Christmas Tree

We decorated our tree for Family Night tonight.  I again couldn't talk my boys into setting up their tree downstairs.  It's kind of a bummer they are getting old and grinchy.  I love Christmas and it makes me sad that it is like pulling teeth to get them to help decorate.  I mean it took all of 15 minutes to set it up and decorate it since it is prelit and only has 4 sections.  Can they not just be happy for 15 minutes to humor their mother?  There will come a day that they will be sad they are not here for the tree decorating and it's coming soon.  Next year Travis will be gone on his mission and so this is probably the last year he will be here to decorate the tree with the family, so I guess that is why I was sad they weren't excited to help.  They are excited to do gingerbread houses next week though, so at least they like some of our traditions.

Thanksgiving Day

It was my first time pulling off Thanksgiving dinner by myself, and I must say it went fairly smoothly.  Since it was our turn for Thanksgiving with the Nielsen's and LaMarr and Diane are on their mission, I volunteered to have it here.  It was also Todd's family, Melisa's family, Sharlynn, and Traci's turn for the Nielsen year so between all of us, we had a great spread of food and way too many pies.

Shar came a day early because she wanted to learn how to make pies.  I did talk Trevin in to making his annual pie, but I had to take over for Tyrel and Travis because I couldn't talk them into it since I had help from Shar.  We ended up with 7 pies, that was almost 1/2 a pie a piece but no one ate that much so we had lots left over.  Trevin made an Oreo pie and then Shar and I made 2 pumpkin, 2 apple cream, chocolate peanut butter, and banana cream.  I brined the turkey the night before and I was also in charge of potatoes, gravy, and stuffing.  Sharlynn made her yummy rolls and did the vegetable tray, Haylee brought her yummy sweet potatoes and cranberries and then they threw in the most delicious cheese ball and crackers for snacking on.  Traci brought junkfood salad, and Melisa brought corn and green bean casserole.  It was all so yummy!

We ate at noon and then the boys went out and played football in the street while the girls worked on our Thanksgiving craft project that was almost a failure because the vinyl wouldn't stick to the paint, but I think we all got ours working eventually.  Carter was so cute, he came in saying "That Tyrel, he is tricky."  I guess he can outrun all the little guys.  The weather was so mild that the kids were all able to play night games with just their jackets on.  They played ghost in the graveyard and I kept hearing the little kids say "Tyrel is freaking me out." but they had fun.  Travis had to work in the evening, so he missed all the kid fun.

No Shave November

Travis and Tyrel both decided to do no shave November along with their friends at school this month.  Tyrel shaved his off before he let me take a picture, although his is so blonde and thin, you may not have been able to see it anyway, and Travis grudgingly let me take his.  He only made it 1/2 the month and then it was driving him crazy, so he ended up shaving mid month.

Youth - Temple Site

I was lucky enough to get asked to go take a picture of the youth in our ward at the newly dedicated temple site for the Payson, Utah Temple. The plan is to take another picture sometime during construction and yet another one when the temple is complete. All three of my boys are here for this picture, but I’m pretty sure I’ll just have two around for the “during construction” photo as Travis will probably be on his mission, and I’ll probably just have Trevin around for the “completed construction” photo as it will probably be either really close to Tyrel leaving on his mission or he might already be even gone. We are hoping that it is done in time for him to go to before he leaves on his mission.

Pictured:  Trevin Nielsen, Sister Nikki Johnson, Erika Adams, Jessica Larsen, Kylie Anderson, Courtney Moody, Anika Stepp, ?? Stepp. Sydney Shuler, Sister Lucia Newman, Garrison Barnes, Mason Fullmer, KC Johnson, Brother Andy Haskell

Becca Newman, Daniel Larsen, Victoria ??,  Andrew Romare, Ryan Concoby, Jeshua Anderson, Bailey Johnson, Shelby Oliver, Sister Sherry Moody, Sister Amber Haskell, Sister Tori Mitchell, Sister Sheri Clark

Nicole Smith, Kira Cottam, Ellie Cottam, Jade Fullmer, Katie Newman, Emily Adams, Rachel Fletcher, Kaylie Peterson, McKenna Concoby, Bishop Dale Christofferson, Beverly Christofferson, Ashlyn Horrocks, Whitney Gunnell, Mori Anderson, Cheyenne Deeben, Ben Cromar, Brother Brad Shuler, Daniel Stepp, Joe Cromar, Cameron Howell, Jack Newman, Porter Barnes, Travis Nielsen, Tyrel Nielsen, Mac Johnson, Gage Oliver, Zac Adams, Brother Eric Adams, Harrison Shuler, Brother Toby Fullmer, Zac Fullmer, Brother Olsen, Taylor Fletcher, Brother Hal Shuler, Brendan White, Sister Becky Concoby, Brother Seth Wright, Emily Clark

K, those of you in my ward, help me out with the question marks please.......

