Our Summary for this week...

SOME UPDATES: --Well good news...we have a bite on the condo...hoping to sell it soon, it's a great feeling to get that done! 2 Saturdays ago we went hiking with friends to Bells Canyon, one of our favorite places...it will probably be the last time for the season I'm thinking:) We have had fun spending time with family...Brad has become the new human horse for kids...they love it. It's so fun to have nieces and nephews around--they are so fun! We didn't make it to the Nielson "chopping wood" day but had to post a pix of the brothers with my dad...my brother Rory moved back from Norway so it's fun to have him back! It's fun to have someone to actually cook for, so I am trying new recipes..my friend sent me one for jalepeno poppers--and it was easy and tasty. Some of my new recipes don't turn out great..so Brad is a sweetie and eats it anyway, he is a trooper:) We have both kept pretty busy with work...so we are very excited to get time off for Thanksgiving weekend. I actually ordered a gluten-free pie crust so I can have a pie this year...Wahoo:) This time of year is so great to remember all that we are thankful for. I realize that I truly have soooo many things to be grateful for...so here is my list:

1. Family/(Cute Bradley) 2. The Gospel 3. Friends--I have some of the best friends ever! 4. Great job--Teaching is soo hard sometimes, but sooo rewarding too 5. Nice house--I am grateful for heaters in homes this time of year 6. Health 7. Technology--it can do some pretty great things for us in our world today 8. Books--love to read 9. Cars--to visit family and loved ones 10. Education--I feel fortunate to have been able to go to some great schools in my life Well the list could go on and on, but I truly am grateful for so many things in life and realize the attitude of gratitude should last throughout the year..not just around this time. Hope everyone is having a great week...and enjoy the family time we get soon:)

And it's November!

Can't believe it's November already...wow how time flies! I put up some pix, some recent some not. Brad and I dressed up as 80s people for the YM/YW monster mash...we had fun! It's fun to have our callings together..another excuse to see each other more on Sundays:) I found some pix from our wedding...it was 3 months last week by the way! I just loved dancing with my dad at our wedding, and boy did Brad and I both luck out in the parent department. We both feel if we can be anything like our parents we will be happy. Funny story...my dad loves his treats, (I am just like him) so after the reception was over my dad finally had time to start eating some wedding treats...just as he put his first big bite in his mouth he was called up to dance with me..busy night for him, but that was a precious moment for me. I sure love my dad and all the sacrifices he has made for me and my family. There is such a sweet, special connection that girls have with their father and that picture reminded me of how lucky I was... Another one I found as I was looking through.. was a picture of Brad and I at the luncheon, as we were looking through our wedding we can both admit "Ya that was a blur!!" Busy day, lots going on, what we are ACTUALLY married?! Pretty crazy day, but full of memories and amazing people to share it with. Brad and I can both admit that married life is much different than single life. I think in summary--your perspective and goals change completely, in a good way, but of course it's an adjustment. As I was talking with my friend last night about getting married--we discussed that the way you use your time is different because you are focusing on what you can do to be helping your spouse, instead of yourself. It's great, to me it makes life more service-oriented but of course it's a big change. Being single is great--don't get me wrong, but you really do have to learn to take care of yourself and be independent because no one else is going to do things for you right?! I love this adjustment to marriage though--it's been an amazing experience and I say it a lot, but can't help to say it again--I really feel blessed to have such a sweet, funny, AMAZING hubby...and pinch myself everyday that I am in reality because it's sooooo nice to have someone to love, and to have someone that loves you in return:) Well I guess this turned into a mushy post huh!:) Quick update: Brad has been extra busy at work this week---this seems to be a busy season for him so hopefully things calm down for him soon. He is a trooper though, he works hard all day at work that's for sure! It's the beginning of the quarter for me, so I don't have to grade a lot yet so I am trying to enjoy the "chillness" this week. We went on a hike with friends Monday night for FHE and that was so fun, we also went on a walk Tuesday..we both notice a difference when we are getting some type of exercise in for the day. I had a niece celebrate a birthday Sunday AND Tuesday...I warned Brad that the Nielson family is born in November ...it's b day month! I have one brother, one sister-in-law, 2 nephews and 2 nieces all with November b days..so it's fun to celebrate this month. Yes I am listening to Christmas music and I LOVE it! Brad, well...he is dealing with it, I like to think it's growing on him:) One of our favorite things to do this time of year is to find some football games on Saturday and eat lunch or dinner while watching a game. (Glad we can agree on watching sporting events together). We hit a soccer game for the first time, that was fun, we have enjoyed spending time with family...and are still working on selling Brad's condo, and getting all of our stuff combined together in our current condo. We are excited for the upcoming holidays...it's coming up soon!