My whittle brover Blainey's wedding!

Yep, the final Nielsen has gotten hitched.  All eight have done the wedding thing.  Congrats, Blaine and Welcome Sani!

The wedding was beautiful!  And had some neat parts.  Because of Sani's Polynesian heritage they wore lays and wreaths on their heads.  And the music she walked down the isle to had a Polynesian feel to it.  They wrote their own vows and the tears were flowing.  Not just Sani, but me as well.  And I think Dave might have even been a little teary eyed.  President Orgil of the Grantsville West Stake, performed the ceremony and did a fantastic job.  It was very well done.  Then we had pictures, and ate dinner.  The dinner was so yummy!  I couldn't get enough.  And the groom's cake was awesome.  Not the taste because they didn't even cut it, but because it was a star trek cake!  I wish I would have taken a picture of it.  It was in the shape of the com buttons that they use to communicate on the ship.  Perfect for Blaine!  He is a major Star Trek fan.  He loves it!  He even dressed up as Jean Luke Piccard one year for Halloween.  Shaved his head to fit his hair style even.  It was pretty awesome!  They cut the cake and were nice to each other.  No shoving the cake in.  And finally at the end of the night Sani sang Jason Mraz's song "I'm Yours" to Blaine.  See my post below "New Found Love".  I thought that was really neat.  And she sings beautifully!  I was so impressed!  Overall it was a wonderful wedding!  And off they went to Lake Tahoe!  Have fun guys!  

Blaine and President Orgil.

Blaine waiting for Sani.

Sani being escorted by her brother.

The Beautiful Sani!

Thanksgiving and Surprises!

This year was really nice.  We were able to have all of my siblings at Thanksgiving this year!  Plus we had the newest additions with us.  Emily's new husband Jared and Blaine's finance Sani.  And it has been years since us eight siblings were all together with my parents too.  Needless to say it was a full house.  Two parents, 8 siblings, 7 significant others, and 12 grandkids.  I think with my mom being home after being gone for two years helped.  That and Blaine's wedding on the 29th.  Alan came from Texas and Melissa and Ben came from Seattle.  It was nice to see everyone.  

We also got to surprise my eldest brother Alan with a surprise birthday party of sorts.  We all submitted clues about Alan for a Crossword Puzzle and we did it all together.  I didn't get any pictures of that, but it was really fun.  My brother Alan has done some interesting things in his life.  I even got to learn a few new things about him that I didn't know.  To me it was pretty cool.  His birthday is actually on the 7th of December, but he was home now, so...  He turns 40 on the 7th, and we hope to be able to continue the tradition with each sibling as they turn 40.  

Thanksgiving was yummy!  There was lots of great food, family, fun and laughing.  It was a good time!  The big guys even got to go our shooting.  I think that was fun for them.  Dave was excited to shoot a muzzle loader.  Thank you, Jared! 

Here's a few pictures of the big table the teenager table and the little "guys" table.  

Mom explaining "how to get your food in the proper order".  Yes, there is a correct flow.

Mom still explaining, she shows us how to walk soon after this.

Here's one side of the table with our food.

Other side of table with food.

Ian, Maddy and Shayla at the "teen" table.

Kara, Savannah, Kamille and Mallory at the "teen" table.

Quinten, Connor and Rowan at the little "guys" table.

Alan sucking his helium from his birthday balloons.

Sister's Day

We sure are trying to pack everything in this weekend. Yesterday after my shower was one of the infamous sisters days. Where my mom and all my sisters and sister-in-laws go for a day of shopping, eating and laughter. And boy was there a lot of laughter. We went to Salt Lake, did shopping, went to Gardner Village for fudge, and a quick photo, more shopping, ate at Chick-fil-A, and went to Twilight. It was a blast. It also became a quick impromptu wedding shower for Sani. We asked her questions about Blaine and gave answers to the same questions that Blaine answered about her. Then we gave her a gift card to get her hair done and a pedicure on her wedding day. All in all it was a great time. We were sad that Emily couldn't make it, being married the day before and sad that Maren had to leave early due to a baby-sitting conflict. But we were glad she could come while she could. It was a ton of fun! And I look forward the next Girls Day, as always!

Baby Shower

My sisters and my mother threw me a baby shower yesterday. I felt very loved. They put together a really nice event. We had lots of good food and great company! Thank you all so much for putting it together. You are all wonderful. Here are a few photos from the shower.Here is one of the quilt that the guests tied while at the shower. My neices really got into it and finished it off with the help of Sani. Here are all the wonderful workers helping to get the food and drinks ready.

Here are some of the guests we had in attendance.

Here is my Aunt Gayle, my cousin Pam and her two girls, Alaina and Collete.

My neices, Madeline, Kamille and Savannah (mini Madeline).

My soon to be sister-in-law Sani.

Mi Madre.

My Aunt Linda.

My sister-in-law Maren, Loren's wife.

Here is me and my cousin Sarah.

Here are my neices Shayla, Kara and Mallory.

Here is my cousin Katrina and two of her three boys.

Here are some of the cute and fun presents I got.

A way cute finger puppet set from Maren. I really look forward to playing with this one.

This is a nice big hooded towel that Sani gave me. I think this is going to be really nice to have. Its plenty big so Xander can use it for years.

Here are the two big presents I got. A stroller (all terrain) and a bouncer/swing that is compactable to take with me when we go places. From my sisters, Marianne, Jen, Melissa and Emily, my sister-in-laws Maren and Sani (soon to be anyway), and my Mother.

Thank you all so much for everything. I know there were several other gifts given, and I truly appreciate those. I also have to apologize to Melissa, Marianne, and Jen. There were no pictures taken of you three. Melissa was taking the photos during the presents, Marianne was in the kitchen still getting things ready, and Jen was busily writing down what gifts I got what advice people gave me. Thank you all so much! I love my sisters more than words can express. Thank you so much for a wonderful shower. Maren, Sani, Mom, Marianne, Jen and Melissa. You are all so wonderful!!

Emily's Wedding

My sister Emily got married last night. It was a really nice ceremony. Then we got to experience the Chocolate Fountains that the Johnsons put together. I tell you they were amazing. Anything you could want to dip was there. Sorry, I know the pregnant woman going on and on about the food. Emily looked lovely and it was nice to see the new little blended family. Jared is way awesome and we are all so glad to have him part of our family. Not to mention he makes my sister very happy. Here are a few photos from the event.

Here a few of the family that I took. I didn't get a lot taken. And I am wishing I got one of the food and the fountain. Maybe one of my siblings or mother did that I can post later.

New Found Love

I happen to be scanning on the radio and came across this song, and fell in LOVE with it.  I don't know what else his other songs sound like, but this song is so fun.  Its bouncy and happy and I can't get enough of it.  Check it out!  Hopefully, I did the video thing right.

Jason Mraz

I'm Yours

Sweet sweets from a Sweetie!

I got such a wonderful surprise this morning.  My sister from Seattle come knocking on my door at 8:00 am, just as my alarm was getting ready to go off, with breakfast for me.  I had gone to see her last night and missed her and mom and she felt bad and wanted to come and bring me a nice treat.  Cinnamon Rolls, Orange Juice and some great morning conversation.  It reminded me of the days when we shared a room.  If you wanted to wake up Melissa just go and start talking to her, she will be wide awake in two seconds.  It was a nice trip down memory lane.  I loved it!  It was really nice and a great way to start my day.  Thanks, Melissa!