Snow Day!

Today was Snow Day at MDO! The kids got to pretend they were "snowed in" and wear their pj's and participate in activities revolving around snow. Olivia absolutely loves getting to go to MDO. She is almost always ready and waiting for me at the door with her bookbag. So, I snapped a picture of her this morning in her pj's with her bookbag waiting patiently on me to go!

A day full of love...

Valentine's was such a fun day for us! Holidays are so much more fun when you have a little one to share it with! Rush and I decided that we would get Olivia a fish for Valentine's. (Not sure what we were thinking....just hoping it's a short lived bit of fun!=) We went against what the guy selling the fish to us insisted on, which was a 20 gallon tank, and brought our new fish home to his quaint little bowl. Olivia loves to watch him swim...sometimes I think she wonders why he can't come out of the bowl to play. She loves to stand in a chair and watch him swim while squealing (who knows what) at the bowl. She calls him "Ish". As much as she loves him, I'm not too sure he is very fond of her and her squealing. He seems to become very active when she is close by.....as if he is scared and wishing for a rock to swim behind. Sorry buddy.....little did you know that your life at Petsmart was heaven!

Since Rush had to work the better part of the day, Olivia and I made him cupcakes. Olivia loved the icing, but hated having it on her fingers. =)

Rush's parents were sweet enough to keep Olivia for us to go on a date! It's such a rare occurence for us that I truly appreciate it when we do get to go out by ourselves! So, thanks Bobby and Sayjay for spending some time with Olivia AND for her sweet Valentine's treat!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

A Valentine Package!

Today Olivia got a special package in the mail from Gigi and Snoopy for Valentine's Day! It's always so fun to me to receive packages and I believe Olivia felt the same way! She was so excited to get the wrapping off the box and get into it. She danced around with happy feet until I could get it to the point where she could take over. She was so excited to find a new outfit in the box from Janie and Jack. That child already has a love for clothes!!! She held up the pants and shirt saying "Preeeetty!". Thanks Gigi and Snoopy for Olivia's Valentine surprise!!!

A perfect day for a picnic!

It was the absolute perfect day for a picnic lunch at Aldridge Gardens today!!! Olivia and I met some friends for a stroll around the gardens! Olivia learned the word "goose" after seeing many geese on our stroll. We decided to steer clear due to their menacing looks!! (I'm not quite sure how much you can trust those animals!) I'm sure being attacked by a goose would scar her (and me) for life!! So, from the distance we admired them!=)

We played in the grass and blew bubbles until our tummies let us know it was time for lunch! Olivia loved the freedom of being able to run and play in the fresh air for awhile!! At this point, I am reaping the benefits of an eventful morning in the bright sunshine.....a quiet house while little one is napping away her exhaustion from fun with friends!

Olivia's New Do!

Well, I knew at some point we would experience a (what I will politely call) shocking haircut! I took Olivia Sat. afternoon following her nap to get a "TRIM." I simply wanted someone to trim off the ends of her hair and shape it up. (Tone down the mullet look.) Finally, the 3rd place we stopped (I should have quit after the first place was closed) was open and had an open chair for Olivia. Little did I know that they had little/or no experience cutting a toddler's hair. (Didn't really know that until I went to pay and there was total confusion as to how much to charge since they never have cut a babies hair) I assumed anyone would understand what a "trim/shape up" meant. BOY was I wrong. While trying to appease Olivia with a sucker the sweet lady began chopping away. The next thing I know I'm looking down at my hand where a piece of hair has fallen. The piece of hair must have been an inch-inch and a half. As my heart jumped into my throat I slowly looked up at Olivia's head. Obviously, it was too late to say anything so I began trying to convince myself that it could possibly just be a cute little bob. The lady was so proud and all I could do was smile and nod to her expression...."It's SO cute!" Needless to say, Olivia came out weighing a few less ounces than she did when we arrived. Bless her heart, she kept feeling her neck and head with a look on her face as if she were saying...."Where did it go momma???" Oh well, I think the hair cut is finally growing on me!! I just don't do well with surprises....especially when they involve hair!! So, for now....here is Olivia's new do!!!

A GREAT day for the park!

It was absolutely beautiful here today and since Grayson was at our house to play I decided to load them up and take them to Homewood Park for a little fun outside! We met our friends Ashley and Lily there too! The kiddos had a great time and were ready to find their blankies and take a snooze as soon as we got back home!!! I hope this weather decides to stick around for awhile because I sure am ready for springtime!!!

McWane Center Fun!

Due to the cold,yucky weather the last couple of weeks we had to find fun things to do indoors! So, Olivia and I loaded up and met our friends, Sally and Maury, at the McWane Center last Friday! I know Olivia enjoyed a change of scenery!!! (Something other than home!) Her favorite part was the water table where she managed to soak herself completely!! After a fun time playing we grabbed some pizza and headed home for a good nap!!!

Ciao Uncle Joey!!

Well, we had to say "goodbye" to yet another uncle!!! I sure do wish they would stick around more often!! Joey boarded a plane on January 11 headed for Italy!! He will be stationed there for the next 3 years! Now we have 2 uncles across the pond!!=) We are definitely going to have to get our webcam working!! Olivia had grown so close to both of her uncles before their departures! Which made it even more sad to see them go! We look at pictures often and she can definitely let you know who they are! I think the webcam will be so fun for both them and her to really see each other in person. Technology these days is amazing!!!

We are looking forward to getting to visit Joey at some point over the next 3 years in Italy!! It seems as though he is already settling in! He found a place to live and has spent most weekends traveling around neigboring countries! I'm sure he is living it up on the slopes too!!! I know these next 3 years are going to be so exciting and adventurous for him!! What a fun journey and a great time in life to do it! It will be so exciting to watch the next 3 years unfold and see what God has in store for you Joey!

I've posted the only picture I got before my memory card was full at the airport saying goodbye to Joey. It sure is a sweet picture and says so much about his relationship with Olivia!!! It was such a bittersweet moment for all of us I think!! As excited as we are to see him set out on this journey God has so clearly put before him, it was also so sad to see him go knowing that our hearts would miss him so!!! We really did get spoiled seeing him so much around the holidays! OH, but how those memories will be cherished over the next several years!!!

We miss you so much Uncle Joey and are looking forward to planning a trip to see you!!! Take care of yourself and stay safe!!!

Happy Birthday Gigi!!

Better late than never, right!! Gigi's birthday was actually back in December, but I am just now catching up on my blog so I'm a little late!! We celebrated her birthday a couple of times. Joey, Rush, Olivia, and I took her to eat on her actual birthday, Dec.30, and when Dad was back in town we went out to eat again for another celebration.
I'm just not sure I can even come close to expressing how thankful we are to have Gigi in our lives!! As a mom she has sacrificed so much for her children and blessed our lives more than we will ever even know! Her life is truly a testimony of faith in so many ways to me. Her devotion to God is so evident through the fruit she bears!! I can only hope that I too will live out my faith in such a way that the world would see me as set apart and consecrated in Christ like my mom. If I can be half the mom she was to Michael, Joey, and I then I will be doing good!!=) Thank you mom for all that you are and all that you have poured into our lives! Olivia is so blessed to have you as grandmother and to have your handprint on her life too.

What an honor it is to celebrate another year of your life as a blessing to us!!! We love you!!

Bath Time Fun!!!

Olivia ABSOLUTELY loves bath time!! She splashes and plays until she turns into a little prune!!! We can't wait for summer time to roll around again for some good pool time!!! In the mean time...here are a few pics of my little water baby!!!=)