Nifty Nicholson News

Halloween 2010

2010-11-03T16:47:00.008-04:00

Isabelle was a bat this year, Rose of course was her usual, a princess, and Fireman Joe....not sure what Allen was going for, but he asked me if he looked like a wizard?

So excited to get out there and get some candy! (In the rain!)

Our little princess, she is such a little lady!

Sneaking from the candy bowl.....

Belle's school program, she did great, she is a wonderful singer!

School Halloween Parade...Belle the bat was very spooky!

Rose Turns the big "4"

2010-05-24T10:59:00.010-04:00

Rose had a great time on her fourth birthday!

Cell phone from Mammy.

Joseph even got in on the pinata action!

The mermaid pinata!

Joseph, neighborhood friends, Brea, Lauren and Katie, Rose and Belle

Sunday, day after Rose's birthday, pink scooter from Nama, and pretty Sunday dress from Mammy. Love this dress, wish it came in my size!

Stitches Age one!

2009-10-29T18:01:00.004-04:00

This summer Joseph got up onto his little car, and had quite a tumble. The girls tell me that the car slid out from under him, and he landed right smack on his chin. Well it was pretty bad, and I knew he needed stitch's! That is so sad for a little one year old!!! Luckily Daddy was home so that mommy didn't have to sit there and hold her little guy down...I just couldn't do that! It was the night before the new school year started for the girls so we had quite a busy evening!

This is a few days later, and no that is not food at the bottom of his chin it is his cut/scar!

At least he didn't lose the cutest smile ever that mommy loves to see!

May 27, 2009

2009-08-06T02:14:00.002-04:00

Isn't Birthday Cake so yummy! Joseph Michael Nicholson on his first birthday.

Preshcool Graduation

2009-07-02T16:45:00.007-04:00

Isabelle had her preschool graduation this month, and will start kindergarten next month! I can't believe she is ready for elementary school, I'm not sure I am though!

Graduates filing in

My big girl saying pledge of allegiance

Belle's best friend at school Bryn

Isabelle and Jack. These shirts are so cute, each child drew a self portrait, and then it was put onto the t-shirt!

To my Aunt Janae

2009-03-18T15:20:00.003-04:00

Don't I look so cute in my hat you got for me? (Joseph Michael 9 months)

Happy Birthday Tomatos

2009-03-09T16:04:00.004-04:00

What is this you say? Why it is candles, and a tomato....so of course the candles must go into the tomato....right? Well if you are Rose yes, the candles MUST go into the tomato! Here is a close up.

Oh my little Rose, so tiny, and so full of mischief!

Tornado hits Nicholson basement!

2009-02-06T18:47:00.010-05:00

What trouble could these very innocent looking children possibly get into while I went on a 1/2 hour errand?

Just view the devastation!!!!

This has taken me a while to acknowledge even in my own mind that this happened. Some time during Christmas break, I had to run a quick errand. I asked Spencer to babysit, I said it was only going to be 20 to 30 minutes at the most, just play with the girls I said. Oh how I regret those words. I should have said all of you sit quietly chained to the sofa and watch a show while I am gone! So I run my errand, and get back home, and I see Spencer rushing down stairs with a garbage can. He looked at me, and said mom don't get mad the girls got into the bean bag chair, ( it did have a slight rip in it, and we were preparing to take it to the garage for garbage day), he said, but I am going to clean it all up. Oh, I am thinking, no girls screaming like their being tortured, and Spencer is going to clean up a little mess they made while I was gone. I am thinking, he is really growing up! I ran upstairs to feed my fussy baby. Got Joey to sleep, then ran down to see how things were with my other three darling angel children. What I saw at the foot of the stairs dropped me to my knees. I looked at my girls covered in all these pieces of foam, my vacuum cleaner that had been used to "try" and get it all up was clogged lying on its side, and Spencer holding a kitchen garbage bag, frantically trying to pick up as many pieces as he could. I just sat there, then burst into tears!!!! I still do not know how they did this in so little time....but their 30 minutes of foam fun turned into a three day disaster clean up!!!

Dracula Jr???

2008-12-18T18:12:00.002-05:00

Lovely fang....what happened to the front teeth?????

2008-12-14T13:19:00.001-05:00

To view my and others art work go to the above web site. You can purchase original works of art, as well as prints, greeting cards and other novelties.

Halloween 08

2008-11-15T12:47:00.007-05:00

Another Halloween! Belle decided she wanted to be a "pink" kitty cat... it was such short notice that I had to come up with my own design!

Rose was our little princess this year, she was very happy in her princess costume, and said thanks to everyone when she got her candy!

In the front yard in front of my bushes that turn red in the fall!

Princess Rose, Giraffe Joseph and kitty cat Belle.

Rice Cereal is soooooo Yummy!

2008-11-04T18:36:00.010-05:00

"Hey mom, I am so excited to finally try this eating thing.....I think I could really be good at this!"

"Hmmmm, how does this spoon get in here...."

"Oh there we go....hmmmm....not sure....."

" Wait...Wait....Okay, Yeah this is really great. I am diggin this thing called food!"

"Mom, when do I get to eat again?"

Joey 5 months old!

4:30 am

2008-10-22T06:30:00.002-04:00

Here I sit, having given up on ever sleeping again in my natural life. Nine times I have had to get up with the kids, and finally I just gave in, ate some cereal, and decided to write a short post since it has been so long. Having three children under the age of four definitely has its challenges. I am exhausted all the time it seems. I have never in my life had such bad dark circles under my eyes, and I think I look older than I ever have in my life. (children really do age you...it is a fact!) I do love them though, and they give me a lot of joy.....especially when they are sleeping....peacefully....think I will TRY to do the same...........or perhaps I need to get some painting time in before the chaos starts......decisions decisions

Belles third year!

2008-08-25T18:36:00.013-04:00

Belle had many firsts this past year, first time going to preschool, first time to play at a friends house, first dance recital, and her first baby brother! We had a fun exciting year, and it is so fun to watch her grow. She is a big help to me, and a delightful little girl. I am sure 4 will hold as many wonders and adventures as 3.

Belle learned how to ride the scooter, and in her Sunday shoes no less!

Cousin camp watching poppy give four wheeler rides with cousin Ryan

Sissy's playing dress up!

In our Sunday best with sissy Rose and baby brother Joey.

Looks like Belle got him to take the Binky!!! The first and last time Ha!

Belle also had her first dance recital. I thought she was absolutely beautiful in her tutu! They were the Red Roses. It was a flower theme.

Getting ready to leave....for the dance recital. She was very excited that she got to wear "real" make up and not markers.

Belle and her birthday cake. Belle had a great day, and many wonderful presents. Her Aunt Janae and cousins came to celebrate with us, and it was a wonderful day! (The cake almost killed me though)!!!!

Rose this past year

2008-08-15T19:48:00.015-04:00

It is hard to believe that my little Rose is a two year old. Her birthday was clear back in May, and we celebrated her birthday party the night before I went into the hospital to have baby Joey. I promise baby girl your birthday next year will be lots better! Anyway here are some shots from the past year, some are real action shots because this little girl doesn't slow down for anything or anyone! Rose has really tested my endurance and creativeness in keeping her little inquisitive mind busy! I love you Rose, and am looking forward to another busy toddler filled year!

A rare contemplative moment, she must have been watching a really good TV show. Like Little bear, (one of her favorites). This little dress was a birthday gift from Mammy.

I love this smile on Rose, this is my little mischievous Rose.....

Loves hanging out with daddy and big sissy in Daddy's dump truck.....which is no longer....we sold it this year.

Busy, Busy, Busy. This is the picture I am going to show her when she is eight months pregnant, along with the picture of the mess on the floor! By then she will be able to empathize!

Growing into a little girl that loves to play dress up with Sissy. (this is quite recent....before when I would try to put on a dress up out fit on her, she would shrug her little body right out of it). However, now she loves to do everything that Belle does!

Rose is walking pretty good in high heels now, better than her mom!

Ah the joys of cousin camp......

She found her love for painting her body at cousin camp.....since they painted the kids hands for an apron for my mom. Now she enjoys painting her face legs, tummy, feet, and anything else she can get exposed!

Holding baby brother the day after he was born. She always wanted to get him to suck on that binkie, oh how I wish she could have persuaded him.

Rose's birthday celebration with daddy and cousin Beth Ann

This beautiful cake was made and decorated by my very talented sister Janae! I think you need to take this on the road Janae, and start your own business! It was absolutely delish! (just like everything you make) That pretty much hits the high lights of the past year, and I look forward to taking lots more pictures in the year to come. As hard as it is to keep up with this little one, I will sure miss her little chubby cheeks when she smiles, the great kisses you blow to me every night, and your sweet loving disposition (which always seems to go with age....a mamma can always hope tho)

GRADUATION CEREMONIES

2008-08-06T19:21:00.007-04:00

May was a very eventful month for our family! Spencer turned 12 and graduated from the sixth grade, and most importantly received the priesthood! Rose turned the big 2, and of course the birth of our last child, baby Joey. Here are some pictures from Spencer's graduation.

