Decorating for Christmas

We stayed inside today and just hung out together with our little family. Van "helped" me decorate the house for Christmas.








The finished product. I'm so excited for Christmas all of the sudden!

Holy Moly, 10 Months Old!

Where has the time gone?

Pants Off

Dear Child of Mine,

You have your 2 bottom teeth so far. I can tell when you are teething because you don't sleep through the night. In the past week or so you have started waking in the middle of the night screaming like a crazy person when you wake. It isn't that subtle cry like mommy please get me a bottle, it is more along the lines of "Mom, wake the hell up now!!!!! If you don't I will only get worse and will refuse to go back to sleep, I will then proceed to get into bed with you, push you to the very edge of the bed and sanity all while I kick the crap out of every major organ and joint in your body!!!"
You are usually so good about laying down in your own bed when you get tired and putting yourself to sleep, well that good behavior has also gone out the window during this recent stint of teething. You now want me to lul you to sleep. You prefer that I lay you next to me in my bed with no light what so ever and allow you to use my entire body as your pillow or punching bag, just depends on how tired you are at the time. I tried repeatedly last night to lul you to sleep. You got there a few times but as soon as I moved you would wake back up. I was trying to get a talk prepared that I have to give in Young Woman's so I made your Dad try his hand at getting you to sleep. It is so funny how Dads feel like there are certain things they are just not capable of when it comes to their children. Well you know me, that is just unacceptable so I make him try, I also LOVE to see him try and get frustrated, I will be honest I laugh my butt off at him!!! He tried a few times, laying down with you but he didn't understand that he just has to lay there and accept that he will be kicked and scratched and screamed at until you finally fall asleep. He finally tried to lay you down in your own bed. We could hear you yelling and playing in your bed so your dad walked back in to check on you only to find that you had somehow taken your pants all the way off, they were not around your ankles or even near you. He brought you back into the hall so I could see you, I looked at him and said, "Why did you take his pants off?" He was laughing so hard that he couldn't speak, he finally got it out what you had done and I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. You got a good laugh as well. I think you know how funny you are and you get quite a kick out of yourself.
I love your guts Meaty!

I have been tagged/6 quirks about me

I laughed like a flip'n lunatic when reading Kellie's that I decided what the heck!

Rules:
1. Link the person who tagged you
2. Mention rules on your blog
3. Tell about six quirks of yours
4. Tag six fellow bloggers to do the same
5. Leave them a comment to let them know


1. Okay here we go, I think these "quirks" are more like OCD matters to me. When putting folded towels away "the pretty side" has to be facing out. They have to be folded going the same direction and smooth.

2.While I lay in bed I cannot stand to see any door open. We leave our bedroom door cracked open, as long as I can't see it from around the corner.

3.I also cannot leave for a vacation without my house being spotless. I also like the feeling of coming home to a clean house and only having the dirty laundry from the vacation but my main reason is....If we never come home from the vacation I want the people who have to deal with our passing to come into a spotless home and not have to deal with my wreckage on top of my death. Demented?

4. The feeling of manure haunts me! When I touch something with my hands or feet that I perceive as dirty it takes me a full shower before feeling like I no longer have a full coating of manure on my hands and feet. Just washing my hands/feet doesn't seem to help.

5.I absolutely LOVE to pop zits! Only if it is on certain people though, otherwise I gag and feel the manure thing going on again. I especially love the kind that you can almost hear pop through the surface.

6. Vacuum lines!!!! I love vacuum lines!!!! As they start to fade my house feels filthy.

I tag..Amanda, Kelly M., Teresa, Katelyn, Suzy and Ashlie.

Something to Chew On

I am not going to tell you the website because that would just prove to everyone just how far from perfect I actually am but one of my favorite blogs posted this....
Let it be mine for just a second and give me an answer!

Indulge me for a second and consider this scenario: let's say you're given the opportunity to donate some money to a desperate family who would use it to feed their children, but were only able to do so if you donated the same amount of money to someone you knew would use it to buy crack. Would you do it?

