Oliver Clayton Royal is 27 months old

Today was a fun day. We were all feeling well and Clayton and Oliver were especially well rested after sleeping about 12 hours each. We started out the day by making homemade waffles. I hadn't used my waffle iron in forever, so I decided to heat it up and try my waffles on Oliver who loves, loves, loves, frozen Nutrigrain Eggo Waffles. He hated my waffles and only ate a few small bites ... Clayton and I both enjoyed them, I think Oliver doesn't know what he is missing. He spent the morning playing, or rather rough housing with Daddy. Oliver really missed this I think as he just couldn't get enough! We enjoyed lunch together as a family and after Oliver woke up from a nap we went for a walk at the park behind our house and we stopped at the playground so Oliver could swing, which he could have done all night long. Finally, after dinner we celebrated Oliver's birthday with some delicious strawberries from Costco -- so good! And some sweet pumpkin spice bread. Surprisingly, pumpkin and strawberry go quite well together.

Happy 27 month birthday Oliver, Mommy & Daddy love you! Most of these pictures are of a similar pose, but I had a difficult time choosing which to post -- so I posted those I liked the best!

Oliver's Daddy when he was 2

This a picture of Clayton a couple of days before he turned two. So many people have told me that Oliver looks a lot like Clayton, I never could see it. However, after rediscovering this picture, I do see it now.

The amusing thing about this picture is what types of gifts Clayton has displayed before him. Clayton has a truck; Oliver loves trucks, cars, tractors, you name it!

I believe those are cooking pans in the white box; Oliver loves to cook and he has the kitchen to prove it!

Clayton has the Farmer Dell book and the farm animal toys; Oliver loves farm animals, the Jolly Barnyard is one of his favorite books!

And last, Clayton has a broom in his hand; I think that is one toy that Oliver doesn't have that he would just love. After all, he does adore his vacuum.

It is so funny to me how alike their tastes were at this age. I am so happy I found this picture. Thanks for making the scrapbook for me, Tricia!

before and after light fixtures

Well, had I thought of it earlier I would have had before and after pictures of my new light fixtures. Anyway, these are the light fixtures I picked out for my birthday this year. We were a little busy for the last four months so they didn't get hung until now, but in my opinion they were worth the wait. I love them! When we took them out of the box we found that they were a little different color than what we remembered from the store, so instead of trying to return them four months later, we picked out some paint and Clayton made them look exactly the way I wanted. Thanks honey!

This one hangs in my formal dining area

This is my breakfast nook

Hopefully the Royals are almost through being sick

Sickness report:

Oliver caught a cold in Salt Lake and is just now getting better.

I caught the cold from Oliver the day after we arrived home from our vacation. I felt like I was getting better last week, only to experience vertigo last Friday during which I was dizzy, light-headed, and nauseous. The doctor said I had fluid in my inner ear that wasn't draining properly. Luckily they gave me some medicine to help with the vertigo symptoms, but that made me drowsy. They also gave me some ear drops for a middle ear infection. On Monday I experienced hearing loss after using the drops. Back to the doctor on Tuesday to find out I have an inner ear infection in addition to the fluid. Now I am on an oral antibiotic and I am hoping to feel much better soon. I have been on it for a day now and my hearing is improving today.

Clayton caught a much worse version of a cold than Oliver and I had shortly after we arrived home from Salt Lake. It has taken him the longest to get over the worst of it, but I think he is finally on the mend.

Hopefully my next report will be one of wellness! I am anxious for things to be back to normal!

Just what Oliver needed...

Santa brought Oliver a new bookshelf for his room for all of his books. Previously all of Oliver's books were up high on a shelf in his room and he could not get to them. Now he can go in and get one anytime he wants to read stories; thanks Santa, this is exactly what I had in mind!

The Symphony of Bells

This was a graduation gift from my parents. Just posting a picture would not do it so I took a video of the music box playing O Holy Night. This is one of my favorite Christmas Carols. The box plays 25 Christmas songs and 25 classic songs. This was the perfect gift and I love it! Thanks Mom & Dad!

Oliver after a bath

Oliver was being so cute after his bath tonight, I just had to post some pictures. In the first picture, he is all wrapped up, even with the blanket as a hat (Lori, if you reading, this is a blanket you made me forever ago, we still love it!). Oliver said, "Me Baby". You got a lot of teeth baby! The second picture he was reading a book to himself as I got his room ready for bed. Too cute!

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!