tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82733262367654026142024-03-07T17:52:01.619-06:00The Nelson'sJohn Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04305245744449937194noreply@blogger.comBlogger518125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-45810700670851248962011-03-06T20:40:00.011-06:002011-03-06T21:15:17.474-06:00Snow....Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGdGd0HaWNFtlUOcqErNizSIAUWj2DmMwAgJrT-SYlQ2T4lCqy6XiLF3ZjaJPHHn1Z9vATJiS1Hss0sDTv_c1FtrNdfE_r-uXFUJ1XfephP4EpxI_lkqAF857m8FpcvhdVYjykjHGLzs/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGdGd0HaWNFtlUOcqErNizSIAUWj2DmMwAgJrT-SYlQ2T4lCqy6XiLF3ZjaJPHHn1Z9vATJiS1Hss0sDTv_c1FtrNdfE_r-uXFUJ1XfephP4EpxI_lkqAF857m8FpcvhdVYjykjHGLzs/s200/IMG_0198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581169166016080594" border="0" /></a>Another snow post! I keep getting our many snow pictures mixed up, but this one will be one to remember forever. On February 9th, Northwest Arkansas got more snow than they have seen in its history. I believe Springdale got around 21". I kept saying to the girls over and over, "I have never seen this much snow in my entire life!" It was beautiful.<br /><br />When we woke up, my first concern was how Belle was going to go potty, but our smart doggie burrowed herself a trail to under the trampoline! I took a picture of her going out there, so we could have perspective on how much snow was actually<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MrFwX-X9TcjMdmHTWWNCQDVPtycH7_2kp4xhQQASW-S1n1xwi6GWSiLjOUvAVMwlzHQk5JolF8NTDua5C4-m9DUhFpXjM49lmxW1eKV49EVlSwa73gcEThXm2nXy23VkYtV3_aQuU8s/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MrFwX-X9TcjMdmHTWWNCQDVPtycH7_2kp4xhQQASW-S1n1xwi6GWSiLjOUvAVMwlzHQk5JolF8NTDua5C4-m9DUhFpXjM49lmxW1eKV49EVlSwa73gcEThXm2nXy23VkYtV3_aQuU8s/s200/IMG_0199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581169271957564770" border="0" /></a> there.<br /><br />Northwest Arkansas was shut down. No one could get to work or school and we knew we wouldn't be getting out anytime soon! I loved it. I hated the idea of Emma going to school longer in the summer, but I loved being snowed in with my whole family. We did Valentine crafts, made cookies, ate, watched movies, ate some more, watched another movie, ate more and watched a few more movies. :) Once it stopped snowing, John took the girls outside to begin creating an igloo. They did pretty good, huh?<br /><br /> We stayed in pj's for days! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSmwKFQktfMRtoH0K9O5fvrKOLERX-dKl5UeTa6BrxRpzh1l1YgKlzpdHXBweEIgEiGHhtbCAR3d4nfG_PkRC4sWF4qPF85gq6CGJxELtDOGvv9KrubyZXKtuU6ZOPGYkoVjFBfbnHMk/s1600/181598_10150134524788103_500088102_7859528_7730149_n.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSmwKFQktfMRtoH0K9O5fvrKOLERX-dKl5UeTa6BrxRpzh1l1YgKlzpdHXBweEIgEiGHhtbCAR3d4nfG_PkRC4sWF4qPF85gq6CGJxELtDOGvv9KrubyZXKtuU6ZOPGYkoVjFBfbnHMk/s200/181598_10150134524788103_500088102_7859528_7730149_n.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581169509873771762" border="0" /></a>My birthday fell on one of the snow days and although our original plans of a kid-free weekend fell through, it was a good one full of memories. We were treated to a free dinner at Bonefish (by the head of Kellogg who was there and told the waitress he was covering our dinner!) with Allyn and Aaron. Then we all went to a movie. Allyn and I spent every single birthday together growing up, so it was fun to do that again!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ll0hF-Vm98QYAUQ_F-UJXQJv8IKgbG9nF5wiNyVlu_RQQBhVIEcHSJgIjIaW11Jjv6XqJm43AW7HJIYrXqFtsvRNgtRGmWDLqDg7diDVSJI0GYCwIR7tmLGCLeYRYYbT4hbg8DXwYag/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 103px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ll0hF-Vm98QYAUQ_F-UJXQJv8IKgbG9nF5wiNyVlu_RQQBhVIEcHSJgIjIaW11Jjv6XqJm43AW7HJIYrXqFtsvRNgtRGmWDLqDg7diDVSJI0GYCwIR7tmLGCLeYRYYbT4hbg8DXwYag/s200/IMG_0088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581169730710600930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWgZG2HoBm1DhQcNGEd-3mIOB0ozdRD3L43xlyJA0vOqgAJ9YuVSBOY4TZRoJfJ6hW2Ie07UxwAtPGlYfEWtUv5zLTU94bHzAHJ8x29b1GKzfCeAWNTJ8BjA3PnNJz9Ywat7eDgZQuw0/s1600/IMG_0094.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 104px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWgZG2HoBm1DhQcNGEd-3mIOB0ozdRD3L43xlyJA0vOqgAJ9YuVSBOY4TZRoJfJ6hW2Ie07UxwAtPGlYfEWtUv5zLTU94bHzAHJ8x29b1GKzfCeAWNTJ8BjA3PnNJz9Ywat7eDgZQuw0/s200/IMG_0094.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581169869927621298" border="0" /></a>Once the snow had cleared enough for us to drive, we took the girls sledding. When we showed up, one of Em's besties, Elle, was there with her Dad and brother. Fun times! Little did we know that Brooklyn had an ear infection which would explain her lack of interest in doing much that day. She spent most of her time on top of a snow mountain eating snow. Much later that night, was when the ear throbbing started. Not fun. I took her to a walk in clinic on Sunday morning while John and Emma went to church.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0IWYGvdPA0ECLgPzZApCCtsu3XpBf_zH8sibdbZQejGuX4dXMigBywAC35oXYx7I6VGUTOpj7YINrQKfklTZBFFYkrE7fGNjEE6Du7hQLDgz-SXMcgN2TMHBsac8HpgieEJfjQdjXxQ/s1600/20110213_0004.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0IWYGvdPA0ECLgPzZApCCtsu3XpBf_zH8sibdbZQejGuX4dXMigBywAC35oXYx7I6VGUTOpj7YINrQKfklTZBFFYkrE7fGNjEE6Du7hQLDgz-SXMcgN2TMHBsac8HpgieEJfjQdjXxQ/s200/20110213_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581170119787509266" border="0" /></a>We had plans of hiking that afternoon. Once Brooklyn had some medicine in her, she felt pretty good and wanted to go on the hike, so we went. It was an easy and short hike. We had never been to this place in Bella Vista, but we will go back and explore more. It was fun and very different to hike on snowy ground and see a snowy waterfall. Belle got to come and she was in heaven.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcWH4b8KPXXVfgQb7c11dODOODRWlgJ8Hirk84PPDG09Msht-aatf22nNJ3xQl23dKkN-9xe6fOo4FX-tFT7lAGUIl4imYagqzfp7Vomie_bZtZbvKVSfAGvq1B_2CBWExzCyGw0oBSs/s1600/20110213_0039.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcWH4b8KPXXVfgQb7c11dODOODRWlgJ8Hirk84PPDG09Msht-aatf22nNJ3xQl23dKkN-9xe6fOo4FX-tFT7lAGUIl4imYagqzfp7Vomie_bZtZbvKVSfAGvq1B_2CBWExzCyGw0oBSs/s200/20110213_0039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581170347554673554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9GXmJaGVEHR65oxhCOAaGmVCCfZQl3x9pCka-WjEHeX8SrmPH3JskkoOVp_TooE14owHVUebQD3C8AqbHp3i34Ki3g8_vd2Fo5NWoyjFpcf8IuwX1-ZQDIonRdWRCESpWLuSj5CqDpA/s1600/20110213_0048-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9GXmJaGVEHR65oxhCOAaGmVCCfZQl3x9pCka-WjEHeX8SrmPH3JskkoOVp_TooE14owHVUebQD3C8AqbHp3i34Ki3g8_vd2Fo5NWoyjFpcf8IuwX1-ZQDIonRdWRCESpWLuSj5CqDpA/s200/20110213_0048-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581170660934551890" border="0" /></a>Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-76817807129681592662011-02-05T21:59:00.003-06:002011-02-05T22:01:16.652-06:00Spelling with B<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlMwQeTyFL5xfUYrczlFk4KRpYMknY8a7s0BpYcrB7wqnDnmYs1WmC3Gb0v-bpN57TdzEbxyeoKamNP3suDuvpymiie5EM03-GpYpCf7K8l5OsnJykBaFITNUdVzbkFEPlqGOmJcWIgo/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlMwQeTyFL5xfUYrczlFk4KRpYMknY8a7s0BpYcrB7wqnDnmYs1WmC3Gb0v-bpN57TdzEbxyeoKamNP3suDuvpymiie5EM03-GpYpCf7K8l5OsnJykBaFITNUdVzbkFEPlqGOmJcWIgo/s200/IMG_0164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570421601678022658" border="0" /></a>I snapped this picture of Brooklyn while we were down on the floor spelling words with our Bananagrams. It is nothing special, but I sure do think she looks cute!Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-14070392818124659422011-02-05T21:51:00.003-06:002011-02-05T21:59:07.292-06:00Emma's Note<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwvgUQolO7g2BFbjgqE7ttHHK5fr-F-TMz8doz-IVG8itgFAUHCwsiGaFq4eFbQqGQV2PluAldeyAB8puBXefVaDX0oTgIGbRZcR7fhk3QamyYbPpCqTJr1K8dSKBmCXaRLAL3t1Ub_w/s1600/IMG_0162.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwvgUQolO7g2BFbjgqE7ttHHK5fr-F-TMz8doz-IVG8itgFAUHCwsiGaFq4eFbQqGQV2PluAldeyAB8puBXefVaDX0oTgIGbRZcR7fhk3QamyYbPpCqTJr1K8dSKBmCXaRLAL3t1Ub_w/s200/IMG_0162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570420680663598546" border="0" /></a>A few weeks ago, I got a call from the school nurse that Emma had fallen down at recess. She was okay, but slipped in some melted snow and got pretty wet. I was at dance with Brooklyn, but it was almost over so we ran to the house to grab some clothes and take them to her. She was with the nurse eating her lunch when we got there. I helped her get dressed and then told her she needed to go on back to class. She proceeded to get really sad and cry. Luckily, Mrs. Waterman walked by at that moment and took her back to class for me. I was sad to leave her like that, but I knew it was the best thing to do.<br /><br />She came home from school that day doing fine and fully recovered. Later that evening, I was going through her backpack and found a sweet note from someone from school. I asked Emma who it was from and she said, "Jordan." It was the sweetest note and I went on and on to Emma about how great I thought it was for Jordan to write that to her. Emma goes to a public school and this is the note that she got from a sweet friend that was concerned for her when she was upset at school. Thank you Jesus!Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-70994130493741444842011-02-05T21:02:00.017-06:002011-02-05T21:44:32.151-06:00Snowmagedon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8s9eHXi7ZFXXe6r7XxSf218aU3sgoc9STgAYSNfwHbH6P7GmnCopRMdCGfBrX2r4gj27RvcOXXY88GJIedXdGXyTDX4EaABJ9H2oY-lvm84CDa7Rrtrugd5_jxT5oYuzTJnB9HVx8DNI/s1600/20110202_0019.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8s9eHXi7ZFXXe6r7XxSf218aU3sgoc9STgAYSNfwHbH6P7GmnCopRMdCGfBrX2r4gj27RvcOXXY88GJIedXdGXyTDX4EaABJ9H2oY-lvm84CDa7Rrtrugd5_jxT5oYuzTJnB9HVx8DNI/s200/20110202_0019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570415451801703890" border="0" /></a>It started snowing this past Tuesday morning and it seems like it hasn't stopped since. It snowed and iced all day on Tuesday. We did not get anymore snow on Wednesday and Thursday, but the temps were freezing or below. Our low on Wednesday was -7. Not the windchill. The temperature. Yesterday (Friday) they projected 1-2". Springdale got 4". Today was the first time we have seen the sunshine and we were very thankful! Things are slowly starting to melt. Just in time for another system tomorrow and what the weatherman says "a whopper" coming in on Wednesday. So far this school year we have used 6 snow days which means at this point we will be going the whole first week of June.