Halloween Half

Saturday, I ran my last race for the year. I was stoked, pumped, excited, freezing and feeling good. This was my second half marathon. I was looking forward to beating my time. Last year, I just wanted to finish the race but this year was different. I knew the race course, I was in better shape and was hoping to beat my time. 

I did all of that. I am 20 pounds lighter than I was last year. I am in better shape and my time was 2:31:06. 

My sister in law ran the race with me this year as well. Some of the ladies from her neighborhood did the race as well. We all carpooled down to Provo in the wee hours of the morning. When we got there we stood in line for over an hour in the cold, windy weather. When we finally got on the bus our bodies were tense from standing in the cold for so long. There were 3600 people running in this race this year. Many people were dressed up in various costumes. That is the best part of this race, checking out every one's awesome costumes. 

The race started at 9:00am, 3600 people headed down the winding Provo Canyon road. Of the girls that rode with us to the race, her name is Mae, it was her first race and half marathon. We stayed by each other the whole time. It was great motivation to run next to someone. I liked that it pushed me to keep going instead of trying to walk. I didn't want to let her down. Two and half hours later we finished. 

I love what racing does to me. I love that I can say I ran a half marathon, I'm a runner, an athlete. I feel accomplished. 

At the finish line my children, sister, sister in law and husband were all waiting for me and cheering me on. The sight of seeing them brought tears to my eyes. I could see how they were happy for me. I can't wait to run this race again next year. I know I will do even better!

Family Photos

We love them or hate them. Sometimes you don't even get one you can send out on a Christmas card.

I love these two kids

We haven't had our photos taken for a while. At least two years. Where we have been colored coordinated and hair done perfect.
It wasn't easy to find anything either. Well it was easy for me to find something for myself, it is just the rest of family I struggled with. I wanted the picture to look a certain way. I wanted bright colors on everyone. For little boys and their clothes selection it's all the same at every store. Random graphics on every tee. Lame polo shirts and to many uniform clothes. Nothing stylish. I found cute things for Jersey as well. I was going for a different look for Mike. He wanted a pair of skinny or slim jeans. I was hoping to find an orange shirt or turquoise shirt but I couldn't find anything that was also a graphic tee or cowboy shirt. ACKKK! No wonder this time of year drives me crazy and we don't get family photos that often.

This one is my favorite!

Next was time to pick a location. I wanted something urban without having to go all the way downtown. I had heard of a place in Lehi but I also didn't want to drive that far. We went to SODA row in the Daybreak community. It was the perfect location for our family. Mike's Dad is a photog so we had him shoot the photos but we told him how we wanted a casual photo.

A bunch of firsts

This last week was a bunch of FIRSTS in the Nielsen household. 

First, first, Jersey's started school on Monday becoming a big 3rd grader. Is it weird that I remember 3rd grade and the things I did in 3rd grade? She has a great teacher who is actually my neighbor's SIL. So I'm excited about she will do. 

Jersey on the first day of school

walking to school with friends

Jersey and her BFF Krystal

A other first was that Phoenix got to meet his teacher on Monday for first grade! Weird that my baby is in first grade. He was a bit shy but I know that he will be fine once he gets into a routine with the whole school thing. 

There is my happy boy!

Another first Phoenix was that on Tuesday he started school. When we got to the playground and waiting for which his line he should be in, he hung onto my legs for awhile. I started to worry that he was going to start crying, but he didn't I did though. No tears but my heart was starting to hurt that he getting so big. That he is in school all day.

Phoenix on his first day of school

Something else that was a major first for our family was that I changed my schedule. For 10 years Mike and I have worked oppisite shifts. When we were first married, he worked at night and I worked during the day because of our school schedule. Then when we had children we switched and Mike worked in the day and I worked at night. 9 YEARS!!! I haven't been home for homework, bedtime, or dinner time. Since Phoenix was going to be at school all day I didn't see the point to be home all day and miss the kids at night. Luckly I work for a good company where all my supervisors have played this game while they had little children at home so that they could also be a mother. 

I know that Mike and I will have some adjustment to deal with since we haven't ever been home at the same time and a new routine will have to be set up. So far so good. I have been happy to have our schedules be the same. Jersey has been begging for Family Home Evening so it will be nice that we can start that as a family. 

