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!

Sledding Fun

We went sledding Sunday after church. It was so much fun. There was TONS of snow up there and the slopes are now open! Nick and I are gonna rent some snowboards soon here and hit that up...I know I'll be on my bum more than my feet!

Can't take a pic!
Pretty girl.

Holly && I. We were sad the sled broke.

She was wore out...and loves layin in the snow tube!

He was really asleep here! They were done!

Turkey Tostada Bake

YUM! I am not sure how many have had this but I wanted to share..

This is one of Nicks fave dishes. I don't have a picture, even though I meant to take one!

Its so easy and doesn't last long here!

*1lb ground turkey
*1 cup of salsa
*1 can of refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
*1/4 cup of shredded cheese

*HEAT oven to 400 degree's
*Brown turkey && drain.
*Stir in salsa
*Press cresent roll dough on bottom and rim in baking dish-I use an 8x8 glass dish.
*Spread turkey mixture evenly over crust
*Sprinkle with cheese.
**Bake for 20 mins or until crust is brown.

~I add corn when I add the salsa and I also don't measure the salsa I just put it what looks good, Nick really likes salsa so....that helps. The corn gives it a nice oomph and we are cheese lovers...so we put lots on top! Before and after the oven melts it!

Our First Christmas...on our own. LOL

Here is our First Christmas Tree!

Can you tell I am excited!

Its so weird to see the tree with so many less ornaments then my parent's tree. We dont' ahve many but the candy canes and such kinda fill in the spots!

^I still need to put Kodi and Kaci's names on their stockings, but at least they are hung!

I love this star!

Winter Wonderland part 2

More to our adventure.

I love the snow!

Kaci, chillin on the tube! She was the hog and wouldn't let Buster && Piper or Kodi have it!

Kodi wanted those swans so bad!


We had a picnic here last August!

Winter Wonderland!

Isn't it gorgeous!

Lake Barcis [bar-ch-is], in the winter of course!

The water is so blue its craziness.

We went through this tunnel, that leads to Barcis, which is LONG, like a mile or two long, and when the mouth of it opened, we saw what you would see in a move...literally a Winter Wonderland!

It was so pretty. And Nick, being the Arizona boy he is, was speechless!

Our Thanksgiving...

Was great! We had a lot of people over, probably near 20. It was hectic in a sense..mostly when the turkey wouldn't get done....but after we started eating it was aweswome.

We think our thermometer is shot. The internal tempurature of the turkey never reached over 120 and was suppose to be 180....it obviously was, but our thermometer didn't say so. Because when we finally decided to give up and just see what it looked like [we cooked it in a bag] it was literally falling off the bone, and so we were like, yeahhh its done. Haha.

We had everyone bring sides and desserts, while our main food was the turkey's, yes two. The food was great, great people and tons of fun!

We played Guitar Hero World Tour. That is always fun with a bunch of people. And we played PIT. Its a card game and its a loud one!

I'm glad that we had these wonderful friends here, our Air Force Family, to spend the holiday with. I mean none of us are remotely close to our families, considering we are an ocean away. So it was great!

Thank you all who came and joined with us and for the food and your company!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a great Thankgiving and has lots to be thankful for! I know I DO!

I am addicted!

So I started reading the Twilight series....I honestly just wanted to see what all the hype was about. I went to the library to see if they had it, I surely didn't want to buy it if I didn't like it. But there is such a long waiting list, my name was number 42!

So I went to the BX to see if they had it and all. They did. Small paperback, cheap. Perfect. Well I read it in 2 days. Today I went and bought the second one! I have only read a little...I am hesistant to pick it up right now, cause there are things that I should be doing, with our Thanksgiving guests coming on Thanksgiving....and I know if I pick the book up, I will not put it down! I read from 11p to 4am this morning. Literally till my eyes would not stay open. I mean it helps since Nick is on mids[nightshift] but I really have things to do haha. But I so want to just pick it up and read!

More from our Snow Day

Here's more!

My baby boy!
&& My baby girl!

First time in snow, she loved it, OBVIOUSLY!

MY FAVE

Kissy kissy

Snow Day!

So we did our pictures today. No, I'm not posting the one we're using for our Christmas card, that would be no fun! But I will post some good 'ons!

We're so cute!
My bestest friend, My hubby!

We have fun! Loads and Loads!

We are family!!

Hailey and Hunter. So cute.

Words of Wisdom

These are just some points I jotted down during our Ladies Retreat the begining of Oct. I just find them very uplifting and thought I would share.

We're all born into sin. Once we get saved we still have that sinful nature/old nature.
---Spirit and Flesh are always at war.
---Whichever once[spirit/flesh] you feed more is the one that will win.

*God's love is not earned, its unconditional! He will always love you and me no matter what happens in our lives or what we do.

~We are all created for God's pleasure & for His Glory. He's not here for our plans, we're here for His.

God is soveriegn. Meaning: He is in control of everything and over everything!

^If Satan touches anyone [family, friends, ect] it is God's will. Satan does not go out of the Lord's will. He cannot.

**Nothing happens by accident! Everything has a reason, we just might not ever know it!

+Don't worry about tomorrow, God's already there!

