It's Beggining to Look a lot like Christmas

So, here are the pictures of the last couple of days around our house. A lot going on as usual. This one of Juliana was not my favorite, but she insisted on putting it on, so here you go. She was a little bit grumpy going into opening presents, but she soon warmed up to it. We had a really great Christmas and Christmas Eve. Mike had to work on Christmas Eve so, the kids and I planned a fun day to pass the time. In the morning we went to Skate City where every Thursday they offer a $4 class for an hour an half of skating. What a great deal, my kids loved it. We were the only ones there. There were more Skate City workers than class members, but they were all so cute and fun with my kids. They skated and I read a book, fun had by all. I just finished Micheal Connelly's newest book "9 Dragons." It was really good, entertaining and thought provoking as usual. The end took my by surprise, but he usually does that every time I read him. I highly recommend it for those who enjoy crime fiction. So, back to the festivities. I had the kids open up presents from Grandma and Grandpa Nelson and Romney that morning. Grandma Nelson picked out really cute jammies for the kids and then gave them money. We used our money to go and see Princess and the Frog. The kids loved it, it was really cute and the perfect way to spend the afternoon. The next day was Christmas morning. The kids woke up around 7:00 and then we opened up presents. They loved what they got. Mike got a nice shirt and I was given some great gift cards which I have already spent! Thanks dear you are the best! I then cooked a turkey and made a nice Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. It was yummy if I say so myself. That night we were invited over to some friend's house and put together some boxes for service men overseas as a service project. It was a fun evening of service and visiting. Thanks again Ames' for having us over, we had a great time.

We went to see Katherine as well, her headstone has been placed and looks beautiful. Let me know if anyone wants to come with me to see it sometime, anyone is welcome.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas! Looking forward to having a fun New Year's Eve as well.

Our big Peanut News

I failed to mention in the last post our other really great news that we found out on Monday. I took Joseph in for his peanut allergy food challenge test at the allergy doctor. The food challenge test involves a person giving Joseph a little peanut butter at a time. This made me nervous since this was the first time he has eaten it in almost nine years. But earlier this summer he had gone in and was re-tested for his allergies. His reaction to the tests were very slight and the doctor was fairly certain that he was no longer allergic. He then recommended the test. So, there we were in the doctor's office, the kids were watching Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer and Joseph was eating peanut butter and having apple juice to wash it all down. It was quite the scene. But, he ate all of it in small doses and then she watched him for over an hour while he ate it. He passed and is no longer allergic to anything. Peanut butter sandwiches here we come.

My Big Birthday Girls

So, here are a ton of really cute pictures of the festivities that we have enjoyed the last couple of days. The girl's had their 5th birthday party this past Saturday. We all went to Chuck-E-Cheese and then Red Robin for dinner. They each invited a friend. So, the other cute girls are Ellen the cute red head and Phoebe the cute blond. They had so much fun at Chuck-E-Cheese and then all dined on macaroni and cheese. I enjoyed the cheese burger, so yummy. They all had a great time. The cute dress up clothes are from Grandma Nelson and the pretty church dresses are from Grandma Romney. Thanks guys, they look so cute in them. Happy 5th Birthday my dear sweet Rachel and Juliana. I sure love you!

We also went to our ward's Christmas party and Joseph and Juliana sat on Santa's lap. Rachel had nothing to do with him and was crying and very upset as usual when it comes to Santa. Oh well, maybe next year for her. Merry Christmas to everyone.

The Big Weekend

Well, the long anticipated weekend has come and gone.

We as a family along with Ron and Margaret enjoyed the graduation of Michael Joseph Nelson. He received his MBA from the University of Colorado, Denver yesterday. The graduation was held downtown at the convention center. The kids and I rode the light rail down there and they loved every minuet of riding it to and from Denver. I had packed a large bag of toys to keep them entertained, but they did not play with any of it of course. Mike's parents went early with him and saved us some seats right up front near the graduates. The kids did really well and were troopers sitting through the long ceremony. Fortunately, there were no long winded speeches, very brief remarks and then the presentation of each graduate. Mike looked very distinguished and handsome in his black robe and the graduate colored collar. It was blue and gold which represented what collage he graduated in. We all wore Katherine pins to help keep her close to us. The kids and I felt her there as well. After the ceremony, there was a business collage reception held and we had some cake and lemonade. Then the kids got to ride the train home. But, not before Joseph got to go see the big blue bear. For some strange reason, there is a two story size big blue bear that stands outside the convention center facing inside the large windows of the main entrance. Joseph is obsessed with this. He loves to say, and I quote "Big Blue Bears Bare Bottom." Oh, the joys of a nine year old boy. So, unknown to me, as we were leaving the building, Grandpa Nelson gave Joseph a boost up to the bear bottom and Joseph spanked his bottom. Needless to say he was delighted! Thanks to Ron for making Joseph's dream come true. Joseph is still laughing about it.

