Mamma Mia!

Okay...so for our anniversary today Eric proved his undying love for me! Today is our 11th anniversary and it just so happens that a few movies we have been looking forward to have just opened within the last couple of weeks...The Dark Knight, Hancock, and of course Mamma Mia! Oh, I have waited for so long for this to become a movie (it is cheaper to pay $9 to see it than $65 to see it as a play). So Eric told me I could pick the movie (a decision he now regrets!) To see this movie, you have to be a fan of musicals...Eric is not! You have to be a fan of chick flicks...again, Eric is not! Finally...you have to be a fan of ABBA...Eric is not, shocking, isn't it?!? He was a good sport, though, and let me make the decision to see this movie that I have been waiting almost a year for...he did pretty good until about the 7th or 8th song (there are at least 11 or 12 songs in the movie)...although, I must say that even though he is hotter than heck, Pierce Brosnan CAN NOT SING! I love him as an actor...he is my new Sean Connery...but he can not sing! Anyways...thanks Eric for a fantastic anniversary and, yes, I do owe you big time! Thank you for 11 wonderful years! I love you! Until next time...

Spoiled Rotten!

Okay, so here's how this adventure started....Tiphaine's mom called her friend, Susan, to see if she knew about tours of the fire department. Susan called back and told us to call the fire station and talk to James...so we did. This is how the conversation went (in a nutshell)..Gma Nelson: Hi James, this is Peggy Nelson calling about the tour of the fire station. James: Where do you live? Gma: 1000 Apache. James: Are you Denise's mom (have you noticed that mom's lose all identity when they have kids?!?)? Gma: Yes, I am. James: How would the kids like it if I came and picked them up in the fire truck? Gma: They would be in hog heaven!
So after a quick rush of "everyone go potty and comb your hair" we rushed outside to wait for the firetruck. He came and picked up Tiph and the kids (you should have seen the neighbors come out to see what was happening) and off they went! He took us on a ride for about 15-20 minutes during which time he let the kids (one at a time) unbuckle (which I told them under normal curcumstances was NOT safe) and turn on the siren. He then took us to the fire station and gave the kids a tour of it...they asked so many questions (Cayson was disappointed that they did not have a fire pole!)and James was very patient and answered each question the kids had for him (what's that? what's in there? how does this work? what does this button do?) He even gave each of the kids a baggy full of goodies (coloring book, tattoo, pencil, activity thingy) and each of them got a bottle of Gatorade (he told the kids it was firefighter juice). He then put us back in the firetruck and took us under the underpass (where it echoes) and blew the horn and siren. The kids loved it! He then took us back to Gma Nelson's house where Aunt Sandra, Gma, and John (a neighbor across the street) were waiting (Gpa had just left for work). It was a great adventure that they will remember for a long time to come. When the kids told Eric about it, I think there was a hint of jealousy there but he was excited for them, too. James told us this is not a usual thing they do...maybe it's just because he knew Denise or maybe he was having a slow day...who knows, we are greatful whatever the reason! Until next time....

Reese

Well...right now the kids and I are visiting the super-exciting city of Winslow, AZ. So far we have gone to a Brewer reunion in Snowflake and then came to Winslow and are staying with Tiph's parents (thanks). The other day (Friday, maybe!?!?) we went to Eric's dad's house and he helped each of the kids make marshmallow shooters out of PVC pipe. You should have seen his living room when they got done with it! Well, then we came back to Gma and Gpa Nelson's house and there yard soon looked the same as Gpa Charlie's living room...Deni loves eating the marshmallows off the floor though (yuk!) Anyways...let me get to Reese....Deni and Jaxson got into swimming lessons starting last Monday...Deni was excited until we got there and then wasn't sure about it...Jaxson had an anxiety attack and threw up 3 times before we even got to the pool...anyways, so once they got into the water all was fine...Jaxson has learned lots of things from his teachers (Sharon Cox and her daughter Savannah)as has Deni...all because of her teacher Reese...actually Reese is one of her two swim teachers (the other is Amber Garner-daughter of Wayne & Jodi for those that know them). Anyways...back to the story...Reese goes to my mom's ward and they are good friends of the family. My girls have a crush on him. He stopped by the house on his way from the credit union on an errand from his mom and had a popsicle with the kids (the girls were not about to let him leave without one!) Anyways, Cayson takes fabulous pictures of the kids swimming and one day he decided to let Hailey have a shot at the camera...she took one picture of Deni under water and one of Jaxson floating on his back..........and 12 of Reese!

Today at church Reese just happened to pass the sacrament to us and Deni said, "That's my teacher, Reese...I love him, I don't hate him!" She then went and showed him her dolly she was paying with during church and a page she had colored...his friends were sitting in front of him but even so, he was a good sport about it! Thanks, Reese!

