Class Thanksgiving Feast

I was lucky enough to be able to help and observe Big A's class feast the day before Thanksgiving. Ann was great and watch the younger boys at my parents' house and Jill and my mom took them after Disneyland the day before, so I had a really easy morning with ONE child.

They had made their costumes earlier and got to pick if they wanted to be an Indian or a pilgrim for the feast. They sang some cute songs. During the feast, I loved hearing the conversations going on. My 5yo tried to carry on a conversation like we do at home but when that didn't work, he resorted to jokes- Kindergarten jokes. Pretty entertaining.

Thanks again to my great sisters and mom for watching the other 2 so I could be there.

Disneyland with Ann and Fam

My sister Ann and her family was coming for the week of Thanksgiving and her baby was turning 3 on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so it was the perfect time to go Disneyland. My mom and Jill took my 2 younger boys while I took Big A to school, went to a doctor appointment, picked Big A up from school, picked Bryan up from work and met them there. It was great, a little crowded but still fun. Thanks for going Ann and Fam, we should do it again, soon.

disney with my relatives

My uncle, aunt and their kids came from Utah and spent a few days at Disneyland, we were able to meet up with them on one of the nights. It is so fun to go with people who haven't been in a while. My little cousin was so excited the whole time, it was great. And my cousin who just got home from his mission was there too, that was a bonus. I can't wait until they come back.

Disneyland - Friday

Two Fridays before Thanksgiving Bryan came home from work and wanted to do something fun. The boys wanted to play Mario Cart or Mario Party. Bryan and I decided that we would get dinner on our way to Disneyland and not tell the boys we were going to Disneyland. They guessed that we were going to my parents' house and CostCo. They were so excited when we got there. We had a great time, we don't go very often with just our little family.

Halloween

We went to Roseville/Rocklin for Halloween weekend. We stopped at Kim's on Friday night because the last time we went to Kim's on a Friday night it took us almost 5 hours to get there and I knew we couldn't go the whole way that night (my 18mo still doesn't LOVE the car like my other 2). But I move slow in the mornings and Saturday was no exception, plus the boys run and run there and I rarely see them, so it was a challenge to get them in the car too (excuses, excuses right). So needless to say we didn't get up there until after 5pm.

We got kids in costumes and took them trick-or-treating after Beebe took photos of the kids in their costumes. It was still light out but the kids were so excited that we couldn't tell them "no" anymore. We did a practice round at Beebe's and then when only 4 people opened their door, we went again to Beebe's.

We went to Chipotle for dinner. I love Chipotle these days. Honestly, if they had a drive-thru I would have a problem. Then some adults went with the "older" kids for more trick-or-treating in Ann's neighborhood. I stayed behind with the babies and was appalled by some of the costumes knocking on the door. It was just a reminder of why we usually go to Disneyland on Halloween, no teenagers or adults dressed in inappropriate costumes asking for candy.

This was a great first time trick-or-treating experience for my boys. Maybe they will get to do it again sometime.

**I stole these photos from Beebe's blog and this was my comment on her post:

I am sad I missed the later Trick o' treating but really someone needed to be responsible for the "babies." Joanna took a photo of Mike with Mike's camera.
I really loved all the costumes. But that little bat has won my heart, maybe I need a hard copy of that to put up at my house and on those days where I have said "No" too many times to count and ready to give him to the first person who wants him, I can look at that photo of that sweet bat who said "leeassseee" to strangers for those nasty, sticky suckers.

crazy sleeper

Bryan had me check on the boys after he had to see this.

Lil A is a crazy sleeper but usually not this crazy. It makes me wonder what they were doing before they fell asleep. They have a tendency to play until move one of them out but apparently this night the fell asleep before we separated.

