Snowman Party 2007

We have decided that since we have a "new round" of little people in the family, we will have a party for them on the 26th every year. This year we did a snowman theme. It was at Granny and Granddaddy's House and we played pin the nose on the snowman, made smores, did handprints in clay, painted clay snowmen, and made a snowman Christmas ornament.

Before the party got underway the adults had a big soup lunch and lots of chit-chat. Amy, Ray, Hannah and Hayden came from Memphis; Fleming and baby Weston from Cornith; Will, Carrie and Katie from Birmingham and the rest of the group from Christmas Day hung around as well.

It was a really fun day and I think the kiddos had a blast!!

Here are a few more pics from the day -

Bentley, Katie, Jameson, Callaway and Breland

Christmas Day 2007

Santa finally came - The girls have been waiting so long for this day to happen. This is the first year that Bentley really has gotten the big picture. Jameson just has followed along, but I do think she kinda understood. When they woke up Bentley went to the window and said that he was not here and then opened the bedroom door, looked out and said he was not there either. I think maybe she thought Santa was gonna hang around for her to see the gifts! After she finally realized he was not here - she was so excited with all her new stuff.

Santa even brought Mommy a new pair of tennis shoes and Daddy new jeans and socks - way to go Santa!!

During all the excitement of the morning - I did not take any pictures of the girls - just video - Bad Mommy!

After a couple of hours of play and Breakfast, the girls and I got dressed and loaded up the car for a road trip to my parents house. We arrived around 5:00 that afternoon just in time for Christmas Day dinner at my grandparents house. My cousin Debbie and her family from SC were there(Mike, Rob, and Haley - Josh had to work), NaNa and DaDa, Aunt Marty, Cousin Velma Lee, Granny, Granddaddy, and my sister Mary Heather with her three girls - Callaway, Breland, and Burkley Ann. The rest of the family will arrive on the 26th.

After dinner - Bentley, Callaway and Breland used there new hairstyling kits on NaNa.

We opened gifts from Grandparents and NaNa and DaDa and then headed to their house for the night.

Haley and Burkley Ann

Christmas Eve 2007

We decided to spend Christmas/Santa at our house this year. In the past we have always gone to my parents, but as the girls get older I want Santa to come to our house. On Christmas Eve we dressed in our christmas pj's and the girls got to open 2 gifts from mommy and daddy. They both got a pretend princess hair-styling kit (complete with a noisy hairdryer) and one big Barbie head to style. They LOVED it. They love to do each others hair as well as the baby dolls. They also got a stuffed kitty grooming set and a stuffed dog vet set. Each animal came with its own kennel. Poor Jameson had a horrible cold - runny nose and watery eyes.

They also gave Daddy the famous mini Coors Light keg.

After they played with those for a bit we went out on the back deck and sprinkled reindeer dust so that they reindeer would not miss our house - we don't have a chimney. This is the first year we have done this and it was a bit hit.

After the reindeer dust was all gone - we set out cookies, cupcakes and milk for Santa and to bed we went.

Here is just a group of pics from the night.

Artic Lights with NaNa and DaDa

My parents and grandparents decided to come visit before the actual holiday. They got here on the 18th and stayed until the 21st. On Tuesday night Me, NaNa, DaDa, Bentley and Jameson went to see the Artic Lights. The girls loved it. We rode a train to the "North Pole" and along the way we saw lots of lights and all kind of lighted figures (santa, reindeer, Baby Jesus, snowmen, etc.) At the "North Pole" the girls got to go into a big gingerbread house and visit with Santa - only one other group was on our train so they got to spend a good bit of time with him. They both went right up and jumped in his lap. We got back on the train and headed back to the station and the girls had hot cocoa and cookies.

Here are a few other pics from the night out with NaNa and DaDa!

Christmas Parade 2007

Friday night was the Christmas Parade and the girls had a blast!! We went with a couple of friends and their little ones. The weather was ok - kinda muggy and misty - but not bad enough to stay away. We did not get any pics of the parade - too busy picking up candy and beads for the little ones. We did take a few of the girls before the parade.

Christmas Card Pictures

Well as you all know - it is almost impossible to get a 2 & 3 year old to take a picture - I am not asking for the best picture ever - just one where they are both looking at the camera and one is not picking her nose!! We finally got an ok one for our Christmas Card-

Here are just a couple of others that we did not choose to use - but I thought they were cute.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

We are finally getting into the Christmas spirit around the Nelsen household. Tree is up, mantle is decorated, stockings hung and ALL presents are bought!! The tree is not yet decorated, but the lights are on and hopefully by the time I go to bed tonight (while little ones are sleeping) - the tree will have ornaments.

The girls had a blast at the Tree Farm today. They had fun running around and picking out the best tree. After we cut the tree down and hauled it back to the "netting" area, we took a quick ride on the Santa Express and saw reindeer and Jolly ole' Saint Nick himself.

The picture to the right is this year at the tree farm (Green Dresses). The one below is from last year. I can't believe the girls are getting so big so fast.

November 27, 2007

Not a whole lot going on in the deep south. Weather is getting much cooler and has been really rainy the last few days. The girls are really getting ready for Christmas. We started decorating - but do not have the tree up yet. The rain changed our plans of going to get it on Sunday - so hopefully later this week.

