NielsenNews

Going off to college......:-(

2009-09-30T12:21:00.001-07:00

Michelle begins her 3rd year at BYU-I and Jessica begins her 1st...

I don't believe any mom is ready for their children to leave home. You prepare them for 18-19 years, but when the time comes to either to go college or on church missions it pulls at your heartstrings. It pulls even harder when you hear that they are thriving and happy without you! We've taught our children to be indendent and self-reliant for the day when they go out into the world on their own, but.........the letting go takes time. It's been a month now. The girls have great friends, doing well in their classes, experiencing life like never before, happy and you know what, they haven't forgotten about home and family because they love to call and share a couple of times a week. Yes, the heartstrings will always be there, but when a mom can smile, sit back and relax because she knows her children are living up to their upbringing it makes saying good-bye a whole lot easier.

EFY and St. George Trip

2009-09-30T12:15:00.001-07:00

Lake Powell.......

2009-09-30T11:52:00.001-07:00

Family fun on Lake Powell in July

2009-09-30T11:44:00.001-07:00

Something to think about........

2009-09-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your action, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

Jessica's Graduations.....

2009-05-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

High School Graduation! Jessica worked hard. We are proud of her!!

It rained the entire ceremony. Jessica loves being out in the rain.

Family pre-graduation celebration!

Payson with Aunt Jessica

Younger brother Ryan

Jones Grandparents

Jessica with her mom--when did she get taller?

It's tradition to get a graduation cake with your photo on it! Congratuations Jessica!!!

Graduation from School of Cosmetology

Receiving Cosmetology diploma

Ms Chapman: Cosmetology instructor

Classmates

Seminary Graduation....

Best of friends: Steven, Rachael, Vanessa, Lauren and Jessica

Spring Piano Recital

2009-05-28T10:26:00.000-07:00

Jessica, Aubrey and Ryan have taken piano lessons since they were 8 years old. They have two recitals a year. The recital in May was Jessica's last recital since she is going off to college and pursing other interests. Aubrey loves to find her own music and will practice until it is perfect. Ryan is learning the Hymns and believes he is good enough to stop his lessons. Sis. Nancy Briton is their piano teacher and is shown in one of the photos.

A Most Precious Gift

2009-05-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

My three beautiful daughters took me out to dinner. It was a Mother's Day gift. It is hard to believe they are old enough to earn their own money and decide what to do with it. They are so much fun and love to laugh. A mother couldn't ask for anything more. Thank you, Michelle, Jessica and Aubrey!

Motherhood

2009-05-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

The noblest calling in the world is motherhood. True motherhood is the most beautiful of all art, the greatest of all professions. She who can paint a masterpiece, or who can write a book that will influence millions, deserves the admiration and plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters whose immortal souls will exert an influence throughout the ages long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have decayed or have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God. -David O. McKay-

I dedicate this beautiful quote to my mother who raised me with integrity, high virtues and a heart full of love. My mother-in-law also deserves much credit in raising a son who influences those around him with patience, kindness and dedication. Thank you to both of these moms who are the choicest blessings of God. We love you!

Good thought......

2009-05-12T15:25:00.000-07:00

Tolerance is about being kind and civil to one another in spite of disagreements. Disagree, but don't be disagreeable.
(quote source unknown)

YW/YM Senior Night

2009-05-12T14:54:00.000-07:00

Jessica has been the only Laurel in her YW class her entire 1st year until only recently. She is the only female senior, but always got a lot of attention from the two senior YM. Our ward, traditionally, celebrate's all the High School Seniors each year with a short program. The parents make a poster full of photos of their graduating senior and tell a little about 18 years of life of their child. Jessica has been so fun to have in our family. She is a beautiful young woman who will no doubt make good decisions throughout her college years.

Senior Prom (s)

2009-05-12T14:46:00.000-07:00

Jessica and Caleb

Jessica and Chris

Jessica went to two Prom's this month. She went to her High School Prom with 4 or 5 couples and two weeks later went to a LDS Prom that a Coolidge and Gilbert Stake was putting on with a group of 3 couples. What great fun she had....... I want to thank the young men who took my daughter out. They were pure gentlemen, respected my daughter in every way and treated her like every young woman should be treated. Kudos to these two fine, young men!

Ryan received his Star Rank in Boy Scouts

2009-05-12T14:42:00.000-07:00

Ryan has a goal to receive his Eagle Scout in 2010 at the age of 14. His mom loves his new goal and all the effort that Ryan puts into his merit badges.

Strong Family....

