Tutu cute!

I had these photos taken at Sears yesterday. I wanted them at 6 months when she was sitting-I was nearly two months late; but better late than never! I like the ones with the tutu best; although I thought the flowers were a little tacky-I just didn't have the heart to tell the girl I didn't like them. In the end they turned out cute because Olivia is simply adorable right now. These will be the last of those sweet gummy smiles since her first tooth is about to poke through. Oh they grow so fast!

Toby-we miss you!

I am finally ready to write about this. Our sweet Toby was hit by a car and died in the beginning of December. I was out jogging with him on an urban trail near a busy road. He was off his leash (as usual). He could not resist the urge to chase a cat across a field, under a road barrier and into the street.

Toby joined our family as a puppy in the summer of 2006. He was rescued from the Navajo reservation where he was found starving and covered in ticks. He was a good boy right from the start. Charlotte arrived a few months after we got him. He loved her from the moment we brought her home. He was her little shadow. He always let us know when she needed our help. He loved Olivia as well. He was a permanent fixture next to her bouncy seat.

I feel sad, I feel guilty, but most of all I miss him. I miss his "kitty cat" stretches, his snuggle session in my lap, the funny sounds he made when he yawned, the pitiful looks he'd give me when Charlotte was picking on him. We are so sorry he had to leave us. We love you Toby, we will always remember you.

A Merry Christmas!

Olivia had fun playing with wrapping paper.
Charlotte got some cute plastic ice cream cones.

The stuffed Triceratops (from Santa) was Charlotte's favorite present.

Yummy Chocolate Rudoplh cake.

Ahh, a nap by the tree.

Santa bribed Charlotte with a candy cane, you can see she still doesn't trust this old man in a funny suit. He asked if she'd like a doll for Christmas; she politely requested a stuffed Triceratops instead.

We had so much fun with our girls this Christmas. I tried my best to teach Charlotte that we celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. One day in the car I was quizzing her and asked her why we have Christmas and she said, "so we can eat candy". Well, maybe she'll get it next year! Happy New Year.

Photo fiasco

Charlotte was unhappy because Olivia kept touching her.
Olivia needs a nap!

This is Charlotte guarding her reindeer that Olivia kept trying to grab.

We did get one smile.

Olivia Loves her new walking toy.

Mmmm, rice cereal. Charlotte asked me with a disgusted face "what is that stuff? "

We tried tried to take a holiday photo the other day. It was a fiasco! Olivia was fussy and Charlotte refused to smile and didn't want her sister to touch her. I did get a few cute photos, but none of all of us. I managed to piece a few together for our Christmas card. I also threw in a few photos of Olivia. She has reached 6 months and is changing quickly. She is eating a few foods, babbling, and sitting up now!

Look who's 3!

I'm a big little girl!

This is the first time I've ever attempted a cake of this sort. The colors were a little gruesome, but she said she wanted a red and blue one.

She really liked her stuffed Dumbo.

I had to post this cute moment. Charlotte and Olivia were playing on the bed.

Olivia couldn't quit giggling at her big sis.


Charlotte turned 3 on the 7th. We had a dinosaur themed party (her latest craze). She loved all of her presents; especially her set of dinosaur puzzles and the stuffed Dumbo. We keep telling her that she is a big girl now. When being a big girl doesn't sound like fun, she will tell me "Mom, I'm a big little girl". So true! She is always amazing us with her grown-up view of things, but at the same time she is still so little and cute. We hope she will stay a little girl for a long time.

Halloween in Texas

Charlotte and her spooky cousins Kassidy and Abbey
Trick-or Treat! Charlotte told everyone who answered the door "I'm a Dalmatian!"

I think she did pretty well!

White Sands New Mexico

Charlotte kept running off into the dessert. I only got pictures of her behind.

Scott leaping off the dunes. He later hurt himself by landing wrong and whacking his tailbone. He is still in serious pain. It's always fun until someone gets hurt!

I love her little footprints in the sand.

We made a quick weekend trip to Texas to visit Scott Brother & his family. His brother will soon be leaving for Iraq for the 3rd time so Scott wanted to hang out a bit. The little cousins had a blast trick-or-treating together; until one sick-o in a freaky costume scared the daylights out of them. They quickly forgot a few door later and continued to rake in the candy. We ended up in New Mexico at the White Sands Park. It was beautiful! Charlotte ran until her little legs couldn't;t run anymore. We had fun sledding down the dunes, jumping down the dunes and struggling back up them. What an awesome place!

Halloween preview

Woof! Big pup & little pup.

Finally, a costume she loves!

I made me a spotted sweatshirt to wear, such a dork!

Charlotte and the boys.

I should have known they'd discover the sandbox.

Bring on the treats!

We had a few kids over for a Halloween party this weekend. We played a few games, made treat bags and decorated pumpkin cookies. Everyone had fun. The girls look so cute in their doggy costumes. Charlotte asked to be a dog this year; she loves it! She asks me to draw her "doggy face" everyday. When she's dressed up she barks, growls and licks! We are excited for trick-or-treating!