Taco Night at the Barnes.....

As we have done in years past we had our annual "Taco Night" for New Years Eve...and might I add that it was a smashing success. J.D. loves to make tacos for as many people are willing to come and eat them. This year he figures we served somewhere in the range of 270-300 tacos, not bad. My brother Brad was so nice when he said, 'you know, I think that they get better every year' -

My cute Jensen is always willing to pose for a photo and we got Grandma in with him - sorry your eyes are closed mom, you still look beautiful!!

I gave Morgan the camera for the night and asked her to take pictures, I get too busy trying to make sure people are fed, and that the cheese, salsa, chips and sour cream dishes stay filled for eager taco eaters. This is just a shot from the kitchen with people all milling about - cousins, nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers, neighbors, high school friends, etc.- like I said, all are invited.

Morgan again with one of her crazy faces -

Notice the cups, I kindof feel a little a little strange that I make everyone use lids and straws with their soda, but whatever works to keep the spills and the mess at a minimum. Thank heaven for Costco.

Cute sister Janeen ready to fill her plate, right before we all start our News Years diet -

All the Hackwell women, plus new little Tater-bug.

Jiles was absolutely amazed with the balloons, it was fun to see him get so excited. He did so good and actually made it to the New Year (with an small nap earlier in the night).

We only ended up with a handful of people at the end of the night to ring in the New Year. All my kids had cousins and friends sleep over. All the little girls along with Brad and Julie and Mike and Jill ended up in our bedroom watching Dick Clark - wow, that dude is old!! We opened our shutters at midnight and we were able to see fireworks going off all over the valley. From Draper clear up to Salt Lake, it was pretty cool to see and we were nice and warm in the house.

Looking forward to a happy and healthy 2010!!

It's Christmas!.....

Christmas Eve at our house always consists of opening up new jammies - I believe it is what almost every family does. This year was a little different for us because J.D. and I finally got smart and gave our kids money to go and 'fill' our stockings....it was good for 2 reasons. It was especially fun to see what they would pick out for their mom and dad and it was great because while they were gone shopping J.D. and I were able to get nearly all our wrapping done with an empty house. Not worrying about who might try to bust down the door at any given moment.

We always spend Christmas Eve with J.D.'s mom. This year it was our turn to host and we invited his grandma and his aunt and uncle. Our kids are always a little bored because there are no other kids to be with, so this year we tried to add a few extra people. It was fun to spend time with them and J.D. wanted to make them a nice dinner. We went around the table trying to think of our 3 favorite things....they couldn't be the obvious, house, family, etc. We wanted some thinking to go into it. Drew mentioned a fresh haircut and contacts....also football. Jensen loves his dads cooking and learning to wrestle this year. Ella hid under the table and didn't want to talk about things she enjoyed, oh well. Morgan said that Brenna was one of her favorites, spending time with her watching movies and staying up late, gum, and her love for reading good books. She also loves freshly shaved legs and rubbing them on clean sheets. Brenna loves chapstick, Dr. Pepper and of all things sleep (on the cold side of the pillow). What funny kids I have. J.D. loves the fireplace in our bedroom and I love tevo....hmmmm. We both love spending time with each other after the kids have gone to bed watching all the shows we have recorded (I love reality television, sad but true.) and staying warm in our bedroom.

All of us in our new P.J.'s on Christmas morning before the big reveal of what Santa had brought.

Ella has been wanting the "Touch and Brush" for months now. She would see the infomercial on T.V. and would say every time - "I want that...."
I wasn't able to find it for her birthday and boy did she notice. "What about the toothbrush thing??" So luckily, on one of my Walmart runs look what I found at the checkout. I am so glad I found it, because on Christmas night as I was putting the kids in bed I asked Ella what her favorite gift was, expecting to hear that it was the new build-a-bear, or her DS, but if fact it was her new toothbrush thing. Isn't it funny how sometimes the simplest things bring you the most pleasure. Like the shaved legs, the contacts, the fireplace, daddy's cooking, and Dr. Pepper.

Ji's first Christmas. Having a baby in the house is one of the things that brings me great happiness. It was fun to watch him try to open the gifts, he was more interested in eating each piece of paper that he ripped off - typical baby. Santa brought him some toys, all of which make noise and some new clothes because he is growing so so fast.

