Pumpkin heads!!

Yip - we finally carved pumpkins with our family last night.......okay, Andy did, I didn't. I just barely carved mine today. I love seeing creative pumpkins on everyone's doorsteps!

Halloween Surprise Treats!

This week we got a visit from the 'Phantom Ghost' & the 'Trio' (Vampire, Witch & Frankenstein).

It's so fun to have someone ring your doorbell & then all you find at the door is a plate of treats! I'm just not very good at making treats & delivering them......I was so lazy, I asked my in-laws to stop by my house & get their share of treats (ha ha)........yes, my sisters' famous chocolate chip cookies. We received cookies & candy.......they were delicious!!

(This is not an actual picture, but they did look that good!)
I did get a workout.......last night (during a commercial break of The Office) - I delivered some cookies for the 'trio' by foot: you're supposed to post the picture on your door or window so others know not to go there.......anyway, I ran to a friends' house down the street & didn't see their picture until I got right to the doorstep......so I turned around & tried going to another home - oh, they have the picture......then I ran across the street to another family - their lights were off, so I couldn't tell........so then I ran to our neighbors house (at this point I'm worried that I'm missing the Office, so I was desperate)........it was dark so I don't THINK they had the picture up, so I just rang the doorbell & ran (too much for me, ha).
I heard them open the door, as I'm knocking on my own door trying to get in.

UEA weekend

The fall break started off pretty bad........with BYU losing to:

But, on Friday we went to the:

at Thanksgiving Point & it was a blast!! We went last year & I think its becoming a family tradition now. A big thanks to my awesome family for coming with us!

We did the usual......pony rides, petting zoo, carriage ride, huge bouncers & slides, haunted house (which Kaleb loved) & checking out the booths. This year Kaleb tried the rocket launch & the kids enjoyed the dance performances.

Yesterday, the kids & I went to:

I had never been there before, but heard alot about it........it is awesome! I just wish that I had 'interior designing' skills - everything there is beautiful - they would look great in my home! I'm definitely going back!!

What a great ending to the long weekend......hope everyone had fun!

Lana's ready...........

When Kaleb's school bus arrived this morning, Keilana was so excited and screamed "shoes" (meaning she needed to get hers on)........then eventually she grabbed her Princess purse full of her essentials (brush, mirror, shades, cell phone & necklace) - then she grabbed her backpack & I put it on her........then Kaleb's bus was gone! She wasn't sad, she just dumped everything out of her purse & then turned on the TV (ha ha).
Don't you just love her messy hair & pjs that are too small..........too funny!

What was I thinking?

Mmmm, doesn't that look good?
We went to Red Robin last night with some old friends of ours who we haven't seen since we left Provo. Anyway, for some reason I thought that it would be nice to take Keilana with us........WRONG! All she wanted to do was walk around & when our friends arrived, she screamed & then cried louder & louder. Finally when the food came, she ate quietly, but she had to be between Andy & I to eat.

We tried to keep her happy with taking pictures.

This entertained her for a while.........thanks pumpkin!
Anyway, lesson learned.......

Procrastinating.........

"Hmmmm, what do I want to be for halloween?"

Kaleb wants to be something intimidating....

Lana just wants to be something 'pretty'......

Kolby doesn't care, he'll be happy either way.
(Sorry its blurry, the boys wouldn't keep still - ha ha)

This is what they were last year..............
I guess you'll have to wait in a few weeks to find out what they chose.

Conference Weekend

I hope everyone had a great conference weekend.........we got to watch all 4 sessions as a family & I was surprised that the kids stayed around to listen. I think they loved how church was on TV.
We enjoyed all the talks - I especially loved Joseph B. Wirthlin's.

It was wonderful to see my kids listening carefully whenever Pres. Monson spoke. Lana would point to him & say 'prophet'.....it was cute. I hope that my kids will always follow his counsel. Can't wait for the November Ensign!

Date Night.............Football!

Only during Conference weekend will our Utah football teams play during the week - University of Utah played last night & just barely beat the Oregon State Beavers. My friend Stacey said that she hopes they stay undefeated as well as BYU, so it'll be the BEST final game in November when BYU slaughters Utah........I like that idea too.
VS

Tonight @ 6pm
GOOOO COUGARS!!!

