The Nielsen Clan

Christmas 2011

2012-01-21T23:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas. Twin Falls. Ideeho. 2011.

Many many good memories from Christmas this year. The month of December just flew by with shopping, baking, decorating, and Christ-thinking. It was a good month.

Here's a little picture story for ya'll. {My lady-friend Steph is from Texas, and she is rubbing off on me ;)}

AND Don't forget to watch the video at the end of the post!

First off we visited my wonderful Grandpa Harding whose struggling with Guillain-Barre Sydnrome. So sad to see him sick. Speaking of which, Brandon's Grandpa Simon just passed a way this last week. I had only the oportunity to meet him a few times, but he was the nicest sweetest little cute old man there ever was. We are sad to see him go, but know he lived a beautiful long life and has a legacy of family.

Spent some quality girl time with my lovely aunt and cousins!

Christmas eve was spent with Brandon's side. We did the fancy Christmas eve dinner and Santa presents in the morning. Everyone all sleepy eyed.

This is one of the best toys Santa brought. Entertains the kids forever.

Addison all grown up with a camera.

Crew happy with a hanger, but did get this adorable little friend from grandma!

The rest of the presents were opened a few nights later at a family party, which I lamely left my camera at the other house. urgh. I was disappointed in myself this trip. I didn't take hardly any pictures of the fun stuff we did or with Brandon's family! Sometimes, I just want to relax and be there and not be snapping pictures. Later I regret it though.

Christmas day was at my families.

Who we really are..

{Love those family pics}

The kids Christmas outfits. Desi's kids matched.. they were all so adorable.

Addison did get her puppy.

Bryce in love with his airplanes.

He's just an enthusiastic kinda kid.

Don't you just love it, when other people love your kids? And they love them back? Crew and Papa have a little bond. Papa's good at making those with the little folk.

A sewing machine?! For a 5 year old?! Addi is now officially invited to craft night ;)

Crew very intrigued.

We did kinda a kid free-for-all then did the adult presents.

SO here is something my family did that I am entirely sad that we missed.. We tried to play again on New Years eve, but we ended up in the ER instead. Sick sick babies don't care much for minute-to-win-it. Nate put this little montage together. I laugh so hard.

I love my family. Family meaning in-laws and extendeds and everything. So glad to have the Christmas season to remember what is most important in life and what it is all about.

A Book of Mormon Story

2012-01-08T21:41:00.000-08:00

Loved this Clip. Hope you do too. Happy Sabbath.

Trying to get festive

2011-12-29T21:33:00.000-08:00

Christmas is over!?! December went by soo fast. I think I was too busy this year. It was all fun but I just feel like it flew by too fast to thoroughly soak it in and enjoy. But I still loved every crazy minute of it. As sooon as Thanksgiving is over and no earlier, the Christmas music comes on and the decorations work their way out of the dust. I always look forward to the holiday parties and yummy neighbor treats. Speaking of yummy treats... my sister add some REALLY good recipes to our cooking blog.. Click HERE.

I also finished my stockings!! Last year I started some.. they were quilted and very detailed. I got through one and quit. Way to detailed to make a whole Brady bunch of stockings. This year, thanks to pinterest, I saw some adorable, simple and chic stockings I decided to copy. After a few nights of pattern making and sewing they were done!

And I love them!

I really wanted a hooked toe which was a little tricky to make with out it looking weird. I don't love the bow at the top..that was kinda an I'mburntoutofcraftingsohere'sabowtoaddalittlecolor. Next year I'm thinking of adding a little berries and some little fun green thing?

One of the Christmas festivities was the SSA party at Brandon's optometry school. My girlfriend planned the party and it was a blast. She did a great job. Gingerbread houses and all.

Bryce's house cracked me up. He had to have a red car on the side of it.

Addison asked for a puppy..(She did get a pink toy puppy)

Bryce asked for a rocket. (He did get blue rocket pj's)

Some of our dear friends we borrow sugar from and all that good stuff.

Top: The Tucker's and Kent's

Bottom: The Anderson's and Egbert's

A few new couples I just met and can't remember there names.. The Partridges in white

Below: The Pfau's and Waites.

And I feel so bad.. Kim Mower the lady in charge I didn't get a picture of!

On another weekend a group of our friends took an evening trip up to LA to enjoy the temple lights and visitors center. If you are ever in the LA area, the temple is a great stop. Free and beautiful. Doesn't get much better then that in the city.

These last photos were taken by Paul Brewer. He has the lens I would LoVe to own.

It was nice to visit the temple. All the light seeing and festivities were so fun, but there is just something special about being on the temple grounds. Christ really becomes the center of Christmas. We had a wonderful Christmas, we are very blessed.. and of course I'll have more pictures on that soon. Can you tell I'm on a little blogging marathon to catch up before the year end!?!

yes, yes another beach.

2011-12-28T15:38:00.000-08:00

This time we were hanging out at Corona Del Mar. Very beautiful. Its just south of Newport so you get the view with the nice beach and the ports to your right to watch the boats coming in and out of the peninsula. We were supposed to be meeting my brother and his friend from college there.. but they never showed. Leave it up to a college boy to flake out ;) We had fun any way. Des and I played around taking pictures and messing with settings on our camera's. A scary thing to do when you really want the picture to turn out well, but then we didn't really care what happened. There were a few good ones. Despite the 40 I deleted, I learned a little about shooting with a harsh sunset.

Photography is fun. That's about the most of it for me.. Fun. I think it would be awesome to be a skillled pro and have every gwak at my photo's, but I feel the same way about being an architect, designer, singer and all those other dreams that I'll never get in this life. So I just keep playing with my camera as a fun hobby and learn when I can. PLUS photography takes $$. I've been all googly eyed over a lens that's much too much for my modest budget.

Here are a few of the messing around pics.

The kids just LoVe da Beach. LvEO LoEv LOVE. the can play in the sand for hours. So nice. After the sand we moved over to the inlet and watch the sail boats and rich fancy yachts. We also spotted a dolphin. then 2, then 3 then 4 and what seem liked a million! A huge heard? School? Pretty awesome sight.

The best of the school that I could catpure.. they never are all up at once. And a beautiful sail boat. We were wishing we were out on the sea. A beautiful evening. And to finish up about the flaky college boy.. he decided to show up once we mention Cafe Rio :)

LoveYou Brandon

2011-12-26T22:42:00.000-08:00

Another year, Another Birthday. I feel kinda bad because it is hard to make birthday's awesome for everyone and every year, so of course the adults get neglected. Brandon is such a kid at heart and loves a party, so he just a had a "Junk'o" with some buddies. This term junk'o was derived by Brandon so cleverly because once a month , all the ladies have a bunco night. So the guys thought they needed there own special night. And He's exact phrase was "If you have junk, you can come!" Eloquent I know. They usually end up at a movie or The ESPN Zone.

ANYway, for this year I wanted to make sure he knew that even though I didn't throw a party or anything, we still think he is pretty awesome. The kids helped me out on this little projected and this is what we came up with.

I put my favorites together and this was the result that we enlarged and framed as a special gift! It now sits next to his side of the bed to remind him every night, he his loved.

and it's true.

Thanksgiving

2011-12-26T22:07:00.000-08:00

Brandon's break for Thanksgiving is to short for us to travel home. We were planning on staying in Cali along with Des and her fam, so my family thought they might as well come to us! And we are so glad they did. It was a fun and crazy week. I don't think that I have ever cooked so much in my life! My mom flew in the night before Thanksgiving so it was up to Des and I to prepare the entire dinner for all 14 people! Holy Moly!

I was encharge of yams, mashed potatoes, the ham, the slushie, green bean casserole, deviled eggs and chocolate, pumpkin, and apple pie. Des hosted it, so that was a chore just getting the house ready and the place settings. She and mom wrapped up the veggie tray, tomato basil appetizer. the turkey, stuffing, rolls, cranberry sauce, whipped jello, and cherry and pecan pie. Your probably saying to your self, geez..why the production? Well, really we like to have fun with food. AND we like to host parties. {Some day when I have a little more elbow room in my kitchen I'll host many parties} AND we party of the 14 guest were 5 men ranging from 6'1-6'5 that can all eat a horses helping.

We actually had 2 turkeys. Des's hubby bought a turkey fryer and was insistent on cooking his own. More about that here!!

It was funny though. For DAYs of preparation it was all done in less than an hour. Don't you hate that?! So much work then, its over. That's my only disdain that I have for cooking. and the dishes.

The rest of the week was fun.. we visited the San Diego Zoo, played at the beach, I worked a shift and then just kinda relaxed.

At the Zoo..

Venice Beach. Don't let the pics fool you.. it was cold.

Addison and Crew and Cars Crashing

2011-12-03T19:04:00.000-08:00

This is an update on my sweet girlpie Addi. My engergizer bunny baby. And our van that some so elegantly smashed into on the freeway.

Ok ok ok.. Ill start with the care since I know you are going Say What?!

A few weeks ago we were driving home from a family evening at Irvine Spectrum. Politely driving in the carpool lane with the slowed traffic. I turned around to talk to the children and saw a car speeding towards us. Maybe 30 feet away. There speed 50-60 mph, ours 5 mph, with only 30 feet. Doesn't add up. Had this conversation in my head incredibly rapidly and decided to scream~ "BRANDON!! OH MY GOSH!!!!!!""""" There was one other car between us the was first crunched. I saw the guy flailing in his car, then CRUSH! goes our car.

I immediately turn to the kids to see if they are Ok. Bryce replies in his very limited but growing vocabulary "I broken arm" Which he lifts with out a flinch to show me. We were all completely fine. Just a little scared. Our van got a bad bruise.

You might remember this post.

We were so grateful to be okay. Bummer for the Van, but in the meantime we are driving a sweet GMC Acadia 2012. My bum gets very toasty in the heated leather seats. We just heard today that the other persons insurance is covering everything 100%. Phew. We heard from the Van Dr. the other day and she is shaping up just fine. ICU measures weren't needed so she will be released soon.

Ugh. Stuff like that just makes you frustrated and scared. An accident on the freeway could have been very bad. We are so grateful no one was hurt.

ON to a lighter topic.

CREW. He is very light. at his 6 month appt. he was only 16lbs. 25th percentile! Who is this tiny child?! I can't remember his length but that was only 50th percentile. Addi and Bryce were both regularly 95th in all categories. It might be do to his incredilble amount of energy. The kid cannot sit still.

Currently he's 7 months and starting to sit up and crawl. He is scooting around and able to make it to anything he wants. Slowly but he'll get there. He is a very determined little bugger. No teeth yet. Loves to nurse. Loves to watch his crazy siblings. Loves to snuggle. And LOVES to jump like a wild man in his bouncer. Energy.

ON to a bigger topic.

Addison is just a delightful little creature. She is doing so well in Kindergarten! Almost a little too well. She hates to mess up. Infact her teacher told me that one day she messed up a letter so she took the entire assignment and crunched it into a ball and threw it in the trash almost in tears.

When I go volunteer in class she is always the last one to finish her assignment. She has to take her time to get things right. I don't know how to feel about this. I love that she wants to do good work but maybe going a little OCD? I mean its kindergarten. She is missin out on play time because she has to make an A perfect. She's definently the A student so far, but I hope she enjoys things a little too. Got to keep that balance!

She lost 2 teeth at the beginning of the school year! Now the are almost grown in. Both of them were finally pulled out in the same manner, the first a fruit snack, the second a gummy worm. pop! Easy enough.

She is just a little sweet heart and a helper at home. She is just my little mini-me. Hmmm.. Am I that OCD? naw. We are having fun this holiday season with Christmas decor and good Food.