Another Trip to Utah

My lack of photo taking is ridiculous. I only took photos on the way home after we had been in the car for hours and had been stuck in traffic for over an hour (look at Bryan's photo). I wish I had taken at least one photo of Bryan and Dave giddy like you cannot imagine. We did a lot of Provo things this trip, normally we just go to the game and maybe make it to the bookstore for the annual t-shirt and the creamery for ice cream. We had Brick Oven, where we met our friend's (from Texas) sister, and Cafe Rio. Katie, the boys and I drove around looking for ponchos while the guys went around campus and to the stadium early. Katie is fabulous (again) and took the boys bowling in the Wilkinson Center and dinner and then back to bowling, while we were at the game.
We made pretty good time until 25 miles before Yermo. I have decided how the state of California can have more money every year, CLOSE DOWN YERMO. I cannot remember the last time we were actually stopped there. Bryan and Katie are tired of hearing it but think about it and I think you will agree with me.

toddler i with licorice on his face. He seriously looked homeless for 3 days.

the boys were so good to play video games for most of the trip

Bryan was done being in the car. We were excited when we were going over 20 miles an hour at this point.
Katie tried to read but, again, fabulous to entertain toddler i with food, movies or what else she thought would help him not to scream.
Ryan just finished watching Cinderella Man, that is why he has a smile on his face, not because he liked that the rest of us were SO DONE being in the car.

Disneyland (no photos) and SDSU

Bryan's sister, Laura, and her family came to DLand for a couple days and then to Sea World and then the game. We met up with them at DLand on Thursday and then they spent the night before heading down to San Diego. I can't believe I didn't take one photo of them. I didn't really take very many, I only took a few more at the game and they didn't turn out very well. We met up with them at the game. Met up with Kelly and John at the game, my older boys and their little boy ran and ran- they had a great time. After the game we went to Lolita's. I think that will be the place we go to down that way, it was so good.

nauvoo

I was able to go to Nauvoo with my mom's family. I was a kid again. To say to it was fabulous is an understatement. We flew to St Louis, stayed the night there because it was midnight when my parents landed. Woke up "early" (2 hours ahead of my time zone and ready to leave before 9am) and headed leisurely to Nauvoo- we met up with Ann and Scott at the hotel. We had some great pizza on our way up. We did a tour given by the Community of Christ Church. Our tour guide was very knowledgable. We had dinner in Port something (I can't remember). We did a session before the sealing and then got to look at so many things in the temple. We went shopping in some of the stores before dinner. Dinner was at the hotel that we stayed at, again good food. That is a thing I can count on with the Nielsons, good food. That night I went with Amanda and Kathy to take photos of the temple at night, well I was the driver and Amanda was the photographer- it was freezing and she was out there for a while. The next day was Sunday and we went on the Trail of Hope and then went to Carthage (Mom, Dad, Grandma, Ann and Scott were my traveling buddies back to St Louis). There is something about being there that is very humbling. I can't wait for July 2012 to take Bryan and the boys to all the places we visited. We headed back to St Louis to meet up with the others for dinner. I had the earliest flight at 6am Monday morning. I don't think I will choose to have a flight that early again, it was tough. I got up at 2am PST and then had to be a mom when I landed. Luckily, the older boys let me rest while Toddler i was napping. I am grateful that Katie was able to watch the boys and be me for a couple days and that Bryan is willing and able to let me get away for a few days- he even took all 3 boys to church by himself. I really am lucky, I didn't want to miss this for anything. That is 4 sealings in 5 months (one of those months being August when we were Germany- that would have been tough to squeeze in).

Nauvoo July 2012! I can't wait.

This was a drive-by photo shoot of this but I thought it was funny because my uncle said something about the last train. Can you see the train tracks?

There were 9 of us shopping for breakfast and dessert. It was a good time.

After the sealing and it was freezing.

All of the Nielsons, again freezing.

First Field Trip

I was lucky enough to be able to join Big A and his class on their first field trip. We went to Centennial Farms at the OC Fairgrounds. It was fun to be able to see him interact with his friends to be excited about the animals, especially the cows- he kept telling me Grandpa has cows like these. He did not want to touch the baby chick but really, I don't blame him, I didn't either.

Other Things

I don't have photos of some of the things we have done but this is my journal, so deal.

One Thursday was a little busier than I am used to. We dropped Big A off at school, went VT at the park for 40 min where a friend was dropped off to play for the afternoon, went to speech, went to CostCo, picked up Big A from school, made rolls and went to a shower. It doesn't seem like that much but include a crazy, active, opinionated 17 month old.

We had a weekend at home in September, my dad came down for ribs and to watch the game. I want more weekends like that.

The next weekend was Conference weekend and Bryan's mom's birthday, so we went to Bakersfield to celebrate with Bryan's parents and sister and her family. I honestly see very little of my boys when we are there, they are constantly busy. I just wish they didn't live so far away (it took us over 4 hours to get there when it normally takes 2 1/2).