2009-05-12T14:39:00.000-07:00

Our newest grandson was born in February in the Strong Family. His name is Creed William. Savannah and Cole love their new brother and so do we. It was so fun to visit with their family and give all three grandchildren plenty of hugs and kisses.

It's Spring Season in Arizona. Enjoy it while we can...

2009-05-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

Jessica with golden egg

Rigdon liked Payson's Mermaid
wig.

Payson looking hard for Easter Eggs

Rigdon at 7 months

Payson with her stunning

smile.

More Spring Time Fun!

2009-05-12T14:31:00.001-07:00

Grandchildren: Rigdon & Payson

Easter Egg hunt

Siblings: Ryan & Jessica

Aunt Jessica, Rigdon & Payson

Siblings: Aubrey & Ryan

Family Happenings in the last 2 months..

2009-05-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

It was fun to visit family and go to New Port Beach Tide Pools in March. There is no way the family members, who come visit us at Easter Time, forget about our traditional family Easter Egg hunt with everyone searching for the eggs with money. It is the high light of the year for our college students and young married children:-). Jessica found the golden egg, but everyone was happy with their treasures, too!Grandchildren: Payson and Rigdon all dressed up and having fun playing with Easter Basket stuff.....okay, to be honest, we all had fun with it too.

What! It's May already?

2009-05-12T14:06:00.000-07:00

I can't even remember how to post. It's been so long.....anyway, here are some pics of what's been happening around here. Our grandson Clark turned 3 in March, Aubrey turned 16 in March, Annual family tradition at Arizona Temple Easter Pageant and Ryan with Bibical soldier, Dan Durney

What! It's May already?

2009-05-12T13:56:00.001-07:00

Grandpa Steve & Clark

Grandson Drew at the Tide Pools

NewPort Beach Tide Pools

Krispie Creme

2009-03-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

Our family went to Provo for a few days to visit Geoff and his family. We were anxious to see their new addition, baby Ty. It was fun to see how Michelle and Jenna lived as college students. We also had a nice visit to my aging grandparents. Thanks, Geoff and Rebecca for all the fun memories.

Harley Davidson...

2009-03-18T19:26:00.001-07:00

2009-03-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

A new Harley Davidson store in Orem, Utah recently was built from old materials of the U.S. Steel Plant. It was an awesome building so we had to go check it out. Of course, we acted like kids and had fun sitting on most of the cool bikes and try on the leather.

Ty LaMar Nielsen

2009-03-18T19:12:00.001-07:00

Ty was named and blessed by his father, Geoff Steven Nielsen on March 15. He is our 7th grandchild.

Draper Temple

2009-03-18T18:55:00.000-07:00

We went to the Open House at the Draper Temple. It was especially special for me because Gilbert will be getting a Temple built with the same layout. It was so beautiful. The Draper Temple is the 129th temple of the Church and the 12th in Utah.
The granite for the exterior was imported from China, and several interior finishes were also imported, including limestone from France and cherry wood from central Africa. In the chapel next to the Temple they held a reception. There was beautiful artwork through the reception hall. Our family had a wonderful experience. What a fabulous opportunity we had, as a family, to view the inside of the temple before it was dedicated.

Bowling

2009-03-18T18:47:00.001-07:00

Okay, our family likes to bowl every once in awhile, but come on....does it take half the game to start getting some strikes and spares or out of the gutter? We had so much fun laughing at each other. Bowling at the alley is nothing like bowling on Wii. We were patting ourselves on the back until we got to the alley. What a riot!

Bridal Veil Falls

2009-03-18T18:28:00.000-07:00

Nick's growing family

2009-03-18T18:25:00.001-07:00

Nick and Jenny. Payson (2), Rigdon (6 months)

Steve had a birthday.....

2009-03-18T18:07:00.000-07:00

Steve woke up to strawberry crepes, fresh squeezed orange juice and a bowl of fresh fruit. yummmmmmmmmm..... I kidnapped him for lunch during his work day. Then I took him to one of his favorite frozen yogurt places--Golden Spoon. For dinner the kids helped me in the kitchen and prepared his favorite dinner--Ribeye Steak, red pototoes with onion and mushrooms, fresh green beans, salad and homemade Strawberry shortcake for dessert. He was too full to blow out all his birthday candles, so it was a good thing I only had him blow out 2. You'll have to guess if he turned 32,42,52,or 62. hahahaha!

Nick's birthday present.....

2009-03-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

Nick looks like a new school boy. He was so happy that his wife bought him a laptop computer for his birthday. He was surprised to know we already new about his gift when he opened up our gift and found a laptop backpack! He has three sememsters left of school. We are proud of him for his dedication. It hasn't been easy for him to balance his church calling, work, school classes, studies and a family. He announced that school will breeze by now that he has a laptop so he can do his studies anytime and anywhere.

