Christmas Time!!

Gees, I am SO frustrated with blogger, cos I can't rearrange my pictures! There isn't a faster way to move them around & its annoying!!........this is why I don't blog much. (ha ha)

Anyway, these are out of order, but this is what we did during the holidays.

First of all, we helped Gma & Gpa Nielson put up their Christmas tree:

We went to the movies to watch 'The Princess & the Frog"

Decorated a Gingerbread House:

Went to see Santa & go on the train ride:

Went shopping at Old Navy & saw Santa again (ha ha):

Went to Thanksgiving Point to see the lights & reindeer:

Attempted to take family pictures:

Visited G-G Nielson on the way to Phoenix:

Had Christmas with my family - we had a great time!!

Played pool at Dennis' house (my future brother-in-law)

Stayed at the Luxor Hotel in Vegas - & got an upgrade - the kids LOVED it!

Had Christmas again when we got home:

Andy, I mean Bumblebee hopes that everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!

Lukie's 3!!

My handsome little nephew, Lucas just turned 3 years old!

He had his birthday party & Gma & Gpa Bonnetts home.........yes, it was a 'Cars' party!

Dinner was a buffet of delicious soups!

Of course Kaleb & Ela were jumping around downstairs.....literally, they're jumping (ha ha)

He loved it when everyone sang "Happy Birthday"

Nielson tradition - bite the cake!

Time for presents! We bought him a cute outfit from Cracker Barrel & since we knew that he loves 'Cars' the movie, we bought a few fun toys - he's admiring the foam puzzle.

The party people!

It was funny to see all the kids play with Lukes toys while he was opening his other presents........like Lana here with his stretchy noodles. (ha ha)

YAY, Luke's turn to play! Happy Birthday Big Boy - we love you so much!

Visit from Tere!

My cousin Tere from Arizona came up to Utah for her vacation, so it was fun to have her with us for 2 days. Its hard to do fun things when its COLD outside, but we tried to have some fun.

Tere loves seeing all the different temples around, so we stopped by Mt. Timpanogos that is close to us.

Since Thanksgiving Point is close & we love to see lights, we went to the Christmas Light displays.......it was so fun! We saw reindeer & walked around in the cold (ha ha).

My sis-in-law Debbie works at Cracker Barrel, so we went to her restaurant to eat lunch & then SHOP of course (ha ha). Kaleb loved having Tere around - he followed her like a puppy & kept calling her "Denay" (ha ha)

She's the only family around on my Moms side, so it's always awesome spending time with her. Love you heaps Tere!

Rivalry Game Today!!

Hmmm, who will it be this year? The Utes AGAIN??.....or will the Cougars get their act together & surprise us all with a miracle win?? (ha ha) I know, its sad that I don't have much confidence in my favorite College football team.....I'm working on it (ha ha).

Both teams have the same record of 9 wins & 2 losses, so its definitely anyones game!

GOOD LUCK COUGARS!!

MUST-SEE MOVIE!

After eating a delicious Thanksgiving meal made by my wonderful in-laws, Andy & I got the kids to bed & went to watch 'The Blind Side'. It was an amazing movie......better than New Moon - YES, I said it! It was a great family movie - it makes you laugh, cry, love football & even make you think about adopting (ha ha). I'm definitely becoming a fan of these 'true-story' movies.

GO & WATCH IT!!

Have a wonderful day with your friends & family!!

Chimney fun!

How does Santa bring your presents into the house?.........down the chimney of course!

I have never seen one of these before, until now, when I helped Andy put it together. Its almost as old as he is.......his parents have kept it all these years. It looks like a real fireplace, huh? (ha ha)

This is perfect for an apartment or home that doesn't have one (ha ha).......especially if you have kids that believe in Santa (ha ha ha). Its just a cardboard project that takes about 15-20mins to put together.......its so cool!

Andy & Kaleb are trying to keep their hands warm (ha ha ha)

Lana wants everyone to have a 'Merry Christmas'!

TEAM JACOB!!

Yip, I'm one of those Twilight fans.......but I wasn't a fan of this movie. It was good, but not GREAT! I had a hard time getting into that book too, so that's probably why I didn't love the movie as much. I LOVED the werewolves & wanted more......and I'm sorry girls, but I still think that Edward isn't all that cute.

Thanks to 'Gordon Family Dental' we were able to go to an earlier showing of the movie! We also had Andys sister Debbie & her friend Tiffany come with us - it was fun! We were able to eat dinner while watching the movie & I loved that!

I think I need to watch it again......maybe I'll like it more the 2nd time.
I wonder if Andy is up for it - he doesn't look that excited (ha ha)
He loved it! Thanks for taking me honey, you're the best!

Weather Changes

Being from Arizona, I have really only known one type of season.....summer, all year round (ha ha). I've lived in Utah for 10 years & whenever the seasons change, I ALWAYS complain. The weather here is weird - this is how its been in the last couple of weeks.......

We went on a Sunday drive to Cedar Hills & LOVED the view (can you see the Timpanogos Temple?) This day was sunny, but still cold & windy.

