We have a Teenager now?!

Kyle turned 13 on December 23rd.  We had a little party for him the night before...

Opening his gifts from Grandma and Grandpa...

From December 2011

And from us....

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He got winter base layers and some Legos from us, and a Kindle Touch from grandma and grandpa...he was so excited...but of course being a teenager now, he declined to show it. 

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The Cake...

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(oh, and if you're wondering where Alec is in these pictures...he completely disappeared after saying hi to Grandma and Grandpa.  He's over it being Kyle's birthday...)

Happy Birthday my Kyle!

Best Friends

Kimmy came over to play today...

From December 2011

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The girls spent a lot of time jumping on the bed, giggling about pink ice cream (?), as well as dragging out every Littlest Pet Shop pet that Talia has...but they had a great time!  Kimmy's mom came over and we all had lunch, and then Rachael and I had some "mommy time" while I decorated Kyle's Birthday Cake...Such a fun afternoon!

Nelson Family Christmas Party

After the choir concert, we rushed over to join a family Christmas party. 

Talia, Gracie, and Hunter

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Nikko

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Me and Gracie

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After a yummy dinner of BBQ pork sandwiches and a chocolate fountain for dessert, we handed out presents. 

We always open youngest to oldest...
Talia tried to sneak one open before her turn

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Logan was happy

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Hunter loves Cars!

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Talia's turn...

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She got a necklace, a bathrobe, a sweater, and a Tangled play set.  She was thrilled, after everything she kept saying "it's just what I wanted!"  She's been asking for a bathrobe for awhile, and when she opened it, she pulled it out, then hugged it close and buried her face in it.  Soooo Cute!

Gracie got a Wii game and Squinkies...

From December 2011

Alec..

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Kyle

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When we got home, Talia couldn't wait to put her bathrobe on...

From December 2011

and insisted on sleeping in it!

Alec's First Choir Concert

Alec has been excitedly anticipating the time he could join his school choir ever since Kyle was in it.  This year, now that he's in 4th grade, he's finally old enough.  He was so excited for his first performance!

From December 2011

The Choir

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(he's smack dab in the middle)

Singing...

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He's known the words and actions to "The 12 days of Christmas" since Kyle taught him 3 years ago.  He was so excited to perform it...

5 Golden Rings!

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7 Swans a Swimming!

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He did a really good job, we were very proud of him!

Christmas Pictures

The Kids

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Talia

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Alec

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Kyle

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Me and my sweetheart

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Merry Christmas!

Castle of Chaos...Christmas Style!

The Castle of Chaos Haunted House in Riverdale did a Chrismas Haunt...Free with a donation of food or warm clothes for the local shelters.  We took a bunch of coats our kids had outgrown down there...

From December 2011

The kids got their picture taken with Jack Skellington and the cast of "The Nightmare Before Christmas"...

The haunted house was a little bit Christmas themed, and we enjoyed it. 

From December 2011

Nikko Oscar Wray

On December 16th, I had the chance to be part of the birth of my sister's second son.  I rode down to SLC with my parents bright and early....

From December 2011

The group of us...

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Proud Parents

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Waiting...

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Heidi's doctor told Adam that he would let him do whatever he felt comfortable doing...

From December 2011

So Adam delivered the baby!

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It was pretty easy on my sister...1 contraction, 3 pushes, and little Nikko just slid out into Adam's waiting hands!

My sister was really selfish, and held him skin to skin for about 30 minutes ;)
(I'm not really complaining, after all, I did get to cut the cord!)

From December 2011

Weighing time...

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Nearly 2 1/2 lbs smaller than his big brother Logan!

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Nana finally gets her turn...

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Then Papa,

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I waited patiently for my turn...

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Time for his assessment...

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And then, Adam gave him his first bath!

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(I continue to love my camera more and more...I took all the bath pictures from 15 feet away behind the glass of the nursery wall!)

We're so glad little Nikko is safely here!