Graduations and Christmas

Last weekend, my "baby" cousin Shelby graduated from college!  It's hard to believe she is all grown up!  Olivia is just smitten with her.  She's always liked her, but this visit was extra special.  She was just in awe of her the whole time. So sweet.  (and lucky for me, Shelby is a pretty good role model)

We couldn't find Walter, so he missed out on the pic.  Apparently he walked outside and the door locked behind him....so he was missing a while. LOL.  Oops!

Since the graduation was in Waco (which is just around an hour or so from me), we decided to have Christmas at my house the next day. We ate out for lunch and had thousands of desserts afterwards at our house and exchanged gifts.  It was quick, but fun!

I keep thinking if we keep trying for a good family picture, we'll eventually get one....

Looks like we're going to have to keep trying... :)

Christmas Cookies

Every year, Olivia and I have made Christmas cookies.  I realized after nap yesterday that we may not have another chance, so we went to the kitchen and got to work!  She LOVES to cook and had so much fun!

When I said it was time to clean up, she just about started licking the sprinkles off the counter. Such a sugar addict!

Brunch with Santa

Yesterday after church, we went to my in-laws country club for Brunch with Santa.  We've gone for the past 3 years.  We get to take our pic with Santa, then play a bunch of games and eat brunch.

For the first year, Olivia participated in decorating a cookie for the big gingerbread house.

She also got to make a bracelet.  Jewelry making is serious business.  She also made a Christmas ornament, decorated a picture, got a balloon animal, and who knows what else.  We came home with lots of crafts.

Before we left for church, Olivia made her list for Santa.  We ended up keeping it though.  Santa told her if she would put it under her bed, he would send a special elf to come pick it up at night when she is sleeping!

She insisted we trace her hands on the back.

We won't get to see the official Santa photo for about 2 weeks...but here are a couple I snapped with my camera.

Annual Ornament/Elf on the Shelf Party

On Friday, we went to Nicole's ornament exchange party, which has also become an Elf on the Shelf party.  Everyone brings their elves to hang out with each other (in a basket of course...since you can't touch them).  We always have a good time hanging out with our besties....and Friday was no exception!  There were over 20 children with their moms, so a big crowd to say the least!

Group photo before the guests arrived (Clancy and I arrived early to help set up). 

After the kids played otuside a while and did the ornament exchange, we made edible Christmas trees.  Yum!

How cute are these two?  Olivia just absolutely adores Hudson.  I hope they'll always be friends!

Busy Weekend

We had a fun yet exhausting weekend!

It started late Friday afternoon.  A couple in our community group lost their baby last week, and I volunteered to help clean up after the luncheon they had after the funeral for Baby Jaxon.

Then I headed to our Ladies' Christmas Party, which ended much later than I had expected!  On a side note, I'd been sick all week, so I know this lack of sleep is going to catch up to me sooner or later.

I woke up at 5:30am Saturday morning and volunteered at Bountiful Baskets.  Then we headed to Rowlett for Maggie (5) and Turner's (3) birthday party.  As soon as it was over, we headed back home for our town's Christmas tree lighting and fireworks show.

Sunday's activities involved church, the grocery store, a quick nap and community group.

Tis the Season!!! :)

Olivia with the birthday girl Maggie.

We attempted a group picture with all the kids.  Harper was NOT interested AT ALL.

Happy 5th Birthday Maggie!

Happy 3rd Birthday Turner!

 This boy loves his mama!

Where's Maggie?!

"Santa is coming!!!"....she loved the music and watching Santa.  She did NOT like the fireworks....she kept her head buried in my chest until it was over.  Half the time she was screaming bloody murder.  Scared her to death.  I hope she isn't scarred for life! :(

Before fireworks - obviously.  She only THOUGHT she wanted to see them.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2012

Mom & Walter came to DFW for Thanksgiving this year.  EVERY year I'm TERRIBLE of getting Thanksgiving day pics...so here's the one I got this year of Olivia...with food in her mouth. Nice, huh.

On Friday, mom & I went to Pottery Barn Kids in Dallas to do a little Christmas shopping.  We both were able to get what we went for, so we were excited about that!

