Baptism Fireside

So tomorrow we have our Baptism Fireside and I'm giving the talk on baptism. I have such wonderful insightful friends in this blogging world of ours so I was wondering what are some good ideas you could share. I've checked out a lot of websites but I think first hand experience is priceless. I really want the kids to be excited about their baptism. So any thoughts you might have I will gladly take. We're all doing good. My friend Cristy had her baby on Tuesday and I got to go visit and hold, and even sneak in a diaper change while Nikki watched Andrew for me. He is so adorable, truly a cute baby. I even took some pictures. His name is Dean Owen and he was 7lbs 7 oz. So cute. He is just adorable.

The Home and Landscape Expo

Because we were getting a little bored yesterday Trev decided to rent a booth at the Home and Landscape Expo. That means a lot of "Mandi, Hon, Sweety, where is ...?" Can you do this and get this and pick this up for me here. My answer was sure, no problem, whatever I can do to help. Which wouldn't have been a big deal but here was my schedule with out prep work for the show.
8:00 - Tyler school
10:00- 1st Target trip to get b-day present and tablecloths for expo and baby shower.
11:30 -feed kids and Trev lunch
12:00- Take Grace to school
12:21 - finally leave school to go to Rocklin to pick up tables and chairs from mom's
1:30 - volunteer at school for PTO "Pennies for patients"
2:35 - Get Tyler out of school and take tables and chairs out of car so kids can sit in seats.
2:45 - meet Nikki at church to take Tyler to Kumon in Rocklin
2:55 - Take Atali to her house
3:15 - Go pick up Grace from school
3:30 -Take Grace to B-day party
4:35 -Go pick up Pizza's
5:00- Pick up Grace from party
5:15 -Drop kids off at sisters to watch kids while I go to parent teacher conference for Grace
5:30 -Parent teacher Conference.
6:00 -Pick up kids from Sisters
6:15- Scramble to get homework done and get ready for bed.
8:00 Trev comes home from setting up booth
8:30 -2nd run to target for lunch bags
9:00- Head on pillow good night!
I'm sorry if this made you dizzy. But I thought I would share my day in the car with you. I have to say this isn't everyday but it easily could be. Now that is scarey. Come see Trev at the expo this weekend. Friday 12-8 Sat 10-7 and yes unfortunately Sunday 10-6. Bldg "A" lower level.

Power to the Small Businesses!

How many of us or our spouses are self-employed? I'm thinkin' a lot . So here's my chance to give you all some free publicity. Comment on my post and lists the small business and a small description of what it is. This way we help friends and family out before taking our business to the big corporate man. So here's our small Businesses
M2 Builders- General Contractor, remodels, commercial, residential, tenant improvements, blown down fences, he does it all, nothing is too small or big of a job. m2builders@gmail.com
Advanced Engergy Audits- Tests the energy consumption in your home, efficientcy etc. And also tests new systems that have been installed. aeaudits@gmail.com
Call Trevor at 916-257-1222 for both.
Yes that's right the Nielsen's have two small businesses now and are in need of free publicity and work. So I'll post your business in my side bar if you do the same.

Christmas with the Smith Fam

This year we were with my family for Christmas and we had a blast. We have a few traditions in our family and one is that we get these Ravioli's from a small mom and pop shop in San Jose every year. I am not a fan of these Ravioli's but I love that it's a tradition for us to eat them on Christmas Eve. My mom told us the story that she would eat them with her Grandparents and would listen to them for hours speak in Italian and have like a ten course dinner. They even had hand made Cannoli's, mm yummm. We have dropped that part of the tradition for the sake of Sanity. We have bread, Ravioli's and sparking cider. Then we get to open our pajamas and read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and then Santa came to visit before he started his deliveries for the night. The kids loved it. Tyler was in shock and beside himself and couldn't spit out everything that was in his head. Grace and Andrew loved it just as much and were so excited. We put the kids to bed and while we waited for them to fall asleep we watched It's a wonderful Life and The Christmas Story. While we were trying to explain the movie's to Laura the whole time we had a blast getting ready for Christmas morning. I love watching the kids faces and listening and answering their questions. Christmas morning started out early with Kyle calling at 6:30 a.m. It was so much for to talk to him and hear how he's doing. We played a lot , I vacuumed repeatedly with my new Dyson DC 17 , oh yeah, and ate a ton of food. We went over to my Aunt and Uncle's in the evening to see all our cousins who were here visiting and had a fun time catching up. It was a great day and everyone was happy all day!!! It was Christmas after all.

Fun Times

All the cousins checking out the new toys.

Super excited face?

I don't think he believed he was ever going to have a birthday

Andrew's new GeoTrax Airplane

Cupcakes for Lunch!
The Smith Grandkids

Santa Came to visit

The kids were so excited!

Some how it turned into dog pile night

She was so not excited about Christmas!

Christmas Morning, waiting on stairs, tradition? or cruel form of torture?

Tyler starting to open after getting his Leapster 2 and Hunting bag.

Grace got Dance lessons and Tutu's for Christmas!

My Dyson vacuum, I am in love!

Andrew and his D-Rex, it is so cool!

Trev did o.k. too, golf bag, golf balls, gadgets, a hat and coveralls that have his new business name on them. That's right we started a new business in December too, now we have two businesses to keep track of. Advanced Energy Audits and M2 Builders call 257-1222 for any Contractor or Energy needs. (How'd you like that little bit of advertisement?)

To say the least we were all spoiled and had a blast being with all the kids and seeing their adorable faces light up with all the fun. Christmas is so much fun with kids, how did we ever do it without them?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW

So this little boy was a bit of a surprise but we seriously need him in our family. He is so sweet and loves to cuddle with mom and dad. He is growing way too fast. He is now wearing size 4/5 T shirts and is just now 3. I know... I'm in trouble. He loves his chicken nuggets and milk. He recently has discovered how to use those strong muscles in his legs to push bike pedals and loves being outside and helping daddy work. He already has a deep voice and is a bit of a "tough guy". Anything trucks, trains, cars, planes, animals, coloring, and did I mention this kid loves his milk. Due to a slacker of a mom he is not potty trained yet because I guess I like buying diapers j/k. We start monday on the potty training and will be done right?! I'm not that naive! I love this cute boy and he just can melt your heart with his laugh and smile. Here's a few pictures of him growing before our very eyes.!

Enough wtih the Fog

So the fog was fun for the first couple of days, but it's been like two weeks. I do realize however that this is as close to the look of snow that we get so I think it helps with the Christmas feeling, but seriously because of where we live we're kept in the fog long after many of you have recieved your gift of the sun. I am not a cold or rain person but I am a Christmas person. So I will try to keep my spirits up but after Christmas I make no promises.

CHP Academy

So for those of you who don't know that the economy sucks for construction right now, well it does. Leaving those of us who are in the industry without work that was so plentiful a few years ago. M2 Builders has now turned into Trevor being without his brother Jared as his partner. Jared also known as Hoss to many, entered the CHP Academy the beginning of November. It is some seriously hard work physically and mentally. And my sister in law Nikki is now a single mom during the week. She is seriously working as hard as a supporter and mother and I totally admire her for it. I don't think I could do it. Anyway so this week Jared got his picture taken while in class and I thought I would post it. The kids miss their uncle Hoss being around. Good luck Hoss we'r all praying for you guys!