My First Thanksgiving!!!

I must first explain how this all came to be. My dear sweet father was joking around with Lance and I one night. He made the comment that if we were in a new home by thanksgiving, that it should be at our house. And thinking that would never happen because I am not one of the OG Nelsons, I was not concerned with this at all. Well we were blessed with a beautiful home before the holiday, and the joke had spread to other family members. These family members happen to be my Aunts, they thought it was a fabulous idea too!!!! So, what the heck right?..... I'm 31, have plenty of room, and lots of family, and good at delegating!!! So the planning of the feast began. I made the assignments to ALL the Liu family, who was coming also because this is MY thanksgiving at my house, and all the Nelsons had theirs too. I must tell you that I was really excited to have ALL of my family coming to my home, and that I didn't have to split my day up. But my greatest fear was cooking a turkey. This is no small feat to me. I was kinda freaking out. I looked on-line to get all the cooking tips possible. You don't want to be known for screwing up the turkey. Turns out its not really that hard. It turned out fine. We had a wonderful time. The fam was great. Every one brought stuff, and there was a plethora of food!!!! I think we had about 50 people at the house, and it was great!!!! And I know that my Mom's and Nola were thrilled not to have it at there house. I am so thankful for my families. And I still have 6 pies in the fridge!!! It's time to get rid of the left-overs.

Our First Vacation...without kids!!!!!!

So, first I need to say Happy B-day to my hubby Lance. I luv you so much, and am greatful to have you in my life. I love the way you keep me laughing and challenge me to try new things. I love that you encourage me out of my comfort zones. You are a wonderful father, and my best friend.

I know it's long over due, so here is our first vacation ever, with out kids!!!! We went to Hawaii in August, and stayed on Oahu. Lance's cousin Heather was getting married. We were the only ones from his family to make it, and I know Lance wouldn't have missed it for anything. It was a beautiful wedding by the beach. Heather looked so beautiful. We had a wonderful time and I am so glad that we could be there for her. The fam had a lunch the next day, so on our way we went to Pearl Harbor. It took so much for me not to be a complete boob!!!! I have a hard time with that kind of stuff. I love history, and I have a great appreacation for those that serve in the military. I really enjoyed the whole thing, even though it pulled on my heart strings. We had a great time hangin out with the fam at lunch. Lance has an aunt that was an absolute riot, and told us that we could stay with her anytime. That would be some vacation in itself, she was halarious!!!!! We went to the Polynisian Cultural Center. It was soooo hot that day, and we just about died watching the boat show. But we enjoyed it so much we went back the next day to catch all the stuff that we had missed. I love the different cultures. We also took a catamaran to go snorkleing. I got some face to face time with a turtle in the ocean, and the fish are so beautiful. I could have stayed out there for hours!!! We also got to see some dolphins swiming around the boat. I loved being on the boat, I felt like I was at home, with the exeption of the huge boat, and the fabulous tropical island!:) Of course we did some shopping, we went to the swapmeet! That is the place to get everything! We went two different days, and we probably should have gotten a few more things, but I guess we can save that for next time. And by now you are probably wondering what beaches we went to, well really only one. I don't even remeber the name of it. But it was by his aunts house, and was more local. We hadn't rented any boogie boards or any snorkel gear, so we only stayed for about an hour and a half. We did go to the beach by our hotel for about a half hour too. But we had a great time together. We loved McD's in the mornin for breakfast. And had dinner with other fam one night. We also visited a fam that had just moved back there from Vegas. It was fun to see them. Most of all I just enjoyed spending time with Lance. It was nice to get away. I loved waking up to the sunrise over the ocean, and seeing all the morning surfers trying to catch a wave before the day gets started. We had a great view from our room and enjoyed it every day. We also did lots of driving. Or I should say Lance did lots of driving. But the scenery was amazing and I never could get tired driving around there. And last but deffinately not least, we went to go and visit Lance's Grandma Gloria's grave. Right before we got married she past away, and he wasn't able to be at her funeral. He had gotten really close with her because she lived with them after Braden was born. So this was so good for him to be able to put flowers there. This was the most amazing cemetary I have ever been to. It's called The Valley of the Temples. There is a Japanese temple there, among other smaller temples. It's right up against the mountains and the cliffs are beautiful,and the clouds just rest on them. The Cemetary overlooks a small vally, and out into the ocean. We went to visit twice, and the second time we went to the Japanese temple. I gonged the big bell for good luck, and we saw a huge Bhudda. There was also a huge coy pond and peacocks. It was a very amazing cemetary. I'm glad that were able to go and do that. I had a wonderful time with my hubby and am looking forward to the next time. I know it won't be too soon, but we are a busy little fam and I wouldn't know what to do without all the maddness!!!