<br /><br />I LOVE having both my girls home and have loved our time here, but I love swimming and playing outside in the summer so much more. That is the only thing that makes me wish for this snow to go away.<br /><br />We knew what was coming on Monday, so my sister in law and John's cousins made a late night trip to JoAnn's to get our supplies for a wreath that we have been wanting to make. I also picked up a few $1 crafts for the girls. We started our Tuesday off with some TV, breakfast and then broke open the crafts. The girls colored their wood paper dolls and I began cutting circles for my Valentine felt wreath. John worked from home and tried his hardest to get a few things accomplished while hunkered down in our bedroom.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmF7WwYP1R8Yg_TVm1FDc2-K4yFEpBFNksoxLA6DTv_B7ktvKHXX9Wo3vVOuQ9v1-QORzf_pEcybel4Z4-RtRKa2YnIEu4ruBvYZ3-KTFkmoaOI8OCK3xgkey2vmRoXapvVtwxJvhKspg/s1600/IMG_0168.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmF7WwYP1R8Yg_TVm1FDc2-K4yFEpBFNksoxLA6DTv_B7ktvKHXX9Wo3vVOuQ9v1-QORzf_pEcybel4Z4-RtRKa2YnIEu4ruBvYZ3-KTFkmoaOI8OCK3xgkey2vmRoXapvVtwxJvhKspg/s200/IMG_0168.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570408666308345666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUplSPLd_jvh_MPMZCiE87daIfwp1Nmf0SgGmxScoIxklE7KUQ5RcgQSffx4Qh-oKUyv8c5upTbkDbOnHtplb1D05gU_03mKQIcFwzGWIDi6nA2UNXMRb4jCi9el8RzKbiv_2oOcauStY/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUplSPLd_jvh_MPMZCiE87daIfwp1Nmf0SgGmxScoIxklE7KUQ5RcgQSffx4Qh-oKUyv8c5upTbkDbOnHtplb1D05gU_03mKQIcFwzGWIDi6nA2UNXMRb4jCi9el8RzKbiv_2oOcauStY/s200/IMG_0169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570408882421883202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The highlight Tuesday came when Emma's teacher, who lives just a few doors down from us, posted on Facebook that she wanted to make snow ice cream. I commented and said we did too, but didn't have all the stuff. About an hour later, she texted to see if she could come over to make it with us. Of course!! Emma was beside herself!! Mrs. Waterman's husband had to go to work that day, so she was by herself. She stayed for almost 2 hours just talking and eating ice cream. What fun to have your first grade teacher hang with you on a snow day!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDhnU_GBiierPB4kemQc1diHKOrty09eo_nCIyPiU9MiyS-Ta8Elsj4QXeDPOp3uY0sHSRikZtne1FBBIHZhtCdq4DkpwP0SLD0dVNI91_0D-h5HOjKGDNX6C8qhwi6QD_dCIRBUVK0w/s1600/IMG_0170.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDhnU_GBiierPB4kemQc1diHKOrty09eo_nCIyPiU9MiyS-Ta8Elsj4QXeDPOp3uY0sHSRikZtne1FBBIHZhtCdq4DkpwP0SLD0dVNI91_0D-h5HOjKGDNX6C8qhwi6QD_dCIRBUVK0w/s200/IMG_0170.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570409759916768226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgMEhPlHoUy5B9WviO9izhP-1AhpuDOuv3vM7RM7btlQ0CjkczUlkte6BWmUxkJjGQNmEfZpZtukVlr02qMT3GXmlIL3XUieq_guItF9ZcGuiQtFDApOhiiRQoJkhYQEuboINAG3IlN0/s1600/IMG_0172.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgMEhPlHoUy5B9WviO9izhP-1AhpuDOuv3vM7RM7btlQ0CjkczUlkte6BWmUxkJjGQNmEfZpZtukVlr02qMT3GXmlIL3XUieq_guItF9ZcGuiQtFDApOhiiRQoJkhYQEuboINAG3IlN0/s200/IMG_0172.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570410280454018946" border="0" /></a>Emma has been asking me to make meatballs forever now and I finally decided to try Pioneer Woman's recipe since I had some spare time to make them on Tuesday night. They are a little labor intensive, but they were a hit with all four of us.<br /><br />On Wednesday, John took a lunch break at home and built a snowman with Emma. Brooklyn did not want to outside, so we pulled the chair up to the window, cuddled up and drank hot chocolate while watching them make a really cute snowman. I had bought a "snowman kit" at Restoration Hardware last February on clearance, so we finally got to put it to use. Isn't he cute? John and Emma went sledding today (Saturday) at a local church. It has a great hill for sledding and as you can tell, LOTS of people like to go there. John said it was a lot of fun. Brooklyn, for some reason, did not want to go, so we stayed home and played here.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFZvN5h916QFHUr91IZiM9GHOjD0Lf-kkWdofQHr6tTAOVscn3IIQ_DzmHx68tZoNj9h-O3utw7K5qkxTl4f3b1uuiTochsIMI0i-U7Z6RD_LFmJElETEx2bhbt15ZARUStO-S_io6d4/s1600/180730_10150130486723103_500088102_7803928_3265739_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 96px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFZvN5h916QFHUr91IZiM9GHOjD0Lf-kkWdofQHr6tTAOVscn3IIQ_DzmHx68tZoNj9h-O3utw7K5qkxTl4f3b1uuiTochsIMI0i-U7Z6RD_LFmJElETEx2bhbt15ZARUStO-S_io6d4/s200/180730_10150130486723103_500088102_7803928_3265739_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570412072471162626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9m4u9mSPO5aP2vLFOYTwB9_XWrbinCvbYVFdOmMLZbDCpLbdQMdLwkxLyCG5TfRNLEQGxdUu_Eh-4cqsaDnuOw_0tXLcUirQY1p5Tw9HfCGmpGk746hKT0Op0OYC7ZrZtD1b-BTC3y4U/s1600/20110205_0014.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 95px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9m4u9mSPO5aP2vLFOYTwB9_XWrbinCvbYVFdOmMLZbDCpLbdQMdLwkxLyCG5TfRNLEQGxdUu_Eh-4cqsaDnuOw_0tXLcUirQY1p5Tw9HfCGmpGk746hKT0Op0OYC7ZrZtD1b-BTC3y4U/s200/20110205_0014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570412652692602722" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-a9LQ_J8AOiqUeRzgTCFdzW4BGL9MiM_qtmY77mVuSKAdae6TxI3zu46-eeegCjeZ9enxXqgQLDvs9Rzrt5eSwlZzlLlUlqj1mv2jkEt1-VrE-KXCNO9sJXkJNZdI8uVKGvoztIS0js/s1600/20110205_0015.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-a9LQ_J8AOiqUeRzgTCFdzW4BGL9MiM_qtmY77mVuSKAdae6TxI3zu46-eeegCjeZ9enxXqgQLDvs9Rzrt5eSwlZzlLlUlqj1mv2jkEt1-VrE-KXCNO9sJXkJNZdI8uVKGvoztIS0js/s200/20110205_0015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570412857997789794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On Wednesday I finished my craft project! It was really fun to make and it was fun having the time to do it. I have a list of crafts I want to make for me and just never get to do them. I also rarely get to read for pleasure and I finished a 376 page book in 5 days. A friend told me about it and I found it hard to put down. There are two books after this one, so I have some more reading to do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0HrwIKaht3woTCaSkufuWF_MZgbH2wYbgcp2T4A0u1dt8NMhLP-avkqX7hvuAQw6iFfNSiuay9poj0dRG2b1xojtymFuq6VVHCoMtZrjEAgY69y-IPDjIx4NJ6u8uoLaD-QaSOHUbY8/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0HrwIKaht3woTCaSkufuWF_MZgbH2wYbgcp2T4A0u1dt8NMhLP-avkqX7hvuAQw6iFfNSiuay9poj0dRG2b1xojtymFuq6VVHCoMtZrjEAgY69y-IPDjIx4NJ6u8uoLaD-QaSOHUbY8/s200/IMG_0174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570413514567671026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEtyXGSmDC1gB7x8RvVSxaOhOiCX9YWVYeRy-I-UQXUeZJLwZ7ZZHtU3iH5dXhAFyFdnjK3lKXNA8ecHDmr5ca38WhKZK3piDmtTs_-lpTN4eeLhHRxSMWjr8CG1qCiFi0YoXLRBjago/s1600/IMG_0192.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEtyXGSmDC1gB7x8RvVSxaOhOiCX9YWVYeRy-I-UQXUeZJLwZ7ZZHtU3iH5dXhAFyFdnjK3lKXNA8ecHDmr5ca38WhKZK3piDmtTs_-lpTN4eeLhHRxSMWjr8CG1qCiFi0YoXLRBjago/s200/IMG_0192.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570413832273149266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So, what else have we been doing inside together all week? Well, we made Valentines for family, colored Rapunzel's castle on a found poster board, made cookies, tried new recipes, made a wreath, watched a lot of movies, played games, played on the computer, packed some of the office, I finished a 375 page book for pure pleasure, read books, "squadled" babies (B's word for swaddle-precious*), built a snowman, sledding, puzzles, showed our house with 15 minute notice, and much much more. We have had a lot of fun together and are so very thankful that we were able to enjoy these 5 days at our home with electricity.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rjxVuumqSw21SCEn_BnKGBKOHJBd7rwy6LB6QexEsZg9APeVCtWVXF6apMLBQui8B51LMOhzRgoS1tDRNFharxfMkSceNKRMzirMCIJKwUJYY2HileyKDseqE6xYvK2fx2l4KeI7dAs/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rjxVuumqSw21SCEn_BnKGBKOHJBd7rwy6LB6QexEsZg9APeVCtWVXF6apMLBQui8B51LMOhzRgoS1tDRNFharxfMkSceNKRMzirMCIJKwUJYY2HileyKDseqE6xYvK2fx2l4KeI7dAs/s200/IMG_0173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570414531508413218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XKnTUATriXvKtekTNK-p-d-NG7vUlv9hP-GmG8FAH7crkkhcK_LZ9gvfRbMmzLE-F6u_8RsQIaTY1Vt3-XMP3BFTOz9fyBDtRDEq2XWafxxQIbJKE3gXg9OZxaIvEmehBnln3iDgNY0/s1600/IMG_0186.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XKnTUATriXvKtekTNK-p-d-NG7vUlv9hP-GmG8FAH7crkkhcK_LZ9gvfRbMmzLE-F6u_8RsQIaTY1Vt3-XMP3BFTOz9fyBDtRDEq2XWafxxQIbJKE3gXg9OZxaIvEmehBnln3iDgNY0/s200/IMG_0186.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570414933973930482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTWajj0QVlvJsbktO3rp6PpYkOI8waqV9pmz8ERMMRQNST7G4BnaRu8jIH3bkT6AkhaWnSp49D9u83Q7iA-PY6nAzHy1jNK939sKDOZmXLjCVM4Ai7wiamXCWewGFM93N1YF5R86GfPI/s1600/IMG_0158.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTWajj0QVlvJsbktO3rp6PpYkOI8waqV9pmz8ERMMRQNST7G4BnaRu8jIH3bkT6AkhaWnSp49D9u83Q7iA-PY6nAzHy1jNK939sKDOZmXLjCVM4Ai7wiamXCWewGFM93N1YF5R86GfPI/s200/IMG_0158.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570415157784664498" border="0" /></a>Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-14938499444895691872011-01-21T13:06:00.003-06:002011-01-21T13:18:57.054-06:00Snow Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmAtY9TMf_SWDcVGR1iy_oMTIyrsb1SLR-F4GwxDGZ91BJLHXeYfs2HZLncw0f31fZ-4fWhPW8TN2tHAfn726JdRRvx1Y_6DGVtB8u9Zdo5cIl9OtnjIYSNfSC1fGoAPbSb-wvm8mijc/s1600/2011+Winter+Fun.