More pictures

2008 Christmas Picture

Every year I get the kids pictures taken for our Christmas card. It's kind of tradition to get them matching sweaters, and I usually do the card with a more casual picture. This year was different. I got the kids matching outfits for church and had to get the picture done in them. I had a cute friend in my last neighborhood that had 3 beautiful girls and always had them in matching dresses. I always thought it would be fun to do if I had another girl and boy. Lucky me, I got them both! It was fun, though very long. I couldn't get them all to smile in the same picture, but at least they're all looking in the same direction! : ) I'm not sure if I need to give credit or not, but the pic was done by Kiddie Kandids.

I sent the last batch of cards off tonight.. yes, very late I know, but at least they went out. Last year I got the picture done, the cards printed, and none of them went out... oops!

What we've been up to...

I've had a few emails from people I don't see on a frequent basis wondering what we've been up to. Here are some of things we've done over the last few weeks:

Annual tradition of decorating the gingerbread house. Since they were little, they've each taken half the house to decorate themselves. Neither one has ever asked for their own, they seem content on sharing. The house always shows the split personalities! Bet you can't tell who did what side! Ha ha...

Kindergarten Christmas Program: Tyler sang a small duet with a little girl. Imagine, our Tyler, a Nielsen, singing in public.... he was great!

Amber's dance class demonstration: Each December Amber's dance class does a demonstration of what they've been doing each week. Kev stayed home with the twinners this year, so my mom and Tyler came with me to watch. I know I'm biased, but I'm so proud of her! She did such a great job and is so cute. She is a natural at ballet, but she tried tap also this year and is doing quite well. It was fun!


School Christmas Gifts: Amber wanted to give out little jingle bells, so we tied those onto some ribbon with the tags. Tyler's gift was a small treat bag. We had a lot of fun putting them together and talking while we did it. The twinners had fun with the bells, but they quickly figured out how to take them off the ribbon and put them in their mouths, so I had to throw the leftovers away.

New Posts to come!

I know, I know! It's been a month and a half since my last post. Life has been anything but dull. We had Thanksgiving here, then sick kids for 2 weeks (flu then rotovirus- sp?) and tons of things going on. I know some of you have been in the same boat with sick kids- it stinks. I washed crib bedding daily for most of the 2 weeks, gave the babies baths 2 to 3 times daily... ugh. I can't even begin to talk about all the laundry... but anyway, it reminded us that it is great to have good health. We are so blessed to enjoy the health that we have. I have 4 healthy kids and a healthy husband that works hard to provide for us. I thank my Heavenly Father every day all that I have.

Here is a pic of my little guys on the couch. Even with all that we went through, I had to take pics- I thought Kaden was so cute how he fell asleep on the couch!

Annual Nielsen Family Christmas Slideshow

Slideshow doesn't even describe it.... ever since before Kev and I got married, his extended family (Grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins...) has gotten together before Christmas for a party. The year Kev and I got engaged his Uncle Jody started doing a slideshow of different family pics with Christ and the reason for this season set to music for us to watch. Each year it gets bigger and better. He even sets up trees all over the room with lights, and they blink on and off to the music- it's great!

The family has grown so much over the last 12 years. The majority of his cousins are married now and are having kids of their own. Jody has put so much time and energy into putting together this presentation for us, it's just amazing. We've had it at our house the last 2 years, which is great because I can put the little ones to bed and enjoy the show. We just slide the couches out to the perimeter and there's extra room on the floor. We have people sitting on the stairs and in the kitchen and alot are standing up. I love it - it's so much fun having everyone there. And I love Kev's family, every last one of them (even Dave!) {family joke} I feel so blessed to have married into such a great family! This annual event really sets the tone for me as I head into next few days. It helps me to remember what life is really all about.