Made ya look!

Here are some other photos I enjoyed so I must post them since a picture is worth 1000 words.



I have noticed the horses like to lay down after they eat their morning meal. It is always in the same location. I wonder if they get more heat of the fence there. Anyway, they don't usually all lay down at one time so it was great to get this photo. Romy was up about 10 seconds later because Ginger was with me and Romy must have felt bugged by her presence (she doesn't like the dog). I fact the photo I have of her after she got up has her pinning her ears at Ginger.


This next photo is all the cousins I was able to gather while the parents were upstairs watching the Las Vegas bowl game. This was the silly face photo.




















It was sure a nail biter at the end of the game. I thought BYU had lost for sure! Wow! It was a fun night.

Maddie visits the Ranch

The Nelson's were graced by the presence of their revered cousin Madison better known as Lil' chocolate M & M (at least she is now as I write because she is so sweet and yummy).
I can't wait until the boys get big enough to romp with Maddie. It'll be great. They'll teach her the finer points of wrestling and playing in the dirt.
But for now, they just enjoy contemplating her beauty.

Tess and Ron love their cousin as well and enjoyed showing off when the camera was pulled out. These were some of my favorite shots. We sure loved having the ML's and M&M here. It was too short a time as always. Until next time. . .

Christmas!

We had a nice Christmas Day. The kids let us sleep until 9:00 AM, not a second longer. Trey fed the horses, dog and cat for everyone. This is a picture of everyone in their new PJ's. After opening presents, we ate bacon, eggs and toast. We had a lazy afternoon enjoying Christmas. Then we loaded up the van and went to the Andrews house. We ate yummy food, told stories and took a fabulous picture of the entire family- sans Grandpa, taking care of great Grandma and Kim, who was ill.

Hangin with the Fam!

I went to Sar's house on Wednesday and I had to get a picture- cause we were all wearing green! (except Alex)

I love this picture!

The cousins all got together and made bracelets and nativity wall hangings. It was fun to be together. We missed the Pickett parents who were celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary!!

Danny and Alexander have about mastered sitting up- woot!

Mid-December

We all have been having a great time enjoying the Christmas season. We put up our tree this past week. It is an Alpine fir, though a bit scrawny, it has an old-fashioned feel to it. There were some minor problems trying to keep it upright. I was 20 minutes late picking Michaela up from volleyball because the fully decorated tree decided it liked laying down better than standing up straight. It's all good now after a bit of jimmy-rigging. The tree this year got a fashion overhaul- it now sports white blinkers instead of colored. I am liking the tree but somehow the pictures I have taken don't seem to capture it's charm. Probably cause the cute kid is the charm stealer.
We decorated a gingerbread house, as well. I cheated. Royally! I bought a kit and shaved about three or more hours off the usual time it takes to make a gingerbread house from scratch. Although it is satisfying to make your own creation, it just didn't fit into the babies nap schedule. And it's less tiring. So far, the house has survived taking a header off the lamp table and is slowly becoming bare as Ronnie sneaks bites.
Jerry and kids came to visit us today. The kids had a great time sledding, playing computer, playing horses and watching movies. They brought Clove (check out past blog about kittens) back for a visit. She has grown up! The big boys fed the horses and we had lots of pizza, drank hot chocolate and cookies and opened some early gifts. It was great fun!
Yesterday we went to Michaela's Christmas concert. Isaac, Alexander and Ronnie attended. The music was great. Isaac endured the "long" concert well. It is sure weird to see my daughter up on the stage playing the flute. It seems like I was there yesterday. Hearing "Sleigh Ride" was absolutely trippy! Sadly, I was in a huge rush and couldn't grab the camera. . .
Alex and Daniel are eating solids very well now. They are in the 2nd stage of foods. Tessa fed both of the boys yesterday while I cleaned up Isaac's "chicken and noodle soup" floor decorations. It is much colder than a week ago when we built a huge snowman, had a snow ball fight and made snow angels at 8:30 PM. It is nice to go out and feed the horses their dinner and hear them whinny hello- or is it really: "finally, your here to give me my food!"But my favorite thing about the cold, dark winter is Stevens hot chocolate and a fire burning in its place, snuggling up to my honey and cuddling a little biscuit!I had to add this last photo of Gramps snuggling with Alex after he fell asleep.

