The Nelson Family

Hey All

2010-12-03T17:38:00.000-08:00

I know I don't post on here much any more, I'd like to thank Facebook for that one. It just seems easier to go to the one place everyone is.
Things are good with us. We are trying to get prepared for the Holidays. Tomorrow we are having our Christmas pictures taken. I'm excited to see how they turn out. Della always takes great pictures of us though. She is an awesome photographer! Well so long for now and I'll try my best to get our Christmas pictures posted soon.

Miss Ellie Rufus

2010-09-11T13:29:00.001-07:00

Meet Ellie our new boxer. She is rambunctious at times but loving. We are working on getting her housebroken. She is doing well she knows to potty outside she just doesn't know that's the only place to. She does well in her kennel doesn't whimper too much and getting better every day. She has started to grow attached to me. She knows I'm the boss lady....haha. Well she knows who feeds her. We are happy to have her. I wonder if Maggie and her would have been good friends?

Still Alive

2010-08-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

I swear we are still alive. I REALLY need to get on it and update this blog. I have lots to share. So here is the gest of our summer so far, We have moved, lost our Maggie Girl and went to TN for a visit. The kids start back to school in a few weeks and I'm looking forward to it. I hoping to get Mason into a part time preschool program this school year. I think he would enjoy it.

All Done

2010-05-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

The table is finished....YAY!

Project: Table

2010-05-03T09:12:00.000-07:00

.
We finally have a table/chairs to seat all of us. Just needed refinished. So that's what we are doing. It's all sanded and stained now we have to coat it in polyurethane. The color of stain is called Gunstock, I love it.

My snow angels

2010-02-18T15:53:00.000-08:00

Hey.......

2010-02-18T05:03:00.000-08:00

This means war!

To: My Valentine

2010-02-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day! Pete, I love you more today than yesterday and I'll love you more tomorrow then today.
These beautiful photos were taken by SPS photography. Della captured our love perfectly.

Long Beautiful Hair

2010-02-05T15:06:00.001-08:00

Emily got a new do. If you didn't know, she normally has curly hair. It looks very nice straight. She says she really really loves it and she is going to wake up early every morning to straighten it.........We shall see, she loves her sleep.

Sorry

2010-02-02T11:12:00.000-08:00

I know I'm so far behind on the blog. I'm not even going to try and catch up. I had every intention of posting about the holidays and the kids birthdays, just never got around to it. So I'll just say I'll try to do better from now on. Stay tuned for a special Valentines post.

updates

2010-01-12T05:58:00.001-08:00

I'm so far behind on this blog. My last post was Halloween'09 and it's now 2010. I will try to get some new posts on soon. I have pictures from all the birthdays and holidays from 2009. I just need to stop procrastinating.

Our little one

2009-11-03T14:24:00.000-08:00

Mason is just too cute for his own good.

Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T09:40:00.000-08:00

Pretty Girl Emily

2009-10-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

Birthdays

2009-10-26T16:06:00.000-07:00

This month Pete and I both got a year older.

It's that time again...

2009-10-17T19:03:00.000-07:00

Time to be on the look out for spooks and goblins. I'm so excited we are all going to dress up this year. Yes, I convinced Pete to wear a costume. Jacob will be a scary warlock, Emily will be a devil, Mason will be either a dragon or a dog. He hasn't made up his mind yet. I'll be a vampiress and Pete will be spider food. I've decorated the house inside and out. We are going to carve Jack-o-lanterns next weekend so they will keep longer. Every time we carve them early they end up all moldy. Since Halloween is on a Saturday I'm sure the ghosts will be out in full swing.

Mason

2009-09-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had a play date at one of the local parks. My friend Tiffany invited a photographer to come and take some pictures of the kids having fun. They turned out great. I was supprised I thought for sure Mason would look a mess. He spend about 20 minutes "rolling down the sand hills".

Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium

2009-09-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

We went to the local aquarium with some good friends of ours the Brown family.

