1st Letter Home!

We received our first letter from Sister Nielsen and are so excited to hear how she is doing. She sounds like she is loving it, just as we hoped she would. If you would like to read her letter, look here. We will be posting some of her letters on her blog, so check back if you want to hear how she is doing.

Scrumptious Cake!

Yes, today is my birthday. I know.. Happy Birthday to me. I would be lying if I said it was the greatest birthday ever, so I won't say it. I have worried alot about Roach, wondering how she is doing. I know she has to be doing much better than I am.

The day was not a completely sad because I got this yummy birthday cake! Guess what? It tastes as good as it looks too. YUM!

Missing my Daughter!

It was weird this morning knowing Roach will not be getting ready in her bedroom anymore.


I think it was a pretty hard day all day long. I tried not to cry, but I didn't last very long. Maybe 5 minutes. I cannot help it. I am a really big bawl baby. I didn't post any pictures of me because I looked like a big baby in all of them. This is Rach right before we walked into the MTC.

I thought she looked kind of scared, but she assured me that she was not scared at all. I know I was having a way harder time than she was. I am really proud of her for making the decision to go on a mission. She will be such an awesome Missionary. She has that kind of personality that attracts people to her. I know she will be just fine, but will I??? I am not so sure.

I am going to MISS her like crazy!!

A New First

Today was a new first! I have never ever ever seen a clown on a riding lawnmower, but today was a first! I actually had to drop everything and hurry to get a picture. He was really actually mowing the lawn too! Still is, to this minute. You may not think it is funny, but I did!!

Special Visit

Krista brought the boys for a visit this week. It seemed like it had been a while since we had seen them and they always seem to have grown so much since we saw them last. Jackson spent lots of time playing outside and playing in the playhouse.
We had a few tea parties. It was so cute. Rachel and Jackson made a few toasts.
Amanda and Jackson doing their poses.

The boys love to ride in the Jeep. I love having it, because Jackson loves to drive it and talks about it all the time. What a great investment! Every grandparent should have one or two!
I'm pretty sure Kelan was screaming because he didn't want to leave us to go back home. I don't blame him! haha

Cabo San Lucas

Our trip to Cabo was just great. Lots of sun. Not too hot, but not too cool. Just perfect weather. We really needed it after our winter here! We only got to stay about 5 days, but we enjoyed every second of it for sure!
Rachel had not kissed in a while and was a little desperate, so she kissed this guy. I don't think he kissed her back. Bewildered look??
Pirate ship. This picture is for Joseph.
Mandi and Ron (her new friend) after a race to find some beach towels.
Rachel fell in love with this dog and his little girl owners. They were so cute!
Cabo Arch
The swim up bar where we order many pina colada's every day. Yum Yum!!
The End! Sad to see it be over, but some great memories remain!

Birthday Surprise!

A bunch of us got together and went to San Diego for a surprise birthday! It was a short trip but real fun to visit and catch up with everyone! We even got to go to church and see Shauna and Jake's baby Ryland be blessed. Jake gave him a beautiful blessing. Some of the family stayed on Coronado Island right across the street from the ocean. Beautiful! 4 Generations!

The Birthday Boy with his sugar-free pie and ice cream! Yum Yum!

Dave and Joe


We stopped in Carlsbad at the Flower Fields. So So Pretty!!

A Cool tree with Bottle Brush Blossoms! Too bad they don't clean bottles. They just look pretty.