Thanks Rachel

I want these. If you leave a comment, post on your blog and win, could you share with me?

I know you were expecting Germany photos, I will get to it. I want the photos from my parents before I blog about our trip.

Vegas Aug 1-2

For Bryan's Grandma's 85th birthday she wanted to go to Vegas (she lives in Hawaii, so Vegas is the logical place to celebrate your birthday, right?). So Saturday, we got there, got in our room, dropped our kids off with Bryan's parents and sisters and headed to a show, La Reve at the Wynn. It was pretty cool, more like a circus with tons of water. Then when we were done, the brothers and sister-in-laws watched the kids of the next set of people going to the show. When those folks got back, Bryan and a few others went bowling (it was after midnight when he left, I was in bed). The next morning we had brunch with all of Bryan's aunts and uncles (on his mom's side) and a lot of his cousins. Then we headed home (before 1pm) and it took an extra hour and a half to get to my parents' house with toddler i screaming for 45 minutes NON-STOP. It was nice to see everyone, it was just a really quick trip.

Beach July 2009

While Emily and AJ were visiting, my mom offered to keep my big boys on Sunday night (after Matt's farewell open house weekend) for Monday and then come to the beach, have dinner at my place and then my boys would be home. I thought it was a great plan so did the boys, they love to be at Ga's house (especially when Ga and Papa are there). I took a few photos while sitting in my chair. Surpringly, toddler i was more interested in my mom's drink and the sand than the water this time. My mom did take him to put his feet in and she got hit by a wave above her knee, luckily she had already picked up toddler i and was headed back to the chairs at that point. I really enjoyed myself and love laughing with Mom and Jill while Em and AJ went out in the waves. And the stroganoff for dinner was the perfect end to the day, thanks for coming my way everyone.

family photos

While everyone was here we had our family photos taken at Ford Park in Redlands. I like so many of the photos and even with so many kids, I think the photos turned out great.

This isn't the photo I am going to put on the wall but I love lil A's face in this one.

I like how H is about ready to take off in this one.

toddler i is asking for more smarties from Beebe

all the grandkids (well until baby girl m. arrives Sept 14th)

Utah Trip #2 July 2009

I went to Utah twice, trips within a month of each other. This trip was because another cousin was getting sealed to her husband and 4 kids. We had this trips filled, got to Utah on Thursday, the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House and Cooper Mines on Friday, a live session and sealing and lunch in Manti on Saturday and a party for Matt at Grandma Nielson's house on Sunday (this time we were all outside and it was beautiful- even though we saw clouds and heard thunder as were getting things ready)and then head home on Monday. I only took photos at the Cooper Mines, other photos were taken with my mom's camera (maybe one day I will get those). It was great to see even more relatives this trip. I am glad I am able to make so many trips this summer (thanks Mom and Dad) and even though it is hard to travel without Bryan, sharing experiences with my family that cannot be duplicated, is worth it. Hopefully I will be able to go to Nauvoo in October and back to Utah this fall to get beef and for football (of course).

it was really hot there but we got to see an explosion, it was pretty cool

Emily in front of the aerial photo of the mines. They really are amazing. so was being in the air conditioned museum-place.

Bailee's Baptism and Ridge's Blessing

Apparently, I didn't take any photos 4th of July weekend either. But the weekend after that we were in Arizona enjoying some Brown family time. We got there late on Friday night, the baptism was Saturday with a BBQ at Sally's parents' house after. Bryan and Aaron were up until after 4am working on the BBQ and then up and back working by 9am (could have been earlier but that is when I got up, we-Sally, her friend and I- were working on a video and things for the party pretty late too). They smoked 2 briskets, 2 turkeys, 2 pork shoulders, needless to say it was a lot of work but worth it. My boys loved being the pool, they have a nice slide (I can't seem to take as many photos when my baby is my responsibility) that Big A loved. Sunday was the blessing and after that it was lunch at Laura (Bryan's sister) and Jordan's new house. It was a great weekend but a fast weekend.

Lil A got a hold of my camera and took some photos, I liked this one of Hannah.

lego land July 2009

Ann's second son got baptized on June 27 (I guess I don't have any photos of us being there on my camera, I will have to steal some) in the Sacramento area. And when you turn 8, you get a trip to Grandma's house, where you pretty much get to do whatever you want. He wanted to go to Legoland. Here are many photos of our trip. My mom and I realized after being there for a little while that this was the first time the kids outnumbered the adults, I don't think we will let them outnumber us by so much next time. It was a great day, the weather was perfect and next time we will pack a lunch or 2.

Utah Trip #1

This was THE ONLY PHOTO taken the entire trip. This was the reason for going so I guess it is appropriate that is what I have a photo of. My cousin and his wife got sealed to the 3 kids they adopted. Saturday was a great day, after the sealing, we ran back to Benjamin to get the kids to go back to Aunt Sally's for a party. Sunday evening we had everyone (and I mean EVERY.ONE. Stewarts and Nielsons) IN Grandma Nielson's house because it was raining for dinner. Thanks again Grandma, you really do know how to party. It was great to see so many family members, we should do it more often than every 10 years (that would be to Eric and Sheena).

Disneyland Lil A's Birthday

Of course we went to Disneyland for Lil A's 4th birthday (what else would we have done?). A couple of cousins joined us with Bryan's parents (who finally got passes, hopefully they will be joining us in the fall- my favorite time to go to) and my mom was there too. We enjoyed CA, Brother Bear is always a hit and we loved our beingets from Downtown Disney.

Monorail

My mom came to watch the boys at swim lessons one day and after we headed to Disneyland. We road the monorail out of the park. There were about 12 people standing in front of us in line, so I didn't think that we would be able to sit in the front or the back of the monorail. But I asked when we got to the cast member, he asked how many we had. Five, was my response. The front can hold five. The boys were so excited, who I am kidding, I was excited. Lil A sat in the pilot's seat, Big A was embarrassed, so he didn't sit there too. It was a great day. I can't wait until we start going again.