Speaking of Food.... I was a guest blogger on my friend Erin's food blog! Thanks for the invite! Here's her Blog {CLICK} She has Celiac's Disease and is quite the little chef. Great gluten free recipes.

Holly Jolly everyone!

Family Pictures~ Laguna Beach Edition

2011-11-27T19:26:00.000-08:00

This summer I had the grand idea to have family pictures taken! A few months after Crew was born {so some of the baby fat might be fading}, at the end of summer {so we would be all nice and bronzy}, by a wonderful photographer {my dear friend Geri}, at a beautiful beach location {have to do that since we live in Cali}, and on a strategic weekend {when my ENTIRE family would be in town}.

Planned PerFect! Right?! Well kinda. It was kinda crazy trying to get all the kids to not run wild on the beach. And some of the adults. The other problem was my miss Addison.

She normally LOVES the beach, swimming and all of the above. But for some reason, on the day that we are having family pictures she decides that she is deathly afraid of the beach. I mean freaking out crying and screaming because she didn't want to be even remotely close to the waves.

I felt bad because if it isn't hard enough to get a big group like that organized my child has to be screaming. It flustered me. My perfect pictures not so perfect experience. But we were lucky to have Geri as our photographer. She is so sweet and spunky, it didn't seem to phase her.

Here are some of the group pictures on the beach.

OUR ENTIRE family! Hasn't happened in years! Either a hubby or a brother missing on a mission.

One of my favorite pictures. Isn't the beach just beautiful?!

AND we had 3 new additions to the family! CREW WES, WILLIAM LESLIE, and JESSI {Andy's new Wife!} We love them all!

The men of the family

Des's family, her kids were all champs!

My family we ended up doing last, up away from the waves. Addison managed to smile.

She actually smiled quite beautifully.

Despite my flusteredness the pictures turned out just beautifully! I'll be producing a Christmas card shortly with one of them on it! Excited for the holidays!!

My family thinks he looks mexican? I can see it here in this pic. A beautiful boy either way!

I hope your Thanksgiving was just wonderful! Ours was splendid.

PS> if you want a Christmas card.. email me your address at aubreyhnielsen@gmail.com So many people movin around hard to keep track of addresses!

Pumpkin Patch with Mom

2011-11-22T12:26:00.000-08:00

A few weeks before Halloween my mom was sooo baby hungry she decided to take a quick trip to Cali to see all her grandbabes! It was a short fun weekend. We took the kids out to Tanaka Farms to see the seasons pumpkin patch and have a picnic.

Besides the hundreds of pumpkins, there was a corn maze, tractor ride, petting zoo and more. They kids got to see different crops sprouting up and fruits and veggies ready for harvesting. We had a nice little agricultural lesson! My personal favorite was seeing the banana trees. {Dont tell any one but I had know idea that's how they grew}

They kids had fun petting the stinky goats.

Mom's and babies stayed clean and smelling fresh outside the pin.

Mom picked up a friend.

Fun family time. Glad you came mom! Love you! See you soon at Thanksgiving!!

Halloween Part DOS

2011-11-22T09:42:00.000-08:00

As you can tell Halloween was a bit of a party for us this year. From school parties to ward parties to neighborhood and block parties! On actual Halloween night we started the evening with a group of our school friends trick or treating at this INSANE neighborhood. More about that later.

The kids were all dressed up, even a few parents. Go ahead and try to get a picture with 8-9 toddlers. Not happening. (A few kids were missing)

It was a beautiful evening. We even had our own I-phone to play with!

So about this neighborhood. Any other night it would be an average little neighborhood, nothing rich or fancy but quiet and safe. Then Halloween rolls around and BAM. The craziness is unleashed! I'm taking full on haunted houses, fog machines, tables with apple cider being served, electric chairs, haunted forests, a redbull truck, thriller music, blow-up houses, and crazy people who sit around in evil outfits and think it is funny to jump out and scare moms.

You can see a few of the scenes here but its hard to capture the full effect in the dark ;/

I took Addison and Sydney into on of the haunted houses, we made about a minute in before they were screaming. They did okay as I kept telling them it was just pretend and fun, then some dude jumped at me and I screamed and the little girls turned around ran!

We wrapped up our evening at downtown Brea. Listening to punk band, kids playing games and going through bounce houses. It was fun and EXHAUSTING evening. I'm happy to be moving on to the next holiday!

Halloween Part UNO

2011-11-04T18:18:00.000-07:00

Isn't Halloween so fun?! I mean who doesn't love free candy? And if your outfit end up being a little crazy~ its okay! Because hey, it's Halloween {even if it wasn't supposed to be a costume}. Yes, one day someone said to me "very festive!" There was nothing festive. Need to rethink that outfit ;)

My REAL costume was a witch with Addison. Bryce insisted on being a monster so that's what him and da boys got. We kicked of the festivities Trick-or-treating at Brandon's school. The kids love the faulty ooing and awing over their costumes.

Some of the kids and bebes. It is ridiculously hard to get a group picture of a bunch of toddlers.

Crew was such a cute little man. Just love him.

Me and my little monsters.

NEXT was the ward Halloween party. Not to shabby with a bounce house, cotton candy, chili-cook off, games, and trunk-or-treating!

We brought Jack and Sydney along so their ma and pa could have a night out.

And of course my kids went crazy about that!

The witches.

Rocketboy and Monster.

Brandon was enthused with his costume as you can tell ;)

Some cute friends of ours, the Pfau's~ I was really impressed by some of the costumes our friends came up with. Holiday's are so much more fun when every one gets a little crazy~ just a little :}

And the whole brigade!!

AND that wasn't even Halloween night. MORE to Come!

Two Little Pumpkins

2011-10-30T22:06:00.000-07:00

They started out as two kind, sweet pumpkins.

Then Brandon had to go rip out their brains.

and guts.

I felt bad so cut them eyes and legs.

Now they are Pider and jack-o- lantern. We lovingly welcomed them into our family. Then they rotted 4 days later, not even to make it to their purpose in life of Halloween night.

Two little pumpkins.

R.I.P.

Little things

2011-10-23T21:56:00.000-07:00

I can not believe October is almost over. Blows my mind people. I think that with Addison having started school and just being so busy all the time the days are flying by. It makes me so sad too because my little munchkin'lin is already 6 MonTHs! and what a little cute bunch he is. .. But before I jibber jabber about him, I GUESS should mention a few things about my other children.

Bryce is doing awesome in his speech therapy. I feel like it has just given him more confidence to just try speaking. AND come to find out, I've been trying to get the words out of him all wrong anyway. Screwing up my kid. ;) His is speaking so much more than he was even a few weeks ago. It is so fun too because I am feel like I am finally starting to get to know him. Hearing him put his thoughts into words is helping me understand how that little mind of his is working.. which is difficult with him. We are so opposite. He is shy and bashful. and Quiet. I might have a dash of each of those but they are more like occasional moods, not my personality.

Addi on the other hand I know what she is about to do a day in advance! She is my little mini-me. And she tries to be too, copying the phrases I say putting on my make-up. She has such a little tender heart. She loves her little brothers.I hear these phrases each a few times a day. "I just can't stop kissing him mom!", " I just want to pinch his bummie" "Crew is just stinkin cute", and "You know what my favorite thing about Crew is mom? His bum."

I can't blame her. We are so in love with this little man. He is a happy-hyper little man for only 6 months. I am kinda nervous to meet the 2 year old Crew!

He Loves looking at himself in the mirror. Just like his pops.

He is so alert and aware of his surroundings. If someone across the room talks he cranks his neck around to see. Addison and Bryce just love to entertain him and make the biggest scene just to get a little smile out of him. They are a sweet little group to watch. Crew just sits there and giggles and smiles at his buddies.

We have our little bedtime routine of cereal, bath and singing songs in bed. His favorite part is the songs. Particularly the birdie song. "Up, up in the sky.. Where the little birdie flys.."

He is sucking his toes, rolling all around and sitting up on his own for a few seconds. And sit just a petite little guy. I love having a small baby. Bryce was such a big baby he seemed to leave that tiny precious stage faster. Crew being small makes it seem to linger a little and he is lighter to carry around. Loving that aspect.

Loving every little aspect of life right now. Busy busy running kids to school and therapy and play dates and groceries! Books, running groups, working, cleaning and all the other small stuff in between. A bunch of busy-ness. All so fun and happy and at the end of the day, I am wiped out! Its a good life~ but 3 kids and school has officially made me feel like a mom.

Feeding

2011-09-23T22:24:00.000-07:00

I saw this video on a random blog and thought it was pretty clever.. I have to admit is it kinda hard to be strictly breastfeeding especially when you are out and about chasing kids most the day. Hard in the way of finding a convenient place to nurse rather than your hot car. Most of the time I end up in the dressing room of target or hidden in the furniture section of Kohl's where there are couches on display :) The grocery store peeps just have to deal with the crying baby since there is no recliner on isle 12. Get with the game store and put a bench or something by the bathrooms! anyhow.. yay for breastfeeding :)

I dont know how I feel.

2011-09-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I feel about.. Kindergarten that is. But I also feel that what I think doesn't really matter.. school schedules, early bedtimes, leaving my kids, homework, packing lunches, picture days, sick days, and everything else in between is going to be my life for the next well? 20 years atleast?! So why fight it? I really just miss being able to have a relaxed schedule with the kids. But like I said.. not much I can do about it.

okay my whining is over..

On the flip side... Addison is just LOVING kindergarten!! Making me so much more happy for her! She has been going for 2 weeks now and has so many new little buddies. She comes home singing new songs and telling me the drama about recess and how "the boy wanted to play with the soccer ball but there was only 1 and her friend said he couldn't play!"

Her teacher is so cute, always complimenting Addi on how well behaved she is and eager to learn. Which is so true. Addison is a people pleaser... she'll do anything to make you feel good and smile. Just like her Dad.

I am not the only one that had a hard time with Addison leaving....

Bryce cried and cried on the first day we left her. For one he wanted to stay at the fun class and playground. Two he didn't want to leave Addison. The first week when we got home he would just sit with me. It was so quiet. A definite absence in the home having Addi gone. It has been really good for me and him to have some 1 on 1 time.. well 1.5 on 1 time. Bryce needs a lot of attention and now it will be that much easier to fulfill with a little quite time we can share.

This is her Rapunzel backpack and Hello Kitty Lunch box. School shopping was probably my favorite part of all this!

There have been a few interesting things we've learned about going to school here in Cali...

It cost like $600 every 6 months to ride a bus to school
All the school rooms open to the outside.. they even have their backpack hooks outside.
Addison is not allowed to wear open toe shoes... or open heels.
They eat lunch outside.
The kindergarten rooms have a separate playground that is entirely fenced off and connected to their rooms so they never leave that little area.
If your school is made up of mostly Korean's you are going to a smart school.. like my sisters

Alot of the elementary schools are painted with fun murals. Addison was alilttle hyper after her first day :)

This was a few minutes after we picked her up.. I don't think I have ever seen so many facial expressions in one conversation..

She was EXCITED!!

In other news.. me and crew are snuggling tons. He is 4.5 months now!! Crazy how time goes by so fast!

And I am starting to fit into my old clothes.. this is the 3rd time I've had to lose that stupid pregnancy weight. I hate it. and it probably won't be the last. Joys of child bearing ;)

His latest thing is sucking on his fingers and toes. He LOVES his bouncer chair. He can get some air in that thing! I have a feeling he is going to be a crazy toodler.. happy! but crazy. He has energy already.

Bryce is starting speech therapy.. we call it "his school." This has helped him feel not so left out when Addison leaves. We have been playing with Desi and her lovely family. So much fun to have her around! We cook for each other alot and swap babysitting. I just feel like so much more comfortable with life in general having family close.

