Nilsson Thanksgiving

So here are a few pictures from the Nilsson Thanksgiving. We had Turkey dinner at the Darron Nisson house. Papa Dave, Myron, Micah and the Boys all made it for the upside down Turkey Extravaganza. It was good fun, and good food. We missed all the other Nilsson's, and can't wait to have an entire Nilsson get together.

Halloween 2007

The Whole Cast

The cutest "Wildcat" Cheerleader

Championship "Wildcat" Basketball Player

The Beautiful Gabriealla

Handsome Troy

So, usually I would have posted Halloween pictures the very next day, but this year was a little different. It was a ton of fun, and the kids looked great.....but, nobody knew who we were!!! Had we been surrounded by girls ages 9-14 we would have been the stars of the show. As it stands, we were only recognized by one group of people. So next year we will try harder to be a little more recognizable. For those bloggers who don't know, we are the cast from
High School Musical.
A darn cute cast if you ask me.

Old News

I finally got some pictures on the computer from months ago. So here is some old news.Evan is on two wheels. It took him about 2 minutes to figure out how to do this. He's been riding since early June. Just 2 months after his 3rd birthday. We went to Pismo for a family vacation at the end of Summer. We had so much fun. No river, no phones, no worries. Mom and Dad loved it....the kids loved it more. School started in August. Morgan had an emergency Appendectomy. Yes, that is a major abdominal surgery. She swears it was the cotton candy at the fair that gave it to her....if it gets me out of going to the fair ever again let her believe that. She's fine now and loves to show off her scar. Bradon's playing soccer. He loves it...but isn't very aggressive. Sorry that's so much at once but enjoy the pictures.
I sure LOVE this family!!!!

After all of that I realize there were no pictures of our sweet little Raia.... here she is. She is growing up so fast....too fast if you ask her parents.

Wicked, Pantages, Thirty-One, Oh My

For Darron's 31sth birthday we went to the Pantages to see Wicked. It was everything we expected and more. I'm already plotting a way to go back. What great talent. The kids stayed with Aunt Rara. We then made our way down to see Amy and Brian. We caught Amy in an upright position and feeling the best she's felt in 8 weeks. It was a great day.
Happy Birthday to my wonderful, beautiful, handsome, awesome, fun-loving husband.

MY BABY COUSIN

BY MORGAN SWANN-MALAMMA

I HAVE THE BEST BABY COUSIN. HE IS SO SMALL AND CUTE HIS NAME IS ASHER. THIS IS HOW HE LOOKS. HE HAS BROWN HAIR AND BROWN EYES AND ALWAYS WEARS BLUE CLOTHES. WEN I LOOK AT HIM I SEE A BUNDLE OF JOY.

AND SOMETIMES WHEN I HOLD HIM HE CRIES AND CRIES. AND WHEN HE COMES OUT OF THE BATH HE SMELLS LIKE BABY SOAP. ALSO, WHEN I HOLD HIM HE FEELS LIKE A BUNDLE OF CLOUDS. MY COUSIN IS SO CUTE AND LOVABLE.

Morgan had to write a short story using as many descriptive words as she could. Can you tell she loves her new baby cousin!!!!!

RESULTS

The results are in.....well they have been in for awhile, but here they are.
Darron was 28th overall. Out of 453 participants, I'd say that gives him a solid A. I was 175th overall, which keeps me at about my average in all that I do, low B, high C.
I have always said that C's get degrees.
We had a ton of fun and can't wait to do it again.
Darron of course wants to be in the top 10 next year,
I on the other hand would be happy to be 175th again.
If you would like to see for yourself go to www.volkslauf.com

"Volkslauf 2007" aka MUD RUN

Darron and I and a few of our friends participated in the Volkslauf 5K yesterday. It was an obstacle course and mud run designed by the US Marine Corpes. It was a blast. We had so much fun we can't wait for next year. Neither of us got first place....but neither of us got last.

The photos are courtesy of Bradon and Morgan. I think they are aspiring photo journalists. All the kids got to come watch their parents play in the mud. A big thanks to Papa Dave and Ethie for watching them.

Super Busy Nilsson Summer

As you can tell, Summer brings a new meaning of busy to this family. So now that we are not doing paperwork, booking trips, and coordinating rafts running down the river, I can get back to the blog. We have done numerous things this Summer. Trips to the beach, trips to the mountains, Darron climbed Mt. Whitney and Evan learned to swim. Raia has turned in to a wonderful little toddler, Morgan is nearing teenage years long before her time, and Bradon learned to skateboard better than I ever will. We had a good season on the river. Water was low, but with not much to do around here, any water is great. We love our summer time business, but are always relieved to have a season end without incidence. Here are a few pictures to proove we didn't fall off of the planet for three months. . . . . Just extremely busy!!!!

"Perfect Attendance"

We haven't yet figured out why we didn't have anything better to do than send our kids to school for the past year, but appearently we are pretty boring. Bradon received a trophy for "Perfect Attendence" for his kindergarten year. Not one day of school missed. Congrats Bradon. You are awesome.

SUMMER HAS ARRIVED

Summer has arrived in true Bakersfield fashion. HOT, HOT, HOT. The kids don't mind. The pool has been there best friend for months. At least now they don't get hypothermia if they stay in more than 20 minutes. Raia is truely a Nilsson. She LOVES the water...I don't think she had a choice.

4-Wheelin Fun

The "kids" in this family are really enjoying the great outdoors on 4-wheels. Of course the "big kid" is just glad to have more of an excuse to get out. Morgan is extremely cautious. Bradon isn't cautious enough,
and dad well....we will just leave it at that!!!!
Mom and the smaller kids just watch and try really hard not to get EATEN by the wildlife.

"THE BIG 20"

Food-Ex had TWENTY deliveries yesterday.
WE are so proud of the business man in the family.
Keep it up Dad

"Flutaphone Fantastica"

Morgan was selected to be a part of the Bakersfield City School District 3rd Grade Flutaphone Concert. She was 1 of 7 kids in her school to go. She did a fabulous job. She practiced very hard to memorize the 4 songs so she could be there. WE love our little flutaphone player.

"Peter Rabbit"

Bradon landed the lead role in his kindergarten rendition of "Peter Rabbit". He
WAS
Peter Rabbit and did a fabulous job. He loved to be the star (I think he got that from his dad). He had to memorize all of his lines and songs. We are really proud of him.

"STICKY POPCORN"

As Evan calls it, "sticky popcorn" is a Swann tradition. Also known as carmel corn, Evan asks for it almost every day. I did indulge his request several days ago and this is what it looked like.

I think if RAIA could talk, she would ask for it every day also.