Saturday, November 21, 2009

PERFECT AZ WEATHER FOR THE NELSON THANKSGIVING

Part of the Nelson clan before Becki & Tre came (unfortunately Aaron had to work) and before Joey & Raegan arrived from Utah...

We were glad to have Joey & Raegan arrive home safely...

Jim, his parents, and siblings...

Throughout the day Brody could not get enough olives...we finally just let him have the entire can to himself to devour...and he did! Forget the annual Nelson "olive spitting contest"!!


Carly, Jamie & Nana

Carly double-swinging with her 2nd cousin Jayden...and Tre


Carly & Brody sharing their lunch

Johnny & Carly

Sunday, November 1, 2009

HALLOWEEN FUN LASTED ALL WEEKEND LONG...

JAMIE & JOHNNY'S WARD "TRUNK OR TREAT"


Sugar overload


Johnny, Jamie, Carly & Brody

Aaron, Becki, and Tre

Papa, Nana & Tre

Papa & Nana with Carly & Brody

Uncle Aaron & Brody

Tre

Carly

Brody

My brother Bryan

Carly, Nana & Great-Uncle Bryan

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

busy bees trick or treating

very tired & dirty bees

Jacob & his friend Tyler dressed for a ysa party

Joey & Raegan in Provo (we missed them)

Jim (aka the neighborhood candy man) & Jamie's sister-in-law Kelsey

ANNUAL WORK HALLOWEEN PARTY

Annie, Brianna, Lindsy, Dr. Hamblin (my brother Mark), me, & Monica



Saturday, October 24, 2009

JACOB & JAMIE'S 27th BIRTHDAY & RAEGAN'S SHOWER

Dinner at Serrano's. Jacob & Jamie have been able to spend 23 out of their 27 birthdays together!



I had to put a 3rd candle on the cake for Carly...she thought it was her birthday still, it was almost a month ago!



Aw...isn't that sweet!

Not...and they are 27?!



Brody got hysterical because he thought Uncle Jakey was hurting his Mommy, it was pretty cute actually, that he was so concerned!

"THE RAEGSTER" CAME HOME FOR HER BRIDAL SHOWER...her family did an amazing job, the food was so yummy and the decorations were beautiful! We are all so excited, only 5 more weeks and Raegan & Joey will be married!

Three of Raegan's four cute sisters...Shanni, Morgan, & Jayden

Jamie, Raegan & Becki...Raegan's soon to be sisters

Sweet friendship...Rachel, Jamie, and Raegan

"The Mom's"...Raegan's Mom Jackie & I

Tre-Tre in Daddy's hat:

Sunday, October 11, 2009

WHAT'S NEW WITH THE NELSON'S?

Jim, Jamie, and I had an awesome experience in Glendale at Midwestern University attending Jacob's White Coat Ceremony! Jacob is working extremely hard and doing very well. He is loving what he is learning!!


"Student-Doctor Jacob Nelson" is his title now!

Just before receiving his white coat...he looks extremely happy!



Reciting The Oath of Committment


1st year Podiatry Students





My cousins Stan & Don with Stan's wife Shirley and their son David (he received his white coat at the ceremony, as well...he is in the Physician's Assistant Program)

Second cousins David & Jacob

Carly turns 3





...and Johnny turns 30!! Jim and I watched the kids for a few days while Jamie & Johnny took a much deserved vacation to New Mexico for the balloon festival.





Jacob was chosen to be 1 of 8 participants in the "MR INSTITUTE PAGEANT". It was sooo funny!!


The Theme: Macho Libre.........Jacob and "his coach"

Ballroom Dancing with his partner was his talent portion of the pageant (he made his own tux out of a trenchcoat)

The group dance...showing their moves

These 2 last pictures are showing his "peacocking" skills


Another fun night with Jacob in Glendale...HE WAS HILARIOUS AND A VERY GOOD SPORT!!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

A SPECIAL LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS

Rachel who is Raegan's best friend and a dear friend/employee of Jamie's & also a friend of the family was baptized...it was a special night for all of us. Joey & Raegan were able to come home from Utah. Rachel asked Jamie & Raegan to speak at the baptism and both did such a beautiful job! We are so excited for Rachel!!

