Tate is ONE!!!

My little baby getting bigger every day

J.K. Rowling- I owe you one

Did you ever envision something in your future and then realize all of sudden, years later, that that thing you'd been thinking about and looking forward to had actually come true? Well that is what just happened to me... Not one hour ago...

Now it is no secret that when I fall for something-I go down hard! Harry Potter has been one of the great fictional heroes of my life-I just love that boy. And over the years, even before I was married, I pictured myself sittin' cozy on a bed with the kiddos getting lost in the world of Harry Potter. We'd toss around words like Hogwarts, Quidditch and Muggles. We would loath Slytherin and that nasty Professor Snape, and cheer on the Gryffindors to a House Cup Victory. Ron and Hermione would become some of our dearest friends and we would fall in love with Harry Potter and his wizarding world together. And tonight, after almost a month of reading, Ryan H and I finally finished "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". He loved it! He loved the broomsticks, the magical moving chess pieces, the golden snitch-all of it!! (Ryan and Adelaide actually hugged when they found out Gryffindor had won the house cup). And as we high fived our literary triumph and made plans to start in on the next book as soon as possible, I realized as I kissed them goodnight, a little dream of mine had become a reality. I got to share something special to me with my kids and it became special to them too. Wow, just wow...

Age of Aquarium

We had a wonderful day at the Georgia Aquarium last Friday with Grammy.

We'd never been before and it was pretty cool. Couldn't get enough of the touch pool. The kids loved the slimy and suprisngly friendly sting rays!

A Little Something I've Been Working on For 10 Years

Happy Anniversary Ryan!!

Just Some Pictures of What We've Been Doing

Well I was trying my darndest get these pictures in the order I wanted but it is sooo not happening. I've already spent to0 much time on what was supposed to "just a quick post" that I just have to move on. So in a nut-Turner Field had a free Open House. The kids got to run the bases and even sit in the dug out. One of the pictures is Ryan, his friend Jack (in the same class and on the same baseball team) and Adelaide standing on home plate. The Tucker Law Enforcement also had a free open house of sorts. Ryan tried on the swat team gear very cool. We went to WV for Spring Break. Tate's favorite place to hang-snuggled up to grandma in the rocking chair. And yes even though life his busy with 3 kids, they do still get bathed occasionally. I needed to document the moment of course since it is a rarity when all 3 of them are clean at the same time:)

Dont' ya just love free stuff and fresh smelling children...

Adelaide Is 4!!!!

Yes it's been over a month since our sweet little Adelaide turned the big 4. But I figure it's never to late to share some thoughts on how much I love this little curly blond gal.

She's funny and silly and cracks us up everyday. She loves pink and painting her nails but also insisted on being a Zombie for Halloween like her big brother (the year before she was Darth Vader, also her choice). And speaking of big brothers-She is fiercely protective of Ryan H.!! I have actually seen her step in front of him in order to stand up to whatever she perceived as a possible threat to him. She has done this multiple times. She loves little Tate (or "Tatey" as she calls him) too. And although he's rocked her world a bit, she is never short on hugs and kisses for him.

She is thoughtful. She is tough. She is kind. She is stubborn. She is mine!!!

And I can't get enough:)

Tate's Blessing Day

We had a wonderful weekend with family and friends to celebrate Tate's special day.

Happy Birthday Ryan H. We are So Proud of You!

Ryan Hinckley turned 7 just one month ago and I thought I would share 7 reason why I love this boy!

1 He loves to laugh-we have fun laughing together

2 He is responsible with Tate-I can always count on him to hold Tate when I need some help or if he's crying and I can't get to him. Ryan will even go get him without even being asked

3 He plays with Adelaide

4 He is sporty and likes to play soccer and swim and jump on the trampoline and be outside

5 He likes to be silly

6 He wants to do well in school, not just grade wise but he genuinely wants to be good for his teachers. He was even selected to be both the Bobcat of the month and then Citizen of the Semester!!!!

7 Deep down I know he is a real Mommas Boy!!

Weekend In Wild & Wonderful West Virginia

On a whim we decided to go to Morgantown for the 3 day weekend. We were hoping for snow but got rain instead. Of course getting to go the WVU vs Syracuse basketball game made up for the lack of sled riding. We lost by one point. Sigh... But it was still a blast!