Walking down the cafeteria to take his place among the other graduates. His name starts with a W so he was one of the last ones. He looks so handsome in his tie and white shirt! We are seeing a lot of that now that he is passing the sacrament on Sunday!

He even sang in the graduating class choir! I was a proud mom!

Spencer receiving his diploma, his teacher is the one with the lei.

Spencer has gotten a lot of maturity this past year. I can see a glimpse of the man that he will be some day. I love you Spencer, and I am so proud of all that you have accomplished!

I am starting to feel human again!

2008-07-15T13:03:00.004-04:00

Well, I realize it has been waaaayyy too long, but hey things are pretty much crazy around here with a new baby, a two year old, an almost 4 year old, and a 12 year old!!! Did I say crazy? How about totally chaotic, but I will survive, what choice do I have! :)

Baby Joseph Michael Nicholson
born May 27, 2008
7 pounds 14 ounces
19 1/4 inches long

Our cute baby Joey is now six weeks, and getting cuter and chubbier every day. He has a great smile, and the kids love to "play" with him. (this gets a little scary for me). Spencer has been a huge help, he has even changed diapers and put on clothes. I really have needed the help because the recovery process for this pregnancy was a rough one. I got a raging infection, had to go back to the hospital, it was rough. Thank goodness I have an angel sister and brother in law that really saved us! (love you Janae and Doug)

I have plans for several new posts.....Belle had a dance recital, Spencer had a birthday and graduation ceremony from grade school, and Rose had her 2nd birthday, and of course the birth of our precious new boy! We have cousin camp coming up this week, so the other posts will have to wait until at least next week. So see you all later!

Little Girls in Easter Dresses

2008-03-26T11:55:00.010-04:00

Easter 2008 Belle and Rose, (Spencer was with his dad this year) we missed him.

I seriously tried to get a posed smiling shot.....not gonna happen with these two! As you can see, Belle's "make up" did not wear off. She insisted that her primary teacher really loved it.

WARNING....WHY MOTHERS CAN'T TAKE NAPS!!!!!!

2008-03-21T18:50:00.006-04:00

So Rose was down for a nap, I absolutely zonked out, because I hardly slept last night, and this is what I wake up to. I am not quite sure of the look she was going for.....but I can't get this off. I am really hoping that it will be gone by Easter Sunday. I just don't think that the hot pink will go with her yellow dress real well.

Today Belle came in from outside and announced she found a toe nail. I said oooo yuck throw it away! Belle said no mommy I can put something in the wall with it.....oh, I said, a nail! Then she says oh you are just teasing me.

Today Rose decided she wanted to sit on the potty! All her own idea, how do I get her to figure out that you pee in the toilet, and not swim???

one year old

2008-03-10T14:08:00.004-04:00

As of March 9, 2007, my blog turned one years old! Wow, who would have thought that I would make it through a whole year of family pictures, adventures and painting! I must say that during this past year, my painting has gotten better, my kids have grown a bit larger, my life has gotten more complicated, and I have grown a little more tired! Wow, what a year will do! When Spencer comes home on Wednesday, I will post a then and now picture of the kids!

Janae Tagged me

2008-03-06T23:43:00.002-05:00

10 Years Ago I was doing........

Lets see that would make me 31. I was finally the thinnest I had been since high school, and dating up a storm!!!!

Five things on my list today........

Only five?
*Get my prescription filled
* clean the kitchen floors
*make dinner
*buy a rake painting brush, blender brush, and some mineral spirits
*work on Mike and Karla's painting

3 Bad Habits?

*Disorganized, Disorganized, Disorganized. The only way I know how to organize something is to throw it away. (this has really been bugging me lately like huge)
*impatience
*procrastination

Snacks I enjoy

Cake, warm brownies and ice cream, yogurt with granola, apples with peanut butter

Five places I have lived

*Las Vegas
*St Anthony, Id
*Rexburg, Id
*Green River Wyoming
*Utah

Five Jobs I have had

* motherhood
* hostess at resteraunt
* Waitress for about five minutes
* Social worker
* Real Estate agent

Five things you don't know about me

*I bet you didn't know that I have a magic sink. The minute that I have put all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, the sink is immediately replenished with more dirty dishes!
*I don't like jewelry unless it is real, and even then I have a hard time wearing it....I am just not a detail person.
* I wish it was socially acceptable for women to have hairy legs. I would be perfectly happy in Europe. (sorry mom)
* I am a bit of a loner....but I still get lonely....what an oxymoron that is.

If I suddenly had a million dollars

Hire a nanny, and paint, and take lots of classes from different teachers, travel and take lots of pictures so I could paint them, and I would take my kids to fun places like Disney land a lot. I would also get central vac like tomorrow. Oh yeah, pay off all my bills.

Well, there ya go.....that's me in a nutshell!

The Hand of God

2008-03-05T16:07:00.002-05:00

My sister LaRae started a journal of sorts to start recognizing the hand of God in her life. I committed to doing the same thing, and can't believe that a week has gone by without me doing a thing. Now you might think this means I don't really want to do the journal. This is something that I do want to do. I am finding it really hard to balance all the things in my life. (A common theme of my blog I am sure most of you have noticed.) Either I am busy with kids, husband, painting or house....and then I leave the rest to haphazard occasional moments. I know that I have neglected my Spiritual health immensely in the past few years, and that is not something I want to continue to do. I do want to set a good example to my children, and showing them a well balanced wife, mother and daughter of our Heavenly Father. I know that the hand of God is in my life, but I let all the noise drown him out. The fights between little ones, discouragement, money problems, physical problems, and just surviving day to day eat up all of my energy. Yet, somewhere deep in my soul, I know that I need this to not only survive, but to be a happy person. Everyone is busy, and using being busy is just an excuse. At this point in my life, I don't think I can commit to doing this everyday, but I know that I can do it at least three times a week. So next week I commit to myself that I will have something to share about how the hand of God affects me.

My Messy Rose

2008-03-04T13:18:00.007-05:00

Who would think that a delicate petite little girl of almost two could be a total hurricane! Every day we have at least one major catastrophic clean up. She really is amazing this child! Here was her latest total mess that she got into...........

She really looked a lot worse with her clothes on, that would be the black ash looking cloth to the right of her. She was so heart broken when we had to take "me me" into the wash, (her blankie). I wonder if this trend is going to continue into adult hood?

This is for you Madi.........Aunt Dawnae's most embarassing moment

2008-02-28T15:35:00.003-05:00

Honestly it is hard to pick just one, there are so many embarrassing moments in my life !!! Judy had posted her most embarrassing moment....and I thought it was a great post. How often do we get the chance to have a good laugh at ourselves, and who knows maybe if I write it down for anyone to read.....it won't be so embarrassing anymore.

Anyway, I was just about to graduate from college. It was my last quarter. I had an early morning class, can't even remember what it was. I was pregnant with Spencer, overweight, and very tired. I rolled out of bed running late, I had no time for a shower. It was the spring, so it was pretty nice weather, and I just hurried and put on a big moo moo dress. I can still remember the dress. It was a guazy beige dress with big flowers on it. I rushed out the door, and it was surprisingly cool I thought, especially on my back side. I drove to the University, and rushed all the way to my class, and settled into my seat about five minutes late. I sat as far back as I could, but just like at church, all the back seats fill up first. I remember there was a group of young men behind me. About five minutes into class I felt a tap on my shoulder, and the young man behind me informed me that my dress was tucked into my under things!!! Oh I was so mortified, I can feel my face red right this minute to this day! It was all that I could do not to walk out of that class and never return! From time to time this incident will pop into my mind, and I still get so embarrassed, so Judy don't feel bad about the slip, at least you kept your bum covered!!!!

I can see clearly now the Rain and SNOW have GONE!

2008-02-26T14:52:00.007-05:00

Hallelujah, the sun is out, and it rained yesterday and even last night! Do I dare utter the words and chance that maybe spring is coming despite what Puxatawny Phil saw? It was so nice to send the girls out this morning, and they were so excited! It has been a very long time since they could play out doors!

Rose was a little confused wondering where all the leave went?

This is a painting I just did in class, and it was really super fun! The minute that I saw the colors, I thought of my sister LaRae's home. So I want to give these to her, as a belated Birthday present, and a thank you for all the hard work that she did for my mom's birthday party. Hope you like them! Janae, your turn is next!

A bit of childhood nostalgia

2008-02-20T10:29:00.008-05:00

One of my favorite places to eat in Las Vegas as a child was the Alpine Village. We only went there on special occasions like a birthday, but I always knew what I was going to order Sauerbraten...mmmmmmmmmmmmm...... Not only was it very good food, but it was part of our Swiss Heritage, and it felt a little bit like we belonged there. Being pregnant, and remembering this yummy dish, I searched the internet for a good recipe. I had to marinate for two days, and then bake the roast, and make the sweet and sour sauce on top. Here is a picture.

So after this wonderful yummy dinner I made, that I was the only one that ate by the way, I got the girls up to the bathroom for a bath. I came down to clean up a bit before they were ready to get out. I was at the sink when I heard a weird noise from the dining room, I look over, and lo and behold there is Rose buck naked shaking salt all over the table, and the wonderful leftovers!
Well, obviously I had to record the moment so that when her boyfriends come over I have a wonderful picture to show them. Oh this kid is going to kill me.