~We have free choice, but He knows what we will choose before hand, therefore, He always has a plan.

^Don't take life for granted. Don't assume you'll be an old person when you die.

*Live everyday, like its your last.

-Sin always brings consequences.

We need to learn that its not on our time, He knows when we're ready for certain things in our lives [ministry, marriage, children, ect]. He knows when we're ready for the next step.

Col 1:16-18
He brings difficulties for His reasons.

Deut. 8:2
He tests us. He humbles us. He refines. us.

Question:
How intimate are you with the Lord?

The real question is: Not what we're doing fo rHim but how welldo we know Him personally?



Our we "all ear"? Most of us are all mouth...we need to learn to listen to Him.

Just because..

I just wanted to update those who read this.

All is well over here. More than well, its very wet! Its been raining nonstop today. And we had about 3 days with barely any rain, but still no sunshine, for the past 3 weeks. Lovely!

Fall is here! Haha.

I don't mind the rain. Only reason it bothers me is the dogs can't just be outside....or I can't walk them without having the nasty wet dog smell...so for them, it sucks.

Other than that I love laying on the couch, listening to the rain, reading...oh so relaxing!

Nick is on days. His car is broken. Blah. He hasn't really looked at it either just because the weather has been so nasty. And its at his shop. So he has been taking my car and I have been tagging along with whomever lets me. Haha.

We are going to the squadron Christmas party. I am pretty excited. Its the 6th.

Thanksgiving is around the corner! I am so excited. We have most of the stuff we need for our big bash, but still need a few more things. We are going to have around 15 people here! Whew!

Which reminds me, I really need to call outdoor rec to see how far in advance I need to reserve 2 tables and 6 chairs....Hmm.

I'm done Christmas shopping. Have been for a month now, minus just a couple little things here and there.

I turned the heaters on. I think being on the end, makes our house colder because our neighbors don't have theirs on and their house isn't nearly as cold...but they are hugged by two other families on each side...so maybe that is why.

I am taking some Christmas pictures next week of Baby Baylie. I am excited, I've got some cute ideas...so I'll show those on my photo blog when we do them!

Ok thats all for now!

Love you all!

Talkers

This is what they do, all day. I get to listen to them. I just wish I knew what they were talking about and if was about me, haha!

Its short. But cute.

I'm Ready!

I am so ready for the holidays! Its our first real ones together. Last year we were together for Christmas but not Thanksgiving. But I consider this one our real first ones together, married that is. Because this time around we have our own place,that of course the government actually owns. haha!, but I indeed get to decorate it how I want! With all my things!

Granted, I don't have much. I definatly don't have much Harvest/Thanksgiving stuff. I have more Christmas stuff but still not much. Lol. I did a lot of after Christmas sales before we PSCed last year!

So I can't wait till I can decorate. More so for Christmas. So I got about a month. We are going to put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving, I got a 7.5 footer on sale at Walmart last year! Its still in its box!

Can't you tell I am excited!

Hmm, what else.

I think that is about it for now.

Oh for Thanksgiving, we are having people over here. Should be fun and interesting. We are cooking the Turkey,using your recipe you gave me last year Arlene, and a few other things, then others are bringing stuff too. I love playing host, so I hope all goes well!

Alrighty.

Have great day!

Random Pictures.

This cracks me up!

Elvis is a cuddler, so I am taking advantage of it.

{we are dog sitting him for a month-ish}
The best one of the two of them thus far!

Tag your it!

Well I decided to do this too! And to me, these aren't very easy!

1. Our DVDs are all in alphabetical order....all 350+ of them!

2. I will lay in the floor with my dogs for cuddle time. Haha. Kodi is a much bigger cuddler then Kaci is. Weird, I know, I believe he thinks he is a lap dog!

3. It irritates me oh so much when my husband comes home and puts his keys who knows where, instead of putting them on the hook, right by the door! Then, comes to me asking if I have seen his keys! Ah. LOL

4. I really want to have twins, a boy and a girl. Lol. Get it done all at once kinda thing. Haha. But I have a fear of c-sections and I know not all twin births are c/s but its like 50/50. We'll just see what God has for us!

5. I am obsessed with Army Wives, I bought the first season and now they finally started showing the second season on AFN here!

6. If I don't go for a walk a day, whether it be long or short, I feel like I have been cooped up all day! Even if I haven't been. And my dogs love it of course.

7. The top places we would like to visit will in Europe are: Dublin, Ireland; London, England considering I was born there! ; Paris, France; Athens, Greece; Moscow, Russia; and Berlin, Germany. I know I know, that is a big dream list. But most are really easy to go for weekend trips!

Thats all for now. Some aren't very interesting. But hey, I can't think of good things on the spot!

Welcome Fall!

Fall is here! It looks more like it than it feels I must say!

We did have sweater weather for a couple weeks, but then we shot back up to the 70s. Still not hot but I love getting all cuddly on sweaters and boots!

This is by far my favorite! I believe I am going to frame this one..I need a Bible verse for it, any suggestions. [that makes it sound like I don't know any but I just would like other suggestions]