New Year's Rockin Eve

I was a little bummed that we had nothing planned for New Year's Eve this year. Not that we have ever really done anything since the kids have been born, but for some reason, I felt the need to do something. So I tell my super sweet husband that I want to dress up in fancy clothes, have a fancy dinner and game night and he says, "OK". He left for the afternoon and that gave me some time to get ready for our fancy dinner. I put a red table cloth on the table, with our silver chargers and all. Candles were our centerpiece and I got out the fancy glasses. I went upstairs to get us dressed and got kinda excited! I decided on wearing the Maid of Honor dress I wore in my sister's wedding. I quickly changed into it, sucked in all my breath and zipped it all the way up- couldn't breath and I may have looked a bit pregnant, but this rockin momma got zipped it up. Delaney went for an Easter dress and Brody, well I went to put on his clothes from Danielle's wedding, but couldn't quite get them zipped, so I opted for the shirt, vest and umm.... diaper. Yep, that's how we roll.

For dinner, I made the ever fabulous Macaroni and Cheese with cut u hot dogs in it. Eric got home just in time to get in his fancy clothes and pop open the Safeway brand of sparkling cider. I eloquently filled holiday bowls with our dinner and set them on the chargers. We all sat down and had a little toast, followed by many many cheers between the kids.

A blurry cheers:)

Nothing but class here folks.

After dinner, it was time for a rousing game of Candyland. The kids did a great job taking turns and Delaney legitimately won. Fancy time was over, the kids went to sleep and Eric and I watched Bridesmaids and bet who would fall asleep first (I always win- he always falls asleep). Turns out, we did actually watch the ball drop and toasted to a great new year and took a minute to be thankful for the blessings in our lives.

Planning her strategy

And yes, we are total nerds. And I. LOVE.IT.



Hello 2011!

***WARNING:  LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG!


Happy New Year! The past two days I have been reflecting on 2010 and have come to the conclusion that I am neither happy nor sad to see it go. Yes, there were some hard times, but there were also many blessings that I can't ignore. We went on our first big family vacation and had a BLAST! Seeing the expressions on the kids faces when they gave Minnie a hug was truly priceless and something I will never forget. You don't get moments like that back. I am confident that 2011 is going to be great! I know that we are in for some BIG changes (more on that later) and some we are ready for and some we are not. But we will be in together!!
This year I want to make sure that I go outside with the kids at least once every day. I want to make sure that we play more games as a family, which means lots of Candyland, but I am good with that. I want to read more books to and with them. I want to do more projects. I want to get back to my old organizing ways (and may be forced to). I want to make sure that my family and friends know that I love them, every day. I want to be a better dog mom. Ugh....I know there are a gazillion more, but that will do for now.

This past week Eric was off of work and while he spent a lot of time working on his *truck*, here are some of the fun things we did:

We went out to dinner with Eric's dad and brother.... sans kiddos.

There was a lot of buildings constructed out of Lincoln Logs.... Delaney really wanted Daddy helping.

I don't remember if this was a hug or a head lock

Delaney played with her Strawberry Shortcake remote control car.

Kids were over the Lincoln Logs, or maybe it was because they didn't really get to help.

Notice the lack of kids.

His finished fort, with a porch and a partner

There was a lot of bike riding.....

My boys.

My big boy

How many kids do you see????

He really wants to pedal, but instead he tiptoes. Cutest thing ever.

I want to squeeze him

Daddy helping his little girl after falling off the bike. First fall is always the hardest!

But she was right back up!

On Wednesday we went to Phoenix to see Mimi and Granddaddy (my grandparents) and my Aunt Leigh Ann and cousin Julie. Delaney was so excited to see them and then she saw that they had presents for her so she was even more excited!

At the McDonald's at the half way point

Brody opening the big present!

A WAGON!!

Then it was Delaney's turn to open her gift from Aunt Leigh Ann and Julie and let me just say....I think they have it out for me cuz here is what she got

A freaking keyboard! It has a stand, a seat and a friggin microphone. It's okay though, because next time we visit or EVERY TIME they visit, Delaney will be entertaining them while she tickles the ivories!

Brody likes it too!

The next day we went to Peter Piper Pizza. They were so excited and didn't understand that they needed to eat first and then play, so we had some attitude

Could she BE anymore dramatic?

I guess so.

Maybe if I am nice Mommy will let me play

So, I don't think they will be making a living playing this game. Not one ball made it all the way in.

Brody wanted to ride a motorcycle

so Daddy helped

Delaney wanted to ride the merry-go-round and was 'beary, beary brave"

Brody, on the other hand, wasn't scared, but was totally pissy and cried the whole time!

Good times

The rest of the week has been spent "wowing" at the fire in the fireplace, playing Candyland and listening the the kids sing, as loud as they can, in the microphone. We have been playing the wagon and I have been watching as Delaney and Brody grow up right before my eyes. They are starting to play with each other. I know that 2011 will be great. It has to be!

Goodbye (Thanks goodness) and Hello (with hope)

It's the last day of 2009 and I can't help but feel relief. I am not sure why excatly, I just know that tomorrow signifies a new start of some sort and I feel like that is just what we need. As I sit her, slightly dizzy (not sure why), I keep thinking back to the past year. There have been some definite struggles, lessons learned, and fabulous experiences. Here are some highlights of the past year:

1. Brody James Mikkelson was born on April 17. All 8 lbs. 10 oz. of him. I love him and can't imagine life without him now.

2. Before Brody was born, Eric, Delaney and I were able to DRIVE (ahhhh) as a family to Colorado with my mom and dad to see family and watch the premiere of my mom's movie, The Velveteen Rabbit. Lots of firsts and lots of fun.

3. We moved. Of course this was not in our plan at all, it is something that just happened and we are in a much better place now- 5 minutes from my parents:)

4.Eric and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary, Kaylie turned 14, Daylen turned 11, Delaney turned 2, Eric turned ummm.... a lot more that:) Plus, Brody got to experience his first Thanksgiving and Christmas!

5. My sister got engaged!

6. I found out that I love baking cakes! Who knew?!

7. My good friend, Ami at The Best Things in Life are Three, FINALLY got her wish of having a family when her triplets were born in March.

8. My mom's book, The Silent Gift, was released in October. It is amazing. (BTW I will be doing an interview with Michael Landon Jr. and my mom along with a giveaway next week).

Okay, so there were some really wonderful things and some good things that happened, but like I said, fresh start. I know that really it is just a Friday and the year has to change, but I feel like it's just what I need to make a fresh start.  It's so funny to me how different New Year's Eve is from year to year. Eric and I were remembering a HUGE party that we had when I lived with Mary. It was so fun and there were so many people! That was 5 years ago. Tonight, we thought back to that night as we were ginving our two little ones a bath and telling each other it's ok to celebrate New Years with New York at 10:00 instead of having to stay up til midnight. It's so weird how different things are now!

 Alright, onto my new start! I have been thinking a lot about my resloutions and I think that I have a pretty good list:

• I will stop drinking soda daily. (I will try to have one-big one- a week)
• I will try and work out on a regular basis- I must get back to pre-baby wieght
• I will come up with a day-to-day routine that includes laundry dammit!
• I will try to remember at least once a day to "take a mental picture" of my life.
• I will start an at home business (details to follow)
• I will potty train my little girl.
• So help me, we will go on a family vacation
• I will make sure to tell my family that I love them daily.

I don't know why I make resolutions. I think I do it because I really like lists. Who knows. Anyway, I hope that 2010 is a wonderful year for everyone, including us.

Happy New Year!

The new me

So we are now into the second day of 2009 and I have decided that this is going to be a good year. So, I introduce you to the new and improved Nicole. Upon many, many, many reflections about myself, my life, my family, my relationships, etc., I have come to realize that I need some "tweaking". Here it is.....


For the coming year, I will be more positive! I promise. It doesn't sound like a hard thing to do, but man is it. I will be more proactive in my friendships. I know that I have let many go by the wayside and I am sad about that. I will love my husband's guts out. He does a lot for our family and I know that it is not usually recognized. I will be a better mom. I love my little girl and I will remind myself everyday that she is a blessing and that this time goes by super fast. I am going to be a mother of 2 soon and that is scary! I will do everything I can to make sure that I am a great mom for both my little munchkins. I will be a good role model for my step-kids. Being a step-mom is hard, but I want to be good at it. I will renew my relationship with God and the church. Eric and I have going more lately and I am learning so much through the books and devotionals that I was given at Christmas. I will keep up with my housework. One of my favorite phrases is- It's easier to keep up, than catch up- boy is that the truth. I will learn to make more dinners. I will bake more cookies and desserts. I will wear aprons. I love aprons. Why haven't I worn them before? There are a few that I have my eye on and as soon as I have this baby, it's apron time. (Eric thinks that I need to wear something other than sweats with the apron though, so I guess I need to work on my stay at home mom wardrobe). I will exercise. This one is hard too. Luckily, I have a friend who will whip me into shape (as I sit here with a Coke and Chips Ahoy chewy cookies). I will be a better sister to my brother and sister. I will make time for them. I am already a great daughter :) but I am sure that I need to work on something there too. I WILL get a job! Whether it be medical transcription or working in the church- I will relieve some pressure financially from Eric. I will clear my e-mail account. The number is outrageous! I will play with my dogs and get outside more! I will be happy:)!!!!!

There are a million more things to list, but I think that I have my work cut out for me this year with this many.

I expect this year to be great. We will travel to Colorado and see my mom's long awaited movie. We will have a baby shower. We will have a baby boy! We will have family of 6!!! We will accomplish goals. Eric and I will hopefully be able to go on a honeymoon after three years! We will have a busy, busy, ORGANIZED (see the positive:) year.

So, HI- I am the new '09 Nicole... pleased to meet you!