Lexi.....this one's for you!!!!!

2008-02-16T14:56:00.011-05:00

Apparently Lexi, my neice has been pretty perturbed with me not having a current posting, so I thought I had better get something up and quick before I am in too much trouble!

Like my sister LaRae I too am not great with change. Hence, I have been dragging my feet at figuring out all the ins and outs with my new camera. Unlike my sister LaRae, who is very smart, and great at computer and techy stuff, she would have had all this figured out within days of buying the camera. I do think I have at least figured out how to get the pictures from camera to the computer, and from the computer to the blog.....so here goes, just some random photos taken over the last few months.

This picture was taken at mom's 60th birthday party, still in love after all these years! LaRae here is visual proof that you have got to replace these plants!!!!!!!!

Rare photo of Rose sitting still giving poppy a love, at the family party for my moms 60th.

The above two pictures are at Christmas time. Look at all my art stuff in the back ground! Yuck! I actually have moved everything into the office/playroom, and it is much better!

The picture below is Belle painting, and telling me a very long story about her painting. She is definitely a passionate person about her work!

I love this kid in pigtails! January 08, Las Vegas Nv. Mom's sixtieth birthday.

Christmas poinsettia I wanted to be finished by Christmas to sell, will sell it for next year! I have a lot more that I have been working on, and will post pictures as they get finished, including a painting for my darling nieces new bedroom.

So Lexi, please don't be too mad at me....and I will work on getting more regular postings! (I love you Lexi.)

Finally Belle's video

2008-01-19T20:47:00.000-05:00

Judy, thanks for the offer of getting this video up, but I couldn't even email it to you!!!! It took me coming home to Vegas, and getting my brother to help me! He helped me to figure out that I have to compress the video, so next time I will know. Anyway, this little video of Belle's school's Christmas performance cracks me up! Hope you all will get a kick out of it as well!

More exciting news from the Nicholson Clan

2008-01-09T22:21:00.000-05:00

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a wicked awful toothache right now, I had a root canal on Monday, and it is killing me today, so I am sure that something has gone wrong. Oh yeah! I have been trying to upload the cutest video of Isabelle's school Christmas program, and I cannot get it to work.....any suggestions???? I laugh out loud every time I watch it, would love for you all to see it. Turning 41 on Monday. Wow, when our son is nine I will be 50!!!!

quick update

2007-12-15T00:19:00.000-05:00

I am up late finishing baking some sweet rolls for breakfast. Spencer is having a sleep over with some friends, and I am making them sweet rolls for their breakfast! I hope I get some sleep tonight!

The pregnancy is doing well. We should know what sex the baby is in January! Time sure does fly. I am really trying not to use so many exclamation points! :)

Belle had her first day of Primary last Sunday. She was so excited she could barely contain herself. The primary Pres. told me she really loves to sing even if she doesn't know the words. (I have been hearing the same thing from school). It is so fun to see these little people emerge. She told me that Primary was perfectly wonderful, and that she can't wait to go again.

Rose is on her sixth cold since the beginning of October. Poor thing. However, we have reached quite a mile stone with her, she finally......drum roll please......is 20 pounds!!!!! She had her 18 month well check this week and weighed in at a wopping 19.99 pounds, and the doc said we could count that as 20. Yeah...I am doing a happy dance. I was getting really tired of everyone being so worried about her weight. I just have little babies.

I have a new camera, which I do not know how to work, and am trying to figure it out...so as soon as I do....well....I will post some pics for ya all!

signing off for now..........

ANNOUNCEMENT!

2007-11-09T11:36:00.001-05:00

It appears as if the Nicholson family is adding one more to the bunch!!!! I went to the doctor on Tuesday, and it is confirmed. I am eleven weeks pregnant! I can't believe it! The baby appears to be healthy, and its little heart is beating away. I am starting to not be so sick so I am sure I will be posting more frequently. Thanks everybody for sticking by me even though I have not been around too much!

Halloween 2007

2007-11-01T17:45:00.001-04:00

I have to admit, I had so much fun doing these costumes for the girls. Belle was a butterfly fairy, and Rose was a little witch minus the hat. (look for the hat on the jack o latern!) The girls lasted about 20 minutes trick or treating, then Belle's stomach ache made us come back home. Spencer had his first trick or treating without parental units! He had a really good time trick or treating with his good buddies Ryan and Jake. They went to the "rich" neighborhood to trick or treat because there was a rumor of king sized candy bars, and ipod giveaways! They found the king sized candy bars, but alas could not find the generous halloweeners giving away ipods!

What I have been working on!

2007-10-15T17:12:00.001-04:00

I really have been very busy, as you will see! I have got so much more to do....but let me know what you think?!Autumn Leaf falling

Heber stormy sky

Happy times

Mamma's favorite smile

Landscape 1 and 2.

This is a painting I am working on right now.

PAINTING AWAY!!!!!!

2007-10-13T11:02:00.000-04:00

I know all my blogging fans have been worried about me.....I have been frantically painting away, because I have sold everything, and have no inventory!!! (this is a good thing!) Every free moment I have been busy with brush in hand, but I promise Monday I will have a great post for you with pictures of everything I have been working on! Take care, and I think of you all often.

Desert Rose Designs-Test Blog

2007-09-17T11:04:00.000-04:00

Desert Rose Designs-Test Blog

My eleventh Thursday Thirteen

2007-09-13T15:25:00.000-04:00

Thirteen Things I miss eating since I had weight loss surgery


1…. HAMBURGERS WITH THE BUN---I crave this more than any sweets.
2.  Cake
3.  chicken and pork really get stuck sometimes.
4.  Cold Cereal
5.  Celery
6.  Bananas
7.  Strawberries.  (bananas and strawberries are real hard to eat,  I really have to concentrate on taking little tiny bites, so I do still miss them, but they are a lot of work!)
8.  Bread, any bread, homemade rolls....no bread for me, unless I want to be in a lot of pain.
9.  peanut butter
10.  hot dog in a hot dog bun :(
11.  macaroni and cheese
12.  pasta period.
13.  soda, (not that I ever really drank this much, but sometimes you just miss that fizzy)

*now everyone with the band does not have problems with the same kind of food, everybody is different.  However, these are the foods I have had to eliminate or cut back on, or I get stuck and it really hurts!  I am still glad that I got the surgery, and it is worth the sacrifice.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

By popular Demand, Janae's recipe for Homemade Brownies!

2007-09-12T23:42:00.000-04:00

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM They are so good

Beat four eggs and two cups of sugar together well.
Melt two sticks of butter in microwave, and stir in completely 2/3 cup of cocoa
then add to eggs and sugar. (make sure cocoa and butter are not hot enough to cook your eggs)
add 2 tsp of vanilla, and
1 1/2 cups of flour, and a dash of salt
Add one cup of nuts if desired.
Pour into greased pan, and bake at 350 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes.
Let me know what you think!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-09-11T22:58:00.001-04:00

Spencer makes a meal!

2007-09-11T15:43:00.000-04:00

I am so proud of Spencer. This past weekend, I got a really bad headache, (surprise surprise), and he OFFERED, yes you heard correctly, HE OFFERED to make himself and the girls lunch! Wow, this is a momentous occasion. This is a child that would rather go hungry than make himself some toast in the morning! He made tuna fish sandwiches, and even peeled some carrots! Wow, way to go Spencer!

Balloon Launch

2007-09-10T17:19:00.000-04:00

Belle's school every year has a pot luck dinner, and balloon launch to celebrate the new school year. I made lasagna, and two desserts, (the first one flopped so I had to make another!). Belle was very excited to go, Spencer was not. The food was great, and my brownies were so good that I didn't even get one! (my sister Janae's recipe, the best brownies I have ever eaten!!! I had to make them again on Sunday so that I could have some.)

Each class hands out the balloons to their students. Each balloon has a message about if you find this balloon send it back to their school to see how far it went. Well, we will never know how far Belle's balloon would have gone, since she found letting it go far to traumatizing. Here are a few pictures of the event.

Thumb sucking always makes balloon launches much better.

Unfortunately it appears that Rose is picking her nose in this picture. Oh well, won't she appreciate this picture when she is older?

Waiting for the balloon launch, and Belle so unknowing of what is to come.

Belle running away from the balloon launch when she saw everyone let theirs go. Much to emotionally painful to say goodbye.

Going, going and gone! Don't they look so cool.......

Belle's first day of Pre-school

2007-09-07T16:04:00.001-04:00

As you can see Belle was extremely excited for her first day! When I picked her up she was so excited, and so tired that she took a really long nap when she got home. I think that pre-school is going to work out real well.