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmAtY9TMf_SWDcVGR1iy_oMTIyrsb1SLR-F4GwxDGZ91BJLHXeYfs2HZLncw0f31fZ-4fWhPW8TN2tHAfn726JdRRvx1Y_6DGVtB8u9Zdo5cIl9OtnjIYSNfSC1fGoAPbSb-wvm8mijc/s200/2011+Winter+Fun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564718603932903682" border="0" /></a>Our first snow day came last week, but there was not enough snow to get to play. Early this Thursday morning, the snow started coming down. It didn't stop until about noon. We headed down the street to an undeveloped neighborhood and took advantage of some grassy hills without having to worry about cars. The snow was pretty thick, but once we finally got our path it was really fun. I don't think our girls had very much fun with their cousins today, do you? :)<br />On Thursday night, we had dinner with the McKrosky's and Hannon's and continued the cousin fun.Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-4419782952657488552011-01-19T14:15:00.012-06:002011-01-19T14:40:33.716-06:00What Brooklyn has been up to.......Brooklyn is in a stage where I never know what to expect from her. She can be a perfect angel one minute and the next she is screaming her head off and I'm dragging her out of some sort of public place. It's not fun. At all. The majority of the time she is a ton of fun, but the "fits" seem to overshadow the fun a lot of the time. For my own sake, I wanted to document what all B and I have been up to since Christmas and the fun we have had. On the days that she is not at school, this is a taste of what we do around the house on a typical day:<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOVB8y1vdqx_F-0LxqvrAdAnriYFsPdCPc9hnWx-IlJ99_CRVdgqq5D8dGcdudy9DIynlKTVybwNHJ3A0H4khqLaTRqe5w_y4aQw1vBY-H0k7W8vUuNc3s81DH1765V_6BTbtBfhqNtE/s1600/coloring.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOVB8y1vdqx_F-0LxqvrAdAnriYFsPdCPc9hnWx-IlJ99_CRVdgqq5D8dGcdudy9DIynlKTVybwNHJ3A0H4khqLaTRqe5w_y4aQw1vBY-H0k7W8vUuNc3s81DH1765V_6BTbtBfhqNtE/s200/coloring.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563994136096486738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />B colors in the doorway of my bathroom while I get ready. Sometimes Belle joins her. :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXBdJx8rtnMrZ8E0T06QrpMIWGTEwgPBpwzapnWtw25ou5OwGBRGFx9jB9AZBr-ghb-y3faC7gsIdNsmmf-62HnwrXKaresBaNz0vMProFnl-4Cfsi42nEjCI3Yvw6ZiIKPh0TqjUmrk/s1600/dance.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXBdJx8rtnMrZ8E0T06QrpMIWGTEwgPBpwzapnWtw25ou5OwGBRGFx9jB9AZBr-ghb-y3faC7gsIdNsmmf-62HnwrXKaresBaNz0vMProFnl-4Cfsi42nEjCI3Yvw6ZiIKPh0TqjUmrk/s200/dance.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563995494378741458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />She practices her dancing frequently with her "Learn to Dance" DVD.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgTdZMqszFFc0fmioEE_NdM4Z8I8dVEaGbCsDhHQAXzpqtrSGg19mvXoR5LE7wGOXpcjwWBGAgogmN9gLoKHqSqivMXBXiWB5q-SpSHBTzd4UCrZoA1Gcygff3AY0AZaA-SEJyM5I3wA/s1600/walking.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgTdZMqszFFc0fmioEE_NdM4Z8I8dVEaGbCsDhHQAXzpqtrSGg19mvXoR5LE7wGOXpcjwWBGAgogmN9gLoKHqSqivMXBXiWB5q-SpSHBTzd4UCrZoA1Gcygff3AY0AZaA-SEJyM5I3wA/s200/walking.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563996383436513522" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We walk Belle when it's not to cold. And she dresses in style. :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kAkjKs1E3JaBAdBHiq4dQMfbWFd1jxwTwjVLOwvpWNURyMAHE4fHXOlE1EFDQAxnnTFWsfUSEZeOPvfqmnW3Q8k8u3uWpJdM11kjgbcxpFQIVQYNHdJMffpSnAvGeAAwtgkveviVd44/s1600/litebrite.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kAkjKs1E3JaBAdBHiq4dQMfbWFd1jxwTwjVLOwvpWNURyMAHE4fHXOlE1EFDQAxnnTFWsfUSEZeOPvfqmnW3Q8k8u3uWpJdM11kjgbcxpFQIVQYNHdJMffpSnAvGeAAwtgkveviVd44/s200/litebrite.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563996783401112514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We play with the Lite Brite. Santa brought new Littlest Pet Shop sheets in Emma's stocking!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicz5sYemrj705J9Bm9lp2v_SGF9CF-lrkRioUBzVSrBUh7oTqbF9-cK356n1vey6F3Xo-2oyAThqqKNUhiMLCkOmoxpAOY3o7DEy9YTnk9oGMyf4l3wgNGn3ieVxov-r98Y6qFZgVSi9k/s1600/cupcakes.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicz5sYemrj705J9Bm9lp2v_SGF9CF-lrkRioUBzVSrBUh7oTqbF9-cK356n1vey6F3Xo-2oyAThqqKNUhiMLCkOmoxpAOY3o7DEy9YTnk9oGMyf4l3wgNGn3ieVxov-r98Y6qFZgVSi9k/s200/cupcakes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563997153534361394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Brooklyn likes to "build" cupcake stands and sell me cupcakes. She prefers real money.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MbAZYCxZjuTKEGg4LBJZ1zJ1QB4LXCJGP-dtFGrzB7dNT_YxwlXu2DgNjqqkMUtppeYPuRNw9bZiB4gURXl6BEcXOzLtxsbFFmuP9q0Zc_nZXRqAl2MfRcgHnIvzR9F7ObfB_aVQsik/s1600/beans.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MbAZYCxZjuTKEGg4LBJZ1zJ1QB4LXCJGP-dtFGrzB7dNT_YxwlXu2DgNjqqkMUtppeYPuRNw9bZiB4gURXl6BEcXOzLtxsbFFmuP9q0Zc_nZXRqAl2MfRcgHnIvzR9F7ObfB_aVQsik/s200/beans.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563997540515118226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Brooklyn (and Emma) love to play with this bucket of beans. They fill cups and pour them through funnels over and over again. This particular day, B spent about 45 minutes doing this.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A7XIpdIBdmcsoRVkL5oS3vPYDjaHtResGVT_aOvi-W8vga8LI-HlMz9dnq2XwKH5tnenrzsjtBLQOm74kKlEzC35MRlC9kdWlYInwkUXpZ2uJB8c3CBRDmUxgcpkG3AqEa3pnAQNoiw/s1600/soup.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A7XIpdIBdmcsoRVkL5oS3vPYDjaHtResGVT_aOvi-W8vga8LI-HlMz9dnq2XwKH5tnenrzsjtBLQOm74kKlEzC35MRlC9kdWlYInwkUXpZ2uJB8c3CBRDmUxgcpkG3AqEa3pnAQNoiw/s200/soup.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563997953760129538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Every now and then, we go and have a lunch date with friends after dance. This particular day, it was just the two of us for a soup date at Panera.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We love hanging out together, but we are always super excited when 3:00 rolls around and this crazy gal comes home to play!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpdnA9VWbJ9VUrgYGeOEg4nOz_vwUiXvNEuRyWkf2XHxXoAn_kDMyYo0I4X8fdjG0bj6ZtXZkoN4FqpBUIvoZBkthPAKSaCsq-o3N05kNvE4ahNBXAiDLdR8f6QxVnBG4Ozawj5baFVs/s1600/crazyhair.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpdnA9VWbJ9VUrgYGeOEg4nOz_vwUiXvNEuRyWkf2XHxXoAn_kDMyYo0I4X8fdjG0bj6ZtXZkoN4FqpBUIvoZBkthPAKSaCsq-o3N05kNvE4ahNBXAiDLdR8f6QxVnBG4Ozawj5baFVs/s200/crazyhair.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563998718400155218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-22966672467217613402011-01-18T20:52:00.009-06:002011-01-19T13:48:07.677-06:00Emma's Award<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnIR4MA1mxq2RCW3VbW_tidYj12f55JsD3eTdkeReJtJ04A4wwk1_3wi5V54XFxvcXY9zh1rURIVIAL3UsV760Prnbzwo_-PEE6o8-9VpY0Vj7z8ynq39vc7PA0uwE30zaH-NatfcDNQ/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnIR4MA1mxq2RCW3VbW_tidYj12f55JsD3eTdkeReJtJ04A4wwk1_3wi5V54XFxvcXY9zh1rURIVIAL3UsV760Prnbzwo_-PEE6o8-9VpY0Vj7z8ynq39vc7PA0uwE30zaH-NatfcDNQ/s200/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563727508179328498" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihohmpjkNYevCJSxCCYpONKXDNh5NtrLfjsX7ncWTZAWAYYKcpa2yPd69gSGIS_YQTqRiisJivnPkahWPesryMU__UeBMtiEMvMwJqtjXRs8bbktKW2Xm-JnK3hyphenhyphenXmQwlDNtP55kqIVdc/s1600/medal.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihohmpjkNYevCJSxCCYpONKXDNh5NtrLfjsX7ncWTZAWAYYKcpa2yPd69gSGIS_YQTqRiisJivnPkahWPesryMU__UeBMtiEMvMwJqtjXRs8bbktKW2Xm-JnK3hyphenhyphenXmQwlDNtP55kqIVdc/s200/medal.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563727391650357618" border="0" /></a>The Monday after the kids went back to school, they had an awards ceremony. They do this once a semester and award the kids for their accomplishments in reading, math, attendance, etc....Emma got a reading and math ribbon along with a special medal! We had no idea she was getting this. Had we known, John would have rearranged his schedule to make it there, but no one told us ahead of time.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD3TWSfuDtTxuZ7bBcCHxanVQi_JcqF1HHd1USauYFKFPX0Ccg7wE2xNz2JbR0DM0d1_3e_3goJMw1H-LhFTBsGDvr5Za5X0DuHvU3GIzmin8xUOK_xtdBfG3VY6dMLZC9y-8L_iZYwI/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD3TWSfuDtTxuZ7bBcCHxanVQi_JcqF1HHd1USauYFKFPX0Ccg7wE2xNz2JbR0DM0d1_3e_3goJMw1H-LhFTBsGDvr5Za5X0DuHvU3GIzmin8xUOK_xtdBfG3VY6dMLZC9y-8L_iZYwI/s200/IMG_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563727216174171874" border="0" /></a> Back in November, Emma entered a photograph she took while she was out exploring with John into the Reflections contest at school. The age bracket was K-2nd grade and she won first place! Her photograph will now go on to the State competition! Congrats to Emma! She was so proud of herself and her photographer Daddy was too. :)<br /><br />In honor of Emma's good grades on her report card, her hard work, her photograph, and for just being a great 7 year old, I typed up this note for her last Thursday morning:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQap0JkPZLn3m_vUvEZ5eywNqzM1OZfstD8cICXGsTUaGK2S7AR8smMjvKoAj5Fd8g2Ua-mTRc4OZrudPlACtoHuGhR7Ucyi-tY7hU1kKxZoGGSGBLChA0BXwposrIbdsFxd-NCZ1xgg/s1600/note.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQap0JkPZLn3m_vUvEZ5eywNqzM1OZfstD8cICXGsTUaGK2S7AR8smMjvKoAj5Fd8g2Ua-mTRc4OZrudPlACtoHuGhR7Ucyi-tY7hU1kKxZoGGSGBLChA0BXwposrIbdsFxd-NCZ1xgg/s200/note.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563984939014065346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3SCF9n7sJbhfNp_qotSWznbjNeOqNLkGTFFuOgjrByj0FxFJPdI2I6RLrE-RozgBvBR2A2bW-LdaCeerHA3-d5Yww20VaFdwyP-vtD_izV1q5chLVFXAcy_mfa9DcgARFIuS3PrFSrM/s1600/bueno.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3SCF9n7sJbhfNp_qotSWznbjNeOqNLkGTFFuOgjrByj0FxFJPdI2I6RLrE-RozgBvBR2A2bW-LdaCeerHA3-d5Yww20VaFdwyP-vtD_izV1q5chLVFXAcy_mfa9DcgARFIuS3PrFSrM/s200/bueno.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563985315088539314" border="0" /></a>She wanted to go to Taco Bueno for quesadillas and cinnamon chips, so that is where we went. Brooklyn was at school and I was off work, so it was just Emma and me. She loved getting to check out just to go to lunch and I loved having her all to myself!Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-66297210831325264432011-01-18T20:45:00.002-06:002011-01-18T20:48:16.045-06:002011 Pancakes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGzZjAKefR3-7XTqYdxL04lxWUHblt-ScivUIpCMDL8MZN9c7G4xF-rXpjugl3_-z51hl-k74JwBUJY3JDh9hjRcDcUmXHW6p36rU0K2LruXnFLN1_p334sqLVBJAaGFRTUQc22N5bCc/s1600/2011.