Scott, Michelle & Leah at Corona Del Mar Beach

It's been a while!

I know, I know - it's been a while since we've updated.  But, can you blame us?  I'll do my best to catch up now.  

Scott is not working right now because of the major drop in the California home market.  This has actually been a great blessing, in ways we are uncovering every day.  The best part of Scott being home is the time he been able to spend with Leah.  He has all his schoolwork to stay on top of still, plus interviewing, but with him home our stress level has dropped even more than home prices.  

I have been busy this quarter with the Laguna Dance Festival, assisting Prof. McKayle with the UCI Etude Ensemble, and choreographing for the graduate concert New Slate.  It has been crazy. But the craziest part of all has been my new calling in church as the ward choir chorister - what a riot!  It felt like some kind of prank at first and I still catch myself trying to hold back a laugh while I'm up there conducting.  Who would have thought?

We love hearing from family and friends - and hope to spend some time catching up on that over this holiday break.  Hugs to you all!

Happy Halloween!

Leah was the cutest little scarecrow for Halloween.  We loved taking her around Trick-or-Treating - especially since she can't eat candy yet, so her parents kindly helped!  

Check out my Slide Show!

Back to Babysitting

School has started again and Leah almost seems happy to be with a babysitter every now and then...especially if that babysitter has a cute little boy just her age! They are so cute together and Leah loves exploring, and destroying, someone else's house. We just love her and can't believe how old she is getting. 1 year next month!!

Trip to Cambodia

On Sept. 11-16 I traveled to Cambodia with my mom to present a dance workshop. I worked with the Young Single Adults in the South District of Phnom Penh and with the Amrita Performing Arts group. It was a life-changing experience. The people are incredible, the poverty startling. I am so grateful to have met such beautiful, humble, and loving people. Truly, a part of me will always remain in that special place. We traveled through the city of Phnom Penh, seeing all we could of the Royal Palace and grounds, as well as the horrific sites of the geneocide of 1970-75. The country is in a major recovery from the devastation of the Khmer Rouge and the slaughter of over 2 million Cambodian men, women and children. We traveled to Siem Reap to see the great pride of the country, Angkor Wat. It was magnificent and stunning to see such intricate hand carved work. I hope that these pictures capture some of what I experienced...although I doubt they adequately can. It would have been easy to come home from Cambodia thinking that I am so much more blessed to live here than there, but when I saw their humility, their acceptance and love for everyone, I wonder which of us has the greater blessings.

You've had a Birthday shout hurray!

Michelle turned 27 on Sunday and is officially in her late twenties, a "respectable age." Scott went all out with a birthday slide show and surprise party. This cake that Julie Parker (a MFA classmate) made, had a layer of Golden Spoon ice cream in the middle. Heavenly! We are blessed with such wonderful friends!!

Triathlon Training

Yes it is true. I, Michelle Nielsen, am actually going to do a triathlon. Scott is doing a real long one. But I'm just doing the "sprint" one: 750 meter swim, 12 mile bike, 5K run. I guess I better start training!! We race in St. George on Saturday the Sept 22. Wahoo!

Lake Powell

Lake Powell was more fun than ever this year. Scott stayed the whole week and didn't have to worry about missing work -- hurray! We loved it. Leah loved being around her darling cousins, adoring aunts and uncles, and doting grandparents. From playing capture the flag with marsh mellows and PVC pipe to dutch oven delights and tube racing, we had a blast!!

Quick Trip to See Our Family!!

We had so much fun with family this weekend. Hugs from grandmas, time with cousins and even a quick trip to the Lake. Backyard baseball was the highlight however! Oh how we have missed all of you this past year. California felt very far away as we boarded the plane...good thing we will be back in August (at least Leah and I) for another, longer visit. We can't wait to see you all again soon...and a new little one Jan. 14 (Matt & Becca #4 -- Wahoo!!)

Living in Cali

It's interesting, living in a place that everyone else comes for vacation. It makes us feel like we are on vacation. The weather is perfect here (not to rub it in to my family living in St. George and Phoenix). We go to the beach when we want, Disneyland is 15 mins. away, and we are constantly finding new fun things to do. One BIG problem, however....we are just too far from family. We leave tomorrow for SLC for a quick trip to see them. ANd We Can'T WaIt!

San Juan Trip

We had a great relaxing trip. The weather was beautiful and the island was a forested wonderland. Our little cottage was right on water so we had spectacular views, perfect for meals on the deck. We definitely need to take more vacations like this one.