Memorial Day Weekend 2011

"Destination Cabin" was the call name for this 3 day weekend. We packed up, headed out and didn't look back. Jace brought along his best bud Brett since that was his birthday request. We were ready for a fun and relaxing long weekend.......

 First things first, Jace opened his birthday gift from Brett

Saturday we went over to the creek at Duck Creek to try our hand at some fishing

 nobody caught anything, but in my opinion that's a good thing!!

Navajo Lake was still frozen over... I mean it's the end of May already

Since we had no luck at Duck Creek, we headed over to Wood's Ranch to try again

once again, no luck catching a fish- but we had fun anyway!!

The boys were blazing trails in the go cart

they thought it was awesome that they could drive around on their own

Grandma and Grandpa Nelson ready to ride

Lauren and Chelsea (Robert's fiance) even got a turn

We also went to the movies and saw Pirates of the Caribbean on Stranger Tides per Jace's birthday request. A great weekend was had by all.....

and it ended with the annual Memorial Day swim party at my parents house...

Good Times!!

Shimmy, Shimmy, Shake.....

The curtains have closed on another year of dance class. Lauren chose to do jazz again and this year her class performed to "Cuban Pete" from the movie "The Mask." They even had a boy in their class who dressed up as the "Mask." It was very entertaining!!

Lauren after the recital in her dance attire

 

Lauren with her cousin Maddy, cousin Ava and friend Shelby who came to support her

 

Family photo post concert-

yes the sun was in my eyes.......

Lauren with Grandma Nelson

 

Lauren with Grandma and Grandpa Robb

 

an action shot from dress rehearsal

This was Lauren's last year performing with Bunker dance, since she made the cheerleading squad at school there won't be enough time (or money!) for both activities. I'm mostly bummed because next year the dance recital is going to be held at the new Smith Center.... Carol I may have to swipe a ticket off of you to go! I asked Jace if he wanted to take dance but we all know his answer to that!

An End to School Year 2010-2011

Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential. -Winston Churchill

Another school year has come and gone. Both Lauren and Jace did well and made it through the endless homework and daunting projects that just never seemed to end. Lauren survived her first year in middle school and really liked it. Of course it's a whole new ballgame so I don't have any pictures of her with her class or with her teachers. She got an award for having straight O's (outstanding behavior) on her report card, however we did not attend the awards ceremony for that. Jace enjoyed his 4th grade year with his teacher Mrs. Sanders (who Lauren also had for 4th grade). His teacher asked me if he had ever been tested for G.A.T.E and I said no- it's not a big deal to me. So she asked if he could be tested - he made it and seems to enjoy being involved in that.

 Jace at the awards ceremony with his class

 Jace got an award for A/B Honor Roll (he only got one B all year!)

and the Nevada Citizenship Award- which involves memorizing the Nevada state song, preamble, counties, county seats, state symbols, county map, Native Americans, physical map and the governors in order.

Good job Jace!

I didn't get a picture of Jace with his teacher, but rather went straight to the top and got a picture of him with the Principal, Mr. Hybarger

Birthday Boy- 10 years old!

May 20th

Jace has reached double digits! He is now a whole decade old.

 Jace couldn't wait to open his birthday gifts

 he got a speedboat to drive around in the pool.....

 a remote control motorcycle, jammies and cash....

 which he used to buy the Traxxas Slash!!!

Jace declined having a party and chose instead, to have his friend Brett join us on a trip to the cabin.

(I will post that adventure soon)

 Saturday the 22nd of May Jason celebrated the big 39....

For his birthday we went to Grand Lux Cafe in the Venetian

they brought out these birthday treats for the birthday boys!

Lots O' Stuff

Fifteen years is a long time, and as of May 4, 2011 that's exactly how long Jason and I have been wed. In honor of this great anniversary, Jason planned a great night out on the town. First it was a delicious dinner at Trevi in Caesars Forum shops followed by the show Absinthe- which is set up in a 100 year old show tent from Europe- in front of Caesars Palace.

There were several different acts, some funny, some acrobatic type, some a little edgy....

this tent was just amazing....

it's me after the show....

along with UFC fighter Frank Mir....

the outside area was dressed up in vintage goods...

this old clawfoot tub has been halved and repurposed as a sofa....

just cool...

Then there was Mother's Day. This day really is great. I wish Lauren and Jace would treat everyday as Mother's Day! They made me lunch, asked if there was anything I needed, and were just overall pleasant to be around in their efforts to make my day special. Lauren wrote me a great poem and Jace made me a cute little vase. Later that night we had dinner with my family and all the guys cooked and cleaned up. Couldn't have asked for more!!

Backyard Beauties!

They only bloom for one day, so everyday I go out and see how many we have that day.

May 13 and 14 was fathers and sons campout. Jace was soooooo excited. I sent Jason with the camera and told him I wanted at least five pictures, and that's exactly how many I got!

There was some dangerous steep hill climbing...

and some s'mores making....

Evidently they had a great time and Jace can't wait to go again next year!

The BIG 1-2!!

April 28, 2011

If the saying is true that "time flies when you're having fun", I must be experiencing an immense amount of fun in my life. After all, it's pretty much inconceivable that my sweet little Lauren is turning 12 years old. Where once a bright eyed little girl with golden locks asking endless questions stood, now stands a fashion savvy young woman with endless complaints.

As luck would have it "Take your Child to Work" day fell smack dab on her birthday. Now we have never really participated in this before- I mean who wants to hang out at a dirty construction shop- but this year Lauren was bound and determined to participate. I'm sure it had nothing to do with having a day off from school for your birthday! So rather than spend the entire day there, we both stopped by for about an hour.

 Lauren at Jason's desk learning the ropes

 Lauren and the AP-1000D

 Later Grandma Nelson stopped by with Lauren's birthday gift....

Lots of goodies and some cash!

 Later when we were all home she got to open her gifts from us

 and make a birthday wish!!

In lieu of a party, Lauren chose to have an outing with her friend Shelby.

 The first stop was lunch at Steak and Shake

Then it was a shopping marathon at Town Square

 

HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY LAUREN!!!!