Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!!

When we look back on 2009, we see a lot of great times. One of my favorite memories of the year was taking Michael, Abby and Aidan to my hometown in Michigan. Abby told me that was her favorite vacation. Also getting to meet our niece Elliana. She is such a cute little girl with her own personality. I think that is the McClellan trait.

Michael has been busy at work and church. This year his responsibility was teaching gospel principles. When he got put in there he was told don’t be surprised if no one comes to this class. Michael decided to make treats each week. He did such a great job that this past week the young men in our ward literally broke out in a fist fight to get the treats.

I have also been busy with work and church. In the early part of the year, I was called to be 1st counselor in the Relief Society. I really enjoyed it because I got to know the members of the ward especially the sisters. My goal for the year is to get back to working out more often. I would really like to run another half marathon in May.

Abby is in the 5th Grade. She is busy with choir, cheer and soccer. She is really starting to grow up. She is discovering jewelry, make up and boys. She is so cute; Michael just wants to chase the boys away.

Aidan is 8 years old and is in the 2nd Grade. He is into basketball, and soccer. He also is like his Dad and loves video games. We just got a wii for Christmas from my Dad and he was teaching me how to play it. Aidan also has a very tender heart. He loves his big sister and will pretty much do what she wants.

Cameron and Jerusha had the best experience with the birth of their son, Finnley Tucker. That little boy could not be any cuter. I love to see him grow and develop. Cam and Jerusha are such great parents. Finn is crawling, loves dogs, and he loves to stand up. .

The Nielsen’s wish you a Happy New Year and all the good things for your family in 2010.

If I would have been more organized or had more time I would have sent this out with the Christmas card.

Aidan's baptism

The day finally came, Aidan got baptized. In the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, we believe that children should be baptized when they are 8 years older or older. We belive that children are born innocent and once they become they start to become accountable for their choices.

Aidan has been counting down to this day. It was a very spiritual day. I really felt a closeness to Abby and Aidan's Mom and her husband Joe.
The program was a talk on baptism by Tyson(Aidan's step brother). Michael baptized Aidan. Then on to Aidan's Mom talked on the Holy Ghost and his step Dad Joe confirmed him a member.

Michael and I went to Mel and Joe's for dessert afterwards. It was a really a special day and thankful for the kids.

SLC temple

Salt Lake temple is one of the most beautiful temples that I have seen. There is a special feeling when I see it.

the lights at temple square

This year Michael had a great idea. Traffic to the see the temple square lights drives me to swear. No joke. So we ended up going down earlier in the day. We watched Joseph Smith movie and then went to the Lion House. If you are wondering what that red drink is, well Aidan thought his hot chocolate was watery. Little does he know that I doctor ours up at home with egg nog, or creamer. So he decided he would add his jellow to his hot chocolate.

This year I could not believe there was no snow on the ground. You can even see the flowers are still on the ground. This truely is one of my favorite traditions during the holiday. It reminds me of what is truely important in my life and gets me in the mood to celebrate the birth of the Savior.

the Craven clan

Abby and Aidan's step Dad is creative when it comes to pictures. Michael and I saw this over at his and Mel(Abby and Aidan's Mom) it cracked me up.

Abby and Aidan are in the picture with Tyson, Payten and Dallen

Aidan is 8

Aidan could not wait to be 8. We would do a count down to his birthday since the beginning of the month. The morning of his bday Aidan knocks on the bathroom door to tell Michael,"Its my Birthday". I thought it was so cute. Aidan wanted strawberry cupcakes for his dessert. Aidan is getting so grown up. He also knows that this is a special bday because he will be baptized the next week.

Disney on Ice

This Saturday, during our first snow fall of the year. Grandma Rene, Abby, Aidan, Michael and I went to Disney on Ice. It was all about Princesses-we saw Mulan, Tinkerbell, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Little Mermaid, and Cinderella. Cinderella hands down has always been my favorite. It was also nice to have the extra Rene.

Mom's and Muffins Book fair

This past week the kids had a book fair. Each day a different family member is able to go with the kids and to purchase books and toys. Grandma Irene and Grandpa Roy went one day. Michael went for Daddy and Doughnuts. I felt pretty special that the kids would invite to come to Mom's and Muffins. Their had to work that day. So we looked about dogs, some tween stars, Simpson books. Abby decided one of her favorite authors and Aidan got a dinosaur book. It was so funny to spend that extra with the kids.