Bev & I met for lunch, she became my best friend over 40 years ago. When we talk or get together we just pick up where we left off! She said it best..."we sure picked a winner when we decided to be best friends all those years ago. I feel like no time has gone by when I see you and then I look in the mirror and realize it has marched across my face".

I was able to go to dinner with my friend Chin Joo, her husband Tock Ling (who were visiting from Singapore), Bryan & Mom...Chin Joo was my roomate at ASU almost 34 years ago. We haven't seen each other for over 30 years, we had such a great visit!

Jim spent two weeks in the Munds Park area on a bow cow elk hunt...the hunt was unsuccessful but he loved the time he was able to spend outdoors & with his Dad and brothers Larry & Willie.

I went up to Munds Park on Jims last day of his hunt where we celebrated my 52nd birthday...it was an absolutely perfect day enjoying the beautiful outdoors, one of my most favorite places to be!

Jim's brother Willie received the Jason Schechterle Fire Investigator of the Year award, it was a very nice awards banquet...Jim, Jack Ballentine (Jims & Willies boss & author of Murder for Hire), Jason Schechterle & Jim's brother Willie. We are so proud of him!





Tuesday, September 8, 2009

LABOR DAY WEEKEND ON MORMON MOUNTAIN





RAIN & NAP TIME ON THE QUAD:





THE BOYS:

THE GIRLS:

THE BEDROOMS:



THE KITCHEN:




THE BATHROOM:

THE FAMILY ROOM:




















THIS WAS ACTUALLY QUITE FUNNY...WE KEPT TELLING CARLY SHE WAS GOING TO SPILL HER HOT CHOCOLATE, BUT SHE HAD TO LEARN THE HARD WAY...NO WORRIES,THE HOT CHOCOLATE WAS ONLY LUKEWARM!

ONE AFTERNOON WHEN THE FOG ROLLED IN...I FELT LIKE I WAS IN A SCENE FROM TWILIGHT!

Friday, August 14, 2009

JOEY AND RAEGAN ARE GETTING MARRIED...


WE COULD NOT BE ANY HAPPIER FOR THEM AND LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING RAEGAN JOIN OUR CRAZY NELSON FAMILY (actually she has just seemed like part of our family for a very long time)!!!!






Thursday, August 13, 2009

CJ & SAVANNA'S WEDDING


These four have been best friends since high school...Trent, Joey, CJ, & Brad

These two together can't be up to anything good!

Oh goodness...what can I say?!

All together for the first time since Christmas time...brings me great joy!





Tuesday, August 11, 2009

MORE SWIMMING at Uncle Mark & Aunt Sharon's house


CARLY is a"scardy cat" by nature, but not when it comes to swimming!








The first part of the swim TRE was not liking the water at all, then he decided he liked it afterall...to the point it worried us a little because he would just jump in when he felt like it, whether we were ready or not!



BRODY is still not quite sure about the water...although he will blow bubbles & go under the water as long as he has tight grip on you!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

BOYS WILL BE BOYS AT NANA & PAPA'S HOUSE















Thursday, August 6, 2009

OUR BUSY FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST 2009

We celebrated our 31st anniversary...we cannot believe how fast time has gone. It's been an adventurous journey! I hope we have at least another 31 great years together!!


JACOB IS A RESIDENT OF ARIZONA AGAIN...we are soooo excited that he will now only be living 44 miles instead of 644 miles from home! We are so happy to have "Uncle Jakey" back!!

This is Midwestern where Jacob will be attending podiatry school for the next 4 years (Jim & I drove around the school on Sunday...it's a beautiful campus)

This is house in Glendale where Jacob will live for the next year...very nice house and roomates (all students at Midwestern)

Jacob & Jim bought, sanded, & painted 3 peices of old furniture for Jacob's new bedroom

One of the pieces after Jacob finished it with his faux glaze

A fun lunch/baby shower for my neice Joy & her soon to be baby girl "Claire"



SWIMMING & TREATS AT UNCLE MARK'S & AUNT SHARON'S...WE HAVE REALLY ENJOYED TAKING CARE OF CARLY & BRODY ON FRIDAYS WHILE JAMIE HAS BEEN TEACHING CHEER & TUMBLING IN SNOWFLAKE & SHOWLOW.




