Power to the Small Businesses!

How many of us or our spouses are self-employed? I'm thinkin' a lot . So here's my chance to give you all some free publicity. Comment on my post and lists the small business and a small description of what it is. This way we help friends and family out before taking our business to the big corporate man. So here's our small Businesses
M2 Builders- General Contractor, remodels, commercial, residential, tenant improvements, blown down fences, he does it all, nothing is too small or big of a job. m2builders@gmail.com
Advanced Engergy Audits- Tests the energy consumption in your home, efficientcy etc. And also tests new systems that have been installed. aeaudits@gmail.com
Call Trevor at 916-257-1222 for both.
Yes that's right the Nielsen's have two small businesses now and are in need of free publicity and work. So I'll post your business in my side bar if you do the same.

Christmas with the Smith Fam

This year we were with my family for Christmas and we had a blast. We have a few traditions in our family and one is that we get these Ravioli's from a small mom and pop shop in San Jose every year. I am not a fan of these Ravioli's but I love that it's a tradition for us to eat them on Christmas Eve. My mom told us the story that she would eat them with her Grandparents and would listen to them for hours speak in Italian and have like a ten course dinner. They even had hand made Cannoli's, mm yummm. We have dropped that part of the tradition for the sake of Sanity. We have bread, Ravioli's and sparking cider. Then we get to open our pajamas and read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and then Santa came to visit before he started his deliveries for the night. The kids loved it. Tyler was in shock and beside himself and couldn't spit out everything that was in his head. Grace and Andrew loved it just as much and were so excited. We put the kids to bed and while we waited for them to fall asleep we watched It's a wonderful Life and The Christmas Story. While we were trying to explain the movie's to Laura the whole time we had a blast getting ready for Christmas morning. I love watching the kids faces and listening and answering their questions. Christmas morning started out early with Kyle calling at 6:30 a.m. It was so much for to talk to him and hear how he's doing. We played a lot , I vacuumed repeatedly with my new Dyson DC 17 , oh yeah, and ate a ton of food. We went over to my Aunt and Uncle's in the evening to see all our cousins who were here visiting and had a fun time catching up. It was a great day and everyone was happy all day!!! It was Christmas after all.

Fun Times

All the cousins checking out the new toys.

Super excited face?

I don't think he believed he was ever going to have a birthday

Andrew's new GeoTrax Airplane

Cupcakes for Lunch!
The Smith Grandkids

Santa Came to visit

The kids were so excited!

Some how it turned into dog pile night

She was so not excited about Christmas!

Christmas Morning, waiting on stairs, tradition? or cruel form of torture?

Tyler starting to open after getting his Leapster 2 and Hunting bag.

Grace got Dance lessons and Tutu's for Christmas!

My Dyson vacuum, I am in love!

Andrew and his D-Rex, it is so cool!

Trev did o.k. too, golf bag, golf balls, gadgets, a hat and coveralls that have his new business name on them. That's right we started a new business in December too, now we have two businesses to keep track of. Advanced Energy Audits and M2 Builders call 257-1222 for any Contractor or Energy needs. (How'd you like that little bit of advertisement?)

To say the least we were all spoiled and had a blast being with all the kids and seeing their adorable faces light up with all the fun. Christmas is so much fun with kids, how did we ever do it without them?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW

So this little boy was a bit of a surprise but we seriously need him in our family. He is so sweet and loves to cuddle with mom and dad. He is growing way too fast. He is now wearing size 4/5 T shirts and is just now 3. I know... I'm in trouble. He loves his chicken nuggets and milk. He recently has discovered how to use those strong muscles in his legs to push bike pedals and loves being outside and helping daddy work. He already has a deep voice and is a bit of a "tough guy". Anything trucks, trains, cars, planes, animals, coloring, and did I mention this kid loves his milk. Due to a slacker of a mom he is not potty trained yet because I guess I like buying diapers j/k. We start monday on the potty training and will be done right?! I'm not that naive! I love this cute boy and he just can melt your heart with his laugh and smile. Here's a few pictures of him growing before our very eyes.!

