Thanksgiving Weekend, or The Longest Post Ever

Since C had the day after Thanksgiving off of work, we took the opportunity to spend several days at his parents' home. What with the dysfunctional bathroom and all, they haven't been able to come to our house and spend the night since this summer. So we loaded down the SUV and headed for the lake to do lots of eating and watching Olivia.

There was a time when we would have all sat at the counter or on the sofa and talked to each other or even watched TV. Now we all sit on the floor and watch the baby. She looks innocent and harmless enough, but don't let that fool you.

Olivia can get into pretty much anything that she shouldn't in less time than it takes to grab a camera. Here she is, ready to help get out the dishes while Gran cooks breakfast.

Look how happy she is to "help!"

Whew! Look how tired Liv is after all that work in the kitchen. Her break didn't last long, though. Lord have mercy, that little girl didn't stop for four days straight, and she didn't get back onto a regular schedule until Christmas (which messed it up again).


I think everyone who reads this blog has spent good money purchasing toys for our child. Try not to think about that money or feel too badly while you look at her favorite toys: kitchen cooking utensils. It could be worse, though. At least you don't have plastic rings, colored balls and battery-eating music makers littering the floor of your entire house and often ignored in favor of the dish towel drawer.


Olivia got to hang out with Uncle B-rad while we were there. I think she's big enough now that he doesn't get nervous about holding her or playing with her. And she's old enough now that she's not nervous about him either, which is why you can see her in the picture asking, "Uncle Brad, when is the last time you got a haircut?"


I wish I had thought to get video of Olivia rocking herself in this chair. She was pretty pumped to swing those little legs and get things moving. Which is why Uncle Brad is holding her hands, because she tended to just swing right out of there.

Can anyone see her shirt in these photos? It's the most adorable turkey that has lovely feathers made out of pink and turquoise fabrics, and her name is embroidered on it (although you can't see that part). Lynsey made it for her, and she's got a Christmas one, too.


Speaking of Lynsey, this is Olivia visiting with her daughter, Ollie. Olivia is two months older than Ollie, although Ollie seems to have Olivia licked when it comes to mobility. They didn't really know what to make of each other, but I know they'll have lots of fun playing together as they get older!


It turns out that the humans weren't the only ones who sat around watching the baby while we were there. Aubie and Olivia enjoyed staring at each other. Well, at least Olivia seemed to enjoy it. I'm not sure that Aubie was having nice thoughts. I was surprised to see him at the back door (or front door, according to my in-laws) because he usually hears us show up and disappears.


We also made a trip to see Olivia's great-grandmothers. Here she is visiting with Grandmother, and saying hello to Grannie below.


Last but certainly not least, we headed to Montgomery for an evening to visit Aunt E and Uncle T. It was way too short, but it was great to see their new apartment and whatnot. Also great to see was Olivia's very first attempt at pulling herself into a standing position. We were all sitting on the sofa talking, and when Aunt E looked down, there was Olivia pulling on the coffee table!