Christmas day at Grandma and Grandpa Hackwells consists of 13 adults (not including mom and dad) and 18 grand kids. So once we all get in one room to open gifts it is chaos. 33 people all trying to sit in a circle to see what we all get and give. It is loud and crazy, but we love it. The benefits of large families are all the great times that we have together.

Merry Christmas to all of you. I love you and am so glad that we are all apart of each others life.

Happy Birthday Morgan!.....

My, my, my how time flies!! Miss Morgan Marie turned 17 this year. I can't believe it. You hear people say all the time that you blink and your kids are grown, well I am officially a believer.
Morgan just 1 day old - December 24, 1992

Morgan with J.D. - she was around 6 or 7 months old at the time. It is summer in our first little house in West Jordan. Quieter, more simple times. J.D. had just gotten home from playing softball and needed to have one last good-night kiss from his baby girl.

Morgan for her birthday this year wanted to go to breakfast with all the girls in her life, mom, sisters, aunts and grandma. We wend to Mimi's Cafe and enjoyed a darn good breakfast. She got to open lots of girly things and spend time with the ladies!

Things I love about Morgan....

1. She has always gotten herself up and ready for school without me asking.

2. She still orders food from the kid's menu at most restaurants.

3. She loves to play and practice the piano.

4. She is an old soul, wise beyond her years and doesn't get too caught up in typical teen-ager 'stuff'.

5. She still likes to be seen with me, going to the mall with her mom has never bothered her.

6. If she sees a need in our family, she fills it. Changing a diaper, loading the dishwasher, helping with a hair-do on a Sunday morning....things like that.

7. She doesn't abuse driving and car privileges....

8. She expects to be treated right by the boys she goes out with, she does not take any of their crap....and is willing to stand up for herself.

9. She loves her sister Brenna like crazy!! They are best friends and spend countless hours together, hiding in 'their' basement.

10. She has taught me how to be a good mom. I feel like I learn from her, as much as she learns from me.

Most likely when Morgan sees that this is one of the pictures that I posted she will want to kill me!! I, on the other hand, think she looks cute. It shows a side of her that not many people see. She is a goofy girl who knows how to make us laugh. She is the best big sister and the best oldest daughter anyone could ask for. She is kind, considerate, responsible, smart, honest, caring and a peace-maker in our family. There is a whole list of other things, but if I keep going I will most likely end up in a heap of tears.

We took our family to Olive Garden for birthday dinner. It was not exactly the trip to New York that she got last year, but it doesn't mean we love her any less!!

Birthday girl with Ella and Drew. Fettuccine Alfredo all around - one of the kids favorite meals.

Happy Birthday lady - we all love you!!

Dancing, dancing, and more dancing.....

A couple of weeks ago Brenna and Ella had their very first dance recital together -
Brenna has been dancing now for 5 years, with an average of about 10-12 hours a week, she has multiple competitions in the spring time and we have even traveled to Disneyland with her dance company. She gets better each and every year and she really enjoys the time and effort it takes....she is constantly dancing around the house, practicing her splits, pirouettes, fuetes and all sorts of other ballet dance moves that I cannot spell. I enjoy watching her and I am so glad that we are able to provide these types of things for our kids. Letting them grow their own talents. Ella has watched and learned from her big sister, but this year it was time for her to take her own class. She has really enjoyed her class and her teacher, Miss Charae....
When recital time came I have to admit I was a little nervous. Ella is an extremely shy child by nature and she even cried the day she brought her costume home in anticipation for dancing on the 'big stage'. We have all told her how fun it is and how good she dances, just trying to get her geared up for performing in front of people. So the big day came and she was actually the one in her class that the other little girls were looking at to see if they were doing it right. "Warm and Fuzzy...." kindof a silly song that I have never heard, but let me tell you Ella has a darn good curtsy, bow and kiss-blowing technique at the end of their dance.


J.D. stopped and got the girls flowers for the end of the recital (all because Ella was sortof demanding it - "we need flowers when we are done....")
The dance recital was a long night, Ella being one of the first to perform in the first show and Brenna being the LAST to perform in the second show - couldn't the teacher work that out a little better for families?? Oh well, we all had a good time, and..... looking forward to the spring recital!!

Temple Square.....

