Another Random Crazy Week

We had family in town again this week, so AJ really had more of a "birthweek" party.

Six Flags:


Let's Jump:


Putt-Putt:


This is what she cashed-in her gaming tickets for. The glasses were 5 tickets - what a deal! And only 750 tickets for the little dog.


How did we earn so many tickets you ask? Mom rocks it on "The Flamin' Finger" - oh ya, you heard me right. The Flamin' Finger!!!!


Cake (not really bragging about this; melting frosting, in a hurry, etc., but here it is nonetheless):


Presents, including a baby stroller (which was an instant hit) and her first set of real golf clubs:



And to round out the week, Medieval Times. Again. And only because Grandma and Grandpa treated.



And I've never seen Craig as excited as when my Dad bought him a cup with flashing lights. Seriously. He filled it up at home and used it at dinner the next day.


Hmmm... maybe I need a birthweek celebration. Craig - guess you better get on it. The clock's ticking...

Happy Birthday Audra Jade

Three years ago today, my life changed forever. I could never have anticipated how different my life would be or how much I could love a little person I didn't even know. The last three years have brought pure bliss through our sweet AJ. She is truly a gift and a blessing in our lives. She brings such joy and laughter into our home and is so sweet and caring. Even at her young age, she shows so much compassion for others - she is genuinely concerned when someone is or even looks sad - and never hesitates to give a hug.

This past year has been a whirlwind. She changes so much everyday, but there are always the "AJ characteristics" that stay the same:

She cannot go out into the sunshine without sunglasses on.


She loves Sonic and can recognize one even if we're on the freeway doing 60mph. Her favorite is to go to the drive-up at night in our jammies and get "flushies" (slushes).


She mothers her baby-dolls like a true "mommy".


She thinks that making puppy-eyes will get her out of anything (which is almost true.)If that doesn't work, she just goes cross-eyed to make us laugh. Then she knows she's free.

She never forgets to say her prayers at night - these are truly tender moments for me. I wish I could hang on to every sweet prayer she's ever said. It's so evident how close children are to Heavenly Father.

She lives for wrestling with Daddy (or any other crazy stunt he's up for.)


She will not go to bed without her ragged Hello Kitty dolls.


She is a bookworm - just like her mom.


She loves music and when she decides on a new favorite, she absolutely WEARS IT OUT! (Tragically, her current fav is "Here I Come" by Fergie - I might be a bad mom, but her last favorite was the Chipmunk's Soundtrack and I had to change it up a bit. A person can only take so much 'munk!)

She will eat almost anything you put in front of her - or at least try it. This is the kid that orders broccoli instead of fries with her lunch. (This is her eating Asian Hot Wings dipped in Blue Cheese.)


She is the love of my life and I can't imagine it without her. I am so grateful for the last three years and anxiously look forward to the years ahead. I wish I could freeze her at this age - I so love it. But since I can't, I just want to soak up every minute while it's here. I love you baby girl!

Isabell's Umbrella

Through the beauty of Goodreads, I reconnected with a long-lost friend Ashley, who has a totally cute Etsy store called Isabell's Umbrella.


Ashley is an amazing graphic designer who makes the cutest stuff. Check out her store next time you're looking for a gift, or a little something for yourself.

Dear Senator's Wife:

I hate you. I hate you for being boring. I hate you for being depressing. I hate you for wasting precious reading moments in my life. Mostly, I hate you for being a book that I KNEW sucked by the time I was halfway through, yet I had to finish because I hate leaving things unfinished, even bad books. And then your ending sucked too. So mostly, I hate you for making me see what an anal-retentive person I've become.

Not sincerely,
Chanda Nielsen


Dear Friday Night Knitting Club:

I love you, do you love me? Check yes or no. You are the best book I've read in a long time. You made me laugh; you made me cry - oh how I cried. You took me on vacation. I devoured you because I couldn't get enough, and then regretted it because it was over so soon. And... I SO wish I could knit. It is now on the top of my "list of things to do". Thank you for the two beautiful days we spent together. I will cherish them forever.

