Better Late than Never!

Since we had a low-key Easter this year, I never got pictures of the girls in their dresses. So, since Tricia had her concert last night, I snapped some pictures of both girls in their pretty dresses.

Better late than never I guess!

Project Life Tuesday

It's Tuesday! You all (all three of you who read this blog) know what that means ... Project Life time again.



Monday, April 19, 2010
Remember I said I was going to do a green theme? Well how's this for green? I'm sick once again! This is my tea collection that I keep at work. I know, the sweet dreams one might seem inappropriate, but I love chamomile tea!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010
More green! This is the tree that we got when Tricia was born in 2000. It started it's life as what appeared to be a twig. Now it is a pretty good sized tree! It is just starting to get buds on it now that the weather has finally warmed up! (PS - Yes, Ryleigh got a tree too, but I think it got run over by the lawn mower ... bad mom and dad!)

Wednesday, April 23, 2010
I somehow missed uploading this picture. I'll add it later! This is a picture of my (green) cake pan. Inside is a lovely earthquake cake! Everyone at the office enjoyed a little treat this week. The cake was so yummy, I could ALMOST taste it even through my stuffy nose!

Thursday, April 22, 2010
Oops, that was the end of my green theme. Oh well, I tried! This is a typical morning for Ryleigh. Her daddy carries her out to the couch from her bed, complete with whatever pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals she can hold. She slowly wakes up and watches cartoons while enjoying a lovely cup of chocolate milk and a granola bar. But darn, this kid is even cute first thing in the morning!

Friday, April 23, 2010
I apologize in advance to Ryleigh ... this weekend was kinda all about Tricia. The two of us stopped at the KFC/A&W restaurant in Marshall on the way to Willmar tonight. Tricia ordered a kid's meal and one of the sides was corn on the cob! One of her absolute favorites!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

No green again today! Can I help it that their dance costumes are pink, blue and black? This is part of the team that competed today at the Midwest Starz dance competition in Monticello. This was their first time doing a competition. They got a Gold rating and 2nd out of two teams in their division. But just look at those smiles! They were so proud of themselves and their trophy! I see big things for these girls in the future.

Sunday, April 25, 2010
Tricia ... sacked out in the car on the way home from Willmar. I have no idea how kids can sleep like this for extended periods of time!

So there goes another week in our lives! Always busy! Remember to head over to Jessica's blog to see some more Project Life posts!

Show Us Your Life - How We Met

Kelly is doing Show Us Your Life again today. And guess what ... I can participate again! This week she is doing "How you met your husband". Well, I can talk about that!

It was the summer before my senior year at USD, so that would be like May 1997. I had decided to break up with Greg but kind of had taken him back. Let's just say that we were at strage point in our relationship. I was back to working at Gannon's for the summer as the opening waitress. Opening waitress as in, I got to work every morning by about 5:00 and was done by 1:30. I loved the hours! I wish I could work that kind of hours now. Anyway, Dave was working there as manager. He basically worked wherever they needed him: cook, bartender, wait staff, a pretty face to greet customers, etc. One day, shortly after my 21st birthday, my friend Samantha and I celebrated my "legalness" by having lunch and then hanging out in the bar for the afternoon. Dave joined us after his shift was done.

I don't remember how or why, but at some point during the afternoon, Dave leaned over and kissed me. A perfect first kiss that still gives me goosebumps when I think about it. Shortly after that first kiss, with Dave holding my hand under the table, Greg walked into the bar. I think he knew just by looking, that we were now off-again. (there is quite a bit more to this story, but I know that grandma likes to read this blog ...)

The rest, as they say, is history. I think we both knew almost instantly. We were inseparable the rest of the summer. I don't remember when we went looking for rings. But I remember it was October 13, 1997, a Monday morning, when I was wearing that ring. Not one person in my family was happy about it. It was difficult for many people to understand what a 38-year-old would see in a 21-year-old. But for some reason, we just clicked.

We had a very long engagement and finally got married May 1, 1999 so we'll have our 11-year anniversary next week. And even through some difficult times, here we are still together, still loving each other, and still (on most days) happy as clams.

So, when they say to look at your workplace for the love of your life, we are proof positive that it does work ... even the ever-so-naughty dating your boss can turn out okay sometimes!

Project Life Tuesday

Another week of pictures down! Here are my pictures for this week.



Monday, April 12, 2010

Today's picture is actually going to be a series of pictures, documenting the diminishing snow pile at the swimming pool parking lot. You honestly cannot imagine how big this mountain of snow was! And now, completely gone. Tricia loved posing with the shrinking pile! Here are a couple of pictures.




















Tuesday, April 13, 2010

WINDY! Look close at this picture of the kids playing on the swing set. Windblown hair!

















Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Tricia auditioned for the Calumet Players production of The Music Man. She was feeling pretty cruddy, her throat hurt so singing wasn't high on her list of priorities. Everyone gets a part, of course, so she was cast as a townsperson, part of the band, and a dancer. We are not certain she will be able to continue though since she is going to miss several rehearsals due to prior commitments. There will be other plays so she is not too concerned.


















Thursday, April 15, 2010

We got rain last night. That mean all the "crud" came off the trees and all over the house, the sidewalk, the decks, etc. I thought I should document the mundane parts of life too!


















Friday, April 16, 2010

Tricia was home from school today - her allergies were acting up again. Because of MCA testing this week and next week, she had to go to school all week, even though she wasn't feeling great. There were no tests today, so she spent the day crafting this pretty box filled with supplies to give to Mrs. Staatz.

















Saturday, April 17, 2010

The contents of my purse! Ack! The sad part is, most of this went right back in there! Oh well, I organized it just a bit.



















Sunday, April 18, 2010

For the week I am going to take a picture of something green every day. Spring = green so I think, since spring has finally arrived here in Minnesota, I should do something to honor that. Today's picture didn't turn out quite like I wanted it to, but I love the way the trees look when they begin to bud and new leaves grow. I do not, however, enjoy what this time of year does to my allergies. Losing my voice once again!

















So there you have another week in our lives! Head over to check out the other Project Life pictures on Jessica's blog.

Until next week ...

Meal Plan Monday

So, I missed last week. What can I say, it was a busy week. Here are my plans for this week. Hopefully it will all go as planned.

Monday - Pizza Ranch (crazy night ... Tricia dance practice, Ryleigh dance practice, Tricia play practice ... definitely a night to hit the buffet!)

Tuesday - Hamburgers on the grill

Wednesday - Beef stew in the crock pot

Thursday - Pasta dish

Friday, Saturday, Sunday - going to be a strange weekend for sure! No meals have been planned at this point since we will be going in 8000 directions. We'll just hope that we don't eat out for EVERY meal!

Show Us Your Life - Teacher Gifts

Something new for me this week! Kelly from Kelly's Korner does Show Us Your Life on Fridays and this week I could actually participate. This week she is talking about teacher gifts. I am even late to the game, but Tricia had to finish putting together this cool idea before I could post about it.

First, for the past couple years, I have started doing something for the first day of school. Tricia and I go buy all of her supplies for back to school. While we are buying, we purchase a second set of everything on the list, often including a backpack. This second set Tricia brings with her to give to the teacher. This way, we know that there is at least one extra complete set of school supplies if it is needed right away.

This next idea is something that we've done often since she started school. It is so easy and, as a future teacher, I know that I would love it. First, go buy some seasonal silk flowers, floral tape, and a package of pens. Simply use a wire clipper to cut off individual flowers from the stem and, with the floral tape, stick the flower on the base of the pen. Voila! Adorable and useful teacher gift! I usually add to the package some sticky notes or personalized note pads, some candy, and lately, hand sanitizer. Here are some that Tricia made today.





Our final idea I actually just came across this week and we immediately put the idea to good use. Here is a link to the blog where I found this cool teacher gift idea (the blog is called eighteen 25). Basically, you use small storage cases, decorated with whatever you have (we used Tricia's scrapbooking stash), and filled with office stuff that all teachers need and love. We ended up filling our box with paper clips, binder clips, push pins, erasers, pencil grips, reward stickers, and of course chocolate.








So those are a couple of my ideas. This box was fun to put together and I can't wait to make it an annual tradition.

Wordless Wednesday - Reminiscing

Thinking back to when they were little ...

Tricia

Ryleigh

Project Life Tuesday

Another Tuesday, another Project Life post. I did not meet last week's goal of getting my journal cards done and pictures printed. School is crazy busy right now with end of semester stuff. If I don't get it done before face to face, it will be the first thing on my to-do list once classes are done!

As usual, head on over to Jessica's blog to check out some more Project Life posts!



Monday, April 5

Here we go again with the Holly picture. But really, how can THIS not be a picture of the day. Just look how she sleeps, pretty much nightly, in her kennel. I just cannot see how this could possibly be comfortable! You are a strange one, but we love you!







Tuesday, April 6

You know you live in a house with little girls when ... My Little Pony takes over your dining room table! Ryleigh picked out this cool MLP car with her money from Uncle Troy and Aunt Patty. She filled it to the brim with ponies!







Wednesday, April 7

Tricia just adores her puppy. And I think the feeling is mutual!







Thursday, April 8

BRYAN, close your eyes!




She has a thing for expensive shoes I guess. I've been shopping online to find a replacement pair because these were my absolute FAVORITE! Hopefully I'll find something similar to replace these beauties.