(On a side note-yes we realize we are major WVU goobers. between the hats, the shirts, the cups, the key chains, magnets, pom poms and bumper stickers we could have our own Mountaineer souvenir store. in fact we'd probably love it. being surrounded by blue & gold paraphernalia all day, listening to the marching bands version of the fight song over &over again. that would be as close to heaven as I think we could get, yes that would be Almost Heaven indeed...).

Anyway, even though the drive is pretty long we always enjoy stopping for a family picture in front of the beautiful New River Gorge Bridge. It's become a tradition. It's been neat to see the progression of our family. Ryan and I stopped there on our honeymoon and now over 9 years later we find ourselves standing there in a picture with 3 kids. How did that happen??!!

Thanks Dad and Dara for your hospitality we had a wonderful time!!

Why Doesn't Anyone Tell You

That having 3 kids really feels like you have 23 kids??? Or maybe they did and I just didn't listen...

Okay don't get me wrong. I am loving our new little guy. In fact I feel better than I have in awhile. But wow- this whole being a mom thing is actually starting to feel like work!!! Go figure...

I'll admit-I think he's pretty cute
First Christmas

Tate Robert Niceler

Summer Slide Show

Just to show you that since June I really have been doing other things besides watching the New Moon trailer...

I Don't Think I Took A Single Breath!!!

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer


Is it November Yet??!!

Back On the Scene

It's been awhile since I've posted. I guess you could say my life got a bit turned upside down when I found out at the end of February that I was.......PREGNANT.....yes that's right pregnant with baby #3! So after a few months of a doing my best to get a grasp on my new unexpected reality of 3 children and with the help of a lot of friends and family(and let's not forget that ever so important generic form of Zoloft) I am finally starting to feel "normal" or at least functional:)
In spite of the stress though a lot of really wonderful things have happened over the last few months. Ryan and I went on a 3 day getaway to New Orleans and Mississippi (thanks Molly for watching the kids). After that we got back in the car again and went to Cape San Blas Florida with ALL of the Nicelers for a spring break family reunion. This was a fantastic trip! It actually felt like a real vacation. And the kids had a blast playing in the sand, going crabbing and hanging out with their cousins. Then my husband had a birthday. Then Ryan Hinckley had Field Day at school and won 2 first place ribbons and we are so pleased to announce that Adelaide's hair is finally starting to grow back:)She also got to ride a horse for the first time with her friends at our home preschool. Although as fun as the horse field trip was I think I am more excited about the hair.
So that is a brief update of life at the Nicelers House. Or as I sometimes like to call it- Crazy Town:)

Happy Birthday Adelaide!!

Okay so exactly one month ago today our sweet little curly blond girl turned 3!!! Yes she is 3!!! And has been for 30 whole days. It seems like just last week I was rolling over in bed around 4 in the morning when my water broke... 10 hours later we had our baby girl. She loves books and playing in the sandbox. She cracks us up every day. The other day she got mad at me cause I accidentally bumped her when I was changing her clothes. She looked at me, put her hands on her hips and said "I'm telling on you. Gramaw is gonna be so mad at you!" How can you not love this girl???!!!

Here we are at the circus the morning of her birthday. Later that afternoon we had some friends over for cake. It wasn't really a party but we couldn't resist the hats.

Georgia Phenomenon

Today at church it started to snow! You should have seen all of the kids when they came out of primary. You would hav thought it was Christmas all over again. And believe it or not it has kept snowing all afternoon. I have many other things to post about (Adelaide's birthday for one) But I just had to share our fun, snowy afternoon. We did our best to find weather appropriate clothing but when this happens once every few years you just don't have all the gear to keep warm and dry. In spite of the wet and cold we indulged in multiple snowball fights, made snow angels and built the kids first SNOWMAN!!! (we dressed him like a Mountaineer of course)!

10 Things

A long while ago my friend did a post about 10 of her favorite things that start with the Letter D. I read it and enjoyed it so much I volunteered for a letter. She randomly assigned me R. So here are 10 of my favorite things that start with the Letter R.

