The Nielsens have been highly anticipating the release of Toy Story 3. So much that I went out the day before it opened and got our tickets so we could see it as soon as possible. Sawyer especially has taken a liking to the Toy Story movies and all its characters. He is planning to have a Toy Story party for his birthday and talks about it daily. (His birthday isn't until September so its gonna be some party, I guess!)
We got to see the movie with Grampy and Grammy, Chris and Amanda, and of course Daddy too. We absolutely LOVED the movie and felt they couldn't have done a better job with it. Pixar just has a way of creating connections for such a wide audience. I felt just as connected to the movie as my 3 year old. Pretty amazing.
I have to mention that yesterday I found Carter outside his bedroom with the door barely cracked open and he was peeking in. I snuk up behind him and said, "What are you doing?" He said, "I was trying to see if my toys were alive" How cute is that . It made my heart melt. Deep down I felt his disappointment and wished he could believe that they were alive forever.
On June 17, 2000, I entered the Los Angeles Temple as a single eager woman with high hopes for my future. I left the temple that day a partner, help-meet, and wife to my best friend, Chris Nielsen. It is hard to believe that 10 years has passed since Chris and I were married. At times it seems like yesterday but when I look at all that has occurred and all we've accomplished together it seems so long ago. We were two innocent 21 year-olds with so much to look forward to. We had no idea of the wonderful children we'd be blessed with and the wonderful memories we would experience together. I am so incredibly grateful that I married Chris and that we have been able to share these past 10 years as husband and wife. I look forward to so many more!
Its pretty interesting that the Lakers played in the NBA finals during our honeymoon 10 years ago (and yes being the loyal Laker fan that Chris is, he did watch final game) Now 10 years later on our very anniversary the Lakers played game 7. It fell on a Thursday so we hadn't planned to do much that night. Our big night was going to be Friday. We watched the game at home with the kids and I was a little stressed that they would lose (and it would definitely put Chris in a bad mood) but luckily they won and he was a very happy hubby! We took the kids out to dinner at 9 o'clock with us to celebrate our anniversary with them. Good thing it's Summer and they can sleep in the next morning!
On Friday we had a special night planned. We had my parents watch the Maddie, Carter and Sawyer. We dropped Libby off at Grandma Faye's house so she could watch her while we ate dinner. We went to the Derby in Arcadia and it was delicious. We had bacon wrapped Filet Mignon. We picked Libby up and then went to our hotel. We stayed at the Embassy Suites in Arcadia, which is the hotel where we spent our wedding night. It was a wonderful evening and we reminisced of that wonderful day 10 years ago. Chris made it such a special anniversary.
Libby turned 5 months old on June 11. She keeps on growing and sadly growing out of so many cute outfits. Luckily I have Janelle who's pregnant with a girl to pass them down to. She is such a pleasant baby, I am having so much fun with her! She still sleeps like an angel. She goes to bed around 9 each night and falls asleep alone in her crib. She wakes up each morning at about 7 am. Sometimes I even have to wake her up if I need to get going earlier.
She recently got her first tooth which is much earlier than my other kids. The other kids got their first tooth around 9 or 10 months. Libby's appeared just before she turned 5 months!
Libby has discovered her feet and it is adorable to watch her put her feet in her mouth. It has been so fun watching her grow. The kids are so excited for each milestone she reaches. They can't wait until she starts eating solids. I'm hoping to start right around 6 months.
June 10-16 we spent a wonderful week with my family. Jeff and Janelle came with their kids from Texas and we had a fun, event filled week. We missed Heather and Cisco and their kids who couldn't make it because of Davis' All-Star baseball games. We're looking forward to seeing them in July. It was great to be together with everyone. Here's a recap of all the fun stuff we did.
Day 1 Thursday
We had just arrived from Las Vegas the night before so we had to quickly get unpacked and do a bunch of laundry. We took a picnic lunch to Irvine park in Orange and had a fun time climbing trees, playing on the playground and visiting the Orange County Zoo. A small quaint zoo inside Irvine park.
Brooklyn and Maddie had such a wonderful time together. Maddie can't wait to go out and visit them in their new home in Louisiana.
The three girls, Brooklyn, Lily and Maddie
There was a free roaming peacock in the zoo and Sawyer had a great time chasing it.
Poor peacock.
Amanda checked out a teacher's kit to show the kids all kinds of feathers, skulls and other fun animal things.
The kids all enjoyed quality time with Grammy
All the cousins minus Heather's 3.
(L to R: Coleman, Brady, Carter, Tyler, Sawyer, Brooklyn, Lily, Maddie and Libby)
The zoo had a small area to pet and brush the goats. The kids enjoyed this very much. I stayed outside and luckily Amanda went in and snapped some cute pictures.
The zoo had a scavenger hunt for the kids to fill out. They had to find interesting facts about the animals and plants and fill them in on the brochure. They all finished it with much help from Aunt Amanda and got a zoo patch.