Yard Work

2009-09-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

We spent Labor Day weekend landscaping. The front flower beds were horribly overgrown. We had to til it up there were so many weeds. It look so much better now.

USS North Carolina

2009-09-13T08:58:00.001-07:00

Althougth it was HOT, we really enjoyed touring the USS North Carolina. Seeing the ship as it was during the war was impressive. The letter at the top is from a Jim Ellis to his family back home. I just had to take a picture of it. I wonder if he is any relation to me.

First day of School

2009-08-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

Emily going to the 6th grade.

Jacob going to the 4th grade.

Friends

2009-08-20T19:43:00.001-07:00

4 Generations

2009-08-08T10:50:00.001-07:00

My Grandmother(Nanny) My Mother, Me and My Daughter.

I'm getting there

2009-07-30T15:49:00.001-07:00

We are finally in our house in Jacksonville. After a great visit in TN I have so many pictures to post. I don't know when I'll get around to it.

I didn't realize how much crap I have until this move. It maybe because we have moved into a smaller house. Where to put it all? It will take me months to get it all situated.

New House

2009-06-25T05:22:00.001-07:00

We finally found a place in Jacksonville. It's in a newer subdivision a really nice neighborhood. I'll send you all an email with the address. We will be moving in mid July.
TMO comes this Sat to pack us out and Sun to load it all up. Then we are off to Tennessee to visit family.

moving

2009-06-16T12:45:00.000-07:00

Man, moving is stressful. We have about 2 weeks until we move from this house. Pete checks in to Camp Johnson at the end of July. We do not have a place to live as of yet. I'm worried about where the kids will go to school and everything else. It would be nice to have a place before we leave here. So we can try and enjoy our vacation.

Emily's Spring Concert

2009-05-20T19:08:00.000-07:00

Family pictures

2009-05-11T04:49:00.000-07:00

Student of the the month

2009-05-10T15:25:00.001-07:00

Jacob made student of the month for April. There was an ice cream and cookie social to celebrate. Ms. Saunders the vice-principal handed out the certificates. We are so proud of him.

Helping?

2009-05-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a rare occurrence. Emily helping Jacob with his homework.

Birdies

2009-05-09T18:09:00.001-07:00

We have a pair of birds that have nested in the hanging fern on our porch. There are five eggs and only two have hatched. I don't think the other three will hatch. It has been fun to watching and checking on their progress.

Busy

2009-05-04T04:21:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was busy, busy. We spent Sat. painting and trying to get the house spruced up for the rental market. Emily went to Busch Gardens with her friend and then spent the night with her also. Jacob went to a birthday party. On Sunday we did the yard work in the morning and spent the rest of the day doing family fun things. We went to the zoo, it was nice weather for it. Not too hot it did rain a little but we just happened to be under cover when it did. Mason loves to visit the monkeys. When we went to see the reptiles, Mason said at every exhibit "I don't yike it". So cute to hear. Even though he was very interested in seeing them he didn't want to get to close.
Today Mason begins swim lessons. I'm sure he will love it. He is a fish. I'll try and get some pictures to post.

Enlistment

2009-04-16T10:58:00.001-07:00

Emily and Jacob have enlisted in the NAVY. They have their enlistment papers in hand. On Sat. morning they are to report to Norfolk and board a bus where will take a long ride to Great Lakes Naval Station. ILL. for their first assignment.

Just kidding it was all in fun. The USS Wisconsin was celebrating 65 years young. They had an enlistment station up to recruit people just as they would in 1944. Emily and Jacob signed their lives away and took the oath. They are in for the duration of the war. WWII that is.

Egg Hunt at home

2009-04-13T09:23:00.001-07:00

Busch Gardens

2009-04-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

We had a great trip to Busch Gardens. They have the new Sesame Street Forest of Fun for toddlers. Mason had fun, he even rode some of the rides all by himself. Emily was on a roller coaster mission. She was determined to ride all the big ones. She rode the Griffin, Loch Ness Monster, Big Bad Wolf and Apollo's Chariot. I was privileged enough to ride Apollos Chariot with her. Pete went with her on the rest of them. We didn't make it to the Alpngeist. That's for the next trip. Jacob went on The Loch Ness Monster and was scared.I don't think he's a roller coaster kind of kid. Mason and I also got to meet Dan. He is a ginormous Clydesdale one of the Anheuser Busch mascots. Mason was a bit afraid at first but once I held him he wanted to pet and talk to Dan. We'll be going back as much as we want,we have summer passes.