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGzZjAKefR3-7XTqYdxL04lxWUHblt-ScivUIpCMDL8MZN9c7G4xF-rXpjugl3_-z51hl-k74JwBUJY3JDh9hjRcDcUmXHW6p36rU0K2LruXnFLN1_p334sqLVBJAaGFRTUQc22N5bCc/s200/2011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563723125440835938" border="0" /></a>We woke up on January 1, 2011 and all relaxed and watched TV. Around 9:30, everyone started to get hungry and pancakes were on my brain! I wanted to try out my new Pancake Pen that I got for Christmas and this was my favorite creation!<br /><br />I see lots of fun breakfasts in our future!Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-39475126721910511072011-01-05T17:11:00.003-06:002011-01-05T17:19:09.804-06:00New Years Eve Eve<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyiG_9_uGCg910MpunSSW5rZK0F2Tj9aH2R0YsAXMxExv0-kbWw1m-nDgDe4OMGczkAUOu58NwWtR6MHbemmEO8bjSMJ5bjsHczXgtclhC4m3zi2Cf6MA9qkigNsyVtHDNFKPIufnSQM/s1600/12-30-10a.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyiG_9_uGCg910MpunSSW5rZK0F2Tj9aH2R0YsAXMxExv0-kbWw1m-nDgDe4OMGczkAUOu58NwWtR6MHbemmEO8bjSMJ5bjsHczXgtclhC4m3zi2Cf6MA9qkigNsyVtHDNFKPIufnSQM/s200/12-30-10a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558845023575538754" border="0" /></a>Both of the Walker families, the Lewis', and John and I decided to celebrate New Years Eve on December 30th since we knew it would be easier to find babysitters. We left 7 girls and one sweet baby boy with two sitters and enjoyed a night out at <a href="http://www.tablemesabistro.com/enter.html">Table Mesa</a> in Bentonville. The food was awesome and the people were that much better. I love these families and I was so glad to spend time with them ringing in the new year. (even if it was a little early)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiks8dSi-q7J6pVHmoUyej-8MoRHhn6RwfTUOcuLFMwWwLqBfvHDl9bLizRjvCJhqGeL_tPWTkspcweLxI0jOD-kahy0B_rL9sXzknbLHdYyg5XMrf_ioK0uL0IGgvVvU6UILcX-8nDZU/s1600/12-30-10b.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiks8dSi-q7J6pVHmoUyej-8MoRHhn6RwfTUOcuLFMwWwLqBfvHDl9bLizRjvCJhqGeL_tPWTkspcweLxI0jOD-kahy0B_rL9sXzknbLHdYyg5XMrf_ioK0uL0IGgvVvU6UILcX-8nDZU/s200/12-30-10b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558845141869909378" border="0" /></a>John and I had a relaxing night at home for New Years Eve. The girls were so tired from the night before that they were asleep by 7:30. We grilled steaks and made green beans and Shells and Cheese for dinner. Then we watched a movie and ate molten chocolate chip cookie with ice cream. It was a perfect start to the New Year with my favorite person!Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-81593208144012472292011-01-05T16:39:00.008-06:002011-01-05T17:01:46.567-06:00Christmas Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiwJeBtQkH-8Ow3QSLAo8KtNFLt_NyQDWVuY-GQ_F4C33k6dgHVF7a5RdSrfTIHq3kzFzV-6hcdByfxF1cXjiba6Vq4GOq8an543INhlOPidYPB6uoh9M44hBO_aId84Id5znRb5NbDE/s1600/20101225_0001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiwJeBtQkH-8Ow3QSLAo8KtNFLt_NyQDWVuY-GQ_F4C33k6dgHVF7a5RdSrfTIHq3kzFzV-6hcdByfxF1cXjiba6Vq4GOq8an543INhlOPidYPB6uoh9M44hBO_aId84Id5znRb5NbDE/s200/20101225_0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558839253896671394" border="0" /></a>I woke up at 7:45 Christmas morning to whispers in the monitor. I could not believe the girls had slept that long! John and I jumped up and ran in there to remind them not to come out. We got the camera set up and the coffee made before we went in with them to read Luke 2 together. I love the idea of starting our morning off with THE Christmas story. Once we did that, the girls were ready to go out! I love the picture John got of them coming around the corner. It was an accident, but it is one of my favorites.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzND6wfa7IggNYG4R1LrJR0ZmYde24whN1yIP_d84vVP3kX7fYEiZzTymRziG9BjJxOHOZfZPL2OT0oB_a3mCmKWeHTLXdTEdV50XfjaeYRSVR1E_5P0PmYLVacXOz2GPdX6A5gZ1K5W8/s1600/20101225_0004.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzND6wfa7IggNYG4R1LrJR0ZmYde24whN1yIP_d84vVP3kX7fYEiZzTymRziG9BjJxOHOZfZPL2OT0oB_a3mCmKWeHTLXdTEdV50XfjaeYRSVR1E_5P0PmYLVacXOz2GPdX6A5gZ1K5W8/s200/20101225_0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558839401951149810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircSWCqU8TFeol6STXOJwDX9kTar7IziOLJh-7buY9lRyRkVN_xL6TNwwNDpU17CWZTC1EEH823gz56Neoo6aDf20vGRNxivFsRaFsWwBkL69pHXSuZ2E1KFYhBtq2BlshM_gGPMr4xH8/s1600/20101225_0005.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircSWCqU8TFeol6STXOJwDX9kTar7IziOLJh-7buY9lRyRkVN_xL6TNwwNDpU17CWZTC1EEH823gz56Neoo6aDf20vGRNxivFsRaFsWwBkL69pHXSuZ2E1KFYhBtq2BlshM_gGPMr4xH8/s200/20101225_0005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558839640604896482" border="0" /></a>The girls both got the long awaited Pillow Pets from Santa along with ZuZu babies and a book. Their stockings were full of toothbrushes (one regular and one electric that they got to decorate), some candy, Lite Brite refills, chapstick and a new Cinderella phone for Brooklyn. Brooklyn would have been completely content with her Cinderella phone and carrying case and not a thing more. She didn't let go of the phone all day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKcnShkd7wHcd2CC37jzJVgYAUpQscxOCcLGUIVmNBAIHr-sdrF9v8YMKxJ8FRI3BYtD9JK7OjyUjDTfMKDglqnZIxnwVFu_lU-0uGeLLLxnti2A61ANih_ZuoCn4KcDGys0AEezZMhE/s1600/20101225_0006.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 97px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKcnShkd7wHcd2CC37jzJVgYAUpQscxOCcLGUIVmNBAIHr-sdrF9v8YMKxJ8FRI3BYtD9JK7OjyUjDTfMKDglqnZIxnwVFu_lU-0uGeLLLxnti2A61ANih_ZuoCn4KcDGys0AEezZMhE/s200/20101225_0006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558839850488240146" border="0" /></a>There was not a big item that the girls wanted this year. Brooklyn gave Emma a new ZuZu pet because hers had broken a few months ago. Emma gave B a Beauty and the Beast book for her Tag reader. John and I gave Emma a new glove, hat and scarf set and some fun rain boots. We surprised her with a Princess Lea toy that she had wanted at Disney World. She was out of spending money there, but we bought it and brought it back to save for Christmas. She was really excited! Brooklyn got Tangled for her Leapster, a Letter and Number dry erase book and new rain boots. We got them both Toy Story Mania for the Wii. It was designed after the ride at Hollywood Studios that we loved. It is a fun family game. Both girls have really enjoyed it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwUhXX2e1d-H9zHHMgbCAeyVFpJMRzm4h4oZw_m4jNlzVqUWwNvWpj_viwTnb9Ty1zt6IkP91bx9J_yawIWMYwzvW64GogMEgNvOy2u6ROHJxyRjrnM5Gj3yafxwZ_jIbRtvcG0AItmQ/s1600/2010+Christmas3.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwUhXX2e1d-H9zHHMgbCAeyVFpJMRzm4h4oZw_m4jNlzVqUWwNvWpj_viwTnb9Ty1zt6IkP91bx9J_yawIWMYwzvW64GogMEgNvOy2u6ROHJxyRjrnM5Gj3yafxwZ_jIbRtvcG0AItmQ/s200/2010+Christmas3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558839077969156498" border="0" /></a>I had put our breakfast in the oven after Santa gifts and it was ready right about the time we finished opening gifts. We had breakfast pizza and Monkey bread. The monkey bread is our birthday cake for Jesus, so we sang Happy Birthday before eating. We played around our house after breakfast for a bit and then piled in the car (still in pj's) and went to the Hannon's to exchange gifts and eat a light lunch with John's whole family. It was super laid back. We had fun seeing all their new toys (lots of electronics!) and hanging out with all of them. We are thankful they live so close and that it is easy to see each other.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGyUtYibn4tQb-LjOx-i0CmkQcn7oWmFGkLozlW1npE87h9CAe9vbwKjzoooSurDy_u7wZkB_dbh4GJyDYorWxgGLjOXHc8hZ4YriYjyr3UCcCK0ynK17psd7wtKd7DCMWJ0aTOBRU6o/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGyUtYibn4tQb-LjOx-i0CmkQcn7oWmFGkLozlW1npE87h9CAe9vbwKjzoooSurDy_u7wZkB_dbh4GJyDYorWxgGLjOXHc8hZ4YriYjyr3UCcCK0ynK17psd7wtKd7DCMWJ0aTOBRU6o/s200/IMG_0042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558840079535959362" border="0" /></a>It was a great Christmas holiday. We saw a lot of family and enjoyed the slowed down pace that the school year brings. I enjoyed not having to get everyone up and out of the house early in the morning. There were many days that we never took off our pj's and never left the house.Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-15201133669483269312011-01-05T16:07:00.004-06:002011-01-05T16:37:48.511-06:00Christmas Eve<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqGgbQMhyyI5LqrBWr7JHXo6aEMv2jpJdMwhmqqzGPEu4zjjq1jkQQP5TXtcL58n3DePxrtHWRA3F8EEMQ0pfTOov2YNE_5U5kXSf0G_zL4JoHaDpAlt0Pi2xTP3hVVYfSDNQjvXduRI/s1600/2010+Christmas-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqGgbQMhyyI5LqrBWr7JHXo6aEMv2jpJdMwhmqqzGPEu4zjjq1jkQQP5TXtcL58n3DePxrtHWRA3F8EEMQ0pfTOov2YNE_5U5kXSf0G_zL4JoHaDpAlt0Pi2xTP3hVVYfSDNQjvXduRI/s200/2010+Christmas-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558833988700337442" border="0" /></a>John and I decided last year that we wanted to start staying at home for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. This meant starting our own traditions and figuring all of that out. This year, we had the Hannon's and Nana and GDad over to our house for Christmas Eve lunch. We all pitch in with food and it is always SO good! Since Sam has to be at church for most of the Christmas Eve services, we always eat an early lunch. The services got moved even earlier this year, so we decided to save presents for Christmas day so we were not rushed. We all went to church for the 3:00 family service. It is very casual and laid back. All the kids got glow sticks and the adults got candles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj675sIROcFopfwDfJsSJsO-UE6tVC1g38vVUfp4KgCoao5EcQ-qk33UYhc6HrhVbuDmoTO6JgN2A6Lif8fK25pnWiy_xiIstRd12i54gmgPwdQ_K6WvNqDH0pTzjhl_QKsap2wO7oI-DM/s1600/2010+Christmas2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj675sIROcFopfwDfJsSJsO-UE6tVC1g38vVUfp4KgCoao5EcQ-qk33UYhc6HrhVbuDmoTO6JgN2A6Lif8fK25pnWiy_xiIstRd12i54gmgPwdQ_K6WvNqDH0pTzjhl_QKsap2wO7oI-DM/s200/2010+Christmas2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558834138112510706" border="0" /></a>After church, the four of us went home to decorate our sugar cookies that we had cut out the day before. We did this last year and had such a good time, we have made it a tradition! I had been in the kitchen for 2 days preparing food and had intentions of making tacos that night (voted on by the four of us), but when John suggested going to pick up tacos and cheese dip at our favorite Mexican restaurant I thought that was a great idea! John's parents joined us for tacos, cheese dip, margaritas, and cookies. It was easy and good. It gave me more time to enjoy being with everyone. John's parents left after dinner. The girls got ready for bed and prepared Santa's cookies and milk. We all read The Night Before Christmas and tucked both girls in Brooklyn's room for the night. Surprisingly, it didn't take much time for them to fall asleep together.Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-14392712087119327632011-01-04T16:49:00.007-06:002011-01-04T18:42:02.307-06:00Christmas in Little Rock<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEC62TjdjpROWl_Luoabzqu7YziG-Tnqh4cNcNnD5bvI-6ECSHjoD1UrVwetyYfi2E0BqBEAOrsUG4PGIBs3gRtyctOgRNkHwWYsLu8IrhyphenhyphenQiUFWKxsNw2roZO2pyCp1Zwf1xLcUqYzbY/s1600/2010+Christmas1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEC62TjdjpROWl_Luoabzqu7YziG-Tnqh4cNcNnD5bvI-6ECSHjoD1UrVwetyYfi2E0BqBEAOrsUG4PGIBs3gRtyctOgRNkHwWYsLu8IrhyphenhyphenQiUFWKxsNw2roZO2pyCp1Zwf1xLcUqYzbY/s200/2010+Christmas1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558495363703278866" border="0" /></a>We went to Little Rock the weekend before Christmas to celebrate with my family. My extended family gets together that weekend and since we are usually in LR for Christmas, we rarely get to go. It worked out great this year to be able to see some family that I haven't seen in years. Sadly, we did not get any pictures of that party. :(<br /><br />On Sunday, we did Christmas with my parents and my sister's family. It was fun to all be together and exchange gifts. We all bought my Mom some adorable, personalized melamine plates for each of the girls to use at their house. My <a href="http://www.sincerelyyoursonline.blogspot.com/">sister in law</a> designed them and together we came up with the saying to go around the plate. I think they turned out super cute. Emma got two more DS games, a huge set of Legos and some money. Brooklyn got her fun TAG reader with three books and her beloved Tangled dress that she has barely taken off her body! I got a new coat that I have been wanting and money. John scored some iTunes cards and money. We got more than we need!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPysrgKOdCzj2oOqy02eZAb0wwzNxLgCCLQIqCUQbYmYOOFMS_1UgrJ2R7c3qktb3qTMYJJe0TT1VfeG6Py3C9dFYEzlaQKg-pKcZMjc_gMJSJqt7JYifZ6vYUfX6qR7pcMPWNVzrZ92g/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPysrgKOdCzj2oOqy02eZAb0wwzNxLgCCLQIqCUQbYmYOOFMS_1UgrJ2R7c3qktb3qTMYJJe0TT1VfeG6Py3C9dFYEzlaQKg-pKcZMjc_gMJSJqt7JYifZ6vYUfX6qR7pcMPWNVzrZ92g/s200/IMG_0077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558493245196897986" border="0" /></a>The girls and I stayed in LR until Tuesday, but John had to go back on Sunday. I wasn't feeling 100%, but we still had a good time. I took the girls to see the Tokar girls on Monday and they had a big time in the hot tub! Kate, Lindsay and I had coffee on Monday night. It was great to catch up with them.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSnHAHTpXydYjJeLUdp-ogj_Ehz2vMb0F4wHirptClQVsPBkoZJrNFBUt6rITNFlCss7VHnPPhUtU7NH4O_RkKS_1yJVrcw8f6OCkVYpQztcfF-4kf2VaqKqdWOLdfnqWgmX4S1ebj2M/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSnHAHTpXydYjJeLUdp-ogj_Ehz2vMb0F4wHirptClQVsPBkoZJrNFBUt6rITNFlCss7VHnPPhUtU7NH4O_RkKS_1yJVrcw8f6OCkVYpQztcfF-4kf2VaqKqdWOLdfnqWgmX4S1ebj2M/s200/IMG_0080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558494267348135890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fgavN6hdkjUnIzPDtT6253G4vX4N9rOmZslD1FiL7cFEdUT2obMcwWT-sySNKbVcB2EK1MZCR_zcL_mCIvgUzf91nOss-053ChrS-zhfOZ8JViTdRdoG_ok_BbDbPy3tVWNkzbwOxqE/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fgavN6hdkjUnIzPDtT6253G4vX4N9rOmZslD1FiL7cFEdUT2obMcwWT-sySNKbVcB2EK1MZCR_zcL_mCIvgUzf91nOss-053ChrS-zhfOZ8JViTdRdoG_ok_BbDbPy3tVWNkzbwOxqE/s200/IMG_0078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558494454779370706" border="0" /></a>On Tuesday, we had intentions to take Emma, Brooklyn, Claire and Andi to see Santa at the mall, but my sister got sick, so they could not come. My Mom and I took Em and B. I was still not feeling great, so we headed home from the mall.<br /><br />It was a great visit!Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-25809236090145299832011-01-04T16:08:00.010-06:002011-01-04T16:36:49.148-06:0010th Annual Gingerbread Party<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQp0lLrTwpERE67biIOR0-flIIcgTxeh2QyfKSCMgVbBYYXC8Rt2HWl6culnAnbur-pbOhX26-o9_JWgSSv5K8QJpRGHIezJgOepcHmb8cf-qMgRF8X20ePWjqJnkd4j5pFStHz7J75eY/s1600/164358_1686340592682_1062669056_31892397_3697494_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQp0lLrTwpERE67biIOR0-flIIcgTxeh2QyfKSCMgVbBYYXC8Rt2HWl6culnAnbur-pbOhX26-o9_JWgSSv5K8QJpRGHIezJgOepcHmb8cf-qMgRF8X20ePWjqJnkd4j5pFStHz7J75eY/s200/164358_1686340592682_1062669056_31892397_3697494_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558462040276723906" border="0" /></a>Our favorite holiday party every Christmas season is the Elleman's Gingerbread Party. It was all started 10 years ago when we were newlyweds with no kids. One year we attempted to bring our children to help decorate the houses, but quickly realized that was mass chaos and went back to adults only. The Elleman's are the ultimate hosts. We always have great food, drinks and prizes! The people there are not people that John and I see consistently throughout the year, but we like them a lot and always have a blast hanging out. The only rules for the party are you HAVE to wear pajamas and the house you build has to be edible.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-tRcNYpPEVVI99lee6FSvzrKuC5jyV9PxABL0FJqO-iplAdPQklv_zvAQJjZqRVtIL0b0U-3fsLqj_n5JvcolsOEK9F0he5qpfPUucC0KOIUEy_957-WIKD_IlViw0Y3L6PBUinRzzU/s1600/20101217_0104.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-tRcNYpPEVVI99lee6FSvzrKuC5jyV9PxABL0FJqO-iplAdPQklv_zvAQJjZqRVtIL0b0U-3fsLqj_n5JvcolsOEK9F0he5qpfPUucC0KOIUEy_957-WIKD_IlViw0Y3L6PBUinRzzU/s200/20101217_0104.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558462159467602562" border="0" /></a>Over the 10 years, we have seen all kinds of creativity. John and I always stay classic and we never win. SO, next year, we are going to ditch "classic" and do something crazy. The Thompson's were the most crazy this year and added a live mouse to their house.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaLqmXQnDScddFqE-JegpjtZJnpLB3JfveQ-4-n7nLD4_jktfkJ-90I1ccoO0PsoCo2eFFTBXL5wW_ou5Vm3wFdlYbPI4AQ9qAlLQApEhC6cvr1g00V_TVWIFxNY_RN2BiYmgkm2SY28/s1600/20101217_0086.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaLqmXQnDScddFqE-JegpjtZJnpLB3JfveQ-4-n7nLD4_jktfkJ-90I1ccoO0PsoCo2eFFTBXL5wW_ou5Vm3wFdlYbPI4AQ9qAlLQApEhC6cvr1g00V_TVWIFxNY_RN2BiYmgkm2SY28/s200/20101217_0086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558461899122599714" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEUO7a2vXaXqzN5mHnUumrkYGx4b8ap-LWDbS9mMBDIHIIEOjhC7HoElfBEaX6hyphenhyphenm_svIhHX4WQe8hKQmfrs0Jan1og0zysHSFc5NkAY3l2eqwnMhPcdRyU_VYNp4-RwEDnsrKE73ItY/s1600/20101217_0081.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEUO7a2vXaXqzN5mHnUumrkYGx4b8ap-LWDbS9mMBDIHIIEOjhC7HoElfBEaX6hyphenhyphenm_svIhHX4WQe8hKQmfrs0Jan1og0zysHSFc5NkAY3l2eqwnMhPcdRyU_VYNp4-RwEDnsrKE73ItY/s200/20101217_0081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558461669750756290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzhZfeF2hLaRacAzQl02oqCB-16yUwtVBnjTUqboq4nZjjpyS-8ZlUaT_bbmFggBXM2oOtEXcm9QbhTPm7TkHBj0nIWnuBvtqUsNLj1PsuE9q3z6Q6nIO1QcqVEBsoj3Hna8iOudMaSM/s1600/20101217_0072.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 89px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzhZfeF2hLaRacAzQl02oqCB-16yUwtVBnjTUqboq4nZjjpyS-8ZlUaT_bbmFggBXM2oOtEXcm9QbhTPm7TkHBj0nIWnuBvtqUsNLj1PsuE9q3z6Q6nIO1QcqVEBsoj3Hna8iOudMaSM/s200/20101217_0072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558461420117143650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkHB2y9Uk4WfTgwJDgidcjGAlPomUgsXUbtnUxOc8jAVyjO1GP4DUQT4Vc5tPZ2Hz7ApQ0kVY8BK5xvjJa6qv7VBfrhlVPiVKtDEnmDJpumljl53c1jiO-LDRMbXoE_mXO3nEVWJYYlg/s1600/20101217_0070.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 104px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkHB2y9Uk4WfTgwJDgidcjGAlPomUgsXUbtnUxOc8jAVyjO1GP4DUQT4Vc5tPZ2Hz7ApQ0kVY8BK5xvjJa6qv7VBfrhlVPiVKtDEnmDJpumljl53c1jiO-LDRMbXoE_mXO3nEVWJYYlg/s200/20101217_0070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558461247500163186" border="0" /></a>Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-46730469921952682432010-12-30T23:06:00.012-06:002010-12-30T23:22:53.400-06:00Christmas Lights on the Fayetteville Square<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifr7FKQo-nGI24YAxMm1M-chQ2aOgVinyeuki5zba1i6gCCaXlZFoAGcM4YxpoCBgvhY4JS9pRN6UrfL1066WnBTc2A0m6_rvbX9aNbvPCZ-bduEuBKQ1j5soCD_atB__H0qJlojU51C4/s1600/20101204_0049.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifr7FKQo-nGI24YAxMm1M-chQ2aOgVinyeuki5zba1i6gCCaXlZFoAGcM4YxpoCBgvhY4JS9pRN6UrfL1066WnBTc2A0m6_rvbX9aNbvPCZ-bduEuBKQ1j5soCD_atB__H0qJlojU51C4/s200/20101204_0049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556709215831693250" border="0" /></a>Every year for Emma's birthday (or close to Emma's birthday) we go to the Fayetteville square for pizza and Christmas lights. The Hannon's always go with us and any other family that might be in town. John's cousin, Laura, and her husband just moved to Springdale, so they were able to join us along with Nana and GDad. The lights are always so pretty and really get you in the Christmas spirit. The square is always hopping this time of year with the lights, pony rides and carriage rides. Not to mention all the yummy options for dinner!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLd3242r_Xp8Y8rTnqR2oEYWPKyg0vEhjK8fndLItHNkDu-WxeJUEBDooHj7kTaKIFq2aZrno45zvx3QwFuhn_VY0Wgx92kbufFB1LP4EKRMmsDrm2GXg7-oh5zvdVHPWPWK29BQ6Jb1U/s1600/20101204_0063.