Christmas 2011

Below are pictures from our Christmas season.

Brenna loves her Great Grandma Dede. The two spent a lot of time "calling" each other on Brenna's play phone.

Six grandkids all ready to have a slumber party with Grandma Sharon. The four older ones got to stay up late one night to watch Cars 2.

For the past few months, since we watched all six movies together, Dillon and Connor have been obsessed with Star Wars. Dillon loved getting some action figures and a Bubba Fett gun (not pictured) from Uncle Jason.

Connor couldn't believe that Uncle Jason got him the Millennium Falcon.

We celebrated Christmas at Grandma Barbara's house on Thursday, where Bradley and Connor had a great time on the see saw.

The feast at Grandma's was, as always, delicious. We ate a very southern Christmas dinner, chicken fried steak.

Friday night was spent at Grandma Dede and Pops' house. Brenna had already become a present unwrapping expert and tore through her gifts with unexpected efficiency.

Someone got so excited over opening Christmas presents that they had a hard time controlling their bladder. (Just kidding, Brenna spilled her water in the funniest place possible.)

The next day we opened presents and stockings at Papa and Grandma Sharon's house. Grandma Sharon stuffs their stockings so full that she needs to hold them to the mantle with 50 pound weights.

Connor, Kaleb, and Dillon watching Toy Story 2.

Christmas Eve we drove back to Sonora in time for Santa to bring Brenna her doll stroller (the doll was courtesy of Aunt Terri) and the boys light sabers.

Christmas day we went to church and then to Papa and Grammy's house. There the boys and Trent honed their light saber skills with epic battles against the dreaded Darth Vader.

The Cummings had a few friends over and we sang Christmas carols before we opened gifts. I belted out the chorus to "We Three Kings".

One of their gifts included some balloons all the way from Japan. They were quite a hit, so much so that we had to put them away just to get the kids to finish opening their presents.

Of course, like every year, the kids got too many gifts.

One of Trent's favorite things to do is come over and play "yegos" at our house. So Dillon made Trent his own Lego figure and put it in with his present. Trent didn't let the figure get out of his line of sight the rest of the night.

Merry Christmas

Below is our Christmas card along with the Cummings' Christmas card for 2011.

Mission Impossible

Good idea: Taking a picture for your Christmas card right before Thanksgiving.

Bad idea: Taking a picture for your Christmas card right before nap time.

Imagination

Connor's new favorite thing is pretending the trash can is his car. He would "drive" all day if we didn't need the can to put our trash in. He does this even though he has toy cars to ride around the house.

Halloween 2011

Brenna went as our little lady bug. She wasn't too sure about trick or treating at first but then she realized she got candy nothing couldn't hold her back.

The boys are obsessed with pirates right now thanks to the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and Lego video game. They both thought they were Captain Jack Sparrow.

Before I took this picture I asked who wanted candy. Brenna didn't seem to care since she already had a sucker.

At school today, Dillon was able to wear his costume and was part of the Kindergarten parade. His buddy Caden went as Peter Pan.

We had a few people over to our house tonight since our neighborhood is one of the handfuls in Tuolumne County that gets trick-or-treaters. James and Bryan came as mustard and ketchup, just don't ask me why the ketchup is wearing a dollar sign necklace.

We took a picture of everyone in the group who dressed up. A fun time was had by all walking the neighborhood and passing out candy.

Maroon 7 Soccer

Video highlights from Dillon's first year of soccer on his team, Maroon 7.

GOOOOAAAALLLL

In the last game of the season, Dillon scored his first goal. Coach James drew up the perfect play on an indirect kick, allowing Dillon to sink one into the back of the net.

Happy 3rd Birthday Connor

Dillon: The Soccer Star

Dillon played in his first soccer game yesterday on his team, The Maroon 7.

He was very excited to play in a game. The team had been practicing for three weeks, running drills, learning basics, and scrimmaging.

The team didn't have a coach so Christina decided she would lead the team. She is getting help from James, who is putting his soccer expertise to good use.

Dillon did a great job for his first game. At one point, he and a teammate had a breakaway but his shot on goal was wide right.

Unfortunately, The Maroon 7 lost this well fought battle 3-1. With five games left, Dillon is confident they will get a win.

First Day of School

Today was Dillon's first day of kindergarten at Soulsbyville Elementary. Below are pictures from his monumental day.

Dillon demanded that the first picture I took was of his Batman backpack. He has had his pencils, crayons, and erasers in there for a week in anticipation of the big day.

On Monday we went to his class for an open house/orientation. He was excited that his teacher had a Lego table.

