Blogging Marathon

I finally have updated my blog. It seriously has taken me two days to post everything that I wanted to. I had things from the beginning of May that I wanted to post about. I've got to be better at blogging more frequently. So if you're interested then grab a snack and read about the last few months of my life. I thought I would have updated long before now but I have been pretty lazy this summer and haven't accomplished much of anything that I wanted to yet. I have had a little retreat in Logan the last few weeks. It's nice to spend time at home with my parents in Cache Valley. I feel like when I go home it is a little escape from reality and a sort of safe haven from the responsibilities and pressures I feel from time to time in my life. Some of you may have noticed that I don't answer my phone or respond to messages very well while I am there. At least I was able to read several good books, see a few movies, hang out with my family, including lots of niece and nephew time, see all of my grandparents quite a bit, and definitely slept in way too late. I even spent an early morning at the emergency room in the hospital, but i'll post about that later. Summer is quickly escaping and I hate that the time is going so fast!

I might as well change my blog to represent my whole family since I am pretty well the family photographer. I do like to take a lot of pictures and I have had fun documenting my life this way. Hopefully it will become a good journal/scrapbook since I don't do either of those things very well.

80 years of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir/Fireworks

On Sunday July 19th I went with my parents to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's 80th year anniversary broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word. I love going to the broadcast. It's a tradition of my family to go to the broadcast the Sunday before Christmas but I need to do it more often since I live so close. The broadcast was beautiful as usual. After the broadcast they had a little program in honor of the 8o years. President Monson spoke as well as several other people. It was neat as they talked about how the broadcast brings a lot of hope and inspiration to listeners around the world. Not to mention that it is the longest continually running radio broadcast in the world. President Monson shared several stories about how peoples lives have been touched by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, he is such a great story teller. I was very touched by the broadcast and the program and was glad to be a part of the special celebration.

Growing up when we would make the trip down to Salt Lake for the broadcast it was always a special treat to go to the brunch at Little America. So luckily my dad didn't disappoint me and took my mom and I to the brunch at Grand America. I have to take advantage of being there only single child and let my dad pay for me once in a while still:). It was soooo delicious! Of course we all left sick because we ate so much, why do we do that to ourselves? I really wanted to go home and take a nap but I was good and actually did make it to my ward for Sacrament.

To top the day off I went to the fireworks in Ogden at Night with Kara and Taya. We met up with Ramsey and Ashley, my Aunt Polly, Aunt JoAnn, and Jenna. They were great. I love Fireworks!

Jack's Mannequin and The Fray Concert

On Saturday July 18th I went to the Jack's Mannequin and The Fray concert. It was really good. I love outdoor concerts. USANNA is a great venue. Once again I had a great time with all of the girls. I had really missed them since I had taken a little retreat up to Logan since the beginning of July.

A quick photo at the end of the concert with the "Wuff" Blanket.

Nancy, Molly, and Emily enjoying the show.

Bear Lake

On Friday July 10th I went to Bear Lake with all of my sisters and their families, Jennie Hess and her girls, and the Hansen family (my brother-in-law's sister and her kids). My brother-in-law Mike Budge brought his sail boat and gave everyone rides. I didn't go out on the sail boat this time, I was too busy playing with the kids in the water and sand. Hopefully we'll go again soon so I can ride on the sail boat.

It was Taegan's first time at Bear Lake, I think she really enjoyed it.

Tyce and Taegan had fun playing together.

I was mad at my sisters as they spent the whole day on the beach chatting and eating treats. Good thing I was there to play with there kids in the water. I told my sisters that having kids must make you boring:) I tried to enlist the help of my nieces and nephews to get them wet. I asked Ella, Taya, and Sydnee whose mom we should get wet and they all started whining not there mom, so then my sisters over heard us and knew I was up to something. Luckily Taya and Griffin got into the spirit of things and we tried coming up with a game plan to get them wet but my sisters were staring us down the whole time. What good is an Aunt if she can't get her nieces and nephews into a little trouble with their parents right? Jessica is the only one who I was really successful at getting wet. I finally got her when she left the canopy and didn't have Taegan in her arms. Mandy really got mad at me as I threw a bucket of water on her as she was trying to deal with Chloe's little incident, Chloe took the brunt of the water which made Chloe cry and Mandy to get even more mad. I mean really who goes to a lake and doesn't get wet! Kara was a big chicken and put my camera around her neck so I wouldn't get her wet.