Brandon is doing very well in school. His is in his 3rd year! We are going to be choosing our rotation picks soon! We were lucky enough to get a high pick but will probably stay here in California. Its just to hard to move around with 3 kids. {Rotations are for the 4th year.. every 3 months they work at a different site and they are all over the nation~ including Hawaii and even some in Japan}

Addison was playing photographer.. she took this one of Brandon and was creative enough to take a pic in the mirror! Pretty good for a 5 year old!

Addison and Bryce really just enjoy each other.. such cute little buddies. No wonder Bryce had such a hard time when she left.

Another day of school.. for Brandon and Addison. Brandon has all these suit cases full of lenses and equipment he has to take with him for clinic.

Such as sweet little girl. He's pretty cute too I guess ;)

And I have gone back to work in the ER. Only once every other week. I don't know if you can call it working? My boss and manager are just awesome. Seriously some good women that I work for and they totally get the demands of home yet the crunch of bills and debt. They have been so flexible to let me work so little yet keep me on so that I can keep my license current and still be there for my family. Things are going really well. I feel really blessed.

a perfect morning

2011-09-06T23:09:00.000-07:00

Beach Dayz

2011-08-30T22:36:00.000-07:00

SOO.. where to start? Aug. 5th would be a good day! That is the day that Desi, my sister moved here to sunny California! YeS! Why? Her hubby is an eternal student. {A law degree just isn't good enough- there has to be a masters on top of it} So they moved here! Yeah for eternal students!!

The week they moved here, ALL of my family came to help move them in and play!! AND we played!! It was such a fun un-vacation for me... the kinda vacation where you do everything like you are out of town going crazy but then get to sleep in your own bed. So nice.

We started of the week with family pictures at Laguna beach. Which is just sooooooo .. sooooo... beautiful. The rocks and plants and ocean are just amazing. I had never been to that one before and was very impressed. We love the nautical/beach town feel of Newport and the fun surf miles of sand feel of Huntington too. But nothing is quite like the feeling of seeing such unique nature.

My girlfriend GERI is an awesome photographer and did the photos.. they will be coming soon. Afterwards the kids were goofing around and we snapped a few before grabbing dinner at Buca de Beppo.

Probably my favorite day with the family was the beach day at Huntington. Everyone body boarded and jumped through the waves.. even a few of the kids. Built sand castles and just relaxed.

The even the mother of this grand family caught some waves! Holla molla!
there she goes..

Jacks first time out on a board!

Addi and Jack have a connection...

We topped off the evening with a bonfire. Have you ever roasted Starburst? AMAZING.

Addi and Brock have a connection... maybe its just Addison, she is such a sweet little girl. And just LOVES everyone. She really does just have such an affectionate nature. A very tender heart.

or maybe is just Brock and his smirk that gives old women butterflies (this has been known to happen- my mothers friends have confessed. GROSS eh?!

The big boys.

The little boys.

My favorite picture of the week. Mom and Jack.

We played some more at Soak City. Loved it there too. We are water people if you haven't noticed ;)

It's gotta be his smirk. You know.. that smirk used to be the smirk that said to Desi and me.. "I just pulled off all your barbies head and stripped them naked AND cut their hair off! hhehe"

They do have a connection though. And Brock no longer ~~plays~~ ~~with~~ destroys Barbies.

And we were exhausted. Well the girls and the kids were so the guys to a hiatus up to Six Flags and we had yet another water day. The kids play at our pool while moms put there feet up.

Will and Crew lounging beside us.

We wrapped up the week with guys golfing in the morning and girls seeing the Help at night. I haven't had a girls night with my mom and sister in a long time. It was so nice to spend time with them with out the crazy kids jumping all around. The HELP was such a good movie too.. not as good as the book- but what movie is?

After the extended family left Des and I took our families up to LA to the Getty Museum and the Temple. Another beautiful day. Des has some good pictures..

So many adventures I don't want to forget! It has been so nice going to school in a place where family wants to come visit. We kinda lucked out that way.

Enough for this post!! A little novel of its own.. and on the way~ KINDERGARTEN pictures!!

Bryce's 3rd Birthday

2011-08-21T23:27:00.000-07:00

My little Bryce man turned 3 this month! And he got 2, yes 2 birthday parties. Gasp! I know I am a good mom. Actually I'm not. Bryce really didn't get 2 parties, more like 2 cakes with a prelude song. Poor kid has never had a party with friends and all the works. His 1st birthday we moved to Cali. 2nd we were traveling and 3rd.. well this year didn't really change. I felt very guilty and had a intimate party ON his b-day. Brandon's family attended via Skype. Then later with family when they were in town. Hence the 2 cakes.

Sponge-Bob was the man of the first party. Ha! Love my mad skills, Bryce thought it was awesome at least :)

and it was delicious.. Click here for the Cake recipe. {My Favorite}

Cake Dos.. for the Dos party.

Holding back that smile..

Addison's Birthday card she work so hard on.

Why do kids like Sponge-Bob any way?

The life of the party! That now live down the road!! Sydney and Jack!

Buds.

The entertainment. Crew likes to eat things lately. (Will is 6 weeks younger, so cute)

He really likes to eat things.

A smile starting to peek out in Will!

The mini parties were awesome for Bryce. He was all about the cakes and ate it up. I love how easy kids are to please.

I just love my little man soo much but I just don't really understand him! If only we could know what goes on inside a 3 year old boy's brain. One moment he is crazy bouncing off the walls, the next he is hidding behind my leg. One minute he is speaking in sentences- the next minute ~~screaming~~ screeching is a better form of communication. Seriously can't figure this kid out.

But I love him to death anyway. And he loves me :) momma's boy

A few of his other loves:

He LOVES it when I snuggle up with him on the bottom bunk and sing him songs.

Particularly "Pie-dur" {Itsy-bitsy Spider} and "Ma-keys" {Monkeys in the tree}

LOVES Cars, baseball, trains, Woody and Buzz.

LOVES "Simmin" {Swimming}, the park, going on walks and going "super fas" on his big wheel that he refuses to use the pedals on.

LOVES going to bed... yes, he loves his bed and sometimes even says "I wan nigh-night" and puts him self to bed. {Did I mention I love this kid?}

EATS chicken nuggets, carrots, strawberries, nanna's, noddles, peanut butter and honey and gallons of chocolate milk. Every morning I get woken up by a tap on my face and a whisper "i wann cha-ket miwk" {then I say, Go Get Dada}.

LOVES his brother Crew and LOVES to pull him, bonk him, scare him, and everything else that he shouldn't with him. {Sorry Crew}

ABSOLUTELY LOVES his big sister Addi. Lately he has been calling her "As-Son" "Mere As-Son, PEESE!!" He is going to be so board when she starts school next week.

and a few Hates:

HATES his hair being washed, brushed, or cut. Last time I trimmed up his hair, he cried and said "NO! My Hair!! No Mom!"

HATES dinner. No matter what we have.

HATES to let you see him smile.

HATES fireworks and public toilet's flushing.

And HATES it when I say he has to wait till after he eats to have a treat.

He already wheres a 4T pant and 5T shirt. Size 11 shoe. And can go on alot of the Disneyrides. He is a big kid even though he has abs and shows his ribs.

He is my big little man. And I love him to death.

Those curls and goofy smile get me every time.

lately

2011-07-24T22:29:00.000-07:00

Is summer just flying by or what?! I can't believe July is almost over.. which means in August my sister Desi is moving to California!! And practically going to be my neighbor!! SOO excited for this. And August also brings something so crazy... soo unimaginable... sooo uncomprehendable...... SOOoOO exciting and SOOO going to change my life FOREVEER!!!

... that is Addison is going to start Kindergarten.

I say that my life is going to change. Having a 3 kid pretty much did me in as far as having any free time. But now. I HAVE to have a very strict routine. I mean. I can be 15 minutes late to playgroup.. but 15 minutes late to kindergarten is another story. Packing a sack lunch everyday. Having nice school clothes. Keeping up with homework assignments. Dropping of and picking up at EXACTLY the same time 5 Days a week without being late.

...3 kids changed my life, but really KINDERGARTEN is going to change my life.

And not that it is all bad, in fact I am thrilled for Addison. She is so social and just bubbling over excited when we even mention going to school. This will be wonderful for her.. just a big change in my daily life.

So for now I am just enjoying the summer, trying not to stress over the daily messes and just play with the kids as much as I can.

Here's what we've been up too lately..

I've been making yummy treats like this watermelon granita. {Thanks Pioneer Women}

Don't forget to roll your limes!

Crew is helping Dad study

And being just as cute and smilie as ever, really though folks, I just can't stop smoochin him.

He is 3 months now! Such a big boy! Not really though.. he's actually kinda petite man. His 2 months stats were 11 lbs 11 oz and 24 inch. {Up from 7 lbs 7 oz and 19 inch at birth) He's long and lean!

Addsion is just turning into a little girl and already getting moody.. .. yikes.. her favorite phrase lately is "OH MY GOSH!" I can't get her to stop saying it. She thinks my option of GOODIE GOODIE GUMDROPS! is too hard. Lame.

Despite the occasional mood, she is just a wonderful girl. She loves her Brothers to death and is just a little copy cat to me. One day I caught her sitting with the boppie and nursing cover on holding a toy baby up to her b#%bies. She is taking this want-to-be-just-like-mom a little far!

We've had a few talks about nursing since ;) She is just a little sweetheart and will be a wonderful little mommy someday.

And then there is Bryce. Looks all sweet and cute right? Well look again..

This is him most of the time. A crazy smirk on his face, just wait for his moment to go scare the baby and make him cry. No joke either. Crew will be lucky if he makes it to 2 with Bryce as his older brother. I am trying. Trying to tame the beast.

I love Bryce to death. He can be just a sweet little man, and he is actually pretty sensitive. I just wish I saw those times more often. Again, trying.

Otherwise we are happy and healthy. Eating alot of fruit. Swimming the summer away. And just enjoying life.

Occasionally we catch a movie too.

Hardwork pays off

2011-07-08T16:05:00.000-07:00

A summer project for my parents...

...all done

now Grandma can just hold the babies and enjoy it.

meet sammy.. the great dane and dash... the lab

they love the pond

and we do too

My brother Brock prefers the four wheeler

I prefer the summer evenings, enjoying the warm air, rocking and watching the sunset.

the rose bushes starting out beautifully

This pond has been here since we built the home. But is has never looked this good.

My parents and brothers hard work really paid off.. we are DIY kinda people.

Good Work

What a weekend

2011-07-07T22:52:00.000-07:00

Me and the kids have been here in Idaho the last week and have just been relaxing!! So nice.

Well we relaxed after the wedding, the reception, the baby blessings and the fourth of July.. it was a whirlwind of a weekend, but NOW we are relaxing...

To explain the crazy weekend, my little brother Andy was married to a cute chic named Jesse. They had a sweet wedding at the bountiful temple. The reception was held the following day at my parents home. SO we had the lovely joy have working our tooshies off getting everything primped and pretty for the event.

It was a beautiful reception with a great turn out of friends and family.

The next day my sister and I had our little babies Crew and William blessed by their fathers at my parent's home ward. Brandon did a beautiful job on the blessing... despite the fact that he walked up there with NO baby! He got all the way up there next to the microphone and then realized little Crew was still in the audience. Kinda hard to do a baby blessing with out the baby :) .. just nervous I suppose. It was a very special Sunday and weekend for our family!

Grandpa Harding.. a 5th generation.

By the time the blessing was over we were all ready for a giant nap. But of course, instead of napping we decided to take the boat out on the fourth. And I wake-boarded, so fun at the time, but not the next morning. Pregnancy doesn't exactly build your muscles.

Grandma being the adventurous one getting the girls out on the tube!

Crew and Will's first time boating! They were troopers in the heat!

