Double Tagged

I got tagged again, twice. Here they are....

EIGHTS

8 T.V. Shows I love to watch:
1. Grey’s Anatomy, we started from the beginning and just can’t stop.
2. Gossip Girl, gotta love the CW
3. So You Think You Can Dance (seriously, in my next life I am going to be a dancer).
4. Rob and Big Black. This show is HILARIOUS.
5. What not to Wear or any Design show on HGTV
6. Food Network, love to learn new ideas for dinner.
7. 90210, the new one. I don’t know why.
8. I really don’t watch much TV, just a few dumb high school shows for kicks, so I can’t think of anything else.

8 things that happened yesterday:
1. Took Ethan and Cole to school
2. Shawn took me and Liv out for breakfast at Panera after we dropped the boys off at school.
3. Signed Ethan & Cole up for swim lessons
4. Made cookies for Shawn's Home Teaching families
5. Went to Ritz Camera Store
7. Ran on treadmill
8. Made musical instruments with water bottles, rice, and, string (Don't Ask, it was Ethan's idea)

8 favorite places to eat
1. PF Chang’s
2. Cheesecake Factory
3. BJ’s Pizza
4. California Pizza Kitchen
5. Panera
6. Spaghetti Factory (Utah)
7. In n Out Burger
8. Café Rio

8 things I am looking forward to:
1. The end of a Las Vegas summer, it is ridiculously hot.
2. Finding out where we get to move next for fellowship.
3. Halloween. Can't wait to hide the kids candy so I can eat it.
4. Going home to Utah over Christmas break.
5. Making Livy a tutu, I know so girly. See what having a little girl has done to me!
6. Visit from my Dad in a few weeks.
7. Shawn getting a weekend off.
8. A new lense for my camera.

8 things on my wish list:
1. To live closer to family.
2. That my kids would NEVER fight and just be happy.
3. Travel the world, or at least as many places as I can.
4. Laser Eye Surgery, I am soooo blind.
5. For Shawn to be done with residency and fellowship and get a job.
6. For me to get a Maters Degree and get a job.
7. To stop moving around and have a place to call home.
8. Pay off all Student Loans!!!!!


Here is the next one,

HUSBAND TAG....
1 where did you meet? Highschool. Shawn sat next to me in Seminary, but he slept the whole time. We didn't really date until after his mission.
2 how long did you date before you were married? 5 months
3 how long have you been married? Our anniversary is actually today, so we have been married for 8 years!
4 what does he do that surprises you? He will randomly bring me home things that I have been wanting.
6 what is your favorite feature? His smile!! Oh, and can't forget his great long eyelashes.
7 what is your favorite quality of his? He is so humble and hard-working. He also has a great sense of humor (very sarcastic) and can always make me laugh.
8 does he have a nickname for you? Baby
9 what is his favorite color? blue
10 what is his favorite food? Sushi, Sushi, and more Sushi!
11 what is his favorite sport? Playing soccer and watching football.
12 when and where was your first kiss? Shawn first kissed me while standing on my driveway the night of my college graduation. (I think I’ve told this before). It was really unexpected for both of us, as we were just friends. After he kissed me he said, “Did I just kiss Jenn Nielson?” It was funny!
13 what is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We love to go out to eat together, and watch movies (we love our Netflix and Redbox).
14 do you have any children? Yes, Ethan is 5, Cole is 3, and Liv is 18 months-old.
15 Does he have a hidden talent? He can do the Rubiks Cube in under 2 minutes(a great skill he learned on his mission) and he plays the guitar.
16 how old is he? almost 30
17 who said "I love you" first? He did, well he said, “I think I'm falling in love with you,” and I said, “you think?” Then he said, “No, I know”.
18 what is his favorite type of music? Shawn has great taste in music. He likes all kinds, yes even country. He always knows the latest popular songs, up and coming musicians, and can recognize any song from the 60’s to now. I love his taste in music!
19 what do you admire most about him? That he is so committed to me and the kids. He does everything for us and tries to make me happy! He is so honest and true in everything he says and does. You always know exactly where you stand with him and I love that about him. It makes working together in a marriage much easier.
20 Do you think he will read this? Yes, and then he will be embarrassed!