My Guys

2009-04-05T13:02:00.001-07:00

Pete,Jacob and Mason all wearing Cubs hats and sun glasses.

Homecoming 2

2009-03-29T14:20:00.001-07:00

Homecoming

2009-03-29T14:17:00.001-07:00

Talent Show

2009-03-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

We are Sisters

2009-03-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

Emily and her best friend Jerelyn entered the school talent show.They choreographed the dance all by themselves and practiced very hard. I'm so proud of both of them. If they were nervous I couldn't tell. The name of the song is "We are Sisters" by the Cheetah Girls. They were the last act to preformed got very loud applause.In my opinion they saved the best for last but I'm a little biased.

Friday

2009-03-22T18:26:00.000-07:00

Well,Pete gets home this Friday. I'm starting to freak out! I'm not sure what to expect. I know I want to let him help out with things but I don't know if I can let him. I have gotten so used to doing things on my own. It's going to be hard.I'm also worried about how Mason will react.I hope his transition back home is easy for us all.
The kids are so excited and antsy. I'm keeping them home from school and we are all going down to the pier to pick him up.

almost home

2009-03-18T05:35:00.001-07:00

8 days and a wake up!

Flashlight?

2009-03-07T16:11:00.000-08:00

Mason and I were playing super heroes and he kept calling Flash,Flashlight. I had to get it on video.I guess Flashlights' powers are to run fast and to light up while being fast. ha ha!

So close

2009-02-25T15:58:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it,only 29 more days.Somehow my count down clock is messed up,it says 33 days. I'm getting excited,anxious and a little nervous. I can't wait to have him home again!

Our dancer.....

2009-02-08T14:42:00.000-08:00

What Emily does when no one is watching.

Grant and Lorna

2009-02-02T14:28:00.000-08:00

My brother Grant and his lovely wife Lorna. I just had to share these great pictures.I love and miss you guys!

Captain Nelson

2009-02-02T11:07:00.000-08:00

This is the only picture that was usable,from Pete promotion ceremony. The photographer took pictures facing the sun. Anyway, he was promoted and that's him getting pinned. Way to go,Babe!

Guitar King

2009-01-30T17:12:00.000-08:00

Mason the guitar playing king.Just like Murray Wiggles.

Mason's 2nd Birthday!

2009-01-27T15:11:00.000-08:00

Curious George Cake

2009-01-27T12:01:00.000-08:00

I made Mason a Curious George cake for his birthday this year. I'm so happy with the way it turned out. It was super easy to make. We have been reading "George and the Birthday Surprise"story so I thought since his birthday was coming up He would enjoy having a George cake.

New duty station this summer....

2009-01-25T16:06:00.000-08:00

We found out where our next duty station will be. Pete has been slated to go to Camp Johnson,Jacksonville,NC. Where he will be an instructor at the school house. It's where I was hoping for but really didn't expect to get it. So this summer we'll be heading down there. We will be putting our house here on the market very soon and hope like heck it sells.Keep your fingers crossed and pray or any other superstitious stuff you can think of to bring us luck on that.

Goofy Kids

2009-01-22T17:57:00.001-08:00

Oorah!

2009-01-14T11:07:00.000-08:00

Here is the great news,Pete has been selected for Captain. Hooray! He will pin it on Feb.1. I'm so happy,excited and proud all at the same time. I only wish he were home to celebrate.

Crazy

2009-01-09T14:56:00.000-08:00

Ok,Mason has been sick for 3 days and I'm going crazy. We haven't left the house since he got sick,except to get Tylenol.

