Carnegie Science Center

We were lucky enough to get a pass to the Carnegie Science Center for Christmas from my parents.  So far I'm a serious fan of that kind of gift.  It was easy for them to shop for all of us, and now we have a year of memory making ahead of us.  Win-win if you ask me.  Anyway, Friday Dean and Tanner had the day off because it was a built-in snow make-up day that we never had to use this year, so we took advantage and hit up the museum.  It was honestly such a fun day.  In the past the boys were still young enough that it was a lot of work and stress taking them, but with both Dean and I to chase them, and Braddock old enough to participate, it was really a perfect day.  It was also nice knowing we can go back, so there wasn't the same pressure to do EVERYTHING to get our money's worth that day.  We're already looking forward to the next time we can go.  Thanks Mom and Dad!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015

Despite a bunch of colds and feeling yucky, we all managed to have a fun New Years Eve with the family.  The boys watched movies with their cousins.  Braddock begged to go to bed so we put him down for the night and then the adults watched "Maleficent."  Once the movie was over we introduced everyone to the game "Encore" that we gave Jared and Genevieve for Christmas.  We ate WAY too much food and then rang in the new year with a lot of cheering, noise, and a few smooches to boot.

Everyone loading up on party supplies...noisemakers, hats, and poppers...check!

Nice photo-bomb Aunt Morgan!

Braddock practicing his noise making.  He's a natural.

 

2014 has been a year full of ups and downs and big changes for our family, but we're overwhelmed by the blessings that continually flow our way.  We look forward to a great new year in 2015.

Fun with the Nelsons

We LOVE when family comes to town.  We've had so much fun playing with cousins, eating WAY too much, and getting out to do some fun things around town.  We went to some local Christmas lights, went to see "Night at the Museum 3" at the theater, went to dinner with everyone, and hit up the local bowling alley.  Everyone's going to be sad when the partying's all over.

Ugly Sweater Party

Our friends the Mitchells hosted an "Ugly Sweater" Party a couple days after Christmas.  We left the boys to play with their cousins and snuck away for an evening with adults.  That doesn't happen often!  It was lots of fun with good friends, delicious food, and lots of fun Christmas themed minute-to-win-it games.  Dean walked away with the prize for "Ugliest Sweater."  I'll take at least a little credit for that since I made it!

Everyone kept laughing that Dean looked like he was cuddling with his stuffed Grinch when he'd sit with his arms folded.

A Very Nelson Christmas

Once Jared and Genevieve got into town on the 26th we did the Nelson gift exchange.  Based on their faces I think everyone was more than excited about what they got this year.  Thanks to Grandma and PapPap, Grandma and Grandpa, and Jared and Genevieve for spoiling us this year!

Landon got the electronic Beyblade he's been wanting and the Skylander Crusher he's been dying to get.

Tanner was thrilled with his new telescope.

Can you tell this kid likes Mickey?  Just a little!