My Tenth Thursday Thirteen

2007-09-06T14:41:00.000-04:00

Thirteen Things I did in Kauai


1….  Saw beautiful waterfalls you only get to see on TV.
2.   Got a gecko off of our hotel wall.
3.   Spent a WHOLE LOT OF MONEY on groceries.
4    Took care of two sick kids (just for two days though, so not too bad)
5.   Did a whole lot of swimming.
6.   Saw the sun rise from the airplane, and will never forget the most amazing           colors I have ever seen in my life.
7.   Admired all the beauty, The Napali Coast will be something I never forget.
8.   Enjoyed and drank up all that humidity!
9.   Saw Robert Downey Jr.
10.  Had a great night of hot tubbing and conversation with my sisters and sil
11.  Rode on a train, and saw pigs, and piglets.
12.  Ate lots of pineapple
13.  And finally, enjoyed each and every beach we went to!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday

2007-09-05T01:02:00.001-04:00

Greeting cards

2007-09-05T00:42:00.000-04:00

I am making greeting cards for any occasion with a print of my original art. For further details go to my art blog at http://artbydawnae@gmail.com. Or email me at artbydawnae@gmail.com

Weight Loss Update

2007-09-04T15:21:00.001-04:00

Okay here is the weight loss to date. The first two pictures are the day before surgery! Wow! I can't believe I let myself get that big! That side picture really makes me sad! (I can't believe I am posting these!)

December 2007

March 2007

May 2007

September 2007
81 pounds lost, 45 more pounds to go..........

Belle's Birthday!

2007-09-03T19:20:00.000-04:00

I just can't believe that my baby is now three! Belle turned 3 on August 23rd. It really does go by so fast. It seems like yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital. Belle was such a good baby. She hardly ever fussed or cried. She was that baby that makes you think that parenting is easy! I can do this again, no problem! (Ha) Well we all learn don't we. Here are a few pictures from her birthday party.

Rose wanting in on some of that unwrapping action!

oooooo I want to push this stroller soooooo bad!

Unwrapping presents is a serious business....

New school shoes...Yeah!!! (she really was excited...she loves shoes! already).

The post party blues are setting in....everyday since her birthday, Belle has asked, "where are my presents, I am ready for more".

I'm Sorry So Sorry.......

2007-08-30T17:52:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry that I vanished guys...just life! I think if I get any busier I just might go crazy!!! I don't know how my sisters do it with so many kids! I have been busy school shopping, getting Spencer in the swing of things for school, baby well checks, and three yr old physicals, Belle's birthday, and company coming into town! Not to mention going to Vernal to collect all the stuff my husband took to Vernal, when he was working there. I am also trying to finish up a couple of paintings that I am going to try and get into the Redlands Gallery, thanks to Micalanne. It has just been a crazy couple a weeks! So either my children needed me, or Allen needed me, or the housework and meals for company. Either I am inept at all this housewife/mother stuff....and everyone is much better at it, or none of you guys get any sleep!!! So which is it????? Okay enough of the poor me, I am really glad that I am missed in the blog world! So with out further ado......the much anticipated....drum roll please....Hawaii Pictures!!!

These first pictures are of us in Waimea. It is the grand canyon of the South Pacific, as John Wayne said back in the 50's, according to the reading material over there. It was absolutely amazing, unfortunately, you will not all see the amazingness because the day we went there it was engulfed in a cloud, and we all got soaked. But in person it was truly something else. I think the canyon pictures themselves look a little bit like another world or the moon or something....kinda freaky.

I really loved this tree laying down like this....cool...

Took this while driving by a beach...I loved the colors of the two blues..the sky and ocean.

These are called the twin falls. They are the falls in Fantasy Island show....Remember that show???? Da Plane Da Plane. There was a really cool hike that you could go on that ended in swimming down at the bottom of the falls. I would have loved to go on the hike, but it was real steep, and the girls never would have made it.

These next pictures are the day we took the train ride, and toured the sugar plantation. There was some gorgeous scenery!

Little plantation cottage....didn't get the whole thing...so quaint!

Look at that sky!!! I just hardly ever see a sky this blue...especially here in Utah.

feeding the animals on daddy's shoulders.

I wish that I had more pictures. Both of the girls got sick on the trip and were down for a day each, but luckily felt better quickly. This day Belle was still not up to par, and started running a fever. I have to say that I really want to go back. I want to see the Na Pali coast, and do some of the hikes. I cannot even tell you of the majesty of the NaPali Coast. The sheer black cliffs are absolutely breathtaking with the blue ocean and the white capped waves crashing onto the black rocks below! Just amazing. I wish I had a camera on the plane, and I would have taken a picture, I have really never seen anything like it. I "heard" that it was where they filmed Jurassic Park.

Well, I do have lots more pictures coming up, and of course Belle's birthday post....so until next time....I bid you farewell. (now I get to make dinner and drag my children to back to school night without hubby who is working......fun)

*I promise next week I will have my wordless wednesday and Thursday thirteen up!

We are back.....barely

2007-08-23T17:07:00.000-04:00

I am not sure when I will fully regain my sanity and sleep deprivation from our flight home. We went from the high stress situation of almost missing a flight to a two hour delay....I didn't know that my body could actually sustain such high stress without going into the fight or flight syndrome. At one point when Allen had to check our baggage in again in Honolulu, then meet us at the gate for the trip to the mainland, I really thought that he was going to lose it. I could see the headlines in the news...."desperate father arrested after breakdown at security gate trying to get to family", or, " missing man found in mental hospital due to airline stress", or, "desperate mother left penniless at gate 14 in Honolulu airport. Okay, we really are alright except for the sleep deprivation. We left Kauai at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, and arrived home in our driveway at 12:00 pm Wednesday! We learned many things about what NOT to do traveling with children. The only good thing is that Rose has been sleeping a WHOLE lot, and I have already gotten unpacked! I will get some pictures up soon! Hope everybody had a great week, we really did have a wonderful time in Hawaii....thanks mom and dad!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-08-14T23:02:00.001-04:00

My Tenth Thursday Thirteen!

2007-08-09T11:59:00.001-04:00

Thirteen Things I don't understand


1…. math
2.  why I dwell on mistakes, and negative things
3.  I cannot seem to organize my life, as hard as I try
4.  why desperation always leads to failure
5.  why I want to eat food when I am stressed
6.  why it seems to take me so much longer to do things than other people
7.  why people cannot be more cognizant of other people's needs
8.  Why when you really need something, it is never there
9.  Why my least favorite plants are flourishing in the garden and my most favorite are doing poorly
10.  Why I am always cold, and Allen is always hot
11.  Why my children can never find anything
12.  Why do your eyes hurt after you cry
13.  Why all good things must come to an end

Okay I realize that my little list a bit of a downer, but I just needed to complain a little bit. :) ....sorry Janet and Judy...I'll be better tomorrow.  I better get off the computer....Belle tells me I am in "time out" if I don't get off... *sigh*

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

New Store at Etsy

2007-08-08T12:47:00.000-04:00

I have a new store at Etsy, check it out when you have time! I discovered Etsy a few months ago, and I was really impressed with what they offer. If you are looking for a one of a kind gift for someone, you have got to shop here! I only have a few things listed right now....but am hoping to get more if it is successful.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-08-07T23:12:00.001-04:00

Fantastic Giveaway!

2007-08-07T18:04:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it, but when I was reading a post by Melanie from Our Happy Happenings, I discovered an amazing giveaway! You can enter at 5 minutes for mom. They are giving away 37 inch LCD flat screen tv sponsored by Best Buy! Well of course I immediately entered my name....hope I win, but if you enter, good luck to you!!!!

Cousin Camp

2007-08-07T16:03:00.000-04:00

Well, my camera was really causing me a lot of difficulties so I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked. I also got a massive migraine on Saturday, and have no pictures from Saturday:( (it was so bad I was on the couch with a cold pack.) Some of these pics are a bit fuzzy....but here we go.....

Katie my sister in law married to our youngest brother, taught the kids how to make flowers out of napkins. They turned out super cute! The Jr. Campers really liked this project. While the cousin campers were busy with lots of projects, the Senior Campers were hiking in Bryce Canyon, and having a great time.

During some down time, Madi, LaRae's oldest was blowing some bubbles for the little ones...they sure enjoyed that.

Spencer's highlight of the weekend, was poppy teaching him to drive the lawn mower! Spencer told me driving was a piece of cake, and he is ready to get his license......(oh yeah! Thanks Dad) This activity abruptly ended when one of the kids ran the lawn mower into a ditch......oh well all good things must end.

Madi, highly excited that it is her turn!

After the hike it was just pouring rain....and the kids were so hot they stood out in the rain and let it pour all over them. This is Lili, Janae's daughter, and Katie, LaRae's second oldest.

Jr. camp activity, learning to make cookies with Aunt Janae.

This picture really cracks me up! This is Vivi with her mom, I think she is telling her she absolutely does not need her help doing this task. ( on a side note, take a look who is in the back ground in the pantry. I did not recognize myself, I am getting so skinny!!! Wooo Hooo.........)

A little game of "Jared says" is always a delight, and really kept the kids occupied while waiting for lunch.

Belle and Ryan, (Jared's oldest boy) got along famously. They made a big fort in the front room with all the fleece blankets that everyone made, and ran and chased each other a lot. I think they became really good friends on this trip.