BEEF and Florida State

Happy Halloween! Maybe I will post about Halloween before Thanksgiving.

I don't have a photo of this but I have to write about it so I can remember how crazy I am. We left Friday night after dropping the boys off with my dad, my mom was at Beebe's because she just had a baby and my dad had a HUGE YSA activity the next day and a full day of church on Sunday. But we needed beef and Bryan is a BYU fan, so we squeezed a game in. We got to my grandma's house about 3am (honestly, I really remember when we got there maybe that is why I should post soon after instead of months later). Got up slowly and got ready for the game slowly. Went to the game. Left a little disappointed. Got beef from Sam and Laura in the grocery store parking lot and headed for home. But we were able to sleep a couple hours at my parents' house before my dad had to leave for his meetings. Seriously, I don't think I ever want to do a trip like that again.

Kevin and Erin's Wedding

In September, we went to Kevin and Erin's wedding. It was great. We got a babysitter at my parents' house for the boys, it was so nice not worrying about them. I am so glad we were there to support them. I need to get the other photos from that day from my mom (just like Germany).

Big A's First Day of Kindergarten

My baby is growing up. I cried the first day. He cried the second day but only because there was a kid in his class freaking out and was scaring a few kids. I picked him up early one day and he was upset. He is learning so much and I love that. Next year is going to be tough but I think Lil A will be happy. Every day he waits by the door for Big A to come out and then gives him the biggest hug when he comes out. It is great.

My Birthday at Disneyland

Of course, we went to Disneyland for my birthday. Jill took me to lunch at Chipotle on the way there and then stopped at McDonald's for the older boys (she really is fabulous). But after renewing passes for Jill and the older boys and me getting my birthday card, Jill couldn't even go on one ride with us. She took the photo and we headed to Toy Story. We got ice cream and went on the Carousel before Bryan got there. I love Disneyland and how well behaved my boys are there.

Jill took this before she left.

The older boys on It's A Small World, love how that line moves so quickly.

Bryan and Toddler i on Small World

Silly Toddler

Here are some random silly photos of my #3 son.

Apparently, I put these on here a while ago but forgot that I had started this posting. The first two are from June when Lil A was opening his presents. And the last two are of him wrestling Lil A's bear, he loves the boys' bears.

Silly

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY TO OLIVIA!

When the boys get tired, they get silly. Lil A was getting his jammies, he came to me, with his left arm just not quite right, requesting some assistance. Big A had to get in on the photo shoot. I love how they really are best friends, I hope it stays this way forever.

Flip- Flop

Happy Birthday to Me! I am going to Disneyland, of course.

This kid is always cracking me up. He has the best faces and he does the craziest things. It is a good thing he is number 3 and I can laugh at the things he does (like climb on my counter-height table, empty out my spatula drawer many times a day and I refuse to use them without washing them in the dishwasher first, so it is a good thing I have a lot). I loved his face in this photo, is was the third one I took.

Lil A's Birthday (from June)

Apparently, I am a loser because I totally thought I had already posted about my middle child's birthday. I did his birthday trip to Disneyland but not all of the celebrations. There are some photos from his birthday party with family and opening presents a few days after his birthday (yes, we celebrate for a week). I just love this 4yo, he is a mini me.

there are seriously 4 or 5 photos of him with this book, he loves it Ann.

Celebrate

Saturday was a busy day for me. I ran more errands than I like in the heat with 3 kids alone. One of our many stops was Wal-Mart for candy for missionary Matt. And while we were there we had to get those nasty sugar cookies that everyone else loves but I do not. Well, once we knew BYU won (thank you Bryan, are you sure you want to come home?), the boys celebrated with those blue frosted cookies. Apparently, toddler i doesn't like the cookie, just the frosting. (I tried to help him eat the cookie part, he took a bite, spit it out and then tried to get every little crumb out with his blue hand). Needless to say, I did not celebrate while cleaning up the high chair. GO COUGS! What a great game, too bad I wasn't there like my husband. Oh and church with toddler i by yourself, NOT fun or enjoyable, barely tolerable (good thing I am in Nursery and he can hold his own in there, I also gave the lesson in there...good thing there was only 17 kids in there today). But look, could you get mad at that face?

I Want

I want this, don't you?

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