Some Good Christmas Reads

For those of you who are all done with your Christmas shopping and are now ready to snuggle up with a warm blanket, some Steven's Hot Chocolate and a good book, I thought I would suggest a few of my favorites. I would love some suggestions of other great Christmas books, too.

Christmas Pictures

So, our friend Ryan offered to take some family pictures for us at the beach and I have come to the realization that it is impossible for each member of our family to keep their eyes open, look at the camera, and give some sort of a smile without picking their nose all at once. Lucky for me, I have discovered photoshop and was able to cut and paste eyes and a smile from another picture and we came up with something good enough... not great, but we look as if we might possibly be a happy, normal family.

The Big 2!

We celebrated Davis' second birthday a couple weeks early while we were in Arizona, so his grandparents could be in on the action. He had a Thomas Birthday Party at a train park and had a blast... the proof is in the pictures...

Before...
After.
Big Sis... always ready for a photo opp.
Davis loved all his presents... probably would have been OK with just tissue paper, though.

Birthday hugs from Grr.

All aboard the party train!!!

Papa, Uncle Rob, Uncle Erik... wishing they were on the party train.

Grandma and Grandpa Nelson... two seconds before the post party meltdown.

Gratitude

We had a great Thanksgiving in Arizona, making the rounds to see friends and family and family again. The cousins are posing in front of the "Thankful Tree," a newly begun tradition in the Nelson household. I just wanted to mention a few people I am grateful for...

-my Husband... he puts up with a lot (especially from the grouchy beached-whale pregnant wife). He works so hard for our family (maybe too hard). He is great dad and is always willing to participate in a game of "hop on pop" even if he ends up with a punctured lung or too.

- my mom... her daily check-up calls are a constant and she is a wonderful "Grr," always showering my kids with love.

-my sweet Tatum.... well mostly sweet. She always tells me how pretty I am and that I am the bestest mother she ever had (I trained her to do so). She is always entertaining me with her wild imagination.

-Davis... he has so much love to give and so many snugly hugs. He is always saying "thank you, mama," whether I changed his diaper, kissed his boo-boo, or buttoned his jacket... it helps make the mundane a little less mundane.

-my dad... he is always such a good example of hard work, strength and self-less love, I still know that he is always there if I need him.

-my mommy support group... I have got the greatest friends in the world!!! I know that I always have someone willing to help out. I can laugh and be silly and just be my self with them. They listen to my gross motherhood stories, call me whenever there is a great deal a Target, are always willing to get together for a much needed girls night, and are always ready and willing for a nice, long talk on the phone.

-my family.... in laws, siblings, grandparents.... I really lucked out in this department. Everyone is so kind and loving and accepting. (Although it is kind of boring I have no crazy family members to talk about). I really enjoy being with all of you and am grateful to have you all in my life.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
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