My dad's birthday was on Sunday, 61! (doesn't look a day older than 40, well at least my mom doesn't........ Anyway we had a great dinner, roast, potatoes, carrots, squash from my garden, corn on the cob, and chocolate molten cake and cheesecake from the cheese cake factory!!!! Too yummy. (just a side note....the molten cakes were 600 calories a piece!!!!!) Man were they delish.

The kids made the cutest fleece blankets....(wish I had a pic.) and they learned how to make gift boxes, necklaces and they all read lots of books. This cousin camp theme was dedicated to charity. All of the cousins have been reading like crazy since December. My mom told the kids for every book they read she would contribute so much money for each book depending on how many pages it was. Each child did just stupendous! I am really proud of all of them. Some of the kids are going to contribute 100% of their money to their charity that they chose. Spencer and Isabelle are choosing to contribute to National Autism society in the name of their brother, Jp. I am really proud of them! All in all it was a very memorable cousin camp, and I am sure the kids all left with a lot of good memories.

Resurrecting Old Posts--a meme

2007-08-06T15:08:00.001-04:00

Hey everybody, we are back from the cabin! We had a great time but I will talk about that in another post. Right now Ihave to tell you that I have been tagged!!! I must thank a really cool, great and energetic fun lady!!! One Wacky Mom, Ev Nucci. Doing this meme actually taught me a lot about myself...maybe some things that I need to change, and some things that I really enjoyed. I even finally learned how to insert a link! Which is huge for me!! So, thank you Ev...I know my readers will love you too. She is wacky, and has a great blog, check her out sometime.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/13044848418718299713

Anyway, the meme is one that resurrects old posts so here it goes, hope ya'll enjoy it!

1. This first post must me an old post about family. (well, that is not hard!)

http://niftynicholsonnews.blogspot.com/2007/04/saturday-at-zoo.html

2. This one was a very challenging one for me, which actually taught me a lot about myself....like I need more friends, and I need to blog about something other than my children! This is the only blog that I could find that actually mentions friends. Very sad, I know.

http://niftynicholsonnews.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-first-thursday-thirteen.html

3. This link is about myself. It is a weight loss update. At the time I wrote this I had lost 56 pounds. Today I have lost 80 pounds! Wow, I am truly amazed! (This was also enlightening....I just don't write too often about myself, really, hmmmm wonder what that means?)

http://niftynicholsonnews.blogspot.com/2007/05/weight-loss-update.html

4. This link is about something I love.....can you guess....come on really.....can't you guess??? Okay other than my kids!!!! Yes you are right, ART!!!! I do really love everything about art. Painting, drawing, viewing, learning etc. etc. etc. the list goes on and on. Nothing gives me peace like a paint brush in my hand.

http://niftynicholsonnews.blogspot.com/2007/06/wordless-wednesday.html

5. This one was my choice......it has to be my favorite post!

http://niftynicholsonnews.blogspot.com/2007/04/conversations-with-two-year-old.html

Thanks to Ev for the walk down memory lane. Make sure you stop by her post, she is one great lady, and has become one of favorite blogger friends to visit!

Now I have to tag five others so here goes!
http://momimhungry.blogspot.com/
http://arewethereyetmom.com/
http://ourhappyhappenings.blogspot.com
http://girlsjustwannahavefun.blogspot.com
http://5toomany.blogspot.com

Cousin Camp here we come!

2007-08-02T14:27:00.000-04:00

Well, no Thursday Thirteen today, I have been too busy getting ready for our annual cousin camp! We go to our parents cabin in the mountains, with the whole family, yes the whole family. (minus the one couple who don't have children yet, Mike and Karla.) We have projects and crafts, and smores and lots of cousin fun. I will return on Monday with lots of pictures! So everyone in blogger land, have a great weekend.

Scroll Down for WW!

2007-08-01T14:22:00.001-04:00

Garden pictures

2007-08-01T13:57:00.001-04:00

Well here are the pictures from my garden. Now, I have learned a lot from my garden this year, like to prepare the soil better, and to plant certain plants farther apart. Also I learned to plant much earlier so that the weather is not so hot! As you will see, some plants are doing fabulously, and some are not doing anything at all!!!!

It was strange because the previous years when we had a garden and we lived in another house, our garden was just so successful. We also lived on property where horses had lived for years, so I think that it was very fertile soil. (all the manure ya know?) I am not used to a garden that doesn't produce, so this was a weird experience, but I know what to do next year....I think.

this is my saddest loss of the season. $12.50 down the drain, and my little raspberry bush is really dead, dead, dead. I am so sad!

This is my raspberry bush that is doing well. We will have some really nice raspberries next year. I will also plant more of them, and some blueberries.

These look like weeds, I know. They are actually three very sad looking tomato plants that have just sat there and done nothing. No blossoms, a little bit of new growth, but that is it. They are still alive...but I can't figure out why they won't do anything?

This is our one good tomato plant.

This is our one good pepper plant....we do have maybe two more that are doing okay, but this one was the best.

The corn is doing magnificently.

Cucumbers....we have had two so far, they are doing pretty good.

This is our pumpkin plant, that is too close to the squash. It looks like there are about four pumpkins that we will get out of this.

This is our huge squash area that is prolific in their vegetable bearing. Lots of summer squash for us! There is a small watermelon plant in front of it, I have two that I think will give us some melons. Next to the water melon is the cantaloupe, hopefully we will get a few of those soon as well.

This is our cherry tomato plant that is in a container. It is beautiful and big, and if you look closely you can see some little tomatoes!

Next year I want to add zucchini, strawberry batch, and somewhere I want to plant a cherry, pear, apricot and peach tree!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-07-31T23:01:00.000-04:00

Migraine Monday!

2007-07-31T22:54:00.000-04:00

Okay this is not a new meme, but actually my real life. I had such a bad migraine I had to go to bed! Luckily Allen had the day off, and could take care of the kids otherwise, they would have been on their own! I wanted to do a post on Monday about Sundays post.

Micalanne posed a very good question. What would you spend 500.00 on, if it was for your children? I know my answers, but I want to see what you guys think.....so post away guys!

Also LaRae and Micalanne want to see some pics from my garden, so I will posts those tomorrow! (Too tired tonight).

time to kill

2007-07-29T11:57:00.000-04:00

Okay it is amazing that I actually have a little free time. Yes, I should be reading my scriptures, or cleaning the house, or painting. I think I just need a little free time, me time. Whoa, me time what is that???? Anyway I saw this really cool car seat on nickelodeon channel, it folds up and you can carry it! It is supposed to be the safest one ever etc. (at least that is their claim). So excitedly I write down the internet address so I can look it up. safeguardgo.com Well, to my shock and horror......the price was astronomical...... 449.00$!!!! Holy moly.....why in the world would I spend 449.00$ for anything for my kid that they are going to grow out of. I don't know it just really bothered me. It can't possibly be worth that much....(with tax and shipping I am sure it would come out to be around 500.00$) I just don't know what these people are thinking....I think it is a big ole rip off if you ask me. I am actually really mad...just because we are parents, and we want our children safe, and the lure of the "safest car seat ever" sent me to their web site....well I am just completely offended they would think I would be stupid enough to even consider a car seat that cost more money than anything I own except for my car and home! Geezzzzzzzz

Sunday Seven

2007-07-29T10:41:00.000-04:00

Seven things that I am thankful for this past week.

1. Good neighbors that help you fix things, and give you homemade salsa, and water your garden for you when you are out of town. ( I have really great neighbors).

2. My kids. They are so cute, and hugs and kisses always make me feel better.

3. The opportunity that I have to work at home and raise my children.

4. I am very thankful for my talents.

5. I am so thankful for old friends that I have reconnected with through the blog world, and for new friends that I have made.

6. I am grateful for our garden, that we have a large back yard and enough room to have a really big garden.

7. Finally I am thankful for losing weight. It has given me so much energy, and changed my life!

Fun Free Giveaway

2007-07-24T23:37:00.000-04:00

A fun no hassle contest to enter! Who doesn't like free stuff??? Go to http://arewethereyetmom.com to enter!

Wordless Wednesday! (ants can be so entertaining)

2007-07-24T22:36:00.001-04:00

My little funny bunny!

2007-07-24T22:21:00.000-04:00

Belle is just so funny sometimes. Tonight we were saying our meal time prayer, and Allen must have gone on a little too long. Half way through the prayer, Belle announces "The End", very matter of factly. As the prayer continued, it became louder, until he finally said AMEN! We had a little chuckle over that one.

Today is a holiday in Utah. Pioneer day. It is just like the fourth, parades, fire works, and bbq's. I reflected on a pioneer ancestor on my mother's side of the family. Her name was Elizabeth Shuster Barclay. She really was an amazing woman. My mother was lucky enough to have inherited her journal. She left Pennslyvania with her husband in a wagon with their small infant. They traveled to Kansas, and had many adventures along the way. The pioneers sacrificed much for their posterity. I am really glad that we have a day to remember them.