We are finally in our house and as soon as I get all the boxes put away I will take some pics and post.

Our Son

Braden has turned 12. Wow!!! That makes me feel old. He loves Jiu Jitsu and is doing pretty good at it. He likes to train against me, his old mom, in the adult class. I guess he figures that if he ever would have an opportunity to get revenge on his mom that this is the time and place. And he tries to kill me!!! ;) After all he doesn't want a girl to beat him.I have to say that I do enjoy doing Jitz with my fam. Braden is doing very good with his Saxophone. The band teacher invited him to be in the Jazz band. He has a knack for music. He is always figuring out songs, or drumming some beat or singing some song. Music just seems to come naturally to him. He is also a jokester. He is always messing around. I don't know if that comes with the age, or being a boy, or both, but sometimes it gets him into trouble. Braden started going to Young mens activities a couple weeks ago, thats crazy!!!!!! And he will be ordained a Deacon this Sunday. I am excited for him. I know he knows what a blessing it is and also what a privilege and responsibility the priesthood can be. I still can't believe that my little boy is now 12 in the 7th grade!!! I luv him tons and am so proud of him.By the way, the picture has the wrong date, that is from this summer.




As for the house update.......... we are still waiting to close! It feels like forever!!

Allison's 8!!!

Allison has reached the age of Eight!!! She is such a DIVA, but.... with that said, she is a beautiful girl. We love her so much, and we are glad that she keeps us on our toes. She is quick to remind us when we forget to say family prayer, or read our scriptures. She loves to help with FHE, when we do it. And she is way to smart for her own good. Allison loves fashion and would love to become an actress/singer!! She deffinately works on the acting part with me, all the time. She is giving, and loves to help others any way that she can.
Alli got to have a BBQ, and swimming party. All of our family was here to spoil her rotten!! Which of course she loved every minute of. But that is not why turning eight is a big deal. Allison chose to get baptized this last weekend. August 2nd, at 2:00. All of her family was there to support her. Lance baptized her, and she only had to do it once. Her Grandpa Nelson and Uncle Bryce were the ones called to action to make sure no toes or dresses, or hair came floating up. After the beautiful baptism we all went to the YW rooms and I got to give her a talk on the Holy Ghost. It was such a wonderful thing to be able to stand in front of her and talk to her about that. She was so beautiful, and it was a tender moment for me as a mother. She had her dad confirm her, as well as her uncles, a Grandpa, and a few ward members. I am so greatful for the example she is to her family. It was such a great day, and I hope that she will always remember it, and how special she is to so many people. It is such a heart warming experiance for me to see my children want to grow in the gospel. I see the good in them, and the many trials that face them every day, and I am so thankful for their testimonies and the strength they give to me. I love my Beautiful Allison.

