Christmas Day 2008

And now for the post you've all been waiting for. But I'm telling you what, I could have spent another 5 hours just deciding on pictures. I'm so crazy when it comes to pictures. Everything is a Kodak Moment for me. Needless to say you're in for a long one. But, when it comes to pictures of Christmas, there can't ever be too many. Enjoy our fun morning!


Waiting at the top of the stairs to make sure the Santa had finished &
flown back up the chimney. Oh wait, we don't have a chimney.....
P.S. Don't you just love my towels hanging all over the railing? The beauty of having a pool right next door.



Finally, the long awaited, much anticipated morning has arrived! The kids did feel like it took forever for Christmas to come this year. And then having to wait another year in their rooms or at the top of the stairs before they got to go down & see the surprises.








The bunnies were definately a favorite! Rhees thought it was fun to put Snowball in the pocket of his jammies. Ambrian & Kalen thought it was cute too.



Kalen is wondering why they have to stay put in a cage.




Ambrian's favorite, our miniature Lop ear named, Floppy Ears.




Aybrielle was so excited to feed the little puffballs.




Kambren has just loved holding & playing with the bunnies. Here he is with Snowball.





Devin & I just loved watching the kids just having fun & enjoying Christmas morning. They didn't quit smiling until they were fast asleep.




Devin has been looking all over for an original songs Erasure CD. Mrs. Claus was the winner when she found it for Santa to leave in Devin's stocking.





Aybrielle just loves Nursery Rhymes, so Kalen gave her a darling book of them.



It really was time for a new bike for Kambren. He had grown out of his little bike & had to ride Aybrielle's or Rhees' old one (which was way too big for him - but he managed). He is thrilled to have his very own tall bike now.




Love those Christmas pictures together! Ambrian was on the other side of the room posing for Daddy's camera with Kalen.



Don't you just love seeing sisters hug each other!




And here is the pose on the other side of the room with Daddy's camera. So so sweet!




WoW! A laser pistol that really shoots bottles & cans over! How fun!




Daddy & Kalen enjoying a little snuggle.



So, while we were home this summer we went to stay at Bryce & Vicki's house. They had an electric guitar that you could make up your own cool rock songs on & Rhees really loved it. Bryce offered to let Rhees take it home, but Devin & I politely declined on account of the fact that the thing got to be really obnoxious. But, thanks to Santa, we now have one of our own. Rhees was thrilled. It came with earmuffs for the grownups of the family.....




Pretty little Aybrielle was so excited about the My Little Pony colored Play-Doh.




If you can't tell from Kambren's expression, he was more than thrilled to have a real live Tuck from Wonder Pets. He loves turtles so much anyway, & thinks that Tuck is just the best.




Each of the 3 youngest kids got a Wonder Pets play set. Kalen thinks they are the greatest. Each of them has a button that you can push which will say 3 different phrases that are common in the movies & also sing the theme song. He pushed the buttons over & over again. Each time at the end of the song when it says, "Go Wonder Pets, Yay!" Kalen would throw his hands up in the air & say "Yay!" . It was the most darling thing ever!






Isn't Kambren's Santa suit just the cutest ever! I saw it at the beginning of December in Carrefour & couldn't resist. He wore it around all morning until he opened a Cars shirt that he wanted to put on. As cute as it is, it was getting quite hot I think. His hair was all sweaty when he finally took it off.



Ambrian showing off her new locket with a heart on it. She has been asking for one for months now. You can't see it very well, but it is very pretty. That's my little girl for you, asking for jewlery.



Yep, more jewlery. She must take after her mom who loves to wear jewlery. What a darling Christmas themed charm bracelet.



The kids ended up opening some Wii games before they opened the Wii control unit. I told them that I guessed that they were going to have to go play the games on their friends' Wiis. You should have seen them inspecting the other gifts trying to find out if we really did get our own. When they finally found it they were so so excited. There were some girl games that were opened first & so the picture below is Rhees crossing his fingers hoping that he isn't going to have to play only girl games for the rest of the year until his birthday or next Christmas. Funny Rhees. He did end up getting some boy games too.



They finally found the Wii!


Rhees holding the prize.



And at the end of the day, I finally got everything all ready for our Christmas dinner. I was a little bit loopy from my all nighter & so take a close look at the table & you'll notice that I forgot to set the Christmas Ribbon Jello & the Ham on the table. I really did. I'm so dumb. The jello sat in the fridge & the ham remained in the oven the entire way through dinner. I sat there looking at our plates thinking, "This doesn't seem like everything. Did I have anything else I was going to do for dinner?" But it never occurred to me that yes, there were the 2 main parts of the dinner that were missing. Nice. I really must have been tired. Either that or I'm going senile. But the funny thing is, nobody else thought to go get the ham out of the oven either, or at least mention that it had been forgotten. Oh dear, we all must have been exhausted.



