Tom & Tamara & Jayson came down for Christmas Dinner. They brought Olivia more presents and she was just beside herself. She got this bag with a dog in it and she loves it. It's name is Muffin and it has an apron and a rolling pin. She likes to carry it around and it even took a car ride with us today. They also brought her some new jammies and some food for her kitchen. It was great to have family around and share the evening with them.

Olivia LOVES the princess shoes and is actually getting pretty speedy in them. She walks all over with her little bag Grandpa & Grandma Dover gave her and says, bye, bye.
The mess after the chaotic morning.
Olivia's Princess Shoe Pack....thankyou Costco
A surprise from Mike.

Olivia slept in until about 8 which was heavenly and a Christmas Present for both of us. We brought her into our room so we could get ready then Mike went out to capture her reaction on video. She came around the corner, saw her kitchen and said....."Wow..." (her new favorite phrase). It was so cute. She was mostly interested in eating the chocolates that Mike had put in my stocking and we had to finally put them away so we could get her to open her presents. Santa went a bit overboard and Olivia had quite the loot. It was so much fun for us to watch her enjoy the day. We had yummy German Pancakes for breakfast then just lounged around and played with all the new toys. She crashed for her nap and I did too. I finally have gotten around to reading a book I've been saving and I'm remembering why I save them for special occasions. It is overtaking naptime and bedtime. It's all I do!

We did it....we made it through our first Christmas Eve together as a little family. We started some new traditions of our own and continued on some we got from our families. I have been kind of weepy all day thinking of what was going on at home and I have to give a big thank you to Katie for being such a good blogger. I feel as if I'm sharing in the fun at home by reading her blog. Thanks Kates! Mike has decided he should cook on Christmas Eve and made a delicious "breakfast" with omelets, hashbrowns, juice and the works. It was so yummy! Afterwards Olivia opened up her traditional Christmas jammies and we attempted to act out the nativity with her while Mike read. It started out well enough until Baby Jesus ended up on top of the stable and then all of a sudden she decided she'd had enough and started destroying the set up and throwing pieces. Aughh...the life of an almost 2 year old! She quickly went to bed and Mike and I prepared for the next day. As we sang Families Can Be Together Forever tonight with her before she went to bed I couldn't help but cry. I am so grateful for a darling little girl I love to pieces, a healthy baby in my tummy who is growing more than I thought was possible and a sweet husband who always is trying to make me happy. Merry Christmas Everyone!

Olivia always wants to go out in the snow but we never had anything for her to wear. This weekend there was a sale at The Children's Place...all the outerwear was 50% off. So great! We got her a pair a ski pants and some boots (they were out of the matching coat). I think the coat she has though will work just fine. We let her go out on the balcony to try them out and she was in heaven crunching that snow under her feet. She kept wanting to eat it so Mike put some in a cup and she had a couple of refills. She stayed in this outfit for probably an hour tramping around the house. When did she grow up?????

I put Olivia's hair in curlers this morning for something special for church. She thought they were pretty cool and actually sat still for the entire thing. I learned though that I put them in the wrong way. Her curls looked funny and next time I will put them up and down. Can you believe I forgot to take an after photo. We were in such a rush to leave for church I completely forgot to get one of her in her Christmas Dress. She looked so cute! She was a challenge during sacrament meeting today and kept pointing up the stairs toward the nursery and saying, "Kids". I think she was really disappointed that church was only an hour today and no nursery. Mike and I on the other hand were thrilled! It was great to have her home for lunch and a normal nap time so that she wouldn't go to bed as late and she normally does on Sundays.

Santa (Grandpa) made a visit to the kids and Olivia received her first Christmas Gift. She was so excited when he called her name and she went up and got it. She brought it over to Mike and knew just how to open it. She was THRILLED to find a Thomas the Train DVD and a train inside. The whole way home we heard Choo..Choo. Now we just need that portable DVD player we asked Santa for. Cartrips will be so much better!
Kim had a cut out made of Jace who is on his mission. Here are grandma and grandpa posing with him. We missed you Jace!

Last night we headed up to Grandma & Grandpa Anderton's for the annual party. Usually we are home by now so we don't get to attend. It was nice to spend time with the cousins and Olivia had a blast following all the "kids" around. From the moment I walked in the door she was out of my arms and I didn't see her again until the nativity started and out walked my little angel all dressed up. She was so cute and was CLUELESS as to what was happening. As soon as she saw Mike she got a huge grin on her face and said, "Dad!". She was great and the other kids were hilarious to watch as usual.
These are the AMAZING baskets my Aunt Kim put together for 2 families. Everyone donated gift cards and she hot glue gunned everything onto sticks and made a bouquet in a bucket. It was so cute and I can't wait for the families to see them.

We were so lucky to have Katie and mom in town for a day while they were waiting to take Matt and Megan home. All day we ran errands and did last minute Christmas shopping. We had Katie for our sibling exchange so we let her open her present the night they left. It was so good to see them even if it was for a day! I miss my family!

Haven't blogged in FOREVER!!! Been oh so busy with Christmas preparations..but now it is Christmas eve and Olivia is in bed, the stockings are hung and Mike is playing a video game (his favorite vacation indulgence). I decided it was time to get caught up. We had our ward Christmas party a couple of weeks ago and Mike was sick as a dog at home so it was just Livi and I. The kids all made gingerbread houses and Olivia only seemed to be interested in the eating the candy. Her house didn't get to decorated. Santa made an appearance (it was supposed to be Mike) and Olivia did not know what to think of him. She started to go towards him when she realized he had candy but quickly backed away. She held my hand and we went and got her a candy cane which she was content with the rest of the evening.

Last Friday Olivia and I baby sat this darling little 6th month old. Olivia could not get enough of the "baby" and luckily Alexis liked her as well. Olivia thought a real life doll was to good to be true and got out the "doll" clothes (her old ones). We dressed her up and I'm sure if her parents would have come they would have thought we were crazy. Luckily I was able to have her back in her sleeper by the time they got there. I got a small glimpse of life with 2 kiddos. As I was rocking her for her nap Olivia kept busting in and pushing the buttons on her BBQ...."It's not done til theres ketchup on the bun!". Aughh..finally bribed her with Barney and I got Alexis down. When I came out Olivia was up at the table with the babies bottle in her mouth. I decided to QUICKLY clean up the house and then spend some quality time with Olivia. I let her have a bath in the sink and she was in heaven then we made her Santa craft from story time last week. It was a busy morning! 

For Mike's Christmas Party at work we had to send in a picture of when he was young. This is what I found among all the treasures..love it and couldn't resist posting. What a sweet kid.

Olivia requested the swaddle this time. A little to big for this I think!

Nothing like someone to copy your every move...
So funny! 

After several emails and phone calls regarding our whereabouts I decided not to leave you for the night without at least one blog. We have been busy with the holidays and finals upon us...not to mention a very pregnant body I am dealing with. My weekly appointments to the Doctor start this week along with my weekly non stress test...should be a fun 7 weeks!! (not exactly). Olivia has been exhausting lately with her never ending ball of energy. She learns new words and things each day and amazes us with how fast she is changing. Her baby continues to be her constant sidekick. This morning she wanted her up in the highchair with her and I said why not... I heard giggling and I turned around to see this. Apparently baby got to eat some frosted mini wheats and toast as well. I fear for the new baby. I did not get a picture of baby in her dress and headband since she joined us at church today. I was just relieved when she didn't insist on her taking the sacrament! Goodnight!! We love you all. 

Doesn't sound like she was very tired today!!!! This stinker fought me for a good hour and a half. She was so HYPER in there. Finally I won and she slept for 2 hours.