MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

It doesn't feel quite possible that 1 year's come & gone.
Although we've done so many things, it doesn't seem that long.
The children all are growing up, they're learning many things.
To see them shine at all they do makes our hearts really sing.
We took a trip to Utah to see the family,
And then went up to Idaho, 'twas fun as it could be.
From train rides, parks & water slides, we all had so much fun,
To Island Park & Yellowstone to float rivers in the sun.
The Planetarium, treehouses, & sleepouts 'neath the sky,
A hike way up to see the "M", the cold weather made us cry.
Scout camp, cheer camp, rock climbing, & holding baby chicks,
Movies, picnics, riding horses, & wading in the creek.
Reunions too brought so much fun, a Wyoming trip we'd make,
But our visit to the Twin Falls Temple really took the cake.
The beauty of that holy place was such a joy to see.
Through sacred ordinances we can be an eternal family.
Our dad, in Thailand working, & we missed him every day,
We're so thankful for his efforts so that we could go & play.
He took us on the airplane & just a few days stayed,
But when summer was almost over he flew back again & played.
Thanks to all who sacrificed for us to come so far,
And let us stay, eat, sleep, & play - you know who you are.
We felt so sad when it was time back home we had to come.
So many people yet unseen, so many things undone.
We wished for time to linger on, but it wasn't meant to be,
To spend with ALL of those of you we didn't get to see.
There will be another time, in a few years we'll come again.
Please don't forget we love you & we will see you then.


Rhees turned 12 this year, it's true, Young Mens & Priesthood too.
Boy Scouts, basketball, & video games are things he loves to do.
Swimming, playing the guitar, & spending time with friends,
Ben 10, Transformers, & writing stories, his fun never ends.
He loves to invite friends to church & tries in every way
To set a good example in his work & in his play.


Ambrian is 10 now & she's grown up as can be.
Tending little ones, combing hair, & does it joyfully.
She loves to play the violin, at the piano she is tops.
And each week at gymnastics, she flips but never flops.
She has the sweetest spirit & is singing all the day,
A friend to all, her kind example really leads the way.


Aybrielle, our pet lover, has finally reached age 7.
Playing puzzles & reading books, she's our little piece of Heaven.
She loves ballet & BlueBirds, & she plays piano too,
And with crayons & some paper she's an artist through & through.
She is the family comic relief, she also acts & sings.
We love our giggley, blonde haired girl, who can do so many things.


Kambren, 4, is on the go from sun up til sun down.
Riding bikes & playing ball, or swimming is where he's found.
Barefoot, no shirt, mischievous, little sun tanned arms,
Loves climbing trees & fences, should have grown up on a farm.
Oh, he loves his baby brother, 'tis a sight for all to see,
How he hugs & loves & plays with him, just as little twins would be.


Kalen is a little doll, the sweetest boy you know.
He runs & plays just like the others, always on the go.
"Peez", "Gank Goo", & animal sounds, are such a joy to hear,
"Uh Oh", "I want to", & "Uv Oo", he calls to anyone that's near.
20 months old, he's grown up so quick, from baby to little boy,
Hugs & kisses & being so cute, he brings us so much joy.


Jeanette still does the same old thing, homeschool, wife, & mother.
But this sure brings her happiness, for her she'd do no other.
She plays the piano in Primary & tries to do her part,
And occasionally she gets lucky for a night out with her sweetheart.

Devin's job with Sundia really keeps him hopping.
From one end of the globe to the other, there is just no stopping.
Busy at church, at work, & at home, & the best golfer around,
He takes such good care of us, he's the best dad we could have found.

We're happy as can be to still be living overseas.
Thai people, food, & culture too, so many things to please.
We'd welcome any visitors if you ever want to come.
Just let us know the days & we will plan oh so much fun.

Our hearts are full of gratitude & love this CHRISTmas season
For the little baby Jesus, the true & only reason.
He came to earth so humble, in a manger in a stall,
But he gave to us Eternal life, the greatest gift of all.
He is our only Savior, from our Father He did come.
For us He lived, for us He died, He was the only One.
Our gift to Him this Christmastime can last the whole year through,
If we but walk His chosen way, & try His work to do.


Thank you for being such wonderful examples in our lives. We appreciate all that you do for us. May you have a wonderful Holiday & a very healthy & happy New Year!!

We love & miss you!

