Happy Valentines Day, Y'all!

Because I love you, my friends and family, sooo much I have decided to attempt to hop on the bloggy bandwagon again! What better holiday than Valentines Day, right?!

My life may be a bit full right now, especially with this precious little one who eats ANYTHING and EVERYTHING, whether it's edible or not, but I think it's worth it.

See you back here tomorrow... :)

Labor Day with the Sherrards!

We were so blessed to have my college roomie, Lindsay (Hill) Sherrard, and her family come visit us over Labor Day weekend! Lindsay is a doctor in Rocky Mount, VA and her hubby, Matt, is doing a wonderful job as a stay-at-home dad to their two adorable sons, Jack (3) and Hilton (10mo). They are a fun family and we had a great time together...

After they arrived on Saturday we headed to Hooker Falls for a little bit of swimming. The water was too cold for Lindsay and Hilton, but the rest of us all took a dip--including Cornelia!

Max floating in the clear mountain water, while Daddy and Cornelia try to get used to the chill!

Hilton and Lindsay takin' in the sun. It was supposed to be Hilton's nap time, but there were too many things to see to make napping any fun!

On Sunday we tried to take it a bit easier and relaxed around the house after going to church and having a wonderful brunch out (thank you, Sherrards!!). After naps, we enjoyed a short walk on the bike trail and even had a little bit of playground time... why don't we think to do that more often!?

Here's a great photo of Matt, Lindsay and the boys at Looking Glass Falls; our last stop Monday morning before they headed home.

Wheaton College Roomies (plus Hilton)! Neither Lindsay or I will be able to make it to our 10 year Wheaton reunion, so it was fun to have a little reunion just the two of us. We're hoping that we might make it up to visit them later this fall or winter.

Cornelia gave me a BIG smile while we watched the big kids and daddies play at the base of the falls.

Bye-bye, Sherrards! We had a great time! Come again soon!

Mother's Day!

I am so thankful to be a mom. And I'm so thankful for a hubby that works so hard and supports us so that I'm able to stay home with our kiddos.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. This life was not my plan, but thank God it was HIS! He knew exactly what I needed and was made for and here I am!

Mother's Day weekend was filled with activities and fun-- just the way I like it! We spent Saturday around the house: cleaning the Subaru in preparation of selling it and planting lots of flowers in my flower boxes and pots. Between the new flowers and all of the blooming irises. dogwoods, and azaleas things are looking pretty great around here!

Sunday, Jared and the kids had a fun day planned. We started the day at church where we heard about a recent missions trip to Haiti and an encouraging Mother's Day sermon.

Next, we went out to a delicious brunch at a local restaurant. I was so proud of the kiddos for being on their best behavior and even eating their food! It's a Mother's Day miracle--we were able to eat somewhere other than McDonalds without a bit of complaining!!

The remainder of the day was spent at Chimney Rock Park. We had hoped to hike to Hickory Nut Falls, but everyone was a little too tired for much of a hike so we took it easy and just went up to the Chimney Rock lookout over Lake Lure and the the surrounding hills (they even have an elevator to get most of the way up!). It was the perfect day. Breezy, in the upper 60s and clear, blue skies.

As you could see in the first two photos... it looks like the newest Nutty Nelson should be making his or her debut sometime soon. We still have 3 1/2 weeks left 'til my induction date, but maybe I'll be surprised with a baby who comes early for once!

I'm so thankful for my wonderful husband who makes every day so special and my two and a half happy and healthy kiddos. Truly, God has blessed us greatly.

Happy Easter!

After a record-breaking cold and snowy winter in Western North Carolina (and really the whole east coast), we are thrilled to be welcoming warm sunshine-filled days! Easter weekend was absolutely beautiful with oodles of daffodils and every flowering tree in full bloom. We feel so blessed to be here-- all together, no pressures, just family time. Here are a few snapshots from the weekend.

Coloring and painting eggs--try to focus on the eggs and not the huge mama! We got some glitter paint this year which both kiddos loved-- Max drew all kinds of neat things like a flying dolphin and a noodle. Ruby stuck with writing names and drawing people-- two of her favorite things to do!

Sitting on the fence after church. I hate to say it, but I think this is the best shot of Max. He is one busy boy and not at ALL interested in photo shoots!

Miss Ruby looking pretty in pink. She sure is growing up... what a beauty!

The best of the worst family photos. We really need to get a tripod-- balancing the camera on the deck chopped the top off Jared's head every time-- not to mention the lighting isn't the best. Oh well, this is our family Easter 2010!

Daddy and the munchkins.

I hope your Easter was as blessed as ours--that you took time to remember the Savior who not only came to earth for us, not only died for our sins, but rose again! He is risen!!

Christmas Recapped

We were so blessed last Christmas to spend a week with my family. It was wonderful to have everyone gather together here in North Carolina even if we did have an icy snow storm to cope with instead of the balmy holiday I'd been betting on. But, if there's one thing I've learned this winter, it's don't bet on the weather!

Everyone enjoyed cuddling and playing with little Luana. She's a sweet baby and has the most beautiful eyes and smile! She was a wonderful traveller and did a great job sleeping for the most part. I think she adjusted faster than Mommy and Daddy did!


Sweet Jayden, Christina and Austin's baby, was always dressed to the nines. Who said shopping for baby boys isn't fun! Here he is sleeping through present opening Christmas morning. I think Mommy and Daddy were wishing they could catch a few zzzz's too!

