Ohiopyle State Park

June 6-7

Matt's vacation days turnover at the end of June. Matt had one day left and of course I was not about to let him loose a single minute of paid vacation so last minute he took his day and I planned a VERY last minute camping trip to a nearby state park called Ohiopyle. Let me tell you this is one of the coolest state parks I've been to and I have been to a lot!! It felt like we were on a high all weekend long. Carter looked like he was in a dream world, Matt loved showing him how "to be a man," and I loved sitting back and watching the two boys I love more than anyone else in the world have so much fun and enjoyment (and I LOVED being in nature once again). Growing up my family was always camping (and if I still lived in UT I would still be camping with them all the time) so it felt awesome being back and doing something I have a deep passion for.

Camping here we come!

Now to be honest, I thought it was mostly going to be Carter who would be head over heals in love with getting down and dirty little did I realize by "bigger boy" Matt would be just as crazy about it. If you don't watch any other video clips you really should watch these next two since they are totally Matt.





Carter exploring and playing in the campsite:

Cucumber Falls

Matt's about to go behind the waterfall.

Carter was pretty obsessed with throwing rocks.

Hanging out on the edge of Youghigeny River. It was high and fast.

Carter had three favorite things this trip: throwing rocks, playing in dirt/mud, and pushing his truck around the campsite. If you look close enough you can see the mud stuck in his rolls around his wrists.

I absolutely love watching these two play together!

Classic Matt!

Rite of Passage: Learning how to roast a marshmallow.

On our second day we hiked to Cascade Falls and on the way our exhausted boy fell asleep in what looked like a very uncomfortable place for his face.

Matt enjoying the wake up call from the nice, freezing water.

What a great play place for Carter, couldn't ask for better "ambiance."
Once again, CLASSIC Matt, the only thing better would be the Dolphin, right Mom?

After we left Cascade Falls we went to a natural water slide. It was awesome!! The water was really high and thus pretty rough so I didn't go down, but Matt did seeing as a few girls went down and Matt couldn't possibly get shown up by a girl. I tried to upload the video I took of it, but it would not load. Too bad because it's a great video!

As we were packing up, Carter was wanting attention that we couldn't give him so Matt let him have his cell phone to play with. Well, next thing we knew Carter was throwing rocks into the little babbling brook that went through our campsite and Matt asked with alarm, "Where's my cell phone?" Yep, sure enough there was Matt's cell phone lying in the water. Thus, Matt is on his fourth phone in 12 months. Thank goodness for insurance!

Well, thanks Ohiopyle for all the fun memories!! We truly enjoyed this natural water park. Bye, bye!!

Aunt Whitney's Graduation Part 2

If you are wanting to start in order and have not yet read the below post, I suggest you go there now.

Thanks to my mother-in-law I got my USB cord back so I couldn't finish downloading my pictures onto my computer and finish blogging about our surprise trip out to KC for my sis-in-law's high school graduation.

My father-in-law Jay has a riding lawn mower that Carter seemed pretty fascinated with everytime he saw it in the garage. He wasn't too sure of the load motor once he got on it though.

The day of graduation finally came and Whitney got all dolled up in this adorable dress and accessorized with her favorite and only nephew. Lookin good girl.

At graduation...

When we were out taking pictures right before the ceremony, there were a bunch of buses out on the street and Carter was MESMORIZED by them.

If you haven't noticed in all the pictures of dressed up in her graduation attire she is pretty decorated. Amongst many other honors, Whitney graduation Valedictorian in her class. She endured many stressful days and nights for that and we are mighty proud of her!!! Good luck to all your many adventures to come Whit, we love you!!!

