Deck the Halls

Tonight we set up the Christmas tree and put out our small sample of Christmas decorations. Olivia put her 1st Christmas ornament that she received last year from Grandma and Grandpa.

Tim also set up the train. It's his Grandfathers train that's over 72 years old...from 1937!! Olivia and Jerry are VERY interested in the moving cars and both want to knock it off the tracks (yikes).

???More???

The first baby sign Olivia has used to communicate with us -- MORE

Back to H-Town

Today we headed home. It's been such a wonderful week and we've enjoyed every minute of it!! We are always sad to leave family...but it's always nice when we know our next visit will be.

The flight went okay today. We managed to get the bulkhead row with only us (no one sat in the middle seat). Olivia didn't sleep at all, despite the fact that she only had her morning nap. But, we gave her lots of snacks and she entertained the two rows near us :) The funniest part was when we got off the plane. We were near the front and had to wait for our stroller...and so Olivia proceed to wave and make happy squealing noises at all the fellow passengers. It was so cute and everyone loved the greeting to Houston.

Getting into our car (the acura tsx) was another VERY interesting story. We had TWO HUGE suitcases...both overweight, a britax convertible car seat, an infant car seat, duffel bag, two stuffed backpacks and a stroller. haha...let me say again that we had the sedan...tsx. But...we made it into the car (impressive!). We were even able to pick up Jerry from the Johnsons and have him stuffed into the front seat while I sat in the backseat under the stroller. We were definitely a sight!

Thank you again to Justin, Tiff, Taylor, Aubrey and Sierra for allowing Jerry to stay with you for a week.

Family

Happy Thanksgiving

It's been a great past year for us and we have a lot to be thankful for. Our lovely daughter, quirky dog, fulfilling careers, great house, friends near and far, and lots of family.

The dinner was amazing! There were 22 people, long tables, and a turkey that weighed more than Olivia :) Thank you sooo much Grampa and Grana for the perfect Thanksgiving meal!

Collage of Fun

Our Wednesday in NC was a blast. Lots of family, games, drinks & food. I think I tend to hide behind my camera in large group situations because it's an easy way for me to move around and be sociable. Sooo...I took a lot of pictures. I mean...A LOT...like over 1,000 pictures just today. It's really easy when you have so many good lookin' subjects and a golf course with the beautiful NC mountains in the background. (oh, and can you tell I'm loving the picasa collage feature???)

Adorable highchair that Tim and Katie used...love this antique!!

Croquet & Washers

Tractor Time

Grana and Grampa

Being Silly

On the Green

1st time wearing mittens :)

Inglis Family

Tomorrow is Nanny's birthday, so we went out for a Mexican fiesta

End of the day relaxation with a bath and bottle
(look at that belly!)

A Road Trip

On the road again...just can't wait to get on the road again....

NOT

This was our first road trip in a really long time and Olivia's first ever. And....let's just say we aren't in a hurry to do it again.

Tim's Aunt Sue graciously offered to drive us down to Tim's parents house in NC for Thanksgiving. It is a six hour drive...and we all felt every hour of the six. To start things off...Olivia is exhausted from all the fun she's been having, then she's in a new car seat that doesn't recline as much as her old one, and she can see Mommy sitting in the backseat with her. To top things off, I think Olivia has Mommy's weak stomach in the car and was getting car sick :( All of this equals a baby that isn't sleeping and a Mommy that's not happy.

- 30 minutes - enjoying fun book from Aunt Erin

- 45 minutes - yup...everything still okay

- 1 hour - getting sleepy

- 1.5 hours - not having fun

- 2 hours - REALLY not having fun

- 2.5 hours - Mommy OVER IT

- 3 hours - Hello Virginia Tech!

- 3.5 hours - still NOT happy and very sleepy

- 4 hours - after a lunch break, finally...peace

- 4 hours - Fancy Gap, NC

- 4.5 hours - still snoozing

- 5 hours - watching a DVD

- 5.5 hours - DONE

- 5.5 hours - REALLY DONE

- 6 hours -HELLO Granite Falls, NC

- 6 hours -All Smiles

- 6 hours -YEAH!!!!