I have to share about Chloe's incident, keep in mind she is 3. We noticed Chloe was just at the edge of the water on the beach taking her swimsuit off. So we informed Mandy that her daughter was stripping for everyone. Next thing we knew Chloe spread her legs and poohed on the beach. Mandy grabbed some wipes and a bag and went to run get her. But then the best part: Chloe started to bury the pooh in the sand like a cat. I was laughing so hard! When Mandy asked her why she did that Chloe told her that she saw Sydnee do it. Way too funny!! There was a lot of people there that day and the family next too us was cleaning up when it happened. They were pointing at Chloe and had the most disgusted look on their faces. I wanted to say to them: She is a little girl people and doesn't know better. We all thought it was hilarious, well except for Mandy, and then I had to get her mad by getting her wet. I had to take advantage of the opportunity of her finally leaving the safe cover.

Griffin and Chloe playing in the sand. Isn't Chloe's hair cute?

Of course I made them pose for a bunch of pictures before we left the lake that day.

They all wanted a turn holding Taegan and getting there picture taken.

Cute Sisters Ella and Taegan

Taya also loving Taegan

Chloe loves being a big cousin now and loves to help take care of Tyce and Taegan.

I thought this one was precious

We were having fun writing in the sand. I heart all of my nieces and nephews

I also heart Bear Lake

Family Photo Shoot

On Thursday July 9th we had family pictures taken. This is a much dreaded event by all! It is almost impossible to get all the little ones to cooperate. Here are a couple of the photos that I snuck in over the photographers head. I hope that the her pictures turn out much better than mine. I'm sure they will. The kids 4th of July outfits were perfect for family pictures.

Anderson Family

Beck Family

Budge Family

I thought this was cute of Jess playing peek-a-boo with Taegan. Griffin and my mom look just as entertained.

My mom and dad with all of their grandkids.

It was really tough getting all of these little ones to cooperate. Taegan was not loving it if she wasn't being held by her mom, Tyce would not sit still for one second, and we couldn't get the others to all look at the camera at the same time. But we weren't really expecting it to be a cakewalk.

Finally they could just play together!

Sorry Ramsey and Ashley I guess I didn't get a photo of the two of you, and the pictures of myself are too cheesy to post.

Grandpa and Grandma Nielsen

July is an exciting month for my Nielsen grandparents as they celebrate their wedding anniversary and both of their birthdays. They were married on July 3rd and just celebrated their 63rd anniversary. My Grandpa still carries in his wallet pictures of my grandma that she sent him while he was in the navy several years before they were married. He finally made a copy of the pictures because they were getting so worn out after carrying them around for over 60 years in a wallet. I need to get a copy of the pictures for myself. I think they have such a great love story. I wonder if I could find a guy out there to marry that is as cool as my grandpa. I'm not sure if guys like him exist in my age group:). They are both such great examples to me.

My Grandpa turned 88 on July 12th. He is such an amazing man! I love hearing stories from his past. I thought I had heard them all but I still am learning new things about him. I also love hearing him play the organ (even when my Grandma gets after him for playing it too loud:). He is an avid gardner and I love that he is so willing to share his produce with all of us.

I stole the wedding picture above along with this picture of my Grandpa during his Navy years and the following sentiments from my Aunt Barbara's blog because I thought she described him so well.

He was a successful missionary, husband, father, dairy farmer, active community leader, grandfather and great grandfather and a very honest hard working man who has lived a really good life for all of these 88 years.

He sure was a handsome young man.

I was lucky enough to be able to celebrate with him twice. His birthday was on a Sunday so my family took him to dinner on Saturday night and again on Monday night with some of my Aunts and cousin Jenna. Saturday night at dinner I sat by him which was great because then I got to hear some of those good stories. I am so amazed by his health and he told me that he hasn't been to a doctor in 8 years besides the eye doctor and he doesn't take any medication. Pretty impressive for a guy his age. He does like to get home before it's dark so it's hard to get him to stick around at parties for a long time.

