Visit with Grammy

We made a last minute trip to Kansas due to the extra warm December weather...got a chance to spend a day with Grammy

2 generations of cousins

We had so much fun staying in Lawrence with my cousin Julee & her family. Julee & I are 7 years apart but have been quite close for years and as the kids have gotten older they are really starting to enjoy playing together. Zach enjoyed coloring and drawing pictures for everyone!

Zach, Molly, Milo, Olivia (1st grade), Morgan & Madison (4th grade)

Merry Christmas

Boys on Christmas morning in the tradition of matching PJs from Christmas eve...Andy, Bryan, Brett & Zach
Zach & Mamaw
Mommy & Z
3 silly kids in a tub...Molly, Zach & Bailey

Zach at Christmas Eve service
'twas the night before Christmas

Nelson Christmas

Christmas is the one time of year we get all the Nelson's together...fun to watch the kids play.
Cousins: Kolten, Riley, Bret, Brooke, Molly, Owen, Zach, Kaitlyn & OliviaZach & Owen are 9 months apart and though they rarely see each other...they pick up right where they left off.

Christmas card 2011

Zach's gingerbread dude

Exclusively made by Zach at Shelly's

Zach & Trey

Trey has been one of Zach's best buddies at daycare since he started at Shelly's...16 months. They have a lot of fun together...and are getting more and more goofy together!!

Best Buy Family holiday party

First basketball game...

While it wasn't at Allen Field House, it was at one of the coolest, most unique places to watch basketball...Williams Arena aka "The Barn". Go Gophers!!

We had great seats and could watch the game up close...we also got to see Goldy Gopher up close too. They had a great time!!

Our elf..."Elfy"

Last year the kids didn't get too into the Elf on the shelf but this year he is a big deal. He is the only part of our house Christmas we have at the Freeland's so that makes him extra special. The story with the elf on the shelf is the elf works for Santa and moves around the house and hides to see how the kids are behaving and he reports back to Santa. Sunday was the first day he was out, so they kids were so excited and wanted to introduce themselves.Naturally, every elf has their own name...last year they named him "elf" but this year they wanted it to be "elfy".

Friends Thanksgiving

When our four families get together, it is always a wonderful time. The kids, moms and dads all are the best of friends. We celebrated Thanksgiving together with all the fixings.
Zach, Jonah, Molly, Emme, Ava, Hannah, Avery, Hailey & Charlie
The big kids...they will be in kindegarten next year. Hannah turned 5 this month; the rest all turn 5 in March and have been friends since they were babies.

Decorating before Demo

Our house construction starts on Tuesday, so the kids colored on most of the glass (windows & shower doors) that are being removed.
I drew the bunny per Zach's request but he did a great job coloring and staying in the lines:)

Fun with the Randall's

We have so much fun with the Randall's. The kids are so close in age and play so well together!!Ava, Nolan, Molly, Zach & Ava

Happy Halloween

Emme, Hailey, Hannah, Zach, Charlie, Molly, Ava, Avery & Jonah
3rd year of trick-or-treating as a group...such a fun night!!

Coloring Pumpkins

With worries there might be a battle over who is old enough to use a knife, I asked the kids if they wanted to paint or carve their pumpkins...painting won! Zach first practiced on a piece of paper then went to town. I was so impressed...I never told him what to do or what the face should have. He even added his name. Looks great!! Then I decorated the front door with their suggestions on what to write. Window crayons are the so awesome...even on pumpkins!

Florida Vacation 2011: 9 faces that joined our trip

We have taken a week long vacation each year but never have we had so many people be able to join us for different parts of the week...this truly made the trip! I loved being able to spend time away from our busy lives with some of my favorite people.

This was the first time Zach & Molly got to meet Jacob! Josh, Megan & Jacob were able to come down for 3 days with us before going to Megan's work event also in Orlando so we got to see them an extra day too! Grandpa & Grandma came down for 3 days overlapping one with Megan...so we could all be together. This was a dream for me to have family together on vacation.

Marci has been one of my bestest friends since 1996 and we have remained super close. Her kids, Sherilyn (8) and John (7) are my god babies and so special to me. I love that live in Orlando and were able to spend some time each day of our vacation with us. Watching our kids play and laugh together warms my heart!