We spent some time again this past weekend up in the Mountains. It is so amazing that as you drive up to Mt Charleston you can watch the temperature drop from 110 to 80. It felt so nice and cool up there. The kids had a lot of fun running around and getting dirty.
I also got to do a fun family photo shoot while we were up there. Aren't they a great looking family?
Today was an exciting day, the first day of First grade for Ethan. He kept telling me that he wasn't nervous, but as we pulled up to the school he admitted that his tummy felt a little funny. Ethan is going to a brand new school and it is really nice. I really wasn't even that sad to see him go, just excited for him.
This is what Liv and Cole did while Ethan waited to go into his class. We don't want to forget them....
I wanted to make last night a special night for Ethan and I found a really great idea on another blog about having a back to school celebration dinner for the kids starting school. So I made Ethan's favorite dinner (Thai Peanut Noodles), and he got to wear a homemade crown all during dinner followed by a special cake made by Shawn (Shawn always makes the cakes in our family and I decorate them). After dinner we had a fashion show for Ethan to show off his new school clothes. Shawn tried to tell me boys don't do fashion shows, but Ethan seemed to love every minute of the attention. After our fashion show Shawn gave Ethan a blessing and it was such a neat experience. I am so lucky to be married to a worthy priesthood holder who can bless our kids.
It's only been about two hours since Ethan's been gone and I already miss him. I don't know if I can wait until three o'clock to go get him!!
School starts Monday. This was officially our last weekend of summer craziness, late bedtimes, bike riding after dark, 10:00 ice cream and treat runs, and total disregard for any schedule. Starting monday we get to back to our routine of school, homework, dinner, bedtime, over and over again. We met Ethan's teacher on Friday and she seems great. Ethan is excited and ready! I just hope I am ready for him to be gone all day. I am going to miss him. Stay posted for pictures of Ethan's first day of First Grade!!
I love my boys, but they really can drive me nuts. I am just not sure if they are both going to survive until they are 18. Most of the time they are fighting, screaming, crying, yelling, and punching with a few choice words (poo head, stinky face, etc.), but every once in a while we get a moment like this.
Which makes me realize they are soooooo worth it :)
Who would have thought you could actually find green grass and trees in Las Vegas?? Honestly, these pictures were taken just an hour outside of this crazy desert.
That is what we have been doing lately. With the temperature holding steady around 110 degrees I have little desire to go outside. The kids beg, and I try it for about five minutes before we are all melted and run back inside. The kids have been going crazy so I took them to the only place that they can run and scream without driving me nuts that is AIR CONDITIONED.
With this sweet little thing. I did my first baby photoshoot and I had so much fun.
Taking pictures of little baby Brooklyn reminded me of my sweet little Liv when she was little, except she isn't so little anymore :(
Before we left Utah this past week we were able to get in one swim at Granpa Randy and Grandma Leslie's. Liv has recently discovered a love for jumping into the pool. Ethan continues to be part fish and Cole keeps forgetting that he needs to breath, but we are working on it.
**WARNING: LOTS OF PICTURES**
We just got back from a little family vacation/nielson family reunion/Brooke and Max goodbye party/Isaac and Brandon birthday party. In the past five days we have been in six different states (Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming). We stayed at my Aunt and Uncles cabin in Island Park, Idaho and had a great time. We did lots and lots of this....
My boys just couldn't get enough (and that included Shawn).
We did a little relaxing.
'
and the girls enjoyed some time with Grandma.
My mom had lots of fun things planned for the kids.
The kids loved the campfire.
We went to Yellowstone. We were stuck in HORRIBLE traffic that about drove me mad and this is what our drive was like...
We stopped for a picnic along the way, but our picnic was a little too close to the water and the kids could not help but jump in.
Old Faithful and some Geysers.
Our next adventure was Shawn's favorite :). We floated down a river on rafts, but our raft started sinking pretty quick and so Shawn ended up dragging us down the river.
We stopped at a cute little cabin built in the woods surrounded by wildflowers and a river. It is a no fishing area so the fish are huge. We saw trout bigger than two feet long.
more fun back at the cabin.... (and check out the hot wood cutter)
What a fun weekend. Thanks mom and dad, we love you!