He is mad that I want another picture

Here is to a new and happy school year!

{Family Fun}

Since we had a family event of course we had lots of family come to visit. My sister and her husband came from Fargo, ND. My brother and his son came to visit as well, from AZ. I had lots of fun hanging out with them all. My parents also came to visit from the Marshall Islands. My kids have been enjoying the attention they have been getting from Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. 

Patterson children

All the grandchildren

Angel Moroni

Hiking Ensign Peak

Church History Museum, speaking at a podium

After Jersey's baptism we went downtown to visit. We went to Ensign Peak. Mike, Dallin, my dad and the kids hiked to the top. They had a fun time. Then we went to the Gateway and hung out around the fountain. We also went the Church History museum. The kids loved it. They have some great exhibits for kids. We followed up our day by going to Cafe Rio for dinner. Delicious!

{Baptism}

 

 Family photo afterwards




Jersey made a life changing decision by getting baptism. I can't really speak on how she felt, I know that I felt so good. The spirit was there in the room. I was a bit stressed out about the whole production since we were having people over to eat with us to celebrate the day with us. When I walked into the chapel all that seemed to matter was Jersey and the moment that I was sharing with her. She was so happy and her smile lit up the room. I so proud of her and of her choice. I'm also happy that my sisters and brother could attend as well as Mike's family. I still can't believe it.  

A goodnights rest

Last night both children went to bed at 7:00pm. WOW! Amazing! This occurrence is very rare in our house. What is even more rare is when they stay asleep all night long. Which just so happened was the case. Two kids in bed what are parents to do with themselves? Well I will tell what we did and it's not anything my mother wouldn't be able to read.
Mike and Rhiannon's night was:
-watching the Grammy's
-folding laundry
-reading the newspaper
-having another snack (we didn't have dinner)
-watching the news
- talking to my mom on the phone
-Rhiannon going to bed early
-Mike watching a movie
-sleeping with no interuptions.......priceless.....until 6:30am
Yep 6:30am both were up and ready to go. Well Jersey not Phoenix because he was wet and Jersey didn't want him in her room. I went into change him and Jersey was in her bed reading a book to her stuffed animals.
I told them both that Mom and Dad were still tired and when they heard our alarm go off they could come into the room. They were quite happy in spite of their early morning. So they must of had a good nights sleep. I wish I had.

dessert

I love Sundays because I feel like it's day you can just eat and eat and not feel bad about it. Since it's rare to eat as a family or have a hot meal. I enjoy making dinner for everyone and also making a dessert to go along with it. The dessert does help with the kids as leverage if they eat their food or not.

Tonight's dinner was no exception.

I tried a curry dish. Usually we have roast on Sundays but I was craving this recipe for "Easy Curry Chicken" The dish was easy to make but I didn't dig it so much. Maybe because I like pasta, tacos, pizza or meat & potatoes. So I was venturing out of the comfort food zone. Mike seemed to like it but of course the kids ate like birds.

OK so back to the dessert, I also have been craving. Chocolate lush. It's one of my favorites. I had plans last week to make it for Mike's birthday but it didn't happen. Chocolate Lush is a great dessert and easy to make. It does have a down side. You have to wait about 3 hours to eat it so it can set. Mike was making fun saying that is not the point of dessert to have to wait. But the waiting was good for us. Mike and I fell asleep while Jersey and Phoenix made a mess. We were all enjoying ourselves. We sat down for the delicious dessert. Mike of course couldn't just have one heaping helping of dessert but two. Phoenix got it all over his face and Jersey enjoyed it to the last bite.

I love Sunday dessert.

Father's Day

I was going brag about Mike and all the wonderful things he does for our family and what a wonderful Father he is to Jers and Phe. When I told him about what I was going to say he said " you know you should put all of your complaints about me on there instead" So with his permission I will say all the things I complain about instead.

1. He leaves his dirty socks everywhere. ( Like I want to pick up dirty, sweaty socks.)


2. He likes to leave his work clothes on the back of the computer chair. He will leave them there for days and when I ask if they are clean he will say yes. My thought is if they are then hang them up.


3. He never finishes projects. He tells me that I never do but there are a lot of unfinished projects around our house.


4. When I have a problem he likes to fix the problem instead of just listening. It drives me nuts.


5. He picks at his toes to relax, then he will leave the toe nail clippings on the counter top. I have told him multiple times if you are going to do that at least put them on the floor because I vacuum everyday.


