BEST OF 2017

Introducing the best moments and events of 2017:

January:

Mr. Nielson and I don't know it yet, but change is coming

our way and the cow in the background of the photo may

be a little ominous!

February:

My baby gets her ears pierced. 

March:

We dive deep into ranch life as a family.

April:

We have some BIG NEWS: WE ARE MOVING.

May:

Trying to enjoy my last months in Provo with family and friends.

June:

Where I explain why we are vegetarian ranchers.

July:

We finally get a driveway-just in time for us to move.

August:

We move.  The most challenging event this year.

September:

  We celebrate our Back to School Feast 

&

I begin Home school!

(I never ever ever thought this would be

apart of my life...ever).

 

Oh, and I can't forget Angus!:

October:

Fox Hill sells, and we say goodbye.

&

Claire's first date!

&

Halloween

November:

We finish the Book of Mormon as a family

for the 4th time!

December:

I design and sell a Southwest Christmas pillow line!

** ** ** ** ** 

I can't wait to see what 2018 has in store for us!

H  A  P  P  Y     *    N  E  W    *     Y  E  A  R!

Headed to the snow (I hope)

Today we are headed to Utah to ring in the new year!

I asked the Little Nies what they wanted to do when we got there

and here is what they told me:

 hang around my mom and dad's house (umi and gramps),

 go skiing, see movies, hike the mountains,
and my boys are thrilled to visit cousins. 

I want to EAT OUT, and I am so excited to lay in my parent's

living room on a blow-up mattress with Mr. Nielson looking out

the big front room windows.  Hopefully, to pink (snow-filled) skies.

I also want my dad to make his delicious Norwegian breakfast.

 So, there you have it!

See you in Utah!

2003-2017 Photos

One of my very favorite blog Christmas traditions is to post

 Nielson Christmas photos through the years.  

Starting with our very first card in 2003 

(with a few cards missing along the way, i.e., 2008).

Introducing the Nielson family Christmas photos through the years:

2003:

The 4 of us lived in Provo's cute Kiwanis Park neighborhood.

This photo was taken by our good friend on our porch.

2005:

We were living in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

This photo was taken by a self-timer in Times Square.

2006:

We found ourselves in sunny Mesa, Arizona, where we had added 

another new little man, Gigs, to our clan.

2007:

I let my hair grow out, and Mr. Nielson was training for

an Ironman. Our friend, Andrew Bagley, took this photo near Tempe Town Lake in Arizona.

2009:

Change. 

This photo represents so much change and 

triumph all at the same time.

 Taken in an apple orchard in Provo.

  

2010:

This photo was taken by our dear friends

in the gorgeous mountains of our favorite spot in Provo: Sundance.

2011:

With the hope of a new baby (I was six months pregnant!),

this photo was taken on our new empty lot that

would soon be Fox Hill in the foothills of Provo.

2012:

Taken in a Christmas tree lot, this photo was a delicious

memory, especially with Charlotte added to the family.

2013:

This photo represents our family life with Mr. Nielson

as our protector and each child doing something they love.

Then there is me in the middle enjoying every bit of it...

with a fancy green dress on.

Revisiting Sundance, this photo is taken in a large lodge

on the property.

2014:

Taken in one of our very favorite photographer's studios in Provo

with pops of pinks, reds, golds, and oranges.

2015:

Taken in the fall in the glorious mountains near Park City, Utah.

This is one of my favorite family photos.

2016:

With all the girls in sparkles and sequins in front of

sparkly Christmas lights, we snapped 

this photo was taken in downtown Salt Lake City.

2017:

Our most recent Christmas photo was taken in Midway, Utah

with the newest edition to the family: Angus.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!!!

Light the World: Day 24

Happy Christmas Eve!

LIGHT THE WORLD!

In 25 ways, Over 25 days.

Once again, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by serving

others this Christmas season.  As we follow His example,

we can help Light the World!

Day 24:
"Ye must watch and pray always."
-3 Nephi 18:15

#LightTheWorld

Light The World: Day 23

I always order my Christmas cards from Pinhole Press; 

they offer unique designs, colors, and paper choices.  Love them!

Pinhole also makes excellent Valentine's Day cards too!

Keep them in mind come February!

**  **  **  **

LIGHT THE WORLD!

In 25 ways, Over 25 days.

Once again, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by serving

others this Christmas season.  As we follow His example,

we can help Light the World!

Day 23:
"I was in prison, and ye came unto me."
-Matthew 25:36

#LightTheWorld

Light and Life

Merry Christmas from us here on the ranch in New Mexico to wherever
you and your family may be celebrating this
 sacred and beautiful holiday!

Inspired by this talk and in my own scripture study,
I have been identifying the many names for Christ,
and I am still finding them as I read more about Him in the scriptures.
He is the master healer,
Prince of Peace, Savior of the world, Son of the most high,
the carpenter's son, the chosen one, teacher,
 exemplar, only begotten of the Father,
counselor, the Messiah, the bread of life, Lord, the Word,
the good shepherd,
Alpha and Omega, the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, and the
bright and morning star.
But above all these, my favorite name for the Savior is Light.
 Light and life to all he brings,
Ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
I hope His light will illuminate you as we move into
a new year.  I hope you will find Him, believe in Him,
and have faith in His plan for you.
I know what hard times are.  I felt down, depressed, low, and at
times angry.  But I know that trusting in the Savior brings
the only true source of happiness that can be given on this earth.
 He can heal, uplift, provide, love, sanctify, bless, and encourage us.
He brings light to our minds and warmth to our hearts.

Merry Christmas, my friends. 
(From Angus too).

** ** ** ** ** ** 

LIGHT THE WORLD!

In 25 ways, Over 25 days.

Once again, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by serving

others this Christmas season.  As we follow His example,

we can help Light the World!

