Natalie (according to Nic)
Natalie is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. She is very supportive of me and my many flaws, that's what makes her so great. She is a loving, patient mom. She cares after our children with love, patience, understanding, and compassion. She is always trying to make sure we are having fun as a family and creating memories. She is steadfast in her beliefs and has an optimistic view of life. I love Natalie and I am very grateful she is my wife and the mother of my children.
From Natalie
Personality
It’s hard to write about myself! But here goes… I enjoy being around others and am fairly outgoing by nature. I am a person of faith and have a great desire to choose the right. I love others and I love to serve. Much of the joy and fulfillment I receive in my life is from reaching out and helping others. I have a creative mind. One of my strengths is being a hard worker and dedicated to what I am doing or learning. I feel like in general I am a pretty patient person but of course I have my moments.
Hobbies and Interests
Many of my hobbies and interests revolve around my kids. I really enjoy being a mother and being part of their lives and the things they enjoy. I enjoy reading and playing with them, as well as helping them learn and develop their talents.
As a family, we love being outdoors. We enjoy going on bike rides and walks. I love gardening both veggies and flowers.
I enjoy creative things. I don’t have much time for crafting any more but I do it every now and again. I love interior design and decorating. I like putting things together on a budget (I love a good sale) and giving old things new life. (Spray paint is my friend!)
I like to cook, especially bake… cinnamon rolls, brownies, and cookies… oh my! I do think it’s important to make a home cooked meal, eat “real” food and sit together as a family. And making and eating dessert always brings families together. ;)
I also enjoy going to and watching basketball and football games with Nic.
Favorites
{To help you get to know Natalie better, here are some of her favorites.}
Games - Ticket to Ride, Skipbo, Farkle, Minute to Win It games
Music - "Happy" by Pharrell Williams. My Pandora stations have Adele, Michael Buble, Colbie Cailat, Rascal Flatts, Showtunes, and many others, then of course Disney and Kids Bop. Some favorite hymns are "How Great Thou Art" and "Come Thou Font." And a couple favorite primary songs are "A Child's Prayer", "Scripture Power" and "My Heavenly Father Loves Me."
Flowers - Magnolias and Gerber Daisies. And to plant -alliums, cosmos, and zinnias, among others!
Sayings - We can do hard things. Sure love ya. "Find joy in the journey," Gordon B. Hinckley.
Food - Chicken Rollups, roast, pizza, sushi, breads, breakfast foods, and fresh fruit
Dessert - Oh man, so so many! I love homemade treats! Cinnamon rolls, mint brownies, homemade ice-cream (or a combination of a brownie, ice cream, hot fudge sundae!), cookie dough (and the baked version), anything chocolate and peanut butter... The list goes on and on!
Vacation - Our trip to Disneyland with the family, which included a trip to the beach was dreamy! We surprised the kids as a Christmas gift and went about a month later. They had been dying to go. It seems like "everyone" had been but them. The kiddos opened a box of Disney balloons and a sign with a count down, when they realized what was happening one of the kids just said, "Finally." The trip really was magical! I loved seeing the excitement in their eyes at each new ride, each character they say, treat they tried, and sites they saw!
Other favorites include quick trips (often with my extended family) to Arches National Park, Zions, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, etc.
TV Shows - Fixer Upper! I also like watching Studio 5, American Ninja Warrior and some Netflix favorites to watch with Nic have been White Collar, Chuck, and West Wing.
Movies - As a teen my favorite was Remember the Titans. Some younger favorites are Tangled and Enchanted. I also really like proper romances like Pride and Prejudice.
Leisure Activities - "Projects!" I've usually got some sort of project going on, from gardening and canning, to decorating and refinishing furniture, to church or PTA planning, or baking. I also enjoying sitting down at the end of the day after kids are in bed and relaxing with Nic and a TV show. I love biking with the kids, reading them books, and boating as a family.
Books - I like proper romance and regency books like Edenbrooke and Blackmoore. (I recently joined a book club and I have been surprised at how much I have loved the books that we have read, most of which I never would have picked up.) My very favorite books though are kids books. I love children's literature. A Visitor for Bear, Love You Forever, The Pigeon Wants a Puppy, and A Sick Day for Amos McGee are just a few.
