Valentine's Day is ready to go/Nie asks on Blogher

{Every year since Claire was born, I make the famous Crayon Valentines}

Well, it finally happened!
I put up my Valentine's Day decorations.
{I love putting up my decorations as each holiday comes.}
I remember as a little girl loving it when my Mother put up the families familiar
decorations. We'd accumulate decorations, but mostly we
had the same good 'ol decorations year after year.

This year I found two box's of Valentines Day decorations:
One box I hadn't opened since Arizona's happier days.
And, last years box which included a bunch of things I had received from
loved ones, while my stay in the hospital.
As you will recall, I spent last year in the burn unit in Arizona.
It was hunchie gone bad.

{Crystal B. made these adorable necklaces for my girlies.}

I found a bunch of homemade crafts and cards.
I also found Crystal B.'s darling gifts she made for my children.

This time last year was kind of scary for our family.
Hunchie had gotten infected and then, I almost died.
I almost died a bunch of times-anyway...
I missed last Valentines Day last year.
I am making it up this year.
I have a few more projects up my sleeves for this Valentines Day--{or "Lovers Day" as the Mr. and I call it}, plus planning for Jane's 8th birthday.
Also, Jane is getting baptized early March and we are planning her announcements for
family and friends invited. It will be a fun upcoming month of happy days.
And, we are almost finished with this month's project:
{If you will remember} the yarn balls.

{Smooching deer- my inspiration for Valentine's Decor 2011}

Happy Monday. Seriously guys, happy Monday.

There are only few more days until Nie's 2011 calendar will no longer be on sale.
Get yours today. (below)

Nie asks on Blogher:
What makes you happy today?

Me? My sweet new nephew Freddie.
{with Jane}
Go here to tell me.

Winter photo session/matthew mead summer

Bluelily graciously took my little broad on a adventure the other day.
This, like all the other adventures we've collaborated together on was probably the coldest yet- but the worse the conditions the better the photos.
And that certainly was the case.
Up past Sundance to the wonderful world of Aspen Grove.
{A gorgeous scenic drive around Utah's premier mountains}
The winter certainly doesn't disappoint-even in January

For this photo session, I envisioned a lone pine tree covered in
colorful lights and my family around enjoying it.
Hands and tootsies were cold and tears began to drip.
But Wendy came to the rescue and brought hot chocolate with
marshmallows for the children to drink.
Thanks guys

Also, I am at it again.
Helping with the newest Matthew Mead production.
His unique magazines are such a joy to read.
The Summer issue will be out and I get to be involved with it again.
I am so excited!
If you check out the newly designed blog, you can enter in to win one of the five magazines they are giving away this summer.
Also, a grand prize of $100 at the delicious West Elm.
{I love it there, can I enter??} Check it out!

Have a lovely weekend. Whatever you do. I have been meaning to get out my Valentine decorations for about a week now, this is the weekend, I can feel it.

Best Wishes to Steve...I believe in you!!

Thinking on a Thursday... pretty much a boring post.

This morning I lay in my bed thinking.
I thought about the amazing road we take to go skiing at Sundance. The gorgeous tree-lined trail that leads up to the amazing majestic mountains. I love it. I hope tomorrow Mr. Nielson and I can escape and go skiing again.
Then I thoughts about the Auroramark. Our quaint little sailboat.
Right now she is shivering at the lake storage unit, dreaming of warmer days.
And I have to admit, I am too.
But actually, not really. I love the snow and the cold.
I just miss my yellow cleavage shoes, sans flaky skin.

Check this out.-sweeeeeet.

Job balls.

Asking my little children nicely to do things around the house wasn't cutting it anymore.
I needed something genius. Something that would work. Something down right fun.
So I came up with a plan.
It had to do with colorful balls.
And it had to work.

I wrote jobs down on the 50 soft golf ball sized balls. I have to admit coming up with 50 jobs became hard...after about the 25th one I was writing jobs such as:
"hug sister" or "pick up 10 strands of Jimmy hair on the couch.

I am making a tally of all the jobs done, and whoever has the most tallies, gets to pick out a treat.
Works for them, works for me. Hopefully this will last longer than a few weeks.

Popping out

Its now a tradition. Popping popcorn on lazy Sunday afternoons after church.
Or, maybe it is an excuse. Something the children can do while Mr. Nielson and I nap.
Either way, we have had this sweet popper sitting up in the cupboard for almost 2 years.
A gift from someone after we had moved into our new Provo home
together as a family- since the accident.

Some things I just push away because I don't want to remember the hard times.
But Jane found the popcorn maker as she was searching for the nutella-
(which had been gone for days).
She happened upon it still in its box.
I pulled it down and with it, a few of the feelings I had stored away-high away.
As the popcorn popped, bursting from its kernels, I thought about me.
I am like those kernels. Bursting out of a hard shell I thought I'd be trapped in forever.

After, I went into my sun-lit room, lay down by my love and took a long nap.

I am still finding popcorn under the couches and under the rugs.

Cozy afternoons

{doing homework after school}

I picked up the children today from school just as it began to snow.
It started with light flurries and while we were all sitting down feasting on cheese and crackers {classic after-school-snack) it began to really start to snow.
The thick, large, fluffy flakes.