We did have such a fun Christmas day. The only thing that it was missing (besides the ham & the jello) was all of you. We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas of your own!

Christmas Eve

Enjoy our Christmas Eve picture outtakes. For some reason our camera doesn't like to focus when the Christmas tree lights are on, so the ones with the lights on are blurry. Between that, & trying to get everyone to sit still & smile all at the same time, we ended up having to take several pictures & still didn't really get 1 great picture. But when you have kids as cute as ours, even when they aren't all smiling they are still adorable. : )

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!!

Has it been 5 Months???

I really can't believe that it has been so long since I have posted anything. I took my computer to America with me this past summer so that I could do a really great Father's Day blog for Devin with pictures from the computer, but to no avail, didn't get anything done - ever. The entire summer flew by & I didn't login to Blogger 1 single time. Sorry, to all you "Thai Nielsons" diehards out there. Ha ha. I know there really aren't that many of you, so I didn't feel like I had let that many people down. I have meant to start up again & get some really fun blogs up about our fun summer & also some things that have been going on since we came back, but since I left the cord to my camera at Mom's house, I have been unable to download any pictures; which would have made any potential post really boring. So, I have totally put blogging on the back burner. However, I finally got the bug to at least write something, & give a little shout out to Crys since she has commented on the lack of new posts. This one is for you!

So, we arrived back home safe & sound & have many wonderful memories of our 2+ months in Utah, Idaho, & Wyoming. Lots of awesome future posts when I figure out how to get pictures to my computer without the cord... For now you'll have to settle for a boring, picture-less post, but informative nonetheless.

Rhees is enjoying 6th grade, or should I say, tolerating 6th grade. The only thing that I really know he is enjoying, is his 2 hours of writing/composition tutoring from our Bishop's wife, & the "after school" time with his friends. Does "after school" count as part of school??? He does love science & looks forward to our science projects. He also really enjoys reading. He turned 12 on September 4th & was ordained a deacon on the 7th. He has really loved passing the Sacrament & going to Young Men's. Except for the week that he broke his foot (5th metatarcil bone) while he was AT Young Mens. He said that he just stepped back & turned & then heard a snap & fell to the ground. I didn't think that it could really be broken since he didn't fall on it or anything, so I let him crawl around the house for 2 days before I was convinced that I should take him to have an x-ray. That earned me the "Mother of the Year" award. Who doesn't rush their child immediately to the ER? It is probably a lucky thing that I'm living here in Thailand, since if I would have been in America & waited 2 days before seeking medical help, I most likely would have been arrested on suspicion of child abuse. Anyway, he is in a walking boot & is getting along fine. It turned out that the bone wasn't actually completely broken. It is broken only about 3/4 of the way through the bone. But it has still been very painful & will take the same amount of time to heal as a complete fracture. He has been a really great sport & has honestly hardly complained. He is still waiting for me to buy him a guitar so that he can begin guitar lessons. That really is on my "to do" list this next week.

Ambrian is having a great year so far in 4th grade. She loves math & writing stories. She started gymnastics 2 days a week at a different gym & is having the time of her life. Her favorite part is the tumbling, but she is also learning the beam & the bars. She has nearly got her round off back handspring un-aided, & can do a back tuck & whip on the trampoline or off the mat into the pit. She can do a front tuck on the mat & is working on mastering front & back walk-overs. She is also really loving learning to play the violin. I'm just kicking myself that I didn't end up starting her last year, since her AWESOME teacher is moving back to Utah in December. Mindy Hillman is a fabulous violinist/fiddler & used to play for the Orchestra at Temple Square. From what I understand, she will play with them again once they get settled back in West Jordan. Anyway, Ambi seems to be doing great with her violin. She is also doing really well with piano. It has all of a sudden started to click for her & she is always playing & wanting to learn new songs. Yes, that is "music" to my ears!!

Aybrielle is loving being in 1st grade. It just sounds so much funner to say that you are in 1st grade than Kindergarten. Or at least she thinks so. She is a diligent, little student & is doing really well. She LOVES books & could sit & read books all day. She enjoys math as well, & has even started to memorize some Times Tables. She loves to draw & is actually quite good. Aybrielle started to learn violin with Ambrian, but changed her mind a few weeks into it & decided to wait a little while to continue. She is having fun learning to play the piano though & seems to have a little knack for it. YaY!! She is loving going to ballet & looks so darling in her little pink ballet suit. What little girl doesn't look cute in a pink ballet suit, tights, & shoes?!! It is fun for her that her friend Molly Bunker is in her class too. She does gymnastics once a week with Ambrian & is working on her standing back bend & round off. She also wanted to do Girl Scouts again this year (surprise! surprise!) & is in the Bluebird troop.