That evening we had some yummy pizza at Grammy and Grampy's house. The boys spent the night at Grammy and Grampy's with Tyler and Lily and Brooklyn spent the night at our house. The kids loved being able to sleep over! (sorry I didn't take any pics)
Day 2 Friday
We spent the morning making headbands and then headed to Corona to a fun swimming pool at the home of a friend of Kristy and Wes. The kids had such a fun time and spent hours there. It was impossible to get them out of the pool when it was time to go.
Maddie is a fish when it comes to the pool. She loved jumping off of the cliff at the top.
I love this picture of Maddie coming down the slide. The kids all had fun going down the slide. I sent Sawyer down to Grampy and he was pretty scared. I didn't think he'd want to go again but he got over it and went again and again.
Like Father Like Son
Carter going in for the dunk
Carter, Tyler and Brady enjoying the hot tub
Uncle Chris is always so awesome with the kids! I keep telling him that when he has kids, our older kids will be old enough to take care of his kids!
The had an in-ground trampoline near the pool that Sawyer had fun jumping on
After a long day at the pool we went to In-n-out for dinner. Then headed home and got some rest for a big day at the beach.
Carter worked up an appetite at the pool...
...and apparently wore himself out as well!
Day 3- Saturday
We got up early and headed down to Newport Beach. The weather was a little windy and overcast but we made the best of it. On our way to the beach we stopped at Cafe Rio in Costa Mesa and took our meals out to the beach. We LOVE Cafe Rio in this family and LOVE the fact that we finally have some locations in California. We just hope they build one closer to us!
Mom and Dad catching some rays on a cold day at the beach
Brady and Sawyer- Buddies
Sawyer found some bird feathers and was pretty excited about them. Me, I think they're gross, you never know where that feather's been.
Libby was all smiles
Maddie is my little beach bum and loves playing in the water but is not a happy camper when she's got sand in every cavity of her body.
Libby all bundled up in the jogging stroller on the beach. Nothing like the sound of the ocean to put her to sleep.
We headed back early because it was Mom's birthday and we had a special night planned. We had baby-sitters for the kids and went to Shogun with all the adults. It was so nice to be with my family and visit.
Libby was the only grandchild that got to come so she got lots of attention from Grammy. (Isn't her headband cute, Amanda made it!)
We had a yummy cheesecake and sang "Happy Birthday" to Mom.
It was a great night but Mom ended the night really sick. She ordered Lobster which she loves and rarely gets to eat but we think she might be allergic now. She was much better by the next morning.
Day 4- Sunday
Sadly I didn't take any pictures on Sunday.We had a wonderful family day.I felt so lucky to have everyone come to my ward.I was doing sharing time and couldn't miss so Mom said they could all come to our ward.It was so much fun having my nieces and nephews in primary.After church we all had dinner together at Grammy and Grampys.It was Tri-tip of course!
Day 5- Monday
Monday was our big Disneyland day. We usually avoid Disneyland like the plague during Summer but when family is in town, you gotta go! It actually wasn't too bad. We avoided the big crowded rides and took advantage of the fast pass. Mom also had a handicap pass that we used to get on rides as well so that was really helpful. We stayed all day. I was really glad that Chris got to come with us.
Sawyer and his buddy, Aunt Amanda
Our little Minnie
The girls
My nephew Tyler loves Star Wars so we went to the Jedi Training Academy and luckily he got picked to be a Jedi Knight. He even got to fight Darth Maul.
Carter got to ride most of the big rides and loved it. This is getting on Space Mountain. It was really fun to go on Space Mountain with the Adults and some of the big kids. (Mom and Janelle, who is pregnant stayed off with the little ones-Thanks guys!)
Kristy rode Space Mountain with Lily who is 5. She is such a little dare devil. She LOVED it!
Libby on Small World
Carter and Tyler really hit it off
Day 6- Tuesday
Our last day together we planned to go to the beach. It was another cloudy day so we were a little worried about the weather. We took a while getting going. Disneyland until 10pm did us in! We went to Cafe Rio again (of course) on our way in but this time ate it there. Chris met us for Lunch since he works close by. The weather warmed up a little and we stayed on the beach until late afternoon. By the end of the day we were pooped and headed home. We said our goodbyes and hope it is not too terribly long before we can see our Texas (soon to be Louisiana) cousins again.
mmm... Cafe Rio
Chris and Amanda are such a cute couple
Playing in the sand
Nothing like watching a toddler in the sand. Coleman didn't mind getting sand in his food or his mouth. He's such a cutie!
The Nielsens have been highly anticipating the release of Toy Story 3. So much that I went out the day before it opened and got our tickets so we could see it as soon as possible. Sawyer especially has taken a liking to the Toy Story movies and all its characters. He is planning to have a Toy Story party for his birthday and talks about it daily. (His birthday isn't until September so its gonna be some party, I guess!) 
