/ Nelson Notes

Sweet Summer Time: Snapshots of Life in June

7.02.2016

Summer is humming along in all its glory right now! Sunshine, ninety degree weather, countless trips to Bass Lake, the South Hills, and playing outside all day every day--sprinkled with a few responsibilities and chores, of course. June was busy, but in some of the best ways.

We've gotten ourselves onto a really late schedule. The boys usually don't go to bed until after 9:00PM. (After all, the sun doesn't set til 9:30!) And we all don't get up the next morning until 8:30AM or so. This laid back, relaxed, play-until-dusk, schedule is the kind of thing I live for!

And yup, my boys spend more time shirtless than with a shirt on! We hardly ever see Levi in actual clothes anymore. Instead, he changes into a swimming suit first thing in the morning and then transfers into pajamas at night. Works for me!

Take a peek at what life has looked like for us these last few weeks:

Bass Lake

Our summer paradise spot

^^This picture cracks me up. I mean, Jed's serious face with goggles! He's not a cowboy. He is Turtle Boy!^^

^^Sand Angels with a friend!^^

^^These chunky baby thighs belonging to our little friend just begged to be documented. I want to eat them up!^^

6.30.2016

^^The Orange Grasshoppers vs. the Red Gators. Friends and neighbors playing against other friends and neighbors.

Jed, Wyatt, Brennan, Piper, and Ally^^

This year, we have officially entered into new territory as parents: the busy shuttle from one extracurricular activity to another. Thankfully, we're entering in slowly with just one child or when opportunity permits, allowing Levi to do lessons at the same time--like we did all winter with swimming lessons. It's been a bit of a shock to my routine as a mother. I'm accepting my new responsibilities like I'm carefully wading into a cold pool. When the water painfully hits my waist, I know I need to just get it over with and dive in. In reality, I'm still resisting that last head-first dive into the pool; I'm not quite ready to commit myself to afternoons in the car running from activity to activity. I'm not sure I want to be that busy! But I know my days are numbered. It's happening right under my nose. I'll admit, however, all these new things that my children are learning to do is kind of exciting. It's even a little bit fun!

This spring Jed started his first tee ball season! Jed wound up on the Orange Grasshopper team with two of our neighbors, including his best friend Brennan. Jed was sooo excited! The season began with a few practices in May and then turned into games every Tuesday and Thursday evening throughout the month of June. These little guys, ages five to seven, were often painful to watch. Spacing out in the outfield picking their noses, tackling the ball, skipping bases--you name it, they did it! The kids made us cringe and laugh. However, by the last week, they were starting to understand the game and even managed to make a few good plays!

6.22.2016

I figure it's about time for a little pregnancy update. Though this pregnancy is flying by at lightning speed, I still have lots of thoughts and symptoms and plenty to talk about. So hang on!

How far along: 18 weeks plus some. Officially five whole months along. Helloooo baby bump!

Size of baby: Approximately 5.5 inches and 5 ounces. However, I like to explain baby's size in more tangible terms for the little boys. I love my Ovia pregnancy app for this! This week it says baby is the size of a slingshot or a sweet potato.

Maternity Clothes: Yup! I've been dipping into my red duffel bag where all my maternity clothes are kept more and more often. And I've been living in a couple of dresses I splurged on from Pink Blush Maternity. I cannot believe how fast I "popped" this time. I mean, I know I stick straight out there during pregnancy, but gee whiz! I'm actually really enjoying watching this belly grow. It's crazy how fast a woman's body changes when she's pregnant!

Stretch Marks: No new ones... yet.

Belly Button in or Out: Sticking out!

Weight Gain: About 12 pounds. Maybe more now that I just stuffed my face with delicious chocolate ice cream all weekend!

Sleep: Sleeping well with a pillow between my knees, needing at least 9 hours of shut-eye, and having the most vivid and crazy dreams! I once dreamed that I made out with Leonardo DiCaprio. Fortunately, Bron is a much better lover. :) And in another dream I dressed up in a hot dog costume, bun and all. I zipped it up like a sleeping bag and waddled around. So strange.

6.20.2016

^^All six handsome Nelson brothers. They share a close, unique and special bond and actually enjoy getting together. I feel so fortunate to have married into this good looking, fun, hard-working, family.^^

These last two weekends have been spent in good 'ol Ririe, Idaho getting Bron's youngest brother, Call, ready to leave on a two year LDS mission to the Albuquerque, New Mexico area. We're really going to miss Call! He's everyone's favorite uncle, has an unpretentious sense of humor, and is all around just a good kid. Ahem, I mean adult now. He is 18 after all.

Last weekend we rounded up the entire Nelson crew to attend Call's first experience through the Rexburg Temple. I really cannot describe how special it was to have the entire family there gathered together: parents, brothers, and all their wives. It was almost like we got a little sneak peek at what heaven might feel like.

6.16.2016

Last, but certainly not least, was our last day spent in Kauai. We finally left the North side of the island and ventured to the South and West. We wanted to check out Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The South side of the island was dryer and reminded me much more of the Hawaii I knew for three years as a kid. As we climbed to the top of the peaks that overlook the canyon, we were not disappointed! See for yourself! I love the colors of the green growing on top of the red rock. Mix in some steep cliffs and waterfalls and it's eye candy for the soul. Truly something else.

6.12.2016

^^View of Hanalei Bay at sunset on a rainy day^^

The rest of our week in Kauai is a giant blur of exploration, food, and good old fashioned fun. If you know Bron very well, you know he likes to go-go-go! He wore me out. After the sun went down, I passed out in our king-sized bed by 9PM every night. (I blame pregnancy for that too.)

We stayed in a one-room apartment at the Hanalei Bay Resort where there were pools and a hot tub, tennis courts, and a fire pit with a view. Sooo relaxing! It was located on the north side of the island where it rains a lot more often, but is other-worldly in its greenery and beauty. Plus, we kind of fell in love with the quaint little town of Princeville where we shopped and ate most of our meals. The people were so friendly and it just radiated a vibe that made us want to move there and stay forever!

On Tuesday morning we searched out The Queen's Bath, a natural tide pool made of lava rock. We knew it would be low-tide and therefore most likely safe for us to swim. It was just a ten minute hike past some waterfalls and across lava rock... and it didn't disappoint! The Queen's Bath was so cool! The tide pool was deep enough to jump into. And every once in a while a big wave would crash over from the ocean and into the pool. But the best part was all the little fish we could see and swim around with!

Nelson Notes

SLIDER

Sweet Summer Time: Snapshots of Life in June

7.02.2016

Jed's First Tee Ball Season

6.30.2016

Third Baby Bumpdate: 18 Weeks

6.22.2016

Farewell Call! (And Some Thoughts on Parenting)

6.20.2016

Kaui: Part III Waimea Canyon

6.16.2016

Kauai: Part II The Queen's Bath, Secret Beach, and Kayaking

6.12.2016

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