The kind of flakes that make you giddy with excitement and a wave of cozy.
Mr. Nielson came up from his office (downstairs) and made us a fire just as it began to get dark outside.
I prepared dinner after reading and reviewing all the children's homework sheets for the week
Here is what is going on:
Claire: Ancestor report due next month- we are still unsure of who to choose.
Jane: Indian report also due next month. She chose the Zuni tribe, who lived at the family ranch in Bluewater, New Mexico.
Oliver: Preparing for his 100th day in school. Needs to bring 100 edible somethings- we are thinking of bring 100 Ohs! (Ollie's favorite cereal}

After I did all I could assist, I let them all touch my belly to feel lil peanut move, put on their winter boots, gloves, and coats so they could stick their tongues out and catch snowflakes, and then come inside undress to undies while enjoying the fire Mr. Nielson made.
I prepared dinner while admiring my busy life- busy to me means healthy. I am healthy enough to do the things I love most.

Offended/Nie asks on Blogher

{Mt. Timpanogos- Sundance ski resort is at the base. Its amazing.}

The weekend was wonderful.
It was full of skiing, sleeping, and visits.

{me and Mr. Nielson on the ski lift}

Sundance was as beautiful as ever this weekend as the family had the usual Friday skiing day.
I think Mr. Nielson and I want to steal away on Tuesday for another little ski day-
just the two of us.

I had a few blessed naps.

Laughed at my children and some of their hilarious wordage.
My girls are really into the word "offended"
Like:
"Mom, I don't mean to offend you, but I don't really like that pink sweater"
or
"Not to offend you or anything, but I need a drink"
{It usually never make sense}
Its awesome. But now its slightly annoying.

Our favorite movie around the house is: 'Despicable me'-but for some reason the potty talk in that funny cartoon is out of control, so my kids think that saying
fart and poop is instantly funny. Its not, and I am becoming "offended".


We visited Great-Grandma Marion in her little care facility.
When my children saw the popcorn maker in the "movie area"
my kids thought we were in the coolest place on earth and are begging me to take them back.
I wonder if Grandma babysits ???
My grandma looks as beautiful as ever.
Nicholas spilled his vitamin infused hot-chocolate on his pants
and my skirt and then we said our goodbyes.

It was a good weekend.
Carry on- it will be a good week. I can just feel it.

And read this, if you seriously feel offended a lot.

Nie asks on Blogher:
What is your New Years work-out program?
Go here to tell all!

(Mr. Nielson doing his push-up's from a program on his phone. awesome app here}

Oh and, don't be offended if I post about selling my calendars:
But, they are only $9.50 you know (buy below)

I wish I could wear lipstick...

Hi, its me.
Sorry for the confusion with my blog yesterday.
I was up in Salt Lake City visiting with all my Alt Summit pals.
I was on a nifty little panel about blogging personal stories.
Pretty much I had no idea what I was talking about.
But I really was so thankful for everyone who came to listen to us: (Marta and Karey)
I felt honored to be around such wonderful and talented women (and men...like my Mr. Nielson)

My favorite thing about Alt:
-Anyone who is anyone was wearing red lipstick...{note to self: Tell Dr. L. to fix my lips asap}


Then I got home, after the conference, and it was just as confusing as I left it that morning.
All of a sudden each of my children needed me at the same time.
Nicholas needed help down off the counter.
Claire needed the printer to work.
Jane was teasing Ollie.
Ollie punched Jane.
Jane cried.
And then,
Ollie ran over my pinkie toe with his skuut.
It was just downright awesome.

I made dinner. It was calming. I fed my children, filled their tummies, bathed them,
combed hair, rubbed lotion on sweet fingers and cheeks.
And we happily cleaned up the kitchen (seriously happily) and then
I put them in their cozy little beds.
I kissed freshly brushed mouths, played their lullaby's, and quietly shut the door.

I turned around to see Jimmy staring at me.
And there I sat staring at him in his piddle.
Time for a good hot tub soak with the Mr.
Now, excuse me...oh but wait!

I also wanted to give a little acknowledgment to one of the most amazing men I know.
That would be Boss Nielson. It was his birthday a few days ago.

{see, he's a cowboy, and still makes time to use that-there cell phone}

When I see you Boss, you are sitting in your den with some jazzy music playing (pretty loud).
And the music is either very patriotic or very spiritual.
You are looking through some papers and you are happy.
or,
You are in the kitchen making guacamole for anyone who will have some.
I always do, because it is always such a treat.
I love you.

For your reading/viewing enjoyment this weekend:
Me speaking here.
oh, me speaking here too.
I will have some more involvement with this amazing project.
And, last but certainly not last:
Check out The Vintage Pearl. I am thinking something for Valentines Day?
You?


And My calendar still on sale for $9.50

Winter photos

{The amazing Tyler getting Nicholas to smile...it finally happened}
The family jumped in the car and drove up the canyon to our beloved Sundance.
We met our favorite photographers Wendy and Tyler of Bluelily photo for a winter photo shoot.
Here are a few "behind the scenes photos"

{My beauties}

{Seconds after this shot of Ollie, he cried. His toes were so cold and his hands too....
Wendy the genius behind all of this goodness}

{Then, Mr. Nielson suggested we do a family warmth huddle.
All smiles from here on-}

{More group love}


{Me and Claire in a hand-held shot}

{There was a vision and purpose for this photo shoot. Something I was dreaming up for years.
Of course Bluelily made it happen.
I can't reveal what it was, but these lights may have a little bit to do with it.
Have I mentioned Bluelily is awesome?}

{Nicholas in the car getting warm. This shot is so awesome.
He is rolling up the window on me}

*All these photos were used from my iphone-hence the blur
**My calendar still for sale. Buy below for half off regular price...$9.50