Goodbye Sweet Lilly

It was a very sad day for us yesterday. We had to say goodbye to my sweet Lilly. I guess it was good it was a rapid decline, but it didn't make it any easier. She was my pal for the last (almost) 13 years. She trekked from Naples to Jackson and, finally, to Raleigh with me. She loved bacon, peanut butter, and trash. Not necessarily in that order. She had the softest ears on the planet, and loved to have them scratched. She loved being off leash, and enjoyed many hikes in Jackson. She was chased by a moose, annoyed mountain bikers, and loved to eat and roll in the most disgusting things she could find. She was a terrible house guest, and taught other dogs bad habits. I swear she had thumbs. And was related to Houdini. She was not the definition of a "good dog," but she was sweet. And she was mine. And I loved her with all of my heart. I will miss her every day.

Hike up Rendezvous Mountain

Picking out the perfect Christmas Tree

Getting some love from Uncle Jeff

She loved going to Grandma Cat and Unc's farm

She adapted well to being a beach beagle!

And being a boat dog

And even went swimming!

She was skeptical of the new additions to our family

But was sweet and tolerant of both kiddos

And the kids learned to be sweet to her

She was never far from the action

This was taken last week, enjoying the warm weather

Just a few days ago. Olson was particularly nice to her this week.

I love you, sweet girl. Enjoy doggie heaven.

The Biggest Catch Up Blog Post. Ever.

So I can verify that the longer you put something off, the harder it is to actually get it done. So, in order to begin to catch up to our current life, I will attempt to summarize the last part of 2013 into one blog post, without making it super-long. We'll see how that goes...

So let's see...way back in September, the four of us ventured out west to Jackson Hole for Graye and Cameron's amazing wedding. Quick trip, but so fun to be in Jackson!

Fun on the town square!

Family time at the top of the tram

The ladies

Beautiful view of the valley

Next up, we had fun picking pumpkins at the Corn Maze!

Olson talked about his white ice cream for weeks 

Enjoying the hay ride

Olson loved playing in the corn pit

Liddy Costen loved the animals

And if we're picking pumpkins, that must mean Olson's birthday is here! Our little sweetheart turned 3!

It was a very Thomas birthday 

Yummy cake with make-shift candles!

Olson loved his "red" cake!

And Mommy completed her 5th half marathon of the year! Couldn't have done it without these little cheerleaders!!

We drove to St Louis for Thanksgiving...what a trip! After a quick trip to Urgent Care, we had fun at the Missouri Botanical Garden watching the trains and admiring the beautiful flowers!

She was such a trooper!

Of course Olson LOVED the trains!

Liddy Costen preferred sitting among the pretty plants

Family fun!

And of course, Thanksgiving brings us to Christmas time! We certainly had a busy holiday season...picking out the tree, hospital visits, and of course, SANTA!

What about this one?

Sitting in the sleigh!

I wonder what Woofie asked for?

This year Olson liked Santa...Liddy Costen, not so much.

Our sweet boy during hospital visit #1

He did enjoy the ride in the wagon!

Oh boy Santa came!!

LC with her two favorite things, her pink train and the trampoline

Olson loved Spencer and his railroad crossing! 

Our little elf arriving at Grammy's 

Enjoying round two of presents

Enjoying trains, a video, and a grilled cheese during hospital visit #2

So in a nutshell, we have the last part of 2013! Let's hope I can catch up, and keep up, in 2014! Although, I wouldn't hold your breath...

xoxo the nelms family

Scootin' along

Grammy gave Olson a cool scooter for his birthday, and he's quickly getting the hang of it! 

Sleepyhead....and his energetic sister

So I'm getting dinner together last night, and walk over to the table to find this...

Tired of waiting for dinner?

After giggling and taking a couple of pictures, we woke him up to eat. He did a pretty good job for a few minutes, then this happened...

Needless to say, it seems that our sweet boy was not quite used to being back in the Eastern time zone! 

On the other hand, his little sister was as entertaining as ever!

xoxo the nelms family

Back to school 2013

Two bags headed to school this year!

I thought this day would never come. 

Back to school. 

Don't get me wrong, I loved every minute I got to spend with my little darlings this summer, but it was time. Time for a break from mommy and Jungle Junction and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and fending off Lilly the snack-snatcher. Time for new friends, new games, and structure for the kids. Time for mommy to tackle her "summer list" that seemed to grow longer instead of shorter over the last three months. I miss my little buddies when they aren't here, but that just makes me enjoy our time together even more when they come home. 

Hopefully they feel the same way. 

Going to the 2's room this year!

A serious moment as they contemplate today's importance 

Woohoo! We have no idea where we're about to go!

My sweet almost 3 year old.

I'm sure I'll love school! I love everything! (except what the humidity is doing to mommy's hair)

Now, when do I get to pick them up?

xoxo the nelms family