Happy New Year!

So we had a good flight to DFW today. I've posted some pictures of Oliver entertaining himself while we awaited our flight in SLC. This little guy cracks me up!

Oliver's first taste of candy besides M & M's .... not surprising that as a chocolate lover, he loved my favorite candy!

buying his first newspaper

his eyes are red from the eye infection that accompanied the virus he has

He entertained himself for a few minutes making faces in this full-size mirror on the side of the candy machine where we were waiting for our flight

eating goldfish & watching Pooh on the flight -- comfort!

our last day in SLC

Our time in Salt Lake has come to an end, and unfortunatley with Oliver's sickness, we didn't do all the things we had hoped. I wish we had an infinite amount of time when we come to see all the people we hoped to, and do all the things we would like to, but alas, that day has not yet arrived. Maybe next time. It was so great to see those of you we did see!

This morning Oliver played with his Gramps and his remote control truck. Then my sister and her kids came over and then after dinner, my brother and his kids came over. What a great way to spend the last day. Thanks for being great hosts Grammy & Gramps and opening your house and changing your schedules just for us! It's been great!

Oliver was so incredibly excited to see this truck!

Oliver was actually hiding from the truck in this pic, it went a little too fast for him

My beautiful 30 week pregnant little sister

Emily, Avery & Madi with their Aunt Pamela

Nice model pose, Rye!

Riley teaching Oliver to jump rope

My big brother, Jerone

Anyone up for a game of Elmo Loves you? It's a game Olivia & Preston played with their Grammy & Gramps. The book they are passing between each other is called Elmo Loves you. As they passed the book, they would exclaim, No, Elmo Loves you! Looks fun, too bad I didn't video!

Hanging out at Grammy & Gramps

My little Oliver came down with a fever and symptoms of a cold the last few days of our vacation. Poor guy! Here are some pictures of us hanging out at Grammy & Gramps.

Oliver was quite fascinated by the heat vents on the floor, our are near the ceiling

Mommy wearing Christmas tree ornaments as earrings to get a rise out Oliver

Oliver watching Pooh before he goes to sleep

Oliver is developing quite a little personality, this will give you a glimpse into his personality -- check out his pants at the end -- My little Homer!

Video of Mommy giving Oliver some tickles

Happy Birthday to Daddy!

We celebrated Clayton's 37th birthday today. First Oliver & Daddy enjoyed some time out in the snow with Gramps. Next, Mommy & Oliver took Daddy on a date to McGrath's fish house for lunch where Daddy enjoyed fish & chips and clam chowder. Later in the day, my sister Michele and her family came over and we had some fried chicken to celebrate the day. My parents purchased a cake to celebrate and as you will see in the pics, Oliver really enjoyed the frosting. Many happy returns of the day Daddy! We love you!

Video of Oliver playing in the snow

Me holding Avery & Oliver -- Oliver is just 7 weeks older than Avery

My sweet little guy & handsome hubby enjoying some cake

To Aunt Shell's house we go

My sister Michele has a beautiful new house in Lehi, and she invited our entire family over for dinner this evening. They made a turkey breast, and a ham, we had stuffing, rolls, and mashed potatoes; it was sooo delicious! We even had pumpkin pie for desert. We missed my sister April and her family who were unable to come, but we had such a great time. I loved spending time with everyone and I always have such a great time with my nieces and nephews! I also learned that Riley and Olivia received the Christmas present that I had been hoping they would. Sometime in the coming year they are coming to Texas to stay with us...I am so excited; I can't wait! Here are a few pictures and videos from our evening together. Thanks so much for hosting this evening Reeves, we had a great time!

cute little Avery

Madi helping Oliver open his gift from the Richards

Oliver sitting next to Uncle Jerone, is it time for pie yet?

Oliver & his cousin Riley

Oliver playing the piano

Oliver playing the piano with Madi, Savannah & Preston

From left to right

Row 1: Riley (12), Savannah (7), Emily (4)

Row 2: Oliver (2), Avery (2), Preston (5), Olivia (10) and Madi (6)

Video of Madi showing off her skills on Avery's new sit & spin

The Amazing Preston

And finally, the Amazing Madi up the slide too

Snow, SNow, SNOw, SNOW!

