New Years Eve

Mommy and Daddy

Mommy and Aunt Shell

Mommy and Angie

The Boys

Craig and Mandy

Angie and Uncle Tim

Dan and Christine

Well, things were quite different this year than years passed. Adding the many kids to the mix these days, we were slightly less rowdy than we usually have been this time of year...if you can believe it! So, we started the evening first by dropping the kids of at the sitters..thanks Grandma! We felt a little guilty for asking her to watch Olivia on New Years, but she loves every second of it, and was glad to do it! So, we headed to dinner and Johnny's Italian Steakhouse at the Shoppes of Grand Prairie. It was awesome! We got there a little early, so was able to have a few drinks before dinner. Then the group had dinner and decided we wanted to go somewhere else before having to pick up the kids, but didn't want to pay a huge cover to get in anywhere...so, we rang in the New Year at Buffalo Wild Wings! I know, we are real party animals! Even though it was not wild and crazy, we had a ball. The boys were able to play the trivia games, poker, and golf...and the girls chit-chatted all night long! It was great, and there were only a few of us left at midnight. The boys were playing golf at midnight, so Angie and I did a shot and celebrated together! Nothing too fancy, but wonderful just the same. We realized quickly that our New Years will never be the same, but all for the better! Here are some good shots of the gang!

Shopping with Aunt Shell

Today was a get away of sorts for Mommy, Aunt Shell and Angie. Mommy and Aunt Shell went shopping this morning...and basically spent money on ourselves. We got a few gift certificates for Christmas and needed to take a few things back, so that is exactly what we did. We came home with quite a few new things, and didn't pay for much..how often does that happen! And, I don't believe either one of us bought one thing for the kids...now I know that rarely happens! So, it was a great morning...and then we met Angie for lunch and had a great time! We may have talked about the kids...but just for a little bit! :-) It is actually really nice to hear about how they have handled things, etc. and just to bounce ideas off each other. Mommy is really lukcy to have such close friends and family! After lunch we decided we better get home to relieve the boys from baby duty, and much to my surprise, Daddy had taken the Christmas tree down, and actually put up some of my picture frames on the wall (Mommy has been needing to do this for quite some time). Now, if only I could get the pictures in them! :-) Anyway, I took a few pictures as soon as I got home of them playing together!

Home again...

Mommy stayed home again today, but was able to work from home. I just didn't want Olivia to go over to Kathy's and get anyone else sick, so I decided to stay home. With Baby Landon coming soon, I want everyone to be healthy for the new arrival! However, Aunt Jenny was also able to come over for a while to help watch Miss Olivia, so I could actually get some work done. They had a great time, but can you believe that I did not get any pictures! Sorry Aunt Jenny..definitely next time! Olivia does seem to be feeling better..the medicine seems to be working great. She has been taking the amoxicillon and triaminic, but is still sleeping on the boppy so she can be elevated a little. It will be slow progress, but all is well.

Under the Weather...

Well, Mommy stayed home from work today cause Miss Olivia did not have a great night last night. She was up still at 2:00 in the morning, and did not want to sleep even then. She had a rough night and so I was a little worried this morning. I called to get a doctor appointment today and got her in this afternoon. Dr. Erickson indicated that she had the starting potential of an ear infection, but her lungs and that sounded okay. I was a little surprised since her cough and runny nose were so bad all of a sudden. But, doctor knows best I guess. He did prescribe her amoxicillon for the ear infection and said we could take benadryl or triaminic for her cough and runny nose. So, we'll try that and hope it works quickly. Also, while we were at the doctor's office, I brought in the video tape of her "twitching", for lack of a better word, and they took a look. In fact, there were two doctors there to view it, and afterwards they just looked at each other with a confused look on their face. They didn't seem overly concerned, but was just thinking, "hmmm, I wonder what that was?" So, they said since I took the time to get it on tape like they asked, the least they could do is call to get it checked out. So, now she is scheduled for an EEG the first week of February. Yikes! Mommy was definitely concerned...well, scared would be the word...but at least someone is going to take a look at it. So, more to come on that! In the meantime, we are going to just keep an eye on her to see if it gets any worse, and hopefully get it on video tape more to show the specialists. Of course, Olivia was coughing all night again, so hopefully the medicine kicks in soon!

Happy Birthday Annie!

I picked Miss Olivia up after work today, and we had plans to meet everyone for dinner for Annie's birthday (Shane's cousin). However, once we got home, Olivia really quickly developed a bad cough. I waited a little while to see if we should even go, but she seemed okay. She wasn't fussy or anything else, it just simply sounded bad. We got to the restaurant and had a great time with everyone. I didn't get too many pictures, but did get one of Olivia and the birthday girl, and some of Grandma, Aunt Jenny and Cayce, and Aunt Pam. After dinner, we came home and Olivia slept the entire way home. However, once we got home she did not want to go to sleep. Every time I layed her in the crib, she would start screaming at the top of her lungs. Then, she would cough so hard she started gagging herself. It was the worst sound I have ever heard her make. Nothing would work..I tried holding her, rocking her, putting on on the boppi pillow, and nothing seemed to help. She finally fell asleep in my arms around midnight which is when Daddy got home from cards. I tried putting her down again and it started all over again. he couldn't believe how she sounded either...it was terrible. Finally, around 2:00 in the morning, she fell asleep and did end up sleeping until her normal time. Rough night!

