yummy, quick and easy pasta

sun-dried (or grape) tomatoes
fresh asparagus (cut into 3rds)
artichoke hearts
red pepper
portabella mushroom, sliced
garlic, pressed
sea salt
topped with capers

serve over whole wheat penne pasta

seriously. that's it. and it's SO delicious!!

summer lovin', having a blast

and no pictures to prove it. how disappointing I know.
so this is our first month of summer regurgitated
(if any body reading has any photos to prove where we've been and what we've been up to, please send them my way. I've been a major slacker in the photo dept.).
I'll try to make this short.

we pulled jaden out of school a week early because disneyland is way more fun than any end of the year party (and you all know about my disneyland rules, don't you? rule #1: I don't go during the summer and especially not during summer break) we had plans to meet the hatch's (friends from BYUH, live in WA) there and as luck would have it, when the kearns (also friends from BYUH, live in UT) called to wish micah happy birthday, we found out that they were going to be at the happiest place on earth the very same days as us--what are the chances?!

we stopped in bakersfield on our way down to celebrate micah's birthday again. there was swimming, a water slide, climbing wall, golf cart, trampoline, basketball, lots of food, including brownies and homemade ice cream, friends and family--the perfect recipe for a great time!! THANK YOU to everyone who was there and contributed!!

next we headed to the oc for our week-o-fun. we logged about 30 hrs. at disneyland and ca adventure with three perfectly well-behaved kids and lots of time spent (though not enough) with some of our favorite friends and their adorable kiddos. we enjoyed an evening out with the maughans at the melting pot to celebrate all of our birthdays. another dining highlight included a trip to the cheesecake factory (have you ever been? the menu is like 50 pages long. there was no way I could make a decision so I asked the waitress to pick for me)---Yummmmy! lots of time was spent poolside soaking up the sun--fabulous!!

then it was back to bakersfield for my surprise birthday week celebration. micah organized a-party-a-day. each day included lunch, dinner and babysitting. perfect. yes! some days included shopping sprees w/ muy, muy cute clothes, other days just included shopping minus the spree. there were manicures, pedicures, perfume, jewelry, new sunglasses, CUPCAKES from the cutest little cupcakery, candles, b&bw goodies, flowers, balloons, cash and cards---whoa, what a week! it made turning 30 worth it (I was apprehensive). then I had to leave my throne and return to reality but not for too long.

I brought my three nephews home with me and we loved every minute of the 9 days of camp cousins (my favorite part was having the coolest, most responsible 15 year old nephew here with me--he was the greatest help). this was during that weird heat wave so we enjoyed lots of beach days. with kippy joining us for some of that time, I even had one beach day w/ the big boys while asher hung out at home with her (why don't we live closer to family? this question seems to keep coming up). we had two more overnight guests during that week along w/ a visit from papa dave to retrieve the boys and return them to my sister.

then there were 4 days to regroup before jenny came for a visit, which included yet another birthday surprise (thanks to micah for coordinating). a trip to san francisco w/ her to visit erin sans big boys. we left friday and had a fabulous girls weekend in the city. I'm happy to report there were no broken car windows and our gps is safe. asher was a complete angel and endured a late night at the theatre, restaurants and more shopping. he got lots of attention for his sweet smiles and perfect disposition--it was such a treat! and perhaps a little deceiving to my two best ladies: one is only 3 months away from motherhood and the other maybe 3 years. asher made it look a little too romantic. I returned home to cute kids, a hot husband, clean house and folded laundry--what more could I ask for?!

so now we're trying to catch up from all the fun. and I'm thinking another trip to bako is only 4 days away (micah goes back to the oc for a week and I'm a whimp). I hope the blog neglect improves but I can't make any promises.
we are the family of perpetual motion.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOLLY DEAR!

Happy days will come to you all year.
If I had a wish then it would be . . .

