Happy 18th Again!

This week we celebrated Austin's birthday.  His birthday is on October 18th.  He turned 23 this year.  However, if you ask him how old he is he will say 18.  He has been saying he is 18 for the last 13 years or so I would say.  He's a lucky guy.  He will forever be 18, just ask him!  I think its too confusing for him to have more than one number associated with his birthday.

Every year we go to Disneyland to celebrate his birthday.  In a perfect world we would actually make that trip in October, somewhere near the 18th of the month.  But ever since Andrew has been playing high school football we have had to push back our Disney trip.  And the further Andrew's team goes in the playoffs the further Austin's trip gets pushed back.  Last year we didn't make the trip until December because the final football game for the state championship was the the week before Thanksgiving.  We won that state championship football game by the way! This pushing back of our trip makes no sense to Austin.  When its his birthday that means its Disneyland time.

The other event that is associated in Austin's mind with his birthday and Disneyland is----Halloween.
All these great events take place in October.  Unfortunately for me, the business' begin bringing out their Halloween stuff about July 1st.  Okay, I'm exaggerating, but they do bring it out sometime in the first part of September.  Let me tell you how a visit to Wal-Mart in the beginning of September this year went: 

Austin and I walked into those big doors.  As the greeter said "hello" Austin's eyes were immediately drawn to the Halloween decorations. 
He said "Halloween"  I wish I could type the wonder and amazement in his voice as he said this.
He didn't say much of anything else that day in Wal-Mart. However, the following day it began.
The first thing Austin says to me the following morning, "Disneyland".
At lunch, I say "Aust, what do you want for lunch?   Austin says "how bout Disneyland"
That night I ask him if he's ready to go to be and Austin says, yep you guessed it "Disneyland?".

And so this conversation has gone on for the past couple of months.  And if Andrew has his way it will continue through the end of November again! 

I will keep you updated on the progress of Austin's October Birthday-Halloween-Disneyland trip.

And the next time anyone asks you anything such as,
"What would you like for dinner?",
"What do you want to do tonight?",  or
"Where should we go eat?"
just answer as Austins does
"How bout Disneyland"

Ashley and Loa's Wedding

 

Andrew & Austin eating at the line table



On June 11, 2011 our oldest daughter, and Austin's older sister, Ashley got married to her love Loa.  It was an amazing day for everyone.  We were nervous that the reception would be too overwhelming for Austin and that he would need somewhere to go to get away from the crowd.  We were wrong! I beleive Austin had the time of his life.  He waved to everyone as he was walking in at the  introduction of the line.  He was on the dance floor dancing all night.  And he took pictures in the photo booth.  At the end of the night he was not ready to leave!  Following are just a few pictures from the wedding and reception.  They are not in order of the way the day went but I hope they give a flavor of this big event for our family.  Enjoy!

 


Ashley & Loa



 

Austin waves as he is introduced with his cousin Jamie





 



Alyssa busts a move!



Austin dancing the night away



Andrew & Connor (cousin) being boys!



Ashley & dad have a dance







Groomsmen



 

 



  

 



Bridesmaids



Austin & Amber (cousin)





Loa's neice Sandra

  

Loa's neice Leua





Ashley & Loa's first dance

 








 



Ashley's dance for Loa







Loa's friends perform a Fijian dance













The Nielsen Family









Alyssa, cousins, aunt, uncle, and mom





 

The Skeen family









Austin still on the dance floor!





throwing the bouquet!

photo booth fun!

Grandma (right)  and her sisters!



We are a blessed family.  Love is Eternal. 

On The Road Again...

For the last two years my husband Drew has been working in Northern Nevada.  Last year at the begining of the school year I took my boys, Austin and Andrew, to the little town up north that Drew has been working in.  That has meant over the past year Austin and I have made the 430 miles, thats one way, trip between our two homes.  Since I live in Nevada I can legally make a bet, so I would put money on the following statement.  That drive is the most boring drive in the United States of America! Austin is my road partner.  He does not say one word the entire 7 hours.  Thank heavens for satelite radio!  Oh and did I mention that it is a two lane road for most of the drive! To prove my point on the ridiculousness of this drive I decdided to take a few pictures.

So come along with Austin and I as we make "The Drive" once again!




We have been on the road for about 1/2 hour

  

Walker Lake.  A lake in the middle of the desert

This will be the scenery for 7 hours








army buildings in the middle of nowhere



the view for hours



Austin is awake!

Austin is asleep again!



Back to more of the same

 

A cool old building in Goldfield NV







The Shady Lady



On our travels between Northern and Southern Nevada we pass several brothels.  I had to include at least a couple of pictures.  Sorry the quality of the shots arent so good.  I took the pictures as I was driving past and hoped for the best. The buildings you see on the left side of the picture are the brothel.  The bright yellow sign says Shady Lady Open 24 hours.

 


Angels Landing

  
Angels Landing, another brothel, with a sign that claims visitors are welcome.  With the exception of a couple of road side towns the brothels are the only sign of civilization, I guess you could call it that!, on our drive.                                                                

We finally made it to our halfway stop.  Tonopah.  It doesnt matter what time of day we arrive, Austin will order the same thing.  A pepperoni pizza, from the Subway inside the gas station, and a blue Mountain Dew. I guess I cant really talk because I order the same sandwich from Subway every single time too! Oh and of coarse a Diet Coke!

The pictures below are just various different shots I took along the way.  Although it may look like all the pictures were taken in one spot, I promise they were taken in different locations along our 430 mile route.  I hope you all can understand why I loveingly call this drive "Driveing the butt crack of Nevada".

 

This is a restaurant right on the side of the highway.  Its name is The Desert Lobster.

You have now rode along with us for the entire 7 hour drive.  I hope you have enjoyed the ride as much as Austin and I do!