Princess Castle

She even added a "Hannah" touch.



Carter is thinking "Get me out!"

Ralph came home the other night and had brought some boxes home from school. He used them to make Chloe a "Princess Castle." She has loved playing in it. And I have been good about it- although it does take up half her playroom and everyone knows I am a little OCD. But she likes it and I know in a few days it will have to come down when the realtor comes back to take pictures. But for now- my princess is having fun.

Carter's First Haircut

Ready for Bed!!

We cut Carter's hair for the first time last week. Ralph used his beard trimmer and trimmed around his ears and the back. It wasn't much, but it helped his little bit that always sticks up!! I can't get over how much he looks like Ralph.

Smokey

Chloe sat in the garage and sang "night-night" songs to Smokey!!
Smokey is thinking "Where is Ro and Noah??"

We kept Roc and Jeralyn's dog this weekend. Chloe loved him and had so much fun. Here are some cute pictures of the kids with Smokey. He is a great dog- so gentle and GREAT with the kids!!

Snow Day!

We finally had enough snow today to play in it. School was closed and so Daddy got to stay home. Chloe had fun building a snowman- or as she says it's name is Cinderella. Because of course it had a tierra, a wand and even pom-poms. We are even thinking about princesses in the snow!! I am waiting for the day in a few years when Carter gets to take his turn at a few things and I will bet that there will be no more princess snowmen!!

Carter didn't get to play in the snow as we aren't taking anymore chances on sickness.

Chloe also got to sled some with Daddy and had a snowball fight- she loved that!!

After taking a hot bath we headed to Target wit the kids. Every time we go somewhere like that Ralph and I always end up asking eachother- "Why do we leave the house???" We then went to Cracker Barrell for supper (thanks to some wonderful church friends who gave up a gift certificate when Carter was so sick.) I have to say that we are so blessed to be apart of such a wonderful church. They continually amaze me at the love they have for others. Since Carter's been sick they have brought us food, called, sent cards and so much more. We are so thankful for the love that is always shown to us.

Sick Baby Carter!!

We put my pink sock over his IV so he wouldn't mess with it!
He was looking much better on Sunday.


Such a sick baby!

Carter began to get sick Friday afternoon and by Saturday morning he was still throwing up so they admitted him to the hospital. He also began to get an upper respitory infection and he was just pitiful. Ralph stayed all day with us and then he went home to be with Chloe. Aunt Amelia came to the rescue and stayed the night shift with me. I don't think he slept for more than 20 minutes at a time!! So needless to say we were all exhausted. They let us go home Sunday evening after much begging!! We all needed our own beds and needed some sleep. He has not thrown up since Sunday morning but he is very congested and has slept ALL day and just has not had much "life" about him. It is hard to see my active little boy so sick. Chloe has been great and has been a "trooper" through all this. She got to play with Cora Saturday morning and then Meredith Saturday night. And then she got to go to Peyton and Tyler's house on Sunday and play. So we thank all those that helped to take care of her and love her whilewe were at the hospital. Grandma also came Sunday and helped sooo much!! We all love it when Grandma comes. Well we hope Carter gets better soon!!

Carter or Chloe??

Can you tell which picture is Carter and which is Chloe??

Cinderella and Prince Charming

Here are a few cute pictures of Chloe dancing with Carter. She loves to pretend he is the prince. I love watching them "play" together. I know one day the fighting will begin, but for now I just enjoy then being together.

Crazy Kids!

Here are just a few shots of the kids. I thought they were cute. Chloe has become Daddy's girl since he has been off work for Christmas.

The End of 2007- What a Year!