My Ninth Thursday Thirteen

2007-07-19T15:43:00.000-04:00

http://intricateart.com/blog/thursdaythirteen300.jpg"/>

Thirteen books that I have loved

1…. These is my words
2. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
3. Of Course all of the Harry Potter books
4. Eragon, and Eldest
5. FableHaven
6. Pride and Prejudice
7. Jane Eyre
8. The age of innocence
9. Wuthering Heights
10. Lion the witch and the wardrobe series
11. A wrinkle in time
12. Anne of Green Gables
13. The Secret Garden

I would love to know what your favorite books are so I can add them to my collection!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

http://thursdaythirteen.com">Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

I've been tagged!

2007-07-18T20:11:00.000-04:00

Christine has tagged me to write about eight things about my husband and I, so here I go.

1. My husband and I got engaged four years ago, and our anniversary is coming up, August 30th.

2. My husband and I actually met on line, and I didn't take him seriously. (I was seriously looking to marry, that biological clock was a tickin!) At one point after a few dates, I started to avoid him, thinking he was not looking to get married. I screened my phone calls, and did not return his calls. A couple weeks went by, and I started to find little notes on my door from him, begging me to call him back. I guess I decided maybe he was serious, since he had to drive about 45 minutes to get to my house.

3. Both my husband and I are the same height, 5'3, but if you ask him he is 5'5.

4. We have two daughters, (who are rambunctious and wear both of us out), and I have one son.

5. We both love to go to movies.

6. We are both 40.

7. We both have tempers, I simmer quietly, he yells and gets it out, but he ALWAYS says he is sorry. (I rarely am wrong, therefore do not have to say that I am sorry.) :)

8. We both grew up outside of Utah. Allen grew up in Tallahasse Florida, and came to Utah on a mission, then stayed to get married. (it only took almost 20 years after his mission to find me!) I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. I came to Utah to go to school, got married, had a baby, got divorced, then met Allen about 10 years later.

I am going to tag everybody that sees this! Yes, I mean you! (Judy, you are not exempt, I would love it if you wrote about you and Zac.)

Wordless Wednesday

2007-07-18T11:39:00.000-04:00

Thanks Christine!

2007-07-17T19:04:00.000-04:00

Christine was so nice to take the time out of her busy day to make me a button for my ebay auction items! Thanks so much it is really pretty, just my style! If you haven't checked out her blog yet, you really must. It is a great blog with lots of great information! Thanks again Christine. Her link is http://arewethereyetmom.com she also has a new blog all about cooking! The link to that site is http://adventuresincookingmom.blogspot.com it is a fun site about food and cooking, and great ideas for menu planning! Thanks again for being such a great bloggin buddy.

12 month molars

2007-07-17T14:28:00.001-04:00

Poor Rose is teething again. She is getting a huge molar on the right side, and she is not a happy gal. Having a hard time sleeping, and just tugging at her ear, and mouth. She had such a hard time with her other teeth, I was really hoping that the molars would just be a piece of cake. Alas that is not to be. She still only has two teeth on the bottom. I have never had a baby that teethed this way! It is completely foreign to me. My other kids just woke up one morning and poof a tooth popped through. They also had a mouthful of teeth my one! Oh well, here is to new experiences!

Allen working in Salt Lake!!

2007-07-16T10:25:00.000-04:00

Well Allen is now working in the Salt Lake area, so he is back home! The girls are so excited. I am excited too, but it is an adjustment. I am not used to him being home so much! Last week he was sick with the flu, and came home from work very ill...so I got to be nursemaid, and the blog sure did suffer! Between getting him better, all the housework after being out of town, and the weeds that were as tall as the corn, I was just a little bit busy!

Just to add to my business, I wanted to make a little extra money because we have Belle's birthday in August, and a trip to Hawaii in August. So I decided to put some stuff up on ebay. So far I have four bids on the magic bullet I put up for auction. However, I made these really cute capelets, that are not doing very well....and they are so dang cute! Here is a picture.

These are Janae's girls, they consented to pose for me! Anyway, if any of you veteran ebayers now how to move stuff, let me know if you have any suggestions for me! Guess I better go make breakfast for the kids!

I'm Back!

2007-07-09T16:33:00.000-04:00

I am back from our vacation, and sorry I just kind of disappeared! We had a really good time. We went to a family reunion in Las Vegas, and I saw relatives I hadn't seen in over a decade! We had an auction that was really fun, and I sold a print of the eagle and the daisy painting. After the family reunion my dad had another surgery on his knee. (he had just had a hernia operation a week before.) We were quite busy helping him to recuperate. However we did manage to celebrate the fourth with family and friends, and we made it to the cabin in mammoth creek for the weekend. Here are a few pictures.

Belle, Rose and cousin Lacey, (LaRae's youngest daughter), on the fourth.

Rose and cousin Ryan, (Jared and Katies boy.)

Lots of fun swimming in my parents pool.

This is why I love the cabin. This is the creek that runs behind my parents cabin. It was cool, beautiful, and so fun to watch the birds, and chipmunks eating the seeds my parents leave for them on the deck. The kids really love the cabin. It is always a little sad leaving.

I-15 was closed due to a wild fire that jumped the freeway. So we had to take highway 89, which was about two hours longer, but really beautiful. This was a beautiful sunset, that my camera just doesn't even come close to capturing the real beauty. This was taken from the highway, just beautiful. I wish I would have had more time to visit with old friends in Vegas, but I promise I will find the time soon!!! Great to be back in blogger land! I will be visiting everybody, and catching up on all my reading!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

2007-06-27T01:16:00.001-04:00

Pop up window???

2007-06-26T16:17:00.000-04:00

Okay sorry everyone for the pop up issue. I really didn't even realize I had done that....so it is fixed now...let me know if you are still recieving the dreaded annoying pop up window! My humble apologies for this unknowing blunder. :)

Spencer acutally eats breakfast!

2007-06-26T12:04:00.003-04:00

I am so excited! After 11 years of Spencer eating for breakfast tuna sandwiches, cold pizza, or just not eating, we have found something he likes! Granted he puts enough sugar on it to give a person a diabetic coma, but he eats something breakfasty!!!! When I was looking for a picture of the box on the net, I came across some very interesting information about cream of wheat that I did not know. Did you know that cream of wheat was first marketed in 1893 at the Chicago's world fair? All of the boxes that were made back then, (shown to the left) were all hand made! Can you believe that? The chef pictured on the box is Frank L. White who died in 1938. We can thank the folks in Grand Folks, North Dakota for making and manufacturing Cream of Wheat! Thank you, my son will now eat a normal breakfast!

My best friend

2007-06-22T12:23:00.001-04:00

A couple of days ago, I was trying to talk Belle into washing her mi mi (aka special blankie). She hugged her mi mi very close, and very softly and earnestly said, "I can't mama, she is my very very best friend".

It just made my heart melt, and a I felt a yearning for a life that was more simple, not so complicated, and filled with hardship. (okay my life isn't that bad...I am talking Society in general).

I was so sad watching the news about the floods in Texas, and the woman talking about her four year old daughter being ripped from her arms and drowning. What an utterly helpless feeling she must have had, I cannot imagine. Nothing in this lifetime will ever erase that horrible, gut wrenching moment for her.

Another strange serious thing happened to me the other day when I was driving Spencer to his dad's house. He asked me what I would do if he died. I was a little surprised, but my mind was filled with other thoughts, and just quickly answered that I would be so sad, and that life would never be the same. Then I thought about it for a minute, and I asked him what he would do if I died. ( I am not sure why I even asked this, but I thought maybe he was thinking about that and didn't know how to bring it up). He said, "I would grab the girls, and throw us in after you." I started to cry because it made me so sad. I didn't even know what to say. It made me want to be a better mother, to give him a better life, and to make him feel safer. Then a familiar feeling arose of being helpless, because he spends half his life with his father, and people that I don't know, and don't trust. Like I said, I wish for a simpler time. I wish for simpler problems, and simple happiness. I wish that for you all too....

ANNOUNCEMENT!

2007-06-21T01:00:00.000-04:00

Well I am proud to say that I have sold another painting.....and the proud owner of this fine piece of art is Micalanne! She bought the sunset eagle.

I am also excited to announce that I am going be selling prints of all my art work. So if there is something you really liked, and it sold, or sells, or you just don't want to spend that kind of cash..(I can relate). Then I would love to sell you a print. Just go to the link under favorite bloggers to the left of this page or go directly there http://artbydawnae.blogspot.com, and leave me a message. Or just reply here.

Christine...sorry I did not answer your question about the pansy and sunflower, I haven't done those beautiful flowers....but that is a fantastic idea. They are two of my favorites! I also really loved your monday post. I am going to check that out. I can always use new ideas for posts...especially on Monday, for some reason those days are really hard for me! So if anybody else needs Ideas on posts check out Christine's site....it is really great. Her link is under favorite bloggers!

Take care everybody, and thank you all for your support and encouragement, it has meant the world to me!

