Frecce Tricolori

The Italian Air Force aerobatic team practiced over the skies of Aviano today. It was pretty neat. I was going to go to base this morning to see it closer and such, but I didn't. Luckily I could see them very well from our front patio. Granted, when I saw them landing {couldn't really, trees and buildings in the way from our house} I really wished I would have gone to base because they had all the colored smoke and stuff. Still I got some good pictures.


They are officially known as, the 313 Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico. They are from Rivolto Air Base Italy, about an 1-2hrs away from Aviano AB. The team includes 9 MB-339 PAN two-seater fighter training aircraft. They have been wowing crowds since 1961 with a performance of 18 high-speed, acrobatic manuvers which includes the Italian green, white and red smoke filled finale.


They were practicing for their airshow at their home base in Udine on May 1 2009. I am going to try and talk Nick into driving up there, I would love to see them in full play! My mom and dad have said that the European air shows are so much better then the ones stateside. I guess they say that the Europeans are more daring. So hopefully we'll get to go to this one coming up!


Enjoy the pics!


P.S. I got a new lens to my camera, a 75mm-300mm. So I got to test it out today with the jets!

**I just noticed that there was only 8 flying today! Weird! I can count, but the article says there are actually 9, so thats why I said that! Hehe.

Happy Easter!

We hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!


After church we had a potluck with lots of yummy food and great people! The sun was shining and we couldn't ask for a better day to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior!


Then after that we came home and hung out with our good friends Mike and Emily and Baylie. The boys played softball while Em and I just hung out and talked and I did gymnastics. Hehe.


The dogs of course got to be in on this. Ours and theirs! They had a blast too! We actually were able to let Kodi and Kaci run without a leash and they were so good! Only once did we get a little nervous that they were heading for the road, thank goodness it wasn't a busy busy one or I would have really freaked! That was the first time we let Kaci off the leash so she proved she is somewhat trustworthy now. Lol.


Anyways, again, hope this finds you all well and have had a great Easter! Don't forget its not all about cute bunnies and yummy chocolate eggs!


Love,


The Nelson's

Yay for spring days!

I am still in a little awe that it has been so nice outside. I am definatly anticipating the rain to come soon though....but thats ok....thats why its so green here right!?


Here are some snap shots while we went on a 2 hr walk in the country yesterday. It was so nice and pretty.

Deena with Elvis and Nick with Kaci and Kodi.
Nick with his rigged double leash thing.

So very pretty. There is still snow!

I actually think these are weeds, but hey, it made for a good picture still!

Here is Mike and Kodi, we all thought Kodi would pull him down, but he did great!

Time Change

For all those who keep tabs on us by calling and such-hehe, we are now one more hour ahead. So for all you Arizonians, we are now 9 hours ahead of you! Just thought I'd let ya know. We changed yesterday, not sure why we don't have the same daylight savings dates as the states, but we don't. Oh well.

Not so inocent....

Clearly they don't look inocent do they!? Well they aren't. They are indeed diggers. That piece of dirt Kodi is laying on, is quite frankly, the hole they are digging. They have been out back for hours on end today, I'm guessing because its nice, breezy and maybe they just feel like getting on 'mama's' nerves today! Who knows.


When I open the back door, they act as if they aren't doing anything. Kodi will stand in front of or lay in the hole they are working on. Crazy smart dogs I tell ya. Then I shut the door and spy on them, they lay or wait for a bit...then when I do walk away and then walk back, they are back to digging their lovely hole. Oh joy!


I have been inside cleaning so I love them wanting to stay outside, usually Kodi goes out to do his buisness then wants back in {he has to be leashed when outback, he jumps the fence}. Kaci could be outside all day and wouldn't care to come inside, unless you have food of course.
I do love them. Now they need baths! Nick isn't going to be happy. Because we have to double team it! Kaci is horrible at baths and Kodi, well he has his moments. Nick holds them, I scrub!


Anyways. Thats my excitement so far!

Baylie Loves Huskies.

