The Nelson Family

The Fair and Green Feet

2011-06-20T21:19:00.002-06:00

In our small town, they have a small celebration every year and this year we went. Grant loved the rock wall and even tried the 'hard' part (but ended up going to the side and climbing the 'easy' part). Ella and Dallin also climbed the wall - my camera died just before.

Ella loves her face painted. She would wear make-up every day if I let her. Grant always tells her (and me) that we look like vampires. I tell her she's too beautiful for make-up. She can't stop admiring her reflection. It's fun to watch.

Here's Grant and Dallin trying to knock each other over - guess who won? (That's as high as Dallin could lift it - he didn't even care.)

Dallin (furthest right) loved this cute ride (the only ride at the celebration). It had some kind of a generator to keep it going, but it had to be started and stopped with human muscles.

"I just like to paint my toes" that's what Dallin said when I asked him what happened (at least he chose a boyish color right?)

This one's for Jessi

2011-06-08T20:50:00.004-06:00

I turns out that I don't even know my own blog address. Whenever I want to go to my blog I just go to my reader (which is on my home page) and see if my sister Jessica has blogged (on any given day she usually has). Then I read her latest post, scroll down the side, find MY blog and click it. I know - pathetic. So, I am dedicating this update to here. Go Jessi!!! Your example of everyday posts overwhelms me and inpsires me at the same time. Those who know her will probably agree.

If you look real close, you will see our pet african dwarf frogs - sadly, they are dead now.

This is actually kind of a sad picture (and scary) because one of my children had taken a bath a few hours earlier and did not drain the bathtub. Quinton was not only shocked from falling head first into water, but also from the very cold temperature. And still, he runs for an open bathroom (or an open front/back door or an open stairs gate). If he is successful, he almost always plays in the toilet - so gross. We are pretty good about keeping those doors shut these days.

2nd Derby and Grant really wanted to take first. He won most creative. He had some techinical diffaculties - his car got knocked off the track and his front wheel broke off just before the race. A little super glue fixed it, but the alignment was off. Maybe next year.

This is Dallin trying to copy Quinton in the next picture.

I am so glad I got this picture. This used to be Quintons favorite pose. He would balance on his head and grab toys with his hands. So cute!

Inspired By Grandma's

2011-03-13T21:09:00.005-06:00

I prefer a dramatic blog - you know, one that shocks my 'fans' when it is updated (at least that's the excuse I'm currently using). Alas, I have been gently nudged by loving Grandma's and seriously threatened by my husband to "please post the snowman pictures as soon as you get a moment .... tonight". ;) This first picture shows what I am neglecting - not that I want to pick it up - it's just haunting me.

The amazing (now very melted) snow fort - secret tunnel and all.

The incredible snowman, who was originally sculpted out of cubes but redefined at the request of our 'princess'.

A recent picture of our almost 1 year old who is currently fighting some icky virus but still so so so sweet. We all completely adore him.

Finally, our talented children's Valentines boxes - they were so excited for their candy and ate it all right when they got home from school (and no one threw up). I feel like I need to explain why I allowed such indulgence. Grant gave me a Valentines card from his computer class that said, "I love you mom because you let me eat candy". Now ... really ... how could I deny that sweet (albeit manipulative) request.

Quinton

2010-12-05T22:12:00.004-06:00

Quinton Miles Nelson

2010-04-19T21:15:00.003-06:00

Thanks to my sweet sister Lori (and a very devoted Aunt)- you all get updates on Quinton

The Before

2010-03-17T21:43:00.002-06:00

More of Baby

2010-03-17T21:35:00.003-06:00

He is yet to be named.... 3 more days to figure out!

He is the sweetest little bundle of Joy!!!

Baby Nelson has arrived!!

2010-03-16T11:02:00.004-06:00

3/15/2009

8:59 pm

Weight 10 lbs 3 oz

22 inches Long

Mom and baby are doing great!

Just Pictures

2009-12-27T00:08:00.005-06:00

Here is a preview of what you might get to see if I ever get to sending out cards this year. (The cards I bought say 'Merry Christmas' and it's over, so I will have to come up with something else.)

Family Picture

Grant

Ella

Dallin

Baby Nelson

This 3-D Ultra sound was taken on the 17th of December. The wispy stuff across his face is the umbilical cord. I always remember that I'm pregnant, but sometimes I forget that there is a sweet baby inside me. I loved seeing him again.

Announcing ......

2009-09-08T22:06:00.003-06:00

Here is the first glimpse of our newest addition. March 21st is the baby's official due date. Ella is really cute and keeps hugging and kissing my bulge and is really hoping for a little sister. Grant thinks it should definitely be another boy. In fact he thinks it would be great if we had 10 boys and then another girl. Dallin seemed to like the picture, but really doesn't get it. I am 12 weeks and 2 days along according to the ultrasound, so in 8 more weeks we we find out (if the baby cooperates, that is). I will keep you posted.
So, does this mean that I get a little slack for not updating my blog for the past couple of months? I can always use a good excuse.

Boring Blog

2009-05-14T13:21:00.003-06:00

Every time I go to our blogspot (not very often really, just to check the 2 links that are private), I think to myself, "our blog is so boring". I think that is because I rarely update. Maybe our family comes off as mysterious, because nobody ever gets to know what we are up to. No real mysteries here, just busy trying to keep up with the 'essential's - food, clothes, house ...' I already feel guilt from not keeping up with my expectations (which, honestly, seems pretty meager right now). When I take time to blog, I feel even greater guilt. Some of those 'not-so-good-at-blogging-bloggers' will understand what I am going through. Without delay, I will breifly tell you what we have been up to:

1. Our house in St. Louis has almost sold - hopefully by this time next week we will be the happy owners of just 1 mortgage.

2. We have had lots of company - 1 live-in family guests and several overnighters. Two or three of my sisters and my mom are coming this weekend. (Here's the guilt setting in again as I remember the list I have made to prepare).

3. I have been battling a sinus/chest infection since December, my doctor tells me 'less stress'.

4. Grant is now reading chapter books and loves riding his bike. He even crashes, a lot and doesn't seem to mind. He will finish the 1st grade on June 3rd. Tomorrow will be his first field trip and yesterday, he informed me 'it will be the best day of his life'. (They will be touring a creamery and eating icecream before lunch).

