school craft.

Olivia had a present for us when I picked her up from school on Thursday!  She had decorated a bag and the teachers said it was for us from her.  We waited till Daddy got home from work, then we opened it!

She has such sweet teachers!  What a treat to get a gift this Christmas from our baby girl! I know we will look back at it next year and comment on how small she is, even though she looks like such a big girl to us now!

sit on Santa's lap?

Not a chance!  ha. 

Here are the "official pictures" from pancakes with Santa at Andy's work.  I love in the second one how Olivia is staring up at him! 

This last picture is from last night when we went to walk around and see Christmas lights here in Altus at a park.  I didn't realize Santa would be there, but he was; sitting in a little gazebo waiting for children to come and sit on his lap (or cling to their Daddy's shoulder...whatever your situation may be ;) 

Olivia stayed true to form and didn't want to touch him or sit with him, but she said "Merry Christmas" nice and loud as we were walking away!  She also stayed true to form in what she said she wants Santa to bring her.  "Daddy's airplane" is her constant request!  Are you kidding me?  How is he going to fit a C-17 in his sleigh?!!  Santa better feed his reindeer some extra vitamins this Christmas ;)

wordless Wednesday.

look at how Carter is watching her!
He loves his big sister!

Christmas traditions.

We've been filling some of our spare time with holiday traditions the past few weeks.  I haven't found as much time as I'd like to do fun things, but we have managed a few projects here and there.  I am always impressed with other mothers on Facebook and on blogs when I see all of the creative things they do with their children.  Sometimes I think that Olivia and Carter got the short end of the deal because their mother seems to lack that creative/arts and craft gene that make children so happy!  I would love to say that we've made handmade ornaments, built and decorated a gingerbread house, sang Christmas carols around the neighborhood, and made daily art projects centering around baby Jesus, but we haven't.

What we have done is small in comparison to some mommy's I know, but here is our list so far....


We have decorated the Christmas tree!  We crossed over to the dark side this year and bought a fake one :(  I pouted the entire time in the store, but it seems like our best option for the next few years for a few reasons.  One, the only place to buy real trees here in Altus is at Wal-Mart (boo on many many levels).  They are wrapped so you have no idea what they look like and they do not even keep them in water to keep them fresh.  Two, we would have to take a live tree down (and put it to the curb) before Christmas because of our travel plans.  I just don't feel comfortable leaving a live tree in an empty house into the new year; too much of a fire hazard!  So, the best option for us was to go fake.  Ugh.  However, it it pre-lit and I did enjoy skipping the stringing of the lights saga that always comes along with a real tree! 

Olivia is quite good at hanging ornaments by herself!

The tree still isn't done yet, even though its been up for two weeks now!  I just haven't taken the time to finish up the ornaments or put the bow on the top.  Olivia still says "our tree beautiful" when she sees it though, so I guess I don't have anything to worry about!

We watched the Altus Christmas parade!  It was a dreary and cold Sunday afternoon, but none of that bothered Olivia.  She is a real trooper in the cold!

anxiosly awaiting a glimpse of Santa!

Carter was snuggly and warm in the stroller.

some holiday apparel and adorable hats
thanks to Grandma Allen!

We have made several batches of cut-out cookies, oatmeal cookies, and pumpkin bread so far!  I love to bake, but its hard to get accomplished when you have a two-year-old that says "I want to help" no matter what task it is you are doing!  I have found fun ways to include her in the Christmas baking, but other days I have gotten things done during nap or after bed time.  However, it makes me smile when Olivia wanders into the kitchen and says "what are we making today mama?"  ha. 

Christmas cookies 2011

Christmas cookies 2010

This weekend we attended a pancake breakfast at Andy's squadron.  The kids all came in their pajamas, enjoyed pancakes, and then a special visitor arrived!

Here Olivia is curiously watching Santa as he makes his grand entrance!  Last year he arrive on a C-17 in Charleston, but in Oklahoma he just waltzed in the door! ha. Not nearly as impressive in my opinion, but the kids still had a great time. 

Olivia asked us where he parked his car when we were leaving!  She was not interested in sitting on his lap, so Andy just held her.  I put Carter on his lap thinking it may entice her, but no luck. When we ask her if she sat on Santa's lap she says "no but I talk to him. I say Merry Christmas"!

To be honest, we have no interest in forcing the issue.  Christmas isn't really about Santa anyway, so we aren't making a big deal about him to her. We spend more time talking about how Christmas is Jesus' birthday rather than it is when Santa will come or when she will get presents.  I may not be a crafty mom during the holidays, but I do want to make sure I am getting that message across!  If that is all she remembers about Christmas for these first few years, then I think I've done my job well. 

Carter wasn't too impressed ;)
He took a nap with Daddy instead.

Santa 2011

Santa 2010

Olivia having a grand time running
with all the kids Saturday morning!

Turn up your volume and listen to Olivia tells us what Christmas means!

This makes my heart happier than any gingerbread house, hand made craft, or perfect live Christmas tree ever would.

Olivia and Luke.

Our friend's the Wests had their baby!   He is teeny tiny and adorable and so so sweet.  I won't steal her thunder by giving away all of the new baby details, but what I can do is share some fun that we've been having with big brother Luke!

We got to spend lots of time with Luke last week while his mommy delivered the baby, stayed in the hospital, and got settled in at home.  Olivia loved having him around (and I did, too!).

See all the fun they had?!!

They helped me with my holiday baking....

Olivia showed Luke that turkey hats are still in fashion...

Luke decided Olivia's kitchen was the best drive-in this side of the Mississippi....

They enjoyed suckers while watching Andy play volleyball...

And they wrestled.....

....and they wrestled some more!! 
I promise no small children were hurt in the taking of these pictures!  However, consider yourselves warned - if I babysit your child, they just may be a part of a light-hearted wrestling match!  We have to burn up that toddler energy somehow, right ;)

(the pictures are blurry because they were moving sooo fast!  iPhones really need a sports mode! ;)

West family, thanks for sharing Luke with us for a few days and congratulations on little Levi!  He is just precious!  We look forward to many more fun times together in Altus over the next few years.

No comment.

Friends, I still read your blogs and I love them!  However, I cannot comment on any blogspot/blogger blogs!  This has been going on for months and months and it is sooooo frustrating!  It tells me I don't have access or permission whenever I try.
Soooo, please don't think that I've been ignoring your great posts!  There has been so much I've wanted to say. 

Anyone have any suggestions?!!

wordless Wednesday.

iPhone dump.....
If I were tech-savvy enough I would have these arranged in a fun collage like some bloggers I see, but I'm not.  So here they are one by one.
(note - all of these photos were edited in Instagram on my phone)

P.S. I know I am technically posting this on Tuesday night, so if you are reading this and its not yet Wednesday, then I say "go to bed"!!  Especially to my EST readers ;)