Friday night, we went to the Fort Worth Parade of Lights.

Olivia waved at all the floats.  She was so precious.

The parade was LONG.  I don't remember it being that long last year....we were all ready to go about halfway through, but Olivia wanted to wait and see Santa, so we waited.  He FINALLY came!

We had a good Thanksgiving weekend!  Now half of our house is sick, but we're thankful it waited until after the holiday!

Picture free post!! Wha?!?!

I just wanted to take a minute to document what we've been up to.   It's bedtime for me, so I just don't feel like getting up and getting my camera....and to be honest, I've been TERRIBLE at taking pics lately and am not even sure what's on it!

I've had pneumonia.  I'm over it (I think) but I do still seem to get tired quickly.  I tried to go for a run last week.  That was a bad idea.  I may try again by the end of this week.  My half marathon training needs to start ASAP!!!  NO time to be sick!!!

Olivia's school had their Thanksgiving feast this past Friday, so I blocked out the time on my calendar and went to have lunch with them.  Olivia was SO EXCITED that I was coming to eat lunch with them (and I was shocked by the number of parents there).  There are definite benefits to working from home!  So far, I've gotten to go to their Fall Carnival and now the Thanksgiving Feast....things I missed out on before being blessed with this job!!!!!!

Saturday morning we had pictures made...I'm hoping to get them back in time for Christmas cards, but we shall see.  Olivia was AWESOME.  On her absolute best behavoir and was beyond cooperative with the photographer.  I was so proud of her.  I really hope we got some good ones!!!

I spent ALL DAY TODAY (literally...since 8am) decorating for Christmas (GASP!).  I don't think I have a free weekend until after the new year (and then it'll be birthday time for Miss O), so I decided to try and get it all done.  My house is now a WRECK.  I'm probably 80% decorated.  Maybe after another 2-3 hours I'll be done.  Sigh.  I love it when it's done...but I always forget how long it takes to get it done and how BIG of a mess it makes!

Hope you all have an awesome Thanksgiving.  I'm excited that my family is going to get to come and having Thanksgiving at our house.  It'll be my first turkey --- I think I better let my mom cook it!!

Happy Thanksgiving Week!!!!!!!!!!!! 

We are ALL blessed beyond measure & well beyond what we deserve.  No matter where you are in life, there is something you can be content about....there is always a brighter day ahead....and it could always be worse!  CONTENTMENT.  Just do it.  BE THANKFUL.  Discontentment comes from the enemy.  God doesn't want that for our life.  Give thanks for everything...always!!!

Trick or Treat!

For the past month, Olivia's been telling me that I am going to dress as her Grandma for Halloween, cause afterall, Little Red Riding Hood needs a Grandma.  I've continued to say "we'll see" thinking she would just let it go.

So here's the conversation we had before bed October 30:

Olivia:  So, do you have your costume yet?
Me:  Um, no?
Olivia:  Why not?
Me:  Cause I'm not dressing up.  Just you are.
Olivia (with lip pouted):  But who's going to be my grandma??? I need a grandma.

SIGH

I couldn't get her little voice or sad face out of my head.  So I purchased a grandma wig and some wolf ears/tail about 4pm on Halloween.  I game home, dressed up, then went to surprise her at school.  She was so funny.  She didn't recognize me at first, then just grinned ear to ear.  She was SO proud to have a grandma, and so excited when I told her daddy would be the wolf.

So we walked around our neighborhood trick or treating looking like this: 

Daddy refused to let me take a pic of his tail....but I managed to get a quick one. LOL. He's such a good dad!!!

Olivia LOVED trick or treating. She wasn't a bit shy or scared to go up and ring the bell and say "Trick or Treat".  She said "Thank you" to everyone (YAY) and was polite and would only take one piece of candy!  The last house we went to was handing out $1.00 coins...she's already put it in her piggy bank!

After trick or treating, we came home to hand out candy to other kids, or "customers" as Olivia called them.

Now....it's time for the REAL holiday season!  So excited for the rest of the year!  Love it!