Escapee

So Saturday night someone figured out how to climb out of their crib . . .

The result was both boys ended up in bed with me and Dean headed out to the couch. A.K.A no one really slept ALL night. Grrrr. I hate changes that mess with sleep schedules. Especially on Saturday nights because Sundays are always rough anyway. He's 6 months later than Tanner was so I guess I can't complain. Looks like some new bunk beds are in our very near future. Too bad Tanner refuses to sleep on the top because he insists that birds will eat him. Ha. We may have to get some that can un-bunk and start out that way.

Glasses

I just got some sassy new glasses in the mail!  I mostly wear contacts, and the two pairs of glasses I do have have been broken by my children more than once.  Plus I don't feel very cute in them, so I never want to wear them, especially out in public.  I saw an advertisement for ZenniOptical on a blog, and their glasses are so cheap I decided it was worth a try.  I was nervous how they'd turn out since I was ordering them online and had never actually seen them on me, but you can upload a picture of yourself to get an idea of what they look like.  They have VERY positive reviews and so far I LOVE mine too!  Yay!  I don't think I'll ever buy them at the eye doctors again!  I by far prefer these to my old ones that cost 5 times as much!

The Joys of Motherhood

Last night when I pulled back my pillow to grab my pj's that were under it I jumped about ten feet when I saw this . . .

Now I realize that this is clearly a TOY frog, but at a quick glance it could have been a lot of things.  All I knew was, it wasn't something I wanted, or expected, to be under my pillow.  Thank you Tanner!  Boy was he proud of himself when he heard how good he got me this morning.  I sure love my funny boys.

Crazy Weekend

Friday night I got to Skype in on a baby shower for one of my very best friends from all the way back in elementary school. I had helped to plan and make some of the decorations and was so bummed I wouldn't actually get to be there, but Skyping was almost as good as the real thing. Check out the cute theme and decorations on Melissa's post here.

That's me on the computer and all my cute friends.  Melissa's on the far right, if the belly didn't give her away.

Then, Saturday morning we woke up to a foot of snow and NO water! We decided to make the best of it and head outside to play/shovel. Dean shoveled our house, the neighbors house, and then headed out to the Church to clear the walks there. How is it that we've had NO snow to speak of this winter, Dean signs up for snow removal at Church, and then we get dumped on? He's got all the luck. We were still without water by late afternoon and Dean needed to be out at the Stake Center for a Stake Youth Activity so we hauled everyone over to Mom and Dad's for baths and showers. When we got home at 5:30 we had a trickle of water and by Sunday morning it was completely back. Thank Heavens! Dean also spoke in Church yesterday and the other speaker didn't show, so he took one for the team and spoke the whole time. The Bishop was VERY grateful. Then this morning we woke up to NO power. Luckily it came back on after a couple of hours, but we can't help but feel like things are just "off" lately. Hopefully we're done with the craziness and the rest of the week will be a little more normal. Here's a few pictures of the snow . . .

Four Eyes

Last week Dean got glasses.  They're just for reading and working on the computer, but he does those things a LOT so they'll be a big part of his life.  The night he brought them home he was wearing them and seeing how much they helped and Tanner said, "Dad, you look crappy in those glasses!"  He hasn't changed his mind, but Dean's still mustered up the courage to wear them despite looking "crappy". Ha!

He'll be turning 30 this year and now he has reading glasses.  I guess when you start getting old things start going fast! ;)

FINALLY playing in the Snow

This winter has been very mild. We still haven't really gotten a substantial snow storm, but last week it snowed a tiny bit and Tanner was begging and begging to go outside, so we bundled everyone up and made the best of the little snow we had.

Mom and Landon.  He enjoyed the snow so much more this year.  I guess it's more fun when you can run around in it.

Tanner making Snow Angels on the deck.

This picture reminds me of this picture of Tanner back in the day.

When Dad got home we ambushed him, but he got his revenge.

Throwing snowballs at Tanner.

Tanner threw some right back.

And we rolled down the hill in the snow.

Landon rolled down over and over.  He LOVED it . . .

New Years Eve 2011

This year we were finally all healthy and actually enjoyed New Years Eve. It seems like every year we end up sick before the holidays are over and it makes staying up till midnight a little less fun. We played games, ate TONS of yummy food, watched some Brian Regan and made lots of noise at midnight.

Landon sporting his party hat.  He had a good nap earlier, so he was even pleasant all night.

