Trip to the Zoo --- Take Two

We've had unseaonably warm weather this past week, so we took advantage and headed out Friday afternoon to the Zoo...I couldn't wait to see what Olivia thought about everything since she's much more observant now then she was the first time we went.

First stop...the Children's Zoo...I just couldn't wait to see her reaction to the billy goats. Unfortunately Olivia was not too excited about the goats...in fact, she turned the other way and hid her head in hopes of them disappearing if she wasn't looking at them...not so much.

A little further into the Children's Zoo she was much more excited...LOVED the potbelly pigs and the Alpachas....not quite sure why those were a hit and the billy goats weren't. She wante out of her stroller so bad to grab a hold of them






Couldn't keep her eyes off of him...not even for a photo

Mr. Groundhog...meet Olivia...he really started showing off for her, it was cute!

Notice Olivia clinging on for dear life...it's her new thing

She pretty much just sat and observed the rest of the time until we got to the penguins...we couldn't wait to see if she still liked them just as much as before and....she did! She jumps and screams...she just can't get enough of them.


We'll be heading back to the Zoo next weekend with Jean and Sophie in the morning...it will be so much fun!

Forest Park Balloon Races 2010

It's been awhile since we've been able to make it back to the balloon races in Forest Park, but we made it this year with a group of great friends and Olivia!

For those of you not familiar with the event, the Engizer Bunny Balloon leads the race...the Balloon is taller than the Statue of Liberty; the ears alone are over 16ft taller than the other balloons in the race. All the other balloons follow to a point where bags of corn are dropped into a circular area...the "race" is more an "accuracy" contest on how close you can drop the bag to the marked spot.

Olivia saw Alex again this weekend...she is at the age where all she wants to do is pull on his clothes, limbs, face, etc...it's not good for Alex at all! He's a tad scared of her and not sure what she is doing at all! There's a 3.5 month age difference...just enough to matter now, but it will be great when they are a little older and we all get together.

9 Months Old!

I can't believe 3 months for yesterday Olivia will be 1 year old...let the party planning begin! The 9 month milestone also prompted a photo session outdoors.

Olivia is ALL over the place...she crawls everywhere and anywhere she wants to go - yikes! As of today she is pulling up on anything that looks like it will hold her (or not!) and for the first time after her afternoon nap I woke up to find her standing in her crib...which in turn prompted Daddy to do a quick fix in dropping her bed yet again (last rung before toddler bed level). She waives hello and goodbye and every now and then will say hi...she also says "Jack" now...that's my dog's name...just what I wanted...my daughter to say my dog's name before Momma!

We're very good at little games too...she now does the motions all by herself to "How big is Olivia?!" and hides her head (and giggles) until you say "where's Olivia?" and then he pops up with a HUGE smile on her face.

We don't have our official check-up until Friday, but I would guess Olivia to be right around 20lbs, probably giving .5-1 pound. I would think she's about 30" long too...she's a long and lean machine! I'll update after our visit to see if my guesses are correct.

Until then!

Olivia's Frist Football Game - Let's Go Rams!

So today was Olivia's first Ram's home football game (Olivia has now been to professional sporting events - hockey, baseball, and football, with one NCAA basketball games as well) which was also the start of regular season play. The Rams have a new quarterback this year, Sam Bradford...he looks really great for a rookie and I think he'll continue to improve...anything is better than last year!

Grandpa Vasel and Olivia

I was able to find Miss O's cheerleading outfit at a consignment store for $2 (yes, you read that right!) AND it will work for this year and next...it's a 24 month, so it's a tad too big right now. She did great! No crying...slept during the third quarter and was back up and ready for the start of the fourth.

Yes, people...that's mommy in a pictuer with Olivia...lookout! She's actually waving at my dad in this picture...it's her new thing!

It's was a great effort, but in the end the Ram's lost in the end 17-14. We may make it to a few more games, we'll have to see how they look after the next couple of weeks.

Labor Day Weekend (Yes, I'm a week late!)

We had a BUSY, FUN-FILLED Labor Day Weekend with friends and family!

The weekend started on Friday afternoon as we made our way to Omaha, NE...first stop, Kansas City to visit the Lewis's! We don't get many opportunities to see Nathan, Heather and Jack, so we (aka Chad) had a brilliant idea to break the 7 hour drive up for Olivia and stop in Kansas City to catch up with the Lewis's...thank you all for being such great hosts!

Jack is 1 1/2 and really started to enjoy Olivia...he thought it was super funny when I said "Right, O (short for Olivia)" and he'd repeat it to her "Rhino!" and laugh...he thought we were calling Olivia Rhino...too cute. Below is Jack playing with his superr cool rocket toy...for those of you needing gifts for little boys, I would highly recommend this...he loves it and it's super cool!

Saturday we woke up early to make the 3 hour trip to Omaha for Adelayna's 1st birthday party!!! Happy Birthday Ade! We hadn't seen Ade since March and she has grown/changed so much in those six, long months! The first thing any of Anny's family said when they first met Olivia was how much they both look alike...I don't really see it, but probably if you're around one more than another it's more obvious.

Anny made Adelayna's cake...how cute is it???

Birthday Girl!

Ade went after her cupcake...it was great!

Ade rockin' her birthday outfit with Mommy and Grandma Wrinkle

The party was awesome AND Olivia had her first opportunity to try out the swings at the park and she loved them! There were two, so Ade and Olivia had the opportunity to swing together...it was too cute!

Ade and Oliva with Grandma and Grandpa Wrinkle

Olivia sporting Daddy's hat

After the party we had time to spend hanging out at Anny and Landon's...Olivia's not quite sure what she thinks about Ade, but hopefully as she gets closer to 1 she'll be more open to ones that are about her size...I think Ade moved to fast for her and scared her a bit.

Sunday we made the 7 hour trek back to host a BBQ for several of our friends...it was a good time to catch up with everyone...Chad's friend Jen was in town for the weekend...it was great to see her too. Olivia also had a chance to chill with Alex again...she scares him! Yes, she screams until she looks at him because she's so excited to see him and he, in turn, cries! Sorry, Justin and Sarah!

The weekend didn't stop there...Monday we took Olivia and Alyssa to the Botanical Gardens for the Japanesse Festival and although the festival was just okay, the Gardens are a great spot for photo opps...Olivia and Alyssa take the best photos.

Alyssa!

Blogs are going to become more spread out since I've started back to work...I'm going to try and get one up a week, but we'll see how the goes. The fall is super busy for us...look for some great posts to come...Olivia's first football game today...Let's Go Rams!

Road Trip --- Peewaukee Lake Here We Come!

Yay...Olivia's first trip to Peewaukee Lake was two weeks ago (one of many to come) with Auntie Carrie...Chad couldn't join us since he was on call, but us girls had a wonderful time!

Not only did we get to spend several days with Auntie Carrie, but Scott and Diane were up there too. Our excursions included a wooden boat show, a great art show, evening boat ride for, finished up by a LONG day of outlet mall shopping!

First boat ride on Peewaukee Lake!

After two days of crying when Scott got "too close" Olivia opened up and they were best buds!

Auntie Di!

While we were there Olivia started pulling up too...she's almost a pro now! ;) Olivia is so on the go...she doesn't crawl on all fours (due to my house being all hardwoods - she'll crawl on all fours if there's carpet), but gets around EVERYWHERE with two arms and a leg...it's pretty comical how she gets around.

Forgot to mention...Olivia LOVES peas! Well...at least being silly with them ;)

Auntie Carrie...if you don't put that camera down I'm going to get you!

It was such a fun, relaxing time to catch up with great friends!

Cards vs. Cubs Take 2 --- St. Louis Style!

Okay, I'm so far behind in postings...so prepare yourself, here they come!

Last Cards vs. Cubs series was in St. Louis and Olivia had her opportunity to go to yet another game...her first one at Busch Stadium! Our friends Justin and Sarah invited us to join them and other friends in a suite (thankfully...it was literally 100+ degrees that evening) and we had a wonderful time! To top the night off the Cards won too!



Olivia has met Alex for the first time...give it a little time, but I think they're bound to be great buds (round two with hanging with Alex to come this Sunday).


(Photos to come...my camera battery is dead!)