So the big snow storm waited for us to arrive. This morning we woke up to six inches of snow and more has come throughout the day. I forgot how cold it is here! Oliver is absolutely enamoured with the snow and he couldn't wait to get out there in it. As you can see, we don't really have snow gear, so he is wearing jammies for long johns, fleece pants for snow pants, two pairs of socks under his rain boots along with his winter coat, hat and mittens. We couldn't entice him to ride the sled, even after Mommy & Daddy went for a ride he still wasn't interested. Brrrr! Hope you didn't get too cold little Oliver! I'm guessing not as he certainly was not ready to come in when we wanted him to!

Merry Christmas!

After we awoke this morning, we ate breakfast and packed our bags in the Bumpy Rider (Oliver's name for our 4Runner) and headed to DFW airport. Well actually, we went to the Parking Spot and left our vehicle and then rode a bus to the airport. Oliver loves, loves, loves school buses (as he calls all buses) so that was a major plus for him. Oliver had lunch at the airport as we waited for our flight that consisted of an unsalted soft pretzel and a banana. Our flight was delayed only a bit due to 3 gate changes luckily only a short distance from one another and then we were off. Oliver chose to forgo his nap during the plane ride in place of all the excitement that an airplane ride has to offer. My little guy didn't care for having his own seat on the plane, he wanted nothing to do with the seat belt which he loudly exclaimed was "tooooo tight!!!" Luckily, our flight attendant informed us it was our decision whether or not to hold him, and as soon as Oliver was on my lap, he was an angel for the remainder of the flight. After a very turbulent descent and a extremely long wait for the rental car, Oliver chose to take a greatly shortened version of his nap in the car on the way to my parents.

I had already spoke with my siblings letting them know that it would probably be too late to see them after we arrived and planned to see them the next day. However, when we arrived at my parents, my sisters were there with their families. I only wished my brother was there too, however he stuck with our original plan. I was such a slacker on Christmas, my camera remained tucked away in my purse the entire day and the only picture I took was the one of Oliver sleeping above. My sister Michele took this one of Oliver & Avery and another of me and her daughter Madi that are posted below. We are so happy to see our family at this time of year, we haven't seen most of them since last April, so it will hopefully we will get to spend some quality time with them!

Oliver in his big boy PJ's

Oliver tried out this new pair of two-piece big boy jammies and I thought he looked so adorable and grown up that Daddy had to come in and take his picture. I absolutely adore the first picture where he is holding my hand! I loved the jammies so much and thought he looked so comfortable that I suggested he wear them on the plane the next morning...Daddy said he needed clothes.

Santa Claus came to town

Santa was flexible this year and came to visit Oliver one night early so that he could play with his toys for an entire day before we flew to Utah for a visit with my family. Oliver had a great Christmas. He received the car he has been asking for, new cars and trucks for his car table, a bookshelf with lots of new books, a portable DVD player and a large set of building blocks. I learned a good lesson on Oliver's birthday, so I had a talk with Santa and suggested that he not wrap his presents this year. That Santa is one flexible fella! Clayton's parents were able to drive down to see Oliver open his presents this morning and then were able to spend the day with us. Clayton's sister Tricia and her son Ace came over later in the day to share a Christmas Eve meal with us. Thanks for coming everyone, we had a great time. Merry Christmas everyone!

Oliver's first glimpse of Christmas morning

Oh, this is just what I wanted!

Look at the cool ramp I can make out of blocks!

Video of Oliver & Daddy using his new blocks as a ramp for trucks

What exactly is in this big red sock?

Hey, is that Grover driving my new mail truck?

So happy!

Video of Oliver getting ready to go to Braum's, he has his shopping list too!

Grandma Royal & Oliver reading a book together

Oliver playing with his new Jeep Wagoneer from Grandpa Royal

Whatever could be in this sack?

It's Manny's Tool Truck, just like in my book!

Ace opening his gift from us

Ace trying out his new Super Skipper from us, I think it was a success