Ultimate Favorites - Mel's Kitchen Cafe (http://www.melskitchencafe.com) a food blog I follow and LOVE and cook from ALL the time! I often talk about Mel as one of my bestie, though I've never actually met her - my family knows her well! She makes real food with ways to make things healthy and simple but also has the most divine desserts!
Reese's Peanut Buttercups (or the homemade version, which is even better) and Scor or Heath bars (or homemade English Toffee)
Long, hot showers and Christmas!
{To help you get to know Natalie better, here are some of her favorites.}
Games - Ticket to Ride, Skipbo, Farkle, Minute to Win It games
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| Nic's cup tower just came crashing down. Love everyone's expressions in these pictures. |
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| We hosted a lively Minute to Win It party for New Year's Eve with Nic's side of the family |
Flowers - Magnolias and Gerber Daisies. And to plant -alliums, cosmos, and zinnias, among others!
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| I served a church service mission in Louisiana, since then magnolias have a special place in my heart. They are so unique, big and smell amazing! |
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| Alliums are a bulb flower that come back year after year. Again I love the uniqueness of this flower. The tall purple balls are just so unexpected. |
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| Both these (zinnias) and cosmos are fun because of their pop of color. Colorful flowers make me happy. Add some flowing sweet potato vine and the planters are gorgeous! |
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| "Suuuu-re love ya!" - Our family "cheer" after family prayers each night. A tradition passed on from my childhood and family. |
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| Walt Disney and Dr. Seuss have pretty great quotes too. This is a wall in one of our bathrooms. |
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| What a good bread helper! |
Vacation - Our trip to Disneyland with the family, which included a trip to the beach was dreamy! We surprised the kids as a Christmas gift and went about a month later. They had been dying to go. It seems like "everyone" had been but them. The kiddos opened a box of Disney balloons and a sign with a count down, when they realized what was happening one of the kids just said, "Finally." The trip really was magical! I loved seeing the excitement in their eyes at each new ride, each character they say, treat they tried, and sites they saw!
Other favorites include quick trips (often with my extended family) to Arches National Park, Zions, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, etc.
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| There really is something so magical about Disneyland! |
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| Can't you just feel your belly flip just looking at the picture?! We are on the right, front row with our oldest. I LOVE roller coasters and thrill rides! |
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| We went to California the end of January, so the water was freezing! But we enjoyed every sandy second at the beach! The crashing waves and keowing of sea gulls, sand in our toes and ears (and everywhere else!), castle and trench building, sea shell and sea weed collections... |
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| Goblin Valley, a day trip with some friends and neighbors. We loved exploring and climbing all the "goblins." |
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| I love Chip and Joanna! This show has the building aspect for Nic, the decorating inspiration for me combined with a fun mix of humor and family. Seriously, if you haven't watched it, do! |
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| It's clever. It's thrilling. It's humorous. |
Leisure Activities - "Projects!" I've usually got some sort of project going on, from gardening and canning, to decorating and refinishing furniture, to church or PTA planning, or baking. I also enjoying sitting down at the end of the day after kids are in bed and relaxing with Nic and a TV show. I love biking with the kids, reading them books, and boating as a family.
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| Veggies from the garden |
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| ...on a dreaming child, on a snoring granny... in a napping house where everyone is sleeping. |
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| Enjoying the boat. Nic is in the background wake boarding. |
Books - I like proper romance and regency books like Edenbrooke and Blackmoore. (I recently joined a book club and I have been surprised at how much I have loved the books that we have read, most of which I never would have picked up.) My very favorite books though are kids books. I love children's literature. A Visitor for Bear, Love You Forever, The Pigeon Wants a Puppy, and A Sick Day for Amos McGee are just a few.
Ultimate Favorites - Mel's Kitchen Cafe (http://www.melskitchencafe.com) a food blog I follow and LOVE and cook from ALL the time! I often talk about Mel as one of my bestie, though I've never actually met her - my family knows her well! She makes real food with ways to make things healthy and simple but also has the most divine desserts!
Long, hot showers and Christmas!
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| Our Christmas mantel last year with our homemade stockings. One stocking is up for Christ.We write down what we are giving to Him each year and read it as a reminder on Christmas morning. |
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| Acting out the nativity with cousins is a Christmas Eve tradition. My side of the family a couple years ago. |
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| Nativity last year with Nic's side. |
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