Metal mouth, train tracks, brace face......

2009-03-18T17:42:00.001-07:00

Ryan has a new nick name.....j/k. It's his turn to wear braces for the next two years. We've put nine kids in braces and we are finally on the last one! Ryan is a trooper. He not only will be wearing braces for the next two years, but he has a tongue crib attached that drops down from the center of the mouth to prevent him from using his front teeth when swallowing. He was anxious to get his braces on, so he can get the traditional ice cream sundae on the way back from his morning appointment.

Aesthetics girl

2009-03-18T17:22:00.000-07:00

Aubrey has been accepted into the E.V.I.T. aesthetics program starting in August 2009. She has wanted to go into aesthestics since she was 12 years old. The program is integrated in her Junior year of high school. It is a 12 month program. We are proud of her for going forward with her goal, doing the application work and staying on track with her school studies.

What's up with that?

2009-03-11T10:26:00.000-07:00

Okay, my posts are getting far and few between. My camera and computer are not cooperating with me. I'm having trouble uploading my photo's. It's no fun to post without any pictures. I've got to catch up on the happenings around here. Let's see -- Ryan is wearing braces now, Aubrey got accepted into the aesthetics program in Mesa for her Junior year, Jessica made State in the Cosmetology Regional Skills Conference, Steve had a birthday and Michelle is looking forward to seeing us this weekend up in Provo. Hopefully, I can play catch up with the photos when we return from our Utah trip.

BYU-I!

2009-02-24T23:44:00.000-08:00

On February 18, I checked my email around midnight. BYU had sent a decision about Jessica's status. Jessica was asleep for the night, but I knew she would be way excited. So I went to wake her up, but she just rolled over. It wasn't a surprise to find out she got accepted, but it was nice to see it in print. Michelle decided to transfer back to BYU-I, for a semester, just to be with her sister. I can't believe we'll only have two children living at home soon. Time goes by so fast and before you know it the kids are getting married, off to college and missions and you become empty-nesters. The blessing of it all is grandchildren. We have 8 of them now. Two new ones born this year: Ty and Creed. We have two grand-daughters and six grand-sons! It would be so fun to get all of them together!

Happy Valentine's Day.......

2009-02-14T19:54:00.000-08:00

According to legend, Valentine's Day originated in the Medieval Era when the Catholic Saint Valentine, a priest at the time, refused the Roman Emperor's law ordering young men to remain single. The priest Valentine secretly performed marriages, but was found out and thrown into prison. The night before he was executed, he wrote the very first "valentine," giving it to a young woman believed to be his love. The note read, "From your Valentine," and thus began the celebration of love. So............I hope all of you sent your love a Valentine to carry on the tradition and to let those that you love know how much you appreciate them.

Valentine Treats

2009-02-10T10:56:00.000-08:00

I discovered chocolate covered cinnamon bears last year. I've been craving for them lately and didn't want to wait until April to go to BYU women's conference to buy them in the bookstore. I mean, how hard can they be to make? Well, I made them today and have almost eaten half of them. So I quickly made a fun pretzel treat. An idea that I got from my friend. Maybe my kids won't notice that I ate so many chocolate bears.

Mesa Arizona Temple

2009-01-27T00:15:00.000-08:00

I heard a fabulous talk on Temple attendance last Sunday. It was a reminder of how fortunate it is to live only a few minutes from this Temple. President Monson announced in 2008 that a new Arizona Temple will be built. The Gilbert Temple will be 7 miles from where we live. What a blessing it is to be able to enter the House of the Lord in service to others, to feel comfort and peace and having the knowledge that I have a family sealed to me for eternity.

What a great primary class!

2009-01-27T00:03:00.000-08:00

Children! Aren't they just wonderful? I am a new primary teacher to these precious 4-5 year olds. It's been an adjustment from being R.S. president to teaching young children again. It's just what I need to feel young, enthusiastic and full of love.

A special program for Young Women....

2009-01-26T23:53:00.001-08:00

Jessica has been Laurel President this past year and has had a lot of practice conducting meetings. She received her personal progress medallion when she was 13 and continues to set new goals. Aubrey has a goal to complete her program this year. I am very proud of the accomplishments these girls have achieved and the wonderful young women they have become.

Ryan turned thirteen this month!

2009-01-26T23:47:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Ryan. Thirteen wonderful years we have shared with Ryan. Ryan enjoys life. Loves to tease his three older sisters, scouts, friends, vacations, board games, soccer, basketball, entertaining his two year old niece, water-skiing, pingpong and most of all, being with his family. We love you Ryan.