We were so thankful that Ken made it down to spend Christmas with us. The weather didn't looks like it was going to cooperate, but God made a way! Anne was especially thankful to have her Hubby join her after a week spent with the crazy Armstrong sisters.

Kelly, Heidi, Jared, Maxwell, and Ruby... distributing gifts on Christmas morning. Max made a gift train!

The four sisters-- Christina, Heidi, Alyssa, and Bethany. None of us are twins-- just in case you were wondering!

Sisters and our kiddos. Heidi got to hold Ruby for me since I had my hands full with just squirmy Max!

Anne and the girls.

It was hard to say goodbye to Claudio, Alyssa, and Luana. The kids miss their cousins, but we sure do love seeing pictures and videos on Facebook to keep in touch. What a blessing family is!

Happy Easter and Happy Birthday!

Happy Easter from the Nelsons!  We are having a wonderful Easter weekend and thought we'd let you in on some of the cheer.  Enjoy!

I think you get the message!  This was after egg hunt #2-- at our house this time (the first was Saturday at a neighbor's house).  Let's just be clear that we have enough sugar in our house right now (and in the kids' systems) to keep sugar junkies happy for a good long time.

Max and Ruby and actually went shopping together for all of his gifts.  It wasn't a pretty trip, but we got 'er done.  It really baffled me, though, that Max seemed to have totally forgotted about his new bike.  I have a feeling we won't be so lucky next year!

I could not stop laughing because Ruby and I were singing in totally different keys and she just would not give it up.  She's adamently off key at times, but we still love her to pieces.  Aww and admiration for the racetrack cake should be directed to Jared.  Without his insistance Max would have had a store bought cake this year.  Mama's tired.

Christmas in Texas - Part 3

Here are a few last snaps from our trip down south. We sure did have a great time and are so thankful to Bobby and Amy for hosting us. They have a great home with lots of room to roam. Just what six kids need!

The rare TV moment. The boys sit back and relax in front of the boob tube.

Ruby-ru the comedian. Have I mentioned her fascination with knock-knock jokes? I just hope they start making sense soon! Here's my favorite one to shoot back to her: "Knock, knock. Who's there? Police! Police who? Police stop telling those terrible knock knock jokes!"


Max was pretty excited about the cool shades Santa left in his stocking.

Luke and Tyler checking out the trading cards Santa left in their stockings.

Ruby loved her new baby doll who laughs and cries depending on if you hug or "pinch" her! She likes having her own diaper bag too. What a little mommy.

Max really loved his GeoTrax train. I think he played with it for a week straight when we got home!

Bobo and Ruby having a little bit of cuddle time with her new baby.

Tyler working on a new pogo stick record on his new stick. He and Luke had a great time with their new helicopters, nerf guns, and other such boy things. It was fun to watch and a glimpse into our future with Max!

Max loves giving hugs--looks like Anna wasn't as excited about getting them!

Jared was psyched about his new running shirt. He's becoming quite the running nut! He has another race planned for Valentine's Day.

Mr. Max... too cool at tub time.

Tomorrow we'll head back to Boston (pictorially I mean!) for our Christmas at home.

Trampoline Time

The kids absolutely LOVED the trampoline! Ruby's time on the "big blue ball" has paid off.

Christmas in Texas - Part 2

While we were in Texas, Amy arranged for us all to have our pictures taken out in the field behind their house. Ruby and Anna had matching dresses and all of us were in red/black. Pretty sharp looking bunch! Here are a few of the pictures that I snapped that morning.

Nana curled Ruby's hair and she looked like a little princess while she played--until she hitched her dress up to her waist to play better that is!

Anna, 2, in her Christmas finery!

Tyler was a champ, spending lots and lots of time with the little ones. I thought this was a pretty sweet shot of him trying to encourage Anna to get lined up for our photo shoot.


Ruby was trying not to smile while she watched the boys on the trampoline. She couldn't wait to get the dress off so that she could join them.

Max looked like a handsome devil in his little sweater vest.

Ruby and Daddy.

Kevin and Anna. She wasn't really interested in more pictures!

Kevin, Sarah, Caleb, and Anna posing for their family photo. We got a kick out of the ever present mule!

Bobo and Max playing in the RTV. Max loves to drive!

Sarah and Anna. It was a touch windy!

Caleb (after about 5 attempts at getting him to smile AND look at the camera!).

At some point we'll be able to view and purchase photos online. Hopefully there will be some good ones without hair flying everywhere, smiles, and open eyes! We'll see!

Christmas in Texas - Part 1

I have oodles of photos from our time in Texas. Lots of good times around the house as well as a few fun outings. Enjoy!

Max was obsessed with Bobby and Amy's cat, Bella. He was frequently heard calling out, "Buppy! Buppy! Whe' buppy?" (He calls all animals "puppies".) Here, Luke was helping him peek through the cat door.

"Peekaboo!" No Bella, but Daddy was in there!

Ruby and Max LOVED Amy's fold away trampoline. Bobo got his workout helping the kids jump!

A trip to the Dr. Pepper plant in Dublin, TX is always a fun outing. Our tour guide started out by saying, "We'll get this over as quick as we can." Just what you want to hear at the beginning of your paid tour! Even so, it was a decent tour and plenty long enough for Max!

Ruby enjoyed being passed around from Bobo, Daddy, and Uncle Bobby. She's still quite the cuddler.

Ruby and Nana enjoyed their Dublin Dr. Pepper in style. I'm pretty sure it was the highlight of the trip for both of them!

Check back soon for more photos from our trip! Have a wonderful weekend!