What we have been doing this year so far...

Well, it is 2012. We have been having some fun inside but oh man, are we anxiously waiting for some warm weather.

We have been trying to do some fun things... like movies in tents or pillow chairs.


And I have been happy to put some of my pins from Pinterest to use...

I also made a moby wrap from Pinterest for our little man (that should be coming in about 10 weeks) and started Olivia on daily chores. She has to pick her toys up and make her bed everyday and then has one extra one each day, like water the plant, dust, or wipe out the bathroom sink. After she does her chore she gets to mark it off with the dry eraser marker, which she thinks is pretty awesome. She is getting really good at making her bed all by herself and is pretty good about getting everything else done.

I feel like I should be doing more to get ready for my new little man but I don't have too much to do, which is really driving me crazy. I have been feeling the nesting bit but when there is not much that needs done, I just have to feel anxious and wait. I did get our old car seat and stroller cleaned up and sold but that was about all I needed to do. I am going a bit crazy since I feel like I should be busy like I was with the other two but I'm not. I need to buy a car seat, get his clothes out, and his bassinet ready and that is all really. And those don't need done until about March. Oh February, you are going to be long.

At least I have two cute monkeys to keep me busy.

First Recital

Olivia had her first dance recital on December 3rd. I guess it wasn't a recital but a "dance preview." Whatever it was it was dang cute. She may have gotten a bit scared and froze up there but it was still adorable. She was so proud of herself and so happy that we all got to see her dance. Thanks Grandma, Grandpa, and KJ for making my little girl feel so special!!!




She sat up there stuck in the first move for about 15 seconds before she decided she should actually try to dance.


When everyone started clapping my daughter was in heaven and realized this dancing bit was pretty cool.

By the way, Callen enjoyed the show too.

Look what we did!

Look what we did!!!!
New, cute pink earrings!



I asked Olivia if she wanted to get her ears pierced yesterday and she said yes. We have had this conversation before and then she tells me "Maybe when I am bigger Mom." I say "Okay" and we go on.

Not yesterday. She was bound and determined to get them pierced. I was really surprised she actually did it. She may or may not have screamed and cried when the "ladies cut her ears" but she loves them now!!! She has to show everybody and ask them if they like her pretty pink earrings.

My little girl is growing up.

(Love the cheesy smile!)

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Christmas had came and passed once again. And I have to say, this Christmas was the funnest Christmas I have had yet. I think kids do that to you. I was always excited about Christmas growing up but I was SO excited this year because Olivia really gets it this year. She has been counting down the days since December 1st, has loved to watch all the Christmas shows, sings all the Christmas songs, carries the baby Jesus around from our toy manger, and would get so excited every time we happened to see that big, jolly man known as Santa. She didn't want to talk to him and definitely not sit on his lap but after a few attempts she did hide behind our stroller and whispered to me to tell him that she was 3 years old and that she wanted a Cinderella doll so that Belle had a friend.

So Christmas Eve came and she was VERY excited, especially since we had a Christmas preview Friday night with my parents and brother and opened all the presents from them. On Christmas Eve, we were able to go to lunch/dinner at my Grandma's house which was nice to see some of my family. After, Casey and I decided we were going to start our own Christmas Eve tradition of getting a pizza and watching Joy to the World. We have been really trying to teach Olivia the true meaning of Christmas so I was really glad that she sat and watched to whole movie and would get excited to see Jesus. Callen watched to whole movie too but I think sitting on Mom's lap and cuddling helped with that.

After our movie, my parents came over for a minute. On the way over, my Mom got "ran over" by a reindeer and was face down in our backyard. We had Olivia go out and help her up and she was in complete shock that Grandma got ran over. She loves that song and I guess she watched a little bit of the movie at my parents so my Mom was pretty excited to do this. What made it even better was Grandpa and Olivia spotted Rudolph's nose flying away (it may or may not be one of those red blinking lights for airplanes that you can see from our house, I'm not telling). She was so excited but was a bit conserned that Grandma was going to get ran over again so she made sure Papa held her hand on the way home so she didn't get hurt. That night she said our family prayer and with as much concern and love she could she said "And please bless Grandma that she doesn't get ran over by a reindeer again." So cute! :)


Christmas morning came and the kids were so excited. Callen went straight for his race car set and it has been a huge hit since. In fact, it is still sitting in the living room. Olivia was VERY excited for her little princess castle and princesses. We love that it is small and we were able to trade it for the huge dollhouse she inherited that was previously in her room (the dollhouse made its way back to Grandma's were it was originally).



Some other favorite things Lou got this year are Jessie and Bullseye, coloring books and princess puzzle from Callen, a tent, sleeping bag, Cinderella doll, a Cinderella baby from Grandma and Papa, Princess barbies from Uncle Brandon, a cash register, and princess books. You can't tell she likes Princesses can you??

Some of Callen's favorites are his truck that holds the car that go with his car set, a tent, sleeping bag, a yellow matchbox car from Olivia, a yellow dump truck from Grandma and Papa, a wagon and blocks from Uncle Brandon, and a stuffed cow. He is such a boy and in love with anything with wheels.



After Christmas morning, we left our messes and drove down to Bear Lake to spend a little time with Casey's parents. There we had a wonderful prime rib dinner, more presents, and fun. It was a short trip since Casey worked on Tuesday but we were able to stay one night which we enjoyed.

This is what happens when you give a chocolate loving boy chocolate raisins.

Hope you had a Merry Christmas, we sure did!!!
See you in 2012!!!

Ho Ho Ho

Merry Christmas!!!!

Love,
Casey, Kristi, Olivia, Callen and (coming in April) Carson