Republican Convention day 2

Day two here at the convention was fabulous. 

Before we made our way to the convention center, Mr. Nielson and I enjoyed

 dinner at the CNN grill with our friends Craig and Mary Romeny. 

Every few seconds, someone would come up to our table and take a photo with Craig

 who happens to be Romney's brother #5. 

The CNN Grill is central to the convention and

 Mr. Nielson and I took a few pictures at the photo booth for

posterity sake.

We posted them on Instagram as well as my Twitter account here.

We enjoyed rousing speeches from Condoleezza Rice

 and veep Paul Ryan last night. 

Looking forward to listening to Mitt tonight! 

We've been hanging in the VIP lounge each night with some Olympians. 

That was amazing.

And tomorrow they will say a few words on the stage.

Looking forward to that!

Republican Convention day 1

Mr. Nielson, Lottie, and I made it to Tampa! 

We were bused to the convention center last night, and I was blown away. 

The security was extraordinarily tight, and about five miles in every direction

 was blocked off by guards and police personnel. 

And, of course, lots of people love and support Mitt and the Republican party. 

Once in the convention center, we sat comfortably in one of the upper-level suites

 drink some Coke, talked with some Mitt-supporter Olympians, 

and I discretely nursed Lottie whenever I needed. 

One of my favorite speakers tonight was Ann Romney.

 She looked beautiful and radiated love and support for her husband. 

She told of Mitt's warm personal side. Favorite excerpt from her speech: 

  "I can't tell you what will happen over the next four years. 

But I can only stand here tonight as a wife and a mother and a grandmother, 

an American, and make you this solemn commitment. 

This man will not fail!"

I am excited to see what today brings. 

We didn't get to bed until about 2:00 am last night. 

These GOPs, man, they know how to partay! 

Yoga for Children

{Laura teaches yoga to some very cute children}

Yoga has been a large part of my physical and emotional healing. 

 I have been into yoga for about eight years.

 Six months prior to the accident, 

I had an opportunity to instruct at a boutique in downtown Mesa, AZ. 

 In 2004, I was introduced to yoga by my dear friend Laura Harper. 

We were neighbors and became fast friends. 

 When I moved to New Jersey, I missed Laura's yoga class tremendously. 

I did the best I could to keep it up and often practiced in my basement-

 {with my girls too} After the accident, we moved back to Provo and 

Laura and I picked yoga back up and she helped me heal. 

My body stretched in ways it hadn't in a really long time. It felt so good.

Laura is from South Africa and her accent is mesmerizing!

She is an amazing instructor who teaches yoga in such a beautiful and natural way. 

She has taught me to listen to my body and strengthen my mind. 

Since practicing with Laura after the accident, 

I am more flexible and patient with myself and my children.

 

{Me leading a great yoga session at the ranch, 2007} 

 Laura has put together a DVD of fun yoga stories to do with children

and Claire and Jane make an appearance!

Beautiful children, beautiful evening

Nielson Family theme 2012-13: 

  "Remove any of your fear with faith. 

Trust the power of God to guide you." 

Photos were taken by Justin Hackworth.

Every year I ask the talented Kurt Knudsen to make our traditional

 family stained glass stars. Each of the children receives a star with their name and grade. 

I also had one made with the family theme inscribed on it:  

This tradition is my favorite, and I can't wait until the children

have graduated from school and will have a rainbow collection of

these gorgeous spiritual reminders!

Past school themes and Back to-School Feasts:

 HERE HERE HERE HERE