Boys love rocks and mud. What's new?!

Love boating, love babies, love weddings! Awesome crazy busy weekend!!

She's Five!!

2011-06-27T13:35:00.000-07:00

When did that happen?! My little girl is five! I really can't believe that she is going to be starting kindergarten this fall. Life has changed dramatically in the past few months and its going to more when school starts- I am starting to feel like a mom rather than just playing "mom" --you know what I mean? Just please tell me if I start to grow a "mom bum" :) those are my worst nightmare.

We had a little celebration with some of Addison's dear friends at a lovely park called Carbon Canyon Park.
It was a beautiful day. Lots of yummy food.
Fun decor.. a few people slipped and called me Martha.
Face Painting
Pin the Petal on the Flower
Cupcake walk
Candles then Presents
and Party FavorsAddison was just the happiest little girl.
It was such a fun party! And it was all topped off with this beauty of a cake. The best white cake ever! I have to say I am addicted to this cake, I have to stop myself from making it so that I don't grow that mom bum :) FoR the RECIPE click HERE and you too can enjoy stuffing your face.. just not too much :)

Happy Birthday Addison my little sweet heart!

Smiling just cuz

2011-06-20T18:16:00.001-07:00

I am just so disappointed with myself. I have soo much to blog about and haven't done anything! You know how you either do nothing.. so there is nothing to blog or you are doing so much that there is no time to blog? Either way it never gets blogged. I am making a resolution to blog more! Especially because my little man is changing so fast!Speaking of my little man, Crew is just the cutest little baby EveR! {I may be a biased mom} but he is pretty stinkin cute. (Don't be jealous, he is actually kinda fussy.. guess we can't have it all).Well at probably 3 weeks old he was flashing me these HUGE grins that just made my heart melt! Seriously some real smiles. At 4 Weeks after a bath he was just so happy so I grabbed my camera and caught a few....
These are my little helpers that just can't get enough of their brother.
A frown slipped in too.LOVE baby feet, don't you?!Very concernedA yawn.........

We decided to use them in his announcement....
Like I said, Stinkin CuTe!

10 points goes to the first one to see my typo on the annoucement!

Seriously, I don't know how I missed it.. they were all long gone in the mail when I saw. guess thats what 3 kids and no sleep does to your brain?!

Mumsie and Friends

2011-06-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in the previous post that my mom was able to come to my rescue about 2 weeks after I had Crew... which was just in the nick of time, she came right when I became sick. BUT after a few days of killer antibiotics I was starting to feel better. We decided to have a few outings. Vegging out can be fun for a few days, but in a small apartment, everyone starts to get cabin fever, we chose to go to the Orange County Zoo. Why because we needed fresh air and something small and cheap.It was a nice afternoon.. It felt SOO nice to get out of the house! This little outing wouldn't have happened with out my mom. She was the extra hands we needed with the newborn and 2 crazy kids.Another little outing we had that probably would have been a disaster with out my mom was the beach! Some of our dear friends were back in town for graduation and the beach just seemed like the perfect place to reunite!Who knew a boogie-board was a perfect changing table?!

This crazy cycle happens while your in graduate school... you move in as first years, get to know everyone become best friends with some.. the year goes by and everyone starts to move! Then your second years and first years move in and you get a new group of friends, then the year ends and again the next class moves!! Its a terrible cycle. And a lovely one. I hate that all my friends keep leaving me!! But I have loved meeting the fun new couples join the cycle. These are a few that have left us sadly..
Stephanie Waite, Erin Neville, Krystal Pfau, Me, and Shunae Shelton

the chick-lets- {Jada Shelton, Eva Neville, Ruby Pfau, Addi and Bryce} This was the best picture.. in every picture at least one kid was turned around or making a ridiculous face, at least in this we can see them all!
Zac Pfau, Travis Shelton, Paul Neville, Waite, and Brandon
And the guys.. being crazy as usual.Erin Neville and her little girl Nora, she was born just a few days after Crew and was about the same size. So precious...Crew's first time at the beach! 3 weeks old at Hungtington.. lucky little guy. AND lucky to have such a wonderful Grandma

Recovery....

2011-06-03T17:12:00.000-07:00

... warning... this is a long journally post.. and a little indepth..Since Crew's birth things have gone pretty well. I was stressing like crazy what would happen as none of my family was going to be able to come and help and Brandon was in the heat of finals of the arguably the hardest semester of optometry. I went into things just expecting the worst.. the house to be a disaster, kids to be crazy and un-bathed, and plenty of aches and pains. Which I think expecting the worst made it seem better, hah! So much for positive thinking!!
When I came home from the hospital I was achy and sore but not terribly, I could sit and walk just slowly. The kids were pretty well behaved and Addison was so helpful. I also was blessed to have so many awesome friends that live close. We had plenty of dinners and the kids had multiple playdates.So recovery was going very, very well... infact it was too good to be true, something bad had to happen of course. And maybe I was pushing my luck being too active.About 2 weeks out I went to bed one night just feeling really achy. (I ache alot :/ ) I had a few bodyaches but took some ibprophen and blew it off. Went to bed {whatever that means when you are up every 2 hours nursing} and in the morning felt worse. As the day progress I thought I was going to keel over. I felt so sick, and every nerve in my body was on fire. I had a fever, was breaking out in sweats and chills. I hurt so bad and couldn't figure out why.

I called my OB and he was out of the office. Then I debated going to the ER and the thought of my co-workers checking my ladyness just horrified me so I found an Urgent care. Should have just gone to the ER. It's amazing that Dr. made it through med school. She had no idea what was wrong. She even did a rapid strep test?! I had no sore throat. Then sent me to the lab to check my CBC and didn't order it stat... so it would be processed in 3 days. I would have been dead in three days.

So I went back home and cried to Brandon. He was so distracted with finals I don't think he realized how sick I was. By morning I was all of the above and nauseous and light headed. {I honestly think I was starting to go septic} Anyhow I call the OB office at 9:01 and asked to be seen.. if not my co-workers were in for a surprise :) Of course they told me to come right over.

I still couldn't put my finger on what was wrong, I just hurt everywhere and felt like crap. My OB did a very through assessment.. no mastitis.. no blood clots.. but my episiotomy site had a raging infection. He check my uterus... which just 2 weeks out of birth was not fun. And THANKFULLY it had not traveled up there yet. Who know what would have happened to have a uterine infection. He put me on a strong antibiotic four times a day. It took a few days before they started working but eventually they kicked in and everything subsided. Once all the bodyaches were gone, I could feel the pain in the stitches. They had been masking it all along.

The day after the Drs, my mom came!! She had planned to fly in this day for months and what perfect timing too! I need her more than ever to help now that I had this infection. She was soo good too. So helpful with the kids, cooking all the time, getting me water, letting me take naps and just being there for me. I LOVE you Mom!! Thank you so much! She was able to say and just hangout for 10 days! By the end I was feeling great and still am doing very well.. missing my sleep.. Crew is a hungry boy.

Crew's Birth

2011-06-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

A month later I am finally posting what I said I would in a few days... I have to say things have been busy. 3 kids are busy. A newborn alone is busy, plus two others. So I am just grateful that I have a moment right now where Addi and Bryce are playing cars and barbies together {the barbies are at a movie sitting by the cars ;) theater built out of lego's and doll house toys, so funny }. And my sweet little one is peacefully napping in his swing. I have been cleaning and doing laundry all morning; I finally threw my hair up in a bun (yes a bun) and now am exhausted so I am sitting down to BLOG!! I justify this while neglecting the dishes because I am also JOURNALING!! right?! Sure I am.

So I really do need to record Crew's Birth Story so here it goes... it might be a little lengthy and a little to detailed for the average reader, so beware: this is BIRTH story...

My due date was April 27th/28th, (they kept changing it on me) and I was induce a whole whopping day early. Why induction you may ask? Well... Bryce.. my brute of a boy and child number 2 came in a speedy fashion. after only 1 hour of contractions I was completely dilated and shaking off the bed ready to push him out. He was however 9lbs 5oz?/ 22in and took 2 hours to actually get him out. totally time about 3 hrs?

Being that I live in the OC and have to take the freeway to the hospital, you never know what you are going to get. And being the 3rd child, a traffic jam could have left me giving birth in the car. So my lovely Dr. suggested that we schedule an induction, just in case, to have things controlled. I was a little apprhensive about this because I have to admit, I am not a fan of induction unless it is really medically necessary. During my OB rotation as a student nurse watched a few inductions turn to C-sections more or less because they were induced before their body was ready for labor. (too Early) My Dr. reassured my with the ease of my last labor I shouldn't worry and it would be better to have a little slower delivery for me and the baby. It took me a few weeks to decide and it felt right, as along as it wasn't early. It was scheduled for the 26th of April and I just barely made it.

The night before I was up with contractions.. nothing to strong but 3-5 mins apart. I almost went in on my own. And in fact the next morning when the nurse hooked my up to the monitor I was throwing contractions like crazy, again nothing to strong or regular so no labor but my body was plenty ripe.
All hooked up ready for something to happen!!

I was only dilated to a 2 (and had been for the past 2 weeks). I wasn't surprised though, I didn't dilate past a 2 with either of my other kids until I was actually in full labor. I arrived at the hospital at 7am. After all the health history and iv's and intros, they finally started the pitocin around 9ish. I was so nervous!! I was excepting to just pop the baby out with in the hour!! BUT I didn't. The pitocin didn't do anything. I was having contractions but no different than before the medicine was given.Still waiting and getting bored :)

Every half hour they turned up the dose of the pit. And still nada. So me and Brandon hung out in the delivery room just waiting for my body to take. Brandon got some study time in so it was nice for him.

Around 11 my Dr. showed up to break my water... this would really get things going. But I was still only a 2. So getting passed my cervix proved quite a challenge. After about 10 mins of excruciating pain on my part and unsuccessful attempt, my water was still not broken. While I was in tears, he informed me that my bag of waters was very thick and elastic. Humph. okay.

He said that he would let the pitocin work for a bit and let me dilate some more and try again in a few hours. So we sat a waited. And waited. My body just wasn't responding to the pit? Weird. I didn't know what to think? Was it wrong to do the induction? I was only a day early... I almost went into labor last night.. So why wasn't this working?! I felt a little silly and a little worried.

After another couple of hours the contractions did become more regular and slightly more intense. Nothing to crazy. But they were starting to make some progress because I eventually dilated to a four. My Dr. was back to break my water, so we jumped to do the epidural first before things really got rolling.

AND the ACTION begins ;) The Dr. who gave me my epidural was nice enough.. other than the epidural stunk!! It did nothing but make my right leg go dead. LoVeLy... why go through the risk of having my spine messed with when it doesn't even work?!

To continue, I received my poke in the back and my OB stepped in and broke my water. It worked perfectly this time around and immediately the true labor began and all the shakes. Crazy intense contractions right on top of each other. I jumped to a 6 in no time... Now at this point my Dr. leaves to go back to his office. Why he left is what confuses me because I think maybe 10 mins after he left. I felt PRESSURE-- crazy pressure. I HAD to {go to the bathroom} to put it nicely!! The nurse decided to check me and barely was able to advance because the babies head was on the way!!

Then the weirdest feeling ever, I started pushing.. and the Dr. wasn't there yet... well I should re-phrase that, my body started pushing. I couldn't help it- it was the strongest sensation that hurt like crazy but I just HAD to push!? So weird. I never felt this part with either of the others because the epidural dulled everything. I told the nurse the baby was coming and asked if the Dr. was going to make it?! I felt like I was going to freak out... but I must same I maintained my composure pretty well.. No screaming just alot of crying.

