Nelson is "Free" (aka three)

When asking Nelson how old he is now he will say "Free" meaning three. He turned three on Nov 21st. He is a really cutie pie, with his dimples and winner smile. To celebrate we went to Red Robin. Below Nelson is enjoying one of his favorite occasional treats, pop. (check those dimples out, love them)



Nelson is one happy boy, He is also definitely a momma's boy. Mom is his favorite person. He can't get enough cuddles from "Mama".
Here is the look on his face as the waiters are singing their happy birthday song to him. He seemed pretty indifferent to the song. Once they left he downed his Fudge sunday.
Once we got home he opened his gift.
And in usual form, everyone had to get in on the action. He got a board game and some coloring book and a little shooter gun that shoots spinning disk things. That was his favorite.

Jane's First Birthday!!!

November and December are birthday time for our family. Jane turned 1 year on November 17th. She has been such a joy in our family. That is the best way to describe her a joy. She had this sweet little disposition. She has these deep blue eyes. We love her and are so happy she is in our family.

Jane likes to climb into the laundry basket and hang out a while. Here we are catching her in the act.
For her birthday we did a family party at home. Her cake is a dirt mount decorated with various animal candy.

She liked eating the cake.

Here she is opening her present.

Her very first doll, Raggedy Andy.

A Blessing

Today was a unique day. We went to the funeral of our nephew, Andrew Josiah Nygard. (To read about him go to www.nygardfamily.blogspot.com) I felt very blessed to be there and witness the miracle of his life. Eric and Jenny, his parents were the main speakers at the funeral. Jenny spoke of Andrew's sweet personality and characteristics. She was a pillar of strength as she spoke of her little boy. I felt a great deal of peace and comfort as she spoke. Eric spoke of our knowledge that families are forever. That Andrew is now in the presence of God and that he is performing the work of the Lord there. And that as they live their covenants they too will return to live with him after this life. I feel very blessed to have Eric and Jenny's example of true followers of Christ, and honored that I am able to be so closely associated with them. They truely understand the Lord's plan of happiness for His children. They have consciously chosen to draw near to the Lord during this time. On the back of the program today was this quote ...

"The Lord takes many away even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on this earth. Therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil and we shall have them again. The only difference between the old and the young dying is one lives longer in heaven and eternal glory than the other, and is freed a little sooner from this miserable world." -Joseph Smith

I left the funeral service with a feeling of needing to arise to the occasion and live a better life and share with others the wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ. We miss Andrew and will continue to miss him but we know that we can be with him again. What a wonderful, wonderful knowledge we have.

Tonight Kevin's brother. Brian (19 years old) is preparing to leave on a 6am flight tomorrow morning to South America. He is leaving on a two year mission for our church in Uruguay. He is leaving to bring this message of hope and love to the people there. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people that help me to remember and follow Christ.

Mild Weather

In November there was a day that was especially warm and so we walked to the park down the way. A typical trip to the playground for us entails......

This little sweetie being content and happy to just be. (have you ever seen such a little angel)
Nelson being is silly, boyish self.

Maycie playing to role of big sister and second mom.
Our trip abruptly ends went I find Maycie with this look on her face. It is time to hurry home to the potty:)

Fall Fun!

When fall came the kids must of missed picking the summer fruit. This however didn't stop them from picking something. Perhaps they thought that the leaves were ripe and ready for pickin'.

Enough is Enough !!

So Friday night after the kids went to bed I went to >>>> not the spa>>>>not the gym>>>>not even to do some great act of service>>>>>but rather I went to Toys R' Us. You may be asking yourself , WHY????? would I do that on a perfectly good Friday night whilst my husband is at home enjoying the peace and quiet with three sleeping kids? I asked myself the same question. I am a sucker for a great deal and for my three kids. It was a sale and I had the coupon to go with it. I went , I bought, I had the after bargain shopping buzz all the way home. Then I decided I should get out all of the kids Christmas presents and organize and take inventory. I shop for Christmas pretty much all year off of the clearance racks, ironically this is so I don't have to run out after all the crazy sales going on this time of year---as if I were above it---atlas we see I am not. Anyhow upon arriving home I pulled the gifts out of the storage unit and realized that I had too much, I didn't want to give my kids that many gifts. My bargain shopping buzz was shot. I looked at it all a bit dismayed. How did this happen? I repeat-I am a sucker for a great deal and my kids. As I lay in bed that night feeling a little sick over it all I decided that I needed to pull back the reigns a bit. I thought I was already doing a good job of that. The life maxim strikes me --the hardest thing to do is the thing you think you are already doing. And so here I am Thanksgiving not even here yet and I have more then enough Christmas gifts. I am surrounded by bargain shopping bliss and I have no more shopping to do. Have I learned my lesson? I guess in a months time we will tell.

Round and Round He Goes

Do you remember the great toy called the "Sit n' Spin"? Lately at our house it has become the "Lay n' Spin". There is no sound with this clip but if there were you would hear the lovely music that this toy plays as well.