Disneyland birthday for Maddie

After having Maddie's friend party on Saturday and packing literally all day on Sunday (to be ready for my "tag along" trip with Chris on Tuesday) we spent the afternoon at Disneyland on Monday for a mystery shop I had planned (weeks before) with Maddie for her birthday. We took Grandma with us since Chris was already on his trip for work and therefore couldn't join us. It was fun having Grammy with us and we're glad she got to enjoy the day too! We got a babysitter for the boys and Grampy came home and relieved her and put the boys to bed. Maddie wanted it to be extra special and we were going to a nice restaurant and I didn't think they'd appreciate my entire crew!

Libby looked so cute in her Minnie mouse ears and black and red outfit. We got so many comments throughout the day.

What fun it was to have all the Christmas decorations up and see the giant tree. Maddie gets irked that they forget to celebrate Thanksgiving! Since she is a Thanksgiving baby.

One of the shops I had to do was an ice cream place and Maddie enjoyed a huge ice cream sandwich.

As we walked down main St. on our way to our dinner they had the snow fall and it was so much fun to get to see it. I know it is cheesy and the snow is really just bubbles that look like snow. But with the music and the lights it just gives me goosebumps and makes me all giddy inside.

Doesn't that castle look amazing! I love Christmastime at Disneyland!

As we entered California Adventure, Maddie had to stop and take a picture with the N for "Nielsen".

We had a wonderful delectable and very expensive dinner at the swanky Napa Rose restaurant. Because it was part of my Mystery shop I get it all reimbursed.

Libby was kind of a nightmare and did not behave well at all. I think this picture says it all! We had gotten a corn on the cob earlier in the day and she would not let go of it. She had a death grip on that thing all day. It was gross but we let her hold it in the restaurant so she'd be quiet but it didn't work very well.

It was fun to try a delicious wood fired pizza with prosciutto and caramelized onions. The short rib was to die for and absolutely amazing.

Check out the kids meal! I even ordered one for Libby since they give me plenty to spend.

Maddie got a happy birthday dessert. Creme brulee made into a beach complete with fish and sand.

We had a fabulous time! It was a great night with my Maddie and my mom, and of course my Libby too!

We got home late, around 10 pm. I had to do my surveys which normally take a few hours and then get up at 4 am to get ready to go the airport for my trip. Just thinking about that night makes me exhausted. I ended up going to bed at 2 and getting up at 4! Only to get on a 5 1/2 hour flight with a 10 month old! Don't feel sorry for me because I was on my way to meet my hubby in Hawaii!

Maddie's 9th Birthday Party

At the Nielsen home we have been very busy, a good kind of busy and we've been having lots of fun! It all starts off with Maddie's birthday party on November 13. Maddie actually turned 9 on November 20 but we had the party a week early because I was going to be tagging along on a very fun trip with Chris (more to come on that). We decided to do something low key but fun since I was so busy. We had 5 girls come over and make hair clips with fabric. Maddie's Aunt Amanda came over and showed the girls how to make them. They each made 2 and took home supplies to make more. They had a great time and best of all, it was something they could do themselves!

For food we ordered yummy pizza and we also snacked on some of Maddie's favorite goodies. The girls each took home a box that they filled with candies.

Since I was trying to keep it pretty low key I didn't go all out with decorations but did find this cute banner at Target. I think I'll use it again it's so cute! You can see Aunt Amanda below. She is such a fun aunt. My kids all adore her.

Here are all the girls posing on the couch with their hair clips they made. These are all girls from Primary. Maddie could choose any girls she wanted and she decided to invite girls from church.

Maddie got some fun gifts and had a great time. I loved it because it was low key and quiet. We had a fun time celebrating Maddie with something Maddie loves to do- make hair clips.

Sawyer's Day at D-land

On Sawyer's actual birthday we all went to Disneyland. Kristy, Brady and Coleman came along with us which was so much fun for Sawyer. Grammy brought Maddie and Carter in the afternoon so they didn't miss school. We had a great time and enjoyed a day at Disney without the crowds. I had a mystery shop that day too so Sawyer got to pick out some fun things for his birthday (for FREE!)

Sawyer got to do the fishing game and won a little turtle. We tried to win a bullseye for him at the horse racing game but with no luck. Maybe next time.

The kids had fun playing in the fountains at the new park area on the water front. They got a little too wet but luckily it was a pretty warm day and they dried off quick.

I just love taking pictures on the carousel. Can't get enough of em.

One of the highlights of Sawyer's day was that he finally reached 40" and was able to go on some of the fun big kid rides! The childhood theory that you grow on your birthday every year must be true!

When we were at California Adventure Sawyer was excited to be able to go on Soaring over California. At Disneyland he was thrilled to be able to go on Space Mountain. Here he is just before boarding.

Sawyer had no idea what Space Mountain was all about and since its all inside it was quite a surprise. I was lucky enough to get to ride next to him. During the ride all I could think about was what was going through his head. Here he is just as we are starting the ride, looking a little nervous.

During the ride Sawyer started to cry and kept screaming "When is this over". I felt awful and just wanted my baby to feel safe. When it was over he wasn't crying but he wasn't happy either. Daddy gave him 2 dollars for riding and that made him feel a little better. As we walked back to meet up with the rest of the group and Carter was going on an on about how cool the ride was and how much he loves Space Mountain. Sawyer then speaks up and says in sort of a grumble, "Alright I liked it"

We had a great day and Sawyer had a wonderful birthday. By the time we left he was definitely ready to go. Our last ride was Dumbo and he threw a fit in front of everyone because he had to ride a pink elephant. Even though Sawyer is now 4 he definitely still takes on the baby role sometimes. Hopefully that changes as Libby gets bigger.