Whenever Baylie and Emily come over, Baylie just loves being on the ground with Kodi and Kaci and they love it too! Well Kaci more than Kodi most times. I am so glad that they are great around kids. Baylie just hangs on Kaci and pulls and grabs and climbs and Kaci just lays there and sometimes rolls over for Baylie to pet her or something. Hehe.

I guess Kodi didn't want left out of the photo.
I love how Baylie squints when she see's a camera now!

Move over...

So, I was sitting at the computer and looked over and saw this...Kodi squeezed himself in the bed with Kaci.

I remember when they fit so perfectly in that bed together....She needs to stop growing! Haha.

I just thought it was funny and cute. Wanted to share!

Sugarland Concert.

So last Friday the 6th of March the Armed Forces Entertainment brought us Sugarland! They put on a great show. I am so glad we went, we had lots of fun. Here are a few pics.

They had so much energy and were all over the stage!

Gorgeous.

I am learning a lot with my camera. As most of you know, I have an EXPENSIVE one. I was just using the automatic settings but now that I've been reading this book and learning the manul settings.

This picture below is one of my first attempts at manual mode really. I was trying to get the flowing water effect....did it work!? I think it did. For the most part. Let me know what you think!

*Hiking in Dardago

My Sister!

So my sister was at school one day...Glendale Community College...and there were reps from Disney there trying to get students to apply for their programs. She calls me and tells me and I was like "do it!" and then she was like, "but its a summer program and that means I won't be here when you guys are visiting..." and I was just telling her that it would benefit her so much though. Let me back up here a bit.....

My sister wants to own her own resorts and such. Thats what she has wanted to do for a while now. She already has idea's of themes and all this stuff. So if she got hired at Disney's resorts, that would just be perfect for her to see it up close and personal ya know?!

Ok back to the main story...

Well she went ahead and signed up and they set up a phone interview. She wasn't too thrilled on it, cause it was short and sweet, and didn't think they could choose from that. That was about 2-3 weeks ago.

Well, she called me at who knows when last night, mind you I was sleeping but since I knew it was her, I answered it. She was so excited and was like " I know you are sleeping but I had to call and tell you that I got the job and I am going to Flordia!" Its the fall semester program, so she will be in Az for the summer. And she is gonna be working in the resort, doing all different jobs. They get school credit for doing this too. Probably not as much as if they were taking a full class schedule but still.

They put the students up in a local apartment that they don't really pay for, I think Kylie said something like $75 a month. Which I think is perfect for those who have never lived on their own. Kind of giving them the opportunity to live on their own and know the 'real world' and still have to pay bills but it not be outrageously priced stuff! I know for a fact that this will help Kylie a lot. I love her to death but this will show her its not all fun and games out there. Haha. She is getting better but this will open her eyes to it all.

It will be great for her to work in the resort. Great opportunity. She will probably not want to come back home. Especially since there is a beach in Flordia! Haha.

Hey, it gives me reason to possibly go visit Flordia, especially if she does the program longer or something! I have never been to Disney World but want to go so bad!

Anyways,

Congrats Kylie!

Kaci loves TV.

We were watching "The Horse Whisperer" last night, and she liked it too! She watches TV once and awhile but was really into the horses! I just found it funny and wanted to share!

Do YOU want a husky?!

Kodi is now 'blowing his coat'.

Fun times I'll tell ya!

I am not sure if the bath we gave him yesterday make it come but its here now!

That is from last night, using the Furminator{takes the under coat out}. He lets us brush him. Unfortunatly Kaci won't, but she isn't shedding right now. Thank goodness.

I hope its always at different times! Otherwise it will be a mess!

Oh and by the way, thats not all of it, thats just from last night, we'll do more tonight!

Big As Mamma.

Look at that! Kaci is just as big as her mamma, Skye. Skye is of course fatter, but she is carrying another set of gorgeous husky's as of now. She only has a little over 2 weeks left. Anyone want to guess how many there will be this time? There were 6 last time. Lol.