Carly wanted one for each hand (she likes that chocolate...just like her nana)

Brody couldn't quite figure out how to eat the otter pop


very tired after a swim...nana gave them bottles & their "kee-kees" (blankees)

We took Carly & Brody on our first ride on Jim's new toy (conveniently, just in time for his elk hunt next month)...not to say I won't enjoy it too. It's definately one of our favorite activities we like doing together. He has already started saving so I can have my own!

Monday, July 27, 2009

JULY 24TH (PIONEER DAY) CELEBRATION IN ST. JOHNS & OTHER JULY FUN

ICE CREAM SOCIAL





PLAYING AT THE PARK ON FRIDAY

right after Brody's wipe-out with the ground






Carly thinks Daddy & Papa are crazy





THE CAMPORAMA




Quiet Time With Nana and Papa


Brody happy as can be in Nana's purse...even loving the tinfoil wrapper

THE PARADE:








Jim's cousin Steve and his girls Ann, Emily & Julie

Jim's Uncle Garth & Aunt Isabelle

MORE GOOD TIMES AT THE PARK ON SATURDAY




Playing Games with the Kiddos (including bum-bum)





THE RODEO





ONCE AGAIN, MORE PLAYTIME AT THE PARK BEFORE HEADING BACK TO THE HOT WEATHER IN MESA







Picnic in the Forest


OTHER JULY FUN.....
My Mom, brothers, sisters, & cousins Tanya and Jeff

My Cousin Jeff's Family

My neice Kari & I

Wicked at Gammage

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

OUR AMAZING ROAD TRIP TO UTAH...BEAUTIFUL!! (July 2009)

MUND'S PARK:

One of Jim's blinds he uses for hunting


This is the cabin Jim stays in when he goes hunting & we have been able to use it ourselves a couple of times...it's opens up into the forest


One of our most favorite things to do



These cheap raincoats have traveled many places with us over the last six years. They went with us to Argentina, Utah, Mexico, San Fran, Costa Rica, Alaska, Hawaii, Wisconsin, Idaho, & New York...but we have never needed them. The day we road the quads up to Mormon Mtn (aka Christmas Tree Mtn) we were so glad we had them! So long raincoats it's been tons of fun traveling with you!


Mormon Mountain


ZION NATIONAL PARK:



MY GREAT-GREAT GRANDPA JACOB HAMBLIN AT JACOB LAKE INN:


WE SAW FOOTLOOSE IN TUACAHN CANYON:




BRIAN HEAD:






BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK:









FRIENDS AND FAMILY:

Nightly dinners with our boys

Ann & Katie Farrenkopf our friends from Wisconsin



Joey & Jacob's softball games



"Ann's 1st missionaries" Joey & Shawn Stanton

A very fun reunion with Shawna & Becky...friends from Scottsdale 1st Ward, Kaibab Elem, & Scottsdale High School (20 years is way too long!)

A great get-together with my cousins Stan, Jeff, & Scott (again, too long!)

Jim's cousin Becky, Uncle Norman & Aunt Laura at the cemetary...we love staying in their home!


BRIDAL VEIL FALLS:







SUNDANCE:









As we were riding up the ski-lift who do we see riding down...Mark, Sharon, John, & Heather. What are the chances of that happening?!


HIKE TO STEWART FALLS:






Wednesday, June 24, 2009

OUR LIFE... THE LAST FEW WEEKS

WE ARE SO HAPPY OF THE GREAT NEWS JACOB RECEIVED...HE WAS ACCEPTED TO MIDWESTERN PODIATRY SCHOOL IN GLENDALE...HE WILL BE COMING BACK TO ARIZONA. WE ARE SO PROUD OF JACOB AND THE ROAD THAT TOOK HIM TO GET THERE. WE WISH HIM THE BEST OF LUCK FOR THE NEXT 7 YEARS...BEFORE BECOMING DR. JACOB HAMBLIN NELSON!

