We've moved!!!!

Our blog has moved!

Come visit us at PeaceLoveAndCrayons.blogspot.com

Don't forget to add us to your bloglists :)

On my journey....to???.. Oh yeah! Winter Break!!!

If you are like my husband, (or anyone else who I have neglected lately) you probably are wondering where the heck I have been/what I have been doing. And if you haven't, well I'm gonna tell you anyway! I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO BECOME A NURSE. Its hard. But so fun. Seriously these girls are sisters to me and I see them way more than basically anyone else in the world so its a good thing we love each other so much! Here are some super fun pictures of the semester. I love D-4. and I STRONGLY dislike pharmacology. Well just my teacher really. Is that a terrible thing to blog about??? Right now I love that Ashlee, my Sister-in-law Jen and my nephews are in town!! I AM SO THANKFUL FOR MY FAMILY! :) Obvious statement? Probably, True Statement? Definitely! Enjoy :)

Happy Thanksgiving All!!!

Making our infamous Tye-Die Shirts! May D-4ce be with you!

Learning to be sterile.... that sounds really weird.
Waiting for lab :)
We support Breast Cancer Awareness! And Hungry Howie's of course.

Rachel, Me and Amber :) They make me happy.
D-4

The lake

Okay so here is an attempt at an update!!!! These are from a few weeks ago on Ryleighs 3rd birthday. We went to the lake with the in-laws and the corleys! Such a blast! Later that night we headed out to the end of summer scorcher, Ben actually won the tickets on the radio!!! Enjoy :)

this was their security guard....be intimidated.


Our driver and captain carty.


"IM 3!!!!"

The nik boys + chase!





His life jacket fit really well!

shes pointing at the duckies!!!!

We've converted!!

...To the Red Mountain Lions!! Okay so its not a full conversion because lets be honest, not many could be THE Toros! But it is enough to be excited to go to the games. My lil cousin Derek is the amazing running back for the Red Mountain Lions and is doing amazing! It has been such an exciting season. He is first in the state for yards rushed and third for scoring. Its all in the blood right ;-)

Here are some super cute pics from Friday night's game. D was amazing as always. Keep it up red and black!

Her shirt says Lion Cub #20!

Here with the famous #20, Big D!

Talor Hassel, an old High School Buddy just back from the mission!

#20's girl!

Scopin the field with papa donk!

Dancing Fools!!!

Please enjoy Bryton and Ryleigh's "WIGGLE DANCE!!"

Jodi's beautiful poem. This is about her big brother Ben :-)

My Brother's Lullaby: By Jodi Nikolaus

My memories bring me back to a place,

Where the stress of the world melted away;

Laying in the soft shadows,

I listened to my brother play.

The chords he struck with intelligent fingers

Left a feeling of protection and care.

As my private concert played on and on

I fought off my heavy eyelids, but they won.

The songs he played were soft but knowing,

Relieving my wind of worries and stress,

While sowing the dreams of a peaceful rest.

Bryton Brooks' First Birthday!!!!!!!!!

Here is another post dedicated to the one and only Bryton Brooks. She is such an amazing little girl with such a big personality. Her name fits her so well. For anyone that knows her Im sure would agree what a bright light she is. She is always smiling and giggling and making people laugh. Here are some amazing milestones she has made by her first birthday:
Walking and Running all over the place!
Eating all by herself
Saying 3 word sentences, my favorite "I love dada!"
She squeels and giggles on demand
She really plays with her best friends Ryleigh Mae and Carter Craig!
She pretends to use a Cellphone and says, "Hello yaya!"
She plays patti-cake and attempts itsy bitsy spider
She takes a bath with her big sissy and likes to rub in the shampoo herself
She finally holds still while I change her diaper!
She definitely recognizes people and knows when they leave.
She knows people by name and gets really excited when someone comes to visit.
She fake cries when she wants something, (though it hardly ever works ;-) )

There are so many more and I could go on and on about this little girl. I can't imagine my life without her. To be honest after having my gorgeous little Ry it was hard to imagine loving another baby as much as I loved her. While pregnant I was expressing this concern to my dad and he told me something that turned out to be so true. He said, "Every time your mom was pregnant I worried the same thing. It seems that your heart is so full with love that there couldn't possibly be enough room for more. God blesses you with the ability to grow your heart with each and every person you meet. This definitely doesn't change with your own children. Each child is so different and amazing that the love you have for each of them is incomparable with the next. Your heart will swell and grow endlessly and you will love each child with the same vigor as the ones before. That is what is so amazing about the human heart. Its ability to love is infinite."
For any of you who know my dad you know he is a man of few words. These were the most comforting words I could have heard at the time and have been the most truthful statements I have ever heard; those of you with kids can definitely understand what I mean. I am so thankful that my heavenly father has blessed me with such amazing family.

Here are some pictures from Bryton's birthday party at home with the immediate family. We had some yummy hamburgers made by yours truly. For desert instead of the traditional cake and ice-cream we decorated our own individual cupcakes! It was so much fun, I can't believe how creative my family is!!!! Enjoy the pics! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!
Before Cake...
During cake....

and...

after cake!!!!
Mal and Brayden with their Halloween cupcakes!
Ryleigh Mae, Such a big girl!

Uncle Jared

The whole gang :)And the two lovebirds who made this all possible! ;)

ASU College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation

This has been one of the most crazy months of my life! I just completed my first 2 weeks of nursing school as well as my first Clinical round at a Nursing home. I am having so much fun with school but it has left me ZERO time for ANYTHING else; including blogging. I know everyone is busy so I shouldn't complain but being a full time student, working, mother of 2, and Pageant title holder is just taking a lot out of me. It helps when I can share my experiences with the people I love! Here are some fun pictures of me and my gang at school working with the talking dummies that have.....well....some real parts...! 

On another note, BRYTIE IS WALKING! She has been taking steps for a while but for the last month she has just taken off. See for yourself!!!! Ryleigh is as funny as ever, you really have to talk to this girl to get the full effect. She is such a light in the lives of anyone she knows. 

We are so happy to be back at our Mesa home! We love our ward and missed it so much! For those of you who didn't know we moved, email me and I can get you our new address! Or its our old one on Frito ave. if you already had it! 

Our awesome learning community; D-4!!!
These girls are amazing. There are like 5 Mountain View High School Alumni here, GO TOROS/DEVILS!
Having to much fun.....with a wheelchair.... practicing "nursing skills"
Yup im climbing on the patients bed...
At the lighting of the lamp ceremony

Me and one of my besties, Jaquee Weech!

My beautiful little wierdo!