How Life Changes

It's funny how life changes, it contains a lot of firsts, firsts that hold indescribable feeling, a feeling that you will never feel again with the same magnitude. As you grow you can't imagine being old enough to do a lot of things. When you get married there is this craziness of blending 2 homes into one and as you prepare for a new baby it is beyond something that you can put into words. I remember this exact day last year, Saturday conference session, opening day of the elk hunt. It was raining just like it was today and I was 6 months pregnant. Anyone who was around for my pregnancy knows that I hated every last second of it, so last year at this time I thought I was going to die and there was just no way that I would ever feel more uncomfortable...little did I know what the next 3 months had in store. Anyway....conference weekend last year, rainy....Afton and I went to Salt Lake to a boutique to find some fashionable maternity pants. I remember telling her that I couldn't believe that I was actually preparing for a baby. On our way home she said to me "Won't it be so weird next year at this time when we are taking Van with us to the mall, it won't be just us, he will be here." I couldn't imagine that this little person that we had referred to as Van from the very moment I found out I was pregnant (I already knew he was a boy) was inside of me and actually going to come out and have a spot in this world. Jordan and I talked about it for 9 + months. One day you leave the house, just the two of you and then you come home with 3 and all of the sudden it isn't just Jordan and Jamie's house but Van's house too. Van is an actual person who has belongings just like the rest of us, belongings that he would take with him where ever he may go, a room, clothing that isn't meant for any one but him. It is so surreal to know that the room that was an office is now a real persons room, VAN'S room. I hung some coat hooks in the laundry room just a few days ago, preparing for winter and wanting to have easy access to a coat as we are walking out the door. I smile every time I even walk into the room, Jordan comments on it every time he walks through the back door. This little man has a hook on the wall, one that is all for him, one that hold his very own coat.

A GET TO KNOW YOU EMAIL SENT TO US BY AUNT KATIE

AS TOLD BY VAN!

1.What time did you get up this morning?
7:30

2.Diamonds or pearls?
I PREFER PLASTIC

3.What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
NEVER SEEN ONE, MY PARENTS DONT WANT TO BE BANNED FROM THE THEATER FOREVER

4.What is your favorite TV show?
I LOVE MY BABY GENIUS DVD, LOVE THE MUSIC

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
OATMEAL AND/OR A BOTTLE OF BABY FOOD AND A BOTTLE OF FORMULA

6.What is your middle name?
JORDAN

7.What food do you dislike?
PEAS.

8.What is your favorite CD at moment?
ANYTHING DANCE WORTHY, I ALSO LOVE THE SONG ON MY UNCLE LANDON'S PHONE.

9.What kind of car do you drive?
I DON'T ACTUALLY DRIVE, I HAVE MY OWN DRIVER

10.Favorite sandwich?
I LOVE TOAST WITH JAM

11.What characteristic do you despise?
LAME AND BORING

12.Favorite item of clothing?
MY BIRTHDAY SUIT, I HATE CLOTHES!!!

13.If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you?
THE PARK

14.Favorite brand of clothing?
I AM SERIOUSLY THE MOST STYLISH KID THERE IS, I PREFER TO DIVERSIFY MY WARDROBE

15.Where would you retire to?
AT 8 MONTHS OLD I WOULD HAVE TO SAY A ROOM FULL OF VACUMES. I STARE AT ANY VACUME AS IF IT IS MY LONG LOST BEST FRIEND. MY UNCLE LANDON TAKES ME FOR RIDES ON THEM!


16.What was your most recent memorable birthday?
JANUARY 21ST, 2008

17.Favorite sport to watch?
I PREFER ROLL THE BALL ACROSS THE ROOM

18.Farthermost place you are sending this?
MY GRANDMA IN SALT LAKE CITY

19.Person you expect to send it back first?
MY GRANDMA ALREADY DID AND THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS.

20.When is your birthday?
JAN 21,08

21.Are you a morning person or a night person?
DEFINATLEY MORNING, I AM A COLLOSAL SHIT PAST 8PM

22.What is your shoe size?
5, IN BABY

23.Pets?
I LOVE DOGS AND HORSES AND COWS! I HAVE LOTS OF THEM!