Going to Temple Square during the holidays is one of those traditions that, sadly, we do not get around to every year. For me, it is one of those things you have to gear up for. The long drive at nights, which almost always means kids falling asleep in the car (which then means a rough bedtime), dressing extra warm for the cold weather, dealing with parking and then the crowds that are always on the Temple grounds. We luckily have friends who invited us this year - on a Monday night, no less (FHE), so off we went. It really is worth it though, getting the family picture with the Temple and Christmas lights is a good moment....again, no Jiles, asleep, and warm in the stroller.

The Griffin and Barnes kids - what great friends.

There are so many different nativities set up all over the place, these were just a couple of our favorites, stiff baby Jesus and marshmallow baby Jesus. Is that inappropriate??

The girls.....

The parents.....

The boys.....

One final picture.

During these crazy holiday nights, I am most grateful for my family. For the love and joy that they each bring into my life.

Only a week later.....

We went to Costco the other day. Brenna sluffed school and I had some shopping to do so with a little help from her we were off. I was busy picking up our Christmas cards at the photo deptartment and Ella was playing with Jiles. She had been biting his feet and he would give her a kick. They were both enjoying this little game and laughing about it when with one good kick Jiles knocked Ella's loose tooth out. I didn't see it happen but Brenna did. Ella looked at Brenna and said "my tooth is gone, I think it is on the floor!" Suprisingly enough, she actually found that little tooth on the floor and was quite proud. She ran over to show me - luckily she was unaware of the blood that was all over in her mouth. That would have sent her over the edge. She was just so excited that the tooth that she had been working so hard on for the last week was finally out. She ran up to Jiles and said "Thank you Jiles for kicking my tooth out!!" - and she meant it. She thought that was awesome. The tooth fairy came that night she wanted 'coins' so she could add them to her missionary fund (a little red cup that her primary teachers gave her). What a good girl. I still am having trouble believing that my little Ella has lost her first tooth.

Family Christmas Party.....

We had our annual Nelson family Christmas party a couple of weeks ago. I am terribly behind in my blogging, I don't know if it is because the month has gone by so quickly or if it is because we have been so busy with all of the different holiday activities. Either way, I am determined to get caught up before Christmas day. So, I am keeping my fingers crossed!!

We have our party at a church usually because there are so many of us that come to the party. We enjoyed lunch, visiting with cousins and then of course a special visitor.

When Santa came through the door, Ella went under the table. Eventually, thanks to my sister, Jill, Ella got brave enough to give Santa a try.
Jensen is always game to sit on Santa's lap. He is a boy that is so full of personality and quick whit. He is wanting drums (for the 3rd year in a row) and a gecko for Christmas. What the heck?? I am afraid he is going to be sorely disappointed on Christmas morning.

Morgan and Brenna even got into the action and sat on Santa's lap. Drew was missing for nearly the entire party. He is too 'big' to sit on Santa's lap - :(

I even got into the spirit of things - after all grandma was handing out giant candy bars to anyone who would have a seat - yum!!

J.D. giving him a big squeeze!!

There is a difference.....

This is what happens when you have a little brother.....Cute Ella, what is a mom to say?

Smell-o-vision??.....

Last night after everyone had gone to bed it was just Ella and I awake (J.D. is out of town). I always let one of my kids sleep with me when he is gone and last night it was Ellas turn. We were flipping between two movies, her choice, Elf, and my choice, The Wedding Planner. Ella and I enjoy lots of girl time together, she is a fun little girl to be around. I enjoy her company, (thus one of the reasons she doesn't go to pre-school), she grows up too fast as it is and I am not ready to share our time together.

Morgan and Brenna had popped some popcorn downstairs and the smell was drifting up to my bedroom. Ella didn't realize that the smell was coming from our house because while watching our movies she says to me "Mom, I can smell the T.V." - the way she said it was sort of 'matter-of-fact' and sort of surprised at the same time. I let her think it was the T.V., I thought it was cute.

A loose tooth.....

During church today Ella was talking to me and I noticed that one of her bottom teeth looked funny - sort of crooked. I asked her to let me look inside her mouth and what would you know, she has a loose tooth!! Unbelievable. The girl is 5 for all of 3 weeks and already she starts to loose teeth??

