2 Years Old!

Denver turns two tomorrow. Here is a sneak pic of his 2-year pics by Emily Hoffert! You're the best Emily and we love the pictures! You captured Denver perfectly. Thanks!!!!!

Enjoy!

This picture was taken at my friend Allison's wedding.  Captured a cute moment!

Vacation!

Steve & I have had a tradition of going to Chicago for our anniversary the past two years. We went to a Cubs game and some places around the city. Last year Denver went with us but we weren't so sure this would be the place to go this year.
Up until about a month before we were going to leave we were planning on going to Omaha but then we decided to stick with it and head to Chicago again.

We left Thursday morning and drove to Galena which is a perfect half-way stopping point. We walked around the shops and had lunch at a little restaurant we like.

We love taste-testing all the yummy dips at the Canning Company!

I still love the sleeping-in-the-carseat pics!!!

We reached Chicago around 3 and were eager to get settled in our hotel and find something to do! Daddy found a great little putt-putt course and we headed there for Denver's first time mini-golfing! He LOVED it! He even got his own real club and ball. He walked every hole with us and put his ball down and putted in on each green! He was awesome!:) I think daddy has a future golfing-buddy!!!!!

On Friday we spent most the day at the Brookfield Zoo. It was a HOT day to say the least but we had so much fun! Denver was a little skeptical at first - he had a hard time seeing the elephants and giraffes that were a ways away and not really moving. Steve & I were a little nervous that maybe he wasn't going to enjoy the zoo as much as we had hoped. But then....we went to a dolphin show and the day came alive! Denver loved watching the dolphins jump and get the balls. They did a lot of tricks and he clapped and was enthralled the whole time. Whew!!!

His favorite exhibits were definitely the monkeys and the children's zoo where he got to feed the goats. He loved it.

Here are a few pics we got to capture the day!

Another things we enjoyed while on Vacation was swimming in the hotel!!! Denver looked like a marshmallow but he loved it! He jumped in from the side and liked going under but then popping right back up. It was so fun!

Ranch face

Holy Cow!!! Eating at Harry Caray's! Yum!

All in all it was a great vacation and I look forward to many many more with our family as it grows!

What We've Been Up To....

A lot has been going on here at the Nelson Household. So in a post of bullet points and pictures we'll try and get you updated!

• Denver announced to everyone that he is going to be a big brother! We will be welcoming baby #2 into our family somewhere around December 12! We are so excited and D will be the best big brother!!! (It was a hot day and he wasn't so thrilled about sitting for a picture. Also, you can see little red spots on his arms from a round of Roseolla!)

• Welcomed a fish into our family.....

• And soon after bid that fish farewell.

• Denver has started talking more! He now can say quite a few words and a few 2-word phrases (hi mom, hi dad, bye mom, etc.) I tried to put a video up but it seriously was taking two hours and still hadn't uploaded so I cancelled it!

• We also found out he can spell his name! We know he's known his letters for a long time but one day I jokingly asked him to spell his name and he did it! He can't say V and sometimes he gets the E's confused - if it's the first or second one. Had a video of this to show, too, but again....don't think it will ever upload! Maybe I'll try again another day.

• My mom captured this special picture of Denver and "Ba-pa". Denver loves to go choring with Grandpa and help feed the pigs!

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• Celebrated the 4th of July in Wellman. Denver got to watch the fireworks and the parade! He loved the fireworks and did a lot of clapping and "WOW!" Highlight of the parade? The candy of course!:)

• Got tossed around by Uncle Clint and Uncle Carson. I hold my breath - but he LOVES it!

