Sunday, November 25, 2012

first decoration

Typically, I can pull out our Christmas decorations and have the two trees, mantel, nutcrackers, and nativities thrown up in an hour and a half.  I put away our Thanksgiving things tonight, and decided I didn't want to start on getting Christmas out.  I want to let Olivia help and it was getting too late to start.  I am guessing it will take longer than my normal throw it up and go' style, but it will be much more fun....I hope.
 I did, however, get out the one thing that Olivia hated to see go away last year.  I got out our little people nativity scene and Olivia squealed! She immediately got up in the "baby seat" at the table and got out all the pieces.  We took the batteries out last year, so John asked her to read the instructions to him so she could "help."  Before we knew it, she was "reading" and her words were "Jesus loves me this I know....."  She said, "all done" and John had the batteries in ready to go.  She has played with it the rest of the night.  I LOVE this time of year and even more, I LOVE seeing her and hearing her thoughts about the season.




Saturday, November 24, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving



We celebrated our 2nd Thanksgiving with Olivia and she seemed to have a great day!  I didn't get any pictures since I was cooking and the girls were running around and busy, busy, busy. Apparently, this picture was taken at some point.  Adeline's expression is priceless!
This year, my aunt, uncle and cousin came from Chattanooga to join us.  I have mentioned before, but I love when all of my family is together.  My dad and uncle are hilarious together and it makes for a ton of fun.  Olivia quickly labeled Uncle Don as "Buppie's friend."  They look so much alike that she said they were different because Buppie had on white socks and his friend had on blue.  I don't think we had any major snags this year.  Last year the oven went out, so I don't know that we could top that one!!

Yesterday the girls went to a few little shops.  None of the Black Friday madness, but just some boutiques.  I said that I would go and just look and I stuck to it!  It has been a great Thanksgiving.  I can't wait until next year.  We will have another little one running around.  Hurry home Easton.  We missed you at the table!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Free Art for Thanksgiving

After enjoying the sweet hand and footprints that we did for Halloween, I decided to run with the idea and forego some of our usual Thanksgiving decorations and use Olivia's sweet hands and feet again.  I figure, they won't always be little and she LOVES painting together, so the last three nights, this has been our fun together (along with some baking!)  

The Mayflower

Buppy, she insisted on a white hand print just for YOU! (a couple indians and a turkey)


I was taking pictures, and I heard Olivia stirring in
 her bucket under the table.  I turned around to see her
taking her own pictures!


We have a lot to be thankful for this year!  A year ago, Olivia, at this point, wasn't legally ours.  We didn't know about Easton or our niece Adeline.  We have had another year together, and I am thankful for the laughing, the crying, the smiles, the growth and more than anything, MY FAMILY!!!

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Happy Halloween

When I asked her what she wanted to be for Halloween, Olivia repeatedly told me "a ladybug!"  So, a ladybug it is!  I really didn't love either costume, but she was happy.
We went to Tanya's for her annual Halloween picture session, and I didn't think she was going to crack a smile.  Finally, she did!  This picture is from my phone when Tanya was working with another family.  It was pretty cold as compared to last week's 80 degrees, so I called Belk on the way home to see if they still had their ladybug costume.  It was warmer!  Luckily, they did AND they had just marked them down!  So, score for both!!!  We went to Nana's and helped get her candy out and greeted a few trick or treaters and then went to Mammy and Buppies house.  We had planned on making a fire pit, but decided to just stay in.  We ate dinner and then went trick or treating to a few houses.  She had fun on Halloween and mom said that as she ate her breakfast Friday morning and Olivia kept saying, "do Halloween again!"  during her whole meal!  So glad she had fun!

Costume 1--it has cute little antenna's but you can't see
them because of the sun.  She also has cute wings on the back. 

Costume 2--much warmer and has an attached hood.
Cute black and red stripe leggings.  


I guess the holiday season has officially begun!!  Happy Holidays!!!