Aunt Whitney's Graduation

Over Memorial Day weekend Matt, Carter and I decided to fly out to Kansas City, MO (Matt's hometown) to surprise his sister Whitney for her highschool graduation (Sorry Tom and Kim for not mentioning anything, I just got too sidetracked till it was too late). I was so impressed with all those who were in on the surprise for not letting the cat out of the bag. We started planning this I think back in February and were so excited about it. Towards the end Matt's mom Bonnie had to almost stop talking to Whitney all together because she was so nervous she was going to slip. There were several close calls when Bonnie had to think quick on her feet so as to not give any clues away. For instance there were several things she was buying and putting in the cupboards such as kiddie snacks and sippy cups that Whit would question and Bonnie would have to say that's for when Carter is coming. To which Whit would say, "Uh, we don't even know when the next time will be," and Bon would reply, "I know I am just getting prepared." Now this might sound kind of fishy to alot of you out there, but if any of you knew "Bonnie the Grandmother" you would know she hardly thinks of anything else but her little Carter and future grandbabies so it is not rare for her to buy things "to be prepared." The day before we came out Bonnie walked in the door from the grocery store with a gallon of whole milk and Whitney wondered why in the world she bought WHOLE MILK??? And poor Bonnie had to play it off like she had lost her mind and picked up the whole milk instead of the skim. But let's be honest we've all done that with one product or another at the grocery store. Thus, our little secret was safe till the end.

We flew in Thursday morning and went straight to the house. Whitney was up playing guitar hero with her brother Cory, who drove down from Minneapolis for her grad. We walked in and she thought she heard a baby and when she came to look she just stood there screaming and shaking. It was so fun. So now it was my turn to be ditzy, but I wasn't acting. I had turned on our camera and walked in first to get it all on video and was so stoked about the great footage I was getting and then I went to push the button to stop and then I saw the word "REC." AH, Dang it!!! I missed the whole thing. But here was the part I got, still pretty good:



While we were there we got some good porch sitting in. I know this sounds lame, but it is honestly one of my favorite things to do at my in-laws. They have a beautiful backyard and it is extremely peaceful. I think it was Carter's favorite thing to do as well.




This was our first evening there and it just seemed perfect. The weather wasjust slightly brisk with a soft breeze, Carter was thriving being with his family and exploring this awesome backyard, and Matt and I couldn't be happier with the company.






Three of Carter's favorite things to do outside was drive trucks along the blocks that bordered the flower beds, drink "pop" (really cherry limeade) out of the can (it had to be on his own), and throw the many rocks that were in the backyard.


He looked like such a big boy to me drinking from a can by himself. He did a pretty good job at it too.





While in KC all of us really wanted to get Jay and Bonnie's jet skiis out to the lake that's about 15 minutes away. It rained everyday and was kind of chilly. Saturday, we had a break in the rain and the sun came out in the afternoon. Though the temps were still cool we decided to brave the chilly water and go to the lake. Matt, Cory and Whitney all wakeboarded and waterskiied. I played on the jet skii the whole time. I got drenched from head to toe but still wasn't ready to make a full plundge into the water. I know what my mom is thinking right now, that I have gotten soft in my old age and she is right.




Carter liked riding on the jet ski for just short spurts at a time. He wasn't a huge fan, but it was still fun to take him along.

Grandma and Grandpa were nice enough (or should be I say wimpy enough) to stay a shore the whole time and chase Carter around.

At the lake we found out something new about Carter, he loves Cheetos. But more than his own love for Cheetos he loves feeding Cheetos to those around him...

especially Aunt Whitney. Carter sure had a case of the Whitneys this trip. He couldn't get enough of her. She is an incredible Aunt so I don't blame him.

"I love Cheetos, YUM YUM!!"

Carter and Whitney also had a big Wrestling Mania tournament. I think Carter won.

Here is a baby deer we heard bleating for it's mother. It was horribly sad to see it lying there shaking and scared. It looked like it was brand new. It was the evening and night would be coming soon and we were so worried another animal would come along and eat it. We let a park ranger know where it was, but she didn't seem to be as concerned as we were. I hope it survived.


Friday night was Baccelorette (sp?) night. I never knew about these until I married into the Nielsen family. This night is the spiritual side of graduation. They get church leaders from the area to come and talk (this is all religions not a Mormon thing). Anyway, usually they are pretty good from what I have heard, but the two pastors who spoke that night were rather uninspiring. I was a little disappointed. But here are some pictures anyway.