The Dr. runs in all sweaty because it was like 3 in the afternoon and 90 degs outside. He ran from his office (ha! see? why did he even leave?) He threw on the gown and gloves and I was pushing... and yes. It hurt. I was able to tell the Dr. where I was starting to tear so he gave me some local shots to numb the area.. because he then gave me an episiotomy. At least I didn't have to feel that. I was okay with the episiotomy because my last two, I tore in the same spot pretty significantly, and was beginning to again.. to avoid the old wound from just reopening he did the episiotomy on the other side. And it worked.

I pushed for maybe 20-30 minutes and little baby crew's head came... very intense pressure as his little body just sat in the canal. Ouch... made me cry a little more. Then the Dr. asked Brandon if he wanted to deliver the baby! My inital reaction was how awesome! Then I thought... What?! Don't drop him! But it was pretty awesome.. with another push Brandon caught our little man and he was out!! The set him on me and my first reaction was how small he was! He was just so tiny to me and had such beautiful small features!! It was amazing.. and I cried a little more :) Brandon cut the chord and the rest was routine. I was amazed how quickly the pain of labor ceased. Seriously once the baby was out, it was over! I don't think I am ever going to attempt an epidural again. Now that I have been through it and know what to expect, and know that I can do it the fear is gone and think I might try to power through the next delivery? We shall see! Crew cried and cried and was perfectly healthy! He weighed 7 lbs 7 oz and was 20 inches long! An average sized but tiny compared to my last babies.. no wonder he looked small! And he was so beautiful. He began nursing very well from the beginning. And recovery went very well in the hospital. We were home after 2 days. He had a little jaundice but nothing requiring phototherapy. He is still just beautiful and an amazing little creation. Even on the third child, the experience is just awesome and we are so in love. Thank you Heavenly Father for this beautiful child!

Would you like to meet our little boy?

2011-05-01T22:13:00.000-07:00

Introducing our new little bundle of joy....

His name is Crew Wes Nielsen.

He came into the world on April 26th

@ 4:16 pm.

He weighed 7lbs 7 oz

And was 20 inches long.

Today he turned 5 days old

and still a very healthy, happy little man.

{Today mom got a little picture happy after bath time, love you little man}

Easter FuN

2011-04-25T23:44:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely little Easter this year! I was lucky to make it through the weekend with out going into labor. (That was my hope!) I wanted to do all the fun stuff with the kids before the baby came! It started out with a little Easter egg hunt on Saturday with the apartment complex kiddos.

Bryce just cracks me up.. he gets embarrassed when he smiles.. so this is him during group pictures trying to hide his excitement.

Cute as always, Addison just lounging and then on the hunt!

Bryce actually did pretty good about finding the eggs.. he always seemed to find the sneaky ones and left the ones in the open for littler kids.

Okay.. really Bryce is such a goof ball. I say to him "Smile!" and this is the pose I get. Every time I look at his face I bust up. So goofy! To get a legit smile out of this kid you have to actually make him laugh otherwise it is a weird thing like this or a forced scowl trying to hide the smile.

He also likes to touch thumbs when you give him a thumbs up. (I think he thinks you're supposed to like a pound or something?)

All the kids chowing down on candy.. ring pops to be precise!

On Sunday we had a potluck with a bunch of friends. With no family around we had to do a little something to celebrate the special day. These people really are our family away from family anyhow. A perfect way to spend the day.

All the preggo ladies.. and there are still a few missing! can you say bebes?!

The kiddo's gearing up for another Easter Egg hunt!

I thought that he just looked handsome this day. We missed out on getting pictures of their adorable Easter outfits for now, that will have to happen another week... (but thanks Grandma! They really are so cute)

As a family we had a little Easter lesson.. which the concept of Easter and the resurrection is a very hard concept for a 4 year to wrap her little brain around. By the end... It was a "Jesus loves you!!" lesson! She gets that ;)

26 and 39

2011-04-25T22:41:00.000-07:00

Last week I turned 26 and 39 all on the same day! Thank goodness the former was my age and later my gestation! It was a pretty low key day but just perfect. My mind has been on preparing for the baby so much that nothing else has really mattered. I did get a lovely treat to a pedicure though!! PERFECT gift from a girlfriend especially when you can't reach your toes anymore ;)

That is one thing that is kind of funny about being 39 weeks pregnant and about to give birth... just when you really need to shave your legs and have your toes cute you can't reach them. humph. So a pedicure was just what was needed!

That and a night out with the hubby. We don't get out much anyways these days, so a date was in line before the big day when we really won't be out at all! Dinner was all but it was nice to have him all to myself and not distracted by kids or school.

(I think the people in Islands parking lot thought we were crazy... such posers!)

ps..thanks everyone for you happy birthday wishes
happy day happy day

Little Fish

2011-04-22T11:54:00.000-07:00

A week or so ago the weather here was HOT. We spent just about everyday at the Pool. Some where along the lines my kids turned into fish. Can I just say, it makes me so proud?! I LOVE water. I grew up boating, wakeboarding, and swimming, lifegaurding and teaching swim lessons and anything else that has to do with water.

And not just that I love to play in water, but if you really take a moment to think about the properties of water and how essential is it for life, how pure it can be and how much it does for us, really H2O is pretty incredible stuff!

The other day I was reading the nutrition label for a bottle of water. And was amazed. Because of its simplicity.

It would be a sad day for me it my kids didn't love water as well.

Bryce loves water but was hesitant to just get out there and swim.... I don't mind a healthy fear of water either. It is a powerful entity and should be respected..Ironically as a child my greatest fear was drowning. For a long time he was perfectly content to splash and go crazy on the stairs.

but I broke him in ;) with a little help of some floaties and just letting him bob around holding my hand. He screamed a little, but the screams turning in to giggles and now he is doggie paddling around.

He was so pround of himself. I think he said "I SHIMMIN!!!" about 1,002 times. the other 1,003 times he would add, "WOOK! WOOKIE!! DAD! I SHIMMIN!"

He has some buddies that are crazy little fishes! There example is helping, so fun.

Addison has just taken off in her swimming skills. She is floatie-free and doing front flips in the water.Occasionally her nickname is Ariel.

I have to say that the days at the pool are soo nice. I am just kind of a furnace so the water really helps cool things off, not to mention neutralize the weight of the baby. It plain feels good. If I am lucky I'll get one more pool day before the baby?!

Feeling All over the PlAcE!

2011-04-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

I have put off posting the past couple of days because I just can't decide what to say! Mainly because my emotions are constantly doing a 180 on me. With good reason too, I am 37 weeks and 5 days along... which means that I will have a baby very very shortly.. probably sooner than I even realize!

And it makes me feel soo excited, but then I really start thinking about the logistics of it all and I start freaking out inside a little bit! (Alot a bit). THEN I start stressing about what I need to do and get accomplished. Then I realized what I have ready and start to calm down. Then I get happy and content. Then I feel so blessed and start crying. Then I think about the little boy about to join our family and I get excited and I start all over again.

If you don't believe me ask my husband, he will attest.

I think for now I will focus on the blessed feelings.. I really do feel so blessed lately. I just know so many wonderful people here in our nook of Orange County. I have the best girlfriends, just moved out of a stellar ward (bummer), and have the best work.

All of them have been so supportive of this pregnancy I just am amazed. My work has been so flexible and understanding of my handicap.. aka not picking up/moving patients. They even threw me a little baby shower at our last staff meeting. So cute of them.

My old, very much missed ward, held a shower for me as well.. and it was at Susie's house.. meaning it was beautiful just because her home is amazing!

delicous food..

wonderful company..

and adorable gifts!

Then my wonderful girlfriends mainly from the Optometry School had a little GNO in honor of the baby! Who doesn't love a night of no cooking, good food, and girl time! It was so fun to be with friends!

So you can see why I feel so blessed. Not to mention that pregnancy is going well, I can no longer sleep and every little movement hurts just a bit, but to me that is just a sign that its baby time!

Brandon is doing great in school and has been so supportive when he can be. He is usually very busy studying and at clinic, but doesn't complain about occasionally giving me a break and putting the kids to bed or doing the dishes. Those few breaks keep me going!

I just love my two little chicken nuggets at home. They are so fun. Addison talks non-stop about the baby and what a good little mommy she is going to be. She asks 10,001 questions and is so interested in everything. I wish I had her curiosity and energy. Bryce is slowly starting to talk more and is just a little sweet heart. He can make Addison laugh so hard it is ridiculous. They are the cutest little buddies.

(going swimming)

I have been so BleSsEd!! I am thrilled to meet this little boy, just hope all goes well. I am trying not to think about the week after the baby, that might be alot of 180s. ... I better stop.. I can feel my emotions turning already ;).. I am thinking too much..I will start stressing soon..

For now I will just remember my blessings. The rest is inevitable.

The Dress Tutorial Has Arrived!!

2011-03-27T22:50:00.000-07:00

Like I mentioned before.. I finally have some time to get back to projects ;) and of course projects are always the last on the priority list. This one was a little justified though... Addison is hurting for some new dresses! The rest are old and short. A few weeks ago I posted about a dress I had made her, well I made another and took pictures along the way, typed of very detailed instructions and made a tutorial!

Click here to visit my sisters design blog I occasionally contribute to and see the complete tutorial. Its cheap, its easy, and what little girl doesn't love a dress her mom made just for her?

Addison and I got a little picture happy.

She cracks me up, she poses her self and makes up all the facial expressions. She is not a shy one.

We actually had alot of fun walking around taking pictures. She found a little "Rollie Pollie." who became her pet. Call me crazy, but seeing my little girl with her finger nails painted, all dressed up and picking up bugs in the dirt gave me such great joy!! I am not kidding either...I firmly believe that women can be tough, get dirty, and work hard while still being an elegant and beautiful person. {Maybe not always at the same time}

Well.. she was so beautiful while playing in dirt with bugs.. so I guess that it is some what possible. (Just don't get the new dress dirty)

A Wicked 35 Weeks!

2011-03-25T11:13:00.000-07:00

Yes this post is 2 fold maybe 3 or 4 depending on how I feel by the end of it :) First... yes, that lovely picture of Wicked. Doesn't it just say so much?! Well I had know idea how much it actually said until after this last weekend!! I had never seen Wicked before or read the book... and truth be told I had never even seen a Broadway before! Shame on me. Until this last weekend when Brandon surprised me with tickets to Wicked!! I have listen to the sound track and belted out a lovely rendition of Defying Gravity for years, so he knew well I would just die to go see it! And I did! It was AMAZING!!! not just the show and the music but what a story! Gregory Mcguire is quite a genius. All that I had expected was completed by intermission, the rest was a complete twist! So awesome! Worth the money for a night our with your Hubby and friends! 

 Some of our buddies, Zak and Krystal! 

 Brandon and myself. I didn't bring my camera because I just figured they would do a bag check see the monster and send me back to the car to put it away. But they didn't and I was so bummed it didn't take more pictures of the theatre, it was gorgeous! We went to the Segerstrom Perfroming Arts Center in Costa Mesa. Here are a few pictures from google :) 

 We were on the first level towards the left. Great views! Such a fun night. And I am hooked to Broadway. Can't wait to see Phantom... {hint hint Brandon}

Part 2 of this post... the rest of life! Yes we have moved into a new place... Why? To save around $600 dollars a month. Ridiculous I know. I just have to say rent in Orange County is not cheap. I know there is worse, but when I could have a mortgage for a giant house in 80% of the rest of the country for the price we pay in rent, I complain. We are here for school so it is worth it and we enjoy the weather and perks of life in Cali but every time we write that check, a little knot in my stomach would just twist! 

