Pinkalicious!

Tatum has successfully planned and carried out her first party. She loves reading the book Pinkalicious, so we decided to host a tea party based on the book. Tatum went through the book and picked out the menu, the activities, decided who to invite and chose pictures for the invitations. Tatum was so excited about the coming event and talked about it every two minutes. The girlies all arrived in their most fabulous pink attire and had a pink-erific time eating pink cupcakes, making pink bracelets, painting pink nails, and drinking pink lemonade.

Fourth Festivities

We spent our first fourth of July here in California. We missed seeing family, but had fun at the lake with our friends. Tatum and Davis were in a parade and Tatum participated in a patriotic presentation. We had fun getting dirty at the lake and to our dismay, Ryan lost the lemonade chugging contest (maybe next year, honey). Davis and Lyric really enjoyed the fireworks. Tatum was too busy playing with her friends, but managed to glance over a few times... is she really too old to be awed by fireworks already???

Survey says...I am Belle

I took this quiz for Tatum... silly, but fun.

You Are Belle!

Intelligent and kind. Your beauty goes much further than your apperance. Also, you make judgements of people based on their personality and not their looks. Attaining all the knowledge that you can is one of your major goals in life, but you are also a person who can make things happen.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

This is Tatum:


You Are Ariel!

Headstrong and fiesty. You have a mind of your own that's full of romantic dreams about the world around you. Exploring exotic places is your ultimate dream, and although you can be a little naive you'll realize that there is something to be gained from your family's wisdom.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for Pinkberry!

I can't get enough of Pinkberry! They just recently opened near us, maybe a little too near. At least once a week we mange to magically appear there. They have the best frozen yogurt... it has a lemony kick to it and they always have super fresh berries. My favorite combo has been raspberry, kiwi, and fruity pebbles.

My Kiddos

Good thing they're cute...

Seaworld According to Tatum...

We went to Seaworld this week as part of our family vacation to San Diego. Somehow Tatum became the official photographer for the trip. After sorting through several ground shots, headless family shots, and the backside of our family shots, I came across some pretty good pictures. We had a blast there. Davis is really into marine life and got excited about every small detail. He was ecstatic to touch a sea cucumber, needless to say, Shamu was a big hit as well. We also had a great day at the beach digging massive holes and building sand castles. On the last day of our trip, we went to the Wildlife Park and nearly melted in the heat, but got a chance to see some lion cubs up close.

My Name is Melissa and I'm a Fabricoholic.

I love fabrics. I have quite the stash and so many mental pictures of cute projects waiting to happen. I don't really have the time... but one day soon, I will become a sewing manic- watch out!

Nelson Family Bowling in Utah

2008 Champion Bumper Bowling Team: Davis, Ella, & Tatum

Ryan and his little sisters.

Lindsay & Ella

Grandma Nelson and Davis

Deceivingly Sweet Tatum

Grandma Nelson & Lyric

Nick & Jes

Remembering Grandpa

Ervin C. Nelson

1.11.17- 6.4.08

We spent the last week in Utah honoring Ryan's grandpa. He was such a kind, hard working man and we will miss him. Meet had a chance to show the kids grandpa's farm and visit with family.

Father's Day 2008

Happy Father's Day to all of the
fathers in my life.

San Clemente Camping Trip

San Clemente 2008

The sandy crew: the Mcdowell's, the Cooks, the Nelson's, and the Thompson's

Niki, Shelley, Kyra holding Tara, Melissa, and Lyric.

Chasing waves.

Ahh, camping at it's best... watching dvds in the car with Doritos.

Ashton, Camden, and Tatum

The men, deep in thought.

The perfect climbing tree.The novelty-lifeguard tower shot.

Sand mermaids, sharks, and octopuses.

"Anything tastes good camping." -Ryan

Best friends Daxton and Davis

Little Lyric Lu-Lu

Lyric...sweet baby girl... a little bigger each day... smiles that melt your heart... deep belly laughs... the occasional, accidental roll-over... a never-ending supply of slobber... perfect, edible toes... adorable little hands with a death grip for hair pulling... so much patience for her brother who's love is a little on the rough side... sweet admiring eyes towards her big sister... my bright-eyed beauty.

My Davis

...little fingers reaching to scan the counter tops looking for something that he isn't suppose to have... pirate invasions on My Little Ponies... wearing basketball shorts like daddy... teasing his big sister... protecting his little sister... building forts... eating anything his big sister eats, refusing anything she won't eat... high level of noise at all times... sneaking out of his bed to play in his room at all hours of the night and still getting up at 5am... getting the bad guys with a magic wand... loving everything Spiderman, without a clue of who Spiderman is... begging to wear his shark shirt every day and his "ye-haw cowboy jammies" every night... sweet, sometimes boogery kisses... unconditional love... my little boy.

Ok, this is ridiculous!

It is official, we are now paying, between $4 and $5 a gallon for gas. Some cities in California are over $5. I never thought this would happen in my lifetime. Not really sure what can be done about it, except drive less. It is very frustrating, I fill like I should be filling my car with melted Godiva Chocolate at these prices. Ryan has become a hypermiler. Definition: a driver who does anything and everything to get the best mileage out of his car. So if you see a charcoal gray civic going 55mph on the freeway, please don't honk, it is probably my hubby.