6. He doesn't clean out his Tupperware dishes. The can sit for days in his car and be moldy and smelly when they finally come in the house. Who gets to empty those dishes? Yours truly.


7. He can be so grumpy and cynical. I don't know why?

I should stop at 7 or you all will think I married a jerk. But in all honesty Mike is a wonderful husband and father. He is always there for both the kids and I. The kids love their jungle Jim dad. I hope he always knows he is loved.

Father's Day was a great day. Surprisingly our children got up to go to church and they were happy. It was a Father's day miracle. Jersey sang in church with the Primary children. She looked so beautiful in her "princess" dress that Grandma Laurie made her. I love that she gets up there and says "Hi dad and mom"

After church we went to Mike's parents for dinner. We had Hawaiian haystacks my favorite. We are trying to conserve our gas so we rode our bikes. Jersey and Phoenix of course loved that all their cousins were there. It had been a long time since the last time we all got together. Great Grandma Nielsen was there too. It actually was her 90th birthday that day. Mike's dad took some great generational shots of all of us. I can't wait until I'm 90. I hope I will that long. Both Mike's grandparents and my great grandparents lived a long time.

To my dad: I love you very much thank you for everything that you have taught me and the example that you are for me.

To Mike's dad: Carl thank you for your kindness and love for us. You are always there to help us when we are in need, Thank You.

To my Grandpa: I love you very much. I am so glad to be your granddaughter and a great legacy that you have given me. I'm so glad that I know my genealogy from you and I know where I came from. Thank you.

family photos

While we were in AZ. Mike took some family photos. Why not since we were all together for the first time in forever. I think my whole family looks great! I love when we all get together. It's like I never left AZ. The Baker's are great!

Exhausted"

We are here in the great state of AZ! We had a nice drive not to many complaints from the peanut gallery. Jersey and Phoenix were great travelers and we were "old fashion" without a DVD player. 

We rolled into my Aunt's house about 2:30am. When we got here Phoenix was awake and ready to roll! Mike and I couldn't stay up with him so he played in the room that we were sleeping in. He was just talking and wanting to play duck, duck, GOOSE! But ever since we have been here it's been go go GO! Not a moments rest for the weary. But that is ok, because that is what we came to do. I was planning on working hard and getting little sleep. 

My sister is getting married on Saturday and my Grandparents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday, so you can imagine the stress and work that we are doing to get ready for the big days ahead. Today we spent the whole day working on my Grandparents backyard and house. At first I was little upset that these things weren't taken care of before. I was the under the impression that only a few things needed to be done. This was not the case. But we got right in and took care of the problem.  After all our hard work we sat out on the nicely cleaned up patio and ate pizza enjoying the spring air. I have to say that was one special moment hanging out with my brother and sisters with their spouses, my parents and my other sister along with my grandparents. It felt good! 

There hasn't been a time that I have come to AZ just to hang out and not work. When this happens I feel cheated of my vacation and time that I could be spending on something else but when I really look back on how I helped someone or that I made a "cooler" memory by working beside my family it makes me smile a little more and appreciate my family. I don't know what I would do if these weren't working vacations, I might have to spend some money on some fun.

Happy Heart day

Oh Valentine's day, a day to reflect on how much you love someone.

Valentine's day isn't one of my most favorite holidays. After being married for 6 years I have come to realize that my husband, the good man that he is, always fall short on this day. I use to make a big deal about it but I have come to terms that in my world he shows that he loves me everyday and I don't need a special day for him to go all out. So I will just focus my engeries on the kids. I made a special dinner and for dessert we had brownies with thin mint ice cream. Also some chocolate covered strawberries.

Jersey was so excited when she was invited to a Valentine's party. It was a lot of fun. I got to go to help my friend with the seven little girls that were invited. It was nuts. We decorated cookies, played games, made hair ties and my favorite painted nails. I even painted Phoenix's nails. He thought he was so cool.

