Christmas with the Kids

My day-after-Christmas visit was delayed a day because of snow, but Uncle Adam and Grammy got the dogs hooked to the sled and mushed south without incident. Lots of fun and laughter ensued and a fun time was had by all.

Miss Olivia gives her kitty travel pillow a test run.

Is there anything more precious than the pure delight of a child at Christmas?

Bling!

Daddy got books.

Uncle Adam got a serious-looking knife for camping. Uncle Adam looks pretty serious too.

Mommy got to play tea party. Sorry I didn't get a picture of Mommy opening her gifts. But she got something she'll use on a big trip she has coming up.

The quick-change artist put on her Belle costume.

Grammy and Olivia er... Belle have tea.

Chinese for dinner. Note Olivia's Chimp Sticks. They're a cute way for little ones to be able to eat their Mandarin macaroni and Szechuan corn on the cob. ~grin~

Olivia and Uncle Adam. War Eagle!

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year. May 2011 bring much joy and happiness to you all.

Merry Christmas 2010

Miss O and I would like to wish you a very merry Christmas!

Catching Up

It's been way too long since I posted here so this post will cover quite a bit of time.

My mother visited in September and we went to Birmingham so she could see her great-granddaughter. It had been over two years since she'd seen Olivia in person. I got a great photo of all of us by the railroad tracks after we had lunch at the Whistle Stop Cafe in Irondale.




Around that same time, Olivia and her mom met up at the zoo with Aunt Farah and her cousins Waylon and Wyatt. Lynn-z and Peedee came along for the trip. I'm "borrowing" these photos from Aunt Farah's blog because they are so cute.



Here's Olivia holding Waylon's hand at the zoo so he wouldn't run anymore. He'd already fallen and scraped his knees.



Then Miss Olivia was a ladybug for Halloween.



Uncle Adam came to visit for Thanksgiving and the whole gang convened at Lynn-z and Peedee's house (Kristin's mother and stepfather) for a wonderful meal. At one point we had ten adults and five children all age five and under (the kids, not the adults). We had loads of great food and lots of fun and laughter.



I know this is the Grammy blog, but this is a proud mother picture of my two boys. I'm so proud of the men they have become.



And a great big thanks to Lynn-z for sharing these photos she took at her house. Aren't bubble baths fun?

Future Olympic Champ?

The beginnings of a flip turn



The backstroke



Freestyle



And when she wins her gold medal, she can proudly sing her country's national anthem.

Tanning Oil -- It has a new meaning now

This is what an angel looks like making a sand angel.

And this is the beach just yards away. So sad what's happening to our beautiful coastline.

Someone Turns Four

Olivia's birthday party was held at the skating rink and everyone had a blast whether they skated or just watched.

What's a birthday without a new haircut and a manicure?

And a pedicure to set off a pair of sandals from a special friend?



Cake anyone?


Four candles to blow out.


Opening gifts (and notice the wardrobe change to a new dress from Aunt Farah). Also note the bling and fairy wings.


More new shoes!

Cosmetics are a girl's best friend. I know who to go to for lip gloss now.

A kiss for Grammy.

And a hug for Papa.



Isn't she lovely?

Happy Birthday, Olivia!

Slip Sliding Away...

At least once a summer the kids host a Slip & Slide party. This year they held one on Memorial Day, which also happened to be Kristin's birthday.

They buy heavy grade landscape plastic and roll it out in their backyard. Since the yard has a downward slope, it's perfect. Looks like Olivia got into the action this year.

The Amazing Three-Year-Old Rock Climber

I don't know the occassion, but I'm impressed with her skill and bravado. And the look in the fourth photo is priceless!

Roller Derby Queen?

Someone went roller skating for the first time. According to her mother, the skates were old and the wheels would barely turn, so Miss O just clomped around the rink in them. But she's sure cute, huh?