In Vegas?

Vegas has everything. We're famous for castles, volcanoes, Eiffel Tower, and all the downtown glitz (and sleaze). But there is so much more here that supports a culture for families.

On Tuesday we picked our own produce in the morning and then headed to the mountains for a picnic lunch. We were back home by late afternoon for naps. My parents live in the northwest part of Vegas and they have so many interesting things out there. We have done the Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary, Floyd Lamb State Park (pony rides, peacocks, and a pond), and of course Mt. Charleston. This orchard we visited was in the northwest as well. I recommend all of them!

Where are you zucchini?

I'll be making lots of zucchini bread with that green machine. For some reason it cracks me up to see Violet down there in the dirt. She's still so little.

They have a variety of apples.

Mt. Charleston was an escape from the heat and city. We did some great exploring and "hiking."

Thanks mom for helping with this fun day. We didn't go ANYWHERE this summer so this was the kid's summer trip. In August, my mom finished teaching her last year of 1st grade. Yea!

Welcome

Welcome Friends and Family! You made it to the other side.

Showcase Landcare

Kyle recently ordered a decal for his truck. This company is Kyle's baby. He tells me that he loves how all his hard work and how any good idea he has, goes straight towards his own little baby. For better or for worse! I, of course, think he is amazing. I see all the programs he has on the computer and how he runs things. He is unbelievably organized. I am proud of him for working so hard and making this happen. He loves it!

I enjoy answering the phone for the company. Kyle added a 2nd line to the house for Showcase calls. I get to be his little secretary and screen calls for him. I also love his killer tan and monster muscles. I get the white collar/blue collar man all in one package. Irresistible!

P.S. Don't you love how Kyle is wearing that red Showcase shirt in EVERY post? I guess the boys aren't much better. At least the two of them swap shirts for variety.

Seth's Birthday

Seth turned 6 years old.

Thank you for the birthday presents.

Seth, his cousins, and a few friends went to Pump It Up.

Chase climbed up this wall over and over. It doesn't seem like a 2 year old should be able to do that!

What a fun day!

Joy is adorable in this picture. She looks so good with all the red.

Summer Sweetness

This shows a classic Violet shy pose. She always puts one finger in her mouth and looks down.

Violet tackled this peach.

I love all 30 toes!

Mormon Matters

So, I still haven't gotten around to making my blog private. But who says I can't post in the meantime?

I read the July Ensign with the cover story of sharing the gospel using the internet. I have noticed that many fellow bloggers have come to the challenge and added links with sites for our church. They have also shared testimony in other ways. I have really enjoyed reading people's blogs, even strangers and seeing these elements.

When Mitt Romney was campaigning, I realized how many negative things on the internet there are concerning mormons. Who knows? Maybe this force of mormon blogging moms can make a difference. I know not everyone views mormons as "crazy." I found this article recently and it made me feel very proud to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:

Paul Allen is the owner of the Seattle Seahawks, the ones who played the Pittsburgh Steelers for the Super Bowl a few years ago. He is also the owner of the Portland Trail Blazers NBA basketball team and is co-partner with Bill Gates in Microsoft.He wrote this editorial in the Santa Clarita, California newspaper:

I have heard and seen enough! I have lived in the West all my life. I have worked around them. They have worked for me and I for them. When I was young, I dated their daughters. When I got married they came to my wedding. Now that I have daughters of my own, some of their boys have dated my daughters. I would be privileged if one of them were to be my son-in-law.I'm talking about the Mormons.

They are some of the most honest, hardworking people I have ever known. They are spiritual, probably more than most other so-called religious people I have encountered. They study the Bible and teach from it as much as any Christian church ever has. They serve their religion without pay in every conceivable capacity.Not one of their leaders, teachers, counselors, Bishops or music directors receive one dime for the hours of labor they put in. The Mormons have a non-paid ministry - a fact that is not generally known.

I have heard many times from the pulpits of others how evil and non-Christian they are and that they will not go to heaven. I decided recently to attend one of their services near my home to see for myself.What a surprise!What I heard and saw was just the opposite from what the religious ministers of the day were telling me. I found a very simple service with no fanfare. I found a people with a great sense of humor and a well-balanced spiritual side. There was no loud music.Just a simple service, with the members themselves giving the several short sermons.

They urge their youth to be morally clean and live a good life. They teach the gospel of Christ, as they understand it. The name of their church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints."Does that sound like a non-Christian church to you? I asked them many questions about what they teach and why.I got answers that in most cases were from the New Testament. Their ideas and doctrines did not seem too far fetched for my understanding.

When I read their "Book of Mormon" I was also very surprised to find just the opposite from what I had been told I would find.Then I went to another church's pastor to ask him some of the same questions about doctrine. To my surprise, when he found out that I was in some way investigating the Mormons, he became hostile. He referred to them as a non-Christian cult. I received what sounded to me like evil propaganda against those people. He stated bluntly that they were not Christian and that they did not fit into the Christian mold. He also told me that they don't really believe the Bible. He gave me a pile of anti-Mormon literature. He began to rant that the Mormons were not telling me the truth about what they stand for. He didn't want to hear anything good about them.At first I was surprised and then again, I wasn't.

