Gingerbread houses

Our annual gingerbread house decorating was a flop this year. For some reason the house wouldn't stay together and the frosting was just gunky so a few of us gave up 1/2 way through and just ate the candy (best part anyway.)

Finished masterpiece!

Hiking to the Y

photo op with smoggy Provo in the background

Conor on the middle of the Y

Almost there!

While Josie was snoozing we took a quick hike up to the Y. I was worried Conor might not make it. He made it with out even breaking a sweat or one tiny complaint. It is still just as steep as always, but the view is always worth the hike.

Temple Square

The Kellogg Temple Square postcard
Both kids were intrigued by the floating bubble lights and the nativity in the reflection pond

Josie hitching a ride on uncle Blake's shoulders

The Kellogg and Nielsen family

Exhausted from the fun filled day

We joined the throngs of people the first night the lights went on for Christmas. We went to the training table and ate yummy cheese fries with Blake and his family then we wandered around temple square and enjoyed the nativity and the excitement. We were able to meet Janet and her family and Grandma and Grandpa later for more fun. The kids were so tired when we finally got back to the car. I think they were both asleep before the doors were even closed.

Thanksgiving in Utah

Sharissa, Julie, Spencer, Megan, Mackenzie and Katy Playing Dutch Bliss

Janet and Galen

Great Grandma Nielsen, Grandpa and Grandma

Josie and Amber (talking on the phone)

Jessica and Conor

We were able to drive down to Utah for Thanksgiving this year. Well worth the drive. We had a marvelous time. The food and company were fabulous. I actually can't remember the last time I ate my Mom's yummy cooking for Thanksgiving. I had missed it so. We played a really funny game called telephone pictionary...remember the chocolate chip cookie watching over the tree?

Old BYU haunts

Kevin and Josie walking across campus

Josie, Kevin, Grandpa and Grandma

Julie and Janet
We spent a few hours on BYU campus for a walk down memory lane. We went to the new Hinckley alumni building, the creamery for lunch and ice cream of course. Then we were off to the good old Wilk for some bowling and shopping at the bookstore. Campus has certainly changed a lot since I graduated. Makes me feel so old, but always proud to be a cougar.

What the kids have been up to.

Josie watching...MULAN. I figured I should document her favorite pass time. If we would let her watch Mulan 24/7 she would be thrilled. If she is upset or angry this will pacify.
Conor made these cookies almost all by himself! I found the recipe in the friend and then he decorated cute paper bags with turkeys and pumpkins. He was extra excited to deliver them to our neighbors, our bishop and some twin boys in his school class.

Bonus Halloween material

As most of you know...Kevin and I do not dress up for Halloween. We are the first to admit that we are boring when it comes to costumes. This year we were invited to an 80's theme party and were assured no entrance without a costume. The pictures prove that we can dress up and that Kevin can be a very good sport. He even got a prize for runner up to best costume. I know it was the tights...I couldn't keep the girls away from him.

Chris, Tanya, Hilary, Kurt, Kevin and Julie

SEE! Kevin lookin mighty fine

Fall Soccer-Silver Stingrays

Kinkade, Keagan, Brennan, Drew, Conor, Shayden

Conor had a spectacular soccer season this fall. We have been so proud of him. He really is starting to figure out the strategy and he was scoring several goals a game. He can be really fast when he wants to and seems to be a great defender. Coach Mcmurray is fabulous and has taught him so much. Believe it or not, we are all looking forward to spring ball.

Halloween 2009 - Year of the Chinese

Ninja Conor and Chinese princess Josie

Conor

Josie

Carving results

Trick or Treat spoils

Check out all that candy! If a good Halloween is measured in the amount of candy you got, then we had a great one! To kill time before church this morning I had Conor divide and count out his candy. Between his stash and Josie's, we have 275 pieces give or take a few. Both kids were great trick or treaters and stayed out a lot longer then I expected. We continued our tradition of carving pumpkins with the Willard's this year and we came up with some mighty good ones if I say so myself.

