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.

Call Me Sis Pie, Not Cow Pie

It's amazing how much different girls are from boys. At 15 months, Dillon and Connor only wanted to play with tractors and cars. But Brenna loves walking around with her stuffed animals. Her favorite is the cow below.

She loves calling her cow "Baby" and randomly walks up to it to give it a hug.

Now that the weather is nice we got a chance to dress her in the cow dress that Aunt Terri got for Brenna. I might be a bit biased but I think she looks udder-ly moo-velous in it.

Brenna's hair in the last few months has really started to grow. She still has a bit of a baby mullet, but the top and sides are finally are adding volume.

Table Topper

Last week Brenna learned a new trick, much to her parents dismay. She was playing by her high chair and when I looked up, she was up on the kitchen table playing with the salt and pepper shakers. I think Dillon and Connor taught her how to climb.

Play Ball

Thanks to the Evans for my awesome birthday jersey. Now I will have something to wear when I go to AT&T Park to watch the Dodgers beat the Giants. Go Blue!

Disneyland Trip 2011

Back in April of 2009 I vowed we would never return to Disneyland with children under the age of three. Last week, after much prodding from my parents, I broke that promise.

Even though the weather wasn't the best, we encountered rain on two of the four days in the park, we had a great time. Dillon had a blast and was tall enough to go on Space Mountain and the Tower of Terror with me. (He didn't enjoy either one.) Connor liked all the characters as long as he could view them from afar. (We did manage to get him close enough for pictures.) Brenna was mesmerized by A Small World. Christina and I relished every moment we could sit down.

All three kids enjoyed spending time with Papa, Grandma Sharon, Uncle Larry, and all five of the Morgans. It was also nice to have a 1:1 adult to child ratio. However, I am declaring once again, we are not going back to Disneyland until after Brenna has turned four. Until that time, the kids can relive their trip with the video below.

One Year Stats

Brenna had her one year old check up this week. She continues to be off the charts for her height and is in the 95th percentile for her weight. Below are her stats along with the boys at the same age:

Brenna: 32 3/4 inches and 26 pounds 5 ounces

Connor: 35 1/2 inches and 25 pounds 10 ounces (Note: Connor was 3 months late for his one year old checkup)

Dillon: 31 inches and 22 pounds 8 ounces