Love Those IKEA Deals!!

John has been eyeing these Poang chairs from IKEA since the first time he saw them a year ago. I on the other hand have said they were WAY to expensive for such a simple chair. Well they have these "Seize the Days" sales every month where random pieces are put on significant clearance. Well guess what was on sale last Saturday? You guessed it, these Poang chairs with 2 different colored bases and 3 different colored cushions. So we decided to stop by on our way out of town to San Antonio for our anniversary / Fiesta Texas trip with the kids (that's another blog all its own). By the late hour they only had this combination left. A little too much of a stain and dirt magnet color for me, but for over 50% off who could refuse. We will replace the cushions at another time after these are just too far gone or I can't wash them anymore. I must say they are very comfortable, very modern, fit our decor perfectly and make John one happy man!

We Heart IKEA!!

Preschool Graduation and Spring Program 2009

Wednesday night Blaine graduated preschool. He has been at Robinson Church of Christ Preschool (thanks Shani) for the past 4 years since he was 18 months old. He has loved his time there and we have enjoyed the small classes and benefits that come with that. The evening started with the Spring Program where all the classes sang 4 songs together. Blaine spent most of the time singing, but having fun with his friend Andrew (who he is looking at). Delaney LOVES to sing and we continue to hear her "Rainbow" song.

Then the graduates marched in to Pomp and Circumstance. As the walked across the stage to shake the director's hand, they read aloud what the little graduates wanted to be when they grew up. Blaine's response...army man or ninja - who knew? Of course his friend Andrew's response...you guessed it...army man or ninja. Do you think they were beside each other when they asked the question?

Thank you Mrs. Darla for loving Delaney (and pushing her to potty train :-). She had a fun year and is ready for next year. Gotta love that little personality coming out!!

Thank you Mrs. Cyndi for teaching Blaine this year!! He has had a great year and is ready for Kindergarten.

Blaine, I can't believe that you are old enough for Kindergarten. You are such a smart little man and I love being your mom. You make me laugh, you challenge me with your questions and wonderment and you challenge me as a mom and keep me on my knees with how to continue to grow and encourage you. Congratulations on completing preschool and looking forward to Kindergarten. I love you. Mom.

4 Wheelin at the Lake for Mother's Day 2009

On Mother's Day afternoon we went to the lake with our Home Group from church (at least those that were in town). We took our 4 wheeler and dinner and had a great time. I know my family loves going out for a couple of hours and driving through the mud and then playing in the water. Here are the Andersons and the Campbells hanging out while John is out finding the mud (Sorry not the best picture, but the only one with both families).


And he found it!! Delaney LOVES going with Dad!!

The kids really had a great time playing in the water and eating hot dogs from the grill. Allie Anderson loves the water and spent most of her time playing and getting wet. Blaine made a new friend Logan Campbell and decided to pose for the camera.


Of course all the kids either got muddy from 4 wheelin' in the mud or playing in the mud. Here we all went to watch as Justin used the truck to help pull the 4 wheeler out of the mud. John tries to get stuck everytime we are out there.

Three friends at the end of a a great Mother's Day!! Notice the mud on D face.

This is why I love spending time out at the public land at Trading House Lake. These are some of the most beautiful sunsets!!


We love our Home Group and that it allows us the have "family" in town while all of our actual family is hour and half to three hours away. Such sweet friends. Thanks for a great Mother's Day 2009.

Mother's Day 2009

So for Mother's Day this year I have received gifts and tokens of love from my children all week long. It started on Wednesday. The kids gave me cards that they made in MOPS. Delaney's beautiful artwork is on the left. Blaine wrote me a note on the right. I just love the fact that he is reading and writing.

Thursday they came home from Mother's Day Out with more tokens. Delaney proceeded to unwrap my gifts from her telling me "no mommy it for me". She made me spoon rests with her handprints. Blaine wrote another card for me and his teacher made a great gift idea. They cut his hand print out of vinyl paper and the note said that it could mark my place in my favorite cookbook. Blaine proceeded to inform me that "it can also go in your Bible". I'm so excited to have a little reminder of him in my Bible.

Saturday I received these beautiful flowers from my brother. Thank you Kyle, this picture is 2 days after they arrived. They are in just the perfect size vase for the table.

Then Sunday morning I received a Willow Tree from my sweet husband to add to my collection. This one is "Quietly - encircled by love"

Thank you Mom for my homemade card. I love the fact that you so enjoy scrapbooking. Your skills in this craft continue to amaze me.

This next picture is my favorite. It reminds me that all the tough days are absolutely worth it. Thank you for a wonderful Mother's Day. Thank you Blaine and Delaney for making me a Mom and helping me to grow as I embrace my God given responsibility to raise you little people into adults who love and honor God and family.

Riding Like a Big Kid

Well since Blaine mastered riding a bike without training wheels a couple of weeks ago he has been having fun, but we have still had to help him get started. Last night he figured out how to start himself and keep going. What a big kid. Blaine I am so proud of all the new skills that you are mastering since you turned 5. What a joy to be your mom and experience life with you. Thanks Kyle for reminding me that I only have 10 years before he is asking for the keys to the truck and wanting to try that out too. When and why do they grow up so fast.

Fun in the Sun

Thanks Aunt T for the "Fun in the Sun" basket you won for us. Blaine thought he had to wait until summer. Imagine his suprise when I told him he could play this morning!! Delaney is showing you how strong she is and can pick up the "heavy" bucket.

In case you had not seen our creation this past fall, here is a picture of the kids play area. Hopefully this summer or next fall we will extend this area with GRASS and swings. We are so very excited.

Delaney is packing the rocks to make some fun shapes. Unfortunately it is not the same as sand.
Blaine is sifting the rocks. I think we need to get him to the beach to try it out in the sand.

We have been blowing bubbles, playing jacks and jumping rope all morning. What a great surprise. Thanks again.

My First Post!!

Well this is my first official blog. I have been keeping up with all my friends who have one and now am attempting this one. I have been trying to keep up with my photo albums and have been failing miserably, so this is my attempt to write it down. Two of my friends, Angie and Katy told me that they print their blogs out as a family record. This one thought finally has hooked me. So keep checking back and I will try to keep my family and friends updated on life in the Nickell Family.