Dillon and his best bud Caden. The two have spent a lot of time together at pre-school, Sunday School, and the park. They have different teachers but both couldn't wait to play together on the playground.

Dillon was one of the first of his classmates to get to school today. The Soulsbyville tradition is to hang your backpack outside of your classroom and go to the playground until the bell rings. Dillon did just that. However, it should be noted that the yard duty talked to him for climbing on the slide. School hadn't even started and he was already trouble.

When the bell rung, all the classes lined up. Dillon had no problem saying goodbye to us.

His first day of school was a success. Dillon's highlights were the teacher reading them a book, getting a cookie for a snack, and recess. Thankfully there were no tears, unless you count the ones Mom shed as we drove away from the school this morning.

Memories of Mum

Yesterday afternoon the Nixon family saw their matriarch pass from this earth. Mum, as she was called by us great grandkids, was almost 96 years old. Below are some pictures, new and old, of my great grandmother followed by some of my fondest memories of her.

Two weeks ago, the last time we were in Shafter, we went by and saw Mum. Thankfully I remembered my camera. Dillon wasn't to sure about sitting on her lap, so he posed for the picture next to her.

This picture of Kaleb and Mum is too cute.

Papa was happy that he was able to get a picture with his six grandkids and his grandmother.

Mum holding a 2 and 1/2 month old Connor and 2 and 1/2 year old Dillon, Christmastime 2008. Click here for another picture from that visit.

Five generations of Nixons taken when Dillon was one month old.

I am not sure when this picture of my Dad and Mum was taken but early 2000s would be my guess.

I don't remember seeing Mum out of her house except for special occasions like weddings and the annual Nixon Christmas party.

The context of this picture is unknown, but I like to think that Mum just cracked a joke about my Dad's pants not being long enough.

Though having these pictures are great, it's my memories with her that I will cherish the most. I will always remember:

• Her house on 1st Street.
• There always being a cold soda in her fridge and ice cream in her freezer.
• Her evil/overly protective poodle Josh.
• The motor-home in the backyard.
• Her laugh.
• Watching my Dad mow her yard.
• Riding my bike across town so I could mow her yard.
• Her telling me she would "Whoop me" if I didn't let her pay me for mowing her yard.
• Visiting her on a weekly basis with my parents. (This is one of the greatest things my parents taught me that I hope to pass along to our children.)
• Listening to the family gossip. She was the central hub of Nixon related information.
• The family picture of all her grandchildren taken in the 1970's and the wooden paneling on her walls from the same era (see picture above for both).
• Never wanting to play in the back two bedrooms because they creeped me out. There was no logical explanation for this.
• Her fireplace keeping the house a toasty 90 degrees in the winter.
• Pictures of her great grandkids on the fireplace mantel.
• The Ford Mustang.
• Her love for all her family.
• Giving her a hug goodbye as she sat in her chair.
• Giving her that final hug goodbye two weeks ago.

I consider myself blessed that I was able to know a great grandmother for thirty years. I am even more blessed that Josephine Nixon was that great grandmother. We love you and will miss you Mum.

Please feel free to post your favorite memory of Mum in the comments.

Country Girl

Our baby girl is quickly becoming a cute toddler. Every time Christina changes Brenna's clothes, Brenna has to run to me to show them off. I respond the same way every time, "How beeeaaauuutiful Sis!" She then flashes me her biggest grin.

When she came to me last night I couldn't resist putting this cowgirl hat on her while she was wearing those cute overalls.

As you can tell from these pictures, she is also turning into quite the ham for the camera saying "Cheese" the whole time. The days of playing dress up with her are closing in on us.

Dillon's Birthday Video

Dillon's 5th Birthday

This past Thursday was Dillon's 5th birthday. It's hard to believe that five years ago our lives changed forever. Grandma Sharon, Papa, and Granny Barbara came up to visit the morning of the 9th.

On Friday all of us, except for Brenna, went to Yosemite for the day. Dillon was excited when we saw the deer behind him.

It may be hard to tell from this picture, but the falls were amazing. Thanks to all the snowfall this winter and the warm weather last week, Yosemite falls was breathtaking.

On Saturday we had Dillon's birthday party at the park. Of course Grandma Sharon had to make a special cake for Dillon. He was having a super hero themed party so he picked a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle as his cake.

There was also a pinata at the party thanks to Uncle James and Aunt Michelle.

Dillon's pals from pre-school and church helped to sing happy birthday to him. Notice the awesome Spiderman cupcakes, another Grandma Sharon special.

Uncle James also provided all the kids with a Soccer Shots shirt and ball. Thank you to all who came to the party, sent presents, and/or wished Dillon a happy birthday.