Anyways. The sun is shining out today its so nice! Still chilly but definatly not cold ! I love it. I think I will sit on the balcony and read my photography book....

I hope everyone has a great day!

Maniago Carnavale

Here are some pics from the Carnavale Parade we went to yesterday. Carnavale is the Italian Mardi Gras and Halloween. Thats why the kids dress up. Thats about all I know about it. And they LOVE confetti! As you can tell!

TONS of confetti! It was everywhere!

Before the parade.

He got some dumped down his shirt. Haha.

^Hailey the Princess, Nick, Hunter as Spiderman, and Emily and Baylie.




Scary looking drummers. Lol.

Espana

Here is some pics that Nick took while he was in Spain. I really like the last one, its probably my favorite and the framable one. And no, I don't know what any of these are called, and he isn't home at the moment. Haha. So I'll see if he remembers!

Almost time.

I know that the time Nick was gone is nothing compared to a deployment, but that doesn't necessarily make it easier. To a point, yes, cause you know they will be home at this specific time not too far off, but they are still not with you, and thats never easy.

But its almost over! Of course I am not at liberty to say when he is coming home, but its indeed sooner than later. I am pretty excited. 3 weeks. Not long. Not short. Glad its coming to an end.

This was our first TDY since we've been here. Which by the way, we've been here over a year now, crazy how time flies! Crazy. So being the first separation since moving here. I was nervous. Cause no family to keep me company, I mean last time he was gone, I lived with my dad. So that wasn't the same as now.

I am VERY thankful for my fur babies! This house would feel so very empty if they weren't in here with me. They are always there to love on and cuddle with when the time is going slow and the house feels lonely. As much as they are annoying at times, I wouldn't give them up for anything! Thats a fact!

I've been going to aerobics. I love it. Its nice when someone tells you what to do and you have to do it! I quit ER watching. Not cause I didn't like it. But just needed a change. I'll go back to it sometime. I can't wait to start cooking again. I have only used the stove twice since Nick has been gone. Sanwiches and cereal. Haha. But I love both so it works. I love cooking. But no point for just me.

Today, I came home, and the remote was gone and pieces of it were spread about, including one battery. I did indeed think Kaci {Kodi doesn't chew and she is a pup} ate the battery. I started freaking out. Tears and all. Only because I was of course thinking the worse...'what will the battery acid do to her stomach?....did she chew it or swallow it hole?...did she throw it up already?.... All the bad things of course. So I called our vet. He gives out his cell phone for this reason. I love it. He was a but nervous, but of course didn't say why..but I could tell. He wasn't in the area so he said to watch her and bring her in at 6p when he was gonna be back. Well I had already checked under the couch but decided to do so again, what did I find. The rest of the remote including the other battery!! BREATHE was what I had to do now. I was so relieved. Whew.

See. These are my babies. No joke about that. That was my action for today. Haha.

That is her favorite spot. Under the recliner. Wondering how many times I've smashed her?! Lots. Haha. Especially when she was tiny!

Kodi & Kaci

Here's my babies. Doing what they do best. They are so mean but are just playing with each other. See how big Kaci is now!

Just me.

Well, Nick has been gone a little over a week now. It sure seems to be longer. I've been trying to keep my mind off of it. I've been sick the last week. So that took away from me actually doing anything. I am finally feeling better. I am very thankful for that. I've rented ER season 1, 2 & 3 from the libary, no not all at once! But thats what I've been doing, especially since I've been sick. Tomorrow is Bible study and then a Tupperware/Partylite Party. Then Tuesday Kodi is getting neutered and then there is a Ladies Fellowship that evening. I am gonna start back to the gym this week too. I love going, but again, being sick has dampered that a bit. I am gonna go to an Aerobics class a couple of my friends go to. Its actually a Mommy and Me class but people without kids go to. Then on Friday I am doing the 5k Combat Fun Run/Walk. So this week should go pretty fast. I think.