Here is a question for you readers who have children. At what age do kids stop napping? It has been so long since the other two,I don't remember. I'm hoping I have a while yet.

Just thoughts....

2009-01-07T13:11:00.000-08:00

Well, we are on the home stretch,Pete will be home in 70 something days. We are still hanging in there.The kids are happy to be back in school and so am I.Although Mason is fighting a cold.Poor baby he doesn't want to get off the couch. I have found a new activity to occupy my time. We joined the YMCA. So I'll be getting healthier through the classes they offer. The big kids enjoy it also. I think next month I'll sign Mason up for swim lessons. Yes,they have an indoor pool.
We still don't know where we will be stationed next. This summer is our rotation. Our choices are to stay here another 2 years or go out to California.We were hoping for NC but it's not looking good,the billet there has been filled. I'm not sure I want either of the two choices. I miss being in the Marine community and being here I don't have that. So we wil have to wait and see. Another factor in our move will be if Pete is selected for Captain. We should find that out around the same time as our next duty station. I'll keep you posted.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-28T11:25:00.000-08:00

Wii Rock

2008-12-28T11:01:00.000-08:00

We love Guitar Hero.

Double Digits

2008-12-18T14:30:00.000-08:00

WOOO HOOOO! We are down to double digits.Check out the countdown.

We can dance!

2008-12-11T13:47:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Thanks Rebecca!

Concert

2008-12-09T05:28:00.000-08:00

Emily had her first concert last night. She did so well,I'm very proud of her. She was in the first row.So we has a good view of her. She said the teacher put her in the front because she has great bow grip. I tried to explain to her about first chair and how that being in the front is a good thing. Sorry the video is so shaky. Mason was sitting in my lap and was not still. That made it hard to take a decent video.If you listen really closely you can hear Mason saying "Sissy".A couple of times he shouted "Hi Sissy" when everyone was quiet. It was cute and embarrassing at the same time. I hope she continues with the violin for years to come.

Violin Virtuoso

2008-12-09T05:25:00.000-08:00

Jacob is 9

2008-12-08T11:25:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to my first born son,who turned 9 years old this past Sunday. Time has gone by so fast. I Love You Jacob!

Birthday wishes

2008-12-01T04:54:00.000-08:00

December 1 ,the day I became a mother. I was so excited and afraid at the same time. I never had thoughts of "would I be a good mother" I knew it would come naturally to me.Of course we made some mistakes like letting Emily sleep with us. She didn't sleep in her own bed until she was about 2. So for all you new parents,don't do that.But I wouldn't change a minute of it. I remember crying every time I heard a Christmas song on the radio,knowing I was a mother on Christmas. Today Emily turns 11 years old. And I want to shout for every one to hear. I Love You and I'm so thankful you are my baby girl. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

More leaves

2008-11-23T07:00:00.001-08:00

Ah, the leaves of fall. The big kids and I raked up leaves for jumping in. Mason thought it was the best. The pile was only a quarter of all the leaves we raked. The other ones we bagged for pick up. It was fun.

FALL

2008-11-23T06:51:00.000-08:00

Halloween

2008-11-02T12:39:00.001-08:00

Emily is absent from the Trick or Treat pictures because she went with a friend to Trunk or Treat. Mason had a great time getting his candy. He would say Trick or Treat at the end of peoples drive ways and thank you after receiving his candy. He was not afraid. I had the most fun handing out candy,seeing all the great costumes.

Costumes

2008-11-02T12:36:00.000-08:00

Emily the pirate,Me as Poison Ivy,Jacob as Batman and Mason as a spider.

Pumpkin Carving

2008-10-31T07:14:00.000-07:00

Dancing

2008-10-29T17:56:00.000-07:00

This is Mason's Halloween dance. He is wearing a mismatch of costumes.

The Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-19T14:39:00.001-07:00

Last weekend I took the kids to one of the local farms to get some pumpkins. We had a nice time.We went on a hay ride and there was a petting zoo.And of course got our pumpkins.