Jessica's 5th Birthday

Jessica turned 5 on June 6th. That means that my baby will be going to kindergarten this year. It's hard to see her get so big. But she is so fun. I love that she is a mama's girl. And she loves to hang out with her sister. She is a kick to watch at gymnastics, with her little body in a cute leotard. She loves to play with her barbies, and can play in her room for hours. Her favorite place to be is the lake. She loves to sit on the beach and make sand castles, and find shells. And she collects sand.... in the bottom of her bathing suit. Jessica is also learning to pray by herself. It's so fun to listen to what is important to her at that time. She is my beautiful baby. She is growing so fast. She is such a joy to our family. I am grateful that I get to be her mother and watch her grow and learn.

What day is it????

I know that I have neglected my blog. I feel like I have been through the whirlwind of life this last month. Can I just say that I think I have officially lost my mind. It is no longer functioning. I have a hard time remembering what day it is. I have to write any occasion down on three different things, my Nelson fam calendar, my wallet calendar, and with dry erase pen on my bathroom mirror. And even with all of that..... sometimes I still miss stuff!!!! I am so looking forward to summer. No more car pooling to school, no more trying to time school pick ups down to the minute. No more homework fights with the kids. No more arguing at bed time, cause my kids fight for every extra minute that they can get. And I hope that Braden won't be drumming on the kitchen table with chopsticks at 6:30 in the morning, anymore! So what have we been up to? Well...... We had Jessica's preschool graduation. Which was entertaining. Jessi for the most part was busy playing in the sand and not to graduation. That's my girl, playin in the dirt. Also this same night, at the same time... Braden had is Spring band concert. He has turned into quite the musician. He made Jazz Band. He loves playing the sax. So I was sad that I couldn't be at both, we had to divide and conquer.
Then it was off to the field trip with Allison. Her school had all the 2nd graders go. We went to the Springs Preserve. It was fun trip, but kinda rushed. There is a ton to see, and we didn't really get enough time. I thought it was kind of ironic that the spring is actually dried up, and the whole point is water conservation, and yet they managed to have a ton of water features, and fountains!!! Tax dollars spent on the water we are trying to preserve, luv it!! And to top off the end of the trip, it rained/hailed buckets on everyone!! The kids loved it. We had a ton of other little events, such as cuzin birthdays, gymnastic shows, Dads getting put in the bishopric, bridal showers, and the daily grind. Good stuff. But the big kicker of the month was Wyatt and Michelle wedding! They had been dating for about 12 years!!!! It was a beautiful day and everything went great. Everyone is well aware that my kids love a wedding/reception. The girls love the dresses. Braden loves to wear the tux. And they all love to get their groove on the dance floor. This was no exception. Forget the food, which had crab cakes and sushi, salmon and asparagus!!!! It was, for the kids, all about the dancin!!! They did have hula dancers, which made me miss it. Maybe someday I will get the girls and myself back into it. But it was fun to watch. There was candles, and candles have flames, and that is not a good thing when you have a money dance!!!! Yep... they lost some green do to the flame!!! And shortly after that fire was put out, I noticed that the napkin on the table next to me was on fire too!! I dumped a glass of water on it, the kids at the table thought I was being a Jerk until they realized that I had just been a super hero and saved their lives from the burning napkin!!! Well I am looking forward to June and a little less chaos. Lance will probably kill me for this...but enjoy!!!

Seeing Red

So, there's no anger problems here, just a fun field trip to the fire house. Jessica had a ton of fun. They got to tour around the fire house and see all the different rooms they use. They got a long fire safety lesson, and last but not least.... They got to spray the fire hose. The kids had a blast squirting the closest car in the parking lot. I was kinda wishing I had parked there, I really could have used the free wash!!!! I luv Mrs Kris's preschool, she is so wonderful and the kids love her. Jessi loves school and graduation is coming soon, my baby is getting so big!!!

Eggstravagaza!

So, let me begin by saying that I am up to my eyeballs in candy! Thanks mom! The kids had a blast this weekend. We colored our eggs on Saturday afternoon. The kids were thrilled to do this because we haven't done it for the last two years. This is not my idea of fun. But it wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. No major messes. But we did have a few colorful hands for a while. Then it was off to the Liu's for a dinner and egg hunt. Can I just say how much I love not cooking for these holiday things!!!!!!! The kids love to play with their cousins. They got to do an egg hunt and got an outfit. Spoiled!!!I love being with family!! I think I say that every time we have something, but I really do enjoy it.