We also had our first snow storm......of course I took the picture from inside the house - I'm not going out in that cold (ha ha)

One day the sun was totally out & I thought that it was only supposed to be 50 degrees, but it went up to the 70s.......that explains Lana in her long-sleeved shirt & pants (ha ha).....so we had to go to the park!

We have also had those days that just look gloomy, but it definitely puts a smile on your face when you see this fly by.

I really shouldn't complain because I LOVE Utah - I just wish the weather would make up its mind (ha ha).

HAPPY WINTER!!

Cousins Sleepover!

I don't recall ever having a sleepover when I was little - but watching these kids most of the night was pretty cute. As I am writing this post, Kaleb & Lana are still taking naps.....yip, exhausted!

They all seem to be dancing, but there is no music playing (ha ha).......they are soooo entertaining!

We missed you Marsh!!

Trick or Treat!!

Who is this intimidating Autobot, you ask?

Its my big boy, Kolby 'Optimus Prime'!

Who is this superhero with the huge muscles?

Its my bodyguard, Kaleb 'The Dash'!

Who is this beautiful Princess?

Its Keilana 'Snow White'!

We had such a fun Halloween - we carved our pumpkins that day (ha ha, unlike those who carve theirs for FHE the week before).......we ate delicious 'chilli in a pumpkin'.......took the kids trick-or-treating in the neighborhood........and then had cousins come over.

The Nielson Clan!

L to R: Annamarie (Duck), Lucas (Dragon), Ela (Witch), Claudia (Witch), Kaleb, Lana, Kolby, Me (something in the medical field, ha ha ha), Debbie (Princess) & Tink (Pony)

I hope that everyone had a fun & safe Halloween!!

Yeah, I'm sure people wondered WHY I carved my pumpkin this way! (ha ha)

Cornbellys!

If you live near Thanksgiving Point - this is a MUST before Halloween!

We did quite a few things, but I wanted to share our favorites:

First of all, I am a big fan of this rocking chair & my cute kids!

Andy didn't get to ride one, but he really enjoyed watching Kaleb ride the bull!

Kolby LOVED the bouncy pillows......& the 2 clowns rolling on it!

Kaleb loves to be silly, so he loved posing with the fun boards.

Of course Keilana loved Pumpkin Princess Land.....but I guess she was too good to smile.

It was definitely a fun-filled day with my beautiful family!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!

Kalebs school pic!

Kaleb is LOVING Kindergarten - he is such a quick learner & has recently loved to read.

We are so proud of you handsome boy!!

(Kolbys pic should be coming soon.......stay tuned, ha ha)

Well-child Check-ups!

I am a mean Mommy!

First of all, as Lana & I are getting ready this morning, I asked her if she wants to go for a ride, and she says "Okay Mommy, I'll get my sweater". Then, I forgot to inform Kalebs teacher that I had to take him out of class early, so when we got to school to get him, he was missing out on P.E & getting new books for the week. Sorry Kaleb. He kept thanking me for picking him up though & excited to go on a ride......the last time we went on a ride was to a park. As we're driving to Provo I tried to keep them happy, but giving them goldfish & listening to their playlist on my ipod......it seemed to work well. Then we pulled up into the parking lot at the Doctors office & Kaleb says "Mom, Doctors?? No Mom, it hurts." I told them that it was just a check-up to see if they're growing big & strong, and that they won't be getting any shots today. Kaleb was a little nervous. Of course when we get in the waiting room & see the fish & 'Bolt' is playing, they are just fine. Then we're there for over 30 mins & the kids get impatient, so I call Andy to come & help, which I am sooo thankful for. The rest of the appointment went well..........

Kaleb has gained 10 pounds since his last check-up (ha ha......I swear he's not fat, just solid)

Lana even gained 7 pounds & hasn't gotten too much taller since last year (ha ha)

The kids were so brave, and then as they're getting their shoes & sweaters on, the nurse comes in.......we decided to give them flu mists. I know, no warning for the kids. Kaleb HATED it, but Lana was so brave & just sniffed it right up (should I be worried? ha ha). So, yes, I didn't lie, the kids weren't getting shots & any kind of owies, just a spray shoved up their nose, ha ha. I am so mean! Well at least they are protected again the swine flu, right?? (ha ha) I am so glad that I have had healthy kids all year.

Team Crush!

My little brother Michael plays in a football league team 'Crush'.

According to my family & the coach, he is a great player (yeah, we haven't been to any of his games). He was the Quarterback for a few games, but since the team is so small, he's had to play other positions & loves it.

Last night he had his first injury. A huge kid landed on Michael when he was tackled to the ground. My parents took him to the ER & the doctor says he's fine & just has a bruised rib, he just needs to rest & take pain pills (ha ha). The joys of football!

Who knows if he'll get better before his last game......next Saturday.

My brother Muimui (aka Crush Manager, ha ha) - far left & my brother Michael in the very back.

GO CRUSH!!!