Disneyland - Day 1 & 2

Friday we were able to fly out of Idaho Falls and head for California. The girls were so excited to fly. They never had, so it was pretty exciting. We had to wait an extra hour at the airport, because our plane was late getting in. So then we got to Long Beach later than we were supposed to and when we got here it was so rainy. It had been raining all day. So by the time we got our luggage and rental car, we were all soaking wet. Then we headed for our hotel. We then had to go buy some groceries and snacks for the week. By the time we got back to the hotel and all settled for the night, it was almost 11 p.m. our time. The girls were totally exhausted by that point and slept super well.

Saturday morning, yesterday, we got up and ready and headed over to Disneyland. The girls were so excited to be here. The weather had shaped up and wasn't raining, so we were really glad. We hit a bunch of rides and saw lots of princesses before lunch time and then we took a break and headed back to the hotel for lunch and a rest. When we headed back over to the park after lunch, the rain had started. From that point on we had rain the rest of the night. By the end of the day we were all really wet and cold and tired. Even with the rain it was still a fun day. Kayla's favorite ride was Gadget's Go Coaster in Mickey's Toon Town and Paige liked Indiana Jones. Matt is still waiting to get wowed by a ride and my all time favorite still remains Small World.

Today, we planned a leisure day and were going to hit the beach, but when we woke up, Kayla was sick. She woke up with the chills and then not to long later she threw up. Poor girl. There is nothing worse than to be sick in a hotel and not in your own home. She slept and after a while she ate a little and took some meds. Then she perked up and we went and sat in the hot tub. Then after lunch, we headed over to hit some of the shops at Downtown Disney and see the movie "Tangled." After the movie was over, she wasn't doing so well. She had the chills so bad she couldn't stop shaking. So Matt and I gave her piggy back rides all the way back to the hotel. She seems to be feeling a little better tonight, so I am crossing my fingers that she can rest well tonight and be ready to hit California Adventure tomorrow.

While in Downtown Disney, we went into a big Lego Store and we took some fun pictures.

My Valentine's

We didn't do much to celebrate Valentine's this year. I made a nice dinner for everybody and then Matt ended up taking Kayla to Community Care. She had complained about a sore throat and she coughed so hard all day, I thought she might puke. I was worried it might be strep throat, but it was bronchitis. She is feeling a lot better, so I am glad we got that taken care of.

For Valentine's this year, I got the kids each a pair of sunglasses. The boys are so stinkin cute when they put them on. Sometimes they are upside down and most of the time they are all crooked. They don't really care how they are on, they just love their sunglasses. Monday they wore them around the house all day. I found all three of them reading on the stairs with their glasses on too.

Brock, Aiden and Collin sporting their new glasses

Brock, Aiden and Collin reading their Cars books

I am in preparation mode for our trip. I am trying to get everything washed and ready and all of our suitcases packed. We leave on Friday, and I can hardly believe that it is finally here. We are all so excited. I am sad that I am leaving the boys home, but we will all have a much funner time and enjoy ourselves without the added stress of the three crazies. It will be so much fun.

Could it get any colder?

I am so ready for Spring. The last several days it has been way, way, way too cold. The girls didn't have school yesterday, because is was -24 degrees. Yes, that is below zero. Today the high is actually going to be above zero. The last few days, with the wind chill the high hasn't made it above zero. The best part is, I don't think it could get any worse.

Life continues to keep me busy as ever. The boys started the Toddler Lab up at BYU-I a couple of weeks ago. They go two mornings a week for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. They love it. They start telling me "bye" the second we pull up. It is so good for them to get out and have something fun to go and do. I also enjoy it, because I get all of my errands ran by myself. I actually have a couple of hours of ME time. It is really nice.

The first morning of Preschool (Aiden on the left, cannot take a normal picture, he is way too cheesy)

The other night when I went in to turn Kayla's lamp off (she always has to go to bed with it on, so she can read books) this is what I found. She must have been reading her book and been so tired, that she just fell asleep. I thought it was so funny that I had to capture the moment.

Well 2 weeks from tomorrow we leave for Disneyland. The anticipation around here is incredibly high. We are so excited, we can hardly wait.

Surviving

I thought that after Christmas was over, life would calm down some. It has done that, but the boys are making life somewhat challenging. They are really into fighting with each other, throwing tantrums and always crazy busy. I guess that's what happens when you have 3 toddlers in the terrible 2's. Some days are just absolutely nuts and then some days they can be little angels. All in all, I am always exhausted by the end of the day, but we are surviving.