Day 22:
"That which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do."
-3 Nephi 27:21

#LightTheWorld

Jane and her hens

This morning the girls and I made a food shopping list, 

cleaned up the kitchen, wrapped a few Christmas presents, 

then we followed Jane to the chicken coop, where we helped

 her fed the chickens from our bucket of food scraps.

We also added a Christmas wreath to the coop door. 

Our dear friend/neighbor gave us several of her hens because 

a few nights ago, coyotes got into our coop and ate 

seven of our ten chickens (that was a heartbreaking morning).

Jane has taken to the chickens more than any of us.

She loves to feed and keep them comfortable, and who knows, 

and knowing Jane, she probably reads to them.

**  **  **  **  ** 

LIGHT THE WORLD!

In 25 ways, Over 25 days.

Once again, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by serving

others this Christmas season.  As we follow His example,

we can help Light the World!

Day 21:
"For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat."
-Matthew 25:35

#LightTheWorld

And in due time

Today I woke up and took Angus on a hike over the Mesa.

It was about 14 degrees when I started out, and the sun had just hit the trail.

I was freezing.  All the cattle water tanks were frozen stiff.

After about an hour on my hike, I called 

Christian to ask him to come find me and pick me up.

My hands were so cold I couldn't move.  

About 10 minutes later, I saw the wheeler zipping down the trail

 with huge puffs of orange dirt blowing behind.  

As it got closer, I noticed it was Ollie.

  He had come to save me.

I was so happy to see him.  He was all bundled up in his feather-down coat,

 boots, gloves, hat, and shorts.  Boys are awesome.

I came home and sat in a hot shower for about 30 minutes. 

 That is the only way I can heat up. 

My body doesn't regulate temperature very well since the accident

and I can get really cold.

(I really, REALLY miss our hot tub!!).

I worked in the ranch house all day cleaning up, organizing,

 and preparing for Christmas.

After lunch, the boys left with Mr. Nielson to work on a project out on the range,

 the girls made creme puffs and made the kitchen smell delicious.

When night came, I made dinner, and after, we went into the living room

to sit by the fire and talk like they did in the olden days.

When Mr. Nielson started to get sleepy and fell asleep mid-sentence, 

we knew it was time for bed.

We all left the low-lit fire still glowing in the living room fireplace.

The Little Nies went upstairs to the loft to watch a movie. 

A few days ago, we bought a few blow-up mattresses to lay on the floor

in front of the TV so we can watch movies together.

A favorite past-time, to be sure!

Before I walked up the stairs to bed, I looked back into the living room.

It was quiet and dark glowing with Christmas lights.

I felt thankful for my time here on the ranch.

I miss my things and my own space, but I am so happy to be here and

experiencing life on the ranch with the ones I love the most.

And in due time, I will have my own space and things.

**  **  **  **  **  **  **  **

LIGHT THE WORLD!

In 25 ways, Over 25 days.

Once again, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by serving

others this Christmas season.  As we follow His example,

we can help Light the World!

Day 20:
"A man's life consisteth not in the abundance
of the things which he possesseth."
-Luke 12:15

#LightTheWorld

Melted

To kick off Christmas break, we took the Little Nies

 to the Q, where we did a little Christmas shopping, 

eating out, and we saw the much-anticipated Star Wars.

Things were going great in the dark theater until probably about

halfway through the movie, I'd say about

five chocolate Junior Mints rolled out of the box without 

me knowing and then melted and stuck in my crotch area.

It's hard to recover from something like that.

And also, I have to admit, I was bored during the movie.  

But then the kids liked it, and that's all that matters. 

On the way home from the Q, Mr. Nielson played George Straight 

really loud and sang along equally as loud.

I melted in love!

It was a Christmas treat!

I have a lot of wrapping, cleaning, and preparing this week for Christmas

and then, I am all ready to go. 

 * * * * * *

LIGHT THE WORLD!

In 25 ways, Over 25 days.

Once again, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by serving

others this Christmas season.  As we follow His example,

we can help Light the World!

Day 19:
"Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad."
-Matthew 5:12

#LightTheWorld

Celebrating 17 years

 Mr. Nielson and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary and 

 what a wonderful weekend we had!

We spent it in the Q and stayed at the new Hotel Chaco.

The hotel Chaco sits in historic Old Town Albuquerque,

 and its layout is designed after the amazing 

architecture of the ancient ruins of Chaco Canyon here in New Mexico. 

 I was told that some of the original materials used to

 build Chaco Canyon, including lumber, came from the same 

region to make Hotel Chaco.

The hotel was really charming and elegant.  Our room was so comfortable

 (with hardwood floors!), and aesthetically beautiful.

I give it a solid two-thumbs up.

Plus, we were inspired with ideas for our future home!

During our anniversary getaway, Mr. Nielson and I talked 

about our favorite memories in our 17 years of marriage.

We spoke of our funniest memories together and reminisced about a

  few of our hardest ones.  

But mostly, we gaggled and smooched on each other like we had been 

doing since we fell in love.

 We were even stopped as we walked down the 

street on our way to dinner and told that we were such a beautiful couple.

Well, shooooooot!  

On Saturday late night, we drove back to the ranch, and as 

our car went over the hill, and we spotted the house with

the glowing Christmas trees in the windows.

Inside the cozy house, I knew our five beautiful children were waiting for 

us to come home.  Our family was created out of love, devotion, and loyalty to

each other and God's plan, which is how it will be forever and ever.

* * * * * * * *

LIGHT THE WORLD!

In 25 ways, Over 25 days.

Once again, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by serving

others this Christmas season.  As we follow His example,

we can help Light the World!

Day 18:
"Forgive me their trespasses."
-Matthew 6:14

#LightTheWorld