My eighth Thursday Thirteen

2007-06-21T00:10:00.000-04:00

Thirteen Things that just drives me batty!
1…. Okay we just got our carpets cleaned, and the kids played in the mud, and now I am cleaning mud off my carpet!
2. I get really frustrated when I am in the middle of something and my husband yells he needs help...(this really seems to happen a lot....or maybe just my imagination.
3. When I am driving to a new place, and time is short, and I pass it, and have to do a U turn in bad traffic...very frustrating.
4. Very frustrating when I am driving to a new place....short on time....pass it...and the kids are screaming in the back of the car!
5. frustrating that I can't get my girls to stop sharing their sippie cups!
6. I have these old style blinds...that I hate....and when they won't go up or down when I want them to...oh so frustrated!
7. So ultimately frustrating when you have just mopped the floor, you are hot, and tired, and someone gets it dirty.
8. When I set my DVR to tape a show that I really really love, and it cuts it off at the end....and I don't get to see who won American Idol! (I do know now who won...but I had to go to the internet to find out:( )
9. My girls screaming all the time....(my boys never did this...so it baffles me....)
10. When I go to the store, and I even bring my list....and then STILL forget something.
11. When I go to the store, and my daughter throws a tantrum to get the car cart....then insists she must walk the whole time.
12. When something I buy that is very expensive, and then doesn't work.
13. So the last thing that really drives me batty....when the bathroom door gets left open, and I find Rose playing in it...along with five rolls of toilet paper, and half the stuff under the sink.

Okay maybe I had a bad day. Tomorrow has got to be better!
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-06-20T10:29:00.001-04:00

Funny pictures from the weekend

2007-06-18T00:31:00.001-04:00

I went upstairs to grab the phone, only to find this scene when I returned to the basement!

Isabelle is being uncharacteristically shy today.

"Mom where did that cracker go???"

My little hugger

2007-06-15T12:44:00.000-04:00

I just had to write about Rose, and how cute she is in the morning. We got up really early one day this week, the house was quiet, and we were the only ones up. We got to the bottom of the stairs, and I gave her a gentle hug. She gave me a squeeze back with both arms around my neck, and then grunted like she was hugging real hard. It was so sweet and really made my day! I love you so much my little shortcake!

(June 12th 2007) Right after breakfast.....we had blueberries!

I've been tagged!

2007-06-15T01:33:00.001-04:00

I am about to embark on a journey that I have never done before! I am a virgin tagger!!! My blogger friend Laura, the author of http://myquotidianmysteries.blogspot.com/ has officially tagged me. I guess this makes me a full fledged, hard core, bloggin woman!

1. What was I doing ten years ago.....

nothing fun, going through a divorce actually. :(

2. What was I doing one year ago.....

okay much much better answer. I was recuperating from having my sweet baby Rose.

3. Five snacks that I enjoy.....

Kashi go lean crunch
string cheese
a Swedish fish now and then
carrots
ham and cheese

4. 5 songs I know all the lyrics to.....

I will survive
I am (Paula Cole)
She's a brick house
Rock a bye baby
Tu Ra Lu Ra Lu Ra (Irish lullaby)

5. 5 things I would do if I were a millionaire

get an art studio....(build extra garage into quaint wonderfully beautiful peaceful....art studio)
Hire someone to re-do sprinklers, and re-sod yard
Hire someone to add another patio and garden retreat in backyard
Travel
Buy a art supply company
(bummer I only get to put five things!)

6. 5 bad habits....well this is easy.....

procrastinate
freak out after I procrastinate
I yell too much
I get obsessed with a painting until I love it (my husband would mostly say this is one of my five bad habits...)
eat when I am stressed out!

7. 5 things I would never wear again

leg warmers
sheared off sweatshirt (off the shoulder of course)
culottes
huge hoop earrings
my pants tucked into cowboy boots

8. 5 toys I love

Kitchen aid mixer
DVR
four wheelers
all my art stuff
computer
(this was super duper hard ......I think I need more toys!)

9. 5 people to tag!

sugar and spice everything nice
Wallace Words of Wisdom
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Experience Courage With Janet
5 too Many

2007-06-14T13:57:00.000-04:00

Thirteen Things that I should have done instead of watching a movie with my kids, eating popcorn, and still in my pj's

1…. Gotten my TT list done

2. get the dry cleaning

3. go grocery shopping

4. water the garden

5. clean the kitchen

6 gotten the kids dressed and hair combed

7. painted

8. deciding what to paint next.....any suggestions?????

9. mop the floor

10. vacum

11. answered emails

12. researched digital cameras to buy the best one for the best price.

13. okay maybe it is okay I just hung out with my kids this morning!

Start your list here!
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!

2007-06-13T10:14:00.000-04:00

New art posted

2007-06-10T12:37:00.000-04:00

See the new art posting at http://artbydawnae.blogspot.com

Pink Play Doh

2007-06-08T19:01:00.000-04:00

We made pink play doh today! Belle was very happy about that. On the way to the store to get the ingredients for the play doh....Belle screamed "Watch Out"! So I think what is there a cat in the road....what is it??? " What is wrong" I say, she says "there is a car back there. " (I had just turned). So I look in the rearview mirror and a mile down the road is a white car! Okay my daughter is a worse back seat driver than I am! We had a lot of fun making and playing with the play doh, here are some pictures from our afternoon.

My sixth Thursday Thirteen

2007-06-07T10:26:00.000-04:00

Thursday Thirteen header created by Tea Mouse at http://teatimeramblings.blogspot.com

Thirteen Things I need right now!

1…. desperately in need of a pedicure for the sandal season!

2. I need a haircut....been way too long.

3. I need a new digital camera to take better pictures of my art pieces.

4. I need a night out....movie and dinner!

5. I need a full nights sleep.......

6. and to sleep in until 10:00 am.

7. I need my carpets cleaned.

8. I need a goat! (see ww post at http://www.stkappleto.blogspot.com )

9. I need the laundry done.

10. I need a new phone.

11. I need a little summer sun!

12. I need more exercise.

13. A nice Lunch with friends!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

New art to view

2007-06-07T00:27:00.000-04:00

Check out http://artbydawnae.blogspot.com to see Isabelle's favorite.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

2007-06-05T23:06:00.000-04:00

June 2006 / June 2007

Has he had a growth spurt or what?

Balloon Trauma

2007-06-05T21:14:00.000-04:00

Poor Belle. We are getting a big storm in, and the wind is just whipping everywhere. Belle has had a balloon for about two weeks now, (she has kept them over a month before), and she was using it as a kite outside. She did not let it go...it came untied where they tie the string to the balloon. She was just crushed. Curled up into a ball and cried her little eyes out. So I had a wonderful idea of making a kite from items we had around the house. I have never made a kite...I do not know the physics behind making them fly....(I bet Doug does though....shoulda called him.) Anyway needless to say the balloon flew much better, but Belle was happy, and we got some good pictures.

Sick weekend For the Nicholsons

2007-06-04T15:34:00.000-04:00

Well this weekend was pretty much uneventful. Allen was home, and I tried to rest as I was not feeling well. Rose, Belle and Spencer all had bad colds. Spencer missed his camp out with the scouts because of not feeling well. We were pretty much all bummed! I did get Bilma's poppy, (the red poppy piece) up for auction on http://artbyus.com/ I hope I get a few bids, but I am going to need to work on getting better pictures of my stuff....it didn't look very professional. A lot of the artists on there I think have specific computer programs for making there pieces look really great. Well, I am sure it will be a learning process for me. I basically just wanted to get my guts up....and actually do what I have been wanting to do for ages, but it is hard....rejection is never easy! Well, I hope all of you out there in blogger land had a better weekend than I did!

My fifth Thursday Thirteen

2007-05-31T12:31:00.000-04:00

Thirteen Things I couldn't do without

1…. My digital camera....how did we cope with those cave man cameras.....with film!

2. My DVR...no commercials need I say more.

3. My kitchen aid mixer.

4. shopping on the internet....saves me so much hassle!

5. flip flops.

6. my cup of mint tea in the morning.

7. slim fast chocolate royale!

8. my family, and my Church.

9. My cell phone.

10. My kids watching movies in the car.

11. The occasional ice cream sundae from Dairy Queen.

12. Working in my garden and my yard.

13. All my bloggin buddies!
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

2007-05-30T00:04:00.001-04:00

Look what I found on my camera!

Oh what bored children will do......

Get some Linky Love!

2007-05-29T14:43:00.000-04:00

My friend Christine has a really fun blog at http://arewethereyetmom.com , and she was tagged to do this train. I thought it sounded fun so if you would like to do it here are the instructions.

“~Start Copying Here~” and copy all the things listed without removing the links (Of course, the train would be no use without those links).
Move all the sites labeled “Enjoyable finds” to the list labeled “Oldies”.
Add 5 sites that you want to include in the train under Enjoyable Finds and make their “Visit My Site” link like this: http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect? along with this add the url of the blog you are choosing.
Example: http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?niftynicholsonnews.blogspot.com (This is my blog that I’m using as the example)
Then invite them to join the train.
Visit all the listed sites using the “Visit My Site” link. (I hope the blogs I have chosen will participate. I would appreciate it bunches if you do and please let me know if you have .

