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On December 30, 2010, we saw this sweet face for the first time. It's hard to believe it was now over 2 years ago. Like many firsts this year, so happy that upon reflection of this day we can ooooh and aaaah at Nash's first pictures all together. Happy New Year! The Larson's can't wait to see what 2013 has in store.

WW: "Santa Came"

Winter Wonderland

I wanted to make sure I posted these pictures taken from our first big snowfall of the year.  Nash was loving everything about the snow (accept for wearing his mittens, for some reason he just despises mittens).  Bret was running the snow-blower multiple times and Nash was quickly behind helping with his mini shovel, which is proving to be a great purchase.  Similar to Nash's love for mowing the lawn, he quickly has picked up the love for shoveling.  I'm thinking he maybe can start earning some money throughout the neighborhood.  Most kids want to build a snowman or go sledding but not Nash, he'd rather shovel and pretend his bubble lawnmower is a snow-blower  I think this has a lot to do with just being like his daddy.  Which is just so dang cute.  Mommy is better at the inside chores, super important chores like making sure the hot chocolate is ready for her hard working men when they come in. 

Other super exciting news?  I can track the traffic from this blog and in my last letter to Foster mom, I gave her the blog address hoping she would check it. Well, someone in South Korea has been checking it!  What an early Christmas present, and motivation to make sure I'm keeping it up.  I just know she thinks of him often, and hopefully smiles every time she gets to see how much Nash is growing and loving life.  We always are thinking and talking about her and wishing that she and her family are well. 

Bret and I are so lucky to be celebrating our first holiday season with Nash, our family and friends.  Wishing everyone a peaceful and safe holiday.

Tuesday's with Elfie: Dear Elfie- Open letter from Nash

Dear Elfie,

I've known you for all of 10 days now (feels like longer).  You've invaded my home and distracted my mommy in the morning when things are already crazy and we are trying to get ready for school.  I don't understand why she keeps on asking me as soon as I wake up "Where is Elfie hiding today, I bet he's up to some crazy tricks.  He is so silly."  I can't touch you, or play with you because the "magic" will disappear (picture me doing the air quotes around magic).  I know you fly back to Santa every night and tell him that I've been a good boy.  So, since I'm not allowed to touch you or run you over with my trucks, I would appreciate it if you left my toys alone.  Just this past week you used my tractor and crashed my helicopter into the chandelier without asking.  My mommy said I should share my toys with you and that you are just "being silly" and using them to show me the funny things you do.  At school, I share toys with my friends, but they always ask permission.  At home, you don't ask so I get really mad.  So, in closing, I would appreciate it if you played less with my toys and left more powered sugar donuts.  They make a very yummy breakfast.

Sincerely,

Nash

 

Doing our Best...

To be like the Griswold's during this holiday season (minus Cousin Eddie....)  For years, we avoided the hoop-la around fully decorating for the holidays. I was lucky if we even got our stalkings hung up in years past.  This year, totally different ball game.  I've been going ALL OUT, think Christmas boot-camp (pretty sure that is how the hubs would describe it).  Christmas is really all about the kids.  I know I've talked about my obsession with "family traditions" and this time of the year we are one "traditions" overload.  Along with Efie's nightly visits, we've had a blast decorating the house inside and out.  It's hard to know how much he really understands yet about Christmas, but he he loved decorating the tree, drinking hot chocolate and jamming out to mama's new holiday play list.  When you ask him what Santa says, he quickly replies "ho-ho-ho".  He also loves to single Jingle Bells at the top of his lungs, along with his one legged dance move (which I just HAVE to get on video eventually).

A box!  Fun for hours.

First cup of hot chocolate.  Marshmallows included.

Cheers to us.  We rock as parents.  

Pure focus.

So fun mommy!

Tuesdays with Elfie

For the month of December, I will dedicate weekly posts with our new friend, Elfie. Elfie (a/k/a Pororo, f/k/a Elf on the Shelf). Every morning for the month of December leading up to Santa's big and first visit, Elfie finds fun places to hide and plays tricks. Nash is slowly grasping that every morning we get to check up and see what Elfie was up to during the night. Happy Elfing everyone! Please feel free to share what tricks your Elf is up too.   

Not So Wordless Wednesday

Nash's report card from school today. The last line says.
When A friend asked for more water, Nash told her "Say Please!"

I'm recording so I can someday show Nash.

