French Creek Nature Center

We took the kids to the French Creek Nature Center to get out some energies and have some fun. Patricia and Gavin joined up with is there and we met up with my friend and family also.

The kids playing in the kid area.
The papas decided to take a walk outside. Not only was it raining, but they let the kids go down to the river, in the mud. Guess that is what happens when you leave men in charge.
Love this man.
My dear sweet friend Nicole. Love this girl.

Roller Skating

My twin cousin's school had a skating party at Skate World. Aunt Karen invited us along and we thought it would be a fun thing to do with the kids. They have never been roller skating. I know the pictures are not great, I will play with them when I get home to see if I can lighten them up and whatnot.

Curtis took his turn going around the rink with Trinity.

Karen took Ivan around while Curtis and I finished getting ours and Trinity's skates one. That one time around and then he declared he was done.
Gavin was a die hard man. He just wanted to keep on going.
Trinity was a bit scared and shaky, but she was starting to get the hang of it, right in time to leave. Please look beyond my fat self. And our matchy matchy was coincidence.

Funny thing, I used to go to this skating rink when I was a kid.

Squirrel

Today we took the kids to visit Grandma and Grandpa. Well, my grandma and grandpa, so their Great grandparents.

When we got there, their was a squirrel. Now, for those fellow Ohioans, no big deal, squirrels are abundant. Well, to us Idahoans, not so much. So we made sure to point out the squirrel to the kids. Ivan looks at it and says, "let's kill it."

WHAT???

Curtis and I just laughed. Where did this kid get that idea? Curtis asked me what I have been teaching him. I can guarantee you it is not I teaching him things like that.

Reason #3738 why I LOVE Curtis

Last night about 10:30 my grandma called because my grandpa couldn't get up. My dad usually goes over and helps but he was at work. When the call for help came, Curtis didn't hesitate to go over and do what needed to be done to help my grandpa out.

What a wonderful and thoughtful man I married. Who else would do what he did? Even now, he says he can't go to bed until either 1.) he knows grandpa isn't going to call or 2.) my dad is home to be able to help.

Curtis, you are truly a good man.

Story Time

The kids enjoying story time with Grandma before bedtime. Thanks for reading to them for so long Grandma.

Science Museum

Today we joined up with Dave and his family and headed to the science museum in Cleveland. It was a good time. I think the adults wore out before the kids.

Not much to say about it, we just need to see the pictures.

Build A Bear

Grandma got Trinity a build a bear kit for Christmas. So of course she wasted no time in doing it. We got up on Monday morning and she wanted to do it.

She stuffed it, sewed it and dressed it.

She named her Paws and loves her new friend.

Merry Christmas

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. I know we did.

We began by opening our stockings

and then heading to church. It was weird being back in my old ward, only thing, I barely knew anyone anymore. Oh well. I did get called Katie, but it's all good, It's a man who always calls me Katie. Probably the only name out of the 3 girls he remembers!

I was overlooked and people did double takes when they saw me. And I got to see a fabulous friend. So excited to see her.

After church we opened presents. Then Dave and family came over and we opened more. After naps we headed to Aunt Karen's to see even more family.

All in all a GREAT Christmas.

Ivan got a monkey pillow pet from Grandma and Grandpa. He loves it.

Trinity got a jewelry box from G & G shaped like a Hershey kiss that says kisses for my grandaughter. She also got a necklace with 3 pearls, one to represent her, one Gma and one Gpa. That way she can wear it and think of them. It came with a tear jerking letter.

Trinity got a camera!! She LOVES it. I showed her how it takes video, yeah she takes them and loves doing it.

Reindeer Food

The reindeer food is out, so are the cookies now we just need to wait for Santa to come and fill up our stockings.

The Stockings Were Hung...

I did not think to bring the kids stockings. Ok, I did think about it, but decided not to worry about it. Then we get here and Trin sees all the stockings and asks where hers is. So, we got some cheap ones (actually grandma had them) and we turned them into the kids stockings. Here they are decorating them.