Happy New Year

Tanner was the King of celebrating this year.  I think he tried out every hat/balloon/noise maker in the whole house.

The Rest of the Holidays

We sure enjoyed having ALL (that's right, every, last one of the Nelsons) here over the holidays. I was more busy having fun that taking pictures, but I snagged a couple worth posting. We enjoyed eating WAY too much food, played lots of games, went to the movies and watched some at home, ate some more, shot some guns, cut down a few trees, and just enjoyed hanging out. The boys sure loved having their cousins here too. And we of course had to snag a family picture while we were all together. Who knows when that will happen again.

Uncle Jared gives a pretty good horsey ride.

Silly Boys

Starting Tanner young.

Dean hit 5 out of 4 . . . no that's not a typo he hit two pigeons with one shot.

The Whole Gang

A Nelson Family Christmas

We waited until EVERYONE was here to do our gift exchange.  So on Friday, December 30th we had Christmas all over again.  I should have been better at taking pictures but you'll get the idea . . .

We had Geoff and Dianne this year.  We gave them some cute Snowman Mugs and hot chocolate fixin's.

And I made them this FHE Board . . .

And no, you don't have to name your children Susy, Mike, John or Sally. ;)

Landon opening his presents from Grandma and Grandpa

Tanner got a big set of Tinker Toys from Grandma and Grandpa

We got spoiled by Grant and Rachel, Mom and Dad, and Grandma and PapPap too.  Thanks everyone for the wonderful gifts!

Caroling

Every year we try to go caroling with Dean's family to several widows and widowers in the area. We LOVE this tradition. They are always so excited to see us and it's such a fun and special way to really spread some Christmas cheer. This year we actually went after Christmas once everyone was in town, but with a few tweaks to some lyrics it worked out just fine . . .

Uncle Geoff was a trooper and hauled Tanner around on his shoulders.  Tanner was, of course, loving every minute of it.

The tough guys had to haul Janna up to each door.

"We hope you had a Merry Christmas, have a Happy New Year!"

This picture doesn't show it, but Amy was even belting out "Gloria"

Not much singing out of this kid, but he does a mean "BYE!"

The whole crew.  We finished up the night at Grandma and PapPap's.

Christmas Day

The highlight of our Christmas Day was not only talking with, but actually SEEING Kevin on his mission in Ukraine.  We're SO grateful for technology that lets us keep in touch with family and friends even when they're far away.  It's such an incredible blessing.

Doesn't he look so good, and so happy??  We're so proud of him.

We had to skip out on the skype conversation a little early to head to Church.  It was such a good meeting and so fun to see everyone in the Ward on Christmas.

All dressed up

After Church we opened all the presents under the tree.  The boys got some new board games from Dean and I and their presents from Grandma and Grandpa Hilton.  Thanks Mom and Dad!  And they got gifts for each other . . .

The boys opening the gifts they got each other.

Tanner got Landon a puppy.

And Landon got Tanner a new Nerf Gun since he chewed up all the darts for his last one.  Hopefully Landon's outgrown that this time around.

And Baby Jesus showed up in the manger and he was nice and comfy with all the hay the boys earned throughout December.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Morning

We had our "Christmas Morning" on Christmas Eve, but the boys didn't know the difference and it was still magical.  They actually slept in till about 8 and then we got up to go see our presents . . .

Traditional family picture before heading in to get our gifts

I'm now the proud owner of the entire "Gilmore Girls" series.

The boys trying out Landon's new play tent.  I dare say they LOVE it.

About a week before Christmas I decided to scramble and finish this jean quilt for Dean.  I didn't have any quilting frames and still managed to tie the entire King size quilt.  To top it off, I tucked coupons in the pockets too.  He LOVES his quilt, which made it all worth it.

Tanner got a Digital Art Studio that hooks up to the computer.  Santa must know this boy well.

Landon's favorite thing was all the treats.  He went around devouring everything in sight.  That's our boy!

Santa even left a message for the boys on their new toy box that I refinished for them.  AND he filled it with dress-up stuff. . .

Once again Santa got it right.  They ADORE all their dress ups.

And the chalkboard top is a hit too.

And last but not least I just had to give a shout out to my incredible friend Staci.  We haven't even seen each other in years, but when I commented on how cute her boys capes were, she offered to make my boys those awesome, personalized capes in the dress up pictures above.  She's a sweetheart and it made my Christmas.  Little things like that just remind me there's still so much good in the world.  They LOVE their capes Stace!  Thanks again!