I began to wonder. I have never known of a cult that supports the Boy Scouts of America. According to the Boy Scouts, over a third of all the Boy Scout troops in the United States are Mormon.What cult do you know of that has a welfare system second to none in this country? They have farms, canneries and cattle ranches to help take care of the unfortunate ones who might be down and out and in need of a little help.The Mormon Church has donated millions to welfare causes around the world without a word of credit. They have donated thousands to help rebuild Baptist churches that were burned a few years ago. They have donated tons of medical supplies to countries ravaged by earthquakes. You never see them on TV begging for money.What cult do you know that instills in its members to obey the law, pay their taxes, serve in the military if asked and be a good Christian by living high moral standards? Did you know that hundreds of thousands of Mormon youth get up before high school starts in the morning to attend a religious training class? They have basketball and softball leagues and supervised youth dances every month.They are recruited by the FBI, the State Department and every police department in the country, because they are Trustworthy.They are taught not to drink nor take drugs. They are in the Secret Service - those who protect the President. They serve in high leadership positions from both parties in Congress and in the US Senate, and have been governors of several states other than Utah. They serve with distinction and honor.

If you have Mormons living near, you will probably find them to be your best friends and neighbors. They are Christians who try to live what they preach. They are not perfect and they are the first to admit this. I have known some of them who could not live their religion, just like many of us. The rhetoric which is spread around against them is nothing more than evil propaganda founded in untruths.(Others) had successfully demonized them to the point that the general public has no idea what they actually believe and teach. If you really want to know the truth, go see for yourself.You also will be surprised.

Inspiring, Touching Blog

I just finished reading through this blog: http://adailyscoop.blogspot.com/

It is written by an LDS mother in Vegas who recently lost her baby girl, Camille, to drowning. I do not know her, but I had heard about this blog earlier and told myself I would not read it. I was afraid it would be too upsetting. Then I read on a friend's site that yes it is upsetting, but also very touching and makes you want to be a better person and mother. I thought I would share the link on my blog too. The mother is a very good writer; she expresses her thoughts and feelings often poetically. She is enduring well and that is what life is about. I will remember her example when trials come to myself, my husband and my children. With such tragedy, it would be easier to completely fall apart and not carry on. And much harder to pick yourself up, the best way you know how, and continue to contribute to the world around you. I think all of us have experienced losses and trials and can relate to some degree. What a beautiful blog.

Kyle, we should get a basset hound

Kyle says noooo dogs. But look at these guys. I'd love to get a basset hound in a few years. I'll start the begging now and maybe in a few years Kyle will either be convinced they're cute too, or he'll be broken down enough to let one of these pups into our home. Dogs make good pets for kids because they are loyal and loving. Then we can ensure that our kids will have at least one loyal friend growing up. Seriously, Kyle we should get one. The boys will love cuddling with one of these while they watch TV.

I'll do more research on them and see all the reasons we should get one. I'll tell you up front that I already read that some ....drool...but some DON'T. And we'll get one of those! They are calm and warm, and don't bug visitors who come to the house. They are so dang cute!

Water Balloons

Seth got these water balloons for his birthday from his cousins Joy and Chase. We did some of them last night for FHE and then some this afternoon.

Kyle put a water balloon inside another water balloon. He's a fun dad like that ...I suppose he just might be having a little fun too. Seth said the water balloons feel like hard boiled eggs without the shell - they kind of do!

Gophiss

Gophiss makes a great pet for Seth and Jonah

Is Jonah looking at the snake or himself?

He eats six mice a week, and I have a hard time saying goodbye to the mice. The constricting is the hard part. I can't help but think of Ratatoule, Stuart Little, Ralph and the Motorcycle, even Mickey Mouse; so many cute characters we all love. Violet was in their bedroom during the last feeding. She was so excited watching the mouse run around the cage. Then when Gophiss struck the mouse she said, "Uh, Oh." After most of the mouse was down she said, "Bye." She doesn't talk much but she seemed to have a good idea what was going down with that poor mouse.

Five Bucks

We were at the grocery store looking at watermelons and I was complaining that they were going to be rotten just like the last ones. I decided right there that I wasn't going to buy any more this year. At the same time, I put a crying and squirming Jonah into the shopping cart to keep him from poking all the produce. A man nearby came over and held out five bucks and told me to buy my boy the watermelon. I tried to refuse but then graciously accepted and told him how nice he was. So then I had to pick out a rotten watermelon. But I figured I still had a few dollars to spare....we found these punch balloons and they were a hit with the boys. I thought of the five dollars over the next few shopping trips and somehow thought it could excuse a little water gun or bubbles. It's funny how "free" money can skew perception and tempt me to spend it two or three times over.

Seth's Pictures

Seth borrowed my camera and took a million pictures of whatever. Jonah and Violet were good sports and posed for a few. Check out his slide show. Click on the little X in the top corner.

Check out my Slide Show!