24.Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?
MY POOP WAS RED AND ORANGE THIS MORNING!

25.What did you want to be when you were little?
A GROWN UP.

26.How are you today?
I HAVE A TOOTH ACHE :(

27.What is your favorite candy?
CHOCOLATE MAKES ME THROW UP! PUMPKIN PIE IS MY FAVORITE TREAT, NEVER HAD THIS THING YOU CALL CANDY.

28.What is your favorite flower?
WHICH EVER ONE WOULD TASTE THE BEST.

29.What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
THE DAY I CAN WALK SO I DONT HAVE TO LET MY WEINER DRAG ON THE COLD TILE FLOOR WHEN I CRAWL INTO THE BATHROOM WHILE MOM IS TRYING TO HOLD ME DOWN AND CHANGE MY DIAPER.

30.What is your full name?
VAN JORDAN NIELSEN, YOU CAN CALL ME MEATY THOUGH

31.What are you listening to right now?
MY MOM TYPING.

32.What was the last thing you ate?
A CARROT

33.Do you wish on stars?
DON'T HAVE TO, MY WISH IS ANYONES COMMAND

34.If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
YELLOW. MY FAVORITE TOYS ARE YELLOW

35.How is the weather right now?
I DON'T CARE, I WANT TO GO FOR A WALK!

36.The first person you spoke to on the phone today?
MY DAD, I TRIED TO EAT HIM THROUGH THE PHONE.

37.Favorite soft drink?
APPLE JUICE

38.Favorite restaurant?
LOS HERMANOS, I LOVE THEIR REFRIED BEANS!

39.Real hair color?
DIRTY BLONDE LIKE MY MOMMYS

40.What was your favorite toy as a child?
A BIG BLUE BALL AND MY BABY RUBBER DUCKY THAT I USE WHEN I CAN'T FIND MY BINKY, OH I ALMOST FORGOT PHONES.....I L...O...V...E.... PHONES!

41.Summer or winter?
Summer

42.Hugs or kisses?
NEITHER, I WILL GIVE KISSES BUT I DON'T LIKE TO GET THEM AND I HATE ANYONE WHO TRYS TO HUG ME FOR LONGER THAN 2.2 SECONDS!

43.Chocolate or Vanilla?
NEVER TRIED VANILLA BUT CHOCOLATE MAKES ME THROW UP

44.Coffee or tea?
DOES COKE COUNT? DONT WORRY GRANDMA I DON'T DRINK COKE. CLARK GAVE ME A SIP ONCE AND MY MOM ALMOST THREW HIM THROUGH THE WINDOW.

45.Do you want your friends to email you back?
I AM TOO BUSY TO READ WHAT ALL MY FRIENDS HAVE TO SAY.

46.When was the last time you cried?
I AM CRYING RIGHT NOW. WHY WONT MY MOM LET ME POUND ON THE KEY BOARD?

47.What is under your bed?
NOTHING, MY BED HAS WHEELS!

48.What did you do last night?
TOOK MY MOM TO HER PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS AND THEN WENT TO THE BASEBALL PARK WITH MY DAD.

49.What are you afraid of ?
ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING!!!

50.Salty or sweet?
SWEET

51.How many keys on your key ring?
I LOVE....MY MOMS KEYS AND SHE HAS 4

52.How many years at your current job?
8 MONTHS

53.Favorite day of the week?
ANY FUN DAY!

54.How many towns have you lived in?
UNO

55.Do you make friends easily?
HECK YES! EVERYWHERE I GO!

56.How many people will you send this to?
1

57.How many will respond?
1

"Choice Van"

It occurred to me tonight that you may read this one day. I want to put his entry early on so that you will read it first. You are only 7 months old and your daddy is already trying to teach you how to live an honest good life. When we hear of things on the news, in the community or in our own families about people doing things to dishonor themselves and others and neglecting the value in their lives; or straying from the true things that bring happiness into our lives he will say to you "Choices Van, the choices that you make in your life shape you, and not only you but everyone around you, make good choices Van."