Cranky Kid

2008-10-17T16:51:00.000-07:00

Mason has taken to throwing temper tantrums lately,when he doesn't get his way.I don't know if it terrible twos or new teeth or what. He throws himself on the ground and throws things that are within his reach. Which makes things worse when he ends up hitting himself. I try my best to talk calmly to him or ignore it completely. But I usually give in and give him what he wants. There is only so much fit throwing I can take in one day.

Clever kid

2008-10-09T07:31:00.000-07:00

Mason found his own way to get up to the craft table.

discovery

2008-10-09T05:46:00.000-07:00

I have discovered a new pet peeve of mine. After visiting the zoo the other day. It drives me nuts when people identify the wrong animals.We were gazing at the porcupine and a lady walks by telling her child"look at the Ocelot" Now remember we are at the porcupine enclosure.For those of you who don't know an ocelot is a cat. I don't know why this bugs me so much. I noticed a lot of people doing this at the zoo.Or when people call apes ,monkeys. I also see it day to day with dog breeds. Sometimes it's an honest mistake other times I just want to shake the person.Do some research people or at least read the plaque on the cage.

Being Green

2008-10-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

Here is a good book on living green. I'm currently reading it and finding it very informative. All those questions you had about recycling are in this book. It has everything from electric cars to cleaning products.There's also a list throught the book on ways to save energy and money at the same time. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to take care of earth.Or at least do their small part.

Wow

2008-10-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen such a huge caterpillar?

Zoo

2008-10-05T11:48:00.001-07:00

We went to the zoo this morning. It was military appreciation day. We got in for free.I enjoy taking the kids to the zoo. Emily didn't have such a good time. She had a sleepover the night before and was tired and a little cranky. Mason loves to see the monkeys,elephants and giraffes. Those are his favorites.Jacob's favorite is the rino.

Oct.5

2008-10-05T10:22:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday!
Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday. You all know who you are.

DIY update

2008-10-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

I fixed the leaky gap,but now I have another one. UGG!

Maggie

2008-10-02T15:49:00.000-07:00

Boys

2008-10-02T15:43:00.001-07:00

My boys and a friend rough housing in the yard.

DIY 2

2008-09-15T16:21:00.000-07:00

So, I decided against replacing the shower doors. If I'm handy enough to recaulk the thing. I can fix a leaky gap. I'll let you know how it goes.

DIY

2008-09-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

Now that I've finished recaulking my shower,I've discovered that the old caulk was not the cause of the leak.It's the shower doors. UGG! I'm not about to try and replace those things by myself. So next week I'll be calling around for some estimates. If Pete were here I'm sure we could do it by ourselves but me alone,it's not happening.

Parenting

2008-09-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

The last post was me just letting off some steam. Being a parent is not easy and sometimes not fun.

Sticky Situation

2008-09-08T12:21:00.000-07:00

Anyone have advice on how to deal with troublesome neighbors? I don't even know where to begin. We have a neighbor who has kids around my kids ages. One is 10 and one is 5. The 10 year old is a girl and the 5 year old is a boy. The boy just started to play with Jacob. The girl does not like to play with another neighbor girl and Emily is friends with both. Which makes for jealousy. Emily does her best not to offend either of the girls. And tries to include both girls in play. Three is a crowd as they say. We have already had issues with the parents with the above mentioned kids.
Now this afternoon I get a call from the mother telling me Jacob was not being very nice to her son at the bus stop. She says "it's apparent Jacob no longer wants to be friends with my son" and that"He was good enough to play with a month a go" It all stems from yesterday,her son asked Jacob to play,Jacob was already playing with other kids and said he didn't want to play with her son. Jacob didn't say it in a nice way and I told Jacob not to speak to friends that way. All I can say is kids will be kids and you correct them when they get out of line. But some people think their kids should get their way. As seems to be the case here. I understand kids sometimes do and say things they don't mean. But I don't think they do.

Congrats!

2008-09-06T07:17:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Chad and Julie on the birth of your little one.

Brusha Brusha Brusha!

