Holiday Events

Yesterday we had one of our playgroups over to the house for some holiday cookie decorating. I was a bit apprehensive about the combination of 15 toddlers and cookies, frosting, and sprinkles, but it actually went great (and the house survived intact!). Olivia was not at all into other kids playing with her toys (only child syndrome?), but once she discovered that there were treats involved she quickly got into the action!

Decorating with mama.


She somehow got her hands on an entire cup of frosting and thought that it was the greatest thing ever...




Getting really comfortable for ultimate frosting consumption.


Today we went to the Cougar Mountain Zoo with O's BFF Carter (and his mom, my dear friend Dana).


He's SO stinkin' cute!


Santa's sleigh was there for photo op's.


Of course, Olivia was more interested in eating than in seeing the animals.


The day sadly ended very quickly with an incredibly epic meltdown from O. It was honestly the worst one I've ever seen!

Olivia has a cold (and, as of this morning, some sort of barf bug, yuck!) so we're sequestered at home. We were both getting a bit stir-crazy, so I bundled her up and took her outside for some fresh air.


Is there anything better than a toddler in a huge puffy jacket?


She totally reminds me of "A Christmas Story".


Why ride in the car when you can push it around?


Mowing the driveway.


Daddy!

California 11.10

Olivia and I are back from a pre-Thanksgiving trip down to CA. It was so fun to see friends & family and enjoy the warm weather!

Of course, as soon as we got there Olivia got presents. Check out her new ride!





In So Cal tradition, we went down to Fashion Island to check out their massive Christmas tree. It was gorgeous, as always!


A Christmas tree surrounded by palm trees. Only in So Cal!






O's favorite part about the tree? Checking herself out in the giant ornaments.


We also went to Irvine Park to ride the "choo choo" and check out the petting zoo.




Harassing the poor animals with the "drush" (yes, all b's are still d's).


I had a brilliant idea that I would get a picture of Olivia for this year's Christmas card while I was there. Unfortunately, the kid thinks that it's more fun to run away from the camera than to actually pose and smile for it. Two photo sessions and hundreds of photos later, I did not capture anything card-worthy. Ugh.

Her best model pose.


One of the only shots I got of her actually looking at the camera! Of course, it's somewhat out of focus. Grrr.


This is how 95% of my photos turned out - her back to the camera running away from me! Troublemaker.


Looks like we'll be using an old picture for the cards unless I can miraculously pull something together in the next week. Oh well!

Snow!

Ranch Weekend

We spent last weekend at the Perry's Ranch in central Oregon. Although no elk were spotted by the guys, we had a great weekend relaxing and exploring.

The first day was pretty chilly, but we bundled Olivia up and headed outside for a while.

Cruising around. The days of crawling are definitely over!




Watching Kevin's dog, Sherman. She was totally obsessed with him! It's almost enough to make me want a dog. Almost.


One of the ponds. So gorgeous!


Driving the Ranger with Dad. Definitely a highlight of the trip for her!




Those cheeks! I can't get enough of 'em.


The next day we woke up to sleet (gross) and FREEZING temperatures, which meant a day entertaining ourselves inside. Luckily there were lots of toys (and a well-mannered dog who didn't mind being harassed).

Digging for the best toys in the box... airplanes! She's currently obsessed with "pane!".


Attempting to learn to jump rope with grandma.


Snuggling up on the bear rug. Which she kept calling "doggie" and petting. I think she's a bit confused.


By the end of the weekend, Olivia and Sherman had definitely become buddies. He quickly figured out that toddler=food, and she giggled hysterically every time Sherman licked her (or her tray!).

Notice the Curious George on the iPad? It's the only way she eats breakfast now. We started letting her watch George because it's on PBS when she's usually eating breakfast, and now as soon as she gets into her high chair she says "George? George?" until we put it on. I'm choosing my battles with her, and letting her watch George buys me 25 minutes to eat my breakfast and drink my coffee in peace! Don't judge me :).

Hanging with Grandpa.


Peek a boo!

Olivia the TV Star

Apparently Olivia's ad actually made it onto TV! Look for her on KOMO in Seattle.

Halloween Round-Up

I realized today that I never posted the Halloween pictures I took over the course of the week, so here's a few...

We went trick-or-treating at a local retirement home the Friday before Halloween, which was a lot of fun.

Here's few of us mommas and our littles.




Olivia didn't really understand the whole thing at first, but then once she caught on that people gave her shiny things in crinkly wrappers she was all about it.


The whole time she had at leasat three bars per hand, and was holding on to them for dear life.


Later that afternoon, I figured that she'd like to help me gut the pumpkins, which she definitely did.






The actual Halloween night was pretty much a bust as far as Olivia was concerned. She did NOT want to put on her "dee" for the 4th time, and had no interest in trick-or-treating. Oh well, next year!

Grumpy bee.


The only semi-decent (although still out of focus) family shot.


Of course, the next day she decided that she was totally obsessed with carrying her pumpkin bag around and wouldn't part with it for days. Typical toddler.


P.S. Is there anything better than fall? I'm kinda obsessed with it. We've had some gorgeous days over the past few weeks, so I've been taking some photos - something to get me through the horrid winter they're predicting!