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 111px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLd3242r_Xp8Y8rTnqR2oEYWPKyg0vEhjK8fndLItHNkDu-WxeJUEBDooHj7kTaKIFq2aZrno45zvx3QwFuhn_VY0Wgx92kbufFB1LP4EKRMmsDrm2GXg7-oh5zvdVHPWPWK29BQ6Jb1U/s200/20101204_0063.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556710709092411842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl-Esj67Qm0yfXafyylqIBRmX6RDOI23qN5fGgcMtKT9Hbw9cbJsz-o7jUzo30VTJbkiBQfv2iK9kr289UggbIYqv0EESQab7exOOfa6ucqh8MNqwbevOtfKJvb0vlcqVt-wdtb7ogCE/s1600/20101204_0056.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl-Esj67Qm0yfXafyylqIBRmX6RDOI23qN5fGgcMtKT9Hbw9cbJsz-o7jUzo30VTJbkiBQfv2iK9kr289UggbIYqv0EESQab7exOOfa6ucqh8MNqwbevOtfKJvb0vlcqVt-wdtb7ogCE/s200/20101204_0056.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556709465253755090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2BRnayyn24pD5jDn1ICH34XTlyhamHlVwu6dbSKMWQQKFaWfq6sBxMraaBC9En0ZAtdFtq_jRgKSWI9SBi2jhcwP0Y048XDj0PibbZ5aamaJ6biPzGnfz14LvFLr7gKAowtTj51yQZg/s1600/20101204_0065.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2BRnayyn24pD5jDn1ICH34XTlyhamHlVwu6dbSKMWQQKFaWfq6sBxMraaBC9En0ZAtdFtq_jRgKSWI9SBi2jhcwP0Y048XDj0PibbZ5aamaJ6biPzGnfz14LvFLr7gKAowtTj51yQZg/s200/20101204_0065.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556710998064623330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84QhkaKhssO2WOChreuy1CEDqbz4V2RfByaTbj9E_HLBGmbxGVxA4YgrHaYAybDcFiAtO1XRc9io9bOE55Z7T2DS9Q5PxVbvGqSNfUDcqfaJ-KdIczk8wQs8qu61lhOqzMnzDYa1AlaQ/s1600/20101204_0059.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 101px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84QhkaKhssO2WOChreuy1CEDqbz4V2RfByaTbj9E_HLBGmbxGVxA4YgrHaYAybDcFiAtO1XRc9io9bOE55Z7T2DS9Q5PxVbvGqSNfUDcqfaJ-KdIczk8wQs8qu61lhOqzMnzDYa1AlaQ/s200/20101204_0059.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556710239881542322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6fBfGwEF5nuDnAPO1F7Cwt0v54NO6Q2_RMriWIZsQKen5VYCAMr5nYBswuXsJp1dfYWBrDF68ZbJ4n-NGy0Tu_0-AbpEQ1kysn-pKyYq0R7ayCpHkmkv4cEmUyEl0A55XCC4Hs6ht64/s1600/20101204_0052.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 101px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6fBfGwEF5nuDnAPO1F7Cwt0v54NO6Q2_RMriWIZsQKen5VYCAMr5nYBswuXsJp1dfYWBrDF68ZbJ4n-NGy0Tu_0-AbpEQ1kysn-pKyYq0R7ayCpHkmkv4cEmUyEl0A55XCC4Hs6ht64/s200/20101204_0052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556709332126645538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zgR27AygkPxGD0fyIRXQ_MUeIaw4kzJ4bOJOPzxAR79g2zbZyGVbsR7yxHg0PPkYkfOyPteulY6eHDBfudyzLgPJooWoHxGiTUst2s3G1k_EiaEtQeXeqBkuQ6cp_bdpGbBBXgf_yqc/s1600/20101204_0062.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zgR27AygkPxGD0fyIRXQ_MUeIaw4kzJ4bOJOPzxAR79g2zbZyGVbsR7yxHg0PPkYkfOyPteulY6eHDBfudyzLgPJooWoHxGiTUst2s3G1k_EiaEtQeXeqBkuQ6cp_bdpGbBBXgf_yqc/s200/20101204_0062.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556710476316215314" border="0" /></a>Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-55364083021683242142010-12-29T09:26:00.004-06:002010-12-30T08:44:29.252-06:00Happy 7th Birthday Emma!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSG_2ddLO_04AOSnqaJyxUcLKKT9n1z0v222Yeb77PUbVi98AmmxoFcDfmDlfFVMh4ZVR7h4JV8DLImu-IHg8h6F8mkQWBosTRVQ48JIVUtNdXYZACFO2VzP9dR6zOpam_ATTmJX9txcc/s1600/Emma+-+Birthday+-+7.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSG_2ddLO_04AOSnqaJyxUcLKKT9n1z0v222Yeb77PUbVi98AmmxoFcDfmDlfFVMh4ZVR7h4JV8DLImu-IHg8h6F8mkQWBosTRVQ48JIVUtNdXYZACFO2VzP9dR6zOpam_ATTmJX9txcc/s200/Emma+-+Birthday+-+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556126119598327970" border="0" /></a>Emma's actual birthday is on December 5th and we were able to have her party on the actual day this year. Emma wanted to have a swim party, so I did some research and we ended up at The Boys and Girls Club in Fayetteville. We had never been, but we will be going more often now. It was awesome! It has a gradual entry pool, a spray mushroom and a really fun water slide. They have a party room right by the pool which was really nice.<br /><br />I remember being a kid and thinking how fun it was to swim in the middle of winter. They all had a really great time!<br />The kids got to swim for about an hour and then we dried off to do cake and presents in the party room. Emma wanted a Littlest Pet Shop cake and with very little guidance from me, <a href="http://www.shelbylynnscakeshoppe.com/">Shelby Lynn's</a> pulled off another super cute cake!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dJO4xDbd890xQxj908wd_mTRUsxF7uiUgZ6t4_UgXjHekFiJu69JMXCgROkZmt56JFVCe-yjLCYGBUT4Uo7TZw0c7-xOQMQRddBphm6EJlyhUfKgay_nt6BcCdBiY7UVgm4uBYXyPQ8/s1600/20101205_0067.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dJO4xDbd890xQxj908wd_mTRUsxF7uiUgZ6t4_UgXjHekFiJu69JMXCgROkZmt56JFVCe-yjLCYGBUT4Uo7TZw0c7-xOQMQRddBphm6EJlyhUfKgay_nt6BcCdBiY7UVgm4uBYXyPQ8/s200/20101205_0067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556128488156445218" border="0" /></a>John did a great job getting pictures of Emma and each of her friends. She invited a few friends from school and also friends that we have had for life that we don't go to school with now. John got the annual Molly, Emma and Elle picture which I love! He also got a fun picture of me and a few of my besties. We all had our first borns 7 years ago, within 4 months of each other. We live life together and I could not be more grateful for each of them!<br /><br />At 7 years old, Emma is a blast! She is a really great little girl and a lot of fun to be with. Her mind is still full of creativity, like it was when she was 3. She loves school, LOVES to read, loves to write, loves to draw and loves her friends. She might be a techie, which makes her Dad happy. She enjoys "talking her Dad into" playing Lego Starwars on the Wii when he gets home from work. She doesn't have to twist his arm to hard. :) She is an awesome big sister. She loves Brooklyn and for the most part, loves to play with her and help her any way she can. Em enjoys a job and is becoming quite helpful with things around the house. She asked Jesus into her heart this year and is begging to get baptized. That is top on our list for things to schedule in 2011. She loves going to church and is always eager to learn her verse each week (even if there is a treasure box reward for it). I have loved doing a short devotional with her each morning before school this year. It starts both of our days off on the right foot! Emma, you are loved. You will always be the girl who made me a Mommy. You are beautiful inside and out and I love that God has entrusted your sweet spirit to Daddy and I. You make our jobs really easy!Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-16444186482447231542010-12-29T09:11:00.004-06:002010-12-29T09:18:44.901-06:00Emma's Birthday in Little Rock<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XAoeqZwmCd5bnMFuEqyo0r9VRgpQI02tPUvWfbn9P-4V4QhrODdRUvJ6hGVRKYW_QLDU3lMhzEdoIv6cvt1LKGGgVF7QMDICfq7tlhsMRal2FHQyMpSafEvqilCGoktqywwugNPDQVw/s1600/20101127.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XAoeqZwmCd5bnMFuEqyo0r9VRgpQI02tPUvWfbn9P-4V4QhrODdRUvJ6hGVRKYW_QLDU3lMhzEdoIv6cvt1LKGGgVF7QMDICfq7tlhsMRal2FHQyMpSafEvqilCGoktqywwugNPDQVw/s200/20101127.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556123683580756002" border="0" /></a>On the Friday after Thanksgiving, we celebrated Emma's birthday with my family. She chose <a href="http://www.purplecowlr.com/">Purple Cow</a> for dinner and on top of milkshakes, my Mom bought a cookie cake.<br /><br />Emma has been wanting a Nintendo DS for almost a year now, so my parents, John's parents and John and I went in and bought her one for her birthday. We let her open it a week early while we were in Little Rock. She was SUPER excited as you can see! John and I got her the new Littlest Pet Shop game too. Since her birthday party was able to be on her actual birthday it was nice to spread out the gifts from us and her friends.Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-76615634085411052542010-12-29T09:06:00.002-06:002010-12-29T09:10:43.127-06:002010 Silver Dollar City Christmas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1E29qH2XuVpJXA2en9VskmQ2Ewli8Wjzi9IoL4TfbXgoqj6SNZ0K4ea3Z8fWR2jyQxdUwGD8HEQCyj-J2zT4Pusj2bLhCB5ESYTKY2FkoGQ3xJqT_HCzYUZCqSZ-7c0wMBgxdiVJ4Jc/s1600/2010+Christmas.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1E29qH2XuVpJXA2en9VskmQ2Ewli8Wjzi9IoL4TfbXgoqj6SNZ0K4ea3Z8fWR2jyQxdUwGD8HEQCyj-J2zT4Pusj2bLhCB5ESYTKY2FkoGQ3xJqT_HCzYUZCqSZ-7c0wMBgxdiVJ4Jc/s200/2010+Christmas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556121821285628946" border="0" /></a>Every year before Christmas, we make a point to use our Silver Dollar City passes to go see the millions of lights at Silver Dollar City in Branson. Sometimes it is miserably cold and sometimes it 70 degrees. This year it was in the low 50's during the day and it got colder as it got darker. We got there early to ride rides and then stayed for the lighting of the tree and to see the millions of lights throughout the park. It is a fun tradition and an event that always marks the beginning of the holiday season for our family!Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-32181701146227047532010-12-28T23:38:00.003-06:002010-12-28T23:46:20.754-06:00Emma's First Piano Recital<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZhWaXLQboU8N_MzwAb9vKg_t06_waVC9dMnR-mvca8P_pQym4uecxGpD72f9XeSn_KGF3LR9Ivc-nDhri7zdhYpZ__GFS1x2dP-H0K9WwzITAdm7ou2SjItXV4WhCyFJo6eQYqFOpDU/s1600/20101212_0084.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZhWaXLQboU8N_MzwAb9vKg_t06_waVC9dMnR-mvca8P_pQym4uecxGpD72f9XeSn_KGF3LR9Ivc-nDhri7zdhYpZ__GFS1x2dP-H0K9WwzITAdm7ou2SjItXV4WhCyFJo6eQYqFOpDU/s200/20101212_0084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555976162027567602" border="0" /></a>Emma started taking piano lessons this year and she is doing a great job. It all started by her wanting to take guitar lessons. When I inquired about guitar with a girl from church, she said she prefers them do piano first. Our problem was that we don't have a piano and we were not wanting to invest in one since we had no idea if Emma would like it. Emma decided she did want to try piano, so we started thinking about options. The next day, I looked out our front window and saw that our neighbors were having a garage sale. And guess what? They were selling a large Yamaha keyboard! I walked over with cash and bought it on the spot.