Hair Drama 2012

Last Friday after my family left I got a little gutsy and went in the bathroom and cut some bangs. I wasn't really sure if I liked them and then when I came out of the bathroom Tanner immediately said, "Mom you look UGLY!" Awesome. So I figured they'd grow out eventually and Dean was nice but I could tell he didn't love them either. Friday I looked like this . . .

I actually like them in this picture but they didn't always stay this cute.  And they looked really weird with my hair all the way down.

So Saturday I decided to hack at my hair some more and cut the rest of my hair off in hopes of liking my bangs more with shorter hair and this is what I looked like for Church on Sunday.  I was hoping the glasses would mellow the shock of the bangs . . .

It all drew WAY more attention at Church than I would prefer but overall people were nice and seemed to like it ok.  But by Monday I finally got them to sweep to the side and I think I LOVE them now.  Here's my hair on Monday . . .

After a bit of drama I think I've finally settled into a look I can love.

Family Visit - Finale

When we weren't out doing things we stayed busy just hanging out at home.  We played lots of Wii games, watched several movies, played some of our favorite games, Rage and Coloretto, created with Playdoh, read books with Grandma and Grandpa, and ate lots of yummy food.  Eric and Jake even managed to brave the cold and snow one day to explore in Dean's parent's woods.  They came home with a big collection of old glass bottles that they hauled all the way back to Utah with them.  We sure had fun with Grandma, Grandpa, Eric, and Jake and look forward to seeing them again this summer.  Thanks for coming out guys!  We miss you already!

Reading "Peter Rabbit" with Grandpa

Tanner's awesome Playdoh creations

Grandma's rendition of Tanner

Grandma's a Playdoh pro

Playing "Tumbling Monkeys" with Grandma

Getting in some Mario Cart on the Wii

Family Visit - Phipps Conservatory

We made a trip into Pittsburgh to go to the Phipps Conservatory.  We hadn't been there before and it was awesome.  So many beautiful flowers and plants.  There's also a train room, children's shopping market, and a fountain you can control yourself.  All of which were a hit with the boys of course.

Doesn't it just look like a cool place?

Grandma and the boys in front of some beautiful Orchids

Tanner got to mark things off his list as we found them.

Landon was pretty excited about the bananas

Mesmerized by the fish

Jakey, Landon, Tanner, and Hairy Uncle Eric

The one picture I managed to get in while we were there.

Uncle Eric and Landon checking out the fish.

LOVE this one of Landon and this cool fish.  They were totally checking each other out.

Tanner was the King of the Fountain.  

The boys LOVED this little children's market.

Tanner loading up his cart.

Checking out with Cashier Eric.

The one picture I actually got Landon to stand still for.

My little Bugs.

Family Visit - Bowling and Primanti Brothers

Monday was President's Day which meant that Dean didn't have school, so we tried to take advantage of the one day he'd be around while the fam was in town. But in case anyone is planning any future trips to the Pittsburgh area, February is NOT the best time to come. Half the places we had talked about going to are closed this time of year. Grrr. Oh well we worked around it and had a blast anyway. Monday we all went bowling and to Primanti Brothers for dinner. Can't come to Pittsburgh without a trip to Primanti's!

Tanner got a Spare and almost jumped through the roof with excitement.  It was ADORABLE.

Grandma showing her stuff

Dean's one serious bowler.  Beats me every time.

The one time Landon stopped running long enough to bowl.

Jake tried lots of different ways to get his ball down the lane.

Eric somehow manages to avoid pictures all the time and conveniently ended  up with his hand in front of his face.  

Grandpa taking a turn

Landon was CRAZY at the Bowling Alley and was running all over the place the ENTIRE time.  Here he is getting into mischief.

I think I have a cute baby bump until I see pictures of myself and realize it still looks like a big fat roll.

Dad helping Tanner take his turn.

Everyone's happy after a delicious dinner . . . everyone except Landon that is.  Ha.

Family Visit - They Arrived!

I didn't even think to pull out the camera when my family got here.  Probably because I was frantically trying to get dinner ready and make sure the house was still clean despite two crazy, excited, kiddos running around wreaking havoc.  Luckily I stole a few pictures from my parents camera from just after they arrived.  The boys warmed up fast and were super happy to have Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Eric, and Uncle Jake here . . .

A weekend in Columbus . . .

Last weekend Dean and I snuck away Friday night and Saturday to Columbus, Ohio.  We drove down Friday afternoon and stopped at "Smokey Bones" for dinner.  They messed up my order so I ended up getting dinner for FREE. Score!  Later that night we met up with my friend Amy Stevenson and her boyfriend Kyle.  It was fun to see her again and nice to finally meet Kyle.  We had desserts at a cute little place called Mozart's Cafe . . .

Amy and I

Kyle and Amy

Dean and I

We were serenaded by this talented pianist as we enjoyed our desserts

Saturday we got to go to the Temple.  We don't get to go often enough, but we sure enjoy it when we do . . .

And I LOVE that on the drive there and back, we happen upon situations like this . . .

Amish man holding up traffic in his buggy

Then we hurried home to get ready for Mom, Dad, Eric and Jake who arrived later Saturday night and we've been partying ever since.  We'll probably update you on all our fun after they head back home on Thursday.  Thanks again Mom and Dad Nelson for making our little get-away possible.

Egg Launch

You may have heard of the "Egg Drop" but Dean's a bit like Tim Taylor and he has to do everything with a little "MORE POWER". So his class has to design something to protect an egg as it is launched from an air compressor at the wall. We were lucky enough to go and watch yesterday when his honors class did their egg launch. Tanner thought it was SO cool and now insists that he makes one as well. And for the record only one group was successful. They all decided to have a second go at it, so they'll all be making adjustments in hopes of doing better next time. Here's a few pictures/video of our little field trip to Dad's class . . .

Tanner was disappointed when he found out he didn't get to keep his awesome glasses.

Mr. Nelson launching the first one.

You can see the first one busted open on the floor = TOTAL FAIL.

Doesn't get much nerdier than this.

This video is actually of the last group who put very little effort into theirs.  They just taped a tub of jello to the end and basically the jello exploded all over the room and of course the egg blew up too, but it gives you a better idea of the whole process . . .