Bed Head

Check out Violet's bed head. She has the after nap hangover complete with a pouty mouth. Today Kyle commented, "The kids have been really good. Even Violet is fun. She still cries a lot, but ya know... she's happy sometimes." Violet really has been a lot of fun lately! I promise.

Why I love my blog:

1) It stays clean all by itself. No dishes, toilets, or toys.

2) The kids can't touch it. This is my own little space, albeit cyberspace.

3) An EASY and FUN way to keep record of the family. Yahoo for that!

4) Staying in touch with friends and family (Jana and Maya need to start a blog :).

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One of my roommates from BYU, Christy, started a blog with great recipes. She would bake bread and put it out on the counter for everyone to enjoy. Who does that in college? Last night I tried the "beer rocks". We'll probably name it "pizza rocks" :). This recipe is now a family favorite.
http://busymomscookdinner.blogspot.com/

Bad Boyz, Bad Boyz

Whatch ya gonna do, whatch ya gonna do when they come for you. Kyle was arrested today. Yes, it's true. The police were not playing around. They had their guns drawn and told Kyle to "Get down." Kyle was at the DMV registering his two work trucks with Showcase Landcare (his new budding landscape company). When the clerk looked up the info on the black Toyota Tundra, "stolen vehicle" flashed across his screen (Kyle was unaware). The clerk asked Kyle to wait while some things were approved for his registration. After a long wait, in bust the police coming straight for Kyle. They had their guns drawn and Kyle had to get down. After patting him down for weapons, they took Kyle into a back room. I imagine there were bright lights and forced confessions. They finally let Kyle go after seeing his paper work. The truck had been purchased at an auction and had previously been stolen. The DMV felt bad and gave Kyle a pretty cool license plate: 444VGS. Gotta love the DMV!

Sisters

It's a lucky thing I didn't grow up being closer in age to my sister Anna Lisa. Imagine the shadow that would have been :). She is PERFECT. She has everything from a great singing voice to a sparkly personality. I'd like to think those genes are hidden somewhere in my DNA and therefore are available to my posterity. It must be true because Seth can already hold a tune better than I can.

Anna Lisa, Jeremy, and kids came to Vegas for a few days. It was great to BBQ and get some rare time together. I love hearing stories from my parent's past (they don't share very often). We were telling funny pet stories in celebration of Gophiss our new pet snake, when my dad told a story from his youth. He was fishing with his dad and older brother (Uncle Doug). My dad is too funny and said he hated fishing...boring. But he found a really cool water snake, and he snuck it back to the truck. On the way home it got loose and slithered into the dashboard. My grandpa was furious and spent the whole night taking apart the truck and searching for the dang snake. No luck. The next day he drove his truck to the hospital. He was the Heber City, UT doctor. He grabbed his leather medical bag and headed into work. A few minutes later a nurse let out an earth shattering shriek. She was horrified by the green snake she just pulled out of Dr. Nielson's medical bag!

On a different note, my Dad mentioned to me on Mother's Day that this was the day his father suffered a major heart attack and didn't survive. I never knew it was on Mother's Day. My dad was only 14 years old. Grandpa Nielson was at the hospital working and was expected home for a nice meal. My grandma received a phone call from the hospital and things were not okay. She turned to my dad and asked him to clear the table and get in the car. Once they arrived, my dad waited in the car while his mom went into the hospital. He said he saw people going in and out of the hospital sobbing and he knew what had happened. This story is very sobering considering my dad was just in the hospital for a few days with heart concerns. We are glad he is okay! He is the life of every party and he is the funnest, most loving dad a girl could have. The version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on my playlist embodies my dad. I first heard the song a few years back while he was preparing dinner and dancing around the kitchen with little Seth. That song always makes the stress float away and brings a great smile.

Kindergarten Cutie

I don't think I'm a super emotional mom, but I admit I cried on the first day of kindergarten - and the last . Seth had a successful year and we are very proud of him. First grade is right around the corner. For now, we are in love with summer and can't get enough watermelon, parks, swimming, computer games, and hopefully a few moments of reading here and there.

Kindergarten snapshots:

Valentine's Day

Chocolate Time

Mother's Day Tea: Seth and his class sang to the moms, "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" by James Taylor. Seth danced, grooved to the music and snapped his fingers. Now I understand why he was snapping his fingers all the time at home. It's fun to see them learn even the little quirky skills.

100 Days of School

Counting to 100.

Seth's 1st girlfriend. Seth and Natalie wrote letters to each other all year and decided they would marry. They became friends last year in preschool. They have a secret handshake, swapped trinkets and I think I even saw them kiss on the playground. Seth is matter of fact about it, "Yes, we're getting married because we love each other." I suppose they're just role playing what they understand about marriage. Either that or Natalie has seen way too many Disney princess movies. In any case, Seth should get a kick out of this when he's older. I will not be surprised if he remembers Natalie.

Kindergarten Late Night: Kyle took Seth to this Kindergarten Bash. They felt gooey surprises along this rope, tie dyed shirts, ate hot dogs and many more fun projects. Seth was beaming when he came home.