Christmas dreams come true!

This poem was written by my brother Mike at my request. I ask him to help inspire my family to contribute to getting airline tickets for my sister Alison's family so we could be all together for Christmas. I had to post it because it is awesome!


T'was the night before Christmas and all through the Connecticut valley
not a Caldwell-Andrews was stiring cause they weren't "in da house".
Talia's stockings and such had been packed with great care,
knowing she soon would be near Rachel's little mare.
Malachi was nestled alongside his sister so snug, while visions of seeing family his heart strings did tug.
And Brooke in her 'kerchief, and Seth singing a rap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.
When out on the concourse there arose such a clatter,
it appeared the Caldwell-Andrews had lost their luggage, no matter.
We sprang from our stances with nary a dry eye lash,
Tore over to greet them and with a hug we did mash.
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
Gave the boys a reason to play football just so,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear on this date,
But all those Nelson kids, could it really be eight.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it was our dad, the real St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his nog he did down,
and he whistled and shouted, and said give me another round.
Now Dadder! now, Mommer! now, and Johner and Rebecitzen!
On Rachet! on Michid!, on Saraer and Sethitzen!
To the bottom of the bank account and savings we go.
Lets start the bidding and see if it's so
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When us Andrews meet with such a chance, we mount to the sky,
So up the the Pickett's and Dodson's we go,
With a house full of family and memories not to forego.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the chicken house roof
The prancing and pawing of Isaac Cole Nelson.
As I drew in my hand and turning around,
What did Ronnie flush? It made such a sound.
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot,
It was pimp uncle John all tarnished in soot (or was that axle grease)
A bundle of toys he flung on his back.
Most of them handmade with a drill press that's a fact.
Ron's eyes how they twinkled his dimples how merry,
to be back in Utah with his wife's family so scary.
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry
He'd just been burned on a real nice "hail mary".
Brandon's little mouth was drawn like a bow
"Hey guys I'm in college now if ya didn't know"
The core of an apple John held tight in his hand,
"It's whole fruits and veggies I really demand."
He was chubby and plump a right jolly old kid,
but that was before the junk food was hid.
A wink of her eye and a hug from Miss Al,
Soon gave us to know that she was our pal.
She spoke not a word but went straights to her siblings,
And filled all their stockings with gourmet type chitlins.
And laying a finger aside of her nose,
she said seeing this family is like drinking from a fire hose.
They sprang to their flight when the new year was finished,
But the memories never in this world would diminish.
But we heard them exclaim as they flew out of sight,
Happy Christmas to all, we sure love you alright.

Winter Wonderland

We had a blast when this storm came in. The kids were up on Saturday morning going through the box of mittens and boots. Paul and I went to Wally's to get a couple sleds. Isaac played outside all day long in the snow.
For some reason, Christmas seems to be in the air when it snows. I made homemade hot chocolate and cheesy broccoli soup for dinner. It was so yummy.
The horses are looking a bit chilled. Comet still hasn't figured out how to walk around the fence through the gate to get the food. If Romy and Shadow have made it over to the food, he tries to walk through the fence to get to them.

Michaela is telling the kids the finer points of sledding.
Tessa had a blast!
Michaela helps Isaac in the saucer.

Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving we stayed in Utah with my side of the family. I missed seeing the Nelson clan but did NOT miss the 13 hour road trip, especially thinking about taking two babies. It was awesome to have both my parents at Thanksgiving. It has been years since that has happened.
Here is Daniel and Grandpa. We had so much food! Brooke's parents made some yummy sweet potatoes and cranberry salad. There was fruit and vegetable patters, turkey and ham and the fixings and lots of pies. Sarah's pie and Rebecca's cheesecake were delicious.
Here the kids are enjoying some fun on the trampoline. We missed Mike and Lauren and Maddie and the Caldwell-Andrews clan. It would be great to have the entire family here for Christmas. . .
We enjoyed being with the family. The food was great. But as I was thinking the night before about what I was grateful for, I thought about all the angels up at the NICU and the people that serve their communities while we eat Thanksgiving dinner. Thank you to all of you that keep us safe and take care of those with special needs. We love you!