Christmas Memories 2010

Christmas has come and gone but we are lucky to still be able to have family in town for the next week or so to visit with and spent precious time with. Here are some of the captured moments from the last few days. We always spend Christmas Eve with the Hulihan side of the family and Christmas day with the Nelson side of the family so it was a fun, full last few days! Shayla loved hanging out with her cousins and family, Mitchell enjoyed his first Christmas,and of course Jon and I loved being with everyone too!

On Christmas eve we were able to be with a lot of my family and enjoy our traditional tamale dinner and Cinnamon rolls for dessert with presents, re-enact the nativity and sing carols. On Christmas day, we enjoyed the outdoors at Jons sisters house with his whole family with lots of running around, biking, playing, EATING (yum!) and of course a makeshift zipline in the park too (you will have to check out the slideshow to see me in action).

Here are a few of my favorite photos and a link to the slideshow with more to see!

I love this photo of my sister Kelsy with nephew Dax!

Mitchell wearing his "My First Christmas" hat for about 1 second

Nativity Scene - Coco (angel), Kalea (Mary), Cash (Joseph), Shayla (wise man on "camel"), and Mitchell (baby Jesus) Christmas morning...Mitchell on his new "bike" Shayla on her new balance bike Opening stockings...Baby Santa Mitchell

Cousins Tony and Shayla

The kids and our Christmas tree

MORE PHOTOS ON THE SLIDE SHOW or go here

Merry Christmas 2010 from the Nelson Family!

Here is our poem for 2010 and our family photo shoot!

Christmas and new babies seem to be the time,
That we share our news with rhythm and rhyme!
This year finds us too busy to complain,
Our newest addition should explain.
Santa came very early this year,
And on February 26th dropped a new baby here!
Mitchell Ford Nelson is his name
Bringing so much joy, we will never be the same!
Shayla’s been great with the help that she brings
She loves to play with her brother and share all her things!
She is in preschool again and this year turned three,
She loves to bike, read, climb, play, and is very spunky!
Jon is busy with family, church and work galore,
While Larissa still dabbles in politics, grant writing and more!
Our home is not quiet, no not even dull,
But we are so thankful our lives are so full!
We look forward to the future with our two precious ones,
And we know that life will continue to be lots of fun!
Our travels are now limited but only for awhile
We hope to see you all sometime soon with a smile!
2010 was indeed a joyous and quick year,
It’s hard to believe the holidays are here.
We’d like to wish all of our friends old and new,
And our loved ones whom we miss dearly too,
Big hugs, Great memories, & Good Health All Year through!
Merry Christmas
Love
Larissa, Jon, Shayla and Mitchell Nelson

Christmas Tree Train (from hell)

One of the things Fillmore is known for is our classic railroad. They offer many fun activities and we thought it would be fun to check out the Fillmore Christmas Tree train - a train ride from Fillmore to a Christmas tree farm where you cut down your own tree and take it back on the train. You get to enjoy a visit from Santa and other festivities. Well, it was not a very fun trip for mom and dad. Little did we know it was the inaugural run for the trains 1913 restored steam engine (that part was cool to see too, but added time to the trip) and the day that some idiot would decide to drive his car through a crossing gate right in front of the train, the train slamming on its brakes and barely missing the guy also adding on to our train time (but glad no one was hurt). Shayla had fun and Mitchell did great but there were so many glitches on the ride that it added two hours to our trip so we were on the train for 4 hours total round trip (to a place that is 10 minutes by car!).

Santa came through the train midride and handed out candy canes so that was cute but thats all there was for the interactive part. We got there and it was such a hot day - mid-80s - and we were all wearing warmer clothes so uncomfortable there too - does not feel like Xmas tree time when you are sweating! I had to have Shay ride the camel though and she really wanted to and loved that and I got some cute pics BUT the camel tripped and Shayla almost fell off (see how high she is!)and the lady was not anywhere near to catch her and I had a mini heart attack and gasped and jumped since i thought she was going to fall and my surprise woke M who was sleeping in the ergo at that time...whew it was a close one - she was hanging on herself very hard or would have fallen far to ground! We decided not to cut tree down there since the ride was taking so long we knew it would add another 30-60 minutes to our adventures when we got back to station. I thought they had activity stuff there but they just had the camel ride and hay to climb on and that was it which you can drive to and don't have to take the train to!! Ugh! Anyway I thought we would be back by lunch so I did not pack lunch (and they said not to bring food) so we had to survive on chips and snowcones (I did bring baby food though thank goodness!). So we FINALLY got back but it was a LONG 5 hours! Last tree train ride for us! But these photos only show us having fun so enjoy!

