Pawn Stars

On our way out of Vegas Shawn really wanted to stop at the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop from the tv show- Pawn Stars. This is one of Shawn's favorite shows and he was excited to go and visit the store.
We went in and looked at all of the cool stuff they were selling-everything was very expensive and while we were there, Chumlee, one of the main guys on the show came out where Shawn and I were and started talking to us and I got a picture of Shawn with him. As we were walking out of the store they told us everyone was going to have to be kicked out because they were getting ready to film another episode. Shawn was very excited about this. If you have not seen the show before you should watch it!
Shawn in front of the Gold and Silver Pawn sign in front of the store. Shawn and Chumlee-he stayed behind the counter and says he gets mobbed by everyone if he comes out to the sales floor

Shawn and I in the store

UNLV Interview in Las Vegas

Shawn got invited to interview at the UNLV Dental School in October-we called right away to set up the apt and the next available date to interview was on Jan. 14. So, Shawn and I drove down to Vegas on Thursday after school and work. The Dental School gave us a code to use at Palace Station to get a half rate room-which was nice to only pay $40 for a nice room a mile from the school.
Friday morning we work up and I dropped Shawn off at the school for his interview at 8:30 and then I went back to the hotel to hang for the day, I even ate at one of the restaurants in the hotel/Casino we were staying at by myself (first time I have ever done that!) Shawn called at 3:00 once the interview was over and I picked him up and we started our journey home. This was just a quick trip- but we had a fun time together and Shawn really enjoyed the school.
Shawn has another interview set up at the University of Washington Dental School next month that we are now getting ready for. I am anxious for that one because I would not mind living in Seattle (since it is only 4 hours from my family)-hope that one goes well.
Now we just continue the waiting game to see what will happen with our future!
Shawn getting ready to walk into the Dental School for his interview. Inside our hotel/casino-before his interview.

First day of Winter Semester

Here is my bi-annual picture of Shawn on his first day of school. Winter semester 2011. This is the last picture for his undergrad.....Shawn will be graduating in April. Cant wait!!!!

Elder Platt is home from Tennessee

Shawn's little brother, Joseph, got back from his mission from Knoxville,Tennessee at the beginning of December. We got to go up for his homecoming and listen to him speak and got to spend sometime with all of the family. Shawn was excited to see his little bro again and was looking forward to hanging out with him...but Joseph headed off to University of Wyoming just a few weeks later to start school. We are happy to have Joseph home!

Christmas Eve

This Christmas Eve we all got together at my parents and ate a yummy prime rib dinner and then headed over to the Youds home for the annual Christmas Eve Nativity and talent show. Grandpa Nelson always reads the Christmas story and the little kids always show off their talents in the talent show and then we always eat yummy desserts before we head home.
At home we all get to open 1 gift-and it is always a new pair of pjs. When we were little my mom use to always make all of our pajamas and then once we got older it was pjs for the girls and Nike basketball shorts and t-shirts for the boys. My mom decided to bring back the flannel pjs again and made them for all of us. So all of the girls got flannel nightgowns and the boys red t shirts and flannel pants. We all matched very well on Christmas morning!
Here is a picture of us all after we opened all of our Christmas pjs. Blake, Savannah, and Porter were all home sick and got to open their pjs earlier.
Here is the only picture I got at the Youds house. Shawn and Jared hanging on the couch. The Youds have lots of stairs up to their home and Jared's wheel chair cannot get up them so he gets to be carried in and gets to sit on the couch for the evening-I am sure he likes sitting on a nice soft couch sometimes.

Christmas Break in Oregon

I decided to add a few pictures of some of the things we did over the Christmas break.



There was ALOT of college football on over the break with all of the bowl games. My dad and Porter watching a game together.
Shawn, Brock, and Brighton in the shop making tables for Jared. Shawn made a table for Jared and Amy's house and one for my parents. The table is nice because it fits right up to his wheelchair and is the perfect height so he can play with his favorite-John Deer tractors.
The boys all went on a "boys trip" to the cabin and spent a few days hanging and skiing. Brighton, Shawn, Kyle, and Brax (not pictured Brock and Bridger went too) The boys had a crazy time together and I enjoyed my time at home with just my mom and dad. Shawn showing off his RC cars-driving them around outside with some of the cousins

Porter and Jared playing with tractors on Jared table One of the boys favorite things to do is burn the Christmas tree. They covered it in gas and shot their fireworks at it to lite it up.
Brighton, Brax, Shawn, and Brock trying to stay dry while they watch the tree burn and while they play with their fireworks.


My dad ordered a cool race car track for us to play with while we were home for the break. Shawn definalty spent the most time building it and racing everyone.
Shawn and I visited the dentist for a cleaning-no cavities. It is nice to get our teeth cleaned each summer and winter when we visit. All of the older Nelson cousins got to spend an evening with Grandma and Grandpa Nelson, eating yummy soup and playing games.
And both Shawn and I did alot of relaxing and sleeping this trip. We had a great 2 weeks getting away from school and work!!!

Christmas!!!

Christmas morning started late for us this year-not like it use to when we were little kids. We had to have Jared up and ready and waited for Blake, Savannah, and Porter to arrive in their matching pjs. We got to open all of our gifts in order from youngest to oldest starting with Porter this year (although Porter needed a nap in the middle of opening gifts and we had to skip him for a while). All of the kids opened their gifts and then we all watched as our parents opened all of their gifts.
After all of the gifts we changed and cleaned up and all of the extended family came over for a yummy Nelson breakfast at my parents house. The rest of the day was nice and relaxing as we got to check out our new things and eat yummy food and the boys watched a few basketball games.
Shawn and I in front of the Christmas tree All of the boys in their matching red shirts and flannel pants

Shawn and Jared. Shawn made a table that can fit right up to Jared's wheelchair so he can play with his tractors and army men. Porter and I Christmas morning
A view for the top. I took a picture of Shawn and Kyle with their gifts before we started opening
Shawn just waiting to start opening presents
My mom and Porter
A group shot (thank you grandma Nelson for suggesting we all descend the staircase in our matching pjs!) We will all look back at this picture and wonder why we did this.
My dad and Porter
Shot or everyone waiting to open gifts
Another group shot from the other side of everyone waiting to open gifts
And Jared-he is always so happy on Christmas morning!
We had a wonderful Christmas!

Family pictures

During our Christmas break in Oregon we decided to throw together a quick family picture since we were all together. We now have our cute little Porter in the family and because this is the last time we will be together for the next 2 years since Kyle is leaving in Feb to Brazil on his mission.
My mom had the great idea to re-create our family pictures from 10 years ago. We had gotten family pictures before Blake went on his mission and we were all sitting/standing next to a big John Deer tractor. My mom wanted to do a similar picture with everyone since we are now older, and we have 3 in-laws in the family, and 1 grandchild. So, we brought out one of the tractors and posed in a similar spot from the ones 10 years ago. I was cold out and there were football games on inside so not everyone was loving the pictures. But I love having new family pictures to cherish!
Picture of Shawn and I Porter (who was 5 1/2 months old)
Jared and Amy
Shawn trying to keep Porter warm with Blake's coat

My mom and Jared Brock and I
One of my favorite pictures of Porter with his daddy!
And one of the final shots. Love all of the trees and flag in the background and if you look past us all you can see Jared and Amy's house almost finished!