5. Ella is attending a preschool/playgroup put on by 5 different moms in my neighborhood. When she comes home, I always ask her what they did and the first thing she reports on (without fail) is the snacks. She is always asking to have friends over. She has a collection of 'treasures' that she found up the canyon and is going to open a museum. Children will cost 1 penny and adults will cost 2 dollars. Ella has an explanation for almost everything, it's cute to hear her tell me why something scientific happens without using any actual science. She has cut the hair off a stick horse and a string to her blinds - yes, this is in addition to cutting her hair a couple of months back.

6. Dallin is a very determined sweetheart (most of the time - lately, he's been going through a taking away phase that is not so sweet). He refuses to eat most actual food. He will always eat candy and snacks and juice. He mostly eats yogurt, provolone cheese, milk, cereal, pancakes, waffles, and peanut butter (on the spoon). He sometimes eats noodles, bread, string cheese, and granola bars. That's about it. He's not really talking much. He loves to play outside and with other people. He loves to watch movies. He loves to eat other peoples toothbrushes and put on everyone else shoes. He loves little cars and plastic animals. He loves to be tickled and danced with. And he loves his bath time.

7. Paul is getting up early every single morning (quite a feat, if you know how much he likes to sleep in) to commute for an hour to work and an hour home. He gets home at 5ish and tries to get to bed before 10. He's already been awarded 3 different bonuses for his outstanding work. He worked really hard at making a memorable mothers day for me (breakfast, presents, dinner, flowers - the works). Our kiddo's love him. We take a few minutes to cuddle with Grant and Ella each night and they always fight over who gets to cuddle with him. (Of course, he doesn't really cuddle and talk about their day - you know, calming them down just before bed - he plays keep away with their blankets or wrestle. Sometimes our time is done and they complain that they didn't actually get to cuddle with daddy.)

8. We are attempting to grow a garden, get rid of a zillion wasps and a zillion weeds. We love living a mile from the canyon and Paul has taken the kids on several bike rides. We have a horse pasture in the lot behind us. We feed them carrots and apples. Paul and I have been to the Temple more than once and we have the sweetest little babysitter who lives 2 blocks away and whom my children adore.

By the way, our family picture was taken at Christmas time by my sister Jessi. We originally planned on using them for late Christmas cards and then 'we have moved' cards. I guess, I should just post it here so it gets some viewers. Thanks Jess, if I remember right, we all froze our booties off that day - you most of all, since you were taking the pictures.

Fun with Hair

2009-03-06T15:25:00.004-06:00

Ella donated 10 iches to locks of love. She has been talking about getting her hair cut ever since I showed her a picture of her friend Abby who got her hair cut. I do love her long hair, but I wanted her to decide. For a long time, I would say, "If you cut your hair, you can't have any ponytails on the side of your head." (Her favorite style for a while was ponies.) Well, one day, she decided to cut off part of her 'pony'. Miraculously, her cut ended up being close to her face and just looked like a cute layer. However, I expained how ugly (yes, I used the word 'ugly' - mostly for shock value) her hair would be if she cut off her ponytails. Then I forbade her from using sissors again until she was 6. Meanwhile, I read my friend's post (Melanie) about her little girl chopping off her hair. Also, I realized that it would really be to her benefit to practice using sissors. Waal-a!!! A new 'short cut'.

Ella absolutely loves her new 'short cut' and has never muttered a word of regret. Admittedly, I too, love how fast washing and doing her hair is. Plus, I think she is adorable. At the grocery store she kept trying to hide and when I asked her why, she said, "I don't want anyone seeing how cute I am because they might want to take me." (A couple of weeks prior, she was doing full body poses whenever people walked by because, "I want them to say that I'm the cutest girl in the store.")

I was way overdo for a haircut and decided to pick a style that was easy. Lori and I both agree that my hair looks even better in person, but here it is.

New Home

2009-03-06T14:39:00.005-06:00

What I wish I had done was take pictures before the boxes arrived, because, yes, my house looked better bare rather than cluttered (its' current state). So, rather than embarrass myself with current pictures, I am posting pictures that the appraiser took.

New Home Pics

2009-03-06T14:14:00.004-06:00

This is the Front

This is the basement

This is the Kitchen

This is a layout of the basement

This is a layout of the main floor

Excitement at the Nelson Place

2009-01-13T14:07:00.003-06:00

First off, we bought a home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I put lots of exclamation points to show just how excited we all are about that. Our home in St. Louis is still looking for an owner. We have high hopes that it will sell soon.

Second, many children, grandchildren and even a few great-grandchildren will be meeting in Boise to celebrate my grandmothers 75th birthday this weekend (Ella and me included). All of my sisters and two of their brand new babies will be there.

Third, my sister Lori is moving to Logan in two weeks. I'm still trying to convince her to stay with us for a bit.

Forth, (not really exciting, as in hooray; but emotions did flare) Ella has been particularly sneakily naughty (and is actually on probation to attend the party this weekend). In the past 4 days she has: bit Grant 3 times, put on a diaper and Dallin's clothes, drawn on herself with a pen to make herself look like a kitty (whiskers, stripes, paws, claws ....), put the white sugar in her closet and ate spoonfuls of it (she is currently off sweets for the week after her biting episodes), smeared bum cream all over her legs (said she thought it was my lotion). It seems that she is out of sorts.

4 Weeks in Transition (and counting)

2008-12-02T14:03:00.002-06:00

I usually use my blog to keep family and friends updated on how my kiddo's have grown and mostly use pictures. Our camera has been sent in for repairs and so I have decided to just let you use your imaginations. (I do have a lot of old pictures to post, but will work on that later.) Wednesday marks 4 weeks that we have been in Logan. We have been finding our groove and enjoying new things. Last night Paul came home and shared a song he heard on the radio that day during his 2 hour commute (1 hour each way). We listened and danced and my heart melted (as well as my eyes - a rare moment). Here is the youtube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN7_qbOpuWs&feature=related

Dancing has always been a passion of mine and somehow it has been passed on to Ella - so, I totally relate to the song. The part I found most touching was the reality that these moments with my children would become distant memories one day. Well, actually, the part I really found most touching was that this song impacted my sweet husband. I love watching him love my children and seeing how they adore him. Yes, I do find it a little hard to swallow that they all love Paul more than me - but, mostly, I am complimented in my choice of finding them a great father.

So, on the note of memories, I thought I would post a few of ours. I think I will just list them for sake of time.

New things:

1. Cute little Zoo 10 minutes from our house - our whole family got in for $3.50 and we parked 10 feet from the entrance.
2. Grant's school allows kissing (but, luckily, Grant has entered the 'girls are yucky' stage.)
3. Living close to Paul's cousin and trading babysitting. We even got to celebrate Thanksgiving with them and Paul's Aunt Sara and Uncle Des.
4. Gossners dairy factory. They make milk that can sit on the shelf for a year in all different flavors (evcn rootbeer). I am lactose intolerant, so I think it made me a little sick but my kids liked it.
5. Providence library. Just think of a small town library and you get the picture. I would estimate that it is no larger than 1500 square feet. The librarian's are very friendly and one even pulled out 15 different 'LDS culture' videos for me to pick from when I asked what they had available.
6. The canyon. I've only really seen it in the car, it's even pretty when it's covered in bare trees.
7. Parks. On the warm days we have ventured to several parks in Logan.
8. Carpooling to Grants school each day. We only started this yesterday, but it has been a life saver. Getting the kids all ready, down 3 flights of stairs and to Grants school by 8:45 proved challenging. Now, I just pick up in the afternoon.
9. Dream Dinners. A local make and freeze dinners store. They actually were sweet enough to compile the dinners for me and they are pretty tasty but more work than I anticipated. Also, I tend to set of the fire alarms whenever I broil. (Paul's work is paying for our food this month, so I decided to try something more healthy than eating out.)
10. Paul and I have new callings in our new ward ... joint Sunday School teachers (15-18 years).
11. Dallin has been to the nursery 3 times and only got upset on his first visit.
12. Apartment living and trying to keep our little herd from annoying the tenant underneath us. He is very tolerant and understanding - we apologise whenever we see him and he never complains.
13. Grant and Dallin share a room and do wonderfully. We tried to let Ella share with Grant and she kept him up (and us) for hours - this is a much better arrangement.
14. Great Harvest Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread. Yum!
15. I have joined the masses and have my very own Cell phone, but not a lot of minutes so I've really only used it on the weekend when minutes were free.

I think that is enough for the new stuff. Another fun list I would like to document is the injuries (and potential injuries) we have sustained in such a short time:

1. I rolled my ankle on the bottom of the stairs. Seriously thought I had broken it because of pain (I know, I am a wimp). This doesn't sound so terrible until you think of the 3 flights of stairs I had to get Dallin up and down twice a day (before we started the glorious carpool).
2. Dallin had a serious case of 'bottom burning diahrrea' flu. It lasted 5 days. We spent a lot of time in the bath and watching Baby Einstien movies while his bottom dried out. Needless to say, he is now a movie addict and requests them all day long.
3. Ella punctured her eardrum with a Q-tip. If you want all the details, she would be more than willing to tell you. Basically, she convinced me she was old enough and obviously wasn't.
4. Grant has a cough that doesn't want to leave.
5. Paul has been perfectly healthy.
6. Okay now for the potential injuries - Ella has eaten and fed chewable vitamins to Dallin (only 2 for Ella and one for Dallin but he had two in hand). Ella has also been caught with one knee up on our balcony (remember that we are 3 stories up) with cement patio awaiting her fall. Also, she was trying to climb our balcony a second time - just feet on the wall, but still. And a few days later, Ella was kneeling on her window seal with the window open and touching the screen (still 3 stories up but with bushes awaiting her plummet).

On with the adventure!

Ahh, Mountains again

2008-11-16T15:18:00.002-06:00

We are HERE! Here, being, temporary housing in a cute little town that I will soon call home with new friends that I will soon find. We miss our St. Louis friends/family (Ella talks about Abby at least once a day). Grant loves his new school and informed me (on the first day) that he was the smartest one in his class and all the girls chase him at recess. I think he is adjusting quite well. Ella is struggling a bit - she seems to be out of her element and a little crazy. Dallin seems unaffected, although he does wander aimlessly looking for toys to play with. Paul is 'ramping up' with his new position. And I have become obsessed with trying to find our 'perfect little house ... in a good school district ... within a predetermined price range'. We went to dinner with Paul's boss last night (thanks to Bridget for watching our little monkeys late into the night). As we talked about Logan and Pauls new job, it sank in that we are here to stay and not just vacationing (which it seems while living in temporary housing). Life has calmed down a bit, but feels just as busy/stressful. I'm begining to wonder if that magical dream of just living and enjoying life is really ever going to happen. I keep saying ... "once we are in Logan" ... "once we sell our house" ... "once we find a house and close on it" ... "once we are moved in"... I'm pretty sure more ... "once we" s will sneak in. On that note, I will just pretend that we are not in chaos. Rather, I will make memories and really enjoy the "once we" s. Who knows, maybe even take pictures and post them for all you to see!!!

CHANGE

2008-11-01T07:38:00.005-06:00

So, my goal is to update at least once a month. It just so happened that right when my month was up, we received some interesting news. (I'm sure most of my family and St. Louis friends already know.) I am officially announcing that ... we are MOVING. Where? Logan, UT When? Me and kids - Nov. 5th, Paul - Nov. 7th Why? New job with better pay and NO TRAVEL and closer to family.

With the incredible help of friends we have managed to put our house on the market (here's the link:

http://maris.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Gstl&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=v7LdMsYD3XTIA29DUfAJFZgYoCVwwO8CmMPyfc4Coi4%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=

I spend each morning getting ready and making sure our house is in perfect selling condition. Then I spend the rest of the day finishing my never-ending list of things to do for this transition. I feel like I am on a crazy roller coaster right now - stress mixed with excitement, sadness, anxiety, frustration, hope, impatience, and relishing our final moments with friends in St. Louis. We barely managed to pull off carving pumpkins and Halloween. I keep thinking that once we are in Logan, I will only be focused on settling in and that seems a little less stressful (mostly because I won't be spending the good part of my day making sure my house is in 'perfect selling condition' - I was going to write "the good part of my morning" but decided on "the good part of my day" because it is something I get to do every moment of every day while we are here). Hallelujah for Paul's new job that is putting our whole family up in furnished housing for a few months. Now it is the day after Halloween and by the looks of it - I have a lot to do to get my house back into 'perfect selling condition' in addition to my 'never-ending list of things to do'.

