Merry Christmas!

Somehow we managed to get through Christmas Eve without taking any pictures. Except a few of the princess and her Daddy!

What we lacked in picture taking on Christmas Eve, we made up for on Christmas Day! The kids were blessed with wonderful gifts from the family, and had a fun time opening them. We started the day at our house...

Our beautiful tree! 

The stockings are hung!

What is going on?

Hmmm, I think I see something I like!

Oh boy, a train!!

Look, Dad!

Liddy Costen liked her owl.

She got right to chewing it!

Duplos! Yippee!

A truck + construction vehicles = awesome!

Mommy's favorite present-Olson's footprint made into a snowman

Liddy Costen checking out the neat sunflower from Grandma and  Grandpa!

I love my musical toys from Aunt Lisa, Will and John!

Wow! A huge Thomas!

He always went back to the trains...

 After we settled down from opening all of our presents at home, we loaded up and headed to Grammy's to open more presents with Grammy and Uncle Jeff.

Help me, please, Uncle Jeff!

I love duplos!

Liddy Costen modeling a few of her many gifts

Hmmm, what could this be?

Post present opening Little Einsteins 

I love Christmas!

Uncle Jeff wanted to see what the Little Einsteins is all about

Daddy and his little elf

Getting ready to go to Grammy's for dinner

It was a whirlwind, exhausting day, but absolutely wonderful!

xoxo the nelms

Christmas with Gaga

As we continue our quest to get us up to date, the next December event on tap is the opening of the first Christmas presents of 2012! 

Olson has never met a present from Gaga that he didn't like, and Christmas was no exception! We had an enjoyable evening of opening presents and dinner with Gaga, and once again, Gaga did not disappoint! Thanks, Gaga!

Even Lilly is excited to see what it is!

Thomas!!! Hurry and turn it on, Gaga!

Look! Choo-choo!

Make it go, Gaga! 

Thanks, Gaga!

Liddy Costen helping Daddy

Oh, boy! A Cabbage Patch Doll! 

I love my presents, too!!

Merry Christmas, Gaga! We love you!

xoxo the nelms

SANTA

Even though Olson still doesn't quite get the whole concept of Santa, and of course Liddy Costen has no idea, we wanted to have their picture taken with the jolly old guy. We knew it would be an interesting adventure, and it certainly did not disappoint.

Liddy Costen was pretty ok with Santa!

Olson, on the other hand, was not!

But he gradually warmed up to him--if you call this warmed up 

A little lunch helped matters

Daddy loves his girl

xoxo the nelms

Picking the perfect tree

Our favorite tree growers were back at North Hills this December, so we loaded up and went to find our first REAL tree! Olson had a fun time running around the lot, and of course we picked the most beautiful tree they had! 

Olson kept saying, "tree, tree"

Guess-timating the correct height

Attempting to get a festive photo in the giant sleigh

Olson is being quite festive, I would say!

xoxo the nelms

Happy 40th, Uncle Jeff!

We had the neat opportunity to go to California to help Uncle Jeff celebrate his 40th birthday with his closest friends. The travel part was not that enjoyable (thanks for the tantrums, Olson), but the beautiful setting, perfect weather, and wonderful company made it all worthwhile.

On the beach!

A view of our house from the beach

Um, Liddy Costen? 

Liddy Costen loved the beach!

Hanging with Daddy

Sean and sweet Ivy

Watching the crowd

Olson and Enzo enjoying the beach

 Olson liked watching the waves...

And of course, running on the beach...

Daddy, Olson and Enzo watching the bubble man

Mommy, Laura, Olson, Enzo and Ivy looking for rocks 

One of the beautiful sunsets over the Pacific

 xoxo the nelms

Happy New Year!

Well, I must apologize for my lack of blog posts during the last 2 months of 2012. It is now time for a little catch up! Let's start with some November activities:

First up, playing in the leaves! Daddy blew all of the leaves into the bottom area of the yard, and made sure Olson was able to jump in them!

Hmmmm, what do we have here?

This is pretty neat!

Liddy Costen was not sure what to make of the situation

Next up, Thanksgiving with the Nelms Family!

Snuggling with Grandma Cat

Kaylin and Troy with their "babies" 

A gaggle of grandchildren and great grandchildren

Guess who wouldn't sit still?

Kaylin is so sweet with Liddy Costen

Coming soon--Christmas trees, California, and SANTA!

xoxo the nelms

"Goalson" Nelms

A beautiful day in Raleigh today, and after Dad finished with the leaves, he and Olson had a little soccer fun! 

xoxo the nelms