A last minute week-end in SAN DIEGO...Jim was happy fishing on Crystal Pier and I enjoyed shopping, reading, & walking on the the beach in the cold-rainy-wet weather!

15 minutes before this picture was taken my hair was flat ironed...this is what happens when it's raining on the beach:



We had a nice visit with Jim's parents in Yuma & Gapi the galapagos tortoise. She was itty-bitty when we got her, about 3-4"...she has been very well taken care of by Jim's parents and now is 30" & weighs over 200 lbs. Gapi is 7 yrs old & will continue to grow until she's 40+yrs old.


Mormon Batallion Monument in Yuma:

A lost overdue and fun visit with my cousin Barbie from California:



WE HAVE BEEN HELPING OUT BY TAKING CARE OF CARLY & BRODY WHILE JAMIE HAS BEEN GOING TO SNOWFLAKE & SHOWLOW EACH WEEK TO TEACH CHEER CLINICS TO THE VARSITY CHEER SQUADS. SHE HAS ALSO BEEN TEACHING TUMBLING CLASSES AT A GYM IN SNOWFLAKE.

Goofy Carly:





Brody's favorite game...peek-a-boo:




Jim & I have been working in the nursery for a few years now & love it! Tre drove us to church & went to nursery with us:




Our nephew Brandon and Arica's wedding:



My neice Lindsey had her baby Ashton Samual Porter on 6/26 and her sister (also my neice Tracy) was her nurse the 2 nights she was in the hospital. How cool is that!

Monday, May 25, 2009

SOME MORE POOL FUN





Brody climbs in everything! He wasn't expecting the cold ice!!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Sugar Overload, Jim's B-day, & Jamie's End-of -the Year Tumbling Party

Four Generations of the Nelson Boys...I love Tre's face, it's priceless:

This is what Tre does when you ask him to give you a "squeeze":

The curls are gone (for now):

Sugar Overload:





THE PARTY...
Ten of my Moms many great-grandchildren (40 something? I am losing track):

Second Cousins Brody & Ivy:





Thursday, May 21, 2009

Are You Kidding He's 54! When Will He Ever Grow Up?! Secretly I Hope Never!! Here's to you Birthday Boy:


























Surprise...I am sure you didn't know some of these pictures were going to be used for blackmail someday...gotcha! Hee Hee Hee! You always know how to have a great time! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Monday, May 18, 2009

JACOB & JOEY HOME, COMPANY, and OUR NEW POOL!!

Rachel, TJ, Mary, Jacob, Joey & Raegan:



Joey & Raegan:

Jacob, Joey, & TJ:


Andrew & Alexis:

Joey, Carly, & Brody:


Bryan wanting to be Jacob's first patient....some day in the future:

Drum Rolls Please...Introducing Our New Pool:







Saturday, May 2, 2009

We had another fun weekend with Tre while Aaron & Becki went away for a couple of days for their anniversary...and some more fun with Carly & Brody










Tuesday, April 28, 2009

JACOB'S GRADUATION FROM BYU & OTHER UTAH FUN!

THE GRADUATE...EARNING HIS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN BIOLOGY:












We are so proud of you Jacob...what a great accomplishment!!!!

DAY ONE OF GRADUATION:













DAY TWO OF GRADUATION:





STUFFING OURSELVES AT TUCANO'S....YUMMY:



UTAH'S WEATHER IS CRAZY (it went from 80 degrees/sunny to 34 degrees/snowy in 3 days!


EATING COBBLER & PLAYING AT THE PARK AT NIGHT:








"BOUNCE ON IT"...a great place for kids (and as you can tell adults)!:
















EASTER EGG HUNT & PLAYING AT THE "DUCK PARK":

















OUR FAMILY TRADITION..."BELLY BUMPING" (it can be hazardous):






JAMIE & JOHNNY'S FAMILY PICTURES IN UTAH: