Today Is Hump Day! May 18, 2012 for Elder Nicholas Shelton

First, I tried and tried to write a little intro but cannot get my text where I need it so I am placing it here.

Nicholas has been out one year today.  I can't believe he has been gone that long. I miss him terribly but I know the people in Belize and El Salvador need him more than me.

This blog is dedicated to some precious memories I have of my beautiful son. I feel honored to be his mother and thank my Father in heaven for blessing my life by giving me stewardship over him.

My baby boy age 3 days( March 1992, Salt Lake City, UT). I am in heaven!

I have always loved this photo that my brother, Anthony snapped without me knowing at my Dad's in California: Treasures in heaven

 

First day of school - Kindergarten August, 1997

Yep, that's Karl Malone. After the Jazz game Nicholas played basketball on the Jazz court with Jeff Hornaceck's, John Stockton's and Karl Malone's son. It was quite amazing.

Photo out of order but I love this photo of my children. (August 2006)

Another photo our of order. Easter 2006 in front of our old house

Nicholas went through this funny face stage for the camera around ages 7 to 9. Here's one before/after karate. I think he was getting tired of my relentless photo taking.

Baptism in San Jose, CA. He got to be baptized on his birthday, 3-11-2000

I made this Scooby for Halloween when Nicholas was 7. He was a perfect Shaggy.

Maui November 2004
Nicholas- always the playful, vigilant, fun older brother.

7 Sacred Pools Maui 2004

Our Eagle Scout.
Nicholas made bookshelves for several classrooms that needed extra storage in his junior high. I have to say this entire process was exhausting for me. It was a part time job for sure but I am so glad we did it. I'm so proud of him. I knew we needed to get to it accomplished before high school and all the crazy, busy activities that go with it
. Nicholas was awarded his Eagle just after turning 14. This took about a year to complete.

One of my favorite vacations ever was our trip to San Diego. We rented a condo on the beach and just played on different beaches all day. Here we are in Coronado. It was quite beautiful but then again all of San Diego is.

I love this photo.  This was taken after the State Championships at Rice Eccles stadium. Timpview took the title and Nicholas received his second state championship ring.
He makes me feel safe.

Another random photo out of order but again, I love seeing my sweet babies here including the big one on my left. I miss you, Baby!

After Senior Awards Night.
I was proud of Nicholas and the tremendous student he was/is.

High School Graduation at UVU May 2010.
When Nicholas was born, I thought, "He will graduate in 2010. How weird is that?"  It was a blink of an eye, all those years. I'd do it all over again in a heart beat.

As a graduation gift, I gave Nicholas a trip to New York and I will never forget it. I got to spend three entire days with him, running around NYC, watching Broadway shows, eating hot dogs/pretzels, going to the Statue of Liberty, the Met, Central Park and much more. We actually took the red eye and did we sleep?  No!  We were on adrenaline for the first several hours but then crashed on the lawn at Central Park for a few hours under a tree.

The last time we were there, I was there for work and he was 10. He was really disappointed because we didn't get to do much together as I was in meetings most of the time. I wanted to make it up to him. I think I did just that.

After a year at BYU, May 18, 2011, Nicholas entered the MTC. Call is to  El Salvador/Belize. We are all ecstatic!

A highlight for Nicholas was baptizing the entire Lopez family.

Most of my recent pics are on my lap top and it is out of commission for now so I am missing quite a few photos but here he is with Elder Reed, his companion and second counselor  in Belize where Nicholas serves as a Branch President.

This amazing place in Belize is called Xunantunich.

My ham ball, I love him!! only 12 more months to go!!

Another out-of-order photo.
Prom Night 2009. Do I look happy?  That's what holding him does for me.

Easter Weekend Fun!

I absolutely love Easter time: the renewal of the earth, blossoms on the trees, celebrating the gift of eternal life, and of course Easter egg hunts, Easter dresses and Easter ties.

We were lucky enough to find out about Cosmos first annual Easter egg hunt at Cougar stadium and of course RSVP-ed.  The kids were so excited and Aidan loves Cosmo. There probably 5000 kids but plenty of eggs and prizes.  I loved being on that football field and reminiscing my cougar days here.

 I love this photo because of the BY - U in the back plus I'm with my two sweethearts

 Easter Sunday, the kids woke up to Easter baskets and Easter outfits.  That evening we had a great FHE lesson on the resurrection remembering our Savior and His great gift to us.

I love making Easter dinner but I don't care for ham. Instead, I opted for my Italian pork chops - Parmesan crusted pork chops, broiled sweet potatoes with rosemary, and rosemary, lemon asparagus with olive oil. For dessert a yummy lemon trifle with strawberries, blueberries and blackberries.  I ate way too much but it was all way too good.  