Ella's Trampoline Tricks

2008-08-29T07:56:00.000-06:00

Spinning

2008-08-29T07:53:00.001-06:00

Ring Around the Roses

2008-08-29T07:52:00.001-06:00

Grant's Trampoline Tricks

2008-08-28T20:57:00.005-06:00

School Days

2008-08-28T20:36:00.003-06:00

I completely spaced capturing Grant's first day of 1st grade on film, but luckily he needed a picture for an assignment. So, here is the 2nd Day of school in his favorite shirt (Star Wars).

Dallins latest trick - on purpose! He loves to climb and apparently his toys are more accessible when he is sitting on them. His latest trick is to scale up the sides of the banister (you know the one that goes on the outside of the stairs). Oh, and my least favorite is the one where he climbs onto a kitchen chair, stands up and rocks back and forth - just enough to not tip over - with the biggest grin on his face. That baby has no fear (unlike his mommy - eek).

Dallin at the park in all his cuteness.

How sweet is that face - I could totally see him wrapping me around his finger at some future date.

We had playgroup at the park and the organizer read stories and had bubbles for the children who were old enough. They loved it!

Nascar Speedway

2008-08-24T19:15:00.002-06:00

In our attempt to beat the heat while Paul Mom was visiting, we went to a nearby mall and discovered this exciting place. Grant and Ella got wristband (2 for 1 that day) and got to go on as many rides as they wanted. They rode this one 5 or 6 times - it goes straight up, then down a little, then up a little, then down a little ...

This one just goes around and around - they only rode this one once.

Grant and Ella got to drive this one around a very small track. Grant did pretty good. Ella got stuck most of the time. I think she needs more practice with Grant's jeep.

You'll have to zoom in on this one, it's Baba Marti (Pauls Mom) and Grant racing on the outside family course.

And here's Ella and Paul. I think they won so the next time Baba Marti watched Dallin and I road with Ella. She kept asking me why we were going so slow. Paul lapped us 2 - 3 tmes. Apparently driving defensively does not pay off at the race course.

Rained Out Swimming Party

2008-08-24T19:08:00.004-06:00

Paul took care of Dallin for most of the party - it is so nice to have a very supportive husband!

We had the kids decorate their lunch bags as they came in.
(L to R: Jacob, Grant, Sydney and Kathrine)

We rented our clubhouse and originally planned on letting the kids swim for our activity. However, the weather did not cooperate - serious thunder and lightning was hitting as we were setting up. I think the high that day was 68 - pretty cold for the end of July. At the last minute, Paul rented a movie to wait out the rain. This is a picture of the kids eating their sack lunches and watching a movie. It worked out nicely that most of the mom's got to chat while the kids ate. (A few brave children decided to swim when the thunder and lightning stopped, even though it was still sprinkling - brr!)

This is Ella's cute tiara that says birthday girl. (Which she only wore for blowing out her candle - silly girl.)

And here she is with her pink cupcake as we sing 'Happy Birthday'.

Staying Cool

2008-08-21T20:43:00.002-06:00

We totally hogged the misting spot while waiting for Paul and Grant to return from Space Mountain. Ella just danced and Dallin loved getting wet. It was so hot - I'm pretty sure I saved my children from heat stroke and me from going insane.

Birthday Wishes

2008-08-21T19:21:00.002-06:00

The day after we returned from Florida was Ella's birthday. We went swimming, had pancakes for dinner and she opened family presents. My mom got Ella this cute dress and Ella got these 'glass' slippers at Disney World. She was too cute not to pose.

My sister Sara bought Ella her first 'real' ballet outfits. She loves them and puts them on just whenever she feels the need to dance.

Splash Mountain

2008-08-20T20:20:00.002-06:00

By far my most favoritest ride within both Disney's. We left Dallin at home with Paul's very kind Brother Ben and his wife Sarah (Johnson) and went back to Disney World to watch the fire works and use our hard earned fast passes for this ride. (It turned out that we didn't need them at 11pm - but I'm pretty sure we used them anyway.) It was so fun ... and so wet ... and so cold. Ella even kept her arms up during the big splash and yelled, "Yeah, Baby!"

This was taken on the ride - maybe just as we are about to go down, I don't even remember - it was pretty late.

Disney World

2008-08-20T19:58:00.004-06:00

Ella was a little hesitant to pose with these characters. When I said that she (Ella) was just as beautiful as Cinderella, the Wicked Stepmother said, "Oh, don't flatter Cinderella - she (Ella) is much more beautiful."

This was a robotic, talking garbage can. It would talk to the kids and tell them to put trash inside. We're pretty sure that someone close by was controlling it but could never figure out who.

Ella is wearing her Aunt Sara's (Nelson) crown and posing on main street.

Dallin and Halle (cousin) chilling in line to meet the princesses.

Cute cousins!

Princesses Everywhere

2008-08-20T19:36:00.002-06:00

Meeting with the princesses was so fun. All of the princesses were in character and spoke just like they did in the movies. Snow White asked Ella if the birds helped her do her hair. Ella is still very much in the princess stage and loves to dress up with her friends in her costumes (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Jasmine). Then they climb to the top of their tower (little tikes toddler climbing/slide toy) and talk like princesses. I try to explain how she really is a princess because Heavenly Father is the father of her spirit. I'm not sure if any of that has really sunk in yet. For now, I will just enjoy her pretending.

The Beach

2008-08-19T20:12:00.003-06:00

What a couple a cuties - ahh, the men in my life!

Yep, that would be sand going in his mouth - yuck!

Ella could have stayed all day - she loved everything there is about the beach.

Dallin kept us quite busy, as you can tell from this photo, he never stopped moving - even the waves could not curtail him.

The cousins. It was so fun for our kids to have cousins their same age to play with and I loved watching them interact. We all shared a huge house and it provided a lot of time to spend together. (The memories!)

Kennedy Space Center

2008-08-19T20:04:00.003-06:00

Our future astronauts!

Dallin loved running and climbing - I'm pretty sure the rocket right above him was the inspiration behind it all.