Crash, Boom, Bang

As we were sleeping the first night we were here, I heard Ivan start to cry a little. I hopped out of bed to find him on the floor. He fell out of bed.

The second night, we were sitting downstairs watching t.v when we heard a thud. I said, "I bet Ivan just fell out of bed." Sure enough, I went upstairs and he was on the floor. His blankets were hanging off the bed and Ivan started crawling under it to try and be covered up. I tried to pull him out but he was not having it. He crawled out the end and curled up, sticking his thumb in his mouth. I put him back in bed and left.

A short time later, again we hear a thud. Yep, he fell out of bed again. I told Curtis it was his turn. He didn't go up right away and when he did, Ivan was all curled up on the floor sleeping. Curtis returned him to bed and put a railing up. He is now safe in bed.

Sugar Cookies

We had fun decorating sugar cookies that Grandma had made. Trinity did a great job. Ivan joined us, but I didn't get any pictures of him.

Flying to Ohio

Here are the kids waiting to board the plane in IF. Notice how dark it still is outside. Yeah, we left early.

Lunch in Minnesota.
The kids did great on the planes. 3 total. Trinity was such a good helper and I was reminded of just how big she is getting and how grown up. No issues with her at all. Ivan did pretty good on the flights, but we had some tantrums in the airports. Mostly because he didn't want to hold a hand or be held. Since he wouldn't hold hands, we had to give in and carry him. This brought HUGE fits and screaming from him. Oh well, we survived the day and made it to Ohio. I am so excited to spend time with my family.

2011 Christmas Letter

CURTIS: He is still working for NRF at the INL. In May he was asked to fill in for a manager who had training out of state for the summer. So from June to October Curtis was acting manager. Finally in December he was made an official manager for a group. He is the 2nd person to make manager so soon, he also now has the largest group at NRF and his promotion came with a raise! (Happy day) He is busy trying to do end of year stuff and get a hold on this manager thing. He keeps busy with his dirt bike and teaching a 9 year old class in primary.

MISSY: I am still loving the mom thing, some days more than others. I enjoy seeing my kids grow and develop. I have done cakes constantly, but not overly busy with them. I enjoy them and the challenge they bring to my life. In June I was released from activity days and teaching in primary. I was put in as the 2nd councilor in the Primary presidency. I am the Cub Scout representative. I still feel as if everyone else could do it better, but am slowly feeling like I am getting a hang of it. I stay busy trying to do what mom’s do and still carve out time for me.

TRINITY: She started 1st grade this year and has really grown up. Her reading has really taken off and she just loves school. She still goes to and enjoys dance class. Her loves include school, and playing. She likes to play school with the neighbor girl. She is my sweetheart and I am loving seeing the big girl she is becoming but also missing the little girl she used to be. I just love my little lady.

IVAN: It’s just him and me all day. (He is currently dancing around because he is so excited I am letting him watch Mickey!) We keep busy with shopping and trips to the library. He is my self proclaimed “Lovey” and I agree. I think he is trying to weed out his nap and I am trying to hold onto it. He loves playing cars and anything to do with cars. He is a wonderful boy and a delight, most of the time. He has developed a little attitude though and can throw a fit like none other. I just love my little man.

2011 has brought us tears and smiles. I hope it has done the same for you, with many more smiles than tears. Want to keep up with us during the year? Read about or daily life on my blog: justridingitout.blogspot.com
May the Lord Bless you and Keep you and a Merry Christmas to all!
Love the Nielsen family:
Curtis
Missy
Trinity and
Ivan

And... Jump!

We take the trampoline down during the winter. While Ivan was out playing I noticed him jumping into the whole. So silly. Usually I tell my kids they might get hurt then leave it at that, if they choose to continue and do it, they learn the hard way. Well, I really didn't want Ivan to get hurt, I plan on flying to Ohio tomorrow, with or without him. Luckily he didn't get hurt.

Sliding

We got a dusting of snow and Ivan wanted to go out and slide down the yellow slide. So we bundled him up and we slid.