That you would come home tomorrow back to me! (and bring my boys too, and that you had a great week visiting family and friends, and that you know how much I love you, and appreciate you, and adore you, and think you're cool, and that you would continue to teach our boys the wonderful way you do, and that you know what a great example you are to me, our children, your friends, you primary kids, and strangers, that you always remember how much you are loved as a mom, wife, daughter, sister, grand daughter, niece, friend and everything-in-law, that you will continue finding joy in everyday life, that your fantastically strong testimony will continue to grow, that your brilliant light will always shine, that you will have time to yourself, that you will feel the support from your husband that you deserve, that you will laugh so hard that you almost pee your pants (and snort), and worth repeating . . . that you know how much I love, appreciate and adore you!)

happy, happy birthday

micah dear
(and grandma and britney)

thank you for all the phone calls and emails for happy birthday wishes!
micah and the boys went mountain biking while I made party preparations.

then we partied on our new patio! it was a very lovely evening.
we're so lucky to meet such great friends wherever we go.
he's accomplished a lot in his 30 years!!
here are just 30 things i love about him:

1. if he wants to accomplish something, he will. and he'll do it well.
   
2. he's really in love with me.
3. he's the best at everything he does
4. he sang in choir in hs
5. he played football in hs
6. he performed in two school plays
7. he played soccer through hs (and college and grad school)
   
8. he was our homecoming king
   
9. he plays with his boys
   
10. he's HANDSOME!
11. i've known him since he was 12 and he's always impressed me
12. he's romantic but not cheesy
    
13. one night he was waiting outside for me to get to his house sitting on the hood of his car playing "when you say nothing at all" on his guitar and singing along.
14. he plays the guitar, ukulele and can play any song by ear on the piano
    
15. my sister got him a ukulele in hawaii. he learned "somewhere over the rainbow" and called her to play and sing for her as a Thank You
16. he loves MY family. every one of them.
17. he's super smart and knows the answers to all my questions
18. he took me to hawaii for two fabulous years
19. and we didn't have to pay for it because he's so stinkin smart (they paid him)
20. he always supports me in everything i do
21. he's my best friend and has been for 18 years
22. he's incredibly humble
23. he's such a great sport and is always game. always for anything!
    
24. he makes me feel beautiful everyday...usually when i feel it the least
25. he loves to cook and help me in the kitchen
26. he cleans up the kitchen
27. he cleans bathrooms to my standard of clean
28. he takes care of all his kids, all at once, all by himself and keeps the house in order
29. he's my hero. really!
30. he let's me warm my cold feet on him in bed

BONUS: he makes cute babiesi really love you man!

honesty IS the best policy

jaden came home from school today reluctant to give me his daily report. it went something like this: "mom, if I'm honest, will I still get in big trouble?" "I don't know jaden." "mom, I don't know is not an answer--that's what you always say." "well, I can tell you you'll get into less trouble for being honest" (hoping that I can keep my word). "I got sent to the office." (1st time.) "why?" "for climbing on a pile of dirt." (me feeling a huge sigh of relief--I can deal with climbing dirt piles). here's a quick summary: jaden and two friends were on their way back to class from the bathroom and spotted a pile of dirt. wheels in heads start turning. boys succumb. one boy starts dragging other boy, best friend of jaden, through the dirt. just as jaden steps up to defend friend, they are discovered ("that's the bad part, I didn't even get to help him.") and sent to the office. here's my favorite part: "we were going to blame everything on [the dirt draggerer] but I realized that wasn't honest. and I said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father to forgive me for planning that. Ms. [office lady] let me go back to class first for being honest. I got my name on the board plus a check so I didn't get my star. I told my teacher she should give me three checks and call you." she didn't. but he still gets a star in my book. there are two principles I hope my kids learn in their life (okay a lot more really but there are two I seem always to go back to):

1. Accept responsibility for your actions. along with the consequence.
   
2. If you don't like something, figure out a way to change it. Be a PROBLEM SOLVER! don't stay on an unsatisfying path.
   

intertwined through this story are other not so fabulous choices like his newly acquired skill of climbing OVER the bathroom stalls, which he perfected on aforementioned bathroom trip but hey, you choose your battles. boys will be boys. dirt hill and stall climbing I'll take when it comes with integrity any day.

to our Mothers

mimi, mimi, mimi
you really make me happy
when you smile and say hello,
especially in warm july
thank you, thank you, thank you
for money and the hot cocoa.

grandma kip, grandma kip, grandma kip
when you served your mission,
how did it make you feel when you were
on your second and when you came home?
thank you for the visits when I came into
your room (even when you were on the phone)
and for the delicious porridge you always made
for me.

grandma doris, grandma doris when you die,
we will all cry, cry, cry!
But while you're still alive, A-live,
we will always chat.
thank you, thank you, thank you for giving us
candy and coming to all my parties and whenever
someone comes you come, too. We Thank You!

