Play Days

We've been able to spend quite a bit of time at home the last few days, and it has been SO BEYOND NICE! I managed to get all of my Christmas put away and the house is 75% clean, which is rare these days.

Olivia has enjoyed playing with her new toys. She does pretty good playing alone, although she really would prefer I play with her 100% of the time.

With the help of Daddy, she built herself a super kitchen with her new kitchen and old kitchen, then surrounded herself with other toys to make a fort. It was just one big square.

Being beautiful is tough work.

Christmas in East Texas

After opening Santa, we headed to my mom's in East Texas. It's approximately a 5-hour trip. We stopped for one potty break, but other than that, we made great time and had a pretty uneventful trip.

Olivia was excited to be at Nana's house. It had been 2 months (maybe a little more) since we had seen her, so it was time!

Everyone came to my mom's house to celebrate the day after Christmas, so we got to open presents yet again!

This must be the year for girly stuff! She got a new play dress, necklaces, bracelets, play shoes, etc. My sister and grandparents must know that she loves to be a girly girl!

The absolute best gift she has received (from anyone): Princess chapstick. I'm amazed there is still any left.

Two of my cousins: Shelby and Reid. We missed Ryan (he's been studying in India for the past couple of months).

Ally (13) and Olivia (nearly 3)

Mom wanted to get family pictures since we are rarely all together. We took a million different combinations, so I decided to just post a few here.....it takes too long to upload pictures on this site! (I'll email all of them to you guys so you'll have them).

Me & Lindsey (sister) and our families

Not sure what Olivia's doing here.

And not sure what Jason is doing here.....LOL

Bob, Stacy, Shelby & Reid
(mom's sister & family)

Granddaddy Jim & Pat

Granddaddy and his 2 daughters

First cousins

My granddaddy had a tripod, so we set up my camera and took a big family shot. Other than Olivia who appears to be pouting, not too bad! All eyes open and everything!

MacKenzie stayed the night at mom's house with us. Olivia was beside herself with excitment on her first slumber party! She mentioned several times during the day that Kenzie was going to go night-night with her.

MacKenzie read her book to Olivia. It's not exactly a book for toddlers, but it was Olivia's turn to read. She followed along with her finger and said "eighty-seven" (also her answer to the time). Such a mess. They patted each others backs. They hid under the pillows. It took a while, but they eventually settled down and went to sleep. I'd say Olivia's first sleepover was quite a success!

This isn't really related to Christmas in East Texas other than my mom gave Olivia this stool and I wanted to show her a pic of her using it. Her old stool wasn't tall enough and was pretty much useless. She is SO proud that she can reach the counter now. I can't even tell you how many times she has washed her hands! I've even used it already to reach something in my top cabinets! So thanks mom...it was a gift for me too!

I suppose the next few days will be consumed with us taking down Christmas and putting together new toys. She keeps asking to play with her art easel (thanks Gram E), but it's still in the box. I told her tonight that we had to wait until daddy puts it together. She said "Oh no. I can do it mommy. I can!".

I THINK this was my last Christmas post! I think! So with that, I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Santa Came to Town!

Santa came to our house Saturday night after we all went to bed!

He even brought the four things on Olivia's list (and maybe a few extras).

1. A barbie

2. A robot

3. Cookies

4. A baby

For the past 2-3 weeks, this was her list....in this order...every day.

I didn't think Santa would bring a robot to a girl, but after she mentioned it every single day (and even suggested that I get one to match hers), I gave Santa a call and told him he better go ahead and bring her one.

She walked in the living room and immediately ran and grabbed the Barbie out of her stocking.

She was SO EXCITED about this $6 Barbie!

After she grabbed the Barbie, she started scanning everything and asked "Where's my robot?" Sure am glad Santa was able to get her one!

(love her face here....just pure joy)

Santa must have mistakenly given her a recorder. I bet it was meant for another house. It's currently hiding somewhere out of reach *wink*

Santa put a cookie in her stocking to fulfill her request.

Her stocking included a watch. For the record, if you ask what time it is, she will take a glance at her watch and say "Eighty-seven". It's always eighty-seven. Always. LOL

After going thru everything Santa brought, we just let her play for a couple of hours before getting ready and heading to my mom's house (5 hours away).

Christmas morning was so fun this year. Olivia was really into it and excited about everything. She has been looking for Elfie everyday. I keep having to remind her that Elfie won't come back until NEXT Christmas and that she's currently at the North Pole with Santa. Pretty sure she thinks I'm full of it.

Christmas Eve Pajamas

Growing up, we received new pajamas on Christmas Eve. It was the only gift we were allowed to open on Christmas Eve. As we got older, it became more of a "ohhh, wonder what's in this package???" as we knew for sure it was pajamas....just didn't necessarily know what mom had picked out for us.

This was a tradition I wanted to pass down to our immediate family, so for the past two years, Olivia has had new Christmas Eve pajamas....and this year was no different (well, except it was a Christmas Eve gown, not pajamas).

After we got home from my in-laws, Olivia rushed to the tree to get her present...didn't even take off her coat! She couldn't wait to open it.

Don't let this look of excitement fool you. When she saw it, she disappointedly said "oh daddy, it's for you". Jason had gotten a new pair of red plaid pajama pants the day before, and I guess she recognized the pattern and thought that it was his present. So observant!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve morning was spent cleaning house and doing crafts with Olivia. Then we went to Christmas Eve service at church (didn't get a pic of her in her dress...FAIL). Then we headed to my in-laws. Olivia couldn't wait to get over there to open presents. She helped play Santa and hand out the gifts. She would give the boys a present and tell them "don't open it. We aren't ready yet". So funny. Such a little mom.

Emily & Wayne

Mike & Elizabeth

Jason (think this was the only pic I got of him!)

We all had to wear these reindeer antlers that really didn't stand up too well. They were hard to wear. I'll volunteer mine up to someone else next year. Ha.

Wayne appears THRILLED to wear the antlers. Probably as thrilled as I was!

Another happy camper.

Olivia explaining to Griffin (or Gippin) to NOT open yet.

Emily (she may still be there opening...wink.wink.)

Deanna

Deanna and Olivia (oh, and Jason....see him?)

Christmas Cookies

Olivia and I made Christmas cookies on Sunday. She loves to help in the kitchen. All I hear is "I do it Mommy! I help!".

Stirring (in a tutu) is very serious business.

We made quite the mess!




After baking, she took a bath and then came back to help decorate.

Yummy.....pure sugar!

Cookie making last year.....she's grown so much!