Kambren is always busy!! He loves riding his bike & has just figured out that he can ride Aybrielle's bigger bike. He loves swimming & always wants to be in the water - without his floaty suit on. He's a little daredevil. He loves to be with the kids while they are doing their schoolwork. We bought him a little desk like each of the kids have so that he could have a place to do his coloring & cutting. I transformed the extra room that we had a bed in when Mom & Lynn, & Mom & Jim were here to be a school room. We took the bed out & put the 4 desks & chairs in there. I also borrowed an extra cupboard from the neighborhood store room so that I could have an extra place to keep all the books & things. We have hung posters of all kinds; multiplication, colors, ABCs, hundred chart, senses, & numbers. It really does look like a school room. We even have a calendar that the kids put numbers on each day. Okay, it is a little bit juvenile for Rhees & Ambrian, but they still like taking turns putting the day up. So, back to Kambren, sometimes all he does is sit & play Magnetix at his desk, but he is having fun. I did start the "Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons" & he seems to be doing well at it. It's a good thing that the lessons are short, only about 15 minutes, or he would be long gone before we finished. Maybe he will end up being my 1 child who is reading going into Kindergarten. (Not that I really think it makes any difference though. They all catch up.)

Kalen! Oh what a giggly, silly, scrumptious, active, ball of lovable 18 month old. When he isn't charming us all with his absolutely adorable laugh or attempts to mimick everything we say, he is playing cat or dog on the floor - literally. He will purposely spill his food out of his bowl & then put his face down to lick it up. Okay, you will never believe this, but the other day at gymnastics he was sitting on the floor reading books & there happened to be some ants crawling on the floor. So, he looked at them for a second & then he got up on all 4s & put his face down with his tongue out & tried to lick up the ants. I nearly died! If I wasn't laughing so hard, I would have gotten to him quicker before he actually licked the floor. I didn't really think he would do it. And it probably won't be the last time he proves me wrong either..... What a little joy. And I might add, that although most of the time he is simply adorable, he has shown signs of early entrance into the Terrible Twos. He can be seen throwing himself back on his head on the floor when he doesn't get his own way. Oh the Dr. Jekyl & Baby Hyde days are here.

I have been released from my job as Primary Secretary & sustained as Primary Pianist. I am loving every second of it. This really is one of my very favorite callings in the church. I love being in Primary with all the kids. I started teaching piano again this year & am enjoying that as well. I wasn't going to, but had some beggers that I just couldn't turn down. I am teaching Rachel Gygi, Kai Poulson, Annabel Maskovich, & Joe Maskovich, along with Ambrian & Aybrielle, of course. It has been fun to be teaching a little bit again. I also went & did something rash. I know that you are all going to be laughing your heads off at this, but it just looked too fun. I enrolled in a gymnastics class with the girls. The only classes they had for the girls were 3:45 on Tuesdays & 5:30 on Thursdays. The Tuesday class wasn't so bad, but the Thursday class was horrible. The class is 1 1/2 hours long & so they didn't finish until 7:00, which means that we didn't get home until 8:00. I just told them that I wasn't going to continue that. I asked the teachers if they would consider doing another class during the day & they told me if I could find at least 3 people, then they would do another class. So one day I started thinking, "What if the 3rd person was me?". I asked them if they would let me take with the girls, just the 3 of us, & after a few laughs & several "Are you kidding?" stares, they agreed. So, okay after the 1st class I was about dead, & the next day felt like I had been run over by a semi truck. I think that I used some muscles I didn't even know I had, in my attempts to do backbends & front walk overs that 1st day. But it hasn't been bad since & is actually quite fun. I was worried that Ambrian might be embarassed about me doing gymnastics with her & Aybrielle, but when I asked her if she was she said, "No way! Maybe some other girls would, but not me.". What a sweetheart. The 3 of us are having such a great time doing this together. I do have to confess that part of my rationale in doing the class was that I remember Mom taking Clogging when Jill, Suz, & Crys were taking. So, thanks Mom for the motivation!

Devin hasn't been traveling as much lately & that has been nice. He is doing more work at home & going to the factory less. We enjoy seeing him around the house during the day when he isn't in the office & we aren't down in the school room. He is still golfing a few times a week & has alot of movie & rock star friends who he goes with. That is fun for him.

Well, I have written 5 months worth of family info. I guess I have made up for all the time that I haven't posted anything. If any of you are still reading after the novel above, I promise that I will get a CD made from my memory card & then I can download pics to the computer & won't need the cord. Then I can start writing about some of our fun this summer. I also have a couple of fun posts that I'm already planning from pictures that I have taken since we returned. Until then, we miss you all so so so much!! We had a great time seeing you & spending time with you. In a way, it has made it harder to come back. The kids are always talking about when we move back. In fact, the other day Kambren told me that he wanted to move back to live with Grammy. He said that he wanted to pack all his stuff & all his toys & move to Grammy's house. Lots of Love to All!!!