Mamaw, Mamaw, Mamaw,
do you like us to watch your scooby-doos?

I like that we have grandmas, especially ones
like all of you!!

Love jaden and beckam
(actually written by jaden and beckam)

FRB

asher's new blanket.

handmade by auntie pek.we LOVE it.
THANK YOU so much!!

aren't the colors
FANTASTIC!!
we call it the funky retro blanket (frb).
wasn't that it, Pek?

Perpetual Motion

A photo update

MARCH

she (being Sister Grandma Kippy) returns from africa!!
and meets asher for the first time.
we spent some time in the oc where the family reunited.
we hung out in newport and got to see a production of Savior of the World,
featuring staten as a temple boy and brian as captain moroni.
Grandpa turned 90!

asher sits. good boy.beckam rides on two wheels!jaden takes a limo
APRIL
asher grabs a bowl of curry off the table and gets burns on his hand and foot.
he only cried for about 5 min. total!

after the blisters popped it looked much worse.
super sad but it's completely healed after 10 days.
co-op kids washing dishes--one of my favorite childhood activities.

micah leaves us for 9 days and heads back to the oc for work
(staying in a fancy shmancy hotel oh and takes a tour of the natural history museum, visits the body world exhibit twice, has dinners with friends, plays in a soccer game, sees wicked and gets to meet our newest nephew Cayman Nilsson Maughan).
I call for back-up.
mom and grandma come for 3 days and then dad and sandy for 4!
Thank goodness for family--what a huge help to have them here with me!!
Thank You
then this happens on day 2:

and it was my fault.

I'm thankful for good insurance who says once I pay $500, they'll pay for the rest on both cars--and I'm sure the rest will be substantial. there's no good story. I was just backing up in my cul-de-sac, trying to avoid the car on my right and hit the one on my left. sadly, I didn't hear anything until I crunched my door real good. thankfully, just the side of their bumper took all the beating. I'm thankful that my husband's response was "I'm so sorry. I can understand how that could've happened." (and that he was off living it up in the oc. maybe that made him a little more sympathetic.) I'm thankful no people were involved, especially my children. and I'm thankful my mom and grandma were here to cheer me up!
the rest of the week was smooth. it included lots of good take-out, a clean house, my laundry being done, projects being completed and an early birthday present for micah and I:
our first grill and patio set!!

it was a great week but we're ready for the daddy to be back.

don't ever forget it

beckam is a little torn. some days, he can't get over how big he's grown and will just
marvel at his height, strength and ability. he awakes so proud of how
much he grew in the night. a lot of his confidence as of late has come from his new
found skill of riding on TWO wheels. his bike has become his constant companion.
thankfully it's small and can travel easily with us. if only bike riding were allowed in
nursery, that would be another problem solved--until then we suffer through sunday.
but these are the moments I treasure:
today we were sitting on the couch together reading books before naptime
and in the middle of it and completely out of the blue, beckam says so sincerely,
"mom, I don't ever want to grow big. I don't ever want to grow so
big that you can't hold me anymore." so we made a deal. I'll just keep holding
him no matter how big he grows. even when he grows "really BIG," he promised.
beckam has been heard to pray, "Heavenly Father,
please bless that I don't grow too big so mommy can't hold me anymore."
the funny thing is that today I wasn't even holding him but he was enjoying the moment and the feeling--and so it was his realization that he didn't ever want to lose it.
it's a feeling I'm so familiar with as a mother. those moments with
my boys that I treasure and never want to lose. when I say, "beckam, please don't
grow up. don't grow so big that I can't hold you anymore." or "come here Jaden,
let me just hold you. I have to keep holding you as much as I can because one day
it will be the last day I hold you and I won't even know it and then you'll be too big.

more updates to come...

