/ Nelson Notes

Wild for the South Hills

11.14.2015

The weekend officially starts on Friday, doesn't it?! It totally should. All I know is that by Friday I am ready for school to be done for the week and I am more than ready to rip up the to-do list! Jed happened to have Friday off from school this week, so we really did have a three day weekend. And with Bron taking off for Salt Lake to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday (Whoa, press the brakes for a second to let that sink in: we are old enough to associate with 40 year olds and not bat an eye. Does this make us middle-aged?! Gasp!) I was left to my own devices for entertainment.

I learned something valuable this weekend: little boys are wild and they are best left in their natural habitat: the wild. Let me explain. On Friday afternoon, I took Jed and Levi to see the new Peanuts movie in the theater. The big screen! Popcorn! Candy! It was a super cute show. However, as we exited the theater, Levi would not quit crying about how he wanted more sour patch kids. Way to ruin a good outing, kid. Then we spent an incredibly stressful half hour grocery shopping. Never. Again.

So today we switched things up and headed in the opposite direction towards the South Hills. We drove up the canyon to a campground called Steer Basin, a place I've been wanting to explore. It did not disappoint. The sunshine made 55 degrees feel balmy! We ate a picnic lunch, hiked around, and played alongside the creek throwing rocks and leaves and pretending to fish. No one fought or complained; they were too preoccupied with mother nature. It was one of those happy days that felt like a dream. "This is my reality?" I pinched myself as I held Levi's small hand in mine. "This is a piece of paradise. I am so stinking lucky." And I have a feeling that Jed and Levi felt the same way. They kept saying things like, "This is the best day ever!" and "I really really like you, Mama." Melt my heart into a puddle. I wish I could hold on to this day and relive some of its precious moments over and over. I think we'll just have to come back again.

See the snow up there? Full disclosure: When Jed and Levi saw snow in the peaks, they insisted we go play in it. So we drove all the way up to Eagle Trail where there was several inches of the white stuff! We got out, stomped around for a few minutes, and then climbed back into the warm car. Haha. I didn't bring their snow gear; I knew it would be short-lived.

^^Leaf and stick racing.^^

^^Scooting across the bridge. Jed said he caught me a purple fish to eat!^^

^^More fishing.^^

^^Trying (and failing) with all his might to break that stick.^^

^^Helping Levi up onto the rock.^^

^^Laughing because he was hiding from me! Nothing beats that kid's genuine smile.^^

11.13.2015

^^I love, love, love this picture and the boy inside it even more. You guys, Levi is still so little! Sometimes I forget. This picture just makes me want to squeeze him!^^

^^Behold the pouty lip: the reason Levi often gets whatever he wants. I think I told him 'no' he could not walk along the walls of the tub because he could slip and fall!^^

I am loving our morning routine these days while Jed is at kindergarten. It's so quiet and {generally} peaceful with just one child around! Jed and Levi have been fighting like cats and dogs lately, so the nearly four hour break I get from acting as their referee comes as a welcome relief. I think Levi likes the one-on-one attention as well. We pal around together at home. He usually earns a sticker by helping me with a chore. Sometimes we play a game or build a barn with Lincoln Logs on the floor. Many days, Levi is thrilled to watch some cartoons while I exercise. Then he plays in a bubble bath while I shower and dress. I think that's my favorite part: watching his imagination come to life as his cute little naked body swims in our giant tub. I wish he could stay little and here at home with me forever.

11.09.2015

^^Gimme some of those Jed dance moves!^^

^^Levi wrapped up and zonked out in the grass. Poor kid still needs a nap from time to time.^^

^^Boy, noun: A noise with dirt on it.^^

We took advantage of the sunny skies on Saturday and played outside. (I was going stir crazy all week cooped up inside the house due to nasty winds and lower temperatures. Fall, come back please!) We let the boys lead the way on our hike around Dierkes Lake. There was a point in there when Jed's hands and arms were completely covered in mud! Ooops. Then Bron and I got to spend an hour or so bouldering. I absolutely love that stuff. Due to sheer willpower alone, I figured out how to climb a certain "problem" on my own that day. Woohoo! I can't wait to go back and conquer some more. Anyway, all that fresh air and exercise wore us out. Between the four of us, we nearly polished off an entire Costco pizza! Whoa. Saturday was a good day, exactly what fun family memories are made of.