On the way...

Visit from Santa

Enjoying the fresh air

The restored 1913 steam engine and Nelson Family
Shayla riding JJ the camel

JJ and Shay Shay

The tree we did not get (:

Let the Christmas Festivities Begin!

At Church Christmas Party With Santa!

It is so fun to be able to celebrate Christmastime through the eyes of a child. Shayla is so joyful and excited about everything we do and I have been having so much fun with her this year! We have already had many fun Christmas adventures with the help of our advent calendar and friends and family! And of course Mitchell has been tagging along and enjoying the new sights and sounds! I cannot wait until next year when they will be able to enjoy everything together more as older siblings.

Decorating Gingerbread Houses!

Mitchell hanging out with Bryce and Noelle

Dec 5 - St Nicks Day - Opening Presents that St Nick left in our shoes!

Santa Paula Christmas Parade

Mitchell - my little elf!

Shayla and Mitchell

Ice Blocking for the first time with Shayla!

Thanksgiving Recap!

Oops before I get into too much Christmas stuff I want to share with you a Thanksgiving recap!

We had a great time with family and friends at the home of my aunt and uncle, Doug and Sheelah, in Santa Barbara! It was a beautiful day, beautiful company and beautiful food! Here are some of the moments of the day!

Mitchell enjoying the day!

The Nelson Family

Mitchell is his TotSeat - the BEST traveling highchair!

Shayla with Uncle Doug the host!Grandpa and Shayla chowing down! (I think she only ate turkey and dessert and that was it!)

Some more photos of the day!

Activity Advent Calendar Ideas!

Sample one - not mine (have not taken photo or mine yet)

I am excited this year to do an activity advent calendar! Shayla is at the age where she can do so many fun things and looks forward to so many fun things so this year we are starting our activity advent calendar. I found a few great ideas online and from friends and have come up with 25 activities to do during the month to put in advent calendar envelope with the last 12 days and service days – the 12 days of giving to include the real spirit of Christmas in the activity!

Advent calendars are a great way to help kids understand how long they have to wait until Christmas. I am doing this and started planning it by looking on my calendar and include pre-scheduled events and activities (such as 'go to local Xmas Parade) in your advent calendar so that you don't wind up with too much to do on any given day. I printed out the numbers 1-25 on with pretty font and colors on address labels and put the stickers on individual envelopes and placed them with binder clips on red ribbon so we can open one each day (photo to come soon). Here is my list! I am looking forward for the fun to begin tomorrow!

ADVENT CALENDAR ACTIVITIES – Last 12 days are 12 Days of Giving!

1. Get out the Christmas Boxes and start decorating!

2. Make decorations to put on tree to be donated to Convalescent hospital

3. Attend a Christmas Party and meet Santa! (Our church one!)

4. Go see a Christmas Parade (The Fillmore one!)

5. Watch a special Christmas movie (Polar Express) Put our shoes out for St. Nicholas and carrots (for our St Nicholas Day)

6. Write letter to Santa

7. Make Gingerbread Houses

8. Have indoor snowball fight (with paper, cotton balls or nylons stuffed with cotton) and then drink hot chocolate!

9. Make handmade Ornaments (Moms group craft)

10. Kids Christmas Party and Ice Blocking!

11. Christmas Tree Train in Fillmore with Santa – Get our tree!

12. Tree Trimming Time – Decorate the tree!

13. Paint Our Toes in Christmas Colors!

14. 12 Days of Giving Starts! Visit Local Shelter to donate blankets and give love to animals

15. Make homemade Christmas cards for preschool and Sunday school teachers

16. Buy toy to donate to local toy drive at firefighters station

17. Donate Food to local food bank

18. Empty piggy bank and bring change to store for Salvation Army bucket!

19. Make Christmas Cookies to deliver to neighbors!

20. Go see Christmas Lights and beforehand make a thank you card for our favorite house to give to the owner!

21. Pick up trash on our walking path by the river

22. Make thank you card and goodies for our mailman (and much loved) UPS Man!

23. Choose some of our books to donate to the library

24. Take Cookies and Hot Chocolate to Fire Station. Read Christmas Story from the scriptures

25. Give a gift to Jesus – make a special promise to keep all year long!

Here are some other ideas that I could not fit on my list but really like and either already did or will probably do too:

· Go Christmas caroling. I like the idea of the kids using kazoos instead of singing as they can get really shy when they are singing!