<br /><br />Emma is taking from the sweetest, most fun girl at our church. I wanted the lessons to be fun for her or I knew she would stress out and hate it. Shelley really teaches her, but she is fun and relaxed too. It has been great for Em.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eNbJQ6m7en1MHetYUOyGfjX42BhTvXrXnbREcH6Vdb3HQL8Gv64zw3Qu0fUra3LtxTE-Qjr8jtAimxIHz4e5YfhYYojyLJH017zpwJiccE5LrpUQE30lMl-2I5GvJP_p2CJNPdX1myA/s1600/20101212_0091.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eNbJQ6m7en1MHetYUOyGfjX42BhTvXrXnbREcH6Vdb3HQL8Gv64zw3Qu0fUra3LtxTE-Qjr8jtAimxIHz4e5YfhYYojyLJH017zpwJiccE5LrpUQE30lMl-2I5GvJP_p2CJNPdX1myA/s200/20101212_0091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555976332395858258" border="0" /></a>Shelley has about 7 students and she organized a little Christmas recital for them at church. 2 of the students were sick on performance day, but 5 of them were there either playing piano, singing or playing guitar. Emma played Jolly Old St. Nick and O Christmas Tree and she did a great job!Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-22023223488604978462010-12-28T23:02:00.007-06:002010-12-28T23:31:43.078-06:00Thanksgiving<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFUu-6Y8Ib3bVnJPI0dWhHiI9fREbDGyVTAB5l0jAzHjtYQqOzX-rzNuVtoZWMQzvp1XAM4aKk8kd2WeseZdWXRrsY0FYKPLjSNrKWaFuQzgcMcWXHLZUWdRkcEkqd-qpE4__smMllaU/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFUu-6Y8Ib3bVnJPI0dWhHiI9fREbDGyVTAB5l0jAzHjtYQqOzX-rzNuVtoZWMQzvp1XAM4aKk8kd2WeseZdWXRrsY0FYKPLjSNrKWaFuQzgcMcWXHLZUWdRkcEkqd-qpE4__smMllaU/s200/IMG_0029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555972033140453506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YbvBAVXTYdMDd1WJ7Lg40_hzojQ2UahRLmlS0uvFuOKSyhXXIgfKni1QGUDmNmFcIiQKYY8MT2S0We39gZZtgn7b6VUMNbLxYrecOFoBb6KeGZScRkotah5JIps_24TjU64xKqfdev4/s1600/20101126_0003.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YbvBAVXTYdMDd1WJ7Lg40_hzojQ2UahRLmlS0uvFuOKSyhXXIgfKni1QGUDmNmFcIiQKYY8MT2S0We39gZZtgn7b6VUMNbLxYrecOFoBb6KeGZScRkotah5JIps_24TjU64xKqfdev4/s200/20101126_0003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555970022311491554" border="0" /></a>We spent Thanksgiving in Little Rock this year and we had a great time with my family. We went down on Wednesday night and stayed until Sunday morning. We usually come back home on Friday or Saturday, but with the Hogs playing LSU in LR this year, we stuck around so John could join my Dad at the game. I am so glad we did because it was wonderful not rushing through the weekend.<br /><br />My family always serves Thanksgiving Lunch at the Rescue Mission in Little Rock. They have done it for about 10-11 years and we have joined them every year we have been in LR for Thanksgiving. The last time we were there, Emma was 4. It is always a neat time to think beyond yourself and serve some guys who have been through the trenches. My girls did great and really rose to the occasion of serving. Emma was amazing. She might have drove a few of the guys bonkers with how often she asked if they needed anything! :) She loves a job and she was constantly asking what she could do. She passed out dessert, got napkins and drinks. It was awesome and a joy to watch. Brooklyn did a great job too! We were not able to give her as much freedom there, so she stuck with me passing out desserts or with my Dad doing drinks.<br />We spent the majority of our morning there, so we have never had time to actually cook a meal for ourselves. My parents started the tradition of going to Cracker Barrel a few years back. It often saddens me that we are not at home cooking in the kitchen together, but it really does work out better. 4 of my Dad's 5 kids were at dinner this year, which was really cool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBb39NtJFKHFGSG_4TFUbUMJg2z9dRR01RHzdANStCZaOyowmOsycm-nA8Ismp6rv-ALOG8fLKK3_mtBeh1OaYcGCe7gPTwTb4vDk-7jqrZVDOqyw97s_Vk8w6eXfFooSGIIecrAAEKkU/s1600/20101125_0061.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBb39NtJFKHFGSG_4TFUbUMJg2z9dRR01RHzdANStCZaOyowmOsycm-nA8Ismp6rv-ALOG8fLKK3_mtBeh1OaYcGCe7gPTwTb4vDk-7jqrZVDOqyw97s_Vk8w6eXfFooSGIIecrAAEKkU/s200/20101125_0061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555970211392613618" border="0" /></a>The rest of the weekend was spent hanging out, doing crafts, playing with Wikki Stix, watching football, playing in leaves, celebrating Em's birthday (another post for that), a little Christmas shopping, lots of snuggling with Andi and just being together. We were able to snap a few pictures of the girls in their matching shirts. As you can see, Brooklyn wasn't wanting to pose when John had his camera out and once she decided to pose, Andi lost it. My phone captured that!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7w8oqQmvqWIB0qt0B-3-PaoizIOfb6jJbDaBO6j_hwyybKwlpn8BQ52QB-CEZtXbnGHt23H3VBV__XXxuZXwF8FGjDW73wznvAgezSrr3bQ_UWXvj2cQHeSEp5KpiWzaQLFzCRCcMIE/s1600/turkeyday.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7w8oqQmvqWIB0qt0B-3-PaoizIOfb6jJbDaBO6j_hwyybKwlpn8BQ52QB-CEZtXbnGHt23H3VBV__XXxuZXwF8FGjDW73wznvAgezSrr3bQ_UWXvj2cQHeSEp5KpiWzaQLFzCRCcMIE/s200/turkeyday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555970456198635858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1xbf614RuxuUJx-t6g80z5zx4Kwklf23NusHIPmvswzctvtWGOBS-nxxrCJDPkU7sX2jYoxmq6sMswNqliIKEj9Rms24-n-HodwfzgOpzwM3r_F0SZH4SO3sK0GaRfo17OipeRK8r7w/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1xbf614RuxuUJx-t6g80z5zx4Kwklf23NusHIPmvswzctvtWGOBS-nxxrCJDPkU7sX2jYoxmq6sMswNqliIKEj9Rms24-n-HodwfzgOpzwM3r_F0SZH4SO3sK0GaRfo17OipeRK8r7w/s200/IMG_0023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555972304412857090" border="0" /></a>Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-7142954720339826302010-12-28T22:54:00.003-06:002010-12-28T22:56:18.749-06:00Carpool<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWRhV4o5mMqyegp4KXrTPXsZdNgXWq6BJ3lDBUtz-k6zADJ0yAzB_BuFGwk4wrx4-xjqUmRA2-EbHMSpNY6MJTsB9HVM-V-UnbM60HmOvedSioKqm34ni-qHJk8GJWCCAEh-r0zjoYmY/s1600/carpool.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWRhV4o5mMqyegp4KXrTPXsZdNgXWq6BJ3lDBUtz-k6zADJ0yAzB_BuFGwk4wrx4-xjqUmRA2-EbHMSpNY6MJTsB9HVM-V-UnbM60HmOvedSioKqm34ni-qHJk8GJWCCAEh-r0zjoYmY/s200/carpool.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555963496005537218" border="0" /></a>Allyn, my best friend since first grade, and I carpool for school. Carley is in kindergarten and Emma and Davis are in first grade. We don't live in the same neighborhood, but we all like each other a lot and it has worked out great for us to carpool since Emma and Davis started kindergarten. I finally documented my cute little car load!Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-53564426413526220212010-12-28T15:24:00.011-06:002010-12-28T17:43:12.380-06:00Pre-Halloween Fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zt-G0WfH1ZrIqNgZT4B5ufZoCi0yO1FhmZQY9hRwi8Ule9Uh4BQrrcHdEhfgyb7PLv8JPloUj8kpaeW75PAhaFjUhl1GmPpt5mVsmGyqWDUvB4RKrHpN3KR9hkJ9sK8XV0l2vwDcC64/s1600/P1020065.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zt-G0WfH1ZrIqNgZT4B5ufZoCi0yO1FhmZQY9hRwi8Ule9Uh4BQrrcHdEhfgyb7PLv8JPloUj8kpaeW75PAhaFjUhl1GmPpt5mVsmGyqWDUvB4RKrHpN3KR9hkJ9sK8XV0l2vwDcC64/s200/P1020065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555881910146419730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hKUEXWP5-ZXDP1K0Qq6Brp99xWVFHiZa8vR_LIkBdCwoWFlgiHVCvyWhb4dnLzttIHoXw0z7HdFhf-4CfBA1-KlTx3uM1TexlJkydqUk-L3hpDHHAd6uYc8XszmabKMHD41XiMWCJrk/s1600/P1020075.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 96px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hKUEXWP5-ZXDP1K0Qq6Brp99xWVFHiZa8vR_LIkBdCwoWFlgiHVCvyWhb4dnLzttIHoXw0z7HdFhf-4CfBA1-KlTx3uM1TexlJkydqUk-L3hpDHHAd6uYc8XszmabKMHD41XiMWCJrk/s200/P1020075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555880877774103314" border="0" /></a>The four of us carved a pumpkin and did our annual "ghost" foot paintings the weekend before Halloween. I love watching the progression of the ghosts get bigger each year!<br /><br />The girls always have good intentions of helping John carve our pumpkin, but it is really John who does it all. Brooklyn hung in there for a while, but Emma would not touch the "goo". I think John did a great job. :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HofY34zYuhRcsESO8o_FbNZCplgv-2Dq3UczhQCWjCdf_lt-Auwv_mz2AWFql0laSON22G0wjGrd0T6aNbAUtq6qLjQiR8Jd3eZKLpOeoQS1qx6gRyvISnWZgbQNbdFztqNStjBHZ3Q/s1600/P1020071.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 103px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HofY34zYuhRcsESO8o_FbNZCplgv-2Dq3UczhQCWjCdf_lt-Auwv_mz2AWFql0laSON22G0wjGrd0T6aNbAUtq6qLjQiR8Jd3eZKLpOeoQS1qx6gRyvISnWZgbQNbdFztqNStjBHZ3Q/s200/P1020071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555881074582757010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sE864yASg61LuBCVGyPoScUQX5C0hNFG17KrROnQrkB8Vtkqt4muSFNlXCWfyCJ7VS0Rv-4NDCcpGCSNG3Gxs_fvLHs3hCmn-34QFQ1hDudktMH7Y3GLwlkLD2LLobEqGqa7uXI1lV8/s1600/P1020076.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sE864yASg61LuBCVGyPoScUQX5C0hNFG17KrROnQrkB8Vtkqt4muSFNlXCWfyCJ7VS0Rv-4NDCcpGCSNG3Gxs_fvLHs3hCmn-34QFQ1hDudktMH7Y3GLwlkLD2LLobEqGqa7uXI1lV8/s200/P1020076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555881267473492226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Brooklyn had a party at her school for Halloween. They got to dress up and all the teachers dressed up too. One of her teachers dressed up as a doctor. Her other teacher dressed as Dora, but I didn't get a picture of her.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVuuUDIKNTiJvutlqT2wcr_qkSFIWnEwAVsMeOBkRZ_fw6P-mgpvJKmP83XrThOCqr-unHXkA8cIxlp98t3UHekOhiM2qxYq4RAdg_tmBjanmc9Mly8nEqxKhewxP5ejKhLTLJ6orcIs/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVuuUDIKNTiJvutlqT2wcr_qkSFIWnEwAVsMeOBkRZ_fw6P-mgpvJKmP83XrThOCqr-unHXkA8cIxlp98t3UHekOhiM2qxYq4RAdg_tmBjanmc9Mly8nEqxKhewxP5ejKhLTLJ6orcIs/s200/IMG_0050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555881634835192866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2Ec5tuk3IDqvvgv9bVdp2YN6uEocXCZfqVBF9txr4EyJY90NAczMuFcplbun3mXrmlzu5O9X8vudYudkQcntpiHNw8ogHj3Am0xBR3hKumlU4JnEZzj5hHNjbAFwbfU8tV1imbrBn4o/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 104px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2Ec5tuk3IDqvvgv9bVdp2YN6uEocXCZfqVBF9txr4EyJY90NAczMuFcplbun3mXrmlzu5O9X8vudYudkQcntpiHNw8ogHj3Am0xBR3hKumlU4JnEZzj5hHNjbAFwbfU8tV1imbrBn4o/s200/IMG_0056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555881515713504738" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Emma's school has a party called Birthday Bash for Halloween. The lady who her school is named after birthday is on Halloween, so they have a party for her in their classes and then a big carnival that night. It is always a lot of fun! Brooklyn loves going to Emma's parties! The other two pictures are of Emma's sweet friends Jordan and Elise.