Miss Olivia and her best bud

More shots of Olivia and Parker in their new jammies...thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Parker and Kaleigh

Since Kaleigh got a new camera of her own, she has been better about letting us take her picture...cause she then wants to take ours! :-) Here are some of her and Parker!

Playing with Grandpa

Here is a great shot me Miss Olivia and Grandpa! Where is my belly!?

Playing in the cabinet

We met at Grandma and Grandpa Davis' cause although they were in Colorado, they left their gifts for the kids at their house. And, of course, Olivia knew right where to go when she got there...the tupperware cabinet!

Last Round with Grandpa and Linda

Unfortunately, today was back to work, and back to reality. We have had so much fun over the Christmas weekend, however it was quite exhausting for all of us as well. It was hard to get up this morning, but we made it. After what seemed like a very long day, we were off to see Grandpa and Linda and to celebrate our Christmas with them. We ordered pizza and had a great time! They got her a Winnie the Pooh doll, which she absolutely loved...and clothes which Mommy loved! :-)

More Christmas Day Pictures

Here are a few more of Miss Olivia trying to unwrap her gifts...and playing in the paper!

Merry Christmas Miss Olivia!!

Yeah...today was Olivia's very first Christmas, and although she didn't really know what was going on, we sure had a lot of fun! We got up bright and early to get the house ready for our guests...Dina, Dave, Jenny, Jean and Bob were all coming over for breakfast. Luckily Daddy was the chef this morning, so Mommy tried to clean up a little more and got Miss Olivia up and ready. We didn't do the whole video camera thing when she came down the stairs, cause again she really didn't do anything out of the normal or get excited about the gifts, etc. So, it was almost like a normal day until everyone got there. We had a great breakfast (thanks Daddy) and then it was time. I did get a few pictures of the mass chaos under our tree, but I chose not to post them...I will just let you take my word for it that Miss Olivia got spoiled yet again...not to mention Mommy and Daddy! It was so much fun to watch her attempt to open some of the gifts...then she wanted to play...then we tried again, etc. That is basically how the entire morning went, but overall she did great. I did get some of her favorite things in the pictures, but we did end up taking more video than pictures...believe it or not! Afterwards, we visited for a little longer and then they had to get back home or on to the next stop. Daddy, Olivia and I however had nowhere else to go for the entire day! Can you beleive it!? This is the first year in about 10 that we have not had about 6 places to go on Christmas Day! So, it was so nice...in fact, we were trying to just relax from the first four rounds...knowing we had a few more to go. So, when Olivia took a two hour nap...so did Mommy and Daddy! Olivia was glad to be in her own bed, and it was such a relaxing day! What a great first Christmas Day at our own house!!!

Four Generations

Round Four...we went to Aunt Pam's tonight to celebrate with Dina's side of the family and to also celebrate her birthday. Miss Olivia was spoiled rotten andwas a little overwhlemed with the opening of gifts, but she got so much fun stuff (too many pictures to take of them all). So, instead, we got a picture of four generations! Olivia seemed to be feeling a little better, although it was a pretty long day. She was glad to get home and into her own bed...and to await the arrival of Santa Claus in the morning!

Playing the Piano with Daddy!

Aunt Pam and Uncle Dave have a piano at their house, so Daddy just started playing as he normally does over there. Well, Miss Olivia was just amazed and intrigued by the whole thing. She wouldn't take her eyes of it, so eventually Daddy let her play as well. She loved it...this might just be the start of a big music career!! Okay, probably not but it was fun to watch her!

Pretty Girl

Well, I think it is starting already...Olivia is turning into a girly girl! In fact, Kathy has mentioned on several occasions that she is going to be a diva...especially if Michaela has anything to do with it! :-) So, on Christmas Eve at Aunt Pam's, she wore the beads most of the evening, and didn't want to let them go. Then of course, we had to do her hair up a little to dress her up even more. What a cutie!

Gma and Great Gma

Here are some good pictures of Miss Olivia with Grandma Dina and Great Grandma Jean.

Christmas Jammies

Of course Miss Olivia had to have some new jammies for Christmas Eve.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

In addition to being Christmas Eve, it is also Grandma's birthday. So, every year, we celebrate Christmas with Dina's side of the family, as well as her birthday. So, here are a few pictures of the birthday girl...notice the Christmas tree cake! Happy Birthday Grandma!

Relaxing before the next round...

Sunday morning (Christmas Eve), we were trying to relax a little before heading to Aunt Pam's for Round Four. We were going to have company on Christmas morning, so Mommy was also trying to get some cleaning done. As you can see from the pictures, Miss Olivia was still a little clingy, but we were soaking it all up. I just love when she wants to be held, cause now that she is getting bigger and more of her own personality (aka..attitude), she doesn't want to be held much! So, Mommy loves every minute of it!

Cline Family...and Miss Olivia

Here is a good picture of the entire Cline family...with the exception of Don. And, one of Miss Olivia since she was the only one not looking at the camera!