Father / Daughter Valentine's Dance

Brian and Olivia attended the Father/Daughter Valentine's Dance last night. This is a very popular community event that provides wonderful memories for Dads and their daughters. Olivia was so excited that she was finally deemed "old enough" to get to go this year. She woke up early on Saturday morning and wanted to put her dress on immediately. She was a little disappointed to learn that she had to wait until the afternoon, but she held on. When it came time to get ready for the dance, she got so excited. We curled her hair with a curling iron (although you can't really tell it in the pictures) and put a tiny bit of make-up on. She looked and felt like a little lady. Brian brought some flowers for Olivia, and she was excited about those, too. After snapping a dozen pictures, the pair set off to eat at Captain Joe's and then go to the dance. Moms are not allowed into the dance, so all dance details come from Brian. He said that Olivia, Ava, and Claire all danced the night away. The girls even knew the lyrics to some of the songs that were played and sang along with the music.

Owen and I were not about to sit at home and let Daddy and Olivia have all of the fun, so we joined up with my family for supper at Ruby Tuesday's. The restaurant was packed with dads and daughters who were on their way to or just returning from the dance. It was so cute to see all of the little girls so dressed up. Seeing everyone so excited really made me wish that I could have just peeked in at the dance. I bet it was adorable.

Birthday Celebration with the Girls

What began as a birthday dinner at Outback...

...ended with a ear-splitting rendition of "Livin' on a Prayer". I love karaoke. I just wish that I could carry a tune.

Christmas Collage 2010

Round 4: Christmas with the Buies

Nothing is more wonderful at Christmas than being with family. We were so happy to get to spend time with Brian's mom and Charile on Christmas morning, and also very happy to eat lunch with my family at Granny Buie's. After stuffing ourselves, it was time to open gifts. Olivia received a Dora dress from Uncle Bobby. Of course, she had to try it on immediately. Owen got a new magna-doodle from Aunt Hannah. After opening their own gifts, the kids were glad to help everyone else. Looking back, I have to say that this was a wonderful Christmas (but I am glad that it only comes once a year!)

Round 3: Family Gifts

After checking out all of the goodies that Santa had brought on Christmas morning, it was time to open our family gifts. Brian's mom and Charlie were at our house for Santa and for the family gifts. It was a real treat to have them here. By the time we began the family gifts, Olivia and Owen were old pros at opening presents. They tore right in. Owen received a Bigfoot doll and a racetrack while Olivia got a Baby Alive doll and a robotic dog. We also took this opportunity to celebrate Granny Mel's birthday- which is on December 26th. After all of the gifts were unwrapped, we went outside for one final gift- a playhouse. The kids enjoyed playing in the house for a short time. It was too cold to play outdoors for long. They'll probably enjoy the house more when spring time rolls around.

Round 2: Santa

The second "round" of Christmas activity took place on Christmas morning. This is the "round" that involves a jolly old man in a red suit. Before going to bed on Christmas Eve, the kids put out some milk and cookies for Bri...I mean Santa. I don't know if the kids were just super-good this year or if the milk and cookies buttered Santa up, but something must have happened because he left all kinds of goodies for Owen and Olivia. Both kids received a pillow pet, a remote control car, and other toys and clothes. Olivia had asked Santa for a pillow pet and a mermaid Barbie, and she got both of those. Owen hadn't asked Santa for anything (he refused to sit in his lap), but he still racked up. The kids and I were also very surprised to find that Santa had left a Wii behind our tree. I had no idea that that was on the list. Brian didn't look so surprised, though. Here are a few pictures from Christmas morning.

Round 1: Christmas Eve

Christmas this year was a whirlwind of activity. It was lots of fun, but I am now exhausted. The first "round" of holiday fun took place on Christmas Eve at Gigi's house. The kids were old enough this year that they really understood what was going on. Even Owen- who hasn't cared about gifts at all in the past- was totally into it. We always open presents from youngest to oldest, so Owen went first. Both he and Olivia received a scooter and dress up clothes from Gigi and Papa. I was particulary happy that Owen received the action-hero dress up because Olivia plays dress up all of the time and Owen wants to, too, but has nothing to wear. Now, he has something that he can wear (besides Olivia's princess dresses). The action figure masks that went with Owen's costumes were so cute that Hannah and I couldn't resist trying them on. I don't know how she ended up with the Batman mask while I got Robin, though. I think I'm definitely "dark knight" material. We received so many nice gifts, but my favorite gifts of all were being with family and finding out that I'm going to be an Aunt again!!! That's right, my sister Hannah is expecting.