The Nielsons

Thanksgiving

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. We went to Darrell & Naowarat Gygi's house for dinner, along with several missionaries, & 4 other families. I made homemade stuffing, rolls, all the potatoes, pies, pumpkin bread, brownies, veggie trays, & sweet potatoes; which I actually made from Thai pumpkin. I made a savory recipe this year, not the traditional "sweet" dish with brown sugar & marshmallows, & it was delicious. There was stuffing left over & I loved eating it for lunch every day for a week afterward! We missed you all so much & were thinking about how fun it would have been to be together with our families. But we feel so blessed that we were able to spend the dinner with so many of our long time friends!

We have so much to be thankful for! Just a few of the things on our list include: each other & our 5 sweet children, our extended family, Heavenly Father & His Son Jesus Christ, the true Gospel & our testimonies, a living prophet, a house to live in, food to eat, good health, a job, great friends, & the opportunity to be living here in Thailand. We hope that you all had a really nice Thanksgiving as well. We love you!!



The one, the only, the master turkey carver, Darrell Gygi. Devin & I house- sat for him & his late wife Christine one summer when they went on home leave all those years ago. The funny thing is that they were living in the same townhouses that we live in now, but just up the street. I taught their 2 oldest sons piano lessons. Their 4 kids then were the same ages as Ambrian, Aybrielle, Kambren, & Kalen are now. Rachel, their youngest, is the only one at home now, & yes you guessed it, I'm teaching her piano. What a difference 14 years makes!

Our great friends, Bill & Jamie Matthews. Jamie & I have a long history too, but I'm saving that for another post - with awesome pictures! For now, we served in the Primary presidency together & became wonderful friends. Her husband & Devin call us sisters & think that we look like we really could be. What a compliment! They just left a few days ago to move back to Utah. Thank Heavens that is where they are going, at least I know that I'll be able to see her again. I'm going to miss her so much!

Daddy & Kalen reading stories.

Mommy & baby Kalen.

Long time friends, Jeanette & Naowarat. Naowarat was the Young Women's president & her husband was in the Branch Presidency when I was serving up in Udorn during the last 9 months of my mission. At the time, they had 2 little boys, Gong - 2 yrs old, & Nick - a baby. A few years after I finished my mission they had 2 little girls, Ging & Gee. Almost 3 years ago, Naowarat's husband Pramuan died from cancer. Darrell had just lost his wife a year & 1/2 prior to that. Darrell & Naowarat ended up spending some time together, & the rest they say, is history. Who would have ever thought? Love that family!

Naowarat's sons Nick & Gong, & Timmy Matthews

Ambrian & Gabby Maskovich in the background.

All the guests, specifically, Josh & Chantima Maskovich on the left,

& Lynn's niece Mandy & her baby Savannah on the right. Josh Maskovich was my zone leader for the first 7 months of my mission, & his wife & I have been friends since our missions as well. When Chantima first came to the United States she stayed with me up at Mom's before going to California, & when Devin & I moved back to Thailand the year that we got married, we went & stayed with her parents up in Udorn. Devin & I got engaged in the Jordan River temple while we were there with Chantima taking out her endowments. So much fun history between the 4 of us, that it makes it even funner that they are here. It was just before Thanksgiving last year when the Maskoviches found out they were going to be moving to Thailand. Chantima & I visited on Skype about how "next year" we were going to spend Thanksgiving together. And we really did. Now here we are living in the same town raising our kids together! Pretty amazing!

Rachel, Ging, Nick, & Gong

The Elders savoring every bite of their Thanksgiving meal.

Baby It's Cold Outside!!

Current conditions in Bangkok Thailand as of 7:00 am ICT

Mostly Cloudy
Feels Like:
65°
Barometer:
29.91 in
Humidity:
91%
Visibility:
6.21 mi
Dewpoint:
63°
Wind:
CALM
Sunrise:
6:30 am
Sunset:
5:50 pm
High: 85 degrees
Low: 65 degrees

Kids' conversation this morning:

Kambren says, "Ambrian go outside & feel the air."

Ambrian excitedly shivers, "It feels like America!"

Ambrian calls to Rhees, "Rhees! Come here! Go feel outside."

Rhees squeals with delight, "Oh yay! It's just like America!!"

Aybrielle suggests to Ambrian, with an excited grin, "You better put on warm clothes today! It's as cold as it is in America!"

We must be having one of the coolest years yet since we have been here. Probably not, but we think it every year as we are thrilled to have some cool weather during the holidays. (And a lower electricity bill from using less air conditioning...) The air in the morning & in the evening is perfect. Cool temperatures, lower humidity than normal, & the smell of smoke from fires burning all through the neighborhood from people trying to keep warm, brings back lots of memories of Utah/Idaho weather. (Okay, well maybe that is an exaggeration. At least April/May weather.) But it is still very cool to us, & the Thais must be absolutely freezing!

Bring on the hot chocolate!

'Tis the Season!!