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT-ZmHTrChb13gfcjJb-yBIH_URPJ6t7yO0HcD3AD975gsA1NS8qzX1-g0SAR_-c7cuAJ4WsddcVnQyaqEpziByTuhaUI1vCFp_e5qkx3hDehjYa-5KIQ71idyScWZBShRiLiBChz_IE/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT-ZmHTrChb13gfcjJb-yBIH_URPJ6t7yO0HcD3AD975gsA1NS8qzX1-g0SAR_-c7cuAJ4WsddcVnQyaqEpziByTuhaUI1vCFp_e5qkx3hDehjYa-5KIQ71idyScWZBShRiLiBChz_IE/s200/IMG_0063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555882117210092194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiWbknHHx2arF2XMO392pgMNWgPnYz4DjbpXugb9j-vWuH4_TFk-fYAm3EqNQcdmZCqbDrXgie9a-4tr7YpNCRBdhAWr3w4j_TyGCiAyrW7lae4hV5NzKeQUpJOHk4BkK4I-Dlwx56FM/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiWbknHHx2arF2XMO392pgMNWgPnYz4DjbpXugb9j-vWuH4_TFk-fYAm3EqNQcdmZCqbDrXgie9a-4tr7YpNCRBdhAWr3w4j_TyGCiAyrW7lae4hV5NzKeQUpJOHk4BkK4I-Dlwx56FM/s200/IMG_0064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555882449509152674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jsGpsw7kGK8pDzcwo-9MTMpNb0ShaBovVmzOBxrD-fMnKiDsd55AInUx_KPtsRy5Kxy27i9zdK3talTlnIozqYBxjQgTSg5V9WLtlrAMsKjiyZ0uUsICTuIa-SCz2Z6QjuQw9t2IA0o/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 102px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jsGpsw7kGK8pDzcwo-9MTMpNb0ShaBovVmzOBxrD-fMnKiDsd55AInUx_KPtsRy5Kxy27i9zdK3talTlnIozqYBxjQgTSg5V9WLtlrAMsKjiyZ0uUsICTuIa-SCz2Z6QjuQw9t2IA0o/s200/IMG_0067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555882597877764498" border="0" /></a>Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-62822781841236852222010-12-28T15:20:00.005-06:002010-12-28T17:49:07.176-06:00Happy Halloween<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vFh9MWXjvjXmZLorWQz2X-0f6W6NhNicG13MWzFFtI8IY4qPZZMGo9qLKbArQR1VSIPHT7hj2ZPQmb_KzdQj7bb5v38C4VuEuIIkFFq3WEwFUPpqTPS1qQGCbVgODdvpygk0HFU_WX4/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vFh9MWXjvjXmZLorWQz2X-0f6W6NhNicG13MWzFFtI8IY4qPZZMGo9qLKbArQR1VSIPHT7hj2ZPQmb_KzdQj7bb5v38C4VuEuIIkFFq3WEwFUPpqTPS1qQGCbVgODdvpygk0HFU_WX4/s200/IMG_0073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555883780490904514" border="0" /></a>Our girls picked their costumes back in early September. Brooklyn was determined to be Fancy Nancy and Emma wanted to be Lucy from the Chronicles of Narnia. I think they both pulled it off really well! We had fun eating Papa Murphy's pumpkin shaped pizza for dinner as a family and then we headed to the Hannon's neighborhood to Trick Or Treat with them!<br /><br />One the Hannon's neighbors go ALL out for Halloween. This year they dressed as Mickey and Minnie and their house had Disney Halloween decorations. They also handed out full size Hershey bars. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFToW-I4Ml_6ZeDsXCtH4EhbCG0ln_RKokBWJbCWZP1Jm4a1D-YMCUvDuDybwNqH69Cxxvua4vwKAc3kFM_kMuida3QqXqyWTt_xCaTaYxTACPlD3rXtHlINJTG9e7XWyJI4sCJnnul8/s1600/IMG_0074.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 107px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFToW-I4Ml_6ZeDsXCtH4EhbCG0ln_RKokBWJbCWZP1Jm4a1D-YMCUvDuDybwNqH69Cxxvua4vwKAc3kFM_kMuida3QqXqyWTt_xCaTaYxTACPlD3rXtHlINJTG9e7XWyJI4sCJnnul8/s200/IMG_0074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555883898286619922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdI1uEKqfbMTayu5bISc0m-_1-8YCziXBBshQBUvF1UYrXoyZWUaiqhsCgSzynTGDGYqYrx2XIB6swSn_0_Kq_d7o11EWGRxUkO2r2RdQtCtFrnZj-PduWLEeU7LkaLliCoJS5r14AR0/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdI1uEKqfbMTayu5bISc0m-_1-8YCziXBBshQBUvF1UYrXoyZWUaiqhsCgSzynTGDGYqYrx2XIB6swSn_0_Kq_d7o11EWGRxUkO2r2RdQtCtFrnZj-PduWLEeU7LkaLliCoJS5r14AR0/s200/IMG_0076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555884110317701234" border="0" /></a>Halloween is one of Belle's favorite nights of the year. We get the baby gate out and set it up at the front door so she can watch all the trick or treaters. She loves it!Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-73155540158790630502010-12-28T15:02:00.004-06:002010-12-28T15:19:57.930-06:00Capture Arkansas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizikOAVgesPPgVvG7VQhoF65Noaa0oaBqdCze4M7PRg__Ayi-u3XNyxUrBozxpXm-WBnA_hWVcgbT_u2ZHiaZKZvJ_VfBLZ6C8G2MYdKfs5X7Af1rzs9YZjPCYt8k-Q0GnHPr_7xaDXDo/s1600/141966-1289110335-0.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizikOAVgesPPgVvG7VQhoF65Noaa0oaBqdCze4M7PRg__Ayi-u3XNyxUrBozxpXm-WBnA_hWVcgbT_u2ZHiaZKZvJ_VfBLZ6C8G2MYdKfs5X7Af1rzs9YZjPCYt8k-Q0GnHPr_7xaDXDo/s200/141966-1289110335-0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555842115359150914" border="0" /></a>Our State newspaper does an annual photo competition called <a href="http://www.capturearkansas.com/photos"><strong></strong></a><a href="http://www.capturearkansas.com/photos"><strong></strong></a><strong><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Capture Arkansas</a></strong>. Photographers submit pictures taken in Arkansas, place them in various competitive categories, and then the user community votes for their favorites.<br /><br />Over <strong>2,000</strong> people submitted/participated. Over <strong>75,000</strong> photos were submitted. And <strong>3.5 million</strong> votes were cast. Somewhere near 220 photos were selected for the coffee table book that was recently published. John got one photo chosen to be in the book, and this is it. Pretty amazing, huh? I was very proud of him! <a href="http://www.photoblog.com/jtnelso/2010/12/25/day-360-christmas-day.html">John has been doing a daily Photoblog for 2010</a>. Its pretty amazing to see all he has done!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.photoblog.com/lgnelson/">John's Dad</a> also participated in the competition and also got a photograph published. It happens to be a picture of my brother in law fishing. He thinks he's famous now. :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr0WGHgthzxAiar4pQ7GKJbv7cEwFBtmD_QQMfWgyrrspWuCaXRMJAMbEf17kTtVBi6dmqcX5i8ZdSNBRMTcjNiA92CqufJUd4zRVdSRdVLt8yjEuCh_2cKaPfRxn5C2s8Y52JIvEl3k/s1600/145780-1289084575-2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr0WGHgthzxAiar4pQ7GKJbv7cEwFBtmD_QQMfWgyrrspWuCaXRMJAMbEf17kTtVBi6dmqcX5i8ZdSNBRMTcjNiA92CqufJUd4zRVdSRdVLt8yjEuCh_2cKaPfRxn5C2s8Y52JIvEl3k/s200/145780-1289084575-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555843097145875554" border="0" /></a>Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-5960067448388775942010-12-27T21:18:00.003-06:002010-12-27T21:29:30.815-06:00Funny words.....There are words every day that Brooklyn says that make me smile, but here a few I have written down over the past few months:<br /><br />"I'm all out of injury (energy)!"<br /><br />"Can I please have some se'dert (dessert)?"<br /><br />"I need my gankie (blankie)."<br /><br />While we were at Disney World, on the Safari in Animal Kingdom, we saw some baboons with very red bottoms. She yelled out as loud as she could, "Mom, look at thems underpants!"<br /><br />On a not so happy note, she has started to use the word loser. We have no idea where she heard it, but its not good. She has been disciplined quite a few times for using it towards Emma. BUT, on this particular day it was hard to get on to her. The two of us were in the car on the way home from school and she was telling me about her day. She told me she did not call anyone a loser. Then it was quiet for a moment and she said, "Mom, I think Satan is a loser." I agreed, but reminded her not to use the word. :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMF4IhxtSJeB3ry4r1_J22LzvDyNUctPP1QAvNDfRKV1cUm4kZZlWSYcfnXYdCss2FjVMOb_zX0u18ZvBbHCEgWaDxKyQRD6zswrQhuAIzlCAM2KUzSwKUh-P6sZUjevHTsFZ_T0U0Hc/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMF4IhxtSJeB3ry4r1_J22LzvDyNUctPP1QAvNDfRKV1cUm4kZZlWSYcfnXYdCss2FjVMOb_zX0u18ZvBbHCEgWaDxKyQRD6zswrQhuAIzlCAM2KUzSwKUh-P6sZUjevHTsFZ_T0U0Hc/s200/IMG_0035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555569757372943794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I thought I would leave you with a random picture I took of our very own Halloween Princess Bride cooking in the kitchen. The outfits she comes up with are hilarious!Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273326236765402614.post-55925880859458627142010-12-27T21:13:00.004-06:002010-12-27T21:18:27.697-06:00Spelling and WritingWhen we named Brooklyn, we knew that it might be first grade before she learned to spell her name, but she surprised us and learned while she was 4! She started spelling her name in October and then out of the blue one day wrote it out along with Emma, Mom and Dad. I thought her teachers had been working with her on it at school and they thought I had been working on it with her. Granted, we have worked a little, but I had never seen her do it that well. Way to go B!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLN7v_agJtBOj9JOI2Zbg9GQiMUSUtyDnf_-J48VnoDcPr57rj4AUqKzH2ZMbqH9wA6N72ZBZyvKsx_Ko_dQEOr9sXNdRSw969737n43xedzUcgZNsKxiotx7l5F0-SxCniBEjovT7cQ/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLN7v_agJtBOj9JOI2Zbg9GQiMUSUtyDnf_-J48VnoDcPr57rj4AUqKzH2ZMbqH9wA6N72ZBZyvKsx_Ko_dQEOr9sXNdRSw969737n43xedzUcgZNsKxiotx7l5F0-SxCniBEjovT7cQ/s200/IMG_0005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555566670382772866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9jDRQdUpnOuTormgYYRpmNjsbrbJy1wqeu1cy-GPa21_uDfzIavDRt8bxb55pMb84_S7bqxwEXGAWx9Nia4JKn4_ueXao8ZEN3_TwCm_J6ZDZU0a2z-qzfPPXr7vlcApbH0nAdvayVg/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9jDRQdUpnOuTormgYYRpmNjsbrbJy1wqeu1cy-GPa21_uDfzIavDRt8bxb55pMb84_S7bqxwEXGAWx9Nia4JKn4_ueXao8ZEN3_TwCm_J6ZDZU0a2z-qzfPPXr7vlcApbH0nAdvayVg/s200/IMG_0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555567125565578882" border="0" /></a>Allison Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03255585932176369640noreply@blogger.com0