Sunday the kids put on there Easter clothes. I must say that I have beautiful kids and its so fun to see them all dressed up. The girls dresses we so cute. Nana Nelson put allot of time into them. Church was really good. Braden and Alli sang with a children's choir. They did a good job. Alli was so thrilled to be asked to sing for something. At mom's the kids took pictures in their Easter clothes for Nana. They all looked so cute together. Braden was excited that he got to hold Clair. Alli tried to help with Ava, but she was busy running around enjoying all the attention. After the kids changed, the hunt was on!!! Chelsea and Nestor hid a million eggs!!!! I think all the kids ended up with about five pounds of candy. Sick! I can tell you that in two weeks all leftovers are in the trash! The weather was amazing and we had dinner on the patio. After a while of visiting it was time to call it a night. After all spring break was coming to an end. The kids were goin back to school!

Tagged.........

I must tell you I am not a fan of being tagged. But I love to read others. I will humor my dear sweet sick sister!!!!


10 years ago I was :

Working, going to school, and a mom.

5 things on my to do list for today:
Take Jess to get a night light.
Pick up kids from school
Put laundry away
Find out if i am teaching lessons today
Mop

4 things I would do if I became a billionaire:
New House
Private school?
Retirement/college
Vacation

3 bad habits:
TV
Ice cream
procrastination

5 places I have lived:
Las Vegas
North las Vegas
Baumholder Germany
St.George Utah

5 jobs I have had:
Desert Shores Drycleaning
day care
Cal's 2xs
Uncle E's

6 Things most people don't know about me:
I enjoy the history chanel
and discovery chanel
I've been to Paris
I suck at reading music
I like murder mystery books
I wish I was athletic
THE second TAG:


One word. First word that comes to your mind. No explaining. Not as easy as you think.


1. Where is your cell pone? on the charger
2. Your hair?up
3. Work? laundry
4. Your Father? can do anything
5. Your favorite thing? Fam
6. Your dream last night? didn't have one
7. Your favorite drink? Raspberry Limeade
8. Your dream car? clean
9. The room you are in? family
10. Your fears? kids being safe
11. What do you want to be in ten years? happy as I am now
12. Who did you hang out with last night? fam
13. What you are not good at? cooking breakfast
14. Muffin? cranberry
15. One of your wish list items? vacations
16. Where you grew up? Vegas
17. Last thing you did? Give Jessi a bath
18. What are you wearing? sweats and a T
19. What aren't you wearing? makeup
20. Your pet? Nani the beast and Louie
21. Your computer? MAC
22. Your life? Kids/happy
23. Your mood? Happy
24. Missing? my brain
25. What are you thinking about right now? getting done with this
26. Your car/truck? could feed a third world country
27. Your summer? Lake
28. Your relationship status? married
29. Your favorite color? green
30. When was the last time you laughed with meaning? ?
31. Last time you cried? yesterday
32. School? for the kiddos
33. Least favorite weather? snow
34. Soup? tortilla with fresh avacado
35. Movie? in a theatre

Everyday An Adventure

This month has seemed like a never ending adventure. I feel like every day is packed full, to the last minute. The kids are busy and always doing something worth mentioning. Hence my tendency to do monthly blogs!! I love family, there always seems to be something going on with our families. I enjoy it so much. There has been baby blessings and birthday parties, competitions and dinners. And there is so much more on the way.

Yesterday was our 9 year anniversary!! It's gone by so fast. I love Lance. He is my strength and keeps me going. He is there to love me and encourage me. He is a great example to me and the kids. I love that he loves the kids so much and you can see his joy when he is with them. I am so grateful that we are a family and that we have had such a good marriage. Happy Anniversary baby! I luv you!

