Lucille Marie Nelson

December 22 2013 - 7 lbs 10 oz  - 19 3/4 inches 

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

With baby coming in about 10 days, we decided to have Darla's friend birthday party a little early this December. She wanted a Rapunzel birthday party. It was great to see her so thrilled with her 8 little friends coloring, playing games, and dancing to Princess music. She will be 6 on the 28th of this month. For Family Night this week we headed downtown to see Santa Land at Macy's. The whole drive there, Tate was saying "See Santa? Give Santa hug!" Over and over again. But as you can see . . . no hug or smile was offered. Priceless. I can't decide if the kids are more excited for Christmas, The baby coming, or Crazy Grandma coming to help with the baby. So much to look forward to. Lately I have realized that I really do have the best children in the whole world. I love spending every day with them. I am one lucky woman.

October Disappeared

 EVERYONE loves their daddy!

 30 weeks.

 Perfect trip to Lincoln to see the Albano family!

 Babe the blue ox, Paul Bunyon, Cleopatra, Knight, and Pirate

 My brother and wife had a baby girl. Grandma came to help. Lucky us we got to see her for a few days!

Happy Trick or Treating. They ran and ran and ran. 

BEAUTIFUL FALL!

B is Four and D is a Kindergartener!

 We went to Fargo over Labor Day weekend. The Ohlson's were so nice to want to celebrate a little early with Bennett for his birthday! He wanted so much to have Jude at his party so it worked out just perfectly. The kids were able to see "Planes" the new Pixar movie, play play play, eat cake, scones, enjoy each other and talk about how much they miss living by these friends the whole way home. It was a great time, as usual.

 Our Darla Anne started Kindergarten this week. She was VERY ready and excited. Gratefully there is a little girl named Carli in her class that also lives in our complex that she has gotten really close to. I know because of Carli the transition was even easier. God is so mindful. She was disappointed on Friday to realize that she didn't have school over the weekend, but on the other hand she is thrilled that she gets five whole days next week!

 Tate's first day of taking Darla to Kindergarten. He was the only one who cried when we dropped her off. "Dar-wa, need Dar-wa!"

 Here is my four year old Bennett the morning of his birthday! He got "smurf guns" (nerf) from Grandpa and Grandma Nelson.

He requested Snuffy's Malt Shoppe for dinner. Never seen him eat so fast and so much - I believe he said something to the likes of "This food is just so good I just can't stop eating it!!!"

 The only friend he wanted to have join us was Audrey Tree. Thanks for being our friend Tree's. We love you!

 Tate was happy also to be eating "sen sighs" (french fries)

Happy Birthday Bennett Clark! You are one of the happiest, most content, willing to share and love four year olds I know. You were super excited to get legos, nerf guns, and a Teenage Mutant Ninja turtle. I love watching you create, imagine and play with all of your "specials". You make my life happy. Thanks for letting me be not just your mom, but your friend. I love my Bennett.

about 4,400 miles later

Minneapolis, MN

 Salt Lake/Centerville

 Manti, UT

 Hebgen Lake, MT

 Salt Lake City, UT

 Flaming Gorge, UT

 Hebgen Lake, MT

 Salt Lake/Centerville, UT

 Minneapolis, MN

Long time in the car? Yes. Every single second? Worth it. Time flies when you are having fun? HECK YES! I always come back from our time out west SO grateful and humbled by the love and support we have. I love watching my kids play with their cousins. I love being with siblings. I love how complete it all feels. I was able to attend two Temple weddings while there and left both with a stronger testimony of the sealing power. Families truly are forever through Heavenly Fathers plan. He is so full of love and mercy to give us all such a gift and promise such as an eternal family. Family is what matters most. No matter what.