We talk about it often, how to teach you to make the right choices. Son, please make the right choices. Do good, be someone that teaches others to be good and true by the choices you make in your own life. Please do not ever dishonor someone or make someone’s life unnecessarily hard. Show love to the people that are dear to you. It is amazing to watch someone treat someone so terribly and to know that they love that person. Why we as humans think it is ok to leave scars with our words and our actions on the people that mean the most is unreal. I can tell you with great shame that I have done this before and sitting here typing you this letter I have true regret and sadness. My promise to you is that I will teach you to do good by my actions. We all have our short comings but please be one that rises above it and love more than you hate. Please look for the positive in people and forget their negatives. I want to teach you not to wait on someone else to try to fix your relationship, not to use someone else’s faults as an excuse to give up on showing someone that you love them.

One more thing that is on my mind tonight is your sweet Daddy, he wants nothing more than to play with his little boy. He wants to see you live your childhood to the fullest, to give you every single opportunity to live life to the very fullest. You are so loved my little man. Sleep tight.

Mom

Van is on the Prowl

Why is it that you insist on only playing with the dangerous or gross things in your line of sight?? You love to crawl under the curtains in the dining room and pick the dead flies out of the door jam.....I will try to clean those up tonight! Yesterday you managed to find an old NERD in the carpet up against the wall....it obviously tasted good. I walked into the laundry room the other day and when I came back into the living room you were gone....in the extra bath sucking on the bolts on the bottom of the toilet. Your favorite is chewing on any electrical cord!!! What the heck child?
You got up on the bathroom floor this morning trying to get around the door to see your Dad. You were up on your hands and knees slowly moving your little knee forward and then carefully moving your hand next. Over a minute or so you made 4 little moves of a real crawl. Each move was so calculated, I guess you must have decided it was just easier to slither across the floor. I love every fiber of your being and even that doesn't explain it enough.

It seems like in the past week Van has decided to take off! He is army crawling everywhere, following me from room to room and chasing after his basketball. Insisting on feeding himself and finding new hiding places. Everyday is truly and adventure that I wouldn't trade for anything. His little personality is phenomenal! He is starting to tell the difference in who will give him what and how much persistence it takes.....who will spoil him more and let him get away with more. The kid is a riot and according to his Dad soon to be NBA star and the next president of our great nation.

I like to hide....

in Moms closet

Under my Mom and Dads bed

mmmmm, yogurt

THE MANY FACES OF VAN

Katie's Wedding....CONGRATS!

Katie (Jordan's sister) got married this weekend. It was surely a week dedicated to Katie, bridal shower, temple endowments, wedding dinner and wedding, we have been Katiefied! It turned out beautiful and Katie got her man! Congratulations!

Katelyn and Brandon Dalley

My stinking rotten stud of a baby boy! Grandma Angie put him in a tux!!

OH.....

AGAIN.....

Clay and Angie

Me and my crazy sister-in-laws! They are so much fun when I don't want to beat them! They sure love my baby and my baby loves them.

Jord and Landon

Addy and Jack

Baby Peyton.

Ashlie....always pulling a face.

Party at Aunt Jamie's!

We got to tend Shaun and Jenea's kids this weekend while they went to San Diego. We stayed up late, ate tons of junk food, went swimming at Grandma and Grandpa Stokes and went fishing. Jaylee and Dacia have never gone fishing....Dacia caught more fish than anyone else.

Dacia and Van. Dacia is already the best babysitter and Van loves her so...much!

Jaylee, so proud of her HUGE fish!

Once Dacia caught one fish it lit her on fire, all she wanted was another.

Daxton is all about technique, the right bait and lure. He knew exactly what he was doing.

Trevin smelled like fish when we got home. He wouldn't put them down. It was cold and rainy and he still ended up in the pond with the string of fish. He was so upset when we gave them to someone else to cook. He asked the next day if we thought the fish got eaten by the people that we gave them to. He felt jipped that we wouldn't let him bring them home.

SERIOUSLY!!


I LOVE THESE LITTLE LADIES!