In Loving Memory.....

2009-01-26T15:54:00.000-08:00

Eileen Burnham Jones born August 20, 1915 in Mancos, Colorado - passed away January 12, 2009 in Thatcher, Arizona. Grandma had 6 children, 17 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She loved her family and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her strong testimony will live in our hearts and will be an example to her family forever. She wrote: "Nothing could make me prouder than to have my children and grandchildren follow in Christ's footsteps and do as He does."

Slide Show

2009-01-16T12:00:00.001-08:00

These paintings are the artworks by Richard Franklin. Richard was my late husband and father of my children. He died in a private plane accident in 1997 at the age of 35. More of his artworks can be viewed online. Google: Richard Franklin Art.

I love granola

2009-01-10T13:29:00.000-08:00

I want to share my recipe because it is my favorite. I hope you enjoy granola as much as I do as cereal or on top of fruit and yogurt. Enjoy!

GRANOLA
3 1/4 C Oats (old fashioned/quick-any combination)
1 1/4 C white wheat flour-freshly ground if possible
1 1/3 C shredded coconut
1/4 C flax seed (optional)
1 C coarsely chopped almonds or pecans
1 C brown sugar
6 T coconut oil/ or 1 stick butter
1/3 C water
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, flax seed, coconut and nuts. Set aside. In a saucepan over meduim heat, combine brown sugar, oil (butter), and water and heat until the oil (butter) has melted and the mixture is bubbly. Using a wooden spoon, stir the mixture together until smooth, and then still in the salt, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour mixture over the oats mixture and still til well coated. Let stand for about 10 minutes. Spread mixture on a large baking sheet, separating it into irregular clumps with your fingers, and allowing space between clumps for the hot air to circulate. Put baking sheet on middle rack and bake until the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir to break up the mixture into medium sized clumps. Return to the oven and bake again for 15 minutes before stirring again. Bake for another 15 minutes or until the granola is uniform golden brown and completely dry--this usually takes about 45 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an air tight container.

I'm bad!!

2009-01-10T13:26:00.000-08:00

We built our home 10 years ago and planted about 13 citrus/fruit trees. Steve and the kids work together to pick the citrus and squeeze fresh orange every morning. Yesterday, I wanted an orange and grapefruit and their wasn't any in the house, so I went out to pick a few and noticed that our trees were loaded with citrus. Why was this a new discovery? I realized that I never go on that side of the property to notice all the fruit we have and I have never shared it. My sister once asked me why we don't give her bags of citrus when she comes to visit in the Winter and I told her that Steve uses all the citrus for orange juice and we didn't have any left to pass along. I had no idea!! Whoever comes to visit will surely go home with citrus from our trees from now on. Our friends and neighbors will now receive a bag of citrus every Christmas instead of our traditional chips/salsa or chocolate & caramel dipped pretzel rods.

What a joy to be grandparents!

2009-01-08T19:15:00.000-08:00

Payson likes to play with Disney characters and truly believes her name is Sleeping Beauty.

2009-01-08T19:13:00.000-08:00

Ridgon is three months old in this picture and already looks like a stud.

Back to the foot specialist

2009-01-08T18:35:00.000-08:00

Ryan spend the last weeks of December 2008 in a cast from the knee down. He had a foot injury from playing soccer. A few days after the cast was removed I noticed that he was limping and had a swollen ankle. So we made our third trip to the doctor to have it checked out.

It's Birthday Time

2009-01-08T18:18:00.000-08:00

Michelle loves Strawberry Short cake so I made an angel food cake and took it out of the oven and within 10 minutes this is what it looked like. I wasn't all that happy with my two youngest children who helped themselves to the entire cake before I had a chance to take it out of the pan and sing happy birthday with the family. Another cake was made by the cake-monsters and candles were lit, but we were having fun making butterfinger blizzards that we forgot to have Michelle blow out her candles before her cake started melting.

Family

2009-01-01T18:25:00.000-08:00

Nick is my oldest child. He served a LDS mission in Buenos Aires North Argentina in 2003-2005. He returned and married his High School sweetheart, Jenny. They now have two children: Payson, 2 1/2 and Rigdon, 3 months.

and more family....

2009-01-01T17:22:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2009!!!!!

Michelle will be 21 years old in January. She is currently living in Utah going to school. Jessica is 18, graduates from high school and receive her cosmetology license in May 2009. Aubrey turns 16 in March-looks forward to driving and dating. Ryan turns 13 in January. He enjoys playing the piano with his three sisters, loves soccer and basketball.