Olivia at 25 Months!

Olivia is 25 months and finally starting to really talk. She still has her core words that she can pronounce well but is now venturing into new words and phrases and will try to say a word if you ask her to. She loves to say "Here you go" or "I need (want) this" and "Hush" or "Stop"! She still doesn't say animal words other than puppy and says "neigh" or "Baaa" or "Mooo" for other animals. She still loves mints and gum and a day doesn't go by that she doesn't ask for them. Last week I pulled out all of Sofia's 3T clothes and removed all the 2T clothes from Olivia's dresser that no longer fit her. She's really grown tall in the past few weeks and with her "ample" tummy, 3T tops fit her better than her current tops. Her very favorite outfit is a yellow shirt with a puppy on it and blue and white seersucker shorts. She would wear this combo everyday if I let her. She particularly loves the puppy shirt. She loves puppies, horses and trains and her favorite books are the Boynton books and "Bear About Town" where she "eats" the cookies and bread from the bakery and the ice creams from the bear's hand in later pages. She also loves to draw while Sofia is at school and is actually very good at drawing circles, which she uses her left hand for. Generally she eats with her right hand, but draws with her left, so we'll see which she'll use when she's older. She's such a happy, fun girl!

Our big girl wearing her very favorite outfit with her favorite "Neigh" (aka horse) that she sleeps with every night

Such a happy girl

So big!

Playing with her "Neigh"

Walking Buddy while pushing her car

Olivia's drawing

With sister before school one day

Family Photos

Yesterday morning, we all drove to Bear Creek Park in Keller to have professional photos taken. The photographer was actually a woman I found on Groupon and haven't yet met, although we've talked and exchanged many emails. I told her it was my 40th birthday and we try to get family photos done in September since it's close to both girls' birthdays but usually not as hot as July and August are.

We arrived at the park at 830am as planned and it was actually pretty chilly out! It's was the first day of the year in which it was in the 60s in the morning and it felt much colder after the heat of the summer. Since it was sunny and crisp out, the park was full of runners, walkers, kids, dogs, etc. We met up with Sonia Orejel and her husband, who helps out, and got started. I was super excited to be taking family photos with Aunt and Uncle too! She took pictures of all of us, as well as just CK, the girls and I and then the girls solo with a balloon that she brought. Unfortunately, Sofia let go of the balloon and it floated into a tree and got caught. She was absolutely devastated and it took some serious convincing by CK to have her stop crying and to smile for the photos. After she took all the family photos, she captured a few of the girls horsing around which are really cute. She did a great job and was very nice and we've been happy with the finished photos.

Aunt and Uncle

All of us

CK, Sofia, Olivia and me

Just CK and me

Sofia and the balloon....before it's demise.

My favorite family photo!

All of us on the bridge

Sofia and Olivia horsing around

Olivia acting silly

What a Difference a Year Makes.....

Last September we had professional family pictures taken at the Grapevine Botanic Gardens. The photographer captured some adorable photos of the girls and took a few of Olivia wearing the dress my Mom made for Sofia's 1st birthday. My Mom created the entire dress from her own imagination, creating the pattern and design as well as making the dress. It's a little big in the shoulders on both girls, but is SO cute! Olivia really looked adorable in the dress.

This year, I wanted to try and take pictures very similar to those taken last year to show how much Olivia has grown and changed in the past year. I always think it's incredible how much kids change in the first two years. After dropping Sofia off at school, Olivia and I headed to the Botanic Garden with her in the Mimi-made birthday dress. The dress fits Olivia perfectly in the shoulders now, but is very short! It's still so cute on her though. It was really fun to try and capture the same photo and she cooperated well and had fun. We also fed the fish and played in the fountain before changing clothes and playing on the playground, which we had completely to ourselves!

Olivia at 1.....

And at 2.....

Pictures with Grandma!

Since Grandma was in town to watch the girls so CK and I could go to Halifax for the banking conference, we planned to take the girls and Grandma to JC Penny for photos. So, yesterday we picked up Sofia from school and drove to the mall while the girls had a snack. I had matching dresses for the girls that Sofia changed into after we arrived at the photography center.

I've had the girls photos taken at that particular JC Penny several times (especially now that Sears closed their photography center). We arrived to a young man who had no clue what to do, but was thankfully very open to our suggestions. I've been through enough sessions that I had a few ideas and we went with those and a few that came along as we tried to position the girls. Both gals did a great job cooperating and smiling and the photos with Grandma all turned out so cute! Now I'll have new photos to put in their frames.

