it was worth all the while

i fell in love quite quickly. it was 1988 and i was a mere freshman in high school. times were still awkward for me then; i really hadn't found my niche in the whole social game. then a boy in my math class gave me something that immediately made sense. it was a cassette tape of songs from a band called erasure. the two ring circus was the album title. i listened to it once, then twice and from there i was hooked. the rest is music history and anyone who cares to know, knows that i love my music genre. love.

these are two talented men that make up

ERASURE

andy bell & vince clarke

we saw them again- this time in the pearl at the palms on sept. 30, 2011

our friends the pisciotta's joined us

our concert: (which was fantastic!)

the concert was on a friday night, we got out just before midnight. we got home and had a decision to make- drive up to cedar city now or sleep for a bit then drive up in the morning? since it is easier for me to stay awake then to get up, the answer was simple- let's go. my parents had already taken the kids up with them earlier that day, so jason and i just packed quickly and were on the road in no time! between the ipod

and satellite radio we had quite the enjoyable ride. we arrived at the cabin just before 3am- exhausted but happy we were there.

fall colors filled the landscape on cedar mountain

lauren and her friend shelby

jace and the trees

we stopped by grandpa robb's and checked out the garden

jason and my dad pulled out some of the dry cornstalks for my mom and i to use for decor on our porches.....

we took a drive to the little town of panguitch. my dad thought he might want to buy this campground/rv park-so we stopped to check out the details.....

i decided that this is the perfect storefront for the design store i hope to someday have....

too bad the location isn't that great.....

we had a great weekend.... lots of fun and laughs!

i found this on youtube- it's from our erasure concert if you want to check it out....

http://youtu.be/fsV7v4tsZeY

a few days in a month called october....

jace seized the camera and proceded to take way too

many pictures of his hero factory figures

the search has come to a close...

i finally found art for above my bed

pretty sterling, don't ye agree!!

whipped up a few of these adorable owl cupcakes

 jason, jace and i took in a unlv football game

jace insisted on a foam finger

love the club level... food, drinks and all free!!

Tying the Knot

9-10-11

A day of celebration.

My brother Robert tied the knot with his love Chelsea.

They were married in the temple that morning.What a joy to be there. The kids waited patiently to see them walk through the doors- now as husband and wife.

The reception was held later that day in my sister's backyard. We worked hard the night before to set everything up and then put the final touches on it that day. We prayed for no rain, and though the gray clouds threatened to release their fury, our prayers were answered.

Since their initials are R and C we thought it would be clever to have some RC cola there...

Clark and Jace

Lauren, Maddy and Kate/Jane (identical twins-never can tell)helping with decorations...

Wedding reception decor.... 

Family photo with the happy couple....

We used this vintage firetruck in the entrance and put all of the gifts in the truck bed...

Lauren, Maddy, Kate and Jane dropping rose petals all around...

Guests begin to arrive... smile pretty!

Lauren, Maddy, and Kate/Jane

Ava, Maddy and Lauren kickin' it on the dance floor...

Jace, Clark, Jake, and Trenton in the Conga line!!

Lauren is parched and looking for refreshment..

Lauren and her momsy...

It was a crazy weekend but everything turned out perfect. We are so happy for Robert & Chelsea and wish them a happy life together!!

must be nice...

simple joys of childhood:

getting to have a sound sleep in a place other than your bed

curled up in random fuzzy blankets

waking only enough to push the power button on the remote

watching saturday morning cartoons without having to get up

having a playroom to do all these things in

Back to School 2011

Another school year of homework, projects, and waking up early is upon us. This year both Lauren and Jace start school at 8am, which is crazy because they go to different schools. August 29th was the first day......

 and Lauren is all ready to start off 7th grade.....

and Jace will be the "big man on campus" this year starting 5th grade....

and I am taking Environmental Science and English 101, so excited!! (can you hear that little note of sarcasm?) Actually I am kind of excited because I'm almost done!! Just need to trudge through a few more general classes. 

Let Hear it for the Girls!!

End of August

Craving one last "hoorah" before school started, the Nelson girls planned a little escape to St. George. The trip would be brief, comprising of only two days, but would nevertheless be packed full of non-stop fun, food, and entertainment. It's no surprise that our first stop upon arriving was lunch at the chicken wing capitol of the world -Winger's.We savored the flavor drenched chicken wings and strips, licking our fingers clean.

After our tasty lunch, we set out to spend all of our money. Krumpets, Tai-Pan, DownEast- just to name a few of the stops on our shopping tirade. Exhausted, we returned to the hotel for a quick swim and a little sprucing up before heading to Tuacahn. On our way we stopped for dinner at the Texas Roadhouse, it proved to be a great choice and once again we were stuffed......

well almost stuffed- there was a little room left for a scoop of rich and creamy Nielson's custard

We finally made it to the main event - Tuacahn, to see The Little Mermaid

Girl cousins...

waiting patiently...

 

grand finale....

Lauren with the chef...

with Flounder..

the evil eels... 

Yep, that's me with King Triton....

 

The girls with Prince Eric and Ariel

 

The next morning we checked out of our hotel, had lunch at Artic Circle, did some more shopping, and finally headed back to Las Vegas.

Got a picture of all the little girls.... and one of all the big girls....

So our girls retreat was a great time for all. It was short and sweet, but full of good memories. I think this just might have to become an annual trip!! We'll see!!



This is a video of Lauren "coning." You order a cone at the drive-thru but when they hand it to you , you grab just the ice-cream off the top and leave the fast food employee holding the cone dumbfounded.

Raingutter Regatta

August 16, 2011

The Cub Scouts had a great time at this year's raingutter regatta. The boats were all looking good and nobody passed out blowing wind in their sails!!

 Kaden, Brett, Jace , and Eric- fellow Webelos and tonight- competitors....

 Go Jace Go

 Jace chose to go old school- this is the "Santa Maria"

This vessel may not have taken home the top prize, but it sure did look good sailing down the waterway.....