· Xmas Cards to soldiers

· decorate the front window for the holidays

· make playdough to share at school (white with peppermint and red and green glitter)

· volunteer at the food bank

· make and send out a card to a soldier

· Christmas Scavenger Hunt

· Go see The Nutcracker (already did)

· Visit Santa in the mall (already did)

· See Holiday concert

· Visit local church’s nativity scenes

Here is where I got my initial idea

http://kidscraftweekly.com/advent_challenge2010_issue.html

9 Months Old!

Mitchell Ford Nelson
9 Months Old
11.26.2010
20 Pounds

I love the 9 months age! It is a close tie with 4 months! Mitchell's personality is continuing to develop and he is so much fun! This past month he has started army crawling and pulls himself around that way as well as rolling everywhere but luckily no pulling himself up yet or walking! He had really bad separation anxiety at the beginning of the month, but it seems to be getting better now. He loves his sister so much and loves copying any noises she makes such as squealing or making mouth popping sounds! He loves eating finger food over being spoon fed - peas and bread are his favorite finger foods. He loves Tyson and loves letting him lick his face and pulling his tail! And his laugh is so infectious! I love my little man!

Mitchell at 9 Months old!

I still have to download his 9 month old photos, but here is a video of Mitchell today showing how cute and happy he is!

Mitchell Army Crawls

Here is Mitchell in his latest way of getting around. No true crawling yet but army crawling and rolling everywhere!

Shayla Rollerskating for 1st time

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I am so blessed!

I thank the Lord every day for my wonderful family and friends, my home, life, faith and health!
This Thanksgiving I am thankful for all of you!
I am thankful for so much, but I am especially
thankful for these faces...

What I was thankful for at 10 years old!

I found this old Thanksgiving poem a few weeks ago when I was going through some of my old papers. It was written by me on Nov 27, 1989 when I was 10 years old. I was even cheesy back then! Anyway, since it is hard to read here is what it says:

Thanksgiving is for loving and caring,
and on Thanksgiving I like tobe sharing.
I's glad I have a family adn a house,
I'm also glad for Rascal my mouse.
I'm thankful for my best friend Toni
Because when I am with her I am not lonely.
I'm glad to go to school,
Because wen I go to school I am not a fool.
I'm also thankful for birds with graceful wings
And I am thankful for a lot of other things.

My addictions this month!

Oh my - just have to share the three things I am addicted to this month!!!!

GALEOS MISO DRESSING -
For real I CRAVE this stuff more than chocolate!!! It is the best dressing ever! I am sure it is good on any kindo fo salad! I just put it on a salad mixed with butter lettuce and spinach/mixed greens with some shredded carrots and Edamame. I have had one of these almost every day for the past 2 weeks! You can buy it at Albertsons, Ralphs, Gelsons, most health food stores! Let me know if you try it and what you think! Also great as dip for veggies or sandwich spread!

GOOD EARTH SWEET AND SPICY TEA
Usually not a tea drinker or fan of it, but this herbal tea is the perfect blend of sweetness and yumminess and you don't have to add anything to it! Perfect for cool fall mornings when I am trying not to drink hot chocolate (staying away from sugar). Love it!!!
TOP CHEF JUST DESSERTS
I like the original Top Chef but as a vegetarian they just do waaaay too many meat, scallop, etc dishes so I am never inspired or drooling over their stuff. On the other hand, Top Chef Just Desserts is my kind of stuff as I love to bake/create! I just started the season on youtube and wish I could finish it all in one day, but with my limited time I know I can't. I will put it on and watch it on my computer while I check my email on my ipod - multitasking!

Preschool Photos

School photos before kindergarten seems kind of funny, but they do them so I had to get at least one and the class photo!
I am amazed all the kids are all looking at the camera (although some are not smiling). Anyway here is Shayla's Room 3 Class photo and her 3 year old preschool photo.

Mrs. Cobian and Mrs.Cabral's Class Room 3