Working on three years...

I can hardly believe it has almost been three years since I blogged last.  We had a lot of technical problems with our internet when we moved here and I was unable to log in and update.  Then...I had to create a different user name because this blog site was not being very cooperative after the move.  Well, I got frustrated and out of the habit way too easy. I have missed sharing my memories and making my books to keep for the kids. It is also a simple therapy for me to write, I really should do it more.  This is attempt number one to get back in a good routine and share our joys as a family. We have had so many wonderful adventures since moving to Wyoming! I hope to captures those future moments here once again. I guess you can say this is my goal for 2016. I am not much for setting New Years resolutions, but this would be a good one.  Happy 2016 Everyone!

December 2015 on Expedition Island along the Green River. Taken by my dear friend Terri S.

I wanna be better...

It has been way too long since I Blogged... and I keep telling myself I am going to be better and I have not been.  We have some big changes coming our way and to keep track of everything our family is going through. I need to be blogging about our lives. I have LOVED my books I have made of my blogging adventures. It has helped me keep track of things and still document our adventures of life.  This is my Birthday Goal to myself, BLOG!   Share our adventures with the family, so when we do change our location, I will be in good habits of keeping everyone informed.

A lot is going on right now, but not for sure answers yet. Because of that, I cannot spread too many rumors yet.   Instead, lets talk about the for sure things in our world.  I am going to start with, I QUIT MY JOB!  I am so happy to be moving forward away from being an aide.  My last night at McKay Dee Hospital is on June 6th.  The girls, Grandma and I will then be heading on a long Road Trip to Georgia and Alabama to visit family and see the Country.  I am beyond excited to road trip with the girls!

 I am going to finish with Olivia.

Josh officially adopted Olivia on April 30th. (Olivia's now Second Birthday) It was a WONDERFUL day! She is a Nielsen to the rest of the world now and I am so grateful for a husband that is such a good Father.  Josh took the initiative to start the adoption and put all of Olivia's questions to rest. When we asked her if she wanted to be adopted, she said: "I consider myself to be 99.9% Nielsen but I want to be 100%."  So... here she is now 100% Nielsen!  Everything proceeded very fast. We found out about the court date only days before, I have never seen the Justice system work so fast. The Judge gave us a heart attack for a while... the tension was thick in the court for a few moments. He was just doing his job to make sure we had covered all our bases before he ruled on taking away her sperm donors rights.  Luckily our Lawyer did a great job and helped the Judge see it our way.  I had to testify that sperm donors name was not on her birth certificate and that he has had no contact since birth.  Since there was no contact even before her birth, that was helpful. Josh had to state some of the things he loved about Olivia, just looking at him get choked up as he tried to talk about what a good piano player and artist she is. My heart was full, it made me so proud to be sitting there that day next to my brave girl. She was so nervous to go before the Judge not knowing what to expect. We were lucky to have our parents and Jorja in the court room with us, sitting on the first row. So thankful they were able to share in that moment with us.

 We are on our way to making everyone know she is a Nielsen, her new birth certificate with Josh's name on it will be here soon and we can proceed in changing her name on all things.  It was a fun day! We decided to make it a big celebration for her and Josh started calling it her Birthday since she was getting a new name. We are so lucky to have so many amazing people who love us! Thank you to all our Family and Friends who made it an extra special day. We felt overwhelmed with love and support sent from all over! 

Hanging out for the Party.  The kids had a great time playing and it was wonderful to visit with everyone who came to celebrate.

The Party in Centerville's Founders Park ended up being a bit on the cold side.

The cake... Josh picked it ALL out. When we went to pick it up from Bowman's they had left off the "Miss", which was the important part. OOPS! Though the cake was super tasty!

The after party hanging out with Aunt Brandy, Kay, Mommy and Daddy

Josh sporting the Mohawk for a minute or two before shaving his head again.

 I am so blessed to have such an amazing and wonderful family!  We are all proud to be Nielsen's!

Olivia always knew she was a Witch!

 Olivia Turned TEN!  We celebrated with a Harry Potter Theme.  It was pretty awesome and Grandme Launi and I worked hard to make the Friend party a big hit.

Olivia in the Transfiguration Booth

Complete with Wand!

Grandma Launi was the Potions Teacher, she had the kids playing with all sorts of crazy things!

Treat broom bags to take home; complete with Chocolate frogs and Every Flavored Bean

The Three Broomsticks station

Owl cupcakes for dessert next to the snitch and items needed for potions

All the Girls after being in the transfiguration booth

All the treats!

We had the girls make their own pizza and while it cooked they had Potions Class.

The party was a big hit, even with the two or three feet of snow that fell during the party.  Thanks to all Olivia's friends for making it so special.  It was fun to have such good Hogwarts Students.  I am most proud of the invitations after all we did. They were so fun to have Olivia deliver them by OWL!

My Baby is FIVE!

UNLESS

 


We had a Lorax themed 5th Birthday for Jorja this year. She loved the movie and it was fun to put together all of Dr. Seuss crazy trees and creatures for her party.

 Jorja standing by one of my many Truffula Trees that I made.

 The Birthday girl was too funny pretending to be shy when everyone sang Happy Birthday to her.

 Olivia and Jorja surprised me by drawing these super cute pictures of all the characters from the movie/book. Apparently there is a short lesson in the extras on the movie. They were adorable, we kept them up for awhile in the toy room.

 We had lots of fruit and Truffula tree fruit pancakes for dinner!

Jorja's drawing of The Lorax

Olivia's drawings of all the characters!

 Jorja was spoiled rotten! We had a great time being together. Thank you to everyone being there to help celebrate and make it a special occasion for her. She was well loved that day!

 Josh's beard at one of it's longest stages... behind him the Lorax Stash I made with a little quote from the book and some truffula trees for Jorja to keep.

 Our Barbaloots, marshmallows and singing fish for snacks!

 Lorax cookies and Truffula tree cupcakes with Barbaloots hanging under the trees. These turned out supper cute! Thanks mom for piping all the stashes on the Lorax's. They were too fun!

 We made a bit bigger cake for Jorja to have her own special birthday girl cake.

 Our Lorax stash straws! We had lots of fun with these... for weeks even!

Lindsey helped us a lot to set up and as always was a great sport to show off her Lorax Stash!