Thursday, October 29, 2009

Just what I wanted!


So it is my birthday today. I was just kind of dreading it because it is 35. Ya, I know, 35. I am starting to see a lot more wrinkles, more rolls and muffin tops and just kind of feeling well . . . old lately. But oh well. Life is good.
I can't complain!

However, it is only 3:00 in the afternoon and it has been a great day so far. I slept in and didn't workout today. It was a nice present to myself.
When I went out to the kitchen Casey had a ZONE Bar on our "Celebrate" plate. (We use the plate for breakfast on birthday's in our family)
While I was getting the boys ready for school Casey came and gave me a really nice card and then he gave Sophie a present to bring to me. I am sooooo excited about the necklace they gave me! I have been wanting one for a few years ever since my good friend Beckie got one.
So I found a website where they sell them a month or so ago and forwarded it to Casey and told him I was going to order one for myself for my birthday. He told me that was stupid and I shouldn't order things for myself. But I wanted to anyway . . . . But every time I sat down to do it, I couldn't decide which one and just never did it. Well, he totally surprised me this morning! Love it! Love it! Love it! It has each of the kids names and their birthstone. Thanks Casey. Seriously I married the best guy in the whole world. Someone was looking out for me when we hooked up!
I got to visit with my visiting teachers who brought me a caramel apple in white chocolate and cinnamon and sugar and a loaf of pumpkin bread from Kneaders. MY FAVORITE! Then the relief society brought me a huge Symphony bar. Seriously I am going to gain 10 lbs. this birthday. I already ate the ENTIRE caramel apple. And it wasn't small!
Casey and I are leaving in about an hour to go out to dinner in SLC and to see THRILLER at Kingsbury Hall. So EXCITED!!!!!!!
THANKS EVERYONE FOR AN AWESOME 35TH BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
PS
Seriously, just as I was typing this the someone knocked on the door and brought me a beautiful flower bouquet from my sister in law Alisha! THANKS! Seriously, THANKS! That is so thoughtful!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

DISNEYLAND!!!


BEWARE! BEWARE! There are lots of pictures!
We had so much fun in Disneyland! It was the first time we have gone with all four kids and we had a great time. Casey's Mom put the trip together for The Nielson's that were able to go. She was so generous and it was so fun to be together! Kerry, Monica and their kids, Alisha, Preston and their kids and Casey's Mom went. It was short, but VERY sweet! Thanks again everyone for an awesome time! Can we go back?


On the bus heading to the airport! Can we say EXCITED??


We flew out late Wednesday, Sept. 30. We rented a mini van and headed to the Castle Inn that was right next to Disneyland.


Disney here we come!


Waiting for our tickets to Disneyland Thursday morning.
Camien, Sophie, Cole and Cade


Cole, Cade, Sophie and Camien


Look at Minnie Mouse! So cute! I loved all the fall/Halloween decorations!


Casey waiting in line for Nemo. Our first ride


Mickey in his Halloween suit!


Kind of out of order. We went to the beach the last day. Alisha and Preston were good sports to get in the water. Cade and Preston had a BLAST jumping waves. Thanks Preston!


Sophie and Nick loved the beach. We enjoyed a beautiful day at the beach. Every time I have been to the beach in California it has been crappy weather. It was AMAZING on the Saturday we went. We ended up staying for 3-4 hours!!!


Saturday, October 3rd was Casey's 40th Birthday! We went to a really fun place to have lunch all together on the pier. I think it was Ruby's Diner. Preston and Alisha had a great friend that took us to the beach and took us to lunch. They were so generous and actually told the server that it was Casey's birthday. So they brought him a ice cream sundae and sang to him. It was so fun and yummy too!


We love you DAD!


Casey and Nick walking down the pier to the diner


At the fun parade in Disneyland. They had a part of the parade when you could go out and dance with the characters. Sophie and I jumped out there and had a blast!


Waiting and waiting for the parade! We were tired!


The boys found a place to "make" light sabers in Tomorrow land. Of course they had to do that! We took a little break and let the boys play. It was nice.


Zach and Nick having a battle!


This picture is for Grandma Mangelson! Zach and Cade in Toon Town at the post office!


Sophie in Toon Town


Nick, Casey, Zach and Cade working on the explosives. Casey was right at home!


Zach, Nick, Cade and Sophie driving the fire engine in Toon Town. It was actually really hot at Disneyland. It was October and was still mid 90's. Too hot for me!


So . . . a story behind this one. Sophie kept seeing little girls with their faces painted and said she wanted her face painted. So we picked one out of the book and paid for it ($15 - yikes). Then of course she threw a fit and said she didn't want it. I think the oriental gal thought I was a winner of a Mom. I just put her up on the stool and told her to smile. The gal looked at me and I said, "go for it, she will be fine." What a little stink! Of course after the fact, she LOVED it!




Another Sophie story . . . .oh the beauty of girls and emotions. We stood in line for over an hour to see the Princesses! The boys all left and Alisha, Cami, Sophie and myself waited and waited and waited. Of course when it was time to see them, Sophie wanted nothing to do with them. Again, a little stink. I know I NEVER acted like that!!! Don't ask my Mom about Disneyland, green jello and me being around 6 years old.


Cade and Sophie on Dumbo


Nick on the Merry Go Round!






Sweet Mary Poppins. Sophie calls her Marin Poppins. It's cute.




The whole gang on the second day at Disneyland. So much fun!




The first night after we spent all day at Disneyland we went over to IHOP to have some dinner. Zach was pale and said he wasn't feeling good. Poor guy. He ended up throwing up. Ya, there in IHOP. Good times. We let the kids sleep in and ended up renting a stroller for him the second day. He felt much better! Probably too many rides, churros, etc!!!


Sophie and Taylor on the tea cups!


Jace the Jedi


Cade fighting Darth Maul


Oh MY! The boys were in heaven at the Jedi training. It was a Star Wars show that they pick kids out the the audience to become a Jedi. Cade had on his yellow Star Wars shirt and got picked. He was soooooo excited!!! Jace also got picked but when Darth Vader came out he got a scared and had to sit down. The kids liked it so much we stayed there and watched it again while we had lunch. Cole got picked the second time.

Cade the JEDI!


Nick and Sophie in Tom Sawyer's tree house


In line for Haunted Mansion. It was so fun to be with cousins!


Sophie and Taylor


Cade and Taylor. Almost the same height. Cade is 9 and Taylor is 12


Lots of holding tired, hungry, thirsty kids. Isn't this the happiest place on earth??






More of the beach. Alisha, Marcea, Paula, Cami and Sophie


Casey's 40th birthday with his Mom.


Sophie flying home with baby Minnie


Nick was really tired on the way home. Those little legs couldn't walk any further!

We made it home Saturday night and it was COLD! We were happy to be home, but missed the wonderful weather and the fun times! Thanks Nielson's and Marcea for a great trip!