dad on the back-hoe, his parents marker was re-adjusted.

Young and older working together side by side.

This isn't your typical Cemetery as it is a natural desert facility with no grass. That concept attracts a lot of people. We may not personally have known these people when they were alive, but they are our heritage.

A couple of old markers had sunk in the ground so the men helped dig them up and reset them.

Stories get told along the way creating good memories. Bingham's are known for their gift to gab!

At the end of the evening, we usually tailgate our dinner.

This may be a strange thing to many people but this is something we grew up doing and continue with our children. It is a comfortable situation to all of us.

2010-04-29T16:54:00.000-07:00

Before coming to Tucson, Tyler bought himself a new toy and brought it with him.
So of course, we had to go shooting and took advantage of the Cienega Creek area.

Help me, I am not sure what to do...

Hee, hee just kidding. Good thing he is patient and doesn't mind.

Kayla wanted to try them all.
We brought a clay pigeon flinger too so we could use the shotgun.

Ric is still the master of us all when it comes to shooting.

In a shoot-off between Tyler and Chanelle with the shotgun and flying pigeons,

Tyler - 1 out of 4
Chanelle - 4 out of 4.
We all had a good laugh and
he didn't care!

The girls found a
brass deer that
someone had left behind so
they needed the women-with-guns-and-not-afraid-to-use-them picture!

Trust

2010-04-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

Steep Cliff - more than the picture shows.

Small girl full of trust
with no hesitation.

Strong boy to make the catch.

No, Ric and I didn't try that...
Medical help was just way to far.

Cienega Creek Preserve

2010-04-29T15:43:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since we have wandered in and around Cienega Creek
so while we had visiting kids we the trip and took a
bunch of silly pictures
along the way. We showed Tyler how fun it is to put some coins on
the railroad track and then retrieve them after a train has come by because he
had never done that before!

Kayla and I in a twisted tree that actually is
sitting on the edge of a cliff.

The two little love birds.
Think she needs new pants??

They trees weren't quite leafed out yet so it still looks
like a horror movie set.

There were a lot of the big cottonwood trees
that had fallen over.
At some point, a lot of water has come through there and just ate
away the soil underneath them, causing them to fall.

Chanelle & I chatting and negotiating our way
around the fallen trees and trying to avoid a
stream that was meandering through.
Truth be told, I am so paranoid of snakes and the weather
has warmed up so they are now out and about that I was kind of taking my time.
Doesn't it just look like a snake haven??

We found a tunnel to crawl through so Kayla, Chanelle & Tyler
decided to try going through.
Ric's excuse was being the photographer
and mine was well, the snake thing.
I was sure they were just hiding in there waiting for me!

It was a little small and Tyler wasn't fitting to well in the
entrance or exit but there
was a cavern that he could stand up in while inside.

The whole sign says, "Sensative Bat Maternity Site" so it was
just fun to be silly with it.

The sign goes into great detail of environmental no no's
but it did say not to enter in
the cave during the months of May, June, July and August.
It is April still...
Yes, we went in but didn't have a flash light to see much and
didn't want to go too far.
Ric kept pushing the camera flash to see somewhat.
There was nothing of great significance other than old guano.

Us.
Standing next to a natural bridge.
Another tree above that looks like it will come down some day.

Lincoln Came to Visit Too!

2010-04-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

Chanelle got to meet Lincoln for the first time!
He liked her.

We (his mother and I) purposely made him do this
because well, it is so cute and we wanted a picture!
The problem is he cries right after the pout so we had
to get one quick and not try too many times...

Grandma introduced Lincoln to fresh whipping cream
when the Mom & Dad weren't around... Yep, he liked it!

It's a Small World

2010-04-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

While the kids were here visiting, we took one morning and went to the Mini-Time Machine Museum here in town.
If you have never been, it is a totally fascinating place to visit and great for your older kids. There are people who make miniatures for a hobby and they are on display in this building.
It takes about an hour and half at least to view all the different windows where these things are displayed. Some are so detailed that you spend a lot of time trying to view every little detail. Everything in a display is on a one to twelve scale so when you are looking at a table setting for instance, the silverware is small but still so detailed.