My Grandma will turn 84 on July 21st. She is also an amazing woman. I loved going to grandma's house as a kid (and still do). It was such a treat because she took such great care of us and made the best breakfast. It seems like even if it was something simple like oatmeal it was a fancy meal because she made everything so nice all the way down to how she set the table. She is one of the best cooks, a dinner at Grandma's was the best! I think when I would go to her house the first stop was always the cookie jar. She always looks great too with her hair and make-up done and she dresses nice. I think the only time I've seen her without make-up and being all done up was when she was in the hospital. I always have thought of her as such a classy lady. She probably worries about me when she stops by in the afternoons and i'm still in my pajamas with no make-up on and my hair in a pony tail. (What can I say, I get really lazy in the summer or on Saturdays:).) It's hard to see my Grandma slowing down a bit and in pain frequently. She still manages to have a great attitude and gets out a lot even though it's kind of hard on her.

I feel so blessed that while I was growing up I lived close to my Nielsen grandparents. They have always been a big part of my life supporting me in everything that I do from dance recitals, birthday parties, graduations, and staying up to date on what I'm doing. I am glad that I still get to see them frequently. They rarely miss a family function. They take so much pride in their family even the ones they don't get to see very often, they love talking about their posterity with anyone that will listen.

I hope that I get to celebrate many more birthdays with them!

4th of July Fun

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays! I love everything about it: fireworks, feeling of patriotism, summer weather, traditions, parades, ice cream, homemade rootbeer, and above all being with family, including extended family. The 4th is a big holiday for the Nielsen Family and I am glad that we were able to see so many cousins and relatives.

Here we are waiting for the Logan fireworks to start on July 3rd. I love going into the stadium for the fireworks so I'm glad that everyone went inside this year. It was pretty windy and we were nervous they would have to be cancelled.

My mom buys all of the grandkids matching patriotic outfits for the grandkids so they always have to endure a photo session.

We always go to the Hyrum Lions breakfast the morning of the 4th and it's typical that we show up at the tail end. This year they had ran out of food by the time we got there so we had to go elsewhere. We ended up going to the Cracker Barrel in Paradise for breakfast and it was really good. Some in the family think that should be our new tradition but I am pretty resistant to change. The Lion's breakfast is really not very tasty, but I'm all about tradition. It did feel pretty patriotic being in the small town and the Cracker Barrel is a classic.

Anderson Kids

Beck Sisters

Budge family

Waiting for the Hyrum Parade to start with Jenna and Trevor.

Waiting for candy, doesn't Griffin look protective of all his cousins

The Nielsen clan gathered at the parade. A tradition of the Nielsen family that is many, many, years older than me. In all my 29 years I've never missed the Hyrum Parade. As I was talking to my Grandma she doesn't think they have missed a parade since they started going decades ago and wishes that we had documented it somehow, so I might go on a little quest and try to find pictures of us gathered at the parade each year. I know the parade really isn't very good it has become more of an advertisement parade than a float parade and some of my cousins have decided to quit coming, which I get, but I still just love being there for the small town celebration with family and fighting the crazy crowds for candy and especially trying to stake out a parade spot the night before. Getting a parade spot on the square requires some stealth work especially for our large group.

I just had to post this awesome picture of Jeremy since he was so generous to be the photographer. So typical.

Making the kids get another photo at the square.

After the parade we all gathered at my Grandma and Grandpa Nielsen's house for a picnic. I'm glad that so many came I'm thinking that it needs to become an official reunion, like it used to be when we were kids but now just the R. Lynn Nielsen family.

Mandy brought over the slip n' slide for the kids. We'll have to plan it better next year so everyone can have a swimsuit (it is fun to see Payson in his underwear but he might out grow that soon).

Ella on the slide

Taya going on her belly

Griff was a speed demon, watch out below

Chloe running for another turn

Sydnee, I love this of Brandon who stood at the bottom drinking water. He's a cutey.

That night it was also the Cache Valley Cruise In' main street parade. My brother-in-law Mike A. restored a VW bus a couple years ago. This year he finally decided to enter it into the cruise in' I think mostly for the parade. I wish I knew all the details about his bus, but I do know that when he bought it it was basically just a rusted frame of the bus. He really did an amazing job restoring it. It took several years and he still is always looking for ways to improve it. He loves to take it on family camping trips.

All the kids loved going for a cruise in the bus during the parade.

Kirstyn and I had to get a few model shots with the bus.

Syd and I enjoying the cruise in'

Tyce is always on the go

It was a great 4th of July!!!

God Bless America