Scrapes and Bruises

2008-08-18T19:44:00.003-06:00

We have learned that training wheel and quick turns equal pain. Our family decided to participate in a Memorial Day (I know I am way behind) 5k run. Somehow he got the idea that it was a race and took an early lead but when he tried to use his brakes to slow down for a turn, the bike did not and he hit a curb with his front tire, flipped over the bike and landed on his feet/bum in the middle of a rose bush patch. He immediately jumped up and said, "I'm alright". A few moments later (when he saw the damage as we were washing him off), he cried and told us how painful all the scrapes were. This is him later that day after soaking in the tub for a good while. Two of the thorns were too deep to dig out and seem to be making there way out on their own - by request of Grant. I keep asking him to 'let me get them'. What a brave little boy.

Graduation and Birthday Cake

2008-06-23T22:46:00.002-06:00

Grant graduating from Kindergarten - he felt like a star for the day and we enjoyed being a part of that.

Can you find our very tall son? (His teacher said that Grant is the tallest kindergartener she had ever had.) - top left, 3rd one in. They sang 3 numbers - it was very adorable.

Dallins beautifully decorated cake!!! Grant and Ella loved helping.

The rest of the cake. We ran out of frosting because I used quite a bit on Dallin's cake. I gave Grant and Ella the exact same decorations and each half of the cake. Is this a cake that only a mother could love ? ... because I do.

Here's the end result. I think all the sugar made Dallin a little sick, by the end he was no longer eating, only playing.

Family Fitness

2008-06-23T22:42:00.001-06:00

Dallin Walking

2008-06-23T22:08:00.003-06:00

Before and After

2008-06-17T21:05:00.001-06:00

Our little baby is growing up!

Fun Family Times

2008-06-17T20:27:00.002-06:00

This was Dallin's cute trick for a few days, now he is starting to use his hands to carry things and so close to walking.

Cute baby, he would really prefer to be outside all the time. When I put him in the swing, I know I'm in for at least 30 minutes if I don't want a fight to get him out.

How cute is that! Grant love to follow his Daddy around when he mows ... he just walks and walks and walks.

Look real close and you will find a smiley face. REAL CLOSE. The fun of mowing. It turns out that when you mow around a trampoline, the long part in the circle provides endless entertainment.

We had so much fun when my sister Sara came to visit. Apparently, so much fun that I didn't have time to take pictures - this one of the very few I took. I still miss that cute little Ava. She is bursting with personality. I love her "day-too's" (thank-you), like 50 times a day, and she loves to clean up. My kiddo's really loved her and when we were shopping she always kept track of us and made sure we stayed close by. She will be such a great big sister. We are already planning a trip to come see again her sometime this summer.

The 'mini' Marathon

2008-05-09T19:31:00.004-06:00

This was taken just before we lined up to run. (It was in our fancy hotel that had a huge flat-screen in the bedroom and a smaller one in the bathroom - it also had a nice steam room and a big jacuzzi that we used after our run.)

http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_photo.asp?EVENTID=32421&PWD=&ID=49565430&FROM=photos&BIB=22530#order

This is a piture of me on the run

http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_photo.asp?EVENTID=32421&ID=49455450&FROM=photos&BIB=22530

This is another picture of me - you know - running

http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_photo.asp?EVENTID=32421&ID=49555420&FROM=photos&BIB=22530

And this is how I looked when it was finally finished!!!

I can't believe it has already been a whole week. I started training in November. Every Saturday for the last 4 months I have dedicated time to a 'long run'. Tomorrow is Saturday and it feels very strange to not have to run. The marathon was great for the first 5 miles and sort of went down hill from there. Let's just say, I spent a good amount of time in the 'pit area' (which actually confused me on the race - I kept seeing signs for 'pitarea'. Originally I read it like pi ter ea). I honestly passed the same 'walkers' 4 different times. By the end, I had cramps in my back from holding back diarrhea, cramps in my stomach from drinking and eating 'shot-blocks', shin spints and hurt knees in both legs. I only walked 3 miles and I gave it my ALL. (However, by looking at my time - I really could have walked the entire thing and came out the same. 3 hours and 16 minutes = 15 minute miles.) Interestingly, after the race, I kept thinking about all the things I would do differently if I were to run another one. I might just be crazy. Before training for this, I had only run up to 3 miles at one time. I remember feeling daunted at the thought of running 5 miles. By the end, 5 miles seemed very short. It feels good to physically achieve something I had never done before especially because I really doubted my ability. I sort of feel like I can do anything I set my mind to (if I properly train and take some Imodium AD before the race).

Ella-'leena' Ballerina

2008-04-24T20:34:00.003-06:00

Ella loves to dance and practice's her ballet all the time. On one occasion, we went shopping and found this cute swim suit and dance shoes (from H&M). She also found a fairie-like tu-tu and clear sparkly shoes. The shoes were the wrong size and I convinced her that we would buy a tu-tu when she started Ballet. This swim suit became her new dance outfit- you know, because it's so cute and it has a skirt. Notice the curtsy at the end!

Dallin Movin' Around

2008-04-24T20:19:00.000-06:00

Dallin getting around

2008-04-16T21:09:00.001-06:00

Dallin loves pulling himself up on everything and can't wait until he is walking like the rest of his family.

Rub-dub-dub three kids in the tub

2008-04-16T20:47:00.004-06:00

My kids love the bath. This probably wasn't the cutest shot, but definately the most modest. Apparently, daddy was only looking at the cute faces in all the other shots he took.

I decided that I'd better capture the moment of painting because I almost never let my kids paint and they always want to. It always seems like a huge time drainer - set up, clean up, keeping the paint stocked. They did make me a picture with their hand prints (which was cute). And almost made me a picture with their 'feet' prints (which I vetoed for fear of feet prints from the table to the sink).

Ella and our 'almost' pet frog

2008-04-16T20:31:00.003-06:00

Ella found this frog and held it for at least 30 minutes. When I saw the grasp she had on it, I told her she was squeezing it too hard, she stopped squeezing and it kicked. So then, she dropped on the concrete. After 3 times of this poor frog being squeezed and dropped, I told her to let the frog be free. The next day we saw it again and had decided to keep it for the day in Grant's frog habitat (which used to hold tadpoles until they died). Grant tried to catch it, but got freaked out when it squirmed. It hopped away and hasn't been seen since. I did learn, however, that a frog contains enough pee to drench the sleeves of a small girl - yuck!

This child has no fear. I'm not actually sure how he managed to get inside the toy box. When I came in the room - there he was. He loved it.

Cute happy baby!