We now are in some student housing, We have been on the waiting list for 2 years and 1 month to be exact and our turn finally came! Along with a load of stress gone! Even though it is 'student housing' it is a beautiful place to live. I'll have to take some picture of the place and pool. Very nice... and we have a blowup mattress for visitors :) 

We are finally feeling settled and now I can get back to my projects! hehe. Below is a picture of some fancy ruffled pillows I made.. again super easy and a tutorial is in the works.. after the dress. I needed some throw pillows for the couches and found some silky/satiny materials at a presidents day sale. And these are what come from them! 

 And finally I mention a Wicked 35 Weeks.. the wicked was only referring to the play though, pregnancy is going rather well. I have the normal aches and pains of growing and hips popping around, heartburn etc. but as a hole things are going well! 

I can't believe that I am 35 weeks?! With every other pregnancy I just could not wait to have the baby, but this one I feel a little different about. Probably because is it child number 3. I have heard that the third really changes life. I am excited for the baby, but not excited for the challenge that lies ahead! Particularly the first few months. 

With how crazy fast my last delivery was, it sounds like I am going to be induced. Primarily to make sure I don't have a kid on the freeway. It will be at 39 weeks, and just simply breaking my water, no drugs. I will turn 26 the day that I turn 39 weeks.. so I might have a birthday baby or maybe an Easter baby! {My due date is the 27th of April.} 

  AND LAST!!! (aren't those munchkins cute?! they love the baby already)  while we are on the topic of this baby boy to come.... I AM STRUGGLING!!!! I CAN'T DECIDE on a NAME! I am putting up a poll of a few of our favorites.. let me know what you like.. and if you have any other suggestions please send them my way! {Boy names are hard. } 

Keep tuned in.. a few tutorials to come!

So Sorry!!

2011-03-18T16:04:00.000-07:00

I just have to apologize... I promised a tutorial on the dress below and haven't done it yet. I don't mean to give excuses but I have to. We just moved this weekend to some more affordable student housing, so for the past few weeks we have been packing, and now I am unpacking and we have no internet!! I AM DYING!! Not really we are okay, I just hate not having internet. I will put up a post in a week after we get some internet :) I wish I could send you a link but I really just made it up. so, I'm sorry but it will come. Life's just good and crazy for a bit.

Addison got a new dress

2011-02-11T16:17:00.000-08:00

 Addison got a new dress and she loves to show it off! 

Or maybe she just loves to show off?

 She is alot like her father in that respect ;)

I might be biased... I know I am biased, but I think that she is just a peach.

That dress took me maybe 45 mins to make?! So easy!

If anyone is interested I can write up a quick tutorial.

Dizzy Desi, Dad and Me.

2011-02-09T22:44:00.000-08:00

About a week ago my family came to visit!! It is always so fun to have people come see where you live, and experience just a taste of your life. Not to mention I just love hanging out with my family, and being over 900 miles away from them, every minute I get is cherished! My Dad had a much need shoulder surgery and on week 2 of recovery decided to take a little trip down to visit and being in some warmer weather. He brought Des (my sis) and her kids along. We really didn't do too much, but with my dad having just had surgery and Desi and I both pregnant, we were all exhausted by the end of the week. Here is a little synopsis of our week together:

Day 1: Lazy recovery day from traveling, made some fun food and kids hit the hot tub with Grandpa. 

Day 2: The Sabbath: Church, rain, big yummy feast of a Sunday dinner!

Day 3: Irvine Railroad park.

This is a beautiful park up in the hills of Irvine. They have pony rides, paddle boats, a train ride and also the OC Zoo. Too bad we walked up to the doors of the Zoo at 3:40 and it Closed at 3:30. rrrgh. But we still had fun.

 This picture cracks me up... typical of both boys. Bryce can be a little grumpy sometimes and doesn't know how to 'play' yet. Jack is just a little sweetheart, always trying to befriend Bryce. Sorry Jack. By the end of week Bryce was a better sport! 

 We could hardly get a picture of these two little princesses, they were always chitter-chattering together making up some little tale to pretend. We didn't once need to entertain them. They were such good little buds. 

 Grandpa and the darling little boys on the swings. 

On a stroll through the park after feeding the ducks!! It was a refreshing, relaxing day in the park. 

Day 4: Disneyland!! 

Bright and early with lots of food and snacks packed we headed to Disney! As soon as we got there guess who we saw!?!...

Goofy and Pluto!! Jack was just thrilled to see them! It was so cute. Addison has caught on by now that they are just costumes, but she still enjoys seeing them. 

 The first ride of the day! On the rockets! Jack was excited until he got in. The girls with Papa of course!

 The day was beautiful and not too crowded either, we hit up every ride that we wanted, saw all the princesses (except Tangled... another rrrgh. The one day she isn't there we are).

 Bryce man my little shy man. Would only stand in the back and watch. 

 These cute little pair. Jack and Addi have always had a sweet little bond. They love each other :) 

It was a happy day!! We rode rides, saw princesses, even had time to hit up California Adventure for a few hours to see the Aladdin show.. always a hit! We stayed til the park closed and I have to admit, Des and I were hurting in many many ways. Our pregnant bodies had had it! 

Day 5: The Discovery Cube

 The discovery cube is meant for kids, but as you can tell... I think that we had more fun than they did! 

 Brandon, strong heart, Weak hands! 

 Careful with that shoulder Pops! 

 Okay we didn't have all the fun, Bryce and Addi love the digital hockey or what ever it is! 

 This rocket scared Bryce, every time we would "launch" it he would just come undone screaming. He preferred the dino play ground. Didn't get many pictures this day, we were to busy doing things! Fun day out. 

 Like I said at the beginning, it was a whirlwind of a week and so much fun! And! I found out that my sister is having a boy!! SOO weird!! We both have girl, boy, boy. And they are all the same age with in months.. and of course none of it was every planned! (as if we could choose anyhow) Our kids were meant to be together! 

Thanks Pap's for coming down!! We loved every minute of it!! 

Some people may think that our life here in California is just a party, well it isn't. We have great times when people visit and see the sites then but really it is just a normal life with nice weather and $$ rent. So don't be jealous on the freezing gray blah days in February. Life is what you make of it and happiness is where you want to find it really. I have the same amount of blah days here as I did in Idaho. So really don't envy, just come visit so we have an excuse to go out!

projects and pics

2011-01-26T21:09:00.000-08:00

The other day some girlfriends and I went to M & L. A glorious warehouse style fabric store that cares full designer lines which are so hard to find annnnndd LOADs of dirty cheap fabric. I am talking 1.95/yd dirt cheap. Yes, you have to rummage a bit it is worth it! Not to mention isle of specialty fabrics at half the price of regular fabric stores. Anyhow.. (if you are ever in Anaheim let me know, I'll give you directions!) 

After loading up on a fresh stock of fabrics.. mostly for a quilt I want to start making, but the rest was open for projects! 

The first project, Bryce needed an apron. Occasionally Addison like to help me make cookies or bread and we put on our aprons together and have a like party in the kitchen. Bryce has recently wanted in on the fun but poor little guy felt left out with out and apron.. so he got one! 

 The second project was a circle skirt, pattern from Dana-Made-It. Such a simple skirt.. and usually the first time I make clothing I don't love it and I make mistakes so this was the trial skirt. It turned out okay, and now I want to make another out of better fabric and change the dimensions a bit. BUT it was a simple fun project and Addison has another skirt that cost all of $2! 

I have a few more crafts I did a while back I want to post, but I am to lazy and my place is too dark for pictures for now. Alas another day...

(just messing around with photoshop!)

Shower me with Fluff!

2011-01-25T10:41:00.000-08:00

Just a week or so ago I helped host a baby shower for my sweet friend Carly! She is having her first little boy in February! ..Before I go on, doesn't it seem like everyone is pregnant?! It is a little ridiculous actually, can can probably name like 15 of my friends that are pregnant. I can't speak though, being that I too and guilty.

But this baby shower was so fun! and turned out so beautifully! Mostly because it was held at sassy Susie's house which is amazingly beautiful as it is. The day was perfect, sunny and warm in the middle of January. (Sorry to the rest of the freezing cold world). The guests had fun, and the food was delicious so the party was a hit. I just have to post a few pictures of how cute it turned out!

A few snapshoots of the food... it all tasted as good as it looks!!

On the menu... Quiche topped with avocado, salsa, olives and sour cream, Fruit w/Fluffy Fruit dip, Zucchini Bread, A berry bread, bakery fresh cup cakes, green salad with crasens and poppyseed dressing and gum balls! To drink.. Lime Slushie or Lemon water!!

The recipes for the fruit dip, Slushie, and zucchini bread can be found the food blog I contribute too..

click HERE to find them!!

I love the food at showers!

and most importantly.. the some of the guests and the mommie-to-be

That's Carly! She looks so good for being due it just a few weeks! And Susie is in the middle below, thanks for letting us play at your home!! It was beautiful! (She is so crafty.. don't you love her baby banners and center pieces?)

Words and Patience

2011-01-16T14:48:00.000-08:00

As a mother, you get excited over the silliest little things that your kids do. Such and the first time you find your baby sucking on their big toe! TO YOU it is hilarious and adorable and a moment in time to freeze. To everyone else, an oh how cute will suffice. Well I have had a few of those moments lately that are just so adorable I can't wait to share and ew and ah over, but I understand it is probably going to bore you. oh well.

So my little Bryce man is 21/2 and a handful to say the least. Not that he is a terror and writes on all may walls and flushes things to the never returning sewer, he is just full of unpredictable, demanding, and opinionated personality. Combine that with his lack of speech and shyness and it can be very hard some times to make him happy. Yes, he is 2 1/2 years old and very slow at his speech. I know I know this is typical with boys, and second children but it doesn't help anything knowing that. (Our Dr. blew us off about Speech Therapy.)

For months we have been trying to encourage Bryce to even try saying different words and either he is to busy to care or to shy to try. However, the last few weeks he is starting to blossom!! Finally!! He has had a few select 10-15 words that he will say if you can call them words like. ahmm = food, choo-choo= Train, mmmmm = car, dada, dohn=don't. One word I have been trying and trying FOEVER to get him to say is Please.

The other day in the car, well van, I was handing Addison a drink and heard this soft little "Pareese" from Bryce. I was trying to figure out what he said/wanted. And he said it again!!

"Pahreese Mama"

I WAS THRILLED!!! Finally!! he said it!! and it took so much effort for his little mouth to form that word! You could just see the work his little face was doing and his struggled it out! It was adorable!! and now he says it all the time! I'll get a video up sometime. I guess patience is the key!

Addison on the other had has always been a chatter box. Sometimes I find myself telling her, "Addison! You only get to ask one more question. "

She is so funny with the little things that she says some times. The other day, she asked for something and I told her no because it cost to many dollars. She thought about it for a minute then said. "Well, mom we need to go buy some more dollars!" I love her little brains!! Love being a mom. And love love family.

Speaking of family here are a few family pictures we snapped over Christmas time! It was the first time in over 4 years that EVERYONE was home for Christmas and since our family will be changing soon we thought that we would capture the moments even though we are freezing and pale and the sun was setting.

I love this picture of Brandon and Addison, So adorable! When it comes to quite time, she snuggles with dad and always sleeps right next to him after a bad dream. They are the cutest little buddies. And Bryce loves nothing more than to listen to mom sing songs and snuggle while she tickles his belly. Kids take a lot of patience but there is nothing better in the world!!!

Holiday Recap

2011-01-11T07:33:00.000-08:00

We had a great Christmas vacation in Idaho with our families. Addison and Bryce loved spending time with their cousin's. Well Addison did! She tells me every other day that she wants to live in Idaho. Bryce on the other hand is such a funny little man. He is very shy and takes a day and a half to warm up to most people. The few hugs and kiss that our families received were very special ones indeed! And I don;t know why but I hardly busted out my camera the entire time we were there! I am totally regretting it now, but thankfully I saved some of the pictures from my sisters camera to our laptop! All is not lost!