Toy Story B-day Party

We celebrated Sawyer's 4th Birthday on August 28 at our home. We had a fun family party and invited a couple of Sawyer's little friends. Here is the invite.

We had so much fun with the toy story theme. I made these cute favor bags the kids went home with.

My mom made this amazing cake! No it's not fondant, its all done with butter cream. Isn't she amazing? I made the alien cupcakes.

Sawyer was so cute when we sung to him. I could tell he was very happy but shy. He doesn't like to be in the spotlight in large groups. (he used to but lately he's been funny, must be his age). He didn't blow out his candles cause he was being so shy!

We had the house all decorated for Toy Story with toys around. We served Pizza from "Pizza Planet" and salad and fruit. The kids played "The Claw" where they tried to see who could pick up the most toys with "The Claw".

They also had to put Mr. Potato head together. It was so much fun to have all the cousins there from the Nielsen and Jones side.

Sawyer got a lot of presents. He opened them so quickly I couldn't keep up! He was in heaven. With a Toy Story themed party naturally he got a lot of Toy Story gifts. Here he is posing in front of his Toy Story gifts!

Aunt Amanda made him an adorable stuffed alien out of felt. She is so creative! He loves it.

Libby got lots of attention at the party and actually slept through a good chunk of it too!

Sawyer was pooped at the end of the day. He had a great time and loves all his new presents! We have spent a lot of time putting legos together.

My baby boy is 4!

Its hard to believe that my baby boy is now 4! Sawyer turned four on September 1. and couldn't be happier. Four is such a fun age and Sawyer is growing up and learning so many new things every day. He loves going to preschool and every morning wakes up and asks me if he has school today! He also enjoys his time alone with Me (and Libby by default). When we talk about kindergarten he gets a little upset and says he is not going to ever go to kindergarten. I hope his feelings change by next year. Sawyer is a little shy unlike my other kids. He resists change but luckily warms up to new things quite quickly, so I'm sure he'll have no problem leaving me to go to kindergarten. We'll at least have our afternoons without the big kids around!

Sawyer looks up to his brother and sister so much. He copies everything Carter does. It reminds me of myself with my older sister. Carter gets annoyed and I try to remind him that it is a compliment. Sawyer also loves it when Maddie babies him and takes care of him. Carter is such an adorable big brother to Libby. He has always just adored her but lately he's really starting to play with her. She loves to laugh at him when he plays with her. He's also gotten a little more comfortable holding her and rolling around with her on the floor which is fun to watch.

Sawyer is a special part of our family and we love him very much. He is such a fun little character and quite funny as well. He has an adorable smile and dimples that make me melt. I can't imagine my life without him. Someday I will miss the time we are able to spend together while the older kids are at school. He truly cherishes that time we have as do I. He loves to cuddle up and tell me that he loves me and that I am the best mommy in the world. What more could I ask for? My little guy is growing up but he'll always be my baby boy.

Carter's Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Carter's Birthday over two days. The night before his birthday we went to Lucille's Barbeque with Grammy and Grampy and Chris and Amanda. We had a delicious dinner and I made a really easy Strawberry Angel Food cake for him.

He was so excited to open presents from everyone. He got an ipod from Grampy, (it was left unclaimed in his classroom for a year so he decided to give it to Carter) He got some cute clothes and a Lego set from Grammy and Grampy. Aunt Amanda made him an adorable sock monkey (she's quite the crafty one).



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After Dinner Chris took Carter to buy a new bike. He wanted Carter to pick it out. It is a big bike and doesn't come with training wheels so Daddy's got some work to do! Sorry no pictures of the bike, I'll be sure to post when he rides it.

The next day (on his birthday) I made cupcakes and took them to his classroom to share with his friends. His teacher, Ms. Maloney had all the kids sing Happy Birthday and she put a crown on his head. (Doesn't every kid in Kindergarten get a crown on their birthday? I remember mine was made with glitter!)


(I was in such a rush I didn't have time to put make-up on.)
That evening Grandma Faye and Jake went with us to dinner at Chick-fil-a and then to one of Carter's favorite places, Dave and Busters.
It was pretty noisy and crowded but we found a place to open gifts and eat cupcakes.


Carter had lots of fun being with his cousin Jake! He was excited to get a Lego set from Jake and a Lego set from Sawyer! He got a Target gift card from Grandma and a Laker Blanket from Maddie.
Several months ago Carter saw this Laker fabric at Jo-Anns and has been asking for a Laker blanket for his birthday.

The kids had lots of fun playing video games and winning tickets. This is Carter playing "Deal or No Deal" where you can win lots of tickets.





The highlight of the night was when the kids played a spinning game to win tickets and Jake one 500 tickets then Maddie won 1,000 and then Carter spun and won 500! It was all within a few minutes of each other. The kids were so excited it was like they had won big in Vegas!

Here's Maddie and her thousand tickets!

At the end of the night (9:30 pm on a school night!) The kids turned all their tickets in and got lots of fun prizes. Mommy and Daddy were pooped and they all fell asleep very quickly!