They have things for kids to find so ask at the front desk for any materials they offer children.
Keep a watch out because if you are lucky, you will see the museum fairy for a brief moment somewhere in the museum!
Also, check out the entrance door...

Mother's Day Early Surprise!

2010-04-27T12:04:00.001-07:00

Last week Chanelle surprised us by coming
in town for an early mother's day gift!
It was the best time for their schedules.

When I say "their" it is because Tyler came
with her. We had a great time together for the
few days they were here and got to know
him better. We like him too!

We went on a hike one morning and showed
Tyler all about the desert like wildflowers in
bloom, saguaro cactus, prickly pear cactus also
blooming, snakes (of course because whenever you hike
with me you will see one due to my absolute paranoia) and
even a Gila Monster! If you look real close in the
middle of the picture you will see it.
It was too fast for us to take a good picture.

A Moment of Silence

2010-04-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

After 20 plus years of good use, it died.
I need another one but know it most
likely will not last as long as this one did.
They just don't make them like they used too.

Time with Grandpa

2010-04-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

Grandpa and Mason went for a walk down the street to a farm with big equipment taking a camera along, of course. Mason was quite nervous in the beginning but he let Grandpa take tons of pictures.

He was thrilled to be able to "drive" some of the equipment!

This is "Frank".
One of Mason's favorite movies these days is Disney's, "Cars". There is a really mean character named Frank which is a Combine who chases Lightning McQueen and Mater from a field after they did some "tractor tipping".
There happened to be one on this farm so Mason got to climb all over it and be in boy heaven!

More Snow!

2010-04-13T12:10:00.000-07:00

One night on the way home to Kelsy & Jeff's,
it was snowing (again) kind of hard with some fog
and we came up on the Mt. Timpanogos
Temple which is down the street
from their house. It was beautifully glowing
so Ric wanted to take a few pictures.
He got out and hurrying to take the shot
(because the snow was beating on his almost bare head)
forgot to take it off auto-focus and
so we got close up snow flakes
with Temple in the background that you
can't see glowing.

But they are fun.

OUCH!

2010-04-13T12:06:00.000-07:00

Ooops.
He thought he could make it.

We saw this off the highway
outside of Panquitch Utah
on the drive up and so,
on the way back Ric needed
a few pictures.

Someday our children will
go through all our weird
documentation and have
a good laugh!

A Variety of Mason

2010-04-13T11:54:00.000-07:00

At Great Grandma Nielsen's house,
Uncle Nathan had a truck that
Mason couldn't get enough of!

Brushing teeth or sucking the toothpaste off the brush??

An old fashioned pedal firetruck - he takes it serious.

Intently watching Dad trying to
get his own toy to take off!

Kissing Mom goodnight is a favorite of his!

Girls in Action

2010-04-13T11:44:00.001-07:00

The beauty of a digital camera is that you
can please your daughters who
want an action shot.

They jumped over and over landing on the giant
beanbag chair to get some shots.
Deleting many along the way!

Especially those where the beanbag was mostly missed...

Easter with a Grandchild

2010-04-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

Since we were in Utah for Conference, we got a bonus
with Easter Sunday being the same day.
We waited until the late afternoon for egg hunting
to give the SNOW a chance to melt.
Mason liked finding eggs but
he would not let go of his cars that he got in his easter basket!

The Airport

2010-04-07T13:03:00.000-07:00

After our Conference session, we headed over to the SLC Airport
because Chanelle's boyfriend Tyler had just come from a
month long training session in Korea.

Needless to say, she was elated to have him home.

The bottom picture is his reaction after she laid a giant kiss
on him with her lips covered in the ever-present lip gloss!
He kind of hates it...

Conference Weekend

2010-04-07T12:49:00.001-07:00

IT'S ALL A LIE!

When you see those lovely pictures of Temple Square during the opening and closing of the broadcast, that is not what it actually looked like that morning. 3 out of the four full days we were in Utah, we woke up to or got snowed on sometime during the day. The neighborhood picture is Sunday morning and the flowers were what it looked like around Temple Square as we made our frozen trek from the parking garage to the Conference Center a couple of blocks away. Chanelle called out to the flowers along the way, "Be strong and of good courage little ones, you can make it!"