Nick is doing well. I haven't talked to him since last Sunday, but we email. So I'm good with that. All in all, I'm glad to hear he is ok. He doesn't get to go out much in the week. He's on swings and they have a 1am curfew. So he sleeps, eats, and works M-F and explores Spain on the weekends. Lucky him! I am excited to hear all about the trip and see the pictures.

So all in all. I'm great. The first few days were the hardest, its the first TDY he's been on since we've been here, which by the way...it is 1 year in Italy tomorrow. Time flies! But as much as I miss him, the relaxing time is cool too. But I can't wait till he comes home! Lol.

Hope all is well in your part of the woods!

Just some more pictures!

Mom and Me in Pisa

Thought it was neat.
Nick and I sleeping on the train from Florence to Pisa.

Nick and I at Santissima.

Teeter Totter!

Took a chance...

Well, today I took a shot. My friend Angela emailed me this website..http://www.oplove.org/
If you go there, its pretty much for military families that have a deploying loved one. You find a photographer, affiliated with the organization, and they come and take before pictures of you and the loved one and children. Then the photographer goes with you when you say goodbye, snapping shots, then if the photographer wants they can do a session while the loved one is deployed, then the photographer goes to the reunion too and snap pics.

The photographer is entitled to get pictures printed in 4x6's and put them in an album and send to the loved one with no cost. Thats the photographers only obligation. The family then can purchase some or the photographer can offer more free ones. The rest is up to the photographer.

Well, back to my friend Angela, she said I should apply. Since there is no photographers affiliated with OpLove over here. So I just, 10 minutes ago, sent in the application via email. I am indeed a bit nervous, but how else am I going to build my portfolio{the app had a specific part asking if I was professional or portfolio building}. People can't complain of my work when they aren't paying for it right!


Anways, If I get it, pray I have courage. My one real fear is taking pics of people I don't know. I've never done it yet!

Thanks !

Yummy Casserole

I tried this tonight, and Nick and I both really liked it.


Chicken Broccoli Casserole: Serves 8-10

• 8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, sliced{I only used 4, since it was just us, and I cubed them instead of keeping them in strips, but I still used all the other ingredients}
• 1/2 cup[1 stick] of butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 cups half & half cream
• 1[14 oz] can chicken broth
• 1[8oz] package shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1[5oz] package of fresh grated parmesan cheese{I forgot to get the fresh stuff, I just use the grated stuff, and it was good still}
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes or 3 tablespoons fresh chopped onion {we don't really like onions, so I just used onion powder, its all I had}
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2[10oz] boxes frozen broccoli florets, slightly cooked
• 1[7oz] package vermicelli{thin spaghetti} pasta

1. Preheat oven, 350 {175 for us in Italy! lol}
2. Wash chicken and dry well with paper towels. Melt butter in large saucepan or roasting pan and add flour.
3. Add half and half cream and stir constantly over medium-low heat until thick. Add chicken broth, half cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, 1/4 tsp pepper, mustard, parsley, onion, and 2 tsps salt.
4. Heat on low until cheeses melt. Remove from heat and add mayonnaise. Add broccoli and chicken slices to sauce.
5. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and pour into 10 x 15 inch glass dish. {This will not fit in a 9 x 13 pan}
6. Spread sauce and chicken mixture over spaghetti and sprinkle remaining cheese over top. Cook for 40 minutes

I really liked it. We didn't have anything else with it, I'm not sure what you would put with it.

I always forget to take a picture, plus this probably wouldn't be a great picture, once you dish it out, its all mixed together. Haha.

Let me know if you try it!

Good Times.

Well, the time has come that my mom and sister had to leave. 2 weeks just wasn't long enough! 3 would have been perfect.

We got to show them a lot, but if we had another weekend could have done a bit more.
We went to Lake Barcis, and a few other local spots we go to often. Then our big trips were Pisa, Florence and Venice. They seemed to have a good time.