I did however take alot of video! My dear sweet hubby got my a Flip camera for Christmas, so I played with my new toy alot!

Addison's number one request for Christmas was a Rapunzel Barbie! Bryce didn't ask for anything because he doesn't really get Christmas yet, but he got lots of Choo-Choos and trucks and Cars. All his very favorite. Santa's big gift to the kids was a wagon!! AND I am thrilled silly about having a wagon. I know I am crazy.

This gift from Santa wasn't a request from the kids, but a desire of mom's :) So after Addison stole a peek at the presents Christmas morn, she came back saying:

"Guess what?! There was a present too big for Santa to wrap! And it is a Wagon!! But... I didn't ask for a wagon."

Then she turns to Brandon and asks, "Did you ask for a wagon?"

It was soo adorable! I can't remember how he responded but all day long she was puzzled why Santa would just bring them a wagon.

This is the one that we got. the ATW... All-terrain Wagon. We have taken it on a few walks already and the kids pull each other instead of me pushing them, it holds both of them and more, it's incredibly tough and huge wheels go over everything.. and much more that I won't bore you with. But we love it.

Here's a picture of the kids on Christmas eve in their Jammies! rapunzel and choo-choo's of course! (may I mention it was past Bryce's bedtime?! little stinker) Here is a picture of how he really felt about his Jammers.

Absolutely stunned and speechless.

To be honest.. this is apart of Bryce's latest shy phase. He doesn't like to show his emotions. If he feels inclined to smile and the corners of his mouth start to turn up, he either opens up his mouth really wide or grabs his cheeks as above to avoid the exposure. If happiness is really going to over come him he just runs off and buries his face. However he will defiantly let you know if he doesn't like something. He kind of has an old man soul. Grumpy on the outside but soft as marshmallows on the in. Love him.

The kids had fun opening gifts at both grandparents home and were thrilled silly over the littlest things! Don't you love how easy these little tykes are to please!? And to entertain. Grandma Nielsen is a pro at coming up with goofy fun entertainment.

I hope your Christmas was very merry! We are looking forward to this new year of adventures!

Jolly Holly!

2010-12-27T16:36:00.000-08:00

Phew. and Humph. Christmas is over. Which is very sad to me as I love all the festivities, but right now all I can say is Phew followed by a great big sigh. This Christmas has been the busiest Christmas I can remember!! I can't put my finger on just why either. And truly it might not have been all that busy, I just don't have the energy for it. But that is alright, I have felt good enough to eat all the festive foods and chocolate so I am happy.

This was a very merry Christmas. We have enjoyed spending time with family and remembering our Saviour. I just have to say that I am very blessed. I love my two little munchkins and am so excited for this little boy in April. Brandon is doing so well in school and enjoying it despite how hard it can be. It is just reassuring to know that he will love his career, and every cent spent on schooling and all the long hours will be worth it if he is happy.

I also have to apologize for not up dating.. My computer is on the fritz! With out pictures to post it just isn't as fun so I have kinda neglected my blog a bit... {and to all of you who I promised pictures to from parties or what not, I have them in good keeping, I will get them out when I can assess them.}

These snowy pictures are from a while ago, during Thanksgiving. The snow was so awesome, and all the kids went crazy! Bryce was in love with the magical white fluffy goodness, and was in heaven on the four wheeler. The kids had fun being pulled around the yard. It all started with manually pulling the kids on a small sled, then the guys of course thought bigger and better then hooked it up to the four wheeler. After a while that wasn't good enough and they hooked up the giant inner tube meant for the boat. Ha! it was hilarious and very fun!

more of a Christmas update, once I can get my pictures up later! For now I hope you all are having a Jolly Holly Holiday!

It's A.....

2010-11-28T22:49:00.000-08:00

Yep! We are expecting boy number 2 to join our family this April! So crazy!! When I found out I was pregnant with a little boy the first time (Bryce) I just started laughing because I couldn't believe that my girl body could grown a little boy body. Weird. This time I was surprised and well, happy of course. I will explain my emotions later. BUT first to explain the Pictures! 

Because this is our 3rd!! say it again 3rd Child. {you mom's out there with 5 kids are like, yeah so what?} 

Any how because this is our 3rd and we already have a boy and a girl, to find out the sex of this baby we decided to have a little fun. My sister introduced me to the idea of a "Cut the Cake" party. To pull this off, I had a friend in the Ultrasound department do a quick peek to see what the sex was. (Helps that I am a ER nurse and the U/S is just around the corner!) I however didn't look and she didn't tell me but wrote it down on a piece of paper long with a print out picture then sealed it in an envelope. I very obediently mailed the envelope to my sister. Over our trip to Idaho we had a little family party with mine and Brandon's family and Des, my sis, baked a cake that was colored inside either blue or pink. And then for the big reveal after votes were cast, I cut the cake!! Only to pull out a blue piece of cake! 

It was such a fun way to find out what we were having and a surprise and fun gathering for all our family {except the baker ;) but she was more than thrilled to play the role...i.e. first one to know} 

I was pretty surprised to find out that it was a boy for one major reason. 

I puked my guts out for 17 weeks and was an emotional wreck for most of it. 

SO for that past 17 weeks I have been imagining/dreaming of a girl and a fun little sister for Addison, thinking of girl names and pretty much assuming a girl. Why? Because I was EXACTLY the same way during my pregnancy with Addison. With Bryce, I think I was sick enough to throw up 2 times. Didn't feel good but wasn't emotional, and didn't lose any weight from not eating. With Addi, I lost about 20-25lbs. (I had a lot more muscle from V-ball) this one so far 15 lbs. but am eating more and keeping it down so that should be all! 

When I found out it was boy I was not disappointed but well just not used to the idea. I have had a week to really get accustom to the thought of a little boy running around and feel so blessed. 

I was just so content with having a girl because I want Addison to have a sister like I have. I have probably one of the most awesomest sisters in the world. I'll admit in high school we could have cared less about each other but we are best friends now. I love that relationship and hold it sooooo close to my heart, I just want Addison to have that in her life too. 

I guess I should mention that Addison was 100 times easier as a toddler to raise and Bryce right now makes me want to pull out my hair. IT is No wonder, that I had my heart set on a girl. 

BUT NOW THAT I HAVE BORN MY HEART OUT>>>

Understand that I am so excited for this little pumpkin. I can only dream of the catastrophes that him and Bryce are going to create! I love being a mother and am incredibly blessed to have these little spirits in my home. So little man! Welcome to the family soon! We love you already! 

P.S. Any tips on boy names?! hehe

today

2010-11-27T22:17:00.000-08:00

Today was a jolly good day. Full of scrubbing, dusting, moving furniture and rearranging! Don't you know how some times you just get sick of your same ol' stuff and don't have the $ to go get something new. Well I have found that a little re-arranging makes it all feel new again. At least for a few more months. SOOO that's what I made Brandon help me with all day. And I am refreshed! Plus we had to make room for our Christmas decor coming out tomorrow!! So excited!!!!!!! Aren't you? for Christmas I mean! To top of the day, I finally showered at 4 in the afternoon then the family had a little night out on the town and saw....

 Yes, Tangled. It was adorable. Tender. Clever. Made me tear a little. And so fun. Worth every penny.  All I can say is I wish I had glowing long locks. :)

Stay tuned in, tomorrow I am going to post about my "Cut the Cake" party to find out what gender I am having!

Blissfully Sweet

2010-11-23T10:16:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Blake and Ciera!!

My Brother-in-law Blake was just married this weekend to the beautiful Ciera in the Twin Falls Temple! It was a beautiful wedding and the couple are just so cute together! They were even blessed to have a beautiful blanket of snow covering the ground. It was a splendid day with tons of pictures! So you can enjoy tons of collages!

We had to snap a few family pictures all dressed up and beautiful scenery

Snapshots of the wedding luncheon

My mom, brother Connnor and Brandon's dad playing with the kids on the Temple grounds.

And my baby bump that is starting to grow uncontrollably! 17 weeks along here!

I have just loved being home with family and enjoying a true winter season with scarves and hot cocoa! I love California, but the holidays just don't see right with out a crisp chilly air. Addison tells me daily that she LOVES Idaho and wants to live here forever. I am sure she would say the same thing if we lived in the middle of the safari desert but all her family was there! Just a few more years of school Addison and we will be closer, for now we cherish our quick trips home and growing family.

Welcome to the Family Ciera! We are so excited to have you!

my new ride

2010-11-14T23:51:00.000-08:00

that's right, move over boys, mama's got a new ride on the rode

that's right. a mini-van.

you can stop drooling now.

don't be jealous. some day you might be privileged enough to drive one too.

(I hope you can see my sarcasm. but we do love our practical car with a great warranty :) bubye passat. 3 car seats just don't fit. we will miss you.)

Halloween

2010-11-14T23:36:00.000-08:00

I know it is about time. Whatever. Really the reason I have procrastinated putting up any Halloween pictures is because I have been wanting to get a few pictures of Bryce in his costume! Long story short, he had a rough night and wouldn't wear his costume. He looks sooo adorable as a little cowboy though, so when I can get him in the mood to dress up I will snap some shots and share!  

(At the ward party)

Other wise, Halloween costumes were on the last of my to do list this year, normally it is a being family theme and I dress us up all funky and fun, but not this year. Addison was bent on being Rapunzel and I just didn't know what to go with that. Brandon didn't want to dress up so, all you get is a few pictures of beautiful little Addison and  my make-shift witch attempt. 

Our scary face picture!

Painting Pumpkins

2010-11-06T11:01:00.000-07:00

After buying a pumpkin sized just right for each of us, we decided it was time to make them festive!! The kids pumpkins were to small to carve so we just had them paint them! 

I was sure that although this would be fun, it would turn out to be a huge mess. Mainly because Bryce can turn my perfectly clean house into a natural disaster in about 2.5 seconds. I could only imagine what he would do with the paints. To my surprise he was very particular about his painting! It cracked me up to see him hold his paint brush just so, and lightly stroke the pumpkin. In the end it looked like a bunch of jibberish, but this jibberish was performed with the utmost delicacy for a two year old!  It just makes me chuckle. I seriously never know what I am going to get with Bryce. He is soo unpredictable.

Addison did very well painting and enjoyed herself. She would make a beautiful flower then say, I don't like it. I want my pumpkin to look like Bryce's then wreck havoc on the flower. I made her preserve the smilie face a one flower.

They turned out great, and after cleaning up after the kids, Brandon and I didn't have enough energy to carve our own, so to this day they remain plump and round, un-carved on our porch. The positive side is that we can keep them out for the November season!

Pumpkin Patch

2010-11-02T18:11:00.000-07:00

We finally ventured out into the world for a bit while my stomach was settled, the kids deserved/needed it! As a little family we hit up a near by pumpkin patch! An annual tradition of blowing 20-30 bucks on lame rides, expensive treats, and overpriced pumpkins! BUT it is always a blast and this year was no different! (I have to admit, this was actually probably 3 weeks ago)

Addison and her first pair of pink cowgirl boots. Every girl needs a pair in my opinion.  {sry kinda cropped those out!}

Bryce of course glued to the cars! 

Bryce is such a funny little man, in just the right situation he can be terribly shy, yet at others he is a wild monster. We spent a few bucks to get him 5 mins on the toddler playhouse. For about 4 of the five minutes he decided to be terribly shy. Then someone bounced him, he fell and realized how fun it was! And then it was over. Lovely. 

Addi enjoyed a few bounce house rides, but I think the favorite activity of the night was the petting zoo. Addison was pretty good about letting the animals eat out of her hands, but Bryce would just drop the mix as soon as they got close. He followed the fat little piggy around, and it was a very fat, small pig. I actually think that it might have been pregnant? I know the fat feeling to well.  