Ella was so angry at me because I made her go potty (after watching her dance in circles, even though she claimed she was just 'bored'). She makes this really funny mean face and to get her to stop, I tell her, "That is just the ugliest face I've ever seen, let me take a picture". So, of course when I bring out the camera, she magically changes to the sweetest look ever. I told her that the camera must be like a magic wand.

Dallin playing peek a boo

2008-04-09T08:34:00.001-06:00

Ella and Easter

2008-04-08T20:34:00.002-06:00

Ella finding Easter Eggs

Ella would be pleased if all clothes were shiny or sparkly

Pictures to Muse

2008-04-08T20:13:00.002-06:00

Dallin has done this trick a few times - the first time it was a little traumatic, but now he has figured out how to squirm around and pull his head out of the toys

The first time tasting snow

Grant and Ella were in tattoo heaven (thanks to my mom!) It kept them busy for a couple of hours and they loved it (except the part when Grant put his favorite tattoo on his belly-button and it didn't work)

Easter presents - Grant had been asking for a watch since Christmas and so I just knew it was the perfect gift. But, it seems that he was dreaming of a bug toy all night and when it wasn't waiting for him in his basket, he was heart-broken (into tears). Which, of course, broke my heart. Once I showed him how cool his watch was, it was an entirely different matter (spider-man flip watch with a stamp-pad). Ella doesn't even tell time yet, but it does have princesses on it - plus, she is all about having whatever Grant has.

Grant searching for eggs - it was very cold and even snowed the next day (Easter Sunday)

More Pictures

2008-04-08T19:55:00.003-06:00

Cute cuddles

This was a new trick and he was so proud

Grant pulling Ella on a sled - what a sweet brother

The first time Dallin was in a swing and loving it

I thought this picture really captured Dallin's personality - very content

Another tag

2008-02-14T21:22:00.003-06:00

I guess it looks like I fell off the face of the Earth as it has been 2 months since my last post. Thanks to my sweet sister (who is coming to stay with me for a month at the end of the year - yippee!!!) I am back at it ... with a tag.

Here goes:

A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B: Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog. (Which I have decided to not do because those I tagged did not even do my last one MOM, AUNT DIANE, and UNCLE JOHN/AUNT CHRIS)

-10 years ago today...

I was serving outside the cement jungle of Ireland. The only 'projects' in Ireland that I am aware of. Twelve story high buildings, maybe 15 of them surrounded with acres and acres of grassy hills. Quite the site. We lived in a makeshift shed/flat in the backyard of someones house. I destinctly remember pouring out at least a gallon of water from our de-humidifier each day. Part of our area covered a much nicer neighborhood and I remember walking to the Stake Center - the trees were covered in blossoms, it was beautiful green everywhere. Breathtaking. Also, the only time it ever snowed on my mission.

5 things on my to-do list today:

What list???
1. Get Grant ready for school (which included encouraging him to finish his valentines, fill out his reading list, and put the addresses of 7 family members on postcards that the school will send out solicitating magazine subscriptions from you. Don't worry, I added a note of my own on each card letting you know that you can just throw it away. Grant gets a prize for bringing it back, he asked please and melted the initial resentment in my heart) and take him to the bus stop.
2. Vaccuum the main level (before Dallin did - he's been scooting off his blanket).
3. Find out about tadpoles (they were coming in the mail today). Once I found out about them I added more to my list - buying food and declorinater - so they wouldn't die.
4. Make Valentine cookies with/for kids and neighbors. I was out of brown sugar and decided that was a sign to do it another day. Also, I don't even have a heart cookie cutter. It wasn't meant to be.
5. Re-map my 6 mile run for Saturday. It's my turn to find a place for our long run, and at mapmyrun.com I was able to mark the distance of a trail in a park I want to run. Originally, I had us running up the steep hill two times. I decided to change it slightly so we would never have to run up that hill again. :)

I enjoy:

- Really nice weather
- Lobster tails dripping in garlic butter (I almost made one for myself to celebrate Valentines day, but opted for a lean cuisine instead - less hastle)
- Dancing for hours, except when I'm pregnant because it's painful
- Chick flicks (can you tell it's Valentines Day)
- Listening to the introspection of my children - seeing there little minds at work
- Getting cute notes on my pillow from Grant (some have actually been reprimands about talking too loud - but, still so cute)
- Watching Ella dance and listening to all off her party plans
- Tickling Dallin and listening to his sweet laugh, also, seeing his face light up when I come into the room

What would I do if I were suddenly made a billionaire?

- Decorate my house and buy a bigger vehicle
- Of course, pay debt, invest (blah, blah, blah)
- Fly my mom out to watch our kids while Paul and I took a very needed couple retreat
- I don't really know - I'm pretty sure it will never happen so this is as far as my monetary dreams go.

3 of my bad habits:

1. Leave my stuff everywhere - I am too focused on the next event that I forget to take time to pick up after myself.
2. Eating high energy, quick food when I feel drained. In other words using candy as a pick me up.
3. Nit-picky critical of just about everything - it all needs to be perfect, including myself and those around me. I'm really working on this one. I think it might have something to do with patience.

5 places I have lived:

1. St. Louis, Mo
2. Provo, UT
3. Ireland (10 different areas)
4. St. George, UT
5. Brigham City, UT

5 jobs that I have had:

1. Best Mommy in the World - according to Ella and Grant
2. Bank Teller at Zions Bank
3. Customer Service Representative at Ultimate Electronics
4. Sales person at ZCMI (Candy, China and Old Lady Clothes)
5. Frostop

5 things people don't know about me:

1. I have some gray hair, but I am too stubborn to start coloring. Once you start you can't stop.
2. I despise makeup and hair styles. It seems like such a waste of my precious alone time. I just wish everyone else did, too.
3. I love wearing socks around the house and if I were a billionaire, I would wear my exercise socks that are snug fitting and so fuzzy and expensive. I find many a hole in my heel - but it doesn't stop me.
4. My kids eat nuggets, corn dogs, pancakes, ravioli and eggs for dinner when Paul's out of town. I eat cold cereal and sandwiches.
5. Bee's, wasp's, and mosquito's are not my friends. I shutter and get so angry at their presence.

1 1/2 hours of missed sleep and it is finished!

Nelson Look-alike Meter

2007-12-18T21:17:00.001-06:00

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

I've been tagged

2007-11-15T20:54:00.000-06:00

The Rules: Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags six people and posts their names then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Have fun!

