Tyler's Big Day

I got a new camera while out shopping last Friday. That early morning shopping trip was an adventure for sure. I am not sure if I will do it again next year, but I did get some great deals. I was getting sick and tired of only having cell phone pics.

Tyler turned 12 this Sunday and recieved the Aaronic Priesthood. He did a fabulous job reciting the 13th article of faith (same one I did so many years ago). I am thrilled that Tyler has advanced through primary and moved onto young mens. He is beyond happy about this change. The ordination took place in the Bishop's office after church. I was happy that the girls were able to be there to witness their big brother taking this great step in the right direction.
My daughters waiting for the ordination.

Marshall and Tyler...father and son. I love these two.

Our Bishop with the Nickel men.

I am so bossy.


Happy day in the Marshall Nickel house!

Nickel Grandparents-they are so supportive of Tyler. They ended up changing their flight home from AZ so they could make it home in time. Smith grandparents are serving a mission and couldn't make it, but we could feel them cheering him on. :)

The best of times.

Marshall took off this weekend to spend time with some of his family in UT. His grandpa will be 90 this year. I am sure they had some great talks. This is a picture of Marshall with his baby brother in build-a-bear. Walt has a son that is a week older than our Samantha. I am assuming they were in there for Eli.

Marshall sent a few pictures of the men taking afternoon naps on the sofa with foxnews on, I am sure. Here is grandpa, dad, and little bro.

Okay, now onto the real reason for the post. Samantha is 3 today! Aunt Juli gave her this t-shirt. It fits Samantha perfectly! She is always begging Juli to sneak her some candy when I am not looking. Of course Juli can't resist this face, could you?

Here we are headed to Tyler's soccer game today. Hannah carried the hot chocolate and Samantha brought along her new stroller (with Diego in it). I talked her out of the "Whoopsie" baby. It goes to the bathroom in its pants, why would anyone in their right mind by that?? This stroller was a perfect distraction. It only took Tyler about 30 minutes to put it together. What a good brother. He was so frustrated by the end, but it was all worth it. She was so happy. One of my favorite things (if you didn't know already) is going to watch my kids play sports. Tyler had one of his best defensive games today. They ended up winning 3-1.

Samantha didn't want to blow her candles out and asked Hannah to do it for her. They ended up all helping out.

Happy birthday to my baby...the finale! We have reached perfection with this one.

Birthdays Everywhere!

We have a busy birthday month. Hannah's birthday is today, Samantha will be 3 on Saturday and then Tyler will be 12 at the end of the month. Today was all about Hannah. I made her waffles this morning, brought Lakewood donuts to her class, took her to buy a fish tank and fish this afternoon (no beta fish until Wednesday though), dinner, then a soccer game! So far her team is 4-0! Being her coach has been one of the best things we have done together. I am loving it!

This is the cobb salad she wanted for her birthday. It was so good and they loved all the meat in it.

Coldstone cupcakes. They were delicious!

We love our special little girl. For now she is still little...

California

I got back a week or so ago from a wonderfully relaxing weekend with my sisters. We met up in Newport Beach for 4 days. We played at the beach, ate yummy food, worked out, laughed hysterically, read...basically anything we felt like doing. It would have been more fun with our husbands, but they were all home taking care of the kids. So many of you know that my two sisters have been models. So, when you look at these pictures it is pretty obvious. I don't know how to act serious while taking a picture.
Kirsten and Heather cleaning the sand off their feet at Newport Beach.

Kirsten looks perfect in every picture. I just tried to have fun.
This was taken at the second hotel we stayed at.

Heather was totally obsessed with gathering shampoos/conditioners and lotions from the hotel. If one of the cleaning ladies turned their backs she filled her pockets. Heather thought her daughters would love them for "prizes".

I love my sisters. We are a a bit different, and a lot alike. It is so easy to be with the 2 of them. It was too funny to hear Kirsten call her GPS "a liar" as she is swerving thru traffic with the music blasting. I was happy to have my seat belt on and just had to laugh.

When Marshall picked me up at the airport with 3 of my girls I couldn't stop laughing as I told them the hilarious things that happend while we were in Newport Beach. I couldn't catch my breath and my tears were streaming down my face. I think having my girls see that sisters are friends that you will keep forever and I hope cultivate that relationship through the years.

Where I have been.

Well, I have had requests to update my blog...okay, just one (Juli), but it is about time.

I have been busy running...I just ran my first half marathon last weekend in Richland, WA along the Columbia River and it was beautiful. During the 10th mile it got tough, but I got through it just fine. The training was fun, but now I am ready to hit the gym again. Running has gotten a little boring and some other muscles need attention again. This is Keirra and I finishing up. I look like I am about die...not the most attractive picture.

While in the tri-cities area we were able to visit the LDS temple on this windy day. I am so thankful for the blessings of the temple. To know that my family can be together forever is a gift.