Well, we are off to swimming lessons again tomorrow. I think perhaps Hailey will get in (Hailey and Cayson were #1 & #2 on the waiting list) but Cayson has opted to go to wrestling camp instead...they both will do great at whatever they get to do! Until next time.....

Okay...we have gotten a few phone calls to see how Deni's eye surgery went...thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. Deni is doing just fine. Her eye surgery went well - she only pulled out 1 stitch (1 out of 4 ain't half bad!) She has glasses now and she hates them with a passion! They have stick on prisms on them which means there are vertical lines on the lenses so she complains that she can't see sometimes...things are blurry to her! The longer she wears them, the longer she can wait for her next surgery. Doc Snow told us that a typical child has to have an average of 3 surgeries. In a perfect world, her next one won't be until she is about 10-12. Thanks to Grandma Nelson for taking a flight up here for a week to help out! We love and appreciate all you do for us...sorry we didn't get to cinnamon rolls...next time I'll have some waiting for you! Well...it's been a busy, busy month already and the calendar is full of events...Cayson's bday party is tomorrow...all are invited...it starts at 4! After the party ...eric is cooking his famous cow!!! (he doesn't know it yet). I'll try to post some more pics...i think i finally learned how (thanks, kim!) Until next time....much love to our friends and family!

Our Kids: Our Business

So...my speech went pretty well...the mayor didn't come and I was told that the Sheriff had to attend to an "incident" that was on the college campus. I saw his patrol car there so he was there somewhere. Anyways...I wish I had time to post a blog everyday and I am sorry I don't keep up with it more often...I will keep trying! Well...as promised...here is the cake recipe...it was easy to make and Eric said he liked it (actually, he said, "it's not brownies, but I wouldn't hate you if you made it again!" I guess that means he liked it. Here is the recipe...

Ingredients:
1-1/4 cups butter, softened, divided
2 cups chopped pecans
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk

FROSTING:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup butter, softened
1 package (2 pounds) confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons milk
2/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Directions: In a small heavy skillet, melt 1/4 cup butter. Add pecans; cook over medium heat until toasted, about 4 minutes. Spread on foil to cool. In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar and remaining butter. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Beat just until combined. Fold in pecans. Pour into three greased 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. For frosting, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat in enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with pecans. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 12-16 servings.

Let me know if you try it...It is way good! Nothing else going on this way...sorry we aren't very exciting people! Until next time! Lots of Love...

Speech

Okay...so I am a tad bit nervous for tomorrow...I have to give a speech on child abuse prevention (don't laugh) for Head Start. I have been told that the mayor and sheriff will be there but that could just be a rumor (let's hope so). I haven't yet decided what I am going to say (how's that for waiting till the last minute!) We will see how it all pans out. I am excited for dinner 2nite for a couple of reasons...it's done (Eric and I made 2 pans of enchiladas last night) and I made a cake that should be illegal! It's called Butter Pecan cake...and it's fatening(how else are we supposed to maintain our figures). It takes a whole pound and a quarter of butter and 2 blocks of cream cheese just for starters! I hope it tastes as good as it looks! I'll share the recipe tomorrow if i love it! Well...it's time to go get kids from school (spring break is OVER!!:)Until tomorrow....

busy, busy, busy!!!

Okay, so I know it has been a while since the last posting but we are still here! We have been incredibly busy! Eric is still teaching at the school and has just started working graveyards at Holy Family Hospital (we hate it!) Hailey is 7 and 3/4 (so she says) -going on 15 and 3/4!! She will be baptized on her birthday (July 8) in Winslow, AZ so more of Eric's family might be able to come...more info to come later! Cayson is 5 and 3/4 and is getting more and more handsome as each day goes by! Jaxson is 4 and 1/3 and loves to go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, (is there enough room on the page?!?!) he keeps us young! Deni is 2 and 3/4 and has learned a LOT from Jaxson (thank you, son!) They are definately partners in crime! We are looking forward to going to AZ this summer and possibly CA (don't tell the kids!) Eric will have to take a couple of trips back and forth from WA to AZ but Tiph and the kids will stay put for a little less than a month...thanks to Tiph's parents for the room and board! We will start out on a family reunion with Eric's family which we are excited for-it's always fun to see family! I'll try to keep up on the blog...I've been asked about it quite a bit (to be honest, I forgot I started one!!) More to you all later! Lots of love! Remember who you are and don't drink out of any strange toilets!

Hello! Just thought I would let you know we are starting a blog...it seems like the easiest way to let people know what we are up to. We will be posting pictures & family news shortly...hope you come and visit soon! Tiph