Color Me Mine

The other night Sam and I decided to try something a little new for us, so we spent an evening at Color Me Mine (just like As You Wish for those Arizonians).

I picked a traditional piece that I'll only be able to use one month out of the year, but it was so cute I couldn't pass the little guy up.

Sammy thought long and hard before creating his masterpiece. Once he started, he was in the zone.
Annnnd (drum roll please) our finished products:

Mr. Snowman Plate

Milk + Oreo = LOVE Mug

Sam's cracked me up. The cow is my fave.

We have plans to go again. :)

Cheetalicious Delicious

Thanks to Santa (my mom) I found these sweet Cheetah cupcake liners in my stocking Christmas morning. I was so excited to use them. Well, it just so happens that Cheetah Natalie Camp's birthday is in the first week of January (if you want to know more about my rockin friend Nat, just read this post http://danideej.blogspot.com/2010/01/happy-birthday-mapalie.html). Since it was a Cheetah birthday, Cheetah cupcakes were a natural fit. So I baked up these gems...
Nat's party was a candy-shop theme so I threw a few mini M&Ms on top!

In case you are wondering...yes, my friends are called "The Cheetahs". It's a name that spread and stuck. The pic below was snapped at the bday girl's party; we captured nearly all past and current tenants of the beloved Cheetah Mansion (Ash and Mel you were missed!). These girls just make me happy.
And so do Cheetah Cupcakes. Sassy and yummy.

NYE 2010

December 31st, 2010 we gathered with some dear friends to welcome in 2011. We ate yummy food, played games, laughed, ate some more, watched the ball drop, toasted with Martinelli's, then laughed so more.

It was a fabulous night.

I got a New Years kiss from this hottie two years in a row now. What a lucky girl I am...wonder if I can make it three?
The Nelson couples:
Linds and Maddie:
Pazookies in progress:

2011 will bring great things. I know it and believe it.

Christmas '10

MERRY BELATED CHRISTMAS!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas. Sam and I were able to spend some time back in Arizona with our families and it was so great! We are truly blessed to have such wonderful families.

This year was my family's "on" year for Christmas which meant my 2 parents plus all 5 siblings, 4 in-laws, and 5 nieces/nephews (pictured above) were together for the holiday! Yes, we had 16 people all under one roof! It was so fun. My parents are angels to deal with all the craziness. One of the things I enjoyed the most was watching these two interact:
Kyle and Kate. Those two have quite the personalities; I can't even begin to explain!

My wonderful parents are so good to us all and spoiled us as well. Thanks for everything Mom and Dad!We also got to celebrate Chris' (my brother) birthday! *Please note little Macy trying so hard to lean in and blow out the candles :)
Both Kate and Kyle have some sweet dance moves in them so of course a dance party was necessary. Uncle Scooter provided the music on the piano.
The second half of our time spent in AZ we were able to spend at Sam's house. The Nielsens are such a wonderful family; I could never ask for better in-laws. Nearly every morning we stay at the Nielsen's home, Sam and I head over to the mountains near his house and wander the trails. I was smart and brought my camera along one day and I'm glad I did...
I love him.

Sam's sisters that are married were able to stop by often so we were able to have the whole Nielsen gang together a lot too.

I can't believe how much Hank has grown!
I also got to visit with my friend Monica and see her sweet little boy, Cole. So fun!
After every trip I wish I would've captured more pictures of everything and everyone, but Sam already complains about how many pictures I take! However, he did buy me a new camera for Christmas so I'm not too sure what's going on in his head there... Hm.

I have felt so blessed lately for my faith, family and friends. I'm sad the Christmas season is a whole 11 months away again, but I hope to do a better job at keeping the spirit of Christmas alive throughout the whole year by constantly serving others and appreciating Christ and his example.

We hope you all had a joyous Christmas too! Love, the nielsens.