Field trip to the Arboretum

Conor's 1st grade class

Mrs. McQuilken, Conor, Riley and Rachel

Since Conor is a diabetic, I will be the designated chaperone for all of his field trips-forever. This is actually a good thing. It is great fun to see him with his little friends and to get to interact with all of them. This trip we went out to the arboretum and collected leaves and nuts and pine cones and tramped around to learn about all the different kind of trees.

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit!

Apple time at GreenBluff

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!

Grandma and Grandpa Nielsen came to visit on "their way" to Indiana. Last time I checked Spokane was not on the way to Indiana from Utah, but if their map says it is, I'll take them. They got here just in time to have some soup with hard beans (long story) and then to spend a few days shopping for some early Christmas gifts, and the best part was celebrating Grandma's Birthday. We were so happy to spend her special day with her . I can't remember the last time I was with her on her birthday, so it was a treat for all of us. We decorated the house with balloons and streamers and then we went up to Greenbluff and enjoyed the beautiful fall weather. We got a whole bunch of delicious Washington apples and we wandered through the pumpkin patch. The kids had fun playing in the dried pea box as well as chasing a a few chickens and goats. We went out to dinner then came home to open presents and blow out candles. Fun times.

Girls Weekend at Red

Me, Tanya and Hilary (After 4 hrs of riding.)
We were so cold and tired at this point, I can't believe we
were smiling. Oh wait- All for the love of Mountain biking!

After a serious endo, done by yours truely! We look warm but,
looks can be deceiving. It was probably 25 degrees in this picture.

Tanya and Me

Hilary and Tanya - enjoying the beauty of British Columbia in October

A big bear track we came across. We were riding in bear country.
We each had a bear bell on our bikes to warn the bears
we were coming.

This weekend has been a long time in the making. We finally picked a weekend we could all get away and we had a fabulous time. It was a little cold, but that helped us burn 3000 calories in one ride and then contributed to our guilt free dining. 2 whole days with out kids or commitments and of course the riding was heaven. Sign me up for this tradition.

Miracles of Miracles

I actually canned peaches and pears this year! Some of you may have to reread that as you are in shock. I am in shock. Now that I am over the shock I am so pleased with the end result. A big shout out to Kacey who endured this with me. I could never have done it with out her. I always said I would never can anything....famous last words. I hope to do it again next year.

Skate Night

Conor and Josie's 1st time on skates

It was PTO skate night on Monday for Midway elementary and we decided to take advantage and see how the kids did with wheels on their feet. Conor struggled for a few minutes, but after a few times around he looked like a pro. Josie was a good sport, but was happy to get them off after a few spills. Who knew roller skating could be so much fun?

Yearly photo shoot

CONOR

JOSIE

TOGETHER

This is a late post, but I wanted to post these cute pictures that my friend took of the kids for their yearly photo shoot. Josie is 2 and Conor is 6. Who knew that trying to get these two little ones to smile would be so exhausting???

Kitchen Complete!!!!!

As some of you know, we have been slowly...might I add slowly, oh and one more slowly, working on a small kitchen remodel. Well, maybe it was a medium kitchen remodel. After all we did have to smash down a wall and move it over 18 inches and we extended the floor 3 feet. We got beautiful Silestone counter tops, a fabulous under-mount sink, a small computer nook and a few extra cabinets. I have saved the best for last...I finally got my beloved island. Needless to say we have been living in bit of a mess since April, but it has been so worth it! We had a friend who helped us with most of the work, but anything we could do, we did. The tile back splash was officially completed on Monday and so here are the final results. I posted before and after pictures. ENJOY!

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

BEFORE
(there was a big ugly railing and pillar here breaking up the space, but I was
so eager to get rid of it I forgot to snap a picture.)

AFTER

IN BETWEEN