We got home in time to attend Joseph's piano recital in which he played a great version of "Frosty the Snowman." He did so good, we were all delighted to see him perform. We then all went out for dinner to Chile's for a great dinner. Thanks to Ron and Margaret for treating us, it was yummy and we had lots of leftovers. We then went home and celebrated Mike's birthday by enjoying some strawberry pie and ice cream. Happy 35th birthday dear. I sure love you and are proud of all your hard work for your degree.

The night before, Mike and I had a great date night at the annual Janus Christmas party. We did not go last year because I was so sick. We really had a great time. It was held at the Marriott Downtown. So, we went downtown twice this weekend. We were riding the light rail a lot! The party was great. They had a great buffet with yummy food. Mike really enjoyed the shrimp and prime rib. I liked the risotto bar where I could order my risotto with what I wanted on the top. So good, that was my favorite thing that night. They had a great live jazz group playing. We sat and listened to them for a while and then called it a night. It was a great date night, thanks dear for taking me.

I was also able to break my new boots in with Montego, I had another great lesson on Friday. I worked on steering through turns and going over trot poles. It was a challenge, but so much fun I love it.

On Wednesday, we had our last night of group therapy at Children's. The kids are sad that it is over. We all really enjoyed doing it as a family. We are planning to go to the Christmas party this week. We will miss going, it has been really good for our whole family to enjoy what they had to offer.

A Cute Christmas Play

So, here are some pictures over the last couple of days. The one at the top is of the dinner with my friends Monday night. The rest are of the girl's pre-school play. They are doing a Christmas play for their party on Saturday. We cannot come to the performance because it is at the same time as the graduation. So, their teacher let Mike and I come today and watch the dress rehearsal. Juliana is in the red and she was a wind up dancing doll. Their friend Phoebe was the elf who was winding up all the toys from Santa's shop to make sure they worked. So, all the toys wound up. Juliana sang and danced. Then Rachel was a dancing ballerina. Then at the end there was a boy who popped out of the box as the Jack in the box. He had to be reminded to stay down in the box until it was his turn. So cute, he kept popping out too soon.

Did you know we have a lot of Birthdays in December?

Well, I think that I will officially declare that we have a lot of birthdays in December. There I said it, "so let it be written, so let it be done". (Bet you cannot guess what movie that is from?) Our good friends the Hart's have their daughter Phoebe who had her birthday last week. The girls and I went over to a fun McDonald's playdate and dined on hamburgers and sundaes, they loved it. We gave Phoebe a Little Pet Shop toy that she could decorate. The girls picked it out, it looked cute. Then, they had another birthday party for one of their friends at pre-school at Little Monkey Business. Phoebe joined us as well. I had three girls in the back seat of the van from here to Parker, it was an adventure. They chatted the whole time. I am not sure about what, but I just enjoyed listening to their little voices, so cute. Monkey Business is a place where they do indoor birthday parties. It is designed for little kids under the age of 7. So cute, the girls loved it. They had an indoor gym and a huge bouncy slide. It was nice for me, I was able to sit in a nice leather chair and read a book while they played and had cake and ice cream. It was quite dreamy. I love the new book I am reading. I have begun Phillipa Gregory's newest "The White Queen." So good, I love it. She has chosen to to a new series this is book one of three about the War of the Roses. The queen she is highlighting is Elizabeth Woodward who was the first queen after the wars. It is told in true Phillipa style, so well written, a great read.

So, back to the birthday celebrations. Mike and I then went out to PF Changs with our home teacher and his wife. He treated us to a yummy dinner, that was so much fun. I am not sure what makes PF Changs food so good, I just know I love it. We got the lettuce wraps and then some beef and chicken dishes. Yummy! We also got free desserts for our birthdays. I got the red velvet cake and Mike the carrot cake.

Then last night, some friends surprised me by taking me out to dinner at Maggiano's. My favorite. I had my usual which was the spaghetti and meatball. So good. We celebrated my friend Rochelle's birthday as well. Happy Birthday Rochelle! I am 8 days older than her. We were given some free lemon birthday cookies and blew out some candles as well. They also surprised me by getting some new paddock boots for me to ride Montego with. This is great, they are so nice and beautiful. Almost so nice, I do not want to wear them to get them dirty at the barn. That means it will not take the whole family to get the boots off my feet. Before, it took the kids holding me down and then Mike yanking them off of me. It was quite the process. In the birthday card, Rochelle wrote that the boots will help me jump over some of the smaller hurdles of my life. That has since brought tears to my eyes (and you know I am not a crier). I have had some really big hurdles lately. But, good food and even better friends make things more bearable.

I guess that means that Mike and the kids will have to come again to the barn to get pictures of me in the new boots so everyone can see how nice and beautiful they are. In case you are wondering what paddock boots are, they are ankle boots worn while riding.

Oh, by the way, the movie quote is from The Ten Commandments starring Yule Brennor and Charleston Heston. Yule plays the foreboding King Rames and that is his famous last words although he says it several time throughout the movie. It is a great movie if you have not seen it, I would recommend it.

This weekend is the birthdays and the graduation, it will be fun and busy and crazy. But, Mike is graduating and I am so proud of him. He has worked so hard and this is something he has wanted for a long time. Job well done dear. I sure love you, you are the best!