Lake Skinner

You may start to become quite familiar with the people in my blog posts.  Ever since Melissa moved back, we are getting together with everyone quite often.  Oh Melissa, always bringing people together!!   Tuesday, we decided to go out to Temecula and join everyone at Lake Skinner.  There was this huge splash park there and knew the kids would have a blast.  Well, we were right.  They loved it! Charlotte was in HEAVEN!  She just crawled around, got soaking wet and loved every minute.  Luckily, she took a little cat nap at the park!  The last two days (Monday and Tuesday), she has only had a bottle in the morning and one right before bed, so I thought for sure she wouldn't fall asleep.  So glad she did!  It's so crazy she is eating real foods and drinking from her sippy cup.  She is such a big girl!!  Thanks for inviting us out to the splash pad.  We loved it!  What's our next outing going to be??  

  Sorry Melissa, I never got a picture of you and Brady!! But I didn't get a picture of myself and Charlotte :)  

Beach Day

 

Today, I got together with a buch of cousins and babies and we went down to Calafia beach in San Clemente.  Now that Melissa is back and Kasey is in town, I thought it would be fun to get everyone together.  Glad our Temecula peeps made it down to Orange County for the day.  We will come see you next :)  

 

Perfection!

Fourth of July in Utah

Josh had the whole week during July 4th off, so we packed up and flew to Utah. Personally, July is my favorite month in Utah. There is always so much going on! We arrived Tuesday, the 2nd, and since movies are much cheaper, Josh wanted to take advantage. We didn't waste any time. saw "World War Z" that night; after dinner at Zupas.

Wednesday was a fun-filled day in Park City riding the Alpine Slide and coaster with our unlimited-rides wristband! We met up with the Pyle's and Luke. Everyone had a blast! Later that night, we took Gracee and Annie to "Despicable Me 2." Unfortunately, I fell asleep through the whole movie :( It was a long day!
 

 

Thursday was JULY FOURTH! We started our day early with breakfast with the Pyle's and Luke at Kneaders. Then we hung out at Kasey and Preston's before having a big BBQ at Lisa and Shawn's house. Meg and Adam joined us there. It was so nice to have everyone together ...good food and good company is all you need :) That night was "Stadium of Fire" with Kelly Clarkson. It was amazing! Charlotte slept through most, everyone took turns holding her and she was so good during the fireworks! I'm so glad none of us had to get up and walk her around. I don't know if I would take her next year, but it was fun being with the whole family!

Charlotte and Raegan at Kneaders

 

Friday, we all got up early to hike the "Y" in Provo. I had never hiked really anything until this point. Although I was part of the caboose, it was such an accomplishment for me. The air in Utah is so thin that I just could never get a deep breath in! My body felt fine, but I struggled breathing (kinda important). When I got to where I could see the painted "Y," I started getting teary eyed and a flood of emotions came pouring in.  I just kept my composure and celebrated by taking a ton of photos...for proof ;)  It was a beautiful site.  There were so many things that came to mind looking over the valley.  My main thought was that Provo will always hold a special place because that's where Josh and I met, feel in love, and started our beautiful journey together.  Sometimes I wish Charlotte had been born there, but that is what will make southern California special to us! 

Top of the "Y"

After hiking the "Y," we ate all those calories we had lost at Kneaders (yes, again).  It never gets old!  We went back home, did some shopping at the outlets and then got ready for my maxi skirt party that night.  It was fun and good to see friends that I haven't seen in a while!

Setting up for the maxi party

Saturday, we went out to lunch with my good friends, Megan and Annica, from BYU-Idaho and their cute families.  We are all moms now and it was so fun to catch up!  We all three have babies that neither of us have seen.  We came back to my parent's house afterward and let the kids all play.  I wish we saw each other more!!!

That night, we went to dinner at Cheesecake Factory with Kasey and Preston at City Creek.  Soon as they sat us down, they brought a plate of food out for both baby girls.  I thought that was so neat!  We miss living by them and try to hang out everytime we are in each others neck of the woods.  It had been a long day, so I apologize for falling asleep that night :/

Sunday, Charlotte turned TEN MONTHS and that evening Josh went back home...someone has to work ;)  My parents had Tyler's dad, Paul, over for dinner along with Luke and Meg and Adam.  It was fun!  Tyler took his dad, Meg and Adam on a ride up the canyon on the razor (my dad's off-roading vehicle).  I think they liked it, besides it being cold.  Never a dull moment at the Neilson home!!  It was fun to see Meg and Adam a couple times.

  

Monday and Tuesday were filled with days in Provo, shopping and the new Rec Center.  I do not like being away from Josh so it was nice to get back home!  Here are some more pictures from the week.

When Josh is away, Charlotte sleeps with me!

My Baby Girl is 10 Months Old

Charlotte turned ten months old yesterday (yes, I'm a little late...it's been a little busy)!! I can't believe it! I know I've said it before, but where does the time go??

Charlotte is crawling everywhere...and FAST! She is just all over the place! She claps for every emotion and is still working on her wave. The only word she says is "MOM!" I love it. She has become quite the Mommas girl. She has a hard time going to anyone else except me and Josh. But I have to say, at the end of the day, I love that I'm the hero and that I can be the one to calm her down.

Charlotte lives to eat EVERYTHING! Paper mostly. Yes, I have to keep a close eye on that! There hasn't been any food that she has spit out, she just makes funny faces if its a new or unique taste. She eats pretty much anything. It's awesome! I just realized only two more months of buying formula! Hallelujah!! That stuff is expensive!

Josh and I are more in love each day with our baby girl. She is such a good baby, we have definitely been spoiled first-time parents. I tell everyone that being a mom is better than I thought it would be. Not that I thought it would be horrible, but I just wasn't expecting it to be so rewarding! Each age is so fun and exciting and new! I try to soak up each day!

We love Charlotte Lyn!