Happy Holidays

We had a wonderful week of Xmas Celebration. The following are some fun photos from the festivities. Enjoy!

We Need a Little Christmas

God bless our neighbors. We have many good ones (so key) and right next door Susan and Robert have gone all out with the holiday decor. AND we really needed it tonight. After being cooped up for 4 days with flu, fever, stomatits?, earaches, etc..we were going stir crazy so we took a walk next door. Can you find Olivia in the photo?

Over the last four days we've colored, watched Maisy mouse, done puzzles, played with trains, built a gingerbread house, made and burnt cookies (burnt each other as well), painted, playdoughed, stickered, read, fed our indoor reindeer and I can't remember what else.

I just bleached the house, so I can feel the sickness leaving in time for Christmas. Here's to anyone/everyone out there who may need a little cheering up. Hope you enjoy the photos of our neighbors' house. Sure cheered us up!

Too cute

Santa PJs in full effect this month.

Ain't Havin It

I guess everyone needs a photo like this with Santa. I feel kinda bad, but we didn't buy the professional version of this photo. Maybe next year....Check out how Santa's still in character, now that's a professional. Kind of a shame b/c she had a really cute outfit on.

Magic Kingdom

We met friends to celebrate Parker Awad's birthday. The park was crowded b/c of Xmas (thank you Noelle for the tickets) and we didn't really get to ride on anything major. Somehow Livvy and I stumbled into Mickey Mouse's house and got some quality one-on-one time with the magical mouse. I can't even describe how taken Livvy was with Mickey. She runs screaming from Santa but ran open arms to Mickey. It was the sweetest thing I've seen in a while. Totally captivated by him, and he was really sweet with her. They kept blowing each other kisses...and for one brief moment, I really felt like a kid again too.

Thanksgiving Wrap Up

The Keils had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, full of family, friends, football (although USC cheats) and of course - FOOD!

The Awad family kindly adopted us (ok, so we begged once we found out they were going to fry a turkey) on the actual Thanksgiving Day. Nana Keil came with us and we enjoyed an adundant feast with beautiful company.

The next day, the Keils hopped a flight to Phoenix for round 2, with the O'Connors (aka Auntie Kelly and Uncle Brian). Our wonderful hosts entertained us, along with Mom, Dad, Betty, Priscilla and Rich for dinner. Not to mention, accomodated us all weekend long.

Everyone pitched in for dinner, making it a family experience. We ate and ate until Kelly surprised us with Turkey Jeopardy. I can't remember who won. I think I was eating apple pie.

BTW - Olivia loves Roxy Rabbit, Kelly's bunny - shout out to Roxy for entertaining her all weekend.

Saturday we dropped Mom off to the airport, then headed to the Boulders Resort to check it out. Olivia ordered grilled cheese - which came with massive amounts of fries and adult size sandwich. We thought it was good, and cute (plus the busser kept bringing muffins/ice cream "for the baby, the baby...") as she ate and ate. It was cute, until she woke up at 1am screaming (probably with a stomach ache) so we're going back to organics....

Sunday, we went to the World Zoo and saw giraffes, a jaguar and kangaroos. Who knew Livvy could say "leopard"? Monday, was a tour of local model homes, then back to OC. WHEW!

Once last thought, I want to say thankful I am for the wonderful family and friends in our lives. We are fortunate to have food, good health, a home etc. that so many others do not. Just a moment to recognize our blessings, and think of those who are less fortunate.

Now onto Xmas!

But Its Not Even Thanksgiving

Never too early to line up your Christmas Tree. Early this morning, the Keils ventured out to Peltzer Farms in Irvine to tag the family Xmas tree. People line up with tape measures, and gloves on and rush in the lot at 9am sharp to pull the tag off the perfect holiday tree. We met Uncle Red and Nana (thanks for organizing) and went on the hunt. It was quite fun. We tagged a tree (didn't wait in the big line to pay for it, Nana kindly went back later to pay after the rush), ate some donuts, and had a lovely morning. Family traditions are a beautiful thing. There aren't too many Xmas tree farms in SoCal so hopefully we'll be able to continue this one for some time.

Tonight, we braved the crowds and went to the lighting of the Fashion Island Xmas Tree, which is 70 some feet tall. Its just amazing. The choir from J Serra High School performed then at 6:45pm they lit the tree. It was beautiful. A little crowded for toddlers, but Livvy seemed to enjoy the song and dance and waved "Hi Tree" when the lights went on. I love this little girl...pics to come. I have to download of the video camera, which I am not good at.

Tis the season, now let's fry a turkey!

Halloween

We had so much for at our friend Jen's house last weekend - first for the kids Halloween party, trick or treat, then for the adults spooky celebration the next night. Livvy wasn't too keen on her costumes so we made an impromptu kitty cat outfit. She asked for candy at the neighbors houses but we "forgot" to bring it home. However, am sure she didn't miss it as this is the kid that prefers rice to jello. Anyways, what a great weekend.

Earlier today we met our friend Corie and her kids, Hunter and Taylor at the pumpkin patch for pony rides and photo ops. Tonight we're carving our Halloween pumpkins.

I gotta get candy for the big night. We used to have some but somebody ( Me) ate it. I tried to give some to Livvy but she wanted some raisins instead. If I give raisins out on Halloween, we'll get egged.

Anyways - HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE.

I Find This Funny...

This is a photo of me in Tahiti at about 10 months old (70s)

This is a photo of Olivia w/Grammie in Hawaii at 6 weeks old (06)

I can't believe the change in STROLLERS. Was speaking to my sister Kelly earlier today, who's is joyously expecting her first child next Spring, and we were discussing stollers. She likes the Bugaboo, which is an ultra stoller that tops the one in the Hawaii photo. Compared to the top photo, my Graco looks like it could withstand a meteor shower.

Kelly, maybe you should hijack a shopping cart and affix a stadium cushion to the bottom, then bungee tie the baby into it b/c I lived thru the 70s in something kinda like that...although, am starting to wonder...if the stroller in Tahiti looks like that, what did the plane we flew on to get there look like?

Time Flies When....

How did we get from here...

Olivia at one month in crib

Olivia at 16 months in Hawaii

to here (and I haven't aged at all? just kidding) ....

I was at the park with sweet Miss Olivia Jay the other day and Livvy was running away from me, yet kept checking over her shoulder to make sure I was still there. The woman standing next to me said "That's good she keeps looking back because one day she won't." That's been stuck in my brain, and prompted me to start documenting some of the amazing things happening to the SB Keils because time does pass, and since I know don't work in an office full time, I need something to do - ha ha.

We are a very blessed family, who just moved to Seal Beach into a home that we're currently settling into. Scott's job has been going well, which allows me to stay and play with Olivia most days. I am going to try to throw some stuff up here and share fun thoughts and images. Thanks for reading, more to come.