It was a little warmer after the session and we cut through Temple Square heading towards the car and had a stranger take a photo of our group.
It was a blessing and privilege to be there and hear the Spoken Word followed by the morning session. The choir was so wonderful especially, the closing hymn!

Easter Sunday

2010-03-30T20:16:00.000-07:00

Is there a better way to spend Easter Sunday than to go to the
Sunday morning session of General Conference?!

I will be in a bright yellow sweater, so look for us -
we will have great seats. :)

Benjamin Button All Over Again?

2010-03-28T21:45:00.001-07:00

It was a great Sunday to be able to hear your son beautifully bless his son in Sacrament Meeting today!
This is exactly how he was - asleep - during the whole blessing. He looked adorable in his little man suit and Chad thought he could pass for Benjamin Button! The Bishop commented to the audience afterwards saying, "I think that is the smallest suit I have ever seen!"
Fun times :)

Yea! She Did It!

2010-03-23T15:34:00.001-07:00

Chanelle was accepted into the Interior Design Program at the LDS Business College in Salt Lake City for the Fall semester last Friday.
She is very excited to begin and I am very excited to have that resource!

2010-03-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

Our cute daughter ready for a Stake dance complete with a fresh picked camellia in her hair.

Dances will probably be a thing of the past soon as it is hard when you are 17 and most of the boys that show up are 14 & 15...

In Honor of St. Patricks Day

2010-03-18T21:20:00.001-07:00

Instead of making Kayla green Cream of Wheat for breakfast, this year we had green applesauce and an all green salad to go along with dinner.
Why is it when you color something green like the applesauce that you really think it does taste different but you know it doesn't???

Mmmmmm

2010-03-17T17:45:00.001-07:00

I have to admit, I do make a pretty mean oatmeal raisin cookie!
Too bad that I love the dough and the baked product. . .

A Little R&R

2010-03-16T16:50:00.000-07:00

Spent a couple of days with my two Utah daughters in St George. They came to warm up and I came to be Mom & Grandma.

It was a little cold the day we went to Snow Canyon but Mason loved being able to run!

Really good restaurant in the old downtown area called, Bear Paw. Try it for breakfast or lunch!

Jeff is such a fun father and his son really adores him as it should be.

And of course, Mason is such a delight!

Fun!

2010-03-16T16:30:00.001-07:00

I was able to spend a few days in St. George last week (we went on a tour of the Jacob Hamblin home in this picture) with my 7 sisters-in-laws and mother-in-law. Yes, I am the odd ball out in that group.

You cannot be more than a few minutes with these women and not be laughing until you are about to wet your pants!

And, you will not a find a group who would be more willing to give you the shirt off their backs instantly to help you out.
They are true definitions of being selfless, charitable women.

28 Years Ago

2010-03-15T15:06:00.000-07:00

28 years ago today, I checked into a hospital for the first time being very young, very scared of what was about to happen and very nervous as to whether I would be able to do a good job with the life-long task that lay ahead me - becoming a MOTHER!

Happy Birthday Chad!
Thanks for giving me the best job in the world.
I Love You, Mom

Rain

2010-03-08T19:24:00.000-08:00

"Rain rain go away, come again some other day."

A simple little poem that can be traced back to the early 17th century and comes in a variety of forms.
Here in the desert, this is kind of a phenomenon but we have been blessed with quite a bit of it since the first of the year - probably more than we had all of last year!
We have turned our grass water on only once since January so it has been a real treat.
But sometimes people get grumpy around here because it keeps coming. However, I am happy this isn't the Sahara desert and we are able to enjoy it as an EVENT!

I prefer the poem to say,
"Rain rain don't go away, coming again often I pray."

However, for those who suffer, allergy season may not be so fun this year...

Playing Grandma

2010-03-01T19:13:00.000-08:00

Last week I spent a few days playing Grandma with our newest grandchild. It was rare to catch a picture of him awake as like most newborns, he mostly just slept and ate and ate!

Lincoln did get his first bath while I was there and you can see how much he enjoyed that!

Signs of Spring!

2010-03-01T19:00:00.000-08:00

A new Camellia and a Columbine
bloom this morning, spring flowers
showing their colors, trees budding,
and the koi are active and wanting food!