My mom was fine with just staying here chilling around the local area, pretty much just being with us. But we couldn't let her come all the way to Italy and not see some sites!

My sister was way excited to see all the architecture. She had a Art History class last semester about....Italy. So that made her more psyched!

My mom was ready for the Arizona weather but wasn't ready to leave Italy. More so me of course, but she really liked the town and surrounding area. She got to meet our little group of friends and saw how close we are and feels good that we have that in case we ever need anything and so on. She also knows now that she doesn't have to worry about my safety when Nick is gone. Kodi is very intimidating she says! More so to look at, otherwise he is just a but teddy bear! And once Kaci is full grown, she knows I'll be just fine! Lol.

My sister loved Kodi, Kaci has a totally different personality and thats why she was more prone to cuddling Kodi. He is a cuddler! Kaci likes to lay on her own and do her own thing. Kylie also loved it here and wants to come back soon. She liked the cold, just for a change.

They both would love to come back when its warmer and green. Its got a totally different look when everything is grown especially like the vineyards and such. And of course, they wanna go to the beach!

Saying goodbye was hard, as it had almost been a year since I had seem them/left them....but knowing that Nick and I will be home sometime the end of summer makes it easier. We just said "see ya later!"

Anyways, I'm back and will be posting for frequently hopefully!

Oh Nick goes TDY the end of this month. Only 20 days, but its his first. He is excited. As am I. A little break is nice every so often, especially since its a short one! He is going to Spain. So it should be pretty neat!

Oh yes, on another note, we accidently made more puppies....and thats the truth!
Kodi and Kaci were outside for a while and we were playing Scene It on the XBOX and it was loud then all of sudden it was quiet and I heard screaming...dog screaming of course, and I was like CRAP! We all got up running to the door, some that were here not knowing why, and it so happens...they were stuck together....only people that have seen dogs do it or know about it will know what that meant, but it definatly means they did it. Rachel had only let Skye out 5 mins before I heard them...needless to say, it didn't take long. Haha! TMI Sorry!

We didn't want that. But it happened. So we decided to make the best of it. There are so many people here that wanted one from the last litter that didn't get one, so they will definatly have homes! We already have 6 people in line! Thats how many she had last time, so no telling how many this time!

Kodi is going to be fixed. We were waiting till mom and Kylie left to schedule it...as the Vet was out of town for the Holidays...so we now will defintaly get on that! We don't want more accidents in the future!

Pisa & Florence

Our trip to Pisa and Florence[Firenze]

Very fun. Lots of walking!

We stayed at Camp Darby right outside of Pisa. It was nice and we got it for free! Because they needed our Deluxe cabin so they let us stay in a Rustic for free both nights! All that we didn't have in our cabin was a bathroom and we were real close to them and they were clean! So we saved $100 bucks!

Nick and I in front of the Gothic Cathedral in Pisa
Me in front of the Cathedral in Pisa{I'm lookin at the tower}

Me Nick and Kylie in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Kylie Mom and Me in front of the AWESOME cathedral in Florence!

Pics while Mom and Kylie are here...

We went to Barcis...the famous lake we always go to! Because its gorgeous!

It was a great day to go, sunshine and snow and mom and Kylie...what more could I ask for! Lol.

HIP HIP HOORAY!

My mom and sister are currently in the air...well they could be in DC airport also, but I'm not sure...

Anyways. Nick and I get to pick them up in 12 hours! I am so excited!

Pray the time won't fly by at high speeds!

Lata!

Peace...

So, I have been going back and forth and back and forth on when we should or want to have kids.....{yes dad, this is about having babies, NO we're not pregnant!}
I've always wanted to get married and have babies...fast. Lol. So in other words, I've always had pretty bad baby fever.

After we got married we decided to wait, to at least get settled into our first base and such...well when we got here, we both were like lets wait some more...I've been off birth control for over a year now...we were still taking precautions...but ever since June/July we stopped. After a couple months...lets say September-ish...I was thinking to myself, 'geez, we haven't used anything and yet aren't pregnant? are we broken?' I never stressed about it much because we weren't actually trying I guess you can say, we just weren't stopping it sort of speak....so after that I decided to give it all up to God.

