Multiple Nelsons

"Missa's" Santa gift: a new bike.  She has been begging for a bike for a year.  We got her a bike from DI over a year ago and it was just too big AND the training wheels weren't tight enough to help her stay up.  Needless to say our 6 year old needed a bike. Miss "Jacolena"Santa gift was a Leap Pad Smart Tablet that came with 8 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse books.  She loves the books and her "iPad".  "Crazy A" got a Doctor's set and caring case. One of the many stocking stuffers.  Troy put some pictures on Facebook of the other suckers. Baby D's Santa gift, a set of colorful round stacking bowls or you can use as a jewish hat thing. Testing out the new gear. Troy's present: a nice Carolina Shirt. Of course on Holidays, Troy and I can't sit still.  My dad for years has been this same way.  Every Holiday we have gone out and worked, either cutting trees down, deep cleaned the garage or painted.  Who knows?...

As part of our traditions we open our presents up on Christmas Eve.  Troy and I have continued this tradition for our family.  It goes way back to my Danish roots. My maternal grandfather's side has done that for years.  So after the re-enactment of the christmas story we all settled down, takes a long time to get ready with 3 families and 10 children. Crazy A with her pile of presents and already playing with the opened gifts. One of Jare Bear's favorite gifts… the blower from Uncle Travis and Aunt Lisa.  The goggles make it even better. :) Missa opening up her barbie from cousin, Ethan.  She loves it, b/c it is her first real barbie. Aunt Colette and Uncle Daniel seeing their new bench made by my dad.  It will go out in their front yard in their newly relandscaped yard. Me, opening up some pajamas. Grandma Loanne and Aunt Cho patiently waiting their turn. Cousin Hannah pushing Baby D around in her new gift, the stroller from us...

After dinner we got out the costumes and re-enacted the birth of Christ.  It always gets a little hectic with so many people but we succeeded in remembering the true meaning of Christmas - The birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. My two littlest girls are the animals of the shepherds.  Aunt Cho is a Shepherd and Missa is an Angel. Jare Bear actually trying on some costumes, here he is, a zebra!!!  Cousin Evan (6) is a wise men. Crazy A snuggling with Aunt Annie.  All the presents under the tree. Mary (Elise, 11) and Joseph (Grant 15) with the donkey, Uncle Les.  Daniel (a wise man) with Hannah 18 months).  The Shepherds with their animals, a chicken and zebra. Our wise man (the brother-in-laws).  

This is me… this is how I feel most days: tired/exhausted. This year for Christmas we gathered together with 3 of my siblings and their families, the Halls, Tieks and Aunt Rachel.  We first had an early Christmas Dinner - A Mexican Smorgesborg of food! Baby D @ 3.5 months old Crazy A @ 2.5 years old. Making some nice fishy faces. My neice, Tessa was not feeling very good that night.  Found at earlier that morning she tested positive for the flu. (AND she had her flu shot) Mexican Smorgesborg for Christmas Eve Dinner. Daniel, Annie, Rachel, Grandma Loanne, Grandpa Paul and Jackie. Cousin Hannah @ 18 months old. (Daniel and Colette's little girl) This girl has a hard time keeping anything in her hair. :) My little "Jacolena".

Merry Christmas from the Nelsons November 2012

I am realizing I need to capture these moments with grandparents.  When I was a kid I can only think of a handful of times when I sat on my Grandpa Bartholomew's lap.  My Grandpa Robison was a few more times but they lived farther away.  I am so glad we can capture the girls participating in Grandpa's favorite activity… veggin' infront of the tv.  Sunday afternoon/evenings have ALWAYS been a hard day for the kids and us.  It is out of the routine from the rest of the week.  No structure or organized play, that just throws some of the kids out of wack. Finally after a couple of year being in a routine, it is working.  Some people think, "well you don't have to have a schedule all the time." But with my kids if we don't (esp Jare Bear) it is harder for them to function. To help Jare Bear we have had to start telling him EVERYTHING (not just the big stuff, the little stuff) we are going to do that day.  Jare Bear has also had a hard time...

We had our Ward/Congregational Christmas Party.  Great time with pretty good food, only thing is the party was way too short.  An hour at tops.  oh well. I have started to wrap our presents.  In order for our kids to not unwrap them I have secured them nicely with…… Packing Tape. I am thinking when we open them up on Christmas Eve (Our family Danish Tradition) that it might take a while if we don't have scissors. :) Here are the presents that have been securely wrapped in the "special tape." We also have an elf, Nayla that is watching over the presents too. (She isn't the ugly Elf on the Sheld dude.) Waiting for the bus in the afternoons for Missa.  

"Missa" made this at school.   I love this idea and will be using it!!!

"Missa's"first recreational basketball game thru the city was tonight.  She had a great time!  A few practices ago she thru a huge tantrum about how one of the boys stole the ball from her.  I had to rein her emotions in and explain the game a little bit.   Sine then she is slowing starting to understand the game.  (Side Note: For soccer it took her 5 games to get the hang of it and not fall to pieces b/c she couldn't have the ball all the time).  Tonight she said to me, "Mom, one of the boys beat me to the ball.  But next time I am going to get it from him." YEAH. She had her 6 year old check up this past week.  Here are her stats: Weight: 52 lbs (80th%) Height: 45 3/4 inches (60th%) BMI: 17 (87th%) She is one healthy, solidly built girl... she ain't a petite little thing.  Following in her daddy's footsteps.