Nine wonderful years!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

We remember that day like it was yesterday......we were so excited to be sealed for time & all eternity.

9 years later, we are still so in love & have a wonderful family.
We'd like to thank our families for always being there for us during our struggles & we are so grateful for our beautiful children who make us smile everyday. We are so blessed to have the gospel in our lives, it has definitely brought us closer & we know that families can be together forever!

My baby boy is 5!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KALEB!!

I told Kaleb all week that his birthday was coming up & all he would do was sing the birthday song (ha ha). This morning he woke up to balloons in the family room & loved it.......then I served him his favorite breakfast - cinnamon rolls (I know, not part of a complete breakfast), but he also had fruit too.
He took 'store bought' cupcakes to school to share with his class & that made him even more excited. We'll be celebrating with the fam on Saturday, so he has to be patient for his presents (ha ha).
Happy Birthday little buddy - we love you!

Me or him?

I saw this tag on Tif's page & thought it was too cute..............

What is his name? Andrew 'Edward' Nielson (yes ladies, I have my own Edward, ha ha)
How long have you been married? Sept 11th, it'll be 9 wonderful years!!
How long did you date? 1 1/2 weeks (long story)
How old is he? 30

Who eats more sweets? Hmmm......I could eat m&ms all day, so I say ME
Who does laundry? I do – he doesn’t separate colors
Who pays bills? I do, so if anything gets shut off, its my fault
Who sleeps on the right side? I do – I’m thinking about switching since the kids are always bothering me first.

Who mows the lawn? I’m sure I’ve mowed more lawns than him, but he does ours.
Who cooks dinner? I do when its something easy, but if its steaks, he does a better job, but mostly ME.
Who drives? We both do, but I only drive when I’m with the kids – he makes fun of my driving

Who is more stubborn? He is & that’s where his daughter gets it (ha ha)
Who kissed 1st? I did – I don’t think he wanted me to, but I surprised him……gees, I sound controlling, huh?
Who asked who out first? He did & it was to meet his family

Who proposed? He did……it was planned
Who has more siblings? I do, I have 7 & he only has 3.
Who wears the pants? I would have to say he does – he has the ‘red’ personality
What do you love most about him? He makes me laugh and I know that he loves me & our kids.

Dinosaur Museum

Since Pre-school hasn't started yet, my friend Nicole & her son Riley took us to Thanksgiving Point to the Dinosaur Museum ($2 Tuesdays in August) - it was so fun. Lana started to get a little bored & Kaleb just wanted to run & climb on everything. I saw many Moms with their kids on leashes, that was hilarious.......but then I realized, it was quite smart.
I hope you're all having a great week!

Still alive.........

I know, its been a week since my last post - mainly because nothing exciting has happened (ha ha). I have to correct my last post - Kaleb doesn't start school until next Tuesday & Kolby was registered into the wrong school by the district & so, he went to Fox Hollow Elementary for 1 whole day (ha ha). He is now going to Dan Peterson School which is a school for special needs kids & he seems to really enjoy it. I met his teacher & saw his classroom & it just seems perfect for him, he will have a great school year.

Ready for school.....

Well, we have found out where the boys are going this Fall.......they are not the schools that I was told last Spring (ha ha). Kaleb will be going to pre-school at Legacy Elementary, which is in American Fork - and Kolby will be in the 3rd grade at Fox Hollow Elementary, which is in Lehi. Kaleb is lucky to get his teacher from last year - she just moved schools, so he will be so excited to see her. The kids have been so bored with Mommy, I know that they will be so happy when they put on their backpacks & wait for the school bus on Monday........notice Kaleb's face?
Good luck to all you Moms getting your kids ready for school - they are growing up so fast!

Our family is just loving the Olympics - Andy has watched more events than us, including archery, horseback-riding, volleyball, basketball, rowing - I've enjoyed the swimming events & gymnastics. USA is doing so well & we're proud! I'm really hoping that Michael Phelps reaches his goal of 8 gold medals!

GO USA!!