Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Willie on the news

Willie was on the news earlier this week! Last year it was the radio, this year the TV...what's next?! It's so exciting to live with a celebrity. Check him out here (start about 1:48 on the video).

***Bummer, the video is no longer working on the station's website. Sorry!***

Monday, December 15, 2008

Company Party

I loved that our local party this year was Hawaiian themed, but my favorite part of this year's Christmas party was that I got to wear a muumuu. It is by far the most comfortable I've ever been at a company party! I even had room in my dress for seconds at the delicious buffet!!The entertainment was good (live Hawaiian band, dancers, and then a DJ for some dancing) and the food was GREAT. (Have I already mentioned that I liked the food?)I enjoyed watching Willie run the show and interact with the people he works with. He really did a great job and threw a great party!And when it was all over I took off my flip-flops and put on my snow boots and coat because unfortunately I don't really live in Hawaii.

Visiting Santa

We took the boys to see Santa. Little did I know Santa would be joined by Mrs. Claus (Mary Christmas according to Josh...gotta love Charlie Brown) and an elf.Jake whispered to Santa that he wants a basketball hoop.Josh shared his wish for a scooter.Nathan was in instant panic mode.
I wasn't going to push it, so lucky me...I got to visit with Santa this year too.

If Santa would have asked...I'd have told him I'd like a cook and a housekeeper.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Turkey Day

We had a GREAT Thanksgiving this year. We were able to enjoy the good company of dear friends, of which I have no pictures. (-Sigh-) I am a blogger failure. It's just that I get so wrapped up in the moment sometimes and the food was so good...I couldn't focus on much else.



We deep fried our turkey this year for Thanksgiving...YUMMY. I'm more than grateful Willie headed up this project. First there was the marinade injection. Note the BIG needle on the counter.Observe the doctor's intense look of concentration. Did I mention I'm really glad I didn't have to do any of this?! Eck.
How-to-point-at-base-of-flame practiced and demonstrated by Hans. I was seriously worried my house would burn down.The oil was hot and ready, drop it in!A bit too much oil, hence the overflow and classic expression by Willie. Put the lid on, quick!Lots of work for a DELICIOUS turkey. Thanks guys!

We had two other families join us. Mmmm, I'm still thinking about all that great food. You girls can cook!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Give Thanks

I have been loving this co-op preschool that I'm doing with Josh. We have a great group of six little boys (one was missing today) and us moms take turns teaching. It was my turn this week!The little preschool turkeys singing "One Little Turkey" with their beaks on. Me as a pilgrim with two of my wild Native Americans, complete with their custom designed headbands.Josh shaking his baby food jar wondering when the butter he's making will be done!The FEAST. Yum!When I took the picture I told the kids to say "feast" and Nathan yelled, "EAT!"

I am thankful for a wonderful group of friends for both me and my boys.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Grandpa Nelson

(Thanks to my sister for sending me this picture of our whole family with Grandma and Grandpa. This was the last time I saw my Grandpa Nelson at the family reunion in June this year.)
My grandfather (my dad's dad) passed away this morning. I have such great memories of him and hopefully I'll be able to dig up some pictures.

Grandpa was such a tease! He wore dentures and would pop them out and make funny faces at us kids. It would freak me out but we would die laughing and tell our parents what Grandpa was doing. Grandpa always just looked at Mom and Dad like he had no clue what we were talking about and would do it over and over when our parents weren't looking.

Grandpa had a love for music and singing. I remember him playing his trombone. I remeber him singing "Mr. Moon" and "Mares Eat Oats" and now I sing these songs to my boys.

Grandpa handed out the Christmas stockings at the family Christmas party. It was a fun tradition to sit on Grandpa's lap and tell him that you had been good all year and in exchange for a hug and kiss get a stocking full of goodies.

I am glad to have known my Grandpa Nelson and what he stood for. He was a man of honor, a true hero, a worker and not a complainer. I need to be more like him. I will miss him, but I am grateful to know that I will see him again.

Strawberry Pickin'

A "draft" from June 7, 2008. I'm missing my garden now that's it is fall. I never knew how fun growing things could be. Now that I have no pictures I TREASURE these old finds. Here are my silly boys picking some strawberries.
Yes, he hugged the strawberry...

Working Out Back

Another "draft" post.

Everyone pitched in to help get the backyard done. Jake and Josh were hard workers! (I promise no child labor laws were broken.)

Be still my heart...Josh looks like he was born to farm!Nathan found a rain puddle and happily splashed away.Pretty much if he was happy and out of the way, he got to do whatever he wanted.Will on his archaeological dig.Josh helped pound while Will leveled.Jake measured to make sure that it was up to specs. Lucky for us our friends came to help. (Hopefully it wasn't just because you're the elder's quorum president!) While the boys got the planters settled...The girls laid the weed barrier for the wood chips.
Josh needed a little rest after such hard work!Jakes decided that since he's checked bike riding off his to-do list, next up is the monkey bars. It's not such a hard fall now with the wood chips in.BEFORE:
AFTER:I'm thrilled Will built these planters for me! I can't wait to see if anything grows...

Our April Fool's Baby

You have no idea how THRILLED I was to discover that I have several old blog posts still in "draft" mode. The reason for happiness? A few more pictures that aren't completely lost. (Blasted, blasted computer crash!)
I have VERY VERY few pictures of Nathan when he was a newborn. I am so happy to have found this one! (This was from a post I did when he turned one.)

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Chocolate Lover?



Want 100 chocolate candy bars? (Who in their right mind would say no?!) My sister-in-law is celebrating her 100th post. Just go here and leave a comment. Good luck!!

If I win I'll share with Nathan. He's a chocolate lover like his mama!