Enjoyable finds:

http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?artbydawnae.blogspot.com

http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?experiencecourage.blogspot.com

http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?thekhakipatch.blogspot.com

http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?4forme.blogspot.com

http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect/myart-micalanne.blogspot.com

Oldies:
Local Girl~Visit My Site!
Toni~Visit My Site!
Beccy~Visit My Site!
Jersey Mom~ Visit My Site!
La Bellina Mammina~Visit My Site!
Indy Amy~Visit My Site!
Twisted Cinderella~Visit My Site!
AmyW~Visit My Site!
Amy~Visit My Site!
Annie~Visit My Site!
Desert Song Bird~Visit My Site!
Gabrielle~Visit my site!
Froggie ~ visit my site!Janet ~ visit my site!GoofyGirl ~ visit my site!
TorAa Mirror ~ visit my site!RennyBA’s Terella ~ visit my site!Coffe 2 go ~ visit my site!maremagnum ~ visit my site!Tricia’s Musings ~ visit my site!aka R’acquel ~ visit my site!Fruit Of The Spirit ~ visit my site!Hootin’ Anni ~ visit my site!Irish Church Lady ~ visit my site!lazaza83 ~ visit my site!Soul Glo ~ visit my site!Sword Girl ~ visit my site!Frolicsome Kid ~ visit my site!Dackel Princess ~ visit my site!Lifecruiser ~ visit my site!Writer’s Cramps II ~ visit my site!Quilly’s Quips ~ visit my site!… a work in progress ~ visit my site!Ever After… My Way ~ visit my site!Insanity Prevails~”Visit my site”My Romantic Home~”Visit my site”fairiebees~”Visit my site”Exceedingly Mundane~”Visit my site”Smokey Mountain Breakdown~ “Visit my site”Kaliblue - Visit My Site Just me shann - Visit My Site Tigger Bob’s- Visit My Site Star8278- Visit My Site Asara Dragon- Visit My Site A Little Piece Of Me - Visit My Site The Rocky Mountain Retreat - Visit My Site Scrappin…with life in this New Year of 2007 - Visit My Site Rhonda’s Blog - Visit My Site Skittles’ Place - Visit My Site Cruftbucket- Visit My Site Goldercoaster - Visit My Site ComedyPlus - Visit My Site eJabs- Visit My Site UntwistedVortex - Visit My Site The Chronicles of My Life - Visit My Site I am Who I am - Visit My Site WebStyle - Visit My Site Endangered Spaces - Visit My Site CoolAdzine for Marketers - Visit My Site Rinsem’sRink - Visit My Site Sean’s Ramblings - Visit My Site MacBros Place - Visit My Site Can’t Coach That - Visit My Site Critical Assumption - Visit My Site Foreign Perspectives - Visit My Site Carl Pei - Visit My Site Swapw - Visit My Site Life of a School Bus Driver - Visit My Site Tamiki - Visit My Site Bobs’ Reformat This - Visit My Site Shawn Knight - Visit My Site Kelly Cho - Visit My Site JohnChow dot com - Visit My Site DoshDosh.com- Visit My Site Jane May Blogs - Visit My Site Ms. Danielle - Visit My Site Stock Trading 101 - Visit My Site Ed Lau - Visit My Site Derrich.com- Visit My Site Nate Whitehill - Visit My Site Gary Lee - Visit My Site MakeMoney Online with a 13-year Old - Visit My Site
~End Copying~

Back from Memorial Day Weekend at the Cabin

2007-05-29T14:04:00.000-04:00

We spent the holiday weekend at my parents cabin on Mammoth Creek. We sure had a great time with the cousins, aunts and uncles and Mammy and Poppy. We celebrated Rose and Spencer's birthdays, ate yummy breakfasts cooked by Poppy, and delicious dinners! We enjoyed the sun glinting off the water, exploring, and walking along the banks of the stream. Belle found many rocks that she needed to bring home. Rose had her first taste of cake, and Spencer discovered how to make a bridge to get to an island. (however, he was really trying to make a boat to sail across the stream. Didn't work out though.) We really enjoyed our time with our family. Here are a few pictures of our weekend.

Rose's first taste of chocolate birthday cake. (LaRae got a better shot.....hope she posts it.)

Cousin Madi and Ryan. LaRae's girls are so great with all the kids. Katie watched Rose for me several times, Madi is very loving to all the kids, and Lacey played so great with Belle...and taught her all about school!

Lacey and Belle fishing of the deck of the cabin.

Thanks mom and dad for the wonderful time, and all the sacrifices you guys make so that we have this wonderful place to party at together!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

2007-05-23T10:11:00.001-04:00

Update on Birds in BBQ

2007-05-22T18:23:00.000-04:00

Well, I have figured out that the birds who build a nest in our bbq are black birds, just like the one below. This is a male because he is so black, the female is dark brown. It is very interesting because these birds have stayed together, the male looks out for his wife who is laying on the eggs....when not out hunting. If we get close to the bbq and she is inside, he makes a very loud squawking sound to warn her. They first laid eggs back in April. Those birds hatched, and are now on their merry way. They have now laid a new batch of eggs, and they are hatching. I even got a picture of the newborn baby, (mommy bird sure was not happy about that!) I am not going to post that picture yet, you will have to tune in tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday. Anyway I felt really bad about disturbing them, both birds were really upset, so I set out some blueberries for her. I sure hope that will make up for my obvious blunder into their little world!

procrastination strikes its ugly head again!

2007-05-22T18:15:00.000-04:00

Well, whenever I post a project that I have been putting off....I always seem to get it done. So here is my newest project that must get done by Friday. I have 2 days and one evening.

These photos are from somewhere in Texas, and my mom wants a water color of them for the cabin. Water color is not easy!!! If you make a mistake it is next to impossible to repair.....I have done two paintings already, and not liked either one.....so here goes attempt #3. When I get it done, I will post my finished project on my new blog http://artbydawnae.blogspot.com Lets hope that it will be good enough to hang on a wall with my name on it!

Happy Birthday Baby Rose

2007-05-22T13:22:00.001-04:00

Could it really be that this very day a year ago my doctor was inducing my labor! We were so excited to see our baby girl, Rose Janae Nicholson. I remember when she was being born, and the doctor said, Dawnae she has dark hair, (my first with dark hair). I knew in that moment that she was named after the right person. She has also lived up to her Aunt Janae's reputation as a fussy baby. I will admit however that she is becoming a better baby sleep wise....but already we are starting in on the tantrums!!! I wonder what the next year will bring. I look forward to seeing Rose develop, and turn into the little person she was meant to be. Mommy and Daddy sure do love you baby girl. We are glad you are in our family.

A look at the past year

Your first smile came when you were five weeks. You have really been in a hurry to do things. You crawled at five months, and started to walk at 10 months. You have been a slow grower, very tiny and petite. You have been in the 5th percentile for weight and height. You can still wear some of your 3-6 month clothes! At your 9 month check up you weighed 13 pounds. You are doing so many things now. You know when daddy is on the phone, and you tell him, "ha, da da". You kiss the air when you want something to eat. You love love to climb. You can climb up on mommy's night stand, and have spilled numerous cups of water. You can climb up on the bar stools, and are constantly getting stuck between the chair and the underneath part of the table. You have a lot of spunk...and you don't like it when I won't let you do what you want....like climbing! Your favorite place to play is the fire place. You are a messy, messy eater. It does not matter if you are wearing a bib, your food gets everywhere. You are very loving, and I get the best hugs and kisses from you. My favorite time of the day is when I go in your room to get you from your nap, you have the best little grin on your face. Your favorite food is fruit, especially berries, and you love Gerber pasta pick ups. You love to rough house with Belle, and sometimes you make her cry! You are a really fun little girl to be around. Here are a few of my favorite pictures of my baby girl.

Blessing day

Halloween

Daddy could always get you to sleep

After bath in your bunny towel Aunt Janae gave you

Day after Christmas trying to eat your sisters doll

This picture reminds me so much of when Spencer was this age

Mommy just loves this grin

One Sunday this Spring

What you look like today, May 22, 2007

Yard work....and more yard work

2007-05-18T22:18:00.001-04:00

It seems as if it will never end! I spent the morning weeding and redoing our back yard flower bed. It looks really nice, which gives me satisfaction. However, I turn around, and realize there is so much more to do. Our yard is so big....I wonder if we should have bought a condo.

This week I have been working on getting the large gigantic weed infested garden ready for planting. I came outside this morning at 7:00 am ready to pull weeds, and low and behold the whole area was cleared out! I do not know when or how it was done. I never heard a peep or any noise, and I was up until 11:00 pm and up at 6:00 am! I am sure that it was my home teacher that did this, he is going to till the ground under tomorrow. I am always amazed at the service our ward members are so eager to do for one another. I have been so blessed to have had two wonderful wards the past seven years here in South Jordan. The Lord certainly looks out for me, and for that I am so thankful. He always puts people in my path that are more than willing to help me out.

I think Rose got hurt at least four times today. She somersaulted off the couch, but did manage to land on her feet! That child is such a danger to herself, and not afraid of anything. She climbs up onto the bar stools and scares me to death! She is so strong. During Church on Sunday she grabbed a hold of the seat next to me and I was pulling her to get off of it, and it lifted off of the ground! She really does amaze me.

I was very lucky that both Belle and Rose had naps today, which allowed me some great time to paint. It is so nice when I get those breaks. Well tomorrow is the garden, and figuring out the sprinklers!