The Secret Garden

Today after we picked Ethan up from school we decided to go to The Secret Garden at the Mirage Hotel. It is basically a big aquarium with dolphins and a lion, tiger, etc habitat. Thanks to the Nevada Resident discount it didn't cost too much (most of the attractions around the strip are expensive) and we had a good time. Most of the tigers, panthers, and lions were sleeping, but the dolphins were very cool.

This is what Liv did the whole time!

Feeling Guilty

Ever since school started for Ethan I have been feeling guilty about taking Cole and Liv to do fun things without him-I feel like I am leaving him out. But this morning Ethan was major raunchy and threw a fit for 45 minutes before school. He was mad about the clothes I chose for him to wear :) I new this day was coming, I just didn't expect it so soon and from a boy. So things were a little crazy this morning and I decided that I needed to take Cole and Liv and get out of the house for a bit (and Shawn was home sleeping after working all night). I still felt a little guilty when Ethan got home from school, but Cole and Liv really enjoyed a morning at the splash park.

Tagged

So, I was tagged a while ago by my friend, (sorry it took me so long). For this tag I am supposed to list 7 random facts about me. So here it goes....

1. I lay out my clothes every night before bed for the next day. I have done this since I was a kid and just can't break the habit. I even lay out my kids clothes every night. Shawn makes fun of me and asks when I am going to start getting his clothes out for him before bed!

2. I am a little bit OCD with locking the doors. I check every door twice before going to bed, and that is after Shawn has locked them. I am the same way with setting the alarm. I regularly have to get up after I am in bed to check and make sure I set it-even though I know I did. I guess I am afraid of someone breaking in...I don't know, just a crazy obsession.

3. I have this weird habit when I am falling asleep, I tap my feet together. I guess it is soothing or something and helps me fall asleep. I never really noticed it until Shawn pointed it out shortly after we were married. It is usually in some rhythmic pattern, but I ALWAYS tap them. At first I think it drove Shawn nuts, but now he doesn't even notice.

4. I am a horrible pill taker. I have to have a full glass of water and drink before, after, and during when I take a pill. And considering that I take about a dozen pills every day for my stupid thyroid, it is a big deal.

5. When I was in 5th grade the orthodontist put a tongue trap in my mouth. It looked like a three pronged fork that sat behind my bottom front teeth. It was supposed to stop my tongue from pushing my teeth forward or something like that. I only had to wear it for a few months before I got braces.

6. I am a list girl. I have lists for my lists, and I just love the feeling of crossing things off and at the end of the day if everything is crossed off I feel so good. I know, kind of dorky, but it works for me.

7. I am a religious teeth flosser, brusher, mouth washer and what really ticks me off is that only if we are lucky does Shawn brush teeth twice a day (in his defense he is usually at the hospital either morning or night so he doesn't have his toothbrush), but he never gets cavities. The dentist always tell him his teeth are perfect. I on the other hand get cavities so easily and I actually take really good care of my teeth. Stupid genes. Let's just hope our kids get Shawn's genes for strong teeth.

Unofficial First Nursery Day

Liv has just about two more weeks left until she can officially go into nursery. Today I had to go into the nursery to drop off some things from primary and Livy was tagging along, as usual. While I was busy talking Liv climbed right up to the table and helped herself to some toys. When it came time to leave I tried to pick her up to come with me and she started screaming. I know, it is usually opposite with most kids-they scream when mom leaves. So, I decided to give nursery a try today. When I picked Liv up after class was over they reported that she did great. It was amazing not having to drag around any kids during church. Thank goodness for nursery!! Here are some quick pics of Liv after church. She had such a good time and has been so happy all day! I am almost looking forward to church next week.