A few things that you may not know about me:

1. I have 2 boxes of 'very important papers' that I have been collecting since Ella was born. We moved here with one and have gathered another. One day I will file them and then when I need something it won't take me half and hour to find it!:)

2. I will wipe the kitchen counters before washing the dishes. I can ignore a sink full of dishes but crumbs on the counters drive me crazy.

3. When I was little, I had an underground fort. At night, I would dream of all the tunnels I was going to add (it even had elevators). I still create grand plans about once a week. My last few are 1. Freezing meals so I only have to cook one or two times a week - this includes typing all of my recipes into a nutrition program to ensure we are eating healthy and to help generate a shopping list; 2. Doing chores with my kids in the morning (I even have a list of kid-appropriate chores and a jar of mysterious kitchen chores to pick from; 3. Paying my children allowance based on chores and giving them some allowance just because they're kids (also dividing up their allowance into 5 different types of accounts); 4. The 'Mom Vacuum' - where I pick up after my kids and put it in my big brown bag; 5. Snacks after school; 6. Training for and running a half marathon; 7. Using a new and improved spreadsheet to track our finances - even assigning specific credit cards for certain purchases; 8. Labeling all the toys in our playroom with pictures and words so that friends and Daddy will know where to put things; 9. Having dinner in the Dining Room each night and each of us taking turns telling about 'How God has touched our lives that day' - I write it in a book; 10. 'Family clean-up time' - this is supposed to happen right after dinner, our whole family cleans the kitchen and picks up the main level - also, we crank the kid tunes and end up dancing at the end. Is there any wonder that I am failing at all of them?

4. I am an 'all or nothing' type of person. So, do you see the list up there? I can only do one at a time and that means I am constantly rotating between them all - never really finishing any. Unfortunately, I end up discouraged and find myself paralyzed to do anything.

5. I overplan to compensate for my airheadedness. I am naturally very forgetful. In fact, I earned the nickname 'dilly' from my sister Sara when I still lived at home. I can take an amazingly long time to do anything if nothing is pressing me.

6. I hate the wind, dirt under my nails, hair in my face, cold feet, cooking in a messy kitchen, whiny children, mailing anything, sweeping the floor, watching TV programs, feeling tired .... I love kisses on my cheek from my children, shoulder/neck massages from my husband, very melty chocolate, Fritz's Frozen Custard, beautiful days in nature, fresh clean sheets when I have just shaved, shopping, reading stories with my children, listening to a rainstorm at night (unless it comes with a tordado warning), talking to anyone about interesting topics, creating a new recipe, feeling the Spirit, having something exciting to look forward to.

I think I am supposed to tag 6 people, but from reading everyone else's blog, most people have already been tagged. So, I will tag those that I am certain have not: My mom, My Aunt Diane, and my Aunt Christina/Uncle John. Have fun!

Halloween

2007-11-09T22:25:00.001-06:00

Everyone thought Ella was wearing a wig - some people even wanted to touch her hair. She, of course, loved all the attention and began volenteering information about her hair to random people.

This is Grant's mean look.

They have been practicing this pose all year. I'm so glad we got it on camera. Sadly, Dallin did not make it for halloween pictures (he was sleeping). I did, however, take him trick-or-treating when he woke up. I did feel a tad bit guilty taking candy for his candy basket knowing that I would most likely be the one eating it. I suppose he will just get sweeter milk. :) (Or, maybe just gas from the chocolate).

Halloween Festivities

2007-11-09T21:51:00.000-06:00

Paul's and Dallin's pumpkin, Grant's pumpkin and Ella's pumpkin. All pumkins were designed and clean by their owners (except Dallin's - Paul sort of confiscated his).

This is Paul's pumkin lit up. Scary!

Ella posing in a Fairy costume. I think the idea is to somehow, have a certain Aunt (hint, hint Jessi) make a poster of all the neices in this costume. She absolutely loved posing - though, I'm really not sure where she gets that from. :)

Paul was a tourist at our trunk or treat and Dallin was a monkey. Too bad we didn't have a big yellow hat. I was a basket of Laundry. No pics - sorry, the only one we took was simply awful.

Grant and Ella Absolutely LOVED dressing up like Sharkboy and Lavagirl (The movie is not recommeded by movie critics - especially me). A long time ago, Paul began telling Grant stories about how he was really Sharkboy and had all these special powers. Over time Ella became Lavagirl and their special powers have grown. Nearly every day, Grant and Ella run around the house pretending to be these characters (sometimes in the basement/playroom saving stuffed animals, or wrestling Daddy who always plays the villan, or even as small talk over lunch they ask me if I believe they are really Sharkboy and Lavagirl - to which I always answer 'no' because whenever Sharkboy and Lavagirl come to visit, Grant and Ella are always in the bathroom.) They can even make the sound effects: Sharkboy's fins (ching, ching) and Lavagirls lava (SHHH). How lucky were we that one of their good friends' very talented mom had made these costumes two years prior.

Pumkin Patch

2007-11-09T21:11:00.000-06:00

I think this is the cleanest way to be buried. And ... he got a few kernels to take home as a souvenir :)

She even made the cowgirl noises, "Yee-haa, Yippee". Doesn't she look like a natural. Thanks Baba Debi.

They did have a bigger pony, but I think Grant felt more comfortable knowing that he and the pony were almost the same size :)

Originally we planned on buying our pumkins here, but after checking the price ($50 for a big one and $5 for a very small one), we decided to check around.

The Zoo

2007-11-09T20:55:00.000-06:00

This is the beginning of our Day!

Grant and Ella did some exploring on the path. Funny how children show just as much interest in nature as they do the exhibits.

This is the end of our day - guess which one got a nap during the day?

Daniels Farm

2007-10-17T19:56:00.000-06:00

We went to this fun little farm today. They had a petting zoo, mazes, slides, swings and other stuff we didn't get to see because it was drizzly. It was fund watching my kids explore. I forget what it was like discovering the world, but being a parent is great because I get to experience it all over again through my kids.