Kids, kids, kids....... Braden did really well at his second jiu jitsu competition. I have to tell you though, it's really nerve racking to watch your kid in such a physical competition. When I was trying to video tape him my hands were shaking. I get so nervous. I think that I am becoming my grandma Norma. I used to tease Kjersten when Braden was little, cause she would get like Grandma. But, now I think that I am the one who needs to be teased. Example.....Braden is on a field trip today. He got to go with the science teacher to lake mead. The National Park has a house boat for the kids to do science experiments on. I had him ask when the life jackets were last updated and if they would cancel the trip if the wind speeds were to high, and those were just a few of my questions. I think I am a nervous nelly!!!!!

Allison has lost her first tooth. She had been wiggling that thing for about three weeks. And every day she would ask if it was ready. Her other tooth was already coming in behind it. I finally had the guts one night to just yank it out! Alli had asked me to try so I did. A little twist and it popped right out. Lance was completely grossed out. He really couldn't believe that I did that. Alli was so excited for the tooth fairy to come. I was glad that Lance told her that the Tooth Fairy didn't work on the weekend, cause we both fell asleep and forgot!!!!!!! But the fairy finally came and she was happy. She is now trying to convince me that she has another loose tooth.

Jessica is a riot! She always has a story to tell or something interesting to say. Sunday she told the teachers son to behave in class! I know that because the sweet sister came and told me. I didn't know how to react. I am glad that she thought it was funny,it could have been a sticky situation. Jessi is doing really well in gymnastics. She is working on a back walk over, and a pullover on the bar. Its so fun to watch her.

And last but not least, our house is for sale again!!!!!!!! And so that journey begins.Wish me luck on keeping the house clean, cause that part is so hard for me. Its one of my daily trials!!!! And I did it again.. I made a slide with music. So I need to change my post sooner so it doesn't become annoying!

ahh!

I do not like that Christmas song any more!!!!!! And I am sorry you had to endure it! I was having problems with my computer when I made that slide and it took me an hour. So when I realized it had that song attached to the frame, I left it there. I can't stand it any more!!!!!!!!! the end.

January, in a word or two.....

Sunday evening when we heard about our Prophet, Gordon B. Hinkley, we were so sad. The kids wanted to know what was going to happen next. So Lance explained that to them. I am so thankful that this gospel is one of organization and order. I am grateful that there is a plan for us in all things so that in times like these we do not have to fear. I am sad, like every one else, but so happy that he is with his sweet wife again. He was such a wonderful man and I will always be grateful for the influence he had on Lance.