Happy Halloween

I was so excited for this Halloween. This is my first time to celebrate with the kids since being married to Michael. Abby was a gothic vampire, Aidan a reaper, Ziggy the pug a fairy and Owen a hotdog. We started off visiting Grandma Rene and Roy. Then off to Trunk or Treat-for family not in Utah. Basically your neighborhood goes to your local church and you pass out candy setting in the trunk or your car. I could not believe I passed out over 300 pieces of candy in less then an hour and I ran out. From there we went to neighbors and to some friends in their Mom and step Dad's neighborhood. Our final destination was to some scary houses-as the kids call it. One was more like a haunted house. One of the monsters chased after Aidan almost to the car. Aidan just looked at him and said What the heck. It was pretty. YOu should have seen the kids running from house to house. it was amazing. Thanks for a great Halloween.

To let you know Ziggy has a cone on his head because he had some cancer removed from his face. But he is cancer free. What a relief

Time with Abby and Aidan

Abby, Aidan and I and went for ice cream last Monday. I love the creativity of kids. Aidan had egg nog ice cream with Swedish fish and Abby had Chocolate yogurt with Marshmallows. We had a great time talking about Halloween, their step brother Dallen going on his mission and how much they would miss him, what the MTC is like. I love the time I get to spend with them.

Michael's 10th Year at DWS celebration

Michael has been employed with DWS for 10 years this month. Only 20 more years to go before retirement. Really, it is a mile stone. So proud of you. To celebrate, Abby, Aidan and I went to Hot Dog Heaven. Yummy.

Michael's wounds

Michael had some abrasions on his eye and so they told him to wear an eye patch. His eye was red but when he called me from the doctors office because they did not want him to drive. I felt so bad.

Since Michael and I have been married, he has broken and burned(Michael calls it deep frying) his foot with hot oil, been in hospital,and now his eye injury. I have to say, just in case you are wondering I am not abusing my hubbie. I love him dearly.

Back to school

Abby and Aidan are back to school. Abby is in 5th Grade. She is getting so grown up. She is already counting down til she gets her drivers license and when she can go to the mall with her friends. She is a real sweet girl and we really enjoy her.
Aidan is in 2nd Grade. He told me the week before that he was ready to go back to school. Aidan is such a content little boy. Doesn't get upset very easy.
Hope you guys have a great school year.

Owen eating pop rocks.

So I thought it would be hillarious to see the dogs reaction while eating pop rocks. Owen and Ziggy loved it. No special entertainment. Owen got it all over in his fur. So if you look closely you can see it.

our time with Finn

Finn is so cute. Michael and I have really enjoyed our Friday's with him. I love the picture of him covering his eyes when he is eating. Looks like he is getting ready to sleep. Our dogs are very curious but sweet with the baby. Finn is now trying to touch them. So cute.

Time with grandson Finn

My honey

My love, thank you for being my best friend. You have made my life richer.

Photographer Aidan

Aidan and Abby took some pics while I was away. I won't post the one of the floor or of Abby's flip flop. Hee hee.

other moments of fun

Some of the fun events we did, we went the 5th annual, Traverse City film festival. We saw Waterlife, which dealt with pollution of the Great Lakes. It was a great show. Got a little long at the end, but still well done. The 2 guys played some live entertainment while we waited for the film to start.

One of my favorite memories as a kid was eating Blue Moon or Superman ice cream. The kids had to have some. Aidan got so messy but he looked so cute.

The kids also went on a corrasol ride at the mall. We went and saw Harry Potter, because lack of other options. Our last day there we went to Frankfort were I grew up. Michael was sick this day. So it was just the kids and me. The kids went to a pottery class, that my cousin Corey teaches. They did a great job. We all got to see one of my Dad's passions, remote control airplanes. We got to see him fly one of them.

Unfortunately, we were not able to see all of the things I would have liked to we had a great time and have something to look forward on our next trip.

Smelt dinner

A northern Michigan tradition is a smelt dinner. They are just like eating popcorn. Melts right in your mouth. They are a small fish that remind of what a minow fish looks like. They deep fry him and enjoy. The kids liked them, Michael not so much. At the restaurant we went to the tradition is to kiss the mouse and they ring a huge bell for you. Abby, Aidan and I did it. Fun times