Happy Holiday's

Happy Holiday's

This little family has been so busy over the last couple weeks. We love the holiday's and do anything and everything that has to do with them. I just wanted to share some photos with you of our adventures. 

Crofoot Christmas Lighting

Charity Event for Down Syndrome

Olivia just loved meeting Scooby

Her second meeting with Santa

The Baker Christmas Party

BFF's Forever

Attempting to take a picture of all the kids

Didn't quite get one

The Girl's

The Boy's

My Ornament Exchange

I LOVE my girls!

Christmas Photo Shoot

We enjoyed a lazy Sunday, ok it was only lazy for Olivia because Ben and I tackled some cleaning, painting, and gift wrapping. But, after I was through with the chores I decided that it was time for a Holiday photo shoot and Olivia was so happy to oblige to anything I asked of her.

"Shhh Don't tell Santa I am peeking!"

"I can help Dada!"

"Where do they go?"

"That's my tree!"

1st Words

I have been putting this post off, but I now feel we can safely share this. For almost the last month Olivia has been saying Mama and Mom but I was sure that she did not get the connection between the words and Me. But since I have been back to work this past week I think she has the connection between the two. And an even better way to end the week is with hearing her say Dada for the first time today. I know that Ben felt even more excited then I did when those precious words escaped her mouth.

I never thought 2 such small words could ever hold so much meaning, yet to us I think they hold the world.  I can't wait to hear what is next to come out. I always thought that 'Oakley Stop' would be the first thing she would say, I am glad that it was Mama.

Dear Santa,

I want it all!

Love Olivia

Monday night Olivia visited Santa for the first time. Ben said that it could have gone one of two ways: 

1) she would cry or 2) she would grab his beard (and pull it off). How did it actually turn out you ask? Olivia LOVED it! This is no stretch, she sat in his lap with a huge smile on her face the whole time. She was laughing and hamming it up for the camera. She turned to Santa and was petting his beard I think she was trying to grab it. We ended up buying the CD of the session with 20 photos on it. 

It was such a wonderful experience to see her reaction to her visit! We will cherish this time forever. I hope that next year goes as smoothly.  



It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

We picked out our first Christmas tree as a family. We took a trip to a local Christmas tree farm and were greeted by very friendly "Elves" and we even got our first candy cane of the season. It smelled so amazing and and just made it seem so real that the Holiday's are upon us.

Us with the Christmas Elf and our beautiful tree.





Olivia's 1st Thanksgiving

This year Ben and I have so much to be thankful for, the most precious gift we have ever received, Olivia. Not only was it her first Thanksgiving but it was also Ben and mine. We decided that we would do Thanksgiving in our home for the first time. I began cooking on Wednesday and we were both up early Thursday morning to finish the feast. Luckily for us Olivia decided to sleep until 8:30! By 9:30 I had appetizers out and a glass of wine in my hand. (Do not judge me...it was 5 O'Clock somewhere.) Bring on the Macy's Parade!

Oakley's Thanksgiving Meal

We were all able to sit and enjoy a beautiful day. Even Olivia was able to take part and her feast was sweet potatoes. Ben cooked his first turkey and it was delicious. By the amount of food you would have thought that I channeled my Mother-in-Law! She feeds an army even if it is just us, you will never go hungry when you come to their home for a meal.

That afternoon we were off to our 2nd meal of the day and it was another great time with our family. We celebrated Julie's Birthday that night with lots of cake and cupcakes. Olivia was in the football pool and she won $25, her piggy bank is filling up so fast.

OK so Ben and I braved the insane people who began there shopping at 10pm Thursday night and went out for a few hours. Let me just say that Ben and I have agreed that we will never be doing that again. We will save our Black Friday shopping for Friday afternoon. Olivia was even able to get in on the shopping action, (no it was not at night but Friday afternoon! Someone has to show her the ropes. Aunt Vicky will be telling Olivia stories of that night when she is old enough to understand how loved she is and how none of us will be that brave again.

I forgot my camera when we went to our 2nd Meal so I will have to add photos at a later date!

Girls Weekend

This past weekend Ben left Olivia and I and headed to Miami. So we called a girls weekend, Julie and Vicky got to spend some quality time with us. We had an amazing time, shopping, eating (of course), and girl talk. We went to Millenia, Park Ave, and Babies R Us...it's my new obsession since I had Olivia. Jamie was even able to squeeze us in for Brunch. I can't wait to do it again, what a great way to start the Holiday's.