We Love Uncle Mike

Thanks for visiting Mike. We LOVE visitors (hint, hint)

Field Trip

Today for Cole's preschool class we went on a hike up Red Rock Canyon. We had a great time and the hike was perfect for the kids-it was paved and very easy. Liv rode in a jogging stroller and Cole, along with all the other preschoolers, ran the whole way. We stopped for a quick snack and water break at the end. Here are a few pictures.

Here is a picture of Cole running the trail and enjoying the trees.

Here is a picture of Liv enjoying some watermelon and Cole trying to smile!

One last picture of the kids on the hike. We tried to get everyone, but they just didn't want their picture taken.

Bathroom Disaster

Today during Sacrament Meeting Ethan decided he needed to go to the bathroom-number 2! So, Shawn and I drew straws and he lost. Taking Ethan to go number two is quite the ordeal, especially somewhere other than home. Just recently have I convinced Ethan he doesn't have to strip down naked to go to the bathroom. About ten minutes later I got up with Livy to go and check on the boys because they hadn't come back. I walked around the corner and saw Shawn standing in front of the bathroom door laughing. Ethan immediately walked out with his shirt drenched. I asked what happened and this was the story.....

Ethan goes into the bathroom stall and locks the door.

Cole climbs under the door.

Shawn stands outside the door and listens.

Ethan does his business and then Shawn hears....

Ethan: "Oh no, my pen!"

Ethan: "Splash-Splash-Splash, don't worry Dad, I got it."

Shawn: "What?"

Ethan: "I am drying it off right now."

Ethan walks out of the bathroom with a soaking wet shirt (that was used to dry his pen that fell in the toilet), and wet sleeves up to his elbows. Cole is close behind also with wet sleeves up to his elbows. It looks like they both went fishing in the toilet....needless to say the pen was thrown away and both shirts will be washed, as well as their hands scrubbed raw and sanitized! I think next time I will just take the boys to the bathroom.

Girly Bed

Liv has been sleeping in a big girl bed for a while now, but until today she has been sleeping on the boys old bedding (trucks and cars). It just wasn't working for me so today Livy got new little girls bedding. She is so excited (and so am I-no more blue trucks for my little girl).

Domestic Diva

After living with three boys (yes, I included my husband), who have zero interest in domestic responsibilities around the home it is so nice to see that Liv shows interest. She is my right hand little diva around the home. Her specialties include picking up trash, food, and objects left on the floor. I have to check my trash twice a day to make sure she hasn't thrown anything away that doesn't belong there. Today after her bath she hung up her towel and put her clothes in the dirty clothes hamper. I really hope this trend continues because I could really use a break around here!!

Watching Airplanes

The Las Vegas Airport has a little parking place where you can sit and watch planes. It was really neat watching the planes land up so close.

Scooter Races

Cole's Preschool Debut

Finally it's Cole's turn for school. He has been so patiently waiting ever since Ethan started school and this morning he finally went to preschool! All the excitment made him a little crazy, but I think he had fun. It is going to be really wierd only having Liv home during the morning. It seems like the past five years have been loaded with never ending kids, but little by little they are all disappearing. It is so crazy!


Livy just can't figure out where everyone is going that she doesn't get to go. It looks like Liv is saying, "Cole, please can I go with you?" Cole seems to already be a little too cool for Liv, but just wait until he is a senior in High School and she is a sophmore-that will be fun!


And while I am at it one last picture of Liv.

I like this pic because I think it captures Liv's sweetness that we only see if we are lucky.

Baby Emily

This is my new little niece, Emily. She was born this morning in North Carolina to Shawn's brother and his wife. Doesn't she look so beautiful and perfect? I just love the first few hours after birth-it gets me a little baby hungry.....but then I remember they grow out of it :) Anyway, Congrats Chad and Brynn. Wish we could be there to hold her!

{Labor Day}

Liv enjoying a sucker with a little vintage edit!




Ethan begs every day for me to spike his hair. Usually I can talk him out of it, but today at the park he got away with it. He thinks he is so cool with spiked hair.


Cole LOVED these swings. The are like big bucket seats and he wanted to go higher and higher. Ethan got out after one push, but not our little dare devil Cole!