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!!

Visit from Arizona

My Uncle Sione & cousins Fita, Soana & Bessie came up to Utah from Arizona last weekend for a Catholic Youth activity in Salt Lake City. I was so excited that they stopped by.........of course we enjoyed some pizza before they headed to their hotel.

Bessie, Soana & Kaleb

Fifita, Lana, Ben & his sis, Bessie

We attended their dance & Keilana had a great time!

Kaleb danced with Soana most of the night & Bessie enjoyed dancing with Lana

Yes, I was a little under-dressed (ha ha) - that's Fita in front.

That's my Uncle Sione (my Dad's brother) & my cousin Bessie
The evening was fun until we popped a tire on the freeway coming home (ha ha) - just our luck!

I've been TAGGED!

Thanks Heather for the tag - I guess I have to name 100 facts about me, myself & I - grab some popcorn, this is going to take a while......
1. I was born in New Zealand (in '76)
2. I have no middle name (I would pretend it was Maryanne, after my Aunt)
3. I am the oldest of 8 kids (5 girls, 3 boys)
4. I came to the U.S in '92 (Christmas present)
5. I have brown hair (with highlights of grey, ha ha)
6. I have brown eyes (on good days, ha)
7. I am married to Andy Nielson
8. I have 3 kids (2 boys & a girl)
9. I am LDS
10. I joined the church in '89 (baptized New Years day)
11. I served a full-time mission in Illinois
12. I met Andy in Illinois
13. We completed our missions at the same time (no we weren't sent home, ha ha)
14. He proposed May 30, '99 (my parents anniversary)
15. We were married Sept 11, '99 (now flags are put up on that special day)
16. In the Mesa Arizona Temple
17. My parents are Muimui & Vaine Hola
18. My inlaws are Steve & Claudia Nielson
19. I have 3 sis-in-laws, Annamarie, Anna & Debbie
20. I have 3 bro-in-laws, Dave, Mitch & Jimmy
21. I have 3 nephews - Marshall, Lucas & Logan (passed away)
22. I have a beautiful niece - Ela May
23. I lived in Sacramento, California for a few months
24. I lived in Phoenix, Arizona for a few years
25. I am now living in Lehi, Utah
26. I have been to Disneyland
27. I have been to Las Vegas
28. My favorite colors are pink & brown
29. My favorite food is Cafe Rio pork salad
30. My favorite dessert is a Dairy Queen blizzard
31. I love to shop at Old Navy
32. I love to watch BYU football (starting next month)
33. My favorite TV show is The Office (thanks to Nicole & Cody)
34. I love to watch movies (chick flicks, action, comedy)
35. I still haven't seen 'Batman: The Dark Knight"
36. I love listening to music
37. I own a pink ipod (thanks to Muimui)
38. The last concert I ever went to was 'Colors' (LDS group)
39. Gees, I'm not halfway yet? I love to swim
40. I love going on walks
41. I want a trampoline
42. I enjoy cooking
43. My favorite candy is m&ms
44. My favorite soda is Sprite
45. I love BBQs
46. I am reading the 'Twilight' series (halfway through 'Eclipse')
47. I can't sew
48. I love blogging (& reading friends blogs)
49. I love to take pictures (mostly of the rugrats)
50. I love my home
51. I love road trips
52. I have been in a car accident (no injuries)
53. I have been pulled over by cops (no arrests)
54. I want to go on a cruise someday
55. I like to scrapbook (when I do it)
56. I had all my kids c-section
57. I was also a c-section baby
58. I was named after my grandma
59. I am her favorite grand-daughter (I am!)
60. She is my only grandparent left (she's in her 90s)
61. I don't speak another language
62. I know some sign language
63. I don't own a car
64. Andy & I are CTR 5 teachers
65. My favorite holiday is Christmas
66. I enjoy Playhouse Disney (MM Clubhouse, Little Einsteins)
67. I love watching rugby (All Blacks, Ikale Tahi - Tonga)
68. I love watching Utah Jazz games
69. I don't own a cell-phone
70. I try to stay organized with a planner or palm pilot
71. I am still in my pjs
72. I have a 'facebook' profile (for friends)
73. I have a 'bebo' profile (for family)
74. I am glad this is almost done (ha ha) - I miss Provo
75. I love my friends
76. I love my family
77. I don't own a pet (don't plan to, unless its a fish)
78. I pay the bills (hate it)
79. I love to wear flip-flops
80. I need a haircut & color
81. I love game nights (hint hint friends!)
82. I love date night (even if its once a month, ha ha)
83. My favorite snack is Quaker Chewy Dipps - chocolate chip
84. I am in the Cedar Hollow 6th Ward
85. In the Lehi North Stake
86. Wow, this is hard....um...I am listening to Red Hot Chili Peppers
87. My favorite time of year is Summer
88. Oh, my birthday is June 29th
89. The most recent DVD I own is Enchanted
90. The most recent CD I own is Fergie
91. I love Gilad's workouts on FitTV (Total Body Sculpt)
92. I hate mac 'n cheese (that's what Lana is eating right now)
93. My favorite icecream flavor is Strawberry
94. I use Mary Kay makeup (& you thought I was naturally beautiful - ha)
95. I can play the drums & some piano
96. I like to sing (Andy loves my solos in class)
97. I have the greatest husband EVER!
98. I am blessed with wonderful kids
99. I have a beautiful life
100. I need a nap (ha ha)
I tag: Nicole, Annamarie, Rebecca & Kristi

She was born on the 4th of July!

Our niece Ela celebrated her 4th birthday last week & it was the coolest summer party! The big hit, was the bouncy castle with waterslide & pool.

As you can see, Kaleb loved it.........Lana survived it! (Thanks for catching her Annamarie)
Marshall enjoyed hosing some kids (ha ha)

Luke & Kolby enjoyed playing with the beach ball.

Lana really enjoyed the slippery bouncer

Everyone ate pizza & had yummy chocolate cupcakes for dessert - Ela blew out her "4" candles. Annamarie, Grandma Bonnett & some cousins are singing Happy Birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELA!

We hope that everyone will have a fun & safe celebration tomorrow!

Rock-climbing fanatic!

Two of my sisters love to rock-climb, so I had to challenge Ake to see how well she could on my house......she did pretty good. I didn't get a picture, but even Kaleb tried. Ake would've done really well if she had the right shoes........bare feet & flip-flops just don't seem to work (ha ha)

My birthday!

Yes, its true - I am a year older & wiser (ha ha). We had a small get-together, ate finger foods & then played a favorite game of mine (Washeroo - Annamarie's family made it up) - it is sooo fun. We had a tournament & my father-in-law Steve and brother-in-law Dave won!

Ake & Anna playing 'Washeroo'

No 'cupcake' cake for me......just a jello cake (ha ha). Andys laughing cos the candles blew out before I got it, I'm just pretending.

I got fun presents - movie gift card & candy, my own lawnchair, lotion & body wash, new shirt, body sprays & lotion, tote bag & a cute 'family forever' sign.