Thursday, December 23, 2010

Polar Express 2010

This year we made plans with our cousins to go up to Munds Park for a couple days so we could enjoy the Polar Express together. Olivia and Owen have never taken this magical trip, so we were excited to share this time with them.

We rented our favorite cabin in Munds Park, and enjoyed time relaxing, playing Wii, playing in the crisp, cool air outdoors, and building gingerbread trains.


Madelyn was very excited to make her first gingerbread train, or gingerbread anything, for that matter. She waited (somewhat) patiently until everyone was ready to build their trains. Daddy was a big help getting it put together as Madelyn told him what to do. ;)


Once the gingerbread trains were put together (some trains were a little more complete than others), we all got ready for our drive to Williams to ride the Polar Express. We all had matching jammies, although Uncle Rick forgot to pack his. He was feeling sad that he wasn't going to match us, but we told him it was okay because we'd all be wearing them again on Christmas morning, and could take more pictures then.


The train ride to the North Pole was so much fun. This was our third year to make the trip, and it was just a great as usual. Although it was definitely more special having our cousins, Auntie Kristin, and Uncle Rick with us.


After the train ride to the North Pole, the kids decided they wanted to get a picture with Santa. Madelyn knew she hadn't told Santa what she wanted for Christmas, and Mommy and Daddy reminded her that she should probably go see him. With the help of her cousins, she was convinced. This was a big change from last year when she refused anything to do with Santa.

They posed for a couple pictures and then Madelyn leaned in to tell him exactly what she wanted for Christmas: a BIG dollhouse. Santa said he would do his best, but that she still needed to be a good girl for a couple more days. She agreed she would indeed be a good girl, and gave him a big smile.


Monday, December 6, 2010

Yo Gabba Gabba


On Saturday we had a fun family night out with two other families. Our ultimate goal was to go see Yo Gabba Gabba Live downtown, but we ended up getting more bang for our buck!

We all met up at Scout's house, where we walked to the Valley Metro Light Rail. All three girls were as cute as can be, each walking with their parents. Once we got to the boarding station, however, they were less attached at the hip, and ready to get their groove on. Unfortunately, we missed the light rail by literally a couple seconds. We ran and we ran, but the light rail isn't like your ordinary bus stop. There's no driver who's willing to wait as three families run faster and faster to try and catch this ride. Nope. We had to wait for about 20 minutes for the next train to come, which was fine because it gave us time to actually buy our tickets and let the girls get reacquainted.


Of course, it didn't take long for the girls to start talking and running around together. It was cute to see them all lined up waiting for the train. They were quite patient.

Once the next train came down the track the girls squealed with excitement! This was Madelyn's first time riding the light rail and she had no idea what this was all about, but since she watched the last train wiz by so fast, she couldn't wait!

Fortunately, the train wasn't real full, so the girls were able to sit next to each other, checking out all there was to see.


Our first stop was the Old Spaghetti Factory. This was another first for the Nielsens, and we were pleasantly surprised. Madelyn was much too excited to eat her dinner, but Chris and I had no troubles devouring our delicious meals. And did I mention wine? You can't have Italian food without some red wine, so the mommies and daddies enjoyed a bottle (or two). Yum.


Then it was back aboard the light rail to the Comerica Theater where DJ Lance and the rest of the crew would be waiting for us.


We finally made it to the theater, and got settled in our seats. Did you know they also sell wine at kids' shows? Well they do. And beer, too. I thought this was very interesting, and indulged myself in one more glass of wine. That's about the time I realized why red wine and kids' shows really don't mix.... Yep. Little hands are quick to knock wine right into the people in front of you. Oops. Nothing 20 bucks for dry cleaning can't fix. Sorry, strange man.

Eva and Lorisa getting excited for the show!
Madelyn could hardly wait!


The show was a big success! It was so fun to watch Madelyn sing and dance to the songs she knows so well. She had a great time...

...rockin' it DJ Lance style!

But, the show was a little longer than anticipated, and well, when you're two an hour and a half is a real long time. So by the time Intermission came, Madelyn was ready to go home. When she mentioned this to me, I looked at her very strangely and said, "Really? You want to go home? Right now?" And she said, "No. I want to go to Scout's house. Right now." Well apparently she didn't like it when I told her I wanted to stay and dance some more because after scratching me (new fun thing to do to Mommy when you're mad) and yelling at the top of her lungs (although who could really hear?) this is where she ended up:


Yep. Time Out. I have learned as a parent there is no place on Earth where you can't find a spot for time out. And Madelyn has learned that her parents mean business when she breaks the rules.

"Wait a minute. Why are they still dancing? I am in time out."

Fortunately, the melt down didn't last long because Chris and I continued to enjoy the show, and she eventually pulled herself together.

We had another adventurous ride on the light rail, where we headed back to Krista and Dave's house. We even walked an extra block so the girls could look at some Christmas lights.

 This picture makes me laugh out loud every time I look at it. Poor Eva. 
She's reaching out to Scout as if to say, " Get this girl off of me!" 
And Scout, on the other hand, is like, "Nope. You have to deal with her."


 We finally made it back to Krista and Dave's place for the after party. (Thanks guys for opening your house to us!) The girls had a great time playing together in Scout's room while the adults actually got to enjoy some adult conversations.
 

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Special Visit

This year, Auntie Kim, Uncle Keith, Mac, and Ethan all came to visit for Thanksgiving. What a treat! They actually surprised the Vogelsangs, and we got to be part of the secret. :)

We felt so lucky that they wanted to stay with us because it allowed us some extra quality time with them in between other visits. Madelyn was beside herself with joy when she learned that they would not only be coming to Arizona, but that they would be having "three sleeps at our house." Woo Hoo!

watching a movie on the iPad

Since they were here, the kids decided it would be fun to help decorate our Christmas tree. What a lovely idea, indeed.... three extra little helpers to get it done. I loved it!


Madelyn had a great time adding ornaments to the tree. At first, she was the organizer... you know the type, "Put this one there. Put that one over here."

Then, Ethan started to show her how to add them to the tree.


Then she got brave, and started adding them all by herself.


We laughed at how she kept going back to the same exact spot on the tree. After all was said and done, there were about 8 ornaments neatly overlapping each other.


Ethan decided to help rearrange her ornaments (once she went to bed, of course). I think he knows his Auntie pretty well. I tried to say it was fine, and that I wouldn't move them, but let's be honest. It would have bothered me, and yes, eventually I would have had to do the rearranging. So, thanks, Ethan for helping me get out of that one! ;)

The boys even helped Chloe get into the holiday spirit. Doesn't she look excited?

Friday, November 26, 2010

Thanksgiving

Grammy made sweet treats for all the kids.

This year was our first year spending the Thanksgiving holiday in town, and not in Sedona. Having recently moved, and selling our 5th wheel, we decided it was a good idea to stay in town and enjoy some time with family.

Overall, it was a relaxing day with friends and family, filled with lots of great food.

Sweet Smiles

 Happy Birthday, Mommy!

 Cousins make the best friends!

 Mommy and Auntie Kristin

 Owen will use this for his bike.

 "We're stuffed."

 Auntie Kristin and Uncle Rick

 Tickles from Papa!

Kisses for Uncle Rick