Q's Wish - or Travis and his friends dance for ManHawk Dance Off

Every year the school provides a "Make A Wish" for someone in the school or in the community. As the project has grown every year, sometimes they are even able to provide wishes for multiple people. This year, the school picked Quinten, an 11 year old who had a tumor wrapped around his spine. One night they did a movie, another night the Skyhawk gorge, the ManHawk Dance Off plus they sold Tshirts and did various other activities to raise money. This year for the “ManHawk Dance Off” Travis and his friends received a special request by the principal to do a dance to help boost ticket sales for the event. They only had 2 days to practice for it. They practiced hard with their dance coaches and came home exhausted but had a TON of fun. The song they danced to was “Shut Your Mouth” by Attack Attack. After performing at the Dance Off, they were requested to perform again at the Skyhawk Gorge. He loved every minute of it and it was so fun to watch too. When he came home that last night he was kind of bummed that it was all over and he didn't know what he was going to do with his time now that he didn't have dance practice anymore.

He's the one on the far right at the beginning, and then is in the middle most of the rest of the time.  He is also the one that they all lift up towards the end.

I am Thankful For

Since it is November, and everyone is posting the things they are thankful for on Facebook this month, I decided to just do a layout with all the many things I am thankful for all in one place.  We are so blessed and I really am truly grateful for all that my Father in Heaven has blessed us with.

* my family * a husband who loves me * 3 wonderful sons * Travis’ patience * Travis playing the guitar while I make dinner * Tyrel’s hugs * Tyrel’s willingness to work really hard * Trevin’s laugh * listening to Trevin hum or sing when he thinks no one is listening * my heritage * my religion * the fact that I live in a country where I have freedom * my testimony * the knowledge I have that my Savior died for me * the Atonement * Autumn * Spring * my computer * my church calling * the wonderful city I live in * my friends * my neighbors * the fact that I get to work with my sister and that our relationship has grown through this business that we are in together * email * facebook * nature * that my mom taught me how to cook * my love of cooking * the home we live in * that we are all healthy * when by boys make good choices * my scriptures and that I can read them * the testimonies of others * that my dad has taught me to be self sufficient and patient * our Scraps N Pieces store * scrapbooking * my education * the teachers I had at school and at church * all of those many people that have been good examples to me in my life * homemade bread * chocolate * that my husband takes me on a date every Friday * that my boys occasionally take me out on a date * 4 wheeling in the mud * my Durango * missionaries, especially those who taught my dad the gospel * family reunions * Christmas * Thanksgiving * books * the ability to read * Amazon.com * Google.com * that I know how to can/preserve food * a garden * houseplants * the smell of freshly mown grass * the smell right after it rains * peanut butter m&ms * hot chocolate chip cookies and milk * hazelnut  cocoa on a cold day * oreos and milk * a roof over my head * the ability to earn income * a savings account * knowing how to budget * the trials I’ve had because they make me stronger * email * *the opportunity I have to teach others how to digital scrapbook * genealogy * indexing * Primary songs * music * temples close to my home * Bishop Christofferson * the sense of humor that my husband has * Travis’ sense of humor, he makes me laugh * that my boys are cautious drivers * my awesome neighbor that takes our family picture for us every year * The Pioneer Woman * technology * Christmas music * a hat when I’m having a bad hair day * hair color so I don’t have to have gray hair * my other awesome neighbor that comes to our house to give everyone hair cuts once a month * cuddling up with Tyrel to watch a good movie * backrubs from my grandma and from my little brother Greg * country dancing with my husband * the Priesthood in my home * a living Prophet * fleece blankets * that I was able to know all 4 of my grandparents * CS5 * parents who raised me well * in-laws who I love for being an example and right now for serving a mission * external hard drives * all of my awesome sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins * my camera * my zoom lens * yet another awesome neighbor who taught me how to shoot in manual * a furnace in the winter and an air conditioner in the summer * my scrapbooking “virtual” friends that I have met and also those who I have not yet met * food in general, but mostly cheese * Nyquil when I have a cold even though the taste of is is nasty * sleeping in * Saturday morning big breakfasts * making gingerbread houses * traditions * that I spell well * that I have a sister that can draw well * organization * that everyone has different talents and we are all unique * the knowledge that my Heavenly Father loves me and is aware of my needs* 

Happy Birthday Mom

Just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my mom today!  I called and talked with her this afternoon and found out she went to Bear Lake for her birthday to Sister Redd's cabin with my dad and some family friends, and they got snowed in!  Hopefully things clear out by Tuesday when they are supposed to come home.  This layout is one I made of my most favorite pictures of her when she was a little.  The one on the left is just her and the one on the right is her and her sister.