We went to see Santa on Sunday and mommy did not have to get in the picture this year - we are making progress. I did however sit by Santa for about 10 minutes until Jameson decided it was ok for me to move. Whoever thought that "wild woman" would be scared of Santa. The pictures in the Red Check dresses are from this.

We plan on going on a "polar express" ride Friday night to see lights and have hot cocoa with Santa.

Whoever thought it would be so hard to get a 2 & 3 year old to take a "normal" picture together. I told them to say cheese and this is what I got.

You must go to this website and comment to try to win a pair of Pedoodles - GREAT SHOES!!

http://ourblessedarrows.blogspot.com/

Turkey Day Success

For as long as I can remember, my grandmothers always cooked the turkey and dressing for Thanksgiving. I just assumed that only grandmothers could do that kinda thing. It has only been a few years now that my mom has actually done the turkey and dressing. Once again - I just assumed you needed to be a grandmother to do this.

Fast forward to Thanksgiving 2007 - Not going anywhere for Thanksgiving this year - no Grandmothers around - So Guess what - If you want a bird - gotta do it yourself!!

I did it and it was a total success!!

Thad - man of few words - said this

was the best Turkey Day Meal he

had ever had (I am sure that was to make me feel good).

The Menu: Turkey, Cornbread Dressing(no bag or box), Homeade Gravy, Christmas Potatoes, Butter Beans, Rolls, Cranberry Sauce, and Pumpkin Pie with "real" whipped cream!! I will admit that the Pumpkin Pie came from Sam's Club (but don't tell Thad - he thinks I made it).

Elf Yourself

Not much going on here - Just trying to get all the Christmas things out and up - going pretty slow!! I did find this funny elf video - so please take a few minutes and your kiddos will LOVE it!! www.elfyourself.com

My kids laughed so hard when they saw themselves dancing.

Frosty the Snowman

The girls decided that it was time to start watching Frosty and Rudolph. I really wanted them to wait until after Turkey Day, but we were in the grocery store the other day and they saw a display of the movies and they begged me to get them out and start watching. By now, we have probably watched them 20 times each.

Jameson was too young last year to really get into them, but Bentley loved both movies. She really did not get scared when the Abominable Snowmonster appeared, but this year has been a different story. She covers her head and tells Jameson that this is the scary part - Don't watch!

As for Frosty - well I guess maybe it is a hereditary thing but she cries everytime Frosty melts.

Hopefully by the end of the season - she will realize that he is coming back every year!!

A Day in the Park

We spent Saturday at the Park and the girls had a blast. I bet they slid down the slide a million times. As I said in an earlier post - the weather would probably not stay cool and guess what - it did not. I guess we were in the low to mid 80's on Saturday and the sun was in shining brightly which made it feel much warmer.

After the girls played we watched the Veterans Day Parade and then went and had ice cream with Daddy.

2 Little Turkeys

Today was an absolutely beautiful day. The girls and I went and played all day.
Not much to say - Just some cute pictures of my little turkeys.

Ballet at 3

Bentley is taking ballet again this fall. She did a summer session for 8 weeks and told me that she really wanted to sign up for another class. They really don't do too much ballet, just kinda hop, run, skip, jump on one leg, act like trees with falling leaves and they turn into butterflies with the touch of a magical wand - but that is ok - she is only three and LOVES it.

Normally the door is closed and the parents can only peek thru a one way window in the door, but tonight they had parent night and we got to watch them preform. You would think that they had never been on the dance floor before. Most of the girls (and one little boy) just kinda sat in their circle and watched. Bentley did do some of the things, but she still is a wee bit shy.

Also - I want to remind everyone that they really need to start "planning" their 365 Days of the year. I really would love for you all to do this. After reading the journal of the lady who lost her little girl to cancer - it makes me want to do this so much more. Not only will I have a pic of the girls everyday - I will also have a journal of the day - even if it is nothing but to say we stayed in our PJ's all day, watched movies and did nothing.

Take care

Cooler Weather is Finally Here...

but I am sure not for very long. It is 56, clear and low humidity. I believe that this is only going to last about 3 days and then we will see upper 70's - as long as we don't hit 80 again I will be happy. I sure don't miss the really cold, icky Kansas City winters - but I do enjoy a bit of cooler weather.

The girls and I went for our first official diet walk today. I have gotten to a point where the weight is just not dropping off as quickly - so we must put some exercise into it. You all know how happy that makes me - I hate exercise.

Oh well gotta go for now - a bit of "sibling fighting" in the background.

Happy Halloween

For Halloween this year the girls dressed up as Butterfly Princesses. We went out to Papa's Pizza with the Sander Family and then to Eastern Shore to trick-or-treat. The girls had a blast running around and going store-to-store for candy. Next year I think we will make the big jump and start going door-to-door. I just did not think Jameson was ready this year.

Well - I have finally decided it is time to start a blog - so I don't always bother those of you who really could care less about the kiddos!! Hopefully this will be much eaiser to keep all of you (who are interested) up to date on my girls and family.