Happy Birthday Joshua!

Last night, we celebrated Joshau's 2nd birthday! We had some friends over for pizza who have a daughter who's 2 1/2 and another daughter who is 4 months. This was my attempt at making an "Elmo" cake . . . FYI -- it is VERY difficult to make RED icing! Anyway, it was a fun evening!

This puzzle is from G/G Nelson -- it even makes animal sounds when you put the puzzle pieces in the right place! Joshua really is enjoying it! I think we'll open the rest of his birthday gifts on his actual birthday.

The group shot -- nothin' too fancy, but we had fun!

Chuck E. Cheese, Take Two

I coudn't put up all of the pics in the first post, so here's a couple more. Here's Joshua riding Clifford, the Big Red Dog!

Daddy helping Joshua with Skee-ball -- you know, that can be a dangerous game with a 2-year old!

Trip to Chuck E. Cheese

We put up our "first" Christmas tree this past week. In the past, we just figured it wasn't worth the hassle since we spend Christmas in either WI or KS. However, we didn't want Joshua to be deprived! He really got into putting the ornaments on to the tree!

Yesterday, we went to Chuck E. Cheese's -- our first time there. It was WONDERFUL to get out of the house for a bit and Joshua really enjoyed it . . . and so did we!

Joshua was obviously more enthralled with the entertainment than looking at the camera!

OK . . . somehow these pics got COMPLETELY out of order. This is Kayla's very first bath -- so far, she seems to really enjoy them!

Back to Chuck E. Cheese . . This is pretty much how the games went . . . Joshua would lose interest about 10 seconds into the game, and then Bryan or I would "finish" up!

More pics!

OK . . . I was a bit over zealous in "poofing" her hair after her bath . . . but
I thought it was still cute!

Our first picture with all four of us. Joshua's infamous "smile!"

Kayla Joy -- how precious. 6 days old.

Joshua is really enjoying his new "bricks" -- Happy 2nd Birthday a little early!

Daddy's doing a little multi-tasking!

Yep . . . she's got one full head of dark, dark hair!

Helping Grandma make cookies!

What can I say?

Ahhhhh...just right. That's feels gooooood.

Grandma arrived from Kansas via air Sunday Noon. She brought with her a very special gift from Aunt Rebecca...a giggling Elmo chair. Making sure the battery is in here...

Kayla's first van ride with big brother.

Final moment before leaving the hospital.

Ready to come home. All ready to face the big big world.

Yep, a full head of long, very dark (almost black) hair. It will compliment Joshua's very empty head of short, very light (almost white) hair. Salt 'n Peppa

Lisa and Kayla with some mother-daughter bonding time. Nice designer gown.

Mommy, I can hold her all by myself. Why are you standing so close to me just off-camera? I got this covered.

Allow me to introduce to you my little sister!

Daddy and Joshua like Kayla's nice yellow hat, but still doesn't beat Joshua's Elmo shirt

Kayla Joy Nelson was born November 10, 2006 at 7:35am (8lbs 15oz)

Just makes you laugh, doesn't it??

In trying to "prepare" Joshua for the new arrival, we've been wrapping his bear with the blankie -- and this morning, he got the idea ON HIS OWN to put the bear in the back of the double stroller, and he wanted in the front -- SCORE FOR US! I'm sure it'll only be smooth sailing from here on . . .! Ha, Ha!

The first time on the "big boy" potty -- we're not predicting succes for anytime in the near future!

Joshua LOVES playing with the "big boys" next door -- he happened to see one of their bicycle helmets and just HAD to put it on!

Joshua "helping" Mommy rake the leaves! I was hoping that a little raking would bring on some contractions . . . yeah, didn't happen!