2007 has been a GREAT year. There have been so many wonderful things that have happened that I thought I'd share some of those with you:

- Carter Ralph Nelson was born on February 26th!! The most wonderful gift of 2007
- 9 months of throwing up and being miserable also ended!!
- I quit teaching and followed God's will and answered the call to ministry. God blessed that decision by blessing me with a position in my church as preschool minister.
- Since working part time I have been able to fulfill my desire to stay at home with the kids. Some days are challenging and I think am I not going to make it, but I would not trade it for anything.
- Carter's colic finally ended and sleep returned to our house (well not all night!)
- Chloe turned 3 and had a wonderful birthday with lots of friends and family
- We had a wonderful summer vacation to Hilton Head with Roc and Jeralyn and their boys. My most wonderful friends and famliy kept Carter for me so we could enjoy the week with just Chloe (time she needed).
- Football season was the most fun I can remember. There was a group of our friends that faithfully went to every ballgame and cheered on the Patriots. What a blessing that was to Ralph to have that encouragement. And what fun for me to have them with me every Friday night. They even drove to Johnson County (which is by the way on the other side of the earth!)
- Ralph's football team had a great season (7-4) and made it to the first round of the playoffs. Way to Go!!
- The kids had a great Halloween. Chloe loved dressing up as a princess and Carter was a cute octupus.
- And the holidays have been just great. Chloe went ice skating for the first time and loved it and sat on Santas lap without crying. We have had a great Christmas and loved watching Chloe enjoy all aspects of it.
- Most of all I want to say that my most wonderful husband has been so supportive this year by allowing me to change careers, and knowing that money would be tight he stepped out on faith and has let me follow my heart. Thank you for your love and suport.
- Above all else I have to thank my Lord for all the things that I have listed above have been possible because of HIM.

I can't wait to see what 2008 holds for us (be assured it will not be another baby- ha ha).

One more thing I have to say how proud I am to say that I still have my van (going on 2 years and no trade yet). What a big accomplishment for me!!

Have a wonderful New Year!!

Holidays

Well Christmas is over and now we are heading towards 2008. The next few days after Christmas we had a good time just being home and being with friends and family. Ralph hunted I think every day- looking for his "BIG" deer that he missed. He never saw it again. He was very disappointed. We had lots of fun getting together with friends to hang out and let the kids play. I have to admit we have been blessed with a wonderful group of friends. Joseph who is 8 years old was playing with Carter this evening and he said "I'm so glad we have a baby in the family." It was so sweet to hear him say that b/c in the kids eyes we are all family. And what he said was so truthful b/c we are all the family of God. We are truly blessed.

Finally It's Christmas!!

Tyler and Chloe
Uncle Scott and Aunt Audrea
Chloe and Peyton

Carter and Ralph on a ride
Isn't he cute??
Chloe and Grandaddy

Carter and Grandma
Carter's best friend- a football (or at least Daddy hopes so)
Carter in the mess of paper

She said "I can't believe Santa ate his cookies."
She was so excited!
Finally my Hannah Barbies

Carter's gift from Grandma
I see Rudolph's Nose!
We had a lot of fun this Christmas. Ralph's birthday is December 22nd, so we were able to go away for the night. This was our first time away since before Chloe (4 years ago!!). We had lots of fun- we stayed in a cabin in Pigeon Forge with Roc and Jeralyn and we ate and ate and watched a movie and ate some more!! It was a nice time away. Thanks to mom and Amelia for watching the kids for us.


Christmas Eve mom and my brother Michael came over along with Ralphs mom and dad and we had supper and opened presents together. Chloe was so excited and Carter just wanted to go to bed. Chloe loved her microphone from Grandma!! She has been singing on it every day. That night we went out in the yard and threw marshmallows down for the reindeer to eat and a few carrots also. Our yard was covered in marshmallows- Chloe got a little excited with them. Then we couldn't beleive that we say Rudolophs red nose in the sky so we had to quickly get ready for bed.
The next morning we woke up to lots of presents and an excited 3 1/2 year old. She would open up one present and say I guess Santa forgot my "Hannah Montana Barbie" and look so sad. She finally go to her Hannah Barbie and could have asked for nothing else after that. She loves Hannah!! Carter just wanted to paper. Next year will be much more fun for him.

Ralph's family all came over Christmas night and we enjoyed time with them. The kids loved playing together.

By Christmas night I was worn out and more than ready for bed!! How we love Christmas but love when it is over (ha ha).