Also, I have this thing with eating outside and the day was a perfect 72.

 Our FHE activity the following Monday included hiking the Y. I love this hike and the kids always do so well. 32 minutes up.

Yay!  We're almost there. This is one of the few times, we haven't had to stop for rest breaks. The kids are getting older!

 I packed a little picnic of Italian sandwiches, sweet pototo chips and fresh berries.  I told you I love to eat outside. Look at the view and sunset.  Then down to our car for ice cream!!

I feel so blessed to have all that my Heavenly Father gives me. I love my body and the ability to use it to experience life more fully.

The Bachelor: Hooray for Ben and Courtney!!

Okay, so I have to admit, I was not a Courtney fan to begin with but she really grew on me. She is definitely different but hat is what I LIKE about her. So, she didn't fit in with all the other girls?  Drama anyone?  I probably wouldn't have either.

I came to really like and cross my fingers for her. She is quirky, odd, real and probably misunderstood by many. Ben is also a little quirky. They're perfect for each other in my opinion. I found myself yawning with Lindzi.

I am so glad Ben picked Courtney!! Now on with the next  . . .

President's Day Weekend in Midway, Utah

We decided at the last minute to go to one of our favorite getaways - The Homestead in Midway. We didn't know, however, that it was under renovations when we made the reservations but it was actually a blessing in disguise as the Zermatt  Resort  just across the street (where they transferred us to) was much more family friendly with a beautiful indoor pool and other great amenities. Even though we weren't far, it felt like a world away as Midway had snow!  This was as much needed vacation. I'm so glad we decided to do it as I am not one for "last" minute plans but I'm trying.

We spent the afternoon tubing at Soldier's Hollow. How great not to have to lug your tube up the hill!! 

So, there were 6 lanes and we tried them all. I was pleasantly surprised at how fun and fast these runs were!  It was a like riding a speedy, smooth roller coaster without the twist and turns, just up and downs.  Fabulous!

Ella and Aidan had a blast to say the least.

We rode down each time as a group so we all held on together.

Poor Aidan. His skinny little bum had no choice but to fall into the hole. Here he is riding the rope tow.

Lining up for another fun run!

Later that night we swam in the pool for 3 hours!! Of course, this was all after too much food and how can you visit Heber and not stop at Granny's for a shake! Ugh, too much food but sooo yummy. 

I couldn't get my text under the photo of Matt and Aidan above but this is them at the hotel pool under the waterfall. Yes, waterfall. These other photos are of the Crater we got to swim in. It's a natural hot spring(?) 500 feet deep. It is so warm. The kids did great at snorkeling and viewing all the scuba divers.

Normally, it's only for 20 minutes but somehow, we got a very nice attendant who let us swim "as long as you want."  Ha, ha, ha!  So, we did. 

Such a fabulous weekend and hard to come home but after all, there is no place like home . . . .

It's Great to Be 8! - My Beautiful Ella turns 8

My little girl is 8.  It is bittersweet for me as each birthday passes for each of my children. I so enjoy this magical, innocent time but I know each stage in my childrens' life brings great treasure.

We started Ella's day with her favorite - pumpkin raisin muffins.

Welcome to our Fairy Garden Tea Party!  This was so sweet. How lovely little girls are. I loved planning this party - the decorating, food preparation, invitations, favors and games. Each fairy received a scroll rolled up and wrapped with some twine and flowers.

It looked like this:

Each sweet fairy arrived to greet me, the fairy god mother. Yes, I was dressed up in this 80s Jessica McClintock dress and the girls knew no different. They loved it and asked me where I got it!! Ha, ha, ha!  I had my little wand and sprinkle them with fairy dust - actually put some shimmer powder on their faces.

Then each fairy had to earn their wings and wands by playing a a couple getting to know you games while testing their fairy memories.

Aidan always wants be included so I had him dress to be the fairy dragonfly complete with wings!  He helped serve our fairy fruit (chocolate dipped strawberries), fairy tea sandwiches (turkey and chicken salad sandwiches cut up in the shapes of flowers and butterflies and of course, our fairy juice (cherry 7-Up)

I got some tulle and hung it from the chandelier to  make it extra pretty.

 Cheers to fairies!

 What are little girls made of made of? What are little girls made of?  Sugar and spice and everything nice.

I was up all night making these hanging flowers out of streamers but it was so worth it. Our living room was transformed into a flower garden for a day. The girls loved it.

 A great activity that took up some time was letting the girls decorate their own cupcake. I love this idea as it was fun for them and low maintenance for me!

I love you, Ella bella!