2008-09-05T12:24:00.000-07:00

New Neighbor

2008-09-03T08:34:00.000-07:00

Look who moved in on our porch.

First day of School

2008-09-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

Another school year has begun. The kids didn't give me any trouble waking up. They were excited to get going. They both like their teachers which will make for a smooth year.

The Marine Wife

2008-08-31T09:02:00.000-07:00

Give me greatness of heart to see, the difference between duty and his love for me.Give me understanding so that I may know,when duty calls him, he must go.Give me a task to do each day,to fill the time when he’s away.When he’s in a foreign land,keep him safe in your loving hand.And when duty is in the field,please protect him and be his shield.And Lord, when his deployment seems so long,please stay with me and keep me strong.

A Marine Wife has so much to bear, She's everything at once, no one could compare,When God made her, he had perfection in mind, For nowhere on Earth is another of her kind. She leads a life not many would choose, For her job is the hardest in the military to do, She is courageous and strong, one would say made of steel, But way deep down is a heart that can feel. She stands by her husband, so proud and so tall, And waits many night by the phone for a call, She's Mommy and Daddy all rolled into one, She'll never rest easy until her job's done. She sits all alone and in silence she cries, Did I do a good job, is my family alright? But deep in her heart she knows that it's true, God is right beside her helping her through.
Marine Wife

M any would not choose it

A lways faithful

R ight by her husband's side

I n moments of sadness she stands strong

N ever an easy job

E verything at home rests on her shoulders

W aits by the phone for a call

I pray for my husband's safe return

F ears for her husband's safety

E ndures long separations

See you later Alligator

2008-08-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

This morning Pete left for deployment. We dropped him off last night and said our goodbyes.Very emotional for us all. Well except for Mason, he is too young. We are all sad but doing well. Please keep us and Pete in your thoughts and prayers.

CONGRATS!

2008-08-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to my cousin Lucas and his wife Jen,on the birth of their little bundle of joy.

In the dog house

2008-08-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

Mason found Ginger's kennel to be very cozy!

Fast Friends

2008-08-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

Mason and Nicholas having fun together.

Smores with the Headleys

2008-08-19T18:03:00.000-07:00

Yummy!

The Marine Corp Museum

2008-08-19T17:37:00.001-07:00

The Headley's were gracious enough to take us to the Marine Corp Museum, even though they have been there about 100 times. It's a phenomenal museum. We really enjoyed it. Pete said it was like going to a revival. There were defiantly times were we were in awe of all the history.

The Nelson's went a visiting

2008-08-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

We are home after a great weekend trip to see the Headley crew. We roasted marshmallows and had smores. The kids played great together, even Maggie got along with their two dogs. I have a lot of pictures to share but I haven't got them from the camera to the computer yet. We have been having computer trouble. As soon as it's straightened out I'll post pictures.

kids riding bikes

2008-08-13T05:28:00.000-07:00

Emily is wearing flip flops to ride her bike. Where's the safety patrol?

Spirit Cruise

2008-08-10T10:21:00.000-07:00

We celebrated our anniversary by going on a dinner cruise, on the Spirit of Norfolk.It was a beautiful day for it. We cruised down the Elizabeth River for 3 hours. There was dinner and dancing. Although we didn't dance. There was a half dozen roses and champagne on the table for us. We ventured out to the observation deck to see the pod of dolphins swimming by. It was the first time we have celebrated our anniversary, the right way,without the kids.

12 YEARS

2008-08-06T09:49:00.000-07:00

August 10, 1996Today

Pete and I will have been married for 12 years this Sunday. In the twelve years,we have had three children and lived in numerous homes. Some of which were in another country. I can honestly say I love him more today than the day I married him.

Pete I'm so proud to be your wife and I can't wait to see what another 12 years bring us.

I LOVE YOU!

CW03 in the house!

2008-08-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

Pete was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 3 this morning. There was an informal ceremony in the wardroom of the ship. Not what we're used to. What can I say it's the Navy. I'm so proud of him!