From the archives....Hiking, NC style

{I stumbled upon this post from last summer that somehow was never published, so thought I'd just post it now, because it's fun to see how much he has changed since this time last year!}

After the success of our hiking in Wyoming, we decided to try our luck at Umstead State Park in Raleigh! And, yes, Olson still likes his backpack. While the scenery (and weather) wasn't quite what it was in GTNP, we had a great time and loved being outside. Dad carried him the whole time, so wasn't too thrilled when we missed our turn and extended our hike by about 45 minutes! Our little nugget isn't quite so little anymore! 

Here we go!

I love hiking!

Love my boys!

Hiking is so relaxing

Fun family time!

xoxo the nelms

A Swimming Lesson

I'm kind of crazy about kids knowing how to swim. You just never know when they might be around water, whether it's a pool, lake, creek, ocean, whatever. They should know how to be safe in the water. So since Olson is happy in the pool at this point, I thought it would be a good time to take a swim lesson. 

I was wrong. Very wrong.

This was before the lesson even started....

He didn't want to give up his snack trap

Crying with the instructor. He even cried when I was in the pool with them.

Happy to be finished with the "lesson", and gazing longingly at the baby pool...his comfort zone.

Needless to say we did not sign up for anymore lessons this year. I'm sure he'll be much more cooperative next summer, right? 

xoxo the nelms

Some firsts!

Poor Liddy Costen. Olson had such a well documented life when he was her age, but it seems with the second child there is a lot more to do than to sit around and take pictures of your sweet baby doing various things for the first time. For example, making sure the dog doesn't get clobbered with the plastic golf club, again. Or trying to pry the dog food out of your son's mouth and clenched fists. Or perhaps protecting your new baby from the various cars and trucks her adoring older brother flings her way. Oh well. Here are a few things we've actually captured of our sweet girl, although they may not be her first.

This IS actually the first time in her swing...

So far, so good...

...but not for long!

She has since grown to love her swing, thank goodness!

 Here is one of her first baths! She loves a bath!

This feels nice!

Ok, are we almost finished?

We do get some play mat time in...

Will someone please pick me up?

And someone else thinks he needs play mat time, too...

What? It was mine first!

xoxo the nelms

One month! (a little late...)

Yes, we will be doing the "month" pictures with Liddy Costen! Sorry for the delay. Of course her baby acne flared up just in time for the photo shoot. I told her the same thing happens for school pictures. 

Happy 1 month!

Look how long I am!

Cuddling with my bunny

xoxo the nelms

Bring on the family!

After a whirlwind trip to Disneyworld, the Carson crew rolled into Raleigh to meet their precious new granddaughter/niece/cousin. Chaotic would describe the visit well, but it was fun to see the cousins playing together and everyone, of course, was happy to love on our Liddy Costen. Clearly I should have taken more pictures, but maybe some kind soul in St. Louis will send me some of theirs. hint hint. Some highlights...

Uncle Jeff reading Olson his current favorite (Olson's favorite, that is, not Jeff's.)

Uncle Jeff is a natural

Some snuggle time for Liddy Costen and Grandpa

Lilly was happy to have some attention from the boys

Liddy Costen with Grandma, Grandpa, Will and John

Getting some love from Aunt Lisa and her cousins


Even though the weather was atrociously hot, the family (minus mommy and LC) checked out Pullen Park, and it looks like fun was had by all!

Will being a great big cousin to Olson as John "drives" the boat

Cousin love

Fun boat ride with Daddy and Grandma!

Enjoying the carousel (with his bus, of course)

xoxo the nelms

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th!

A very uneventful 4th for the Nelms family this year! No beach. Boo. No fireworks. Boo. No parade. Boo. But a new baby. YAY!! Olson and Daddy had a fun walk on the Greenway in the morning before it got blistering hot, and we had a nice dinner at Grammy's after the big rain storm. Sure was nice to get out of the house!

Hurry up, Dad! I see a bridge to run across!

I love walking on the Greenway!

Waiting for the storm to pass. Liddy Costen was getting impatient to go to Grammy's!

I'm ready to go!

Finally at Grammy's....and yay corn! And watermelon!

Liddy Costen wanted to join the fun at the dinner table.

I love sitting on the rock in Grammy's front yard!

Watching Olson play is tiring for a little sister!

Playing on the rock with Dad

Whew! What a day!

xoxo the nelms

We're home!

We came home from the hospital Sunday, and are busy adjusting to life as a family of 4! Of course, we still have to get Lilly in the mix, as she has been happily camped out at Grammy's since last week. Here are some highlights of our week so far...

Ready to get out of this hospital!

Happy parents

Trying out my new crib

First trip to the Doctor's office! Good check up!

Does Liddy Costen have toes?

Such a proud daddy

Olson not only loves corn...he loves the whole cob!

Olson wanted to share his trucks with Liddy Costen

And then suddenly wanted them back!

xoxo the nelms