Christmas Day

We had a great Christmas this year.  Olivia woke up to many presents under the tree.

Her first concern, however, was the cookies we left out..

She was very excited for all her presents.

The car was the big hit of the day!

But a close second was Niva, who sings Ring Around The Rosy when you hold her hands

Olivia is really into pillows and blankets ("bacies" as she calls them) recently, so she was thrilled for a new pillow and some bacies...which also coincidentally worked out well for her new big-girl bed..

And of course she was thrilled with the other loot she got...

Like last year, we opened presents at our house on Christmas morning.  It was so nice this year to be able to let her open presents and enjoy them at home for a while.  And, this year, Miss O was feeling a bit under the weather, so we let her get a good morning nap in.

And then once she woke up, we headed to my parents' house where there were many more presents + the allure of her wonderful and silly family...

It was a wonderful Christmas and we were so happy to share it with our sweet girl!

Christmas Eve

Forgive the delay in blogging -- we've been dealing with some crazy schedules and crazy lives over here.  But, remembering what a wonderful Christmas season we had has been a nice way to spend the afternoon.

We spent the day with Pop-O & Tutu.  Olivia was thrilled to receive so many wonderful presents

The  slinky and stamps from Pop-O & Tutu were a big hit!

As was the singing, reading dog Violet from Uncle Drew and Aunt Jenny

This was also the day Olivia decided to try crawling out of her crib.  Consequently, she took no nap (and more on that later...).  However, for no nap and the excitement of the day, she was an absolutely doll.

We went to Jasper's for an early DELICIOUS dinner and she was great!  It was decorated so nicely that we got some great, festive photos.

Then we came home and put out cookies and milk for Santa and Mrs. Claus

And then it was off to bed to wait for Ol' Saint Nick!

Breakfast with Santa (Part 2) and Ranch Weekend

Continuing the crazy December schedule, we went to (another!) breakfast with Santa at the Woodlands Children's Museum with the Born family.  We got there a bit early and were able to snap these great pictures!  (It is very rare these days that Olivia will (1) stand still; (2) actually look at the camera for any extended period of time; (3) smile).  To get these happy shots, really was a Christmas miracle!! :)

Olivia had already informed me ahead of time that she was NOT sitting on Santa's lap.  I told her that was fine, which I think lifted a weight off her shoulders.  Instead, she had a great time eating pancakes and playing with her friends!  

The following weekend we headed down to Bryan to spend the weekend at the ranch of our dear friends the McGuires.   It was very cold that weekend, so we bundled up (and hugged!) to stay warm! 

 

We went on a golf cart tour around the property in search of cows.

We then made our own pizzas for dinner.  While the moms cooked, the babies enjoyed rides in the box and eating cheese!

All three of us absolutely adore this family -I think that spending time with them is food for our soul - I always notice that both Matt and I come back from our visits feeling relaxed and happy.  So blessed to have them in our life!

This Kid!

When Olivia first started talking, Matt and I were amazed by how quickly she learned new words and marveled daily at her ever expanding vocabulary.  Before long, we stopped counting how many words she knew and we realized we could clearly have a conversation with her.

However, lately her ability to talk has elicited shock/disbelief in us.  Here are a few gems from our little sassy pants:

1.  If you try and discipline her, even in the nicest tone possible without raising your voice, she will pout her lip, begin to breathe loudly and quickly, and say - in the most pathetic voice you have ever heard: "I'm about to cry if you say that."  I guess she thought that announcing she's going to cry will save her from a lecture?!

2.  The other day I told her to come try and go potty.  She looked at me and said "No habla ingles."  And then she died laughing.  I asked her where she learned that and she said Emma -- one of her friends at school.  Who does that?!

3.  She woke up in tears the other morning (very unusual) and when I burst in the room to see what was wrong, she grabbed a piece of her hair and worriedly exclaimed "THIS!!  I need a bow!!"  Always the fashionista I guess?

Oh this one - I love her so much!  But, man!