Very truly yours,
Chanda Nielsen

Are You Kidding Me?!

That's right ladies, You Got It! Step by Step, New Kids are back on the scene. I guess when I told them "I'll Be Loving You Forever", they thought, "Hey, Time Is On Our Side." But they've been Hanging Tough and have decided Let's Try Again. Tonight, they may be calling me to be their new Cover Girl, but I'll turn them down - I ain't no Valentine Girl. Call It What You Want, but this is the most exciting thing that's happened in years. Didn't I Just Blow Your Mind? If not, watch this trailer:


Trailer

Here's a little reminder of what we've been missing all these years:

What the crap is Joey doing with his hand? Maybe he's trying to say how many years old he is...


Nothing looks hotter with a leather jacket than a leopard print vest and a "Beaker" haircut...


And yes my friends, Donny is wearing overalls. That's all I have to say about that...


All joking aside, who's going to the concert with me?

Happy Tunesday

"Scrapbooking Playlist"
This is ever-changing, but this is what is inspiring me right now. It's a little slower than usual, but it gets my creative juices flowing. Enjoy!

Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters by Mandy Moore (cover)
All Good Things by Mandy Moore
Umbrella by Mandy Moore (cover)
Already In by John McLaughlin
Human by John McLaughlin
Beautiful Disaster by John McLaughlin
Love by John McLaughlin
Home by Michael Buble
Lost by Michael Buble
All The World Tonight by Graham Colton Band
Best Days by Graham Colton
Morning Light by Graham Colton Band
This Time by Graham Colton Band

Phony photobooth

This is a segment that Leno does occasionally. It is a "free photobooth" set up at Universal Studios. There is a woman that hides in the other side of the booth and pretends to be the computer. I couldn't find the one from last week that wsa SO hilarious, but this one is pretty good.

Girls Night In

Craig was out tonight for the General Priesthood Meeting, so AJ and I tore it up at home. We did a little shopping at Michael's and then squatted on the carpet enjoying gourmet Italian (aka Little Caesar's) and watched Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

I haven't seen this show in probably 20 years. I use to LOVE this show when I was little - I still do. And to my excitment, so did AJ. The little blonde boy with his cute British accent is adorable. And even after all these years, I found myself singing right along to most of the songs. Funny how those shows you loved as a child never leave you. Here are a few more that are "Dear to My Heart":

Pete's Dragon


Song of the South


Chitty Chitty Bang Bang


Babes In Toyland


The Gnome Mobile


Darby O'Gill and the Little People

(Don't know what this fetish was with "Gnomes" and "Little People." Maybe I was wise enough at age five to already have a crush on Sean Connery...)

The Little Princess


Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory


Superman

Especially #2. Watched it over and over. When Clark sticks his hand in the fire in the honeymoon suite at Niagra Falls and doesn't get burned and has to expose his identity to Lois?!?! DRAMA! OK, so I realize this one doesn't exactly fit the genre, but I must admit, I was a Superman girl. And apparently, a couch potato! These are really only a few of my favs. Geez mom, ever hear of sending us outside to play?

What is your favorite childhood movie?

Wayne Campbell

"It will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine."

Tiny Dancer

AJ started her first ballet class this week. She absolutely loved it. She is crazy about her teacher "Miss Jean", who is really wonderful with those little girls. (I think I would lose my mind!) Again, I'm a little sad to see how fast she is growing up, but it was awfully cute to watch.

My Latest Project

Krylon Primer and Paint: $15


2 more cans of Krylon because you're an idiot and used gray primer instead of white: $8 and a bad mood




Sheets, Dust Ruffle and Bedspread from Target: $110


The sight of your little girl sleeping in your old childhood bed: Priceless

More Zoo Pics

This is sort of our traditional zoo photo. We've taken one each year since we've lived here. It's kind of sad to see how fast AJ's growing up. She's changed so much since that first photo!
March, 2008


August, 2007


October, 2005