- later that day - visiting with Grana and Grampa :)

My Grandparents

These are my most amazing Grandparents (Olivia's Great-Grandparents, my mom's parents). I have sooo many lovely memories with them and they always make the trips to all the fun events in our lives. I look forward to Olivia getting to experience all the best things that Grandparents and Great-Grandparents have to offer :)

Baby Shower/Birthday Party

Today we celebrated Erin and Baby Logan and what a GREAT celebration it was!! Erin and Kevin couldn't arrive sooner, as we were all waiting in the driveway for them. We were all very excited to see them and have them back in the states with us. Erin is ABSOLUTELY glowing. Her belly is perfect and although Logan might be measuring bigger...Erin looks small. I've felt Logan move and hiccup and I'm completely in love. My nephew is soooo freakin' awesome! I can't wait to hold him, play with him, and watch him grow. Oh...and check out the perfect shower dress Aunt Erin bought for Olivia...too cute!

Okay...back to the party. It was a huge success. Mary (erin's BFF), my mom and I planned everything. Mary and I are Erin's two type A's friends...so we had everything under perfect control. There were fun games, cute decorations, and lots of adorable presents.

Aunt Katie & Uncle Grady and Ben, Jenn & Owen also made the trip out to celebrate with us all. It was sooo nice to see them...although not NEARLY long enough.

While the baby shower was going on upstairs, we had a birthday party for kevin downstairs with all the guys. It was a great day!

Saturday in WV

Today we spent time visiting and getting ready for the baby shower tomorrow. My dad and brother came into town and enjoyed some quality time with Olivia. We also watched OSU and VT both win and played lots of cards. Can't wait for Sunday!

We Made It

I was really anxious about my first time flying solo with Olivia (Tim has his MBA this weekend and will be meeting us on Sunday). Anyways, I've had things planned and packed for days, so I had plenty of time to think of everything that could go wrong. I thought that we should encourage everyone to be happy by having Olivia wear her "smile" shirt. Positive Thinking...right?

Well...I lucked out BIG TIME! Our flight was empty! We got a whole row to ourselves, along with multiple other empty rows...so we were able to walk around some. And for the first time since our trip to London, Olivia also slept for a bit. It was probably only 30 minutes (enough time for Mommy to have a drink...and to be called a "lightweight" because I asked for a little more mixer...whatever).

Olivia did a great job and even got a couple of compliments from the business men who were sticking in their earplugs (and ignoring the cute "smile" shirt) as we boarded. The stewardess were also enjoying their time with O and were teaching her how to say "upgrade" :)

It is wonderful to see my parents again. My Grandparents (Olivia's great grandparents) also have come into town. Needless to say, Miss O is definitely soaking up all the attention.

Packing

Today is a FUN day!

***I've got to finish all my packing for our 8 day trip back to WV and NC. We are headed to my parent's house for a baby shower for Erin (& Logan). And then, we drive to North Carolina to celebrate Thanksgiving with all of Tim's family :) We are definitely looking forward to visiting with everyone. The suitcases are almost all packed. We have lots of fun stuff. Baby shower things, Christmas things, Olivia essentials, and winter clothes! That's a lot. I'm definitely anxious about flying by myself with Olivia however...one way or another, we'll get there :)

***Kevin and Erin (w/ Logan) are leaving their lovely place in Barrow to head to the airport TO COME BACK TO THE STATES :) We are beyond thrilled to see them!!

***Joyful finds out today if it's BOY or GIRL for little baby coming in March!!

Temper Tantrum

A little personality and a lot of independence...

haha -- This is NOT the face that I saw today
when I put Olivia in her car seat.

We were all normal going into the garage to get into our car. Then I go and put her in the seat...and she starts to ARCH her back and SCREAM. I mean....SCREAM. We are talking red face...stiff body...and LOUD.

haha --I very calmly tried to explain to Olivia that she was acting like a baby...lol... (didn't really do that).

It was funny today because it was the first time, we weren't in a public situation, I had no one watching this situation play out, and we did not have to be anywhere quickly.

However, I definitely saw a glimpse of HOW FRUSTRATING this could be (*yikes*).

Leg Warmers

I bought these back in February, when Olivia was only 11 weeks old. And I was so excited about them, I immediately put them on....only to realize that my daughter was not going to be able to wear them right away....

However, now she has grown and they are lookin' cute :)

Market Street Pictures

On Saturday Miss O and I went to Market Street and played :) We did some shopping, eating, and I played a little with my camera. Yes, I was actually laying on the ground at one point and someone stepped OVER me. ooops...guess I was in their way??? lol.

Joy to the World

Joy to the World
Our house has it's lights on

Let all receive our happiness :)

It only took 3 hours,

Compared to 36 last year!

It's done, It's done, It's done...

It's done, It's done, It's DONE...

I can't wait... to turn them on in 12 days! :)

Olivia did not find it as fun or exciting as we (I) did.

My amazing husband :)