It has taken her all day to get used to the idea that one of her teeth is going to fall out. Out of all of my children Ella is the one with the weakest stomach and having a tooth wiggle in her mouth is not exactly exciting to her. She has finally warmed up to the idea, and not thinks it is pretty cool that she will soon have the tooth fairy pay her a visit. "How does she know when my tooth falls out?" - Never has any of the other kids asked such a question. I told her that she works alot like Santa and that she will just know. I have a feeling though that Ellas tooth will be hanging by a thread, and she will most likely either swallow it while she eats or swallow it while she sleeps because she doesn't even like her toenails clipped - it hurts -

This should be interesting!!

The Pirate Face....

So I am not sure what it is about my boys, but both Jensen and now Jiles have pulled this face as babies. I remember we used to all sit around and laugh at Jensen when he was about this age. He would sit on the table at Grandma and Grandpa Hackwell's house after a Sunday dinner and just pull this silly face over and over again. The more we would laugh, the more he would do it. Now 8 years later we have another 'pirate face' - and he acts just the same way Jensen would - as long as he knows he is getting our attention, the more and more he will do it. The eyes shut with his nose scruntched up, and his jaw kind of pulled over to one side, don't know why they have both done it, but one thing I do know is that it makes anyone who sees it laugh!

Turkey Day.....

Thanksgiving is a big day around our house. It all starts early in the morning with some of us going and running the 5k, J.D. is darling and he stays home with the little ones and gets the house and the turkey ready. This year Jensen was particularly interested in helping with the bird. J.D. spends almost 3 days soaking the turkey in a brine solution with lots of spices....Jensen's mouth was watering for it even before it was cooked (eeewww!). He really enjoyed helping his dad this year, and I think J.D. really enjoyed having someone as interested in the preparation of the turkey as he was.

The girls, dressed and ready to go!!

The boys in all of their handsome-ness!!

Here is our especially long table. We love being able to sit everyone all at one table. It makes this day seem special. We move all the furniture and bring in 4 extra tables. I am not fancy enough (or crazy enough) to use nice dishes, I say the less clean-up after a meal like this the better. Don't we all have better ways to spend our time after eating (like looking at the ad's for Black Friday) rather than do the dishes. I think it all turns out okay and looks nice enough. No one has complained yet about the Dixie cups!

Dinner is served- Morgan, Brenna, Ella, Jake, Drew, Jensen, Lucas and Aliza.....

This year we decided to try something different. My sisters and I have always wanted an activity after dinner. We have done movies in the past, but usually no one really wants to get bundled up and leave the house. We are all usually too full and too relaxed to really go and do anything - plus we need to save our energy for the shopping.

Having a Gingerbread house making contest was J.D.'s idea and it went over really well!! And for an activity that was mainly meant for the kids, it was the adults who took over and suddenly became very worried about how their house would turn out.

Jensen was really the only one of the kids that stuck with it and wanted to see it through. He did a great job and next year he has informed me that he wants a house all to himself. He loved making the frosting drip into icicles off of the side of the house. He was very meticulous and wanted the house to look just right. We all had a few building malfunctions, the icing was not drying as fast as we were putting candy on, so our roof slipped a few times and I had to hold it until it dried. Corey and Janeens completely fell apart, so they ended up making theirs into a Manger scene with Mary and Joseph as the gingerbread men...very creative. No picture though. Sad.

Even Grandma and Grandpa got into the action. It was fun to see everyone have such a good time together. We were all covered in this yucky, sticky frosting by the time it was all said and done.

Julie, Bradley and Aliza were the big winners. Their house ended up looking just like the one on the outside of the box. They definitely win the prize for being the most patient with their house. They did a great job and they are using the Gingerbread house as the centerpiece on their kitchen table -

Jill and Mike worked on their house all alone - I don't think that any of their kids even tried to help. Mike raided my pantry and found some frosted mini wheat's and he used those for the shingles on the roof which made it WAY too heavy - it ended up sliding apart I think too. Oh well, what mattered is that it was a fun way to spend the evening on Thanksgiving.

We missed having Trent and Jana and their kids this year, also Brad and Christina with their family. Our table has been bigger in past years, so this year it actually seemed a little small. When you only seat 20 instead of nearly 30 there is a big difference. Hopefully next year we will all be able to be together again!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! This has become one of my favorite family traditions....