Happy Birthday Mike --- Big 25 Years Old!

Mike turned 25 this week! (Isn't that right?) To kick things off, my sweet Lizzy threw me a surprise party Saturday night at Tortilla Coast that took me by total surprise. We have great friends and it was fun to have an excuse to get together with everyone. My birthday was on Tuesday, March 13th, and to celebrate I worked all day. Lizzy baked me some delicious cupcakes Monday night that I could take into work and give to people. It was like going back to grade school! Lizzy spoils me! I have to say I don't love the attention, and it sort of embarrasses me, but I love the fact that I get to talk to all of my family and friends. After work, Lizzy took me to Heritage India, one of my favorite restaurants in DC, with Kimberly K, and Mike and Elaine. We had a great time and the food was delicious! Here are some pictures from the day.

Birthday balloons that my friends at work got me!

I played basketball Monday night with some friends and got some wicked blisters!

Lizzy and I at Heritage India

Mike and Elaine getting ready to eat our delicious food! Mike had just ordered several delicious meat dishes.

mmmm...delicious food. Q isn't always that excited, the food was just really good!

The whole gang after our meal.

After dinner it was present time. Lizzy spoiled me with some new biking gear, and a great beanie that she knit. It was a great birthday! Thank you everyone!

Mike Meets Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Last week I had the opportunity to meet my life long hero...Arnold Schwarzenegger. Okay, maybe it's not my life long hero, but it was still a great moment. The highlight of meeting the Terminator was when the Governor introduced me to one of his staff members who happens to have alopecia as well. As we shook hands, I saw him glance at my head and say "Carl, get over here and meet your son." Everyone erupted into laughter, it was a classic moment. If you look carefully at the picture, you can see the gentleman behind Schwarzenegger. Eileen Conover, the wonderful lady who works in our office was there to meet him as well. She worked with the Governor when he was on the President's Fitness Council. The Governator was at our office working with Secretary Leavitt to fine tune his state health care plan.

Eileen and I meeting the Governator. Look closely in the background for my "bald" father.

Happy Birthday Nana!

My dear Mother celebrated her Birthday last week on March 2. Happy Birthday Momma! Lizzy and I had a great video chat with my family yesterday during which Mark sent us this picture of my Momma with all of her grandchildren. The family continues to grow. Quite a funny picture!

Nana with L to R: Claire, Preston, Ava, Colton, and Ellie

Introducing Mike and Lizzy's Blog....

Welcome to the Nelson's Blog....After long debate and deliberation, we finally have decided (I am actually still trying to convince Lizzy) to make the plunge and create a blog. We feel this will be a good forum to help keep our family and friends up to speed with all the great experiences we are having.

Life in the District is wonderful! Lizzy and I keep ourselves overbooked with activities, work, school, and church. Lizzy is well despite a little slip she had yesterday on our back steps. She was carrying in some groceries and hit a patch of ice and down she went. She walked away with a bruiser of a mark on her lower back, and dirt all over her clothes. She is okay, but definitely banged up. I think she was more upset that she got dirt on her jeans that she wanted to wear to her "Shade" clothing party later in the day. Lizzy has transferred her knitting energy into the latest craze for "Shade" clothing. She hosted a ragging party last night with friends on the hill, people from work, and I think she may have invited a few people off the street. I was late coming home from work, walked in the door to a bunch of women running wild and screaming because a man had entered. Lizzy had fun hosting the party, and was grateful so many of her friends came. I got to spend the night eating "5 Guys" burgers, playing guitar and watching the office at Mike Q's, which is always a joy.

Work for me is great! Our Nations health care issues fascinate me, and I am enjoying the front row seat I have as we face them. I am constantly inspired by Secretary Leavitt's leadership. He is a brilliant, compassionate man who is tirelessly working to resolve problems such as: providing access to insurance for the uninsured Americans, making health care more affordable, ensuring the quality of health care, implementing Health IT, preparing the country for a pandemic, combating childhood obesity, and other related health problems. I am learning a lot and having great experiences in the process.

Suffice it to say, we are loving our time in the District! I am posting some pictures of activities we have been involved in to give you a flavor for what we have been up to! We love y'all! Hope you will log on to our blog from time to time to see what we are up to... Love

Mike and Lizzy

Super Bowl Party at the Nelsons....

Here we are obviously engaged in the game...

John, Lizzy (my favorite DC baby), and I watching the game

Scott P, Mike Q and Chris, some random BYU fan that I didn't want to let in, enjoying the game.

Lizzy "the beautiful" takes a minute away from her knitting and the game to pose for the camera.

Our delicious food, or what is left of it...

The following link takes you to a great Birthday Cheer that Lizzy came up with for her friend Lindsay Workman. She put all of her best writing and cheering energies into this.

We have a new Niece and a new Nephew!!!

Lizzy and I are thrilled to be the aunt and uncle of two beautiful new babies, Ava Nelson and Colton Richards. This brings our total to 8. Congratulations Matt and Vanessa and Patrique and Julie!

Baby Ava Nelson

Matt with Baby Ava

Baby Colton Richards

Two little Richards Studs, Preston and Colton