thanks

thanks nana and bigE for coming to visit us over the weekend. we always love having you here. and you were a huge help in the backyard clean up and candy cutting preparations for the big party. (there are more photos on max&co)

katie and will: we are dying to have a visit from you two!! work on that, will you? :)

Birthday Boy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAX! We love you!

Snowy March day in Texas!

Snow day for seminary! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Frozen pansies in March!

Sadie contemplating the snow.

It snowed all morning and seminary was canceled. We enjoyed sleeping in and waking to see the frosty rooftops. Later in the day, the sunny skies would never have given a clue to how the morning had begun!

going ons

just in case you all were wondering what pickwick park is up to... now you can know!


AND for the record: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to nana and bigE for watching max while we were in california. what a treat for us! it's great to be part of this nielsen family.

Max's Third and Fourth Days with Nana and BigE

Early Saturday morning Max asks for a few stories. Nana and BigE look a little bleak having been awakened in the night by severe thunderstorms moving through the area. Max never stirred during the storms and was alert and ready for his third big day in Tyler.


Nana also reads a few books to Max before breakfast.


BigE and Max spend a fun lunch time together while Nana is gone to church meetings. BigE fixed pizza for lunch. Max shows BigE his "Let me think about that a minute" pose when asked what he wants for dessert.


It rained hard almost the entire day. Nana, BigE and Max brave the slick Tyler streets to visit Grandma Roma.

Max is eager to say "Bye Bye" and give Grandma Roma a big hug and a kiss.


Due to the stormy weather outside, Max finds plenty of indoor activities to make the day enjoyable. BigE and Max sing their favorite Primary songs together at the piano. Singing was fun . . .


But playing basketball was the BEST!!!


Nana fixes a hearty dinner: beef tips, broccoli, pear halves, potatoes and gravy. Max is impressed!


And after a fun time in the bathtub . . .


. . . BigE helps a very tired young man brush his teeth. Nana reads Max a peaceful story before bedtime.


It's Sunday! A new day - and the bad storms are gone!!! Sunday morning turns out to be as bright and sunny as Max's personality. The quiet morning is filled with stories, games and all sorts of Sunday fun for Max with Nana. BigE is gone to his early church meetings. Max has a fun pillow fight with Nana.


There's nothing quite like Nana's tickles to show off those beautiful pearly whites!


After church and after a quick visit to see Grandma Roma, Nana fixes food for a "much anticipated" reunion later that evening for Max with his Mommy and Daddy.


Max steps up to get a better look while Nana mixes up the chicken salad for the sandwiches.
"Hurry up, Nana! I can hardly wait to see Mommy and Daddy!!!"


Reunited with his parents, holding the essential blankets and strapped safely in his seat - - Max gives Nana and BigE one last kiss goodbye.

"Thanks Nana and BigE for the BEST weekend ever. Let's do this again sometime."

Max's Second Big Day With Nana and BigE

It's Day #2 for Max's big stay-over in Tyler. Sadie leads the way as Max and BigE get a little work done on the tractor.

Once Max got a feel for the steering wheel, he wouldn't let go. Max decided where the tractor went next - all over the property.


Nana and Max help BigE pick up big and little sticks and throw them into the fire. When done, the place looked great!


Max adapts well to the new pool fence. He tossed a pocket full of acorns right through the bars as if the fence didn't even exist.


And Nana sitting nearby relaxes knowing he won't throw himself in, too.


After a trip to see Grandma Roma at Azalea Trails, Nana reads a nice story.


The food looks good! Nana prepares Max's favorite "yellow" foods.

Max 's First Big Day with Nana and BigE

We started this Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 2008 by sharing gifts. These are Karen's roses. Evan received tasty chocolate dipped strawberries. Max slept until about 6:45 a.m., waking up just in time to say "Hi" to the Seminary kids.


Max and Nana play a few games before breakfast.


No trip to Tyler is complete without tossing a few acorns in the pool.


Max helps BigE construct the new pool safety fence. Max loved drilling screw holes in wood.


We take a trip to Azalea Trails. Grandma Roma, Max and Karen are all dressed up in their best Valentine's Day red!!!


Everyone enjoyed lunch in the park at Brookshire's Museum. Max loved the museum animals and called most of them by name - Bear - Lion - Zebra - Turtle - he really knows his animals. But, Max had the most fun after lunch on the swings and merry-go-round.


Evan finishes the new pool safety fence. We'll put it up when kids come to visit. And when they're gone we'll store it neatly under the deck.


Max's first big day is almost over. Max lengthens his bath time by playing a few water games. "Watch Out BigE - You're Next!"


Chris and Sarah call from California just as Max climbs out of the tub. Max tells his parents all about his big day. Certainly we had enough fun to try it again tomorrow.


It is 7:10 p.m. and the first big day is over. Nana reads a final bedtime story. A very tired Max rubs his ear with his blanket. Definitely "staying over" is GREAT!