Winner, Winner, Winner

thanks to everyone who participated in the see's candies fundraiser for jaden's school. and thanks dad for spreading the word for us.
we found out today that for every ten items sold, his name was entered into a drawing for a limousine ride from school to mcdonalds for lunch and his name was drawn! it was funny how excited this news made me. i think because i don't recall ever winning anything, his little victory was thrilling. jaden was a bit worried about the ride though. afraid the long limo might not be able to make the turn into the micky d's parking lot. funny kid.

i think he's one of the lucky ones (this isn't his first). i think you're either lucky or not. i'm not. jenny IS. here are some of her lucky moments:

• limo ride to breakfast and then dropped off at school on the first day of jr. high (maybe that's not so lucky)
• trip to universal studios including air fare and cash
• inheritance (that's lucky).
• once we were taking turns calling a radio station to win a prize and she won! don't remember what
• i know she's won a couple of BIG trips, too
  

and i know there's more but i can't think of them. help me out jen.

are YOU one of the lucky ones, too? please share your victories with us.

where have i been?

two words.
primary president.

be back soon.
i hope.

beckam today, "mom i want to go to target."
me, "why do you want to go there?"
him, "just to look at the stuff they have. i like all the stuff they have."
me, too!

then he told me that grandma doris died today.
"no, she better not have. i will be SO sad and cry a lot when she does."
him, "yes, she did."
let's call her, i say.
ring, ring, ring, ring.
no answer.
i leave a message telling her that's it's very important that she call me back.
and i hang up.
him, "see, i told you."

she called back.
ALIVE and WELL!!
and we're looking forward to our visit with her this weekend.

for you kirsten

because you're my friend.

I'm supposed to:
1. Pick up the nearest book to me(one of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

"The charge upon the burden of proof was [also wrong], because if the plaintiff wished...to recover on the theory of that though he had not performed, he was not in willful and deliberate default, he was...bound to prove that he was not, since that too was a condition upon the implied obligation to restore any benefits..."

and on and on and on...blah blah blah. You do not want me to keep typing. trust me.

--Section 3 Reliance and Restitution of Micah's Contracts textbook

"this thing rocks"

that's what was said by jaden a hundred times today after the launch. it was honestly super cool. i had NO idea it would really launch 600ft. into the air. i guess i missed out on these cool toys as a little girl. it was $16 well-spent (at target) and well-deserved for jaden's outstanding parent/teacher conference report.

why didn't i think of that?

on the menu for dinner tonight :
green eggs and ham.

and did jaden have any clue it was chuck full of pure spinach? not a clue! he not only ate it willingly but turned down seconds on ham, asking for MORE eggs. i wasn't actually here to witness it for myself. micah was the master chef tonight while i went grocery shopping to collect the rest of the stuff i'll need for some more "deceptive" cooking. micah said it tasted just like a spinach omelet, maybe better. if you know beckam, it's no surprise that he too LOVED it! he's the kid who eats fresh spinach leaves on his tuna fish/pickle sandwiches.

why didn't i think of this before? here's what he did: steam the spinach (3 handfuls), stick it in the blender with 5 egss, a dash of salt and bit of melted butter. oh and he did add some green food coloring just so he could say that's what made them green. just like the green, red or blue milk they often request for dinner. thank you for writing the book jessica. oh and the ham. have you had the kirkland smoked ham steaks from costco? so tasty. the kids especially love it. plain, with eggs, in mac n' cheese, etc.

jaden went through the book with me and selected a few other dinner choices for the week. he's so excited for tomorrow: chicken alphabet soup with carrots, potatoes, celery (and cauliflower and sweet potato puree). so am i.

here we go again...

this is for you minna...

here are six non-important things/habits/quirks about me
(according to micah):
1. my level of tolerance is directly related to the condition of my house
2. i've lounged on nude beaches...clothed (sick voyeur) trying hard to look casual
3. i don't like waking up in the morning. i'm not grouchy but the waking up is painful (but not literally)
4. i like feeding my family healthy food at home. though i'm not afraid of an occasional splurge on the go.
5. i really LOVE my christmas cards (the ones with photos, i won't lie) and see no reason to take them down before april. i love seeing my friends on my wall everyday. maybe they'll remain indefinitely.
6. the hawaiian ocean spoiled me! i believe i've only been submersed in the sea once since we left over 5 years ago. i passionately detest cold water so if it's not newport in the summertime or hawaii, i'm on the sand!

