Shopping at Nordstrom

Her shoe fetish continues! She hit all the black high heels at Nordstrom. She screamed as we dragged her out of the shoe department.

Christmas Brunch at Aunt Murf's

We had another yummy Big Jim brunch at Aunt Murf's while we were home. Olivia loves finding all of the Santas around Aunt Murf's house.

With the chef, Big Jim

Preggo belly showing up with Uncle Matt

Houston Zoo

The last time we went to the Houston Zoo, it was near 100 degrees, Memorial Day, and a free day for a huge group of people. I am so glad we gave it another chance. This time is was the middle of the week, in the 70's, and fantastic. Olivia and I went with Ducky and Aunt Carrie. What fun!

The Houston Zoo currently has two baby elephants. They are the cutest thing ever. We were all mesmerized.

We watched this baby play with this empty beer keg for a long time. He accidentally rolled it out of the enclosure and worked and worked at getting it back. Finally his mama stopped having her lunch and helped him get it. It was so funny.

Kimono Dragon

Up close and personal with the giraffes

HUGE fan of the carousel

Inside the children's petting zoo

Grooming the goats

Downtown Farmer's Market

Ducky took us to a neat farmer's market in downtown Houston one day. We walked around, had some lunch, and Olivia made a little friend. They had a blast together. This little girl spotted Olivia from far away and ran as fast as she could right up to her. Her eagerness at first took Olivia by surprise, but they had so much fun exploring.

Second Haircut

Anytime Olivia hears the word "haircut", she talks about getting a lollipop. What an impression her first lollipop made 6 months ago. If Mike or I go get a haircut, when we get back, she asks if we got a lollipop. It is so cute.

We went back to the same place she got that first lollipop and she was so excited. Thankfully, there was no weird old guy sitting next to the cool car chair this time. She was more than happy to jump into the driver's seat, suck on her lollipop, kick back and enjoy Dora for the first time...

Her first blow dry :)

Train Conductor Olivia

We survived yet another plane trip to Texas. We are becoming professional travelers. I still think portable DVD players are the greatest invention EVER. Elmo is my hero!

Ducky and Pong Pong had a fantastic surprise waiting for Olivia when we got to their house. A super cool train that goes around the Christmas tree. She loved turning it on and off and the best part, blowing the whistle!

She went up and got her dog to get a more comfy spot to watch the train go around and around

Quick Trip to the Mountains

Mike had a business trip in Calgary on a Thursday and then had Friday off. Olivia and I decided to join him in Calgary (thanks Uncle Exxon for the nice hotel room) and then hit the mountains for the long weekend. We decided to go back to the same cabins we stayed at with my famliy for Thanksgiving. We love that place! I sill wasn't feeling great, so hanging out in the cabin, by the wood burning fire while Mike went snowboarding sounded better than staying in Edmonton. It really was a fun time. I love my little family :)

Checking out the awesome Calgary Zoo, again!

We spent most of our time watching the elephants getting a bath. SOOO cool! We loved seeing how trained the elephants are. It was also indoors and we were cold!

Taking a walk while Daddy was snowboarding

Stunning Castle Mountain

She got it!!! Finally getting the leg and arm coordination for a snow angel. I guess taking a couple weeks off helped her brain learn the steps for creating a beautiful snow angel.

Helping Daddy start the morning fire

Imagination

I am constantly amazed at Olivia's strong and active imagination that continues to grow everyday. This day she claimed her cheese was an airplane and "flew" it all around. The piece before this one was a Stegosaurus. It is so fun to watch her little mind work.

Shoveling Snow

We got Olivia her very own snow shovel so she can go out and help Daddy shovel snow. Unfortunately, it is a Disney Princess shovel. I am trying my best to delay as long as possible the typical obsession little girls this age have with all of the Disney Princesses. I know it is a feudal effort, but I am trying!

Looking at this picture and comparing it to the 6 feet of snow that is currently to the side of the driveway is daunting. Poor Mike and all of the shoveling he did while we were gone!

She is getting too smart!

Sometimes when Olivia wants to go outside (in negative degree weather) my excuse is that she doesn't have her shoes and coat on. Well, she went and solved that problem :) Froggy PJ's, coat, and dress shoes are a great look