 My two pumpkins that are just great little buddies! Every night a wrestling match usually ensues. It starts out just like this, we a sweet little hug from Bryce the Brute. Then he wraps a leg around Addison and she is down. I usually end up prying him off her after a few minutes so that she can breathe. I keep wanting to think, Bryce you better by careful, someday she will get bigger and bet you up..... but then I realize, no, this probably will never happen. Good luck Addison. We are working on Addi's "tough" skills and the Brutes "Soft" skills. They love each other none-the-less. 

A few other things..

2010-10-03T16:50:00.000-07:00

I feel really bad about not up dating my "online journal' because a few fun things have happened in the last month! To be honest I can spend all of about 5 minutes on the computer before I start to get nauseated, therefore no blogging. 

 In other news in my life besides getting pregnant, I have started a new job as an ER RN. I have been there about 1.5 months and so far have really enjoyed myself. If you ever are in need a of crazy, wacky or gory story I already have loads! I have enjoyed the new type of nurse and still have a lot to learn but am adjusting well. I chose to transfer to ER as apposed to any other area because  ER has various shift times because the patients are constantly changing. I work a 'swing' shift (1pm to 1 am) so that I can be home more with the kids during the day when Brando has class. It is working out well so far but I also am starting to dream of the day when we can afford for me to stay home all day with the kids!   

But a quick note I do want to make.. A week ago today I was celebrating with my family about the return of my 2nd brother Andy home from his mission in Australia! Of course on my short trip home I had to forget my camera {but my sister has a post about it on her blog you can go see if you like}. When I was home it was so fun to just sit and chat with Andy about eating kangaroo tail, honey-ants, and the Aussie culture. So interesting. He does have a crocodile Dundee accent and calls us mate with out thinking twice! Fun how quickly things like that rub off on a person! He brought us opals and kangaroo sacks and all sorts of aboriginal paraphernalia. Not to mention the awesome stories of the humble members and converts. Andy has really matured into a man. He has such a great outlook on life, and the mission field really did him well. 

And last but not least a newspaper in Twin Falls, The Times News, published an Article about my sister and her struggle with Lupus as a teen. I think that they did a great job and loved how they included a lot about her faith! She posted in on her blog as well. GO PeEk HERE! 

ANNNDDD I just have to say that there have been some really great recipes posted on the food blog up at the right hand side of your screen.... YOU HAVE to try the Chocolate Muffins and LEMONADE!!!  SOO Delicious and super easy!!! Click HERE !!

AND AND AND .. last one I promise.. is any one as excited for fall as I am? I can't wait to bust out the pumpkins and hot cocoa!

Time to Fess up!

2010-09-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

I haven't been very bloggie lately,

I haven't really been social lately,

 And I haven't really been active lately.

Well I haven't really been cleaning much lately,

And I haven't really been crafty either.

I haven't been very ambitious lately,

 I haven't been very perky lately,

 I haven't been very fun lately to be honest. 

And I am sorry for not being very lately. 

BUT don't worry in a few weeks I am sure I will be more lately. 

 I guess I have to fess up to why I am not so lately. 

What I HaVe been... is a little SiCk lately. 

And all for a good cause. 

I have been growing a little person in my belly lately.

(My due date is April 28th! I am 10 weeks along!) 

The Spudman Triathlon !!

2010-08-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

Yes it is about time that I post about the triathlon! I don't have any excuse besides just being busy.

In case you didn't know, I recently competed in the Spudman Triathlon on July 31st. It was amazing and such a blast! I am so grateful to be healthy enough and had the support of my family and friends to accomplish this feat. {And don't worry you are going to hear every little detail.}

The beginning..

Last year I decided to race in the Twin Falls Triathlon, I casually prepared for it and did it with a few friends and had a great time but just about died. I loved having something to motivate me to work out and it really helped me kick of that last 5lbs of Baby Bryce. Not to mention just the race of a triathlon is so dynamic, I fell in love.

Click HERE to read about that race.

Tiffany Taylor a friend of mine talked me in to doing the SPUDMAN Triathlon. In January I hesitantly signed up and decided that I would have to buy a road bike to compete. I was worried about this race because of how crazy long it is.

Background: A triathlon means {tri=three} sports combined in one race. Most common is the Swim/Bike/Run format. Sometimes they are reversed or cannoeing is in place of the swim or what ever. Then for the common format of the swim/bike/run there are the 4 typical lengths: " Sprint" 1/2mile Swim/~15mile Bike?/5k Run, "Olympic" 1mile Swim/40k Bike (24mi)/10k Run (6mi) "Half Ironman" 1.2 mile swim/56mile bike/ 13.1 mile swim (a 'half'marathon) and The Ultimate killer Race The "Ironman" 2.4 mile Swim/112 mile bike/ 26.2 mile run (a full marathon).

The Spudman is an Olympic Distance race. I had been training for 4 months about 2 hours a day/5 days a week. I have to say that it was incredibly time consuming to train for this race. The work outs alone sometimes lasted 1-2 hours especially the biking. And the does not included the prep. Training greatly challenged myself discipline! But I felt great in the preparation and had no injuries or straining because I was fairly consistent and did my research.

I also focused on nutrition. I was burning so many calories and using so much muscle, protein, iron and electrolyte supplement was sooo important for me not to feel fatigued on a daily basis. All that I wanted to do was sugar to give me a boost but sugar doesn't sustain.

Any how, the week before the race I was so nervous and caught a dumb virus that spread through my family giving me the flu. I kinda broke down, whining to my parents that maybe I shouldn't do it.. I was going to be so slow, feel sick, get cramps, feel dehydrated yata yata. But, my awesome parents told me to suck it up and go have fun.

So I did! The night before the race we scoped out the course and set up the bike transition station. With all our gear and of course I forgot my water bottle!! How ridiculous. Another thing to stress me out. (Brandon was able to get a worker to place it on my bike the next morning) We ate at the group spaghetti dinner with the 2000 other contestants and families!

The next morning the race started at 7 am. Ever 10 mins probably 150-200 people were started in waves according to age groups. My age group plus 2 other groups left at 8:10 (I just realized that I have butterflies right now. Just writing about it makes me nervous!!). We were towards the end of the racers.

MY GOALS

Okay before I tell you about the race, I want to tell you what my goals were:

Finish Strong.
Pace myself on the swim.
Bike an average of 18mph.
Do NOT walk EVER on the run (so tempting with legs of lead).
Run at least a 9min/mi.

The RACE

The Swim:

The swim went well.. I took my time a waited for the main pack to start. It is all chip time so I wasn't ancy. last years triathlon I swam really hard and think it took alot out of my so I just swam this kinda chill. And maybe to chill, my arms had a lot left after. But I only was kicked a few times, and there were a few waves that lapped over me from some dumb boat, but it was all pretty smooth.

T1 (transition 1):

Because I wasn't worried about winning the race but just had the goal to finish strong for me, I wasn't worried about the time at the transition. (which I should have been..) I took 5 mins! hah! That is ridiculous. I should have taken 3 mins max. But whatever. It might have had something to do with a guy running up right behind my and gotten his front tire tangled in my pedal. That might have added a minute.

The Bike:

The bike started out well. There was hardly any noticeable wind. And I realized this triathlon I was the one passing people! yay! I noticed that I was carrying a fast pace but there was not an ounce of burn in the legs so I kept it up. A few times a big group of men (15-20 riders) would start to pass me taking up the entire road, which was intimidating but they would suck me in with them! It was awesome! I wasn't following them, in fact a few times I was right in the middle and just managed to keep up with them for a few miles. .. now now, drafting is not legal in a triathlon, because it does just that- suck you in with the rider in front of you. I didn't consider this drafting as they were overtaking me and taking up the entire road. I just held pace as long as I could, albeit it was faster that normal, but they eventually over took me. So no, no cheating on my part. If anything they were all drafting off each other by staying in such a big pack. .. anyhow the bike went well.

Hop of the bike and run it in to change into your running shoes!! This transition was better. Only 3 mins maybe?

The Run:

Oh My! Oh My! This is with out a doubt the HARDesT part of the race. Have you ever gone for a fun bike ride and gotten of and your legs feel kind tight and wobbly? Times that by 10 then go try to run. Talk about pain. Part of train for a triathlon is practicing this transition, but it never goes away or gets easier, you just learn to ignore the pain. For the first two miles it is all you can do to just keep your legs moving. By the end of the 6 miles you actually feel better then at the start! Crazy. The run was fun though, we ran on gravel for about 1 mile and on country roads. The residents had their sprinklers on for us and some even just plain had their hoses out to spray us down! The last stretch was just awesome! I see tonz of people and signs cheering you on and it felt soo good just to sprint! and then urch to an exhausted stop after crossing the finish line. Your head starts to spin from exhaustion and overwhelming emotion that you did it! and You are DONE!!! Some one starts grabbing your legs to take of your chip then someone else hands you a water and throws a ribbon around your neck. And its over.

The Finish:

I was so tired I didn't know if I was about to throw up or was just dizzy. Probably both, then I saw my family! Brandon was there with goofy little Bryce, with no pants? And my Mom and Dad! They said they probably weren't going to come which secretly kinda broke my heart. But they showed up and I had to fight hard the lump in my throat and the watery eyes! I was so happy to see them there support me.

After an hour or so I felt fine, meaning that I finished strong, I had a very good easy recovery so I had prepared well!!

STATS

Okay now for the stats:

It turns out the I took 22nd out of 90 something girls in my age group! I was stoked about that. (And technically 21st as fifth place never swam.)

Here are my times:

Overall: 02:42:23.300

1 mile Swim: 00:20:54.515

40k Bike: 01:15:03.915 (19.9 mph)

10k Run: 00:57:35.223 (9.17 min/mi)

I am so happy with how it all turned out. I feel good about what I did and I accomplished all but 1 goal, but am okay with it because I surpassed my bike goal by plenty. And I learned a lot through the entire experience of training and racing. I don't just race to be in shape, all though that is a major benefit after having kids that beat up your body. Racing takes a lot of self discipline, internal motivation, and plain hard work.

Lessons learned from this Triathlon:

You are stronger than you think.
Talk positively. (Positive Self talk will help you prove number 1)
Pain is Pain, it only last for a while.
Mountains and trials suck but make you stronger.
Dedication and persistence pays off.
Good nutrition is just as important as your workout.

I know I am not the all-star racer, but I am happy with my results, feel good from the workouts, and learned a lot about myself inside and out and can apply it to my life. I am a better person for doing this triathlon, therefore it was worth it!

and Finally Pictures::

T1 I am in the blue. Getting my socks on. Tiffany in the front.

Bryce watching mom at T1 through the fence. Another reason I took 5 mins. Saying Hi to my baby!

Brandon and my baby greeting me at the finish line! (Everyone missed me crossing the finish line, they were trying to find each other in the masses, and missed the moment I came in out of the hour they were waiting! No pictures. And Brandon couldn't figure how to work my camera so there were no pictures before When I was racing. Only a little video)

Bryce and Mom cheering me on!

My dad and Bryce. Me trying not to puke or cry :)

Me and Tiffany. The crazy woman who talked me into this whole race! She raced as well.. she did the swim and bike and stopped. The run was to much for a pregnant belly! I think she is like 5 or 6 months along?! She was awesome just to do the bike and swim! Kudos to her!

Bryce would not take off my helmet and kept trying to climb on my bike! A racer in the makings!

After my triathlon we drove straight over to my little brother Connors Championship Swim meed. He tied for 1st in the Butterfly as a Sophomore! Maybe because he is so long, 6'4 at least.

A memorable day.