I LOVE this one! It's so cute with both girls peeking over Grandma's shoulders

Olivia loved sitting on Sofia for this picture and it turned out sweet.

Another one of my favorites and also very cute!

The girls by themselves...

Sitting together

I really love this one too!

Olivia on a horse - she loved it, of course!

Such a sweet smiley girl!

Sofia on her own

Our beautiful girl!

Nova Scotia

CK and I flew to Halifax, Nova Scotia on Thursday morning after we said goodbye to Olivia and the girls' Grandma and drove Sofia to school, where we said goodbye to our big girl. We flew through Toronto and were in the air for nearly six hours total, which flew by given the fact that we didn't have two little girls climbing on us and needing to be entertained. CK was participating in the SWGSB conference and I was lucky enough to be able to go along because Connie (aka Grandma) was able to stay with the girls!

On Friday, CK and I headed out to the Citadel, the old fort set up on the top of the hill in Halifax. We took a cab so we could be there for the noon canon firing and made it just in time. It was a windy and chilly day, especially as we stood atop the highest point in town listening to the history of the fort and waiting for the canon. It was loud and impressive and served to inform ships of the time so their watches could be set correctly. From the Citadel, we walked down the hill to eat lunch at Five Fishermen, which has been rated as one of the best restaurants in Halifax for several years. It was delicious! From there, we continued down the hill and walked along the waterfront to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. We took the tour and learned about the importance of Halifax as a main staging ground for the navy in WWII. The tour was fascinating and museum was great. We also saw a movie about the Titanic and saw several pieces off the ship that were found by locals. Those who perished in the Titanic are buried at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery. We left the museum and headed back to our hotel for a 5:30 reception and dinner.

On Saturday CK had to attend the conference, so I slept in and then headed to the Farmer's Market which was fantastic. It was also a sunny, warm day that was incredible. I walked through the Farmer's Market, which reminded me of Eastern Market with fresh vegetables, food stalls and handmade crafts, jewelry and art. I then decided what to eat for breakfast, and stood in line for a breakfast burrito wrap that included eggs, cheese, avocado, basil, spinach and tomatoes. Once ready, I headed up to an area by the stairs to sit down, eat my delicious breakfast and people watch. After eating, I walked around the market a bit more then headed back to the hotel to meet CK for lunch. After lunch, I sat in on the discussion on the economic outlook. After, CK and I walked around and tried to go to the Farmer's Market, but it closed at 3pm. We visited the Pier 21 Immigration Museum, although we only made it to the gift shop. We ended up going to dinner with Tex and Vaughn and ate at Five Fishermen again!

On Sunday, we were able to drive to the Bay of Fundy and wanted to see the high tide come into the Bay, however, we arrived just as it was high tide so didn't see much. It was also cold and rainy so not optimum traveling weather. It was great to get out of Halifax and see a bit of the countryside. We ended up eating brunch in Truro before headed back to Halifax. We relaxed in the room while it rained before heading out and hitting the Patagonia store. We decided to take a 1 1/2 hour long trip on the Mar sailboat, and even though the ship used it's engine the entire time, it was a nice change. After, we ate dinner and returned to our room.

On Monday morning CK had to lead the conference discussion, so I hung out in the room and met him after he was done. We went to lunch with his partner, Tex and his wife Vaughn at Salty's which was delicious. After, we poked around the shops and then headed back to our hotel where we met up with Scott and Becky who gave us a ride to the airport. Our flight to Toronto was uneventful and we cleared US Customs in Toronto but found out that our flight to DFW was delayed several hours! We finally got home around 1am. A long day, but a fun weekend!

At the Citadel

CK looking over the city from the Citadel

Me looking over the city from the other direction

One of the Citadel guards

The entrance to the Citadel as we're leaving

The tug boat Theodore Too. We bought both girls story books of Theodore Too which are really cute and provide a little local Halifax flavor.

CK standing in front of the Mar, which we ended up going out on Sunday afternoon

Inside the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

One of the Light house lamps

The Acadia, which has served in two wars

The very cool farmer's market!

CK and me on the Mar.

Our view from The Mar

McDonald Bridge

Halifax at dusk