Viva La Love Song

This video clip is amazing. They combined Love Story and Viva La Vida. Who knew when put together they would sound so good. The song is about 6 minutes long and worth every second. You are going to love it. Trust me.

found it via...rockstar diaries

The Fun Stuff

Our super fun weekend in Idaho with the family is officially over. Bummer. Now it's right back to work. That is always the hard part...but let's not dwell on that. Let's focus on the fun stuff...what we did while we were in Idaho! This is the part where I overload you with all sorts of pictures.

We went to the Idaho Falls Zoo.

We went on a hike and had a picnic. It was right off the Snake River...talk about pretty.

We played all sorts with Jaxon and Sammie. They love Crazy Uncle Mark. That is his official name as far as the kids are concerned.

Mark had to try out my dad's new lawn mower. My dad was more than happy to let him.We enjoyed the most beautiful sunsets sitting on the back patio. We went out and I did this....

Not all of the holes are mine, but I was pretty good for a first timer.

More than anything else, we played Mario Kart. And lots of it.

We played boys vs. girls and I am happy to let you know that the boys went home pretty frustrated that night.

Then our fun weekend had to come to an end, and we had a long drive home. At least there were a lot of pretty parts.

We had such a great time, and I miss them already. I can't wait to see them for Christmas. Riley and Mark better keep practicing...maybe the boys will beat the girls at Mario Kart then. Maybe.

There's A First Time For Everything

I can't believe I am admitting this.....Last night was the first time I've ever voted on American Idol. Should I be embarrassed? (that I voted, not that it was my first time) So tonight when Ryan tells us that there were like 100 million votes, I'll know I had something to do with contributing to the madness. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but Mark and I really don't want Adam to win. Is that mean? It's not to be mean, he's just so not my style. I really don't like his screaming. Or how he sticks out his tongue when he sings. It's gross.

Today we are also leaving for our first official visit to my parent's house in Idaho. Hooray for long weekends, and being able to see lots of family. I miss them, and can't believe this trip is already here. I'm itching to get on the road, but I'm not looking forward to 13 hours of looking at this...

The only thing they asked us to bring was our Wii controllers for Mario Kart. Mark and I play our fair share...so it should be quite the competition. Let the games begin.

Now I have to go and finish packing.

Only In Oregon

Why did the mama duck cross the road?

To lead her babies to the other side, of course.

I was driving to work last Friday and I had to sit through a green light so this little family could cross the street.

It made me smile.

Let's Add One More, Shall We...

These are four of my favorite people in all of Philly...

Miriam, Chanah, Gideon, and Alexandria.

Just looking at this makes me smile.

They are definitely fun kids....and their mom and dad are pretty great too. The only bummer is, because we live on opposite ends of the country, we really only get to see them when we get together for Christmas.

The really cool thing is....now I have five favorite people in Philly!I'd like to introduce you to

Zarahemla Charity Nielsen

(and her mom, Anne)

She was born May 12th, and weighed over 9 pounds.

What a cute girl. With a very unique name.

They're going to call her Zara.

I hope she's feisty so she can keep up with her brother and sisters.

I know she's only two days old, but I'm pretty sure I'm already her favorite aunt!

I Love Veggies

Well, I love growing them...not so much eating them. This weekend we were able to pick the first veggies out of our garden. It's funny how fun it is to go out and pick something from your garden that you've grown.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of radishes. Big surprise, I know. I will admit that they are the easiest veggie to grow. You just plant them, and about one month later they are ready to be picked. Piece of cake. If nothing else, it sure makes a great confidence booster.

Here's our little garden box with our really cool, classy looking fence to keep the dogs from making it their personal sand box. So far so good. I haven't killed anything yet! We've planted radishes, peas, green beans, carrots, tons of bell pepper plants, and a couple of pumpkins. Hopefully we will be as successful with the rest of our veggies as we were with the radishes.

These Make Me Happy

Have you seen the happy lists on the Rockstar Diaries blog? She started by posting her list, and now she is posting lists from tons of different people. They are so fun to read. It just goes to show you...it really is the little things that make you happy. So, here are ten things that make me terribly happy.

For today anyways...it changes constantly.

1. Putting on clothes when they are still warm from the dryer

2. Laughing so hard that it hurts

3. Good friends

4. Making all the green lights on my way to work

5. Being an Aunt

6. Mark giving me a back scratch

7. Watching my dogs dream

8. A big ol' stack of cookbooks to look through

9. Having my whole funny family together

10. Ice cream with lots of chocolate syrup

Check out my friends Laura and Mary...they made great lists.

Anything making you especially happy today?

April Showers

I know I live in Oregon, and weather like this is just normal. I know I need to buck up and remember that all this stupid rain is what keeps my grass and garden so green....and the water bill down for the time being. That being said I am so ready for some sunshine that lasts longer than two days. Just saying.

Anyways, Mark got a new toy a couple of weeks ago...he claims his first of several...and the plan was to go out and give Katie a lesson on how to use it on Saturday. The darn rain cancelled those plans. Guess I'm gonna have to train to be Jack Bauer's new partner another day.

*Please ignore the unmade bed, the laundry on the floor, and the levitra tissue box on the nightstand. I told you there was a box in every room. Classy decor, I know.

Cloud picture from here.