The writing's on the floor

2007-10-11T20:46:00.000-06:00

Apparently this is what our living room looks like at the end of the day when Dallin requires extra TLC (no naps and all day in my arms - maybe a cold???) Look at all that fun! We spent the morning shopping for friend birthday presents, wrapped one, and started folding laundry. Then Grant and Ella doing their very best to entertain themselves hooked all of Dallin's toys on his playmat and made a fort with kitchen chairs and cushions. At about 6:30, I just stood dazed at how a room could go from clean to disaster in a matter of hours. I just had to take a picture.

Super Cute

2007-10-11T20:44:00.000-06:00

Need I say more?

Dallin Updates

2007-10-11T20:32:00.000-06:00

Here is the little man. He is very expressive and still very cute. Although, he has found that he can control his voice and has been experimenting with forced cries. I think they are so cute that I have a hard time feeling sorry for him. He also makes the cutest (and very loud) squeals. It's pretty adorable.

Snipe

2007-09-26T20:54:00.001-06:00

After living on this Earth for 32 years, a fallacy was discovered. Snipes are not imaginary furry little creatures that live in the woods and can only be seen by older, more experienced campers. Not to mention caught with a pillowcase. They are actual animals. Birds to be exact. Sorry to burst everyone's bubble.

Family hike

2007-09-26T20:41:00.000-06:00

Paul took some time off to bring sanity to our lives - we spent Thursday cleaning. Quote from Paul as he and Grant finished the job, "Let me tell you, this is what I wanted to do with my vacation, clean boogers off the wall" - said with a smirk (Grant had issues with using tissue for a time). Friday, we went for a 1 mile hike. The weather was perfect. It was a nice break.

Monkey

2007-09-26T20:36:00.001-06:00

Ella loves to climb everything (swing-set poles, dressers, basket-ball hoop poles, hammocks, banisters, play-gyms). She has no fear!

Kate's Birthday

2007-09-26T20:29:00.000-06:00

The Best things in life are free, or close to free. When Grant and Ella found out it was my birthday, they scavanged the house for my present. Then they wrapped the items by themselves and Grant even colored the paper (after it was wrapped). So, you are all dying to find out what I got, I will leave you in suspense no longer. Grant gave me 3 whole pennies. After I made a big deal out of how nice the present was, he informed me that he didn't even want the pennies because, "I already have 3 dollars". Honesty - is it always the best policy? Ella gave me her pretend make-up and blow-dryer. Do you think she was hinting at something?

Dallin Smiling

2007-09-26T20:20:00.001-06:00

This boy loves to smile ... loves to suck on skin (face, shoulder, belly, arm) .... and looks for any reason to laugh. We call him 'medicine'. One smile and all our frustrations fade away. Feel free to print this one out - free of charge - we don't mind sharing Dallin's medicine.

Princess Ella

2007-09-26T20:01:00.000-06:00

Ella has been blessed with an enormous array of dress-up (or should I more appropriately say 'dress-over') clothes and accessories. She truly believes that she is a princess (also, Lava-girl and sometimes a puppy, kitty, horsie). She tells us stories everyday about her 'pretend' preschool. Grant is the teacher and everyone in our family gets to attend. For some time I thought that she actually believed she was going to preschool, but today she reassured me that it's, "just a pretend preschool, mommy". Just one more thing about my princess, she is always quoting Disney movies and want's me to play along. If I say it wrong she always corrects me. Her favorites are:

Ella says, "Are we there yet?" (from Incredibles)

my response, "We get there, when we get there."

(This one is repeated 10-15 times as we drive anywhere)

Ella says, "Buried Treasure, Mamma" (from Peter Pan)

my repsonse, "Thanks Ella, this is the last buried treasure of the night - go to bed"

(This one happens just before going to bed - every night, usually 2-3 times)

Ella says, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" (from Heffalump)

my response, "Cloud racing" (then we sometimes jump up in the air)

And More!

2007-08-29T21:13:00.001-06:00

More!

2007-08-29T21:06:00.000-06:00

2007-08-29T20:57:00.000-06:00

Only Pictures!

2007-08-29T20:39:00.001-06:00

One more picture

2007-05-30T12:51:00.001-06:00

I guess I missed Paul's Favorite. So, this picture get's it's very own post.

Dallin's first few days

2007-05-30T10:35:00.000-06:00

My sister Jessi offered to make some baby announcements so we posed Dallin naked. He only peed once. I will probably be sending one of these and I really wanted it to be a suprise, but he was too cute.

Welcome Dallin Spencer Nelson

2007-05-21T19:24:00.000-06:00

The belly:

10 lbs 9 oz:

Dallin Spencer Nelson:

Grant with Dallin:

Ella with Dallin:

The family:

Cute Baby:

My Belly

2007-04-26T19:17:00.000-06:00

3 Weeks to go.

Here's a picture

of my wonderfully

round belly.

Chopped

2007-04-26T19:04:00.000-06:00

I finally decided it was time for cuter hair. I must say that I feel like a new woman (probably just the weight of my hair removed). Ella wanted to touch my hair all night and kept asking if the scissors hurt. Grant likes it and Paul loves it.

New Park for ALL Kid's

2007-04-24T20:49:00.000-06:00

A new park opened on Saturday near our house. It is a park designed to accommodate children with and without disabilities. The kid's had a lot of fun trying out all the new equipment. Grant kept wanting me to take his picture doing everything (:

At the Park in Sunny Wisconsin

2007-04-24T20:26:00.000-06:00

We stopped by the park on our way home from the Children's Museum. Grant and Ella are in the fire truck and Ava played on the grass. She is waving bye-bye.

The Childrens Mueseum in Madison WI

2007-04-23T22:54:00.000-06:00

Last week we went to the Paske's house in Madison Wisconsin. Paul was traveling for work, so it seemed like a good time to take a road trip. Yes I know I am brave to take a trip so close to my due date (4 1/2 wks). We did a few low key activities, which kept the kids entertained.

The letter "P" for Pretend Day

2007-04-23T22:45:00.000-06:00

As most of you know Grant and Ella are attending and in-home preschool that I and two other moms are teaching. For the letter "P" we had pretend day and all the kids dressed up. We spend 2 days on all letters except the vowels, so we also had a pajama day.

We look good....

2007-04-23T22:08:00.000-06:00

We are in our Easter clothes. Paul, Grant and Ella were all sick on Easter Sunday, so this was taken the next week. I haven't gone to church by myself in a very , very long time. I have to say it felt a little strange.

Our New Family Blog

2007-04-17T20:31:00.000-06:00