We are getting lots of snow lately and the kids are loving it. Matt has made a huge snow hill out front and the kids love to go out and sled down it. We took the boys out the other night and they loved it. They even went down on the sleds all by themselves.

Brock, Aiden, and Collin

It was haircut time again for the boys. Matt started off with Brock and he put the wrong attachment on his clippers. So Brock got a really short buzz. I took some pictures that are pretty funny. He was not enjoying it at all.

The boys have found some sunglasses that they love to wear around the house. The other night they also got ahold of some of the dress up hats and they were having a good time. Their dad didn't appreciate it, but they sure had fun.

Brock (he always wears his sunglasses upside down) and Collin

Aiden

The girls are getting super excited about going to Disneyland. The countdown is on. We leave in 35 days. I am also getting really excited to take them. It will be a fun filled week of vacation with just the girls and it will be good for them.

Christmas Fun

What a fun Christmas we had. The kids, especially the boys, were so fun to watch. This is the first year that they really enjoyed the whole experience.

On Christmas Eve we had my Mom, Dad and sister, Jenna, over for Pizza. Then we did the annual Christmas Eve gift, jammies. That was fun. Then we watched "The Christmas Carol" with the girls. They were willing and ready to go to bed on time, because they knew the sooner they went to bed, the sooner Santa would come.

Christmas morning arrived and all the kids loved what they got. The big surprise was for the girls. Matt and I are taking them to Disneyland in February and they were so excited for that. So am I. Here are their favorite gifts that they received.

Paige: lego castle and trip to Disneyland

Kayla: Tangled castle and trip to Disneyland

Aiden: Remote control train and Cars book

Brock: Leapster of his own, which he calls "gamey" and remote control train

Collin: Little People Wheelies ramp and Cars book

We spent most of the day at home, and then we went to my parents for dinner and a party. My sister was able to come in the afternoon and so we were able to spend some time with them.

The kids got some new church clothes for Christmas and I think they are so stinking cute. Starting Sunday, we go to church at 8:30 a.m. Yes, you read that correctly. 8:30 a.m. That means get up early and get everybody ready and out the door by 8:10 a.m. I have to be to church early to get the Primary room set up. This could be interesting to see how it goes. Wish me luck.

My birthday was on Tuesday, and my Mom made lunch and birthday cake for all of us. It was really nice. It was a nice day and although I am a year older, I sure don't feel it.

Wednesday, I took Paige to Idaho Falls and she got braces on. She just had to get braces on her top teeth to fix her underbite and to straighten her teeth out. She has done really well with them and hasn't complained about to much.

Before:

And After:

I can't believe that it is the New Year already. 2010 has been a fun and crazy year and I am sure 2011 will be as crazy and fun. I am definately ready for the girls to head back to school on Monday and get our lives back on schedule. It has been fun having them home for 2 weeks, but I am one for routine and schedule.

Whirlwind December

I can't believe how busy this month has been. I feel like we have been going nonstop. Between getting things done for Christmas, Primary, orthodontist appointments, school programs, and Christmas parties, there hasn't been much down time.

The girls, Matt and I had fun doing our annual gingerbread houses. This year was nice because the girls could mostly decorate their houses all by themselves. Kayla used more icing than anything else on hers and Paige was very meticulous and neat on decorating hers. It was a lot of fun.

Last week we took the kids to the Carousel to see Santa Clause. This is the first time the boys have sat on Santa's lap. They all did well, except for Collin. He wasn't too sure about Santa, but he did sit long enough for a picture. The favorite thing about seeing Santa, was that they got to ride the Carousel. So that was a big highlight.

Paige had a Christmas program at school last week. They sang alot of fun Christmas songs and it was fun to go and see her perform.

This last weekend we went down to Utah. On Friday night Matt and I were able to go with my mom and dad to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with David Archuletta concert. It was so good. I loved the whole evening. Afterwards, we were able to walk through Temple Square and see the lights.

On Saturday we had the Nielson Family Christmas Party. It was a fun filled day full of food, pinata, Santa, gift exchanges and the Nativity. We had a really fun time and it was fun being Matt's entire family.

Now the girls are done with school, Matt is finished with school until January, the wrapping of presents is all done, the parties are over and we can enjoy the holidays and our time together as a family. We wish all of you a Merry Christmas.

Cute Bags

If any of you are interested in purchasing some darling bags of any sort, diaper bags, purses, dolly diaper bags, etc., check out this link.

I am a little biased on these bags, because they are made by my sister Liz. I also am the tester for her diaper bag and I must say it works really well.

http://bagsbylizzylou.blogspot.com/