Matt, Whitney and Cory... can you tell they're sibilings? :)
Whitney with the future graduate, maybe even from Liberty high like his Dad and all his Nielsen Uncles and Aunt.
I have more pictures to post, but I left the cord to get the pictures off my camera onto the computer in KC so once that comes I will finish up.

The Husband Tag

Well, I suppose it is about time I get around to this tag from a few weeks ago. I've really enjoyed reading everybody else's so I thought I should actually do this one.


1. What is his name? Matthew Dean Nielsen

2. How long have you been married? In about a month (June 25) well will have been married 6 years.

3. How long did you date? We found out each other existed on January 6, we were engaged March 1, and married June 25. So about six months start to finish. Gotta love BYU romance.

4. Who eats more? Have you seen my husband eat? That is one thing I have always loved about him is his appetite. I take after my mom in that way, we love a good eater.

5. Who said I love you first? This is a tricky one. It was two weeks after we started dating Matt had already brought up marriage and then we were on my doorstep and I was saying something about since we've already talked marriage we should probably say... and then Matt blurted out "I love you." It was really romantic, not really.

6. Who sings better? Matt wins this one hands down. He has a beautiful singing voice.

7. Who is taller? Matt by about six inches.

8. Whose temper is worse? Definitely mine!! But when Matt blows on rare occasion, watch out!!

9. Who does the laundry? Last time Matt did laundry my whites turned brown.

10. Who does the dishes? Me, it's therapeutic because I actually get something accomplished.

11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Matt does, but every house is a different story.

12. Who does the cooking? I do, unless it is being cooked on the grill, then it's him.

13. Who is more stubborn? Me for the most part, but we both have our areas.

14. Who proposed? He did.

15. Who is most likely to admit that they are wrong? Matt, but I think there is a reason behind that, he is most likely wrong. :)

16. Whose parents do you see the most? Probably Matt's, but they come to visit more often.

17. Who pays the bills? He makes the money, I do the bill paying.

18. Who wears the pants? I'm not sure so I'll just go with Matt on this one.

19. Why do you love your husband? Loaded question. The reason I married him in the first place is because he is a GOOD man. He is good in the gospel, good at loving me, good with our son Carter, good at working hard, good at having fun, good at keeping up with my brothers, good at loving and appreciating my parents, good and respectful to his parents, all around a GOOD man.

20. Who are three people you are going to tag? Jen, Holly, and Kira

The Reason for the Season

Here are several pictures of the Reason I celebrate Mother's Day...







...my Beautiful little Boy Carter! He was looking so handsome on Mother's Day we had to take pictures.


Thanks for making me a Mommy!! You were worth the wait!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Well April has come and gone with May well underway and I have hardly touched any of my April blogging. So this post will be a catchup post for my journal sake. First, I must say how much I have enjoyed Carter this last month. Carter has gotten to such a "big boy" age and everyday he keeps getting bigger. My love for him has grown ten fold. With that I will show you what he and us have been up to.

Carter has been long overdue on getting his own "Y" hat, now he can be just like big buddy Tyler T.


There has been plenty of horsing around with Daddy (when Daddy is actually home of course).


Here's a biggie for this month, we are finally retiring our play basket. We waited until it was in such shreds that it could no longer stand to hold another toy and it did indeed get there. Thank you basket for all the memories.

In fact here is one trip down memory lane.



Carter's imagination seems to be exploding. He is enjoying his little people and their cars. He always places them in the cars facing the right direction. My mom gave him little Fisher Price missionaries for Easter and he almost always puts them together whenever he uses his two seaters. He is still into matchbox cars and has found a new passion for trucks (also a new favorite word). I LOVE to just sit and watch him play, he fascinates me!




Lots of playing at the park with buddies.


Carter with the two kids I nanny, I love these three kids.
My husband Matt has a very special talent that anyone with kids has seen, little kids are drawn to Matt (esp. little girls) and playing with them is like 2nd nature to him.



We had a few trips to the zoo, one even included Dad. I love this video because as soon as we strolled up to Lions he pointed at them and said "Roar" out of the blue.


The boy has kept up his love affair with the binky!


Carter has discovered a love for the rain.


There was even time this month to get into a little mischief.