Wish I would have pictures to accompany the next few things but got in a bad habit of not taking pictures so, the descriptions will have to do:(

• Met Grandpa Jim & Grandma Joyce at Bailey's Ford. They stayed there for a few days in their camper for some fishing and family time. Denver loved showing off his golfing skills, chasing around cousin Spencer, and playing with Grandma's bubble machine. Grandpa made a yummy peach cobbler in his dutch oven!!! Mmmmm!
• Went to the hatchery and saw LOTS of fish, all different sizes. Got to throw food in and watch them swarm to it!
• Found a love for golfing!!!! (Just like daddy) Has a golf ball and club in his hand probably at least half the day. He got to go putt-putting on our vacation and LOVED it! (a post on vacation to come)
• Swimming swimming swimming!!!!! We have a pass to The Falls and spend a lot of the afternoons there! Denver loves swimming and Mommy doesn't mind getting a nice tan in the process.:) Hoping to snap a few shots the next time we go!
• And in just one week our little boy will be TWO YEARS OLD!!!!!!!! Wow! It will be a special day because we have our ultra sound on his birthday! No we won't be finding out if it's a little brother or sister, but still so special to see him or her on his birthday!

All in all, it's been a great Summer so far! We got back from our vacation on Sunday so I will be posting about that soon! Thanks for stopping by and catching up with The Nelsons!

HELP ME!!!!!

Okay - I am in serious need of some mommy help! In general, Denver has been an awesome, sound sleeper. However...this last week consistently he has been waking up crying during the night. At first I thought it was just a fluke thing so I'd either go in there and lay him back down or hold him for a bit then lay him down. Then it turned into several nights in a row and we thought maybe he was getting a tooth so I'd either go in there and rub his back, etc. or if he woke up several times consecutively I'd give him some Tylenol. Okay....well it has been progressing over about a week and a half now to where it has turned into our night last night:

1) at 12:30 i heard him wake up abruptly and start screaming. I let him cry for a bit then went in and laid him back down and gave him tylenol.

2) 1:15 screaming again. This time I was just going to let him cry it out. This went on for half an hour. (he never does this) In to his room again - he is standing up at his crib waiting for me. As soon as I come in - no more crying, lays right back down.

3) repeat #2 at 2, 3, etc. etc. YOU GET THE PICTURE!!!!!

Okay, honestly I have no problem letting him cry it out. But I'm wondering if there is a deeper issue here!

Does he just want me? Is he having scary dreams? Can 20 month olds even dream?! Is he scared of something else? Do I need to go in there to comfort him or just let him cry and finally lay back down and go to sleep on his own.

I am at a loss! He's never done anything like this before and I figured after a few nights (esp if it was a tooth) it would get better but it is getting worse!!!!

Please please any advice would be wonderful. Has anyone else had this happen? I can't sanely go on getting up this many times during the night and want him to sleep soundly again!!!!!!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

That's My King

I love this time of year. The snow is gone, new growth is found underneath. Spring flowers are blooming, the weather's getting warmer, a promise of new life being fulfilled! It is all so fitting that Easter is celebrated at this exact same time of year. The promise of forgiveness of all sins through Christ's horrific death on the cross and new life forever with Him through His powerful resurrection from death. satan has been defeated. he is powerless. My Savior is alive! Hallelujah!

I love reading Isaiah 53. Wow what a powerful message about the one and only Savior. He was awaited for many years until He came and now there is purpose. The law has been fulfilled and Heaven is available.

That's my King. Do you know Him?

Take time to watch this video. It is a sermon preached by Dr. S.M. Lockridge, the same pastor known for his sermon "Sunday's a'Comin". I ran across it and it gives me shivers every time I watch it. I hope it blesses your day!

Easter Eggs

My mom comes up every Monday evening, spends the night, then watches Denver Tuesday mornings while I teach the home school Geography class at Prairie Lakes. This is such a treat for Denver and he looks forward to seeing what she brings in her "Grandma Bag" to do with him each week! Finger painting, play-doh, puzzles, books, etc. And what a blessing for us to have her come, spend time with Denver, and lighten our childcare needs!:)

This week easter egg dying was on the menu and boy did Denver have fun! They made marble and glitter eggs! So pretty! He was so excited to show me the eggs they decorated when I got home. And to show me the color stains that were on his high chair tray, too!

Thanks Grami for the time you spend with Denver. We all love you!

All done! Look at our pretty eggs!!!!

Big Shoes To Fill