Red for Me and Yellow for Kayla

2010-02-15T10:48:00.000-08:00

From the Husband/Father who loves us!

What A Way To Celebrate Valentine's Day!!

2010-02-15T10:23:00.000-08:00

We spent the day yesterday holding our newest grandchild!
Lincoln Farnsworth Nielsen
6lbs. 13oz. 19 inches long
Looks like his Daddy - brought back happy memories!

So Little but, So Mighty!

2010-02-01T19:09:00.000-08:00

Yes, it is half a bobby pin.
Yes, it was the cause to not have a washing
machine for 2 1/2 weeks!
Yes, the tech thought it was about a year old
because of how rusty it was.
Yes, front loading machines can't take it.
Yes, 2 different parts were needed to repair the damage.
Yes, it took that long for the parts to be ordered and replaced.
Yes, we actually bought the extended warranty on the machine.
Yes, we think we were smart doing that for once!

No, the daughter who goes through bobby pins like crazy and
left a trail of them all over the house including her pants pockets,
no longer lives with us. :)
But, we miss her...

He Felt Like A Rock Star!

2010-01-27T09:20:00.000-08:00

A couple of months before Christmas, Ric was asked to help a local Artist with some illustration for a book she wanted to write. She is a painter and Ric said he would love to illustrate but he wanted her to paint the illustrations so it would look like her work.
The hardbound book came out before Christmas, had a website with all sorts of merchandise to do with the book and was even found in both Barnes & Noble and Borders here in Tucson. Apparently, it was very successful!
Ric received a call a couple of weeks ago from someone in our Stake who works at a local Elementary School. During the holidays the Librarian of this school read this book to various classes and the woman saw the name and wondered if it was the same person she knew. In the back of the book she discovered his Bio and let the Librarian know she knew him.
Well, this week he was asked to come to the school twice and talk about the book and told him he needed to take up to an hour. He met with the students in the cafeteria and talked about the steps of illustrating and printing with a question and answer period. Afterwards, he had dozens of the students ask for his autograph. He said he has now had his 15 minutes of fame!

By the way, he is doing another book with this Artist as well as some illustrations with a book of poetry from someone else who somehow saw this book!

Happy Birthday My Little Goofball!

2010-01-15T14:43:00.000-08:00

From a couple of days old to 2 years old today!

Seems like just yesterday, Aunt Kylene drove through a blizzard at
25 mph from the Salt Lake airport to get me to hospital
in American Fork in time to see you come into this world.

You are such a joy to the whole family and we love you!!

Cat Fight!

2010-01-11T13:00:00.001-08:00

I don't know how or who started it, but during the holidays one night, we heard screaming and laughing all through the house, upstairs, downstairs inside and out as they took turns grabbing Kelsy's can of shaving cream from each other and spraying each other, and the walls, and the floors . . .

Our Baby!

2010-01-11T12:52:00.001-08:00

This is our baby who turned 17 on Christmas day!
She is a joy to have around and is such a great help.

She is our child who likes to exercise and never complained
about her too-small bike she would ride,
so for her birthday she received a new one.

Gosh, where is time going?

This Is All That Is Left.

2010-01-09T11:45:00.000-08:00

After a week of having all your children around, this is what is left.
A grandchild's fun in the bathtub.
It really is quiet now.

Bragging grandparent alert: Not 2 yrs. old yet but knows, can name and pick out every single one of these!

Classic Cute Child Opening Christmas Gifts

2010-01-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

It was great having Mason for Christmas as he was so excited about everything to do with it! He loved being the one each night to press the remote button that would turn on all the lights outside. He was always dazzled by the tree lights and decorations. He would just stand there in front of one of the trees point out the lights and lightly touch the decoration he liked best at the moment and would say, "Ornament" just as clear as can be.
Not even 2 but knows so much.

We're are not bragging or anything...

Boys will be Boys!

2010-01-09T11:19:00.001-08:00

It really isn't what you think.

Mason is innocent.

It was the boys who thought
the whole thing was funny.

They told Mason to stand in that spot.

"Put your hand right here," they said.

Then snapped the picture real fast.

