Apple Picking...

Autumn is such a great time of year. The temperature is great, football begins, and all the Holidays are around the corner. 

Today Annalise got to hang out with Andrew (her little boyfriend), and the rest of the Nelson crew (Heather and Jo Jo) when they brought us Apple picking.

We took a hay ride...       

Picked some Apples...

(Annalise started eating the apple as soon as I picked it off of the tree.) 

Then we took some pictures as fruits and veggies, which the kids loved. 

It was a fun day, and I can't wait to go back and pick out some pumpkins!!

(Hopefully Annalise wont pick up the pumpkin and eat it like she did the apple!)

Look Whos Walking!!

Annalise started balancing yesterday while we were at a birthday party, and she took a couple of steps. Then today after dinner we got her to walk back and forth to us... and now she has come to the realization that she has the ability to walk!! Here are a couple of videos right when she started to to come to that realization....

Our first steps!!!

So on Sunday we got up in the morning and went to church. I was teaching the young women class and my sister had Annalise out in the hallway because all she wanted to do was scream. Annalise was walking around the building holding Corinn's fingers. Then all of a sudden she saw Keith Hitchner and she just let go and took her first two steps.
As soon as it happened Corinn said Oh My Gosh! Which meant, oh no, I am in trouble....she took her first steps and Kelsey was not here. But I am not too dissapointed, and it is fun to have Annalise walking everywhere. She still has not taken steps in front of me yet, but in a couple of weeks I think I am going to have my hands full.

And on top of that Annalise has also been growing four teeth in all at the same time. Who's idea was that? I just hope they come in quickly so I can begin to get more sleep. But look what a cute movie star smile she is making:

Kids are too fun! I love being a mom!

Here is a video of Annalise trying to walk....she is getting close!

One year older and wiser too.....

I can't believe it. My baby is already 1. Annalise had her birthday on Saturday and she is officially no longer my little newborn (I am in denial.)

So two nights before her birthday we went to Nifity Fifties, and the servers came and sang happy birthday to Annalise. Here is the before picture:

Here is the after:I don't think she likes the Happy Birthday Song.

The morning of her birthday she got to go swimming with Grandma and Grandpa Lawrence and Auntie Amy....

She loves swimming, so it is too bad that the summer is coming to an end.

Annalise had her birthday party on Saturday......

a ladybug birthday party. It was so fun making the cake....

We also had a lot of fun with her friends. We played some music...

Then we read........and made some ladybugs out of plates.

Then we ate some Mac N'Cheese and Chicken Nuggets while Annalise opened her presents....

And of course ate some cake....

We sang happy birthday one more time with her 1 year candle....I tried to get her to blow it out...she wasn't interested. Maybe next year. It has been an awesome first year as a mommy.....and I can't wait to see what Annalise will do next. (which will probably be walking.....ahhh!) She is a blessing to our family, and I hope for many more birthdays to come.

Weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries....

Well as I had previously stated it was a busy couple of weeks with girls camp and my brothers wedding, but it was all worth it....I think.

Girls Camp turned out great.

We had 11 girls come, which is the most that have ever attended.

The weather was perfect while we were there....nice and cool (especially compared to last year when it was stinkin hot and I was 9 months pregnant). We of course cannot have girls camp without a little drama, but all in all, we made it out alive. It is mostly thanks to Deanna for everything turning out so great....so thanks Bishop Hilton for letting us borrow your wife for a week!!!

Last Tuesday Annalise and I flew out to Utah for my brothers wedding. It was quite the adventure trying to get on a flight. We flew on a buddy pass that my sister-in-law was kind enough to share with us. Which ment we flew standby, but we weren't having very much luck getting on a flight. We tried to go direct and it was full, so we flew to Cincinnatti and tried to catch a flight from there to SLC, but they were all full and so we tried to run to three different gates to catch connecting flights, but despite my running abilities we were not succesful in making it to the gate in time. To make this shorter, I ended up flying into Las Vegas and driving with my bro and sis in law from there, it was quite the adventure....and the wedding had not even started. Kevin tried the same thing on Thursday and Friday, and unfortunatly never made it out there.....so maybe he just needed a weekend to himself to miss me and Annalise. You know what people say...

"Distance makes the heart grow fonder." :)

So while in Utah we had a baby shower for my two sister-in-laws on wednesday.....they are to two cutest pregnant people ever....

Then a wedding shower on Thursday for my new sister-in-law Lauren...

Then the sealing was on Friday ..... congrats Matt and Lauren.....

followed by the grooms dinner....

Then the reception was on Saturday....

So needless to say, there was no rest for the weary. We had a lot of fun. But after two weeks away from home, I was soooo ready to come home.


In the meantime among all of this chaos it was my birthday on the 2nd, I am 27 now, that is so weird. I am now closer to 30 then ever before, but that is fine, because my shortness keeps me young.

And Kevin and I had our anniversary on Sunday (the 17th)We have been married for 6 years now.....wow how fast it goes. I have loved every minute of it....Kevin is the most amazing person I know, and who else could be as patient as he is with me?And he makes the cutest baby.....just look at her.

Until my next novel....TTFN.

Pianos, Parties and Pioneers

This last week we had an awesome pioneer breakfast celebreation at church. As you can see, they used to wear sneakers and flip flops back in the day....Well, maybe they didn't, but we did. We had a fun time dressing up and enjoying stories....thanks Jon and Alyson!

So the next couple of weeks are going to be a little crazy for me. My birthday is on Saturday, and then I have girls camp next week, which I am looking forward to. I love girls camp, I have gone every year since I was 12 (except one) and I think it is a wonderful experience for everyone to do atleast once. However I am not looking forward to the heat, humidity, bugs and sleeping on the most uncomforable cots for a whole week. We have 11 girls going to camp this year, which is awesome, the most ever and I hope they have a good experience like I have in the past..... Then after girls camp is my brothers wedding, which is so cool. Now all five kids in my family will be married and I am so proud of all of my brothers and sister for being worthy to get married in the temple and have eternal families. It is all thanks to my wonderful parents for raising us as well as they did despite our whinning and fighting and thinking that the world revolved around us....thanks mom and dad!

Well you know I can't write on my blog without bragging about Annalise, so here is a video of her playing piano this week. I think it is a more modern piece.......but you can tell me if you think she has something worth composing.

Have a good couple of weeks everyone......I will let you know how it all goes when I get back!!