11.04.2015

^^Making waves!^^

^^Soaking his "glubs"^^

^^The last of my pretty yellow roses. Thankfully, they return and grow like weeds each year. Perennials are God's gift to those of us with very black thumbs. ;)^^

^^Enjoying a couple extra morning hours with Dad before he had to leave on a work trip.^^

^^Giving his new friend a sweet hug... and then I'm pretty sure Levi took a quick bite out of him!^^

On Monday after Jed went to school, Levi and I dressed in our jackets and rain boots to play in the rain. Levi made waves in the puddles! When we came in, we dried off and drank hot chocolate with mini marshmallows together.

On Tuesday after Jed went to school, Levi and I dressed in our winter coats and boots to play in the first snow of the season! Levi tried sledding. Then we built a snowman chuck full of yellow leaves and grass--but I like a friend with a little color in his cheeks, don't you? The hat, sunglasses, and scarf were all completely Levi's idea. I think he nailed it! So cute. When we came in, we dried off and drank hot chocolate with mini marshmallows together.

November is officially in full swing and so is the weather. It makes me wonder a little bit about what tomorrow will bring! But with November also comes thoughts about gratitude. One thing that drives me crazy about my children is their insistence on always wanting more: more fun, more candy, more books, more toys. And they want it right now. It's all a natural part of childhood. However, I got to thinking about how much I am ironically just like my own children and I'm supposed to be the grown-up! I want so much and I want it all NOW. Just like my children, the patience and discipline to wait can be hard. And just as I teach my children to focus on the positives-- to focus on what they do have and the fun they just had--I, more than ever, need to do the same. I have so much to be grateful for right now. My life is not perfect, but it is over-flowing in blessings. I'm a glass half-full person by nature. Finding the silver linings in situations comes relatively easy for me. But as I've made an effort to really be content with my life as it is in this moment, I am finding even more happiness. I don't need anything more than what I've already been given. Contentment in the here and now, yes, I think that's what I'm learning this month.

11.01.2015

Another AWESOME Halloween is down in the books. The evening may have started off with one grumpy post-nap three year old and a five year old who decided listening to his parents wasn't convenient, but the excitement and sugar quickly won them over and the rest of the night went off without a hitch. Family life, I tell ya. It can be stressful!

We kicked off our Halloween celebrations with a quick trip into town to participate in our little community costume parade and trunk-or-treat at the park. The boys felt so special walking down the middle of main street behind a giant fire truck!

After collecting candy at the park, we headed back to our rural neighborhood for some classic door-to-door Trick-or-Treating. We met up with Jed's school friend, Brennan, and his mom Kelly, and we took on the whole neighborhood together! It was so fun to watch those two five-year old goofs excitedly run from home to home. Best friends in the making. It makes me so happy to know that Jed has already found a group of good kids to be a part of at school. What a blessing. Anyway, we hit up nearly every home in our neighborhood. Levi's bucket was so laden with candy that he struggled to carry it up to each door! But he's no quitter. Oh, no. "Let's go to that house now!" he commanded. His enthusiasm was sure contagious. Best. Halloween. Ever.

I am so excited to be heading into yet another Holiday season with two little kids under our roof. Holidays are just more magical with children. And as their mama, it kind of gives me a natural high living those special moments vicariously through their eyes. I'm glad we got to kick off the season right with such a fun and memorable Halloween.

^^My Saturday night date: Thor! Seriously, I have a thang for Thor.^^

^^I have to include the Young family real quick! Aren't they fun?! They came over for some pre-activity photos. I can't tell you how nice it is to have someone who knows how to use my camera so that we can have some family pictures of us too!^^