I know they He will give us children when its His time not ours {hoping He does give them to us}.
We could be using 3 forms of birth control and if He intended us to have a child, we would still end up being pregnant! So why worry!? Thats what I kept telling myself. He will provide when He see's fit.

So we are totally going with the flow now. Perfectly content at just being us. But of course would not be mad/sad if we did get pregnant because we will know its all God's intentions.

I feel so peaceful about this its awesome! No resent for not having kids yet or when I see my friends with their kids and all. No jealousy or anger that we don't have kids.{unless you count Kodi & Kaci. Ha}

We aren't old, so we do have time. And we both just pray about it, as in, pray for ourselves to be great parents when God decides is the right time for us and of course for each other.

I found this peace probably a month ago, and I am so thankful for it that I just wanted to share it with you!

Italian Christmas..

Tis the season...

Wow, can you believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve?!

It literally has snuck up on us so quickly this year! I am very excited though. As its Nick and I's first Christmas, just us. Last year was our first real Christmas as a married couple but he was in Tech school, granted at Luke, but it was still not the same, since I lived with my dad still.

This year, its our traditions and so on. I am excited. It will definatly be different in many ways, as its my first without my immediate family, but it won't be bad at all either.

Tomorrow night is our Christmas Eve service at church. Then on Christmas our friends are having a bunch of people over, like we did on Thanksgiving, so we'll be heading over there for the festivities.

I just wanted to get on here and say we hope you all have a Very Merry & Blessed Christmas this holiday season! & A Happy New Year!

May 2009 bring you great joy and wonderful blessings!


Don't forget the REAL reason for CHRISTmas!

Love the Nelsons!

The Chocolate Factory

This is just a few shots from the Chocolate Factory. Its crazy the things they form with chocolate!

This shirt has a tie and a top hat to go with it..
The igloo is chocolat too!

These are Christmas ornaments...I would be afraid I would eat them off the tree!

{if anything Kodi and Kaci surely would!}

This was one of my favorits. The sleigh, santa and reindeer ALL chocolate!

They had more. But technically we weren't suppose to take pictures but didn't know that. We didn't get yelled at though either! There were chocolate CD's in CD cases. A Chess set. Soccer ball. Polar bears. Teddy bears. Dogs. I mean I can go on. We are definatly going here when my mom and sister get here! I bought a bar of chocolate from here. Because I know if I bought something pretty I wouldn't wanna eat it! It was very good, not sure the kind I got but it had an orange flavor to it. Unique for sure!

Ramblings.

Well lets see....

We went to Nick's squadron Christmas Party last Saturday. It was fun. Neither of us had every been, obviously. They were giving away a 47 inch TV, a Wii, a GPS, an Apple Notebook, and I think that was it....of course, we didn't win anything! Lol.

Today, its been raining....All. Day. Long. Fun times! It doesn't really bother me, but we were wanting to go to some Christmas markets and they are of course outside! So the rain dampered that today. And its suppose to rain the rest of the week...gah!

Hmm. What else.

Nick's on swings. He likes it.

My sister and mom get here in 3 weeks exactly!

We just started a new Bible study. Called the Power of a Praying Wife. So far so good. Only 2 in....but I'm excited. We have our ladies ornament exchange Friday night too. I can't wait to get more ornaments! Lol.

Can you believe that Christmas is around the corner!

We are going to our friends house for Christmas. We still haven't decided what to do for New Years, since mom and sis get here on the Eve.

Elvis, Kaci's littermate that we were dogsitting....he went home today. Kinda sad actually. We have had him for almost 2 months. So he was in a way part of our little furry family. Lol.

Nick and I have thought about the possibility of extending his tour here. Just one year. The benifits are nice. And whats one more year? We both love it here!

{whew, the rain outside is so loud!}

Ok I think thats all for now!