Today at pre-school was Jersey's V-day party as well. Since Tuesday she has been working on valentines for her classmates. I totally forgot that we had to make a box to carry all the valentines. Lucky I found a box and covered it with some scrapbook paper. I let Jersey pick stickers and put those on the box. To make it complete I wrote her name in glitter. When I got to the party my friend Sarah asked if I made this box this morning or did I already have it made. I told her how we worked on it this morning. She laughed and said that she couldn't believe that I would have all that stuff on hand. I thought yeah I have to much.

After Jersey's party she was so excited to tell us all about it. It was really sweet to hear her say "I love you" and give hugs and kisses.

Mike also got to get in on the action of our day. He stayed home from work today. Not because of the big storm that we got last night but because he is sick. He was starting to feel better and then he went and played basketball. That took him over the edge, right back to the couch. I am so thankful that I haven't gotten anything but a sore throat from all the sickness that has been in my house. It hard being a mom to sick kids but even harder when it's your spouse. I felt so guilty when I was cleaning or helping the kids because I felt like I was making him nervous. I sure I did. Oh Well.



Because Mike was sick I went out and shoveled snow. I can't wait to see how my body is going to feel. It was the worst time to get to shovel. The upside is that I have done my exercise for the next two months. I think this was worse then two Sunday's ago, because I had to do it all by myself. But it got done. If we had to leave earlier this morning there was no way we could've. The only way in our house from the outside is through the gargage.

Happy Anniversary

Today is my Grandpa and Grandma's 50th Wedding Anniversary. I want to be married 50 years with my husband and still be in love with him like the first time I met him. My grandparents are great examples to me about marriage and life. I want to be just like them when I get older. They are so very supportive to my family and I, they are always there to support me or any of my cousins in our life changes. I love you Grandpa and Grandma.

I have to give another shout out to another Anniversary. Mike's parents! I have really great in-laws that I love and respect. They make me feel so special. They raised a terrific sound who is golden. Happy Anniversary Carl and Liz.

GRRR!

I have been trying to get Phoenix to smile when I take his picture. Sometimes I get smiles and other times I get a growl when I say show me your teeth!

birthday party

On Saturday we went to Mike's Grandma's birthday party. She turned 89 years old. She is still really sharp for 89 year old. Also Grandpa's sister was there. She is 93 years-old, and Grandma's two sisters were there also. We don't get together with Mike's extended family very often but it was a good time. Jersey and Phoenix loved all the animals that were at Bryan and Julie's House (that is Mike's aunt and uncle.) They have a bunny, chickens, and even honey bees.

Grandma with her sisters. Grandma is in red.

Grandpa with his sister.

Petting the bunny rabbit.

Jersey was a little afraid of holding the bunny so she pet it while I held it.

{two cute kids}

After church yesterday I thought the kids looked so cute in their Sunday clothes so I had them sit in the front so I could take pictures of them. Well inside of the rock wall they sat on the stairs. It was pretty funny to watch them because Phoenix was sitting waiting for his turn just folding his arms. I also curled Jersey hair with the tiniest rollers so that they would stay in her hair all night. Well they did and she turned out to be Shirley Temple. But don't call her that she will say that she is JERSEY NIELSEN.

Tit and Phe

That is right, "Tit!" is what Phoenix calls Mike. He loves his TIT!

I always love to watch Mike and Phoenix together. We went to spend the day at Snowbird. Mike's mom is staying up there for the week. We get to feel a little spoiled when we are there. Mike worked a half day and before he left to go to work we took the kids on a walk and to the playground. After Mike went to work we went to the swimming pool with Grandma. It was a nice overcast day. I know that I shouldn't think that I will get sunburned outside when there are clouds but that is what I thought. By six o'clock I was a nice red color. I just call it being festive for the holiday. The kids are pretty lucky they get to go back up tomorrow and spend the next three days up there. I will miss them but I know that they will have tons of fun going swimming.

Thanks MOM

I just want to say that I'm so glad that my mom came to visit this weekend. I love it when she comes, I get spoiled. We had a good time laughing at silly things. On Saturday we were down in Provo, we were driving to the mall and I pointed to some house out in the distance. I said "Mom I made out with a guy that lived over there." She asked "do you remember his name?" I said "No" it was a NCMO. Which is true. I met the guy when I came up to conference with Katie and Angela the B. I had never told her about that trip so it was good to finally tell her. My mom is seriously my Best friend. I love that we are so close. I hope that all my sisters will have such a good relationship with mom as well.