November

Gabey with mom (with a fresh new haircut!)

 

 Mike and I decided to go with Aaron and Terri Nissinen and fly to Las Vegas, but first had to stop in Palo Alto, CA for the Oregon/Stanford game that Oregon was supposed to win.

The excitement was high at the beginning of the game and we even got close to the ESPN announcers!

Mike and the Ducks band

 

But as the Ducks walked off the field at half time, things looked really depressing.

But their band was super impressive!

Stanford fans were so excited they beat the Ducks who played a really lame game! 
Not the best game to fly out of state to go see!

Grumpy Mike the day after the game, who vows to never wear yellow again. 
Well, at least for the day.

 So from Palo Alto to Las Vegas to see the Cirque du Soleil-Michael Jackson show.

But first: m+m World! Every kind of m+m at your fingertips.

Crazy-shaped hotels along the strip.

More hotels, all with casinos inside and big theaters for shows.

Beautiful decorations.

Our hotel, Mandalay Bay, was beautiful

Super nice room

With a living room and view of the city.

 

Enormous and super yummy shakes at The Burger Bar

The view from the top of the Stratosphere (it's twice the height of the Space Needle in Seattle) and the ride was great!

Terri, Aaron, Kate, and Mike

We had to check out The Heart Attack Grill on Fremont St. and get a "butter-topped milkshake."  Everyone who comes in must wear a hospital gown and the waitresses wear nurses uniforms. They brag about their 9,000 calorie burger!

The stage before the Michael Jackson show with big screens on each side. The show was fabulous.

Then home again to our kids!

Gabe and I went on a walk.

He loves to be outside and independent.

17-months-old and due for his first haircut, once I get the courage to cut it.  I love his baby hair! 

 Mike's family came over for Thanksgiving:

Clockwise from the bottom: Tom, Sara, Ellen holding Hazel, Carolyn, Brooke, Gabe, David, Mike, Nicholas, and Zach

Gabe and his only Nelson cousin, Hazel.

Ellen and all her grandchildren.

October

 

 

Some of David's first Spanish school work he brought home, "I see..."

 



David's kindergarten school picture



Brooke's 2nd grade school picture



Zach's 5th grade school picture



Nicholas' 7th grade school picture

Gabe falling asleep during lunch!

Mike has been looking forward to taking Nicholas to conference when he turned 12 and this was the year.  They went to the Priesthood session and 2 other sessions.  They went down with Nicholas' good friend, Joe, and his dad. Nicholas really enjoyed being in the presence of the prophet even though he had to sit in a chair in his suit instead of lounging on the couch in his pajamas! 

Zach and I on a date while Nicholas and Mike are at General Conference in Salt Lake City.
Zach and I went to McDonalds for dessert.

And then to a play done by children called "My Son Pinocchio Jr."

I was tired of the continually broken piano keys, so we sold the piano and got this electric Casio Privia.

Getting into the Halloween mood by visiting Lakeview Farms with Ellen.

Nicholas and Brooke being cute farmers.

David, Nicholas, and Zach trying to find their way out of the Hay Maze.

Don't worry, Gabe! I'll get you out of this maze!

David and Nicholas found a pumpkin they wanted to share.

Zach found his perfect pumpkin!



After a little boat ride to the pumpkin patch, we took a train ride back to the entrance.
The boys liked sitting in the back.



Brooke on the train with her pumpkin.

Gabey lining up his favorite pots on the chairs. 

Gabey has daddy's shoes on and ready to go outside!

Gabey looking at books

Another way to use the table

Gabey helping put away the silverware



We had a beautiful fall day on Oct. 20 and David and Brooke spent several hours on the play structure in the backyard.



Coloring pictures



Brooke was the only one who wanted to actually carve her pumpkin.

 David and Brooke

 

 

with their pumpkins.

Darth Vader in heels!

Uncle Scrooge and Darth Vader
Mike and I went to an adult only party at the Odil's home with a bunch of friends.

David lost his 3rd tooth on Oct. 28.  He's only 5!

Brooke sold 18 items for the school fundraiser and earned a limo ride to Godfather's Pizza!
She is the 2nd to the right from the driver.

In the limo (Brooke is in the middle with glasses)

Happy Halloween!
See the holes in Zach's box of cereal? He is a Cereal Killer, David is Mario, Brooke is Rapunzel and Gabe is just cute.



Elementary school fall carnival the day after Halloween.





Grandma and Auntie Carolyn were in charge of Gabe.



Nicholas getting into Just Dance



Zach and Nicholas rocking Just Dance

Brooke with her pretty face painting