The Nelson Gang has been traveling again, visiting two countries in the last month (if you count the United States). We spent New Year’s in Jamaica to help Courtney and Pat celebrate their wedding, and we spent the end of the month in St. Louis to help Grandma Mary Kay celebrate her birthday.

To round out an action-packed month, one of the kids lost their first tooth, but you’ll have to check out the photos or the printer-friendly version to get the details (we call that a “teaser” in the business). If you don’t appreciate being teased, read a few bullet points and cool off:

• Lisa trudged through DFW carrying both kids’ over-stuffed backpacks. A bit frustrated, she asked them, “What have you learned about packing for vacation?” Lacking good judgment, I then pointed out that she had an extra-large bag plus a roll-aboard for her cosmetics
• Lisa commented that we had a plane waiting for us at the gate. Proving yet again that he’s wise to the ways of the world, Jack asked: “Are we delayed?!?”
• On the flight to Montego Bay, I discovered part of the reason both kids’ backpacks were over-stuffed: they each had a portable DVD player and movies. When I was a kid, we drove impossibly long distances without anything more entertaining than license plate bingo, and we liked it. (Said the curmudgeon.)
• While in Jamaica, someone permanently borrowed my cell phone when I left it on our porch overnight. On the (somewhat) bright side, I bought a new iPhone just three weeks before they announced the first round of product upgrades
• While walking to breakfast one morning, Cate noticed some pea pods hanging from one of the plants. We asked her what’s in a pea pod, and she squealed: “Peas!”
• On our last evening in Jamaica, we stopped at the front desk to discuss travel logistics, and Jack said he had a question for the hotel staff: “How much does the hotel weigh?” When everyone laughed, he was really embarrassed — truthfully, everyone loved the question even if they couldn’t figure out a way to answer it
• Back at home before they returned to school, Jack started telling us a story by saying: “Luke is a liar as well as me…” How can I remember the actual story with an introduction like that?!?
• After Jack’s aborted limo ride (more on that in the photos), we got him home long after bed-time, and we had a classic stand-off about brushing his teeth and then going potty. He finally sat on the potty and claimed they he didn’t need to go (despite contrary audible evidence). After he finished, he stood up and pointed at the toilet and angrily exclaimed, “Somebody didn’t flush the toilet!”
• I explained to Lisa that my Mom didn’t want her to cook for the Cowboy’s/Giants’ game. Lisa: “Well, tough [BLEEP].” Looking around, I asked, “Did everyone get that?” At the table, Jack nodded emphatically and a bit mischievously
• One evening after their normal bed-time, Cate screamed: “I am NOT EXHAUSTED!” Your honor, she was exhausted
• I recommend against trying to get a family of four with eight carry-on bags onto a Southwest flight. Trust me, it ends badly

That’s it for now!

Lisa and Greg