1. Roller Coasters-b/c who doesnt' love a good thrill right?! I still remember my first roller coaster, the Matterhorn at Disneyland. I was about 7 and road it with my mom. And what better way to start my love of thrill rides than doing it with a fun loving red head and an abominable snowman. Now don't get me wrong. There is a lot of fear that goes into this whole thrill process. Someone usually convinces me to just "wait in line" with them. I hesitantly agree because they assure me that I don't really have to go on it. When we get to the front I can always just "not get on". Yeah right! Somehow, I always manage to wind up strapped in with the shoulder harness firmly clicked into place before I realize I never wanted to do this. And then it is too late because we are slowing making our way up the first hill. When we finally reach the summit, I actually begin to lose consciousness-whether these momentary black outs are from altitude poisoning or the fact that I've been hyperventilating since I sat down remains a mystery-But before I know it we are plunging straight down into what feels like the center of the earth. It is about this time when I realize I am not dying, I am actually having fun. And then it is over, I feel great and anxiously await to start the entire process over on the next one.

2. Road Trips-over the years I have had the opportunity to go on hundreds of fabulous road trip adventures. I've piled in with parents, siblings, my dog, roommates, kids, my husband, best friends and have been to some really cool places. Sometimes it's been to somewhere new. And sometimes it's on to an old faithful like Morgantown. Sometimes it's in a car, sometimes it's on a coach and once even on a "chicken bus". Each trip I take is special in it's own way and I am so grateful for all of the amazing things I've seen and the amazing people I've shared them with.

3. The Red Bellied Woodpecker-These are truly a lovely bird. And you might be surprised how common they are. If you live in a neighborhood with trees chances are you've got red bellied woodpeckers living right under your nose. Just take a few minutes when you're outside doing yard work or on a walk. I often see them up high on the trunks. Really they are there and they are fantastic!

4. Reading-One of my favorite things to do in the world is put the kids to bed, grab a great book, get all cozied up in my favorite chair and read. It is especially nice when it is chilly and raining outside and I can snuggle up under Me Maw's afghan.

5. The Ritchey's-My best friend Mandy and her entire family really made my Jr high and high school experience not only bearable but enjoyable for me. Mandy's house was the place where we'd all hang out. I have such happy memories spending many o Friday nights there playing games, eating yummy food and having fun. Plus they took me to the beach with them for 8 summers in a row!!!

6. Reese's Peanut butter Cups-I feel no further explanation is needed.

7. Rain-There is nothing better than waking up to a heavy downpour on a Saturday morning when you have no place to be. I love hearing the pitter patter on my roof and windows even before I open my eyes. And then it is positively fabulous when I realize I can stay in my cozy bed, listen to the rain and let it lull me back to sleep.

8. Rachel-my niece- What is not to love about this adorable 3 year? She's cute, she likes to cuddle and she always says something that makes me laugh. Plus as Anne of Green Gables would say she is my daughter's "kindred spirit". They were born just 13 days apart and are great friends. Such a blessing.

9. Running-now I am using the term "running" rather loosely b/c it's more like jogging. And I actually don't really "love" it. But it is something that has brought me a lot of satisfaction. And I've also run further than I ever thought I could. And even though I often want to cry while I'm in the middle of it(sometimes I actually have), I also always feel great when I'm done.

10.Ryan D, Ryan H and Robert.

Husband, son, and dad.

Again no further explanation needed...

The Next Oscar Blandi?? I Think Not!!

About a month ago our sweet Adelaide had herself a scissor party!! Is this a right of passage that all little girls must go through? I don't know but I've stopped asking why. These pictures really don't do it justice. This was a serious hack job! It actually brought tears to my eyes. But hey it grows back right?!

Happy Birthday Ryan H.

Please indulge me with another slide show...
With Ryan's birthday being 2 days after Christmas I have a feeling we'll be doing these back to back slide shows annually.
We are so happy to have this fun and healthy 6 year old boy in our lives. If Ryan keeps growing the way he is, he will not only be taller than his mom(not too hard) but his dad as well-something he thinks is really cool.
Ryan loves to play and be silly and have a good time. I've loved watching him grow and learn. He can be very determined sometimes. He actually spent an entire afternoon teaching himself how to jump rope. Lemme tellya He's pretty darn good at it. And I am so thankfully for those moments when we share a good hardy laugh together.
We had a fun birthday party at our house with some buddies. I think the hit of the afternoon events was not the cake(thank you Emma for so thoughtfully making that for Ryan's special day) or even the presents but watching Gramaw and daboyz get down to The Blacked Eye Peas during the dance off. I never knew my mother-in-law had such moves.
That night we went as a family(about 20 of us total) to Medieval Times. I highly recommend this fabulous jousting tournament. Of course I've done it now, My son turns 6 and he gets knighted by the King, how am I ever to top that? Chick File is just not gonna cut it next year...

A Bounteous Christmas-in Toys, Food and Love