Help for the Nielson Family

I normally would never do this, but this Sunday paper had an article about a fundraiser for the parents of 4 young children who got in a plane crash about a month ago in August. The mother-Stephanie Nielson sustained burns over 80% of her body and her husband- Christian Nielson sustained 30%. They are both still comatose but can hear. I was just touched by this family and what they and their children must be going through. They are LDS and live in Mesa, Arizona. Stephanie's sister is just trying to raise any amount of money to help them to recovery. This is their blog address check it out-- nieniedialogues.blogspot.com
I donated because if that had been one of my sisters, brothers, daughters, son, friends or family, I'd be greatful for any help that could be given to my loved ones.
Feels good to do good.
Your Thoughts,
Sarah

The Wheels on the Bus

Ben and Milly are back to school and back on the bus! Benny, as most of you know, has been going to Saratoga Shores for speech therapy since last year. He loves the bus and this year Milly got to join him! Milly was scared the first time and cried as they drove away but when she got home she said "I cry on duh bus Mom, but I not cry anymore!". I have to admit that I was almost ready to cry myself when they left! Especially after seeing Milly sad I got in the car and went to the school and waited there to make sure they were both not crying. When I got there they had all the kids they pick up for preschool make a choo-choo train and march into their class and they were just fine. Anyway, it's been a couple weeks now and they look forward to school days, riding the bus and bringing home their "papers" to show me! I love them telling me about their day at school, what they did and songs they sang. Just yesterday, the bus driver told me that Milly was singing for them on the way to school--I laughed, because Milly will do that all the time, just like Sammy.

Sammy is really enjoying 1st grade at Lakeview Academy and has Mrs. Clark as her teacher. Her reading is improving at lighting speed while her ability to hear me has diminished. She loves art, library and spanish days and bringing home her books from school. I'm very proud of her because she listens to her teacher, always does her work and is a good friend and student. She's gotten the hang of all day school and especially likes having lunch there along with 3 recesses.(who wouldn't love that?!) I just can't believe all my kids are in school--beyond bizarre! This picture of Ben is so funny to me--we got his entire Knight getup for $3! He wore it for 3 days straight. Milly wore her wings along with Sammy.

YARD OF THE MONTH

I'd just like to thank my WONDERFUL husband Adam for his determination, understanding and never failing strength to make this dream come true! Also, in thanks, I need to mention Katherine Flynn Argyle--(sniff, sniff) if it hadn't been for your wedding none of this could of happened and I'd still be hauling manure. I can't thank you enough! Last but not least, myself--thank you self for planting over 300 shrubs, trees, flowers & seeds. For spending many, many hours digging, shoveling, wheelbarrowing, laying soaker hoses, and especially planting. Self. . .YOU ROCK! Thanks to all the slave laborers who got suckered into helping me and for all those who donated their plants and time to the cause. This sign and recognition is for all of us! It's all been worth it the sweat and swearing to have this outstanding award placed in my yard--I am deeply honored. (kiss kiss)



Here are some more pictures of our beautiful yard that I know you are all so jealous of! Ha Ha Ha

Noah & Milly are Silly

Silly-Milly and Naughty-Noah are always finding a way to make us laugh!

By the way, nice goggles!

Milly's #3 Birthday

Happy Birthday Milly!

Milly turned 3 July 18th and we had big chocolate cupcakes and went swimming! Milly got a barbie tricycle/big-wheel thing and loves it. In the end, she was just so happy that everyones attention was on her! The icing on top was actually on our noses! We love you Milly and you make us laugh and smile everyday. You are so fun and quirky--I wouldn't change a thing about you! We are all so blessed and grateful that you are part of our family!

P.S.
She is potty trained and in record time--
YEA! A present for Mommy!

"I love my birthday because I can gross everyone out and it's okay!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

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Bear Lake

BELOVED BEAR LAKE

As always we went to Bear Lake this summer at the beginning of August for a week. Adam could only came and dropped us off and went back with Tom for work. However, even without him we still had fun (but not as much). We seriously just went to the beach everyday.

Sammy, Ben and Milly played hard and had a blast. Darby with Abby and Lucy were there with us along with Mom, Jon, Damon and Kas. They played and I read. I read over 1200 pages that week, not to shabby if I do say so myself. Sammy was content in baggy and well worn swimsuit. While Ben happy to be where ever Damon was or on a float tube. Milly looked uncomfortable, because she seriously had a wedgie the whole time! Not only that but she had sand stuck in weird places. Besides that Milly ran with the pack and was best of friends with Abby and Syd. It was nice this year to have them all a little more independent and comfortable with the water. They also slept well for once! I actually felt like we were all on vacation instead of torturcation. One thing that is always fun while at Bear Lake is we all have a book we're all reading so we can talk about it and this year it was the last book of the Twighlight series, Breaking Dawn--which should've been "Freaking Yawn". Sorry I was disappointed, obviously. Anyway, we had fun and Grandma spoiled her grand kids with every blow-up-swim-thingy possible! It was awesome--thanks mom for doing this every year it's our own little Cape Cod, but better.

I LOVE MAUI!

I know what you're thinking--I'm the worst blogger ever! I agree. Here it is 4 months later. I'm tellin' ya, summer is crazy and very fun! We went to Hawaii, Maui (mine being the first) at the end of April for a WEEK! We stayed in Kaanapali and it was beautiful! I know I'm backtracking but only for Amanda's sake-gosh! Here we are at one of many cool places we went to in Maui. We walked down to this beach and it had tide pools and all sorts of stuff on the rocks. That day we had just gone snorkeling at an awesome little cove that you have to hike down to. It was amazing--saw hundreds of beautiful fish and some creepy ones kept following us. I thinks they were expecting us to feed them. The second picture here is us walking through what looked like the Amazon to get to the awesome snorkeling cove. Adam even pretended to be Tarzan swinging from the vines!

Hawaii was a lot of fun. We went with Adam's parents Mary and Joe and his sister Ali and her husband Burke. To be honest I was expecting Joe to be more involved but he got a blister the 2nd or 3rd day in and was happy as a clam sitting in his room watching the History Channel half naked. Therefore, it was mostly just us two couples with an occasional Mary coming along, (when Joe didn't want her babying his foot and himself). We went to Black Rock beach and went snorkeling there, but it wasn't as good as that other place. There was cliff diving there and the natives would do some crazy stuff. However, at Black rock we did see (and Adam even touched one) 3 beautiful tortoises. They were right on the shore line and about 2-3 feet from our faces! That was a highlight for me. In this picture is Black Rock and you can see a bunch of people on the top there waiting to jump. Adam jumped a couple times it was a beautiful beach. On our last day we came here again and there were waves so we body surfed (kindof) and floated on the waves I loved it. Also we had an extra special treat here that day--sitting in front of us was the most outstanding woman I've ever seen--250lbs, wearing a white, see-through swimming suit, big tattooed boobs, and the loudest, most annoying voice. She sat on the beach yelling at her son KYLE!!! KYLE!! COME HERE KYLE!!! Meanwhile he's trying to get out of the waves wearing his snorkel gear and continually biffing it in the sand because he's trying to walk with his flippers on! We laughed and laughed--good times. Thanks who ever you were for the laugh. Anywho, we had a good time and we HIGHLY recommend going if you ever get the chance, it's amazing! Thanks Mary and Joe for giving us a very good reason to go!