St. Louis!

Since we didn't make it to St Louis for our normal Thanksgiving visit this year, we took advantage of the long weekend this month and paid the Carsons a visit! 

First stop, the Kirkwood train station, where we saw not one, not two, but THREE trains! Oh boy!

Watching the train go by

Here comes another train!

Getting ready to check out the station

Olson really wanted the case "open, open"

Checking out the pictures around the station

Liddy Costen found it fascinating

Watching the third train go by from the park across the tracks

Next up...Tilles Park! They had a great play area, and even though it was a little chilly, Olson (and Daddy) had a great time!

Bravely walking across the wobbly bridge

Big smile on the slide!

Liddy Costen can't wait until she can play instead of watch

Wow! Look how high up I am!

Wheeeeeeee!

And now for the main event--spending time with the family!

A little lunch at Scarecrow...

I think she's thinking about crying...

Liddy Costen loves her Grandma!

Olson wasn't in a great mood....

...but it wasn't something some Little Einsteins couldn't fix

And we did some last minute hanging out with Aunt Lisa and John and Will before we had to leave.

Liddy Costen doesn't mind being spoiled by Aunt Lisa!

Will and John with Grandpa and Aunt Betsy

Poor Grandpa usually got Liddy Costen when she was fussy

But she loves her Grandpa!

Liddy Costen was happy with Grandma!

Love the fingers, Will

Not sure what it is about Uncle Keith that makes these boys silly

I love how she is checking out Will

Will and John were awfully sweet with her

I think I like being the only girl!

Thanks for a great visit, and we can't wait to see you again soon! We love you!

xoxo the nelms

All aboard!

Anyone that spends any amount of time with Olson knows his affinity for trains. He says "choo choo" non-stop, and is never without at least two of his trains. So with the unseasonably warm weather this weekend, we decided to take a trip downtown to watch the Amtrak come in to the station. Needless to say, Olson was thrilled.

What's that I hear in the distance? 

Running towards me saying, "Choo choo, choo choo!" 

Here it comes!

Oh boy!

Olson was captivated

Liddy Costen was not quite as thrilled

So exciting to see a big train!

Listening for the "All Aboard!"

Bye bye, Choo choo!

xoxo the nelms

Table for four, please

Trying to feed Liddy Costen in the Bumbo chair was like trying to herd cats. She was all over the place, looking for mommy, leaning back looking for daddy, craning her neck to see what Olson was doing. Pretty much looking everywhere except at her spoon. So I decided it was time to move her into the high chair. Fortunately, Olson made an easy transition to the booster seat a few weeks ago when a large bolt fell out of the high chair and I didn't get to fixing it for a while. But it is all secure now, and our little girl was a happy camper sitting in it!

Does this high chair make me look older?

Look at me!!

Ok, time for my peas! 

xoxo the nelms

6 months old!

Wow! 6 months. Half a year. Time is FLYING by! Liddy Costen continues to amaze us every day. She is so vocal, rolls all over the place, loves music, prefers to be around people, has started eating solid foods (she loves squash!), and as you will see in the pictures, is sitting up by herself! We are truly blessed.

What am I doing in here?

Sitting with Hopsy

This sitting up stuff is fun!

I love to stick my tongue out

Drool drool drool

Mommy's pretty baby 

In front of our pretty tree

Are we almost finished??

And if you were wondering about all that drool...Liddy Costen got her first TWO teeth about 10 days after this photo shoot! Such a big girl!!

xoxo the nelms

Christmas at the farm!

And yes, one last Christmas celebration! The annual Christmas Eve bash at the farm got pushed to the 26th this year, but it certainly didn't lack any of the usual chaotic fun! The only thing missing was the Fox Den! We missed you!

Opening our presents!

Hurry, mom! Open my firetruck! (Liddy Costen is content just gnawing on the box)

Some of the present opening fun

Troy playing with his new cattle trailer

Such excitement!

Sweet Laci

xoxo the nelms