laura, hilary, kim, alissa, shara and ames--you're it!!
respond to this question about yourself on your blog and then tag six others.

the reason for the wii

my guitar hero

he wants to rock and roll all night and party everday

tres

people always told me that once they had their 3rd all semblance of normality was gone. i think i'm feeling it. my life feels kind of crazy. like i need to multiply myself so that i can keep up. i spend so much time maintaining my house but never feel like i'm getting anywhere. you know, two steps forward, three steps back. this made me SMILE and say AMEN! i'm so glad she's back (for my sake and hers!!). she's been SO sick with #4! my baby, he's oh so cute and he doesn't like to sleep by himself, which makes getting stuff done seem impossible sometimes. and then there's these kind of things, which really adds to my work load but it's worth the experience for them.

and trying to man-handle all of them in public is a bit overwhelming. i see them behaving in ways i said my children would never behave. like using the aisles of old navy as a soccer field. but i say, what do they expect if they have bins of soccer balls?! or bouncy ball machines?!
of course, going to breakfast with the girls is a priority along with taking the boys to tennis and the library. and going to san luis obispo for the MLK holiday to spend time with my sister and niece and doing some FUN shopping. that's all much more important than staying home to get stuff done. oh, and can i get your opinion on this that some sweet friends came over and helped me with. do you like the arrangement? please offer any input or advice before we make it permanent.
today, is the first day, i feel like progress has been made. this is the first week in a long time, that i don't feel like i'm drowning in laundry. maybe it's doing a little, like one load from start to finish (wash-put away) everyday, instead of multiple loads sitting around waiting to be folded. i finally got both those bathrooms cleaned, the guest bed made, the mud hosed off the patio and the kitchen mopped. i don't have to admit how long those things have been on my to-do list, right? i am so lucky to have such a helpful and understanding husband, who does as much as he can to help me. thank you so much micah for ALL you do for me and the boys!!

i've found myself singing this song to asher lately:
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tomorrow,
For babies grow up, I've learned, to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.
it's a better way to cope than to just go crazy. and accept this life as my new normal. for now at least.

1.12.08

marks the 3rd anniversary of the birth of

Sir Beckam Scott
we celebrated by taking a trip to the fire station, eating pizza and ice cream cone cakes.
these guys were awesome.
our tour was an hour and 20 min. long. we saw every inch of the fire engine and two fire trucks (did you know there was a difference?) along with the station.
in this picture they're blowing up this amazing rubber balloon that can lift up to 42 ton (or 9 little boys easily).finally got that motorcycle helmet that santa didn't bringbeckam also enjoyed a surprise visit from his good buddies from Davis: holden and cade. thank you so much for making the trip!

here
is his tribute from last year.

here he is at 3 months old (same age as asher)
all these boys look so much alike, sometimes it feels like I'm raising the same baby over and over and over again.
now, this is asher. see the similarity?
beckam, you make us smile.
you are so sweet and generous with your affection.
"I luv you."

you love:
race cars, motorcycles, your family, friends, helmets (football/motorcycle), your wednesday playdate/co-op, eating, the library and getting the same books (submersibles and the terrible whatzit), reading, "hot things," tuna with pickles

you don't love:
nursery, tv, movies, robbers, the idea of going to preschool

happy new year

our year has been filled with JOY indeed

click on the links below for
the highlights of 2007:

"a womb with a view"
march
"micah nilsson, esquire"
may
"out with the old"
july
"in with the new"
august
"annoucing..."
october
"it's official"
november

Happy Anniversary

I forgot to mention the highlight of the evening.
remember on our 1st anniversary that a perfect stranger picked up the tab for our dinner? well, this young couple sitting next to us were on their honeymoon and completely on his own accord, my sweet husband took the opportunity to pay it forward.
it was a surprise to even me. as we were getting into the car, he says, "well they should be getting their bill about now." SO SWEET!!

take a look at our dinner menu:

read the top line under CHART HOUSE.
when I saw it, I was looking for what sides came with my prime rib!

just the three of usour 3rd wheel was a perfect gentleman the whole night

THANKS family for giving us time to celebrate