Say Cheese!!

Family photos. 

Deep in your heart you hope for the best but expect the worst. Maybe I just have my sights set too high but they almost never seem to win me over. Yet they must be done, otherwise how could we look back on them  in 20 years and laugh our heads off about how we looked. At least in these pics there are no perms to make fun of, but nevertheless, I'm sure we will find something hilarious.

This year we did individual and extended family photos at the same time. We all drove out to Nelson's Landing for the photo shoot then had dinner at a Mexican joint in Boulder City afterwards.

The family shots....

Handsome Jace

This kid cannot help it. If the sun is shining both eyes cannot be open- that's why we call him "Popeye"

Jason and I

Miss Lauren and the Little Dude

  

Lauren looking lovely....

The Nelson sisters....

All of the girlies....

all the boys.....

Grandma & Grandpa with all the grandkids....

The big picture.....

This picture is a classic in my book- here's why:

I had finally gotten the disc with all the pics on it. I was filtering through and scrutinizing each photo when I happened upon this hilarity. My hyena calls echoed through the house, so the family couldn't resist knowing the reason for the outburst. I pointed to Jason in this pic as he was standing next to me and asked him why the crazy face. His response was that was the "funny face" photo. I preceded to roll the cursor over everyone else, revealing their intentions to look good in the photo. Point taken. Evidently Jason was the only one to get the "funny face" memo.

Merry Christmas!!

Our 2012 Christmas card complete with family photo. 

Everyone should have one....

Of course I brought my little camera along for the ride and snapped a few photos too:

THE END!!!

Halloween 2012

On Hallowe'en the thing you must do
Is pretend that nothing
can frighten you
And if somethin' scares you
and you want to run
Just let on like it's Hallowe'en fun.

- 19th Century Halloween postcard

Brett, Jace and Jaxon at the trunk or treat

Disguises are made, bags are ready to fill, and this year the Halloween fun begins at our ward Trunk or Treat. Jace has become Shufflebot from the LMFAO videos and Lauren has transformed into a beautiful Geisha girl. Jason and I decide to go in costumes designed to display how we feel-OLD. The treats from the trunks are a plenty and therefore all the goblins, ghouls, super heroes, and shufflebots go home happy.

Lauren and her friend Taylor

Jace as Shufflebot

The OLD couple

The next Halloween adventure is at Grandma & Grandpa Nelson's party. The kids wrapped mummies, bobbed for donuts, felt for body parts in a cauldron of intestines, and enjoyed dinner in a pumpkin. I would say that these little monsters are a bit spoiled!!

Then it was finally Halloween!!

Lauren and Jace joined their friends to trick or treat the neighborhood. They roamed the streets 'til the candy was gone and their bags were full. We came across Batman (Jaxon), Robin (Koben) and a Vampire (Ava) and got a picture with them, then Jaxon made sure Jace came by his house to trick or treat too. 

Halloween would come and go, but the candy would last a few weeks. The costumes have been abandoned and thoughts have already began to swirl of what disguise next year will bring. As for this year it was for all, a very HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Disneyland

October 2012

With our annual passes expiring on October 21st it was imperative that we make one last trip to our favorite place. There was the new Cars Land to explore, redesigned Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle in California Adventure to admire, and, of course, all of the old classics to revisit.



Our first stop was Cars Land. The attention to detail was amazing! We rode the new rides and lucked out not having to wait too long to ride Radiator Springs Racers. We made a special trip back at night just to see it lit up with the glowing neon lights.

Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle were equally impressive with their Art Deco and Mission style architecture. We even bumped into Walt Disney and Mickey there. The Red Car Trolleys are also a new addition and these vintage reproductions are the perfect way to get to Hollywood Blvd. in style...

The rest of our vacation was filled with classic photos in front of the Ferris Wheel, visits with Mickey and Goofy, yummy churros and mint juleps, silly Toy Story glasses and a whole lot more!! I was worried that I wouldn't have the strength and energy to walk around as much as we did since I was only 10 weeks post op when we went. I was sure I would need to rent me a wheelchair- but I made it!! It helped that I couldn't ride the roller coasters, that way I was able to sit and rest while Jason and the kids rode them. I am sad that we won't be going back for awhile..... their price hike took us out of the running for annual passes. However, that won't keep us away forever!!  

THE END!!