If the movie The Christmas Story featured a little girl. . .

She might look like this!

We spent more time getting bundled up than we did outside in the bitter cold! Only 80 days until spring, and little brother Blake better be here by then!

Christmas Morning!!! It Finally Came!

"Cook guys, come, cook!"

This is Mom's favorite Christmas morning picture!

Olivia is making a few phone calls to tell her buddies what Santa brought.

" What on earth is in this thing???"

Olivia just opened her gift to Richard and me. I think it must be the most beautiful Christmas candle ever made. It was a very appropriate gift for two reasons. Her favorite song is This Little Light of Mine, and she learned at Christmas Eve service the night before that we don't touch burning flames.

Who can tear up the gift wrap faster??? Olivia, Richard, or Dodger???

Olivia and Mom having tea. "Tea, Mom, tea."

Christmas Eve

Grandpa and Grammy Carico came over for Christmas Eve and Christmas night. Olivia got her first taste of opening presents since her birthday on Christmas Eve. She had no problem what-so-ever remembering how it's done.

Dodger and Grammy wait in anticipation to see what Olivia is opening from her grandparents.

"Oh boy, a shopping cart!!!"

Richard tries to figure out how to assemble this American made toy with the parts in the box. The box contained 5 wheels and no axles. I will continue to look for the "Made in the USA" label.

"Want some Christmas Eve toast, Grandpa??? I'll fix you right up!"

Richard and My First Christmas Program

Richard and I were very excited about Olivia's Christmas program debut at church this past Sunday. I was responsible for the digital photography; Richard was in charge of the videography. You'd never know we were first-timers at such an event, I am sure. I doubt we sit that close to the front in church for anything ever again. Although our morning started out a little chaotic and frantic, and the snowfall and slick roads didn't help, we managed to get there.

I'd been practicing the words to one of the songs with Olivia for over a month. Boy oh boy, my little girl can sing like an angel ("la, la, la"), laugh like a shepherd ("ha, ha, ha"), crow like a crow ("caw, caw, caw") . . . I'll stop there. Although we didn't even attempt to learn Joy to the World or Luke 2:10-11 this year, next year it'll be a sure thing.

The kids sang great and I'm sure God was smiling when he heard their sweet voices. It's funny for me to think He enjoys Olivia, and all His children, performing for Him, even more than I do.

"Moo, moo goes the cow; Baa, baa goes the sheep."

"How on earth does God's Baby sleep?"

I really wish I could post our video of their performance. It's priceless! I'm working on it.

A Picture for Christmas

I seem to be a bit behind this year in getting my Christmas cards printed and mailed (among other things). Last weekend I begged Olivia to let me take some pictures of her for our cards. I figured we'd take a few family shots as well and would surely come up with something we could put on a Christmas card and send out. Things didn't start out so well, but I ended up promising her a new coloring book if she would leave her barrette in and smile pretty for Mom. Her attitude improved immediately. My thoughts on bribing kids for good behavior seem to have changed. . . maybe I should say evolved with my increasingly independent two-year-old. Even though we didn't end up going with any of these pictures, I decided to go ahead and post some. I don't know why we didn't choose any of these, because looking at them now I am thinking they might have turned out better than what I ended with. Oh well . . . Next year I can work on getting two kiddos to smile pretty!

Things started out a bit rough last Saturday morning.

Someone did not want her picture taken.


"Oh, you'll buy me a new color book. . ."

"Are you for real?"

"Okay, I suppose I could manage a smile."

"How's this for hamming it up? Can I have new crayons, too?"

Study Buddies

Richard has been taking a chemistry class for HazMat training these last two weeks. Pen and paper in hand, Olivia helped him study several different nights. What did she learn? Never take cough syrup and mix it up with iodine and lye! Just kidding!!! If you have a minute, though, this is one of the funniest songs I've heard in awhile. Maybe it just doesn't take much to entertain the three of us, but it had Rich and I laughing and Olivia dancing:) My classes were not near as entertaining as Richard's, that's for sure! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66gCQPNqi1s

Christmas Baking

We've been doing a little more baking than usual at our house (which still doesn't mean we've done very much) to get ready for Christmas. Here a couple photos of my favorite cook working on her second batch of sugar cookies.

She really wanted to sample the uncooked cookie dough. I have no idea where she gets these crazy ideas, but she didn't understand the harm Campylobacter poses.

She also enjoyed trying on my oven mitts.

Olivia's New Hairdo

It took us so long to grow Olivia's hair out; she was almost two before we could do pigtails. Now that we can do them, she refuses to leave them in for any length of time. Nonetheless, I had a tough time telling our hairdresser to cut off her curls this morning. I did it because I felt they were starting to look straggly and unkept.

Mom got her hair cut, too. I was more ready to pose than Olivia, it seems.

Once we washed and blow dried her hair after her bath tonight, I was really glad we decided to go fairly short and add lots of shape.

And finally. . . the back!

I can't wait to see it after she wakes up in the morning. At our house, bed hair is referred to as Carico Hair. Ever since I met Richard he has covered up his bed hair with a hat. Olivia's hair is pretty interesting in the mornings and after naps as well. She, unlike Richard, refuses hats and barretts altogether. Hopefully this will remedy Olivia's tangles.

If the Shoe Fits. . .

So close, but yet so far. . .

Watching Olivia trying to clomp around in my very heavy Dr. Martens was pretty cute to see.

"Do these come in a 5C???"

What Season Is This, Anyway???

I came home from work today to be greeted by an adorable little girl in a cozy pink winter sweater and denim capri pants. When I work Saturdays, I leave bath time and getting Olivia dressed up to Richard. . . I forgot to lay out an outfit today. Oops!!!

No worries, though. According to Richard she was only outside for a VERY short time:)!

What's more, the capris had pink in them and matched the sweater perfectly! I've taught them both well!!!

Dancing Team

One of Olivia's favorite new past times is dancing; she loves both Mom and Dad to share in her fun. I couldn't resist taking some pictures of her and Richard busting a move last night to the music on her Fisher Price music player. Featured songs include "Baa, Baa Black Sheep", "This Old Man", "Hey Diddle Diddle", and "Pop Goes the Weasel".

In case you are wondering, the blob of hair on our coffee table belongs to Olivia's new dress up doll (thanks Mauryn!). It seems to end up in the same place every night!

Thanks Cuz!

Thanks Cousin Candice!

I took an extended blogging break and am slowly getting back into the swing of things. I begged Olivia to let me get a picture of her "modeling" her new coat from her too sweet cousin; after a few fake tears this was the best I could do. I wish I could find something similar to keep me warm his season! We love you Candice!