Back-to-school Shopping

Clifford starts school in about 2 weeks (Kristjan goes back the week after Clifford). Time is starting to run out, and we needed to buy Clifford some new clothes for school. This summer Clifford and I have been butting heads over what he wears. So I told Pete he would be the one to take Clifford for his back-to-school shopping trip and let Clifford pick out what he wants to wear. Every day this past week I've been on Pete's case to take Clifford shopping, but he just never got around to it. While we were all out and about running errands I made Pete stop at Old Navy, and we would finally finish clothes shopping (the other day I bought Clifford some jeans, underwear, and socks).

In my mind, this is what I envisioned shopping for new clothes to be like (after all, I was excited to be taking my oldest shopping for clothes for his first day of kindergarten!): we would go in and take our time looking around at everything. I would let Clifford pick out everything he liked, then try on clothes and narrow down the selection. I envisioned buying him a nice colorful button-up dress shirt for him to wear the first day of school.

The reality of it??: the trip literally took 5 minutes!!! What?! While I was busy looking around at the boys' selections, Pete (quickly) went through with Clifford and picked out a pair of cargo-pants and 3 shirts: one brown, one camo, and one a 'ninja turtle'. Clifford had no desire for the nice looking button-up shirt. Instead, he plans on wearing the 'ninja turtle' shirt the first day of school. When I complained to Pete about how there was still other items to look at, he said to me "welcome to shopping for boys".

Oh well. At least Clifford picked out some clothes that he liked and he's completely taken care of for school. Next weekend will be Kristjan's turn for shopping. I have a feeling Kristjan's shopping trip will be a bit different than Clifford's, since Kristjan likes to shop. Maybe I'll make it a 'mommy date' and we'll go out to lunch before shopping. Wish me luck!

Nielsen Family Reunion 2010

Last weekend was the annual Nielsen Family Reunion. This year it was held in Westport. It was a BLAST!!! I enjoy going to the Nielsen family reunion. I think what I like best (beside the good food) is the people. What's awesome about everyone is no one is perfect, you can be yourself, and (most) everyone doesn't judge you for who you are. Growing up my family never did anything like this. I love sitting back and watching my boys run around with their cousins, and the memories that are being created for them. Thank you Aunt Janet for organizing this years reunion! I have TONS of pics from the reunion. If you want a disc made with copies, just email me and I'll have Pete work on it. Enjoy!

The boys had fun playing with their cousin Gavin. Kristjan especially made friends with him. They would 'talk' to each other (Gavin, of course, can only do his baby talk), but I think Kristjan could seriously understand him! It was really cute; had to be there to see it
Gizmo (Franie's baby)



Gavin pulling Pete around
This was some stranger's dog. He is soooo cute!!! Anyone know the breed???? I took the pic to have as a reference because I really want one!!
Kristjan enjoys spending time with his cousin Sierra


The weather down in Westport was beautiful. We spent hours down on the beach. We found tons of sand dollars to bring home as treasures. Pete flew his new kite (he let Clifford try to fly it. it seriously almost took him up in the air! Clifford moved a few feet in the sand). The kids played forever in the sand and in the water. We did some boogie boarding, with Aspen, Travis and David trying it for the first time. Even Daniel braved the cold water and tried it once. I really felt the time spent on the beach was relaxing and too short















Friday we took the boys and Aspen out to lunch and ice cream. It was really hot out and the ice cream was really soft. The kids tried really hard to keep up on their licking, but I think more ice cream ended up on them than in their mouth. Pete and I shared a 'total tsunami" (like a blizzard with every candy piece in it), but with it so hot out it was more like soup. Still tasted good though









On our campsite there was a little creek behind the trees full of frogs. Every kid there stayed busy while at camp trying to catch frogs. They were even successful at capturing some. It was funny seeing Clifford put a frog in one of his toy lego cages. I didn't witness it, but I heard Travis even dissected one!




On one of the days down there we went out to visit the little go-cart race track. It was so much fun. Rumor has it that next years reunion may be back down in Westport. If so, we'll definitely race again. The kids loved it, and the grown ups got competitive :)








Camping wouldn't be complete without roasting marshmallows and making ooey-gooey s'mores.


Here's Travis roasting FROG LEGS from one of the frogs he captured earlier in the day. This was AWESOME!! He said it tasted like chicken.





When Kelly and Toni arrived at the reunion, Kristjan came up to me and asked "Why are those girls with the pretty hair here?" I explained to him that they were our cousins, and he should go say hi to them (since by that comment he made I could tell he liked them and thought they were pretty). On the last night of the reunion, Pete took Kristjan over to reintroduce himself to Kelly (Mickey had done it the other day, but Kristjan was being too shy). Kelly was so sweet to Kristjan. She got him talking to her and even let him play with her hair. He even went and got his favorite barbie doll to show her. It was so cute!!

Kristjan was so happy to spend some time with Kelly. He still talks about her at home
Kristjan fell asleep on Kelly's lap. It looks like he has a smile on his face

Sunday was the last day of the reunion. Before leaving Westport we went into town with Daniel and his family for some seafood for lunch.