Rewind- Halloween 2012

Nash's first Halloween was a total success.  The day started out with costume parade at Nash's school.  They encouraged all the kids to wear "peaceful" costumes.  Which I guess is a nice way of saying don't send your kids to school dressed like Freddy Krueger.  Everyone with older children (let's say 4 and up) tell me that I should enjoy the time when I get to dress Nash however I like.  I have a feeling this will extend to more than just Halloween.  I'm guessing my days of Nash thinking bow ties are cool are limited.  DANG!  Parents were encouraged to attend the parade, so Grandma Sandy and I eagerly participated   It was so dang cute.  All the kids in the school walking throughout the neighborhood collection pennies for UNICEF.  One of the many things I love about his school is the true commitment to teaching the kids about charity and thinking about others less fortunate.  Nash was having an awesome time, running to the front of the line, marching with all the older kids.  All was well until he fell flat on his face and managed to get a huge scrape on his forehead.  We watched him fall and I thought for sure he had lost his two front teeth.  So, in the end it was minimal damage accept the fact that this mama was a little nervous because it was the very next day we had to appear for our finalization hearing.  Later that night we went trick or treating at a few houses around the neighborhood.  Nash was excited to yet again wear his puppy outfit and sat pretty still while I painted his face.  I was pretty proud of my work (thanks Pinterest!)  Funny story, we have some new neighbors that moved in that we had yet to meet.  I was thinking it was a perfect opportunity to finally meet them.  So I send adorable Nash to the door, and she answer and Nash runs into the house!  Que embarrassment! Although I have to admit I totally wanted to follow him in the check out the house.  As you can tell from the pictures...Nash took being a Dalmatian very seriously.  Yeesh, what does this mama have to do to get a smile for the camera!!!!!! 

Finalization-Finally!

On November 1, 2012, we finalized Nash's adoption in front of a judge.  The finalization symbolizes that we are officially a family of three and marks the end of the adoption process.  I was feeling especially emotional on this day.  The hearing only lasted about 10 minutes, we got it all on video which will be so fun to show Nash someday.  The icing on the cake was that Nash's buddy Simon's hearing was also on the same day, literally the next hearing scheduled.  We had a little celebration with our family and friends that night.  A day we will never forget.

My eyes were so red from all the happy tears!

Rare pic of Nash actually smiling.  Simon can always make him smile.

That is my mom in the background....I just love how big
her smile is!

Hug it out!

Girls Trip to Chi-Town

This past weekend, I headed to Chicago with six of my closest friends for a girls weekend!  We had an awesome time.  Bret's mom came up from Madison to help out so Nash got the chance to have some extra time with grandma.  Which made me feel better leaving.  Bret is more than capable but still having some extra helped helped ease my anxiety about leaving.  We left on Thursday and came back on Sunday.  This was the first time I had been away from Nash.  Of course, he did awesome, I'm sure the time apart was way tougher on me than him.  Most of these girls I've known since elementary school, which is pretty unique.  We've managed over the years to travel together to Vegas, Denver, Chicago (once before) and NYC.  The weekend was full of great food, late nights, shopping, acting like tourists, comedy club and enough inside jokes to last another year.  We are already planning our trip for next year....did someone say Vegas?

Me on a Segway.   

Look at the view!  It was so cool to see the city this way.
Only downside?  It was freakn' freezing!!!!

Moules and frites!  Yummy.  We dined at a place where it was
BYOB or Wine.  We felt a little awkward each walking in with
our own bottle of wine.  Pretty sure they were used to it.
The table next to us was drinking airplane size vodka sodas.

Oh did I say I was drinking wine?  Well, then there was this at the Piano Bar.
Did you know the bars are open till 4 a.m.? Exhibit A

Dinner at Quartino.  Small plates Italian style.  Delish.

Millennium Park

Fun to get all dolled up and spend an obnoxious amount of time getting ready.

Meanwhile, back at home.  Bret was providing periodic updates for me.  I found them humorous, I'm not sure he meant them to be funny.

"Dinner"
He better have been kidding.

"I feel off the trampoline, but my face still seems to be intact.  Love you, mommy"

And this was suppose to be comforting?  Good thing I got this text after Exhibit A.   

Fall Harvest: Must Haves

Where did October go?  I'm panicking because I can't believe how incredibly fast this month has flown by.  I still have to get the rest of Nash's Halloween costume in order.  Fall is my favorite time of the year.  I love sweaters, jeans and scarf weather (well, really you can wear a scarf even in the summer but it's nice to wear it for it's "true" purpose).  It's the time to get outside while you still can before it's freeze your tongue to a flagpole weather.  Oh, and what's with all the holiday commercials already?  Between all the campaign adds and Target forcing December down my throat, not sure which is worse.  I think I might vote for the candidate that would bar retailers from marketing holidays to vulnerable moms.  Back to the topic of Fall Harvests!  This post contains everything that I love about fall.  Apples, adorable out-fits and good friends.  So many apples orchards, so little time.  We took the one in Jordan by storm!  Super disappointed that we didn't make it to the states largest candy store.  Next year.

I see it, I see it!

Tractor!

Adorable Simon. Adorable Des.

Tractor Ride

Farm to Mouth

I love how we tell the boys to hold hands and they will
pretty sure our days are numbered on this request.

You thought getting a good pic. of two toddlers together was hard.
Try getting the husbands to cooperate!