Friday, April 9

Tricia and I went to see Alice in Wonderland tonight. She came home with some popcorn (no, I didn't - who can go to the theater and not eat all of their popcorn?). Reno, the popcorn-lover, thought that she should share with him. He did not move from the couch until it was gone.







Saturday, April 10 - Picture #1

Dave finally dug out the "Barbie Jeep". We are hoping that Ryleigh is able to drive it herself this summer. She is ALMOST there I think.







Saturday, April 10 - Picture #2

I went up to Geyerman's today with mom to buy my student teaching wardrobe. Grandma Darlene gave me some money for an early graduation gift. I spent just a bit more than the check, but I'm almost set for fall now!








Sunday, April 11

Today, Troy and Olivia got in the "vroom vroom" car and came to Holland for the afternoon. He put the extra car seat in the back so Ryleigh could ride with. While Livi and Tricia were gung ho on the idea, but Ryleigh was a little nervous. As you can see, that didn't last too long. Within a few minutes, she was begging for more speed! I think I am in trouble.

Wordless Wednesday

Now that is concentration! The pig was VERY colorful when she was done with it!

(okay, I guess it is Less Words Wednesday)

Project Life Tuesday

Here are my pictures for the week! What a busy week it was!


Monday, March 29



For your viewing pleasure ... the indestructible dog toy! Okay, maybe not so much. Troy swore by this toy as Henry and Belle have had it for several weeks and not destroyed it. Well, Holly is still too much of a puppy I guess! We gave her this toy when we got home on Sunday evening and within a couple hours she had already chewed a hole in it. She loved it, as evidenced by this staged picture! She REALLY wanted to get at the toy that was on top of her kennel!







Tuesday, March 30



I was home from work today. I lost my voice completely again. I really hate allergies! It was a beautiful day out though and I was so sad to be sitting inside. I opened up the living room window and the sliding glass door and let the breeze into the house. I love it when curtains do this ... they get sucked into the window and then blow out with the next breeze. Another sure sign that spring has sprung here in Minnesota!







Wednesday, March 31



Haircut day for the Nissen girls! All three of us got our hair cut tonight at Hair Designs. I often wonder what Laura thinks when she schedules the three of us together. It is never a quiet venture, but it was even louder tonight because Aubrey was at the house for a sleepover! We all went short this time. Laura said we'd save a bottle of shampoo a week with all the hair that was on the floor!







Thursday, April 1



Mom was at the house today watching Tricia since she didn't have school. Our new valances for the dining room were delivered just before lunch so I ran them home. By the time I got home, mom had them already hanging in the newly-cleaned dining room. It is so wonderful to have a mom who STILL takes such good care of me, even though I haven't lived at home for many years. Thanks for all you do, mom!







Friday, April 2



CAR RIDE! The "girls" in the car on the way to Troy and Patty's for Easter. I tried to snap a picture from the front seat of the three of them. It is really complicated trying to get the dog to sit still and then be able to see both girls on opposite ends of the car! I took many, many pictures and this is the ONLY one where all three are visible. The three of them were actually pretty good on the way up. Watching a movie helps to pass the time!







Saturday, April 3



This picture isn't the greatest of pictures in terms of focus. But it is so beautiful of the three girls that I just had to include it as my picture of the day. We were all getting ready to head out to Livi's daycare for an Easter egg hunt and snapped this picture of the three of them. We had an extremely busy day and it was super difficult to pick just one picture!







Sunday, April 3



These three had a super weekend too! Henry, Belle and Holly played and played and played and played! When we got home, Holly went into the house and crashed for the rest of the day and most of Monday too. It is so much fun to watch the three dogs run around the yard and steal toys from each other. Holly and Belle are going to be best buds for a long time I think!







What a busy week! Hopefully we'll have a few weeks of down time now before all my end-of-semester and graduation activities start up!

Head on over to Jessica's blog to check out some more Project Life posts! My goal for the week is to get pictures printed and journaling caught up in my album. I haven't printed pictures for a long time, but thanks to Project Life Tuesday, I have a very good record of what my journaling cards need to say!

Mrs. Nissen!

(made at www.wordle.net)

It's so close now that I can almost taste it! Can't wait until I can be called Mrs. Nissen!

Meal Plan Monday

I am going to try something new with my blog. I want to somewhat do some meal planning. I won't be strict with my planning, just a list of meals for the week and hopefully I'll stick with it. Save some grocery money too! So here is my list for the week:

Banquet Crock Pot Meal
Chipped Beef on Toast
One-Pan Chicken and Potato Bake
Italian Pasta Skillet
Tacos
Eggs and Sausage
Brats and Beans
Mr. Food's Alfredo
Pizza

I'll update next week to see how many of my ideas for the week stuck!