Advent

We read Bartholomew's Passage with the boys this year for Advent. It is the second book in a family Advent series by Arnold Ytreeide. I highly recommend it, especially for parents with boys. There's a lot of action, and Carter and Owen looked forward to the reading each night (and playing with fire...I mean lighting the candles.) It is an awesome way to get the kids (and ourselves) thinking about the real meaning of Christmas for a bit each day in the month leading up to December 25.

A Night Under the Tree

It has become tradition for Corey and the boys to sleep under the tree sometime during the month of December. This year it was December 23. I had planned to let Lewis join them this year, but he was very tired and went to sleep early in his own bed. The boys love laughing and talking and staying up late under the lights of the tree.

Christmas in Britt

Presents! The boys enjoyed opening gifts, hanging out with almost three-year-old Luke, playing the Wii and playing with the hexbug track that Grandpa made. We even got a little snow while in Britt, but not enough to play in. I did not feel well when we were there (Keith's wife, Tomi, was sick too), so I did a whole lot of nothing.

Having fun with cousin Luke. Lewis is having a hard time with the name switch from "Baby Lucas" to "Luke," but Lucas does not appreciate being called a baby.

Christmas in Fremont

We spent several days in Fremont this year, but I took very few pictures. The cousins had a ball together as they always do. And they are all growing up so much. I remember thinking how big the older kids were when they started going to school. Now the youngest one of the bunch will be five in a few months. Crazy how time moves so quickly.

Grandma reading to Lewis.


All tangled up.
Highlights of the trip:
1. the Wii (this has been popular for a few years now.)
2. Ice-skating. Owen and Ian went two days in a row.
3. Games. We played Headbanz for about 3 hours one evening.
4. Food. Lots and lots of sweets.
5. Legos. Hexbugs, Bey Blades...

Giant Jenga

You can't say the Nelson family doesn't know how to have fun. Check out this great party game!

Who Needs A Radio?

I get my very own concert every day at naptime and bedtime and sometimes in the middle of the night. Lewis has sung himself to sleep since before he could form words. Most of the time he makes up songs about his day, but recently he's been singing Christmas songs. I love this kid!

2nd Place

That's the love of my life there in the red white and blue sweater. Sorry ladies - he's taken. :)