Tons of laughing by all the boys!

Next to him is a spitting frog that you can't see.

Really, seriously.

Just One

2010-01-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

Rather than boring all with tons of gift opening pictures,
this is just one of the aftermath.
Mason is hunting for more.
Chad & Kayla were cold and had blankets.
Chanelle is sporting her new snuggie.
We had a great morning!

Very Odd Children

2010-01-09T08:04:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is Chanelle holding her 27 year old brother on her lap while he is sucking a pacifier.

Most of the time he is normal. . .

Mason loves food

2010-01-09T07:42:00.000-08:00

What we found:
Mason loves to eat and is not picky.
Yes, he likes cookie or cake batter too!
Mason is not particularly neat when eating.
He likes to help with food prep.
He only dropped one egg out of the dozen he handed to grandpa!
Mason liked to help stir the chorizo & eggs and loved to sample.

We miss having the little guy around!

Christmas and getting to know your kitchen!

2010-01-09T07:36:00.000-08:00

We had the whole family home for at the same time for Christmas for about 4 days.
This is where I seemed to be a lot of the time!
Ever feel that way?
Good thing I don't mind much!

Flowers are like weeds

2009-12-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

Flowers just grow everywhere on the Hawaiian islands like weeds as you can tell when viewing our models... The hibiscus is the State flower and is native to the islands. They come in so many colors and range in sizes even almost dwarfing Ric's head! Plumeria's are growing in either shrubs or large trees and are mostly used for making leis. They too, come in many colors and smell great!

El Pollo Feliz

2009-12-08T14:26:00.000-08:00

On the island of Kauai there are chickens everywhere you go - kind of equal to us and our pigeons around here. You find them in all parking lots, randomly on the side of the road, on tables in parks or malls, and even when you are pumping gas they are roaming right around you! Apparently, they have free reign on the island and it is very much a local joke to point where they are the "unofficial" island bird. You see quite a variety and some are beautiful plus there were all ages so they must multiply and replenish year around.
Ric just couldn't get over the fact that no one has opened up a local "Pollo Feliz" as he believed they could do real well and it would be many, many years before they ever came close to running out of chickens!

At Last, Kauai!

2009-12-07T11:46:00.000-08:00

Ric and I were given the opportunity to go to the island of Kauai a few weeks ago with Ric's sister Kylene and her husband Lynn. They have a timeshare with the Marriott on the island and invited us to come vacation with them! They were so much fun to bewith and were incredible hosts.
This was the most wonderful vacation we have done and we have memories that will last forever! It is such a beautiful island with minimal tourist intrusion.
Those of you that know Ric, know that he takes lots of pictures. After purging through them, the pictures that he did save and put on a cd totaled in the 900's so needless to say, I have many to choose from to post!
These 2 were from our window of the room looking out to the Bay. We justcouldn't get over the view!

WARNING: More pictures will be coming to this blog soon!

3 Girls and a Childhood Memory

2009-12-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

My kids grew up being able to gets rides on a backhoe with their

grandpa - my father. Sometimes it was parked on my parents property (it is usually kept at the cemetery) so the kids (mostly the boys) would climb on it and pretending they were construction workers.

Kelsy used to just sit on it when it wasn't running and sing out loud for the whole world to hear but then, that was her world!

Now as they are mostly grown, they still enjoy getting on the backhoe and messing around, taking rides and having grandpa lift them as high as possible while standing in the bucket.
Good times!

More Play in the Backhoe

2009-12-07T08:33:00.000-08:00

Along with the story below, these pictures are just an example of Mason and his love for "tractors"!

It is just a little boy's playground!

Mason Is All Boy!

2009-12-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

One of Mason's first words after the usual, Momma, dada, no etc. was the word "tractor" which he used every time he saw any type of heavy equipment. As you drive down the road with him and he sees some type of machinery, he starts yelling, "Tractor, tractor tractor..." and if you don't acknowledge it, then he shouts louder until you do.
When the kids came to Tucson for a visit in October, Mason's great grandpa (my dad) has a backhoe that he uses to dig graves with at the local Church cemetery. So, Mason got to climb aboard with his Dad and take a drive, eventually getting a chance to drive it!
He was in heaven.