My other running buddy, Tiffany. Tiff's family came and played around with us for two days. Nothing like taking 9 kids to the mall while the men were at Priesthood session...we survived. That might have been more difficult than the run!

Mine and most of Tiffany's kids in front of the temple.

This next picture might look abusive, but it is Emily's invention as we were driving 4 hours home on Sunday afternoon. This was a "head rest".

I have also been busy getting the Primary Program organized to be performed later this month. It is one of my favorite Sundays of the year to hear the kids (ages 3-11) do the songs and all the talks for our Sunday meeting.
I also started coaching my daughter, Hannah's, indoor soccer team. We decided on "Wildcats". Games start in a week or so, but for now we are having a great time practicing. They love to scrimage, but I had to get them out of the habbit of asking to play a "fake game". It is called a scrimage!
Hannah took this picture outside when she was playing in the yard with her sisters who are also on a team. This is an exciting year for me...4 out of the 5 kids on a soccer team...and they love it!

Bunnies in the park

The girls and I frequently go to the park while Tyler is at soccer practice nearby. Tonight there was a family there with their several rabbits. 3 adults and about 5 newborns. My girls went crazy except Samantha who wasn't too sure about them. The owner wouldn't let the girls hold the babies, because if they get an unfamiliar scent on them their mother might reject them and refuse to feed them. So we just looked at the cute wee ones.
Hannah, Sara and Samantha

The babies all snuggling together.

Hannah protecting her baby sister, Samantha from the red-eyed rabbits.

Emily by the little ones, wanting so badly to pick one up.

Sara and Hannah couldn't stay away. Emily, Samantha and I went over to play, but these two stayed near the animals.

By the way my kids all love their teachers this year and are having fun so far!

American Lake with Smith Cousins

It was over 100 degrees out the day we went boating on American Lake with my favorite Blackner...now Smith, Stephanie. I have never been on the lake with wind rushing by, soaking wet, and still hot! Crazy summer weather in WA.




Samantha and cousin Hewitt


Thomas(Stephanie), Savannah (Heather), Sara(mine) and Eliza (Heather)



Sara and Emily on the boat-Hannah and cousing Emma in the back

Sara and Eliza tubing...this looks like pure bliss.

The night before I drove the kids to UT my favorite little brother, Stephen, flew into town. I got to pick him up from the airport and see him for about an hour. Can you believe he wore scrubs to his mother in laws 50th birthday party?! Funny kid. We always have a great time and it was over WAY too soon.

Seattle

All of these fun activities in one day! I am so tired, but since I love Heather(my sister) I am adding these photos so she can see her girls while they are here in WA. We went up to Seattle, rode the monorail over to the Pacific Science center, did most of the exhibits, went out to the fountain and got wet and ate lunch, rode the rides at the carnival, rode the monorail back, got some delicious tarts, cookies, and crepes at westlake center, shopped, got some pie at Marie Callenders, and headed home for a sleepover with one more cousin we picked up on the way, Katie! I did drop Tyler off with them so there are still only 8 kids down here. 5 at my house tonight and 3 at Grandmas.

Arriving in Seattle for a day of fun.


The girls minus Eliza and Samantha. Eliza and Tyler offered up the last tickets to the other kids. So sweet of them. Trust me, they didn't miss out on a thing!


Sara too short for some of the rides. She cried...a little.


Emma and Tyler getting off the ride.


Science Center-Tyler and Eliza were pretending to be in the movie.


Space Needle with the 8 kids


Fountain in Seattle near key arena


Emma and Sara enjoying cotton candy and the view.

Life with 8 kids

Tyler is used to being outnumbered, but it has gotten ridiculous. My sister, Heather, sent her 3 oldest daughters out to WA from GA for 2 weeks. Poor Tyler and 7girls! We are finishing off our first week and it is finally becoming bearable. It helped that he was gone for 3 days this week to scout camp.

Here are some of the things we have been doing to make fun memories for the girls and boy.

Seattle Temple visit. We all love to visit the beautiful temple grounds. The kids ran around, reverently of course ;)

Hannah and Emma freezing on this JULY day.

Samantha has always loved the statues outside of the temple. She has hugged and kissed them for as long as I can remember.

Eliza was dancing like a freak to the music from her tic tacs. It doesn't take very much to get a smile like this out of the girls.

Savannah's tic tac dance

Favorite restaurant to go to with the kids in Gig Harbor-enjoying gelato!

Made a swing with a jump rope and stick in the backyard

Emma and Hannah BCF = best cousins forever (at least that is what they have written)

Emma and Hannah handstands

Eliza, Sara and Savannah getting some sun

Hannah floating

We have much more planned, but honestly they would be happy in an empty room if they had each other. They giggle all day long...well, most of the time.