Noah gets A+, becomes a man

Noah just finished spectacularly in his science competition. The goal was to create a machine using two of the simple machines (lever, pulleys, wheel and axle, inclined plane, screw, etc.) to create a complex machine. The project also mandated that the student did most of the work. It was really fun showing Noah how to use the miter saw, the drill, and watching him put the thing together. Here are some shots.











The judge was impressed with Noah's car and rewarded him with an A+. Smarts, athletic skills and killer looks...triple threat guy.

Lyndsey tried out and was called back to become part of the "monster ensemble" in the play Monster in My Closet. She's working really hard and attending practices twice a week. I'm so proud of her sticking this out and working so hard. She is such a terrific little lady and I love her soooooooo much.

Jake and Max have been giving Mom a rest from taking care of sicko's. Jake has recently become obsessed with The Nightmare Before Christmas. So much so that he refused to wear any other shirt beside one he had with a skeleton on it. It was already a hand-me-down from his brother. So it was torn and didn't look to sharp. But he would not wear anything else. So mom went online and found three Jack Skelington shirts and I'm glad to say that we now are able to wash at least one of the shirts each week.

Coop is getting some intervention soon. He needs to have some rules set and be able to walk around with us in the house more. So we've called upon our own dog whisperer. She took care of Coop while we moved and has agreed to come to our house and do a few in house lessons. We're all excited.

Well that's it for now. We hope to be updating this more often.

1st Annual Nelson Superbowl Challenge

Noah and I were looking forward to hanging out together in front of the TV for the Super Bowl. Since the girls could care less about football, we decided to up the ante in an attempt to drum up interest. Thus the Nelson Super Bowl Challenge was invented. The were extravagant prizes for the opening coin toss, first quarter score, half time score and of course final score. Lesson learned, girls can't compete next year. Below are this years winners.

We had tail gating food to eat including chips and queso, quacamole, jalapeño brats, hamburgers, hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn and football cupcakes. There were a few sore feelings at the end of the night but as Jacob said " I just want the Patters to win!"

Coin Toss - Candy Bar Palooza

Lyndsey Kay - Green Bay
Noah David - Green Bay
Jacob Michael - Green Bay

First Quarter Score - Candy Bar
Lyndsey Kay - GB 14 / PS 7

Half Time Score - Breakfast in Bed
Melissa Kay - GB 21 / PS 19

Final Score - Pint of Ice Cream and Extra Hour Up at Night
Lyndsey Kay - GB 34 / PS 27

We are still alive...

So, we are finally settled into the new house and loving it, it has been a big adjustment but we are happy with where we ended up. Thanks to everyone who helped us we really appreciate it!

This week the kids are off from school so we have been Christmasing up the season!!!! First of all we found a few cute Reindeer to decorate the house with...

Then we decided to make the front lawn festive with a couple of snowman!!! Poor Max, I couldn't find his coat so he had to view it from through the glass. (If you look close to the one with the kids and snowman, you can see Max and I looking through the front door.)

And yesterday we decided to get out the odds and ends of craft items and make ornaments, it was so much fun and we now have some

really cute ornaments!

Warning...Bragging Dad...Warning...Bragging Dad

It's been quite a while since I posted anything on here. But I just had to make this post today. Melissa and I gave Noah the option to try football out for the first time this year. I love the energy in our house when our kids are involved in a new endeavor.

We sort of did things backwards with Noah on this one. First we asked if he wanted to play, then we found out the cost involved. When we found out how expensive it was...we tried really really hard to talk him out of playing football! However, Noah resisted so we told him that it's a commitment and we wanted his word that he'd see it through and give 100%.

Noah has been true to his word and he's come a long way from the timid little guy I first took to tryouts. Let's just say his defensive coach has given each kid on his team a nickname and Noah's nickname is "Ugly".

I was at practice last night and his team was working on tackling. Each kid took a turn running the ball and then switched over to another line to become the tackler. Noah made his old man proud when it was his turn to run the ball. (I think you'll be able to hear his defensive coach get a little excited by the way Noah ran the ball too.) Check out this video! PROUD DAD!!!!

First day of school....

I know, I know it has been a long time, life got really busy and just took off. I thought summer was suppose to be nice and relaxing but not over here! So, the kids are back to school, Lyndsey in 5th grade and Noah 3rd, here are the first day of school pictures.

Jacob also had his first day of school, pre school that is, isn't he handsome???

So what else have we been up to? Lyndsey participated in a theater summer camp and loved it, here is a picture of her performance. She had such a great time we have put her in voice lessons and she is trying out for another performance this week. I am so glad she has found something that she really enjoys doing.

Noah decided he wanted to try tackle football and boy what a commitment that is for EVERYONE! Doesn't he look great? Dave tried to talk him out of this because he knew what a commitment it would be but Noah is hanging in there and I am so proud of the way he gives 100% at practice and during the games. He is a great runner and never slows down, not sure if it is the fear of the tackle or just his unstoppable speed?

As for the other two, some days this is what we have to do for Mom to get a break. Just kidding, they are great, busy, busy boys but I wouldn't have it any other way.