Enough wtih the Fog

So the fog was fun for the first couple of days, but it's been like two weeks. I do realize however that this is as close to the look of snow that we get so I think it helps with the Christmas feeling, but seriously because of where we live we're kept in the fog long after many of you have recieved your gift of the sun. I am not a cold or rain person but I am a Christmas person. So I will try to keep my spirits up but after Christmas I make no promises.

CHP Academy

So for those of you who don't know that the economy sucks for construction right now, well it does. Leaving those of us who are in the industry without work that was so plentiful a few years ago. M2 Builders has now turned into Trevor being without his brother Jared as his partner. Jared also known as Hoss to many, entered the CHP Academy the beginning of November. It is some seriously hard work physically and mentally. And my sister in law Nikki is now a single mom during the week. She is seriously working as hard as a supporter and mother and I totally admire her for it. I don't think I could do it. Anyway so this week Jared got his picture taken while in class and I thought I would post it. The kids miss their uncle Hoss being around. Good luck Hoss we'r all praying for you guys!

Happy Halloween and humbling experiences

If you're like me and you have a running/ walking buddy and you get to vent daily to your sounding board then we are blessed. But be warned things you say are heard, and not just by your buddy. I was walking last week and I starting asking Cristy who she thought would be replacing all the recently opened callings at church. So one by one they've been filling up except one, Primary 1st counselor, who got called as Stake Primary President. I told her that I've had my calling for about 2 years now and am finally getting the hang of it. I immediately followed that with maybe I shouldn't say anything because it'll be me getting the phone call. Sure enough last night a call from Brother Zambrana asking if he could come over and talk with us sent a chill through my body. He came and extended the call and I accepted of course. While I will really miss the youth that I teach in Sunday school, I am really excited to be with the children of the ward. They are truly angels and we are supposed to learn from them and be like them so hopefully I pick up some of their angelic traits.

Halloween is always a fun day for us, busy but fun. We go to my mom's house every year and eat some delicious soup and go trick or treating to some close neighbors, Grandma Fanara's house and aunt Sheila's. Who I must say spoiled the kids rotten with candy and cookies. I will be sending you guys the Dentist bill for cavities. Just kidding. They loved it and felt so special. Recently my little niece Ava has formed a strong attachment to Trevor and for the life of us can't figure out why. It might be all the the sweet treats he's slipped to her now and then but it is adorable. She wanted nothing to do with her parents and needed to be either holding hands or being held by him the entire night. It was adorable. We had a fun going around with the cousins and aunts and uncles while Nana and Papa passed out candy. Tyler was Darth Vader, Grace Bell, and Andrew was Woody and Bullseye. They love playing dress up and this was a pure night of Joy. It takes so little to make kids happy. Hope you all had a safe and fun Halloween.

So far this month...

So far this month has been an exciting ride. Grace has had a UTI that wasn't responding to antibiotics so after a run to the ER monday night she is on a new antibiotic and hopefully wiping her system clean. We went to our annual Nielsens Family reunion on a quick trip to Black Dragon. Pumpkin patch for fun and a field trip and celebrated a ton of birthdays. I know I am being super detailed but I really don't want to relive all the details so if you have questions I'll answer but it's kind've exhausting to think about. For the most part we're doing good and having fun. The kids are happy and trying to soak up as much of this beautiful weather as possible. Happy Harvesting!

Presley and Kaylee Knapton

Our kids at Bishops Pumpkin Patch

Grace on her picture day

Grace, Chloe, and Gabi at Pumpkin patch for field trip

Grace and Gabi with the pumpkins they picked out.

Our neice's Taylor and Kate repelling.

Nephew Porter enjoying a snack waiting for his lunch.

Super mom, Shelane with Hazel on her back repelling. She's a cool chick.