Much Betta

My latest project (after replacing the border).  Yay!

  What to do next....?

6 for 6

Last night upon arriving home from the Madison girls' basketball district championship victory (Go Warhawks!) the front door burst open and in came two of the Vienna Ward YM--Matt and Garrett, with the news that BYU acceptances were showing up on the student directory.  Since Nick was already here all four of them hovered around the computer and got confirmation that they were all accepted.  Lots of joyous chaos ensued.  Mikey will have a blast this fall with Tom and Laura & Jordan to hang out with.  We couldn't be more thrilled for him!  Nielsons are 6 for 6 for getting in to the Y.  No pressure, MK;)

BYU incoming Freshman Boys:  Garrett, Matt, Nick and Mike

The VW youth went ice skating at the Reston Town Center for mutual the other night.  It's probably the most fun the youth have together all year.  Second only to mulch;)

 Janessa, MK and Cami

 Hadley & MK

 MK with Yesenia, Hadley, Ashley and Meagan

 Mikey and Syd (who is going to the U after being accepted to the Y!)

Meg & Mar

It's that time of year when our YM/YW suit up for stake b-ball.  Our undefeated boys' team:

Nick, Garrett, Mike, Matt, Spencer, Ryan, Brandon, Jesse, Daniel and Graham.  Get better soon, Spencer!  We miss your sweet threes.

Our awesome undefeated girls' team:

Katy, Yesenia, Kylie, Jordan, Sarah, Annika, MK and Cami.

What I've Been Up To

Between episodes of Downton Abbey, I've been working on this:  

It's my first go at designing a quilt using paper piecing.  It's actually still a work in progress.  I'm waiting for fabric to arrive that I ordered on line to tweak the border.  I am on the committee for an upcoming textile exhibit that is taking place in March and April at the DC Temple Visitors Center.  I am planning on entering my quilt through this: http://familytiestextileexhibit.org/.  If any of my creative friends out there are interested in entering something crocheted, knitted, embroidered, cross stitched or quilted, we've extended the deadline and would love to hear from you (ASAP).   

And Now for the Moment We've all Been Waiting for....

Presenting the most absolutely amazing child who's ever graced the planet.  Our first grandchild.  Dean Thomas Nielson.  Born at 4:05 PM on February 11, 2012 in Waco, Texas.  He weighed in at 7 lbs and was 20 inches long.  Text book perfect.  Well  done, Jeff and Krista:)

The End of An Era

When we built our house back in '98 we loved the expansive common backyard we shared with our next door neighbors.  The kids spend their youth playing frisbee, throwing footballs, having batting practice and generally having the run of the place. We've had our share of parties and single's ward FHEs with plenty of room to spread out.  Now that Mikey will be off to college in August and we will just be down to MK, we weren't too unhappy about our new neighbors putting this up:

We are actually pretty excited to plant some flowers/veggies along our side of it.  

A Fab Start to Feb

Will it be the Winter that Wasn't?  It was 72 degrees today!  The cul-de-sac kids burst forth from hibernation to take full advantage of the balmy air by playing a little roller hockey.

 Here's hoping the cold weather stays north and we continue to enjoy the benefits of not having to deal with snow.