So this was the month that I turned 31!!!! I must admit that it was kinda ruff. I breezed right through 30 with an excitement, but 31 has been a different experience. I don't know why I feel older this year as opposed to last. But I do!!! But, to say the least I was spoiled! I got to enjoy dinners with both sides of the family, which I love to do. Lance surprised me with some sparkles!!! He got MEGA brownie points for that one. Lance also was most generous and let me get away for the weekend. I had a great time. But enough about me!!!! Braden is training again for another competition. I am looking forward to watching him compete again. He really has fun, and its fun to cheer him on. As for my little diva Allison, she has her first loose tooth. She is 7 and her teeth are very slow. I will post about her tooth soon. She is very excited to be on the journey to meet the tooth fairy. I hope she is not to disappointed that our tooth fairy doesn't pay very well. Allison is very good at saving her money, and is probably hoping to score big! And for the baby of our family,Jessica. She is a riot! Where to begin. She is an artist at heart. And I am sure that if not for our religious beliefs, she would probably grow to be a magnificent tattoo artist! Her drawings these past couple of weeks have included her right toes colored red with a Sharpe!!! Just her toes. I really wanted to get a picture and didn't remember until she was madly scrubbing them clean so she would not have to show them to all the girls at gymnastics!! She was horrified at the thought that kids would see that she had red toes on one foot! Whats funny is that I love telling people about her red toes, but she doesn't think that's funny, and has instructed me not to tell Chris Stewart her preschool teacher! She also drew on her face with a black marker. She looked like she was an Indian going off to war. And to match the face, she had lines above her knees. And her last work of art was a star like shape on her foot. It was drawn with a black pen and colored in. And as for Mrs.Kris at preschool, well the kids love to tell her secrets! Jessica is a fan of secrets, she loves to tell them. But when Mrs. Kris heard THIS secret, she had to inquire about it's truth. Jessica had informed her that I was pregnant! Now before you get all excited, that is no longer a possibility! Mrs. Kris felt bad because no woman likes to ask another woman if she is pregnant, because naturally you don't want the woman to think that she looks like she is getting bigger, especially if she is not!!!! I had a great laugh and thought it was a great story! We concluded that it was peer pressure in preschool, three of the kids in her class have moms who are expecting. And so is one of my sisters-in-law. With two new cousins this last year, I think that Jessi really enjoys being around babies. She loves to hold her cousin Makana and is looking forward to holding Clair when she is ready. To finish the story of the "Secret at Preschool", Jessi was very upset at me as we were leaving that day. She told me that I was just supposed to help her get in the car and leave. Not talk to Mrs. Kris. She didn't want me to find out, and she didn't want Mrs. Kris to know the truth. So on the way home we had a little conversation about the difference between secrets and lies!!!!! Even though it was something that she wanted to happen, it wasn't the truth. I love these moments! The moments when you can reflect back and laugh out loud. Oh, this morning I had a new pair of nylons, still in the package, on my bathroom counter. I was combing Alli's hair and she saw them.(Now keep in mind that she has a whole drawer full of tights.) She was so grossed out!!! She thought that they were some new underwear! I got a good laugh at her being so grossed out before I told her what they were. Then I had fun teasing her while I finished her hair. She thought that she reacted pretty silly too. After reading this months visiting teaching message, I need to really enjoy being a mother and the joy and happiness that my children really do bring to my life. It's hard for me not to get caught up every day in the things that must be done. I love my family. My children are the most beautiful kids ever! They are such a riot and joy, and I need to remember that and love them for it every day. I am looking forward to this year and for all that it is going to bring. Braden will be twelve and receive the priesthood. Allison is going to be eight and have the opportunity to be baptized. There are so far... two weddings to attend, and so far.. another niece or nephew on the way. We are so blessed, and I love the blessing of such a close family, and extended family. And most of all, I love my husband. It will be nine years in February, and has gone by so quickly. I am grateful that he loves me so much, even with all of my crap. He is a wonderful man and I am lucky to have him for my husband.

December's Flashback

Here are a few of the happinings from December. Lance and I took a quick trip to California to visit some friends. It was fun to catch up and get out, but it would have been nice to spend a couple more days there. Another highlight was the girls Christmas gymnastic performance. They did a cute routine and got to see Santa and he gave them a medal! Fun stuff! On Christmas Eve a few of us went up to Cedar City to suprise Grandma and Grandpa Hilton. It was so fun to see the suprise on their faces. Braden and Allison had fun with Aunt Chelsea building two snowmen. Jessica and Lance stayed home because Jessi has had pnumonia. It's been kinda hard for her not being able to hang out and do all the fun stuff. Christmas Day was fun filled with all of our family traditions. Breakfast with the Nelson fam. Which was yummy and just what I was looking forward too. Then it was off to the Liu's for lunch. By the time we were through there Jessi was done for the day. So I took Braden and Alli to the Nelson's for the family and movie. New Years was spent having dinner with the Nelson crew and bowling with the Liu's. New Years day Lance and the kids went to Mt. Charlston with the cousins. They had fun and pooped by the end of the day. Well thats a wrap for December, but the kids don't go back to school until the 7th of Jan. We still have a few days to conquer!