Stock show and a chicken in the family

Aunt Molly and Uncle Robin adopted a hen at the stock show and we all visited it in its new home. We all met up at the stock show where Olive showed off her animal noises.

Nature girl

Olive asserted her independence on a (very long) walk around Crown Lake by refusing to ride in the stroller. She also rolled in the grasses and sat on every park bench we encountered. It is hard to be too annoyed when she does her special penguin walk.

Olive is talking up a storm these days and has developed a serious love for music. Nana brings over CDs and Olive always lets us know when they are over and need to be replayed or if the pause between songs is too long. She dances (spins around, bobs up and down, and shuffles from side to side) nonstop. I didn't know what to expect at this phase but can honestly say that it is tops so far.

Christmas Day!

Olive *LOVED* Christmas this year. She was a champ at opening gifts and even "oooohed" and "aaahhhed" when she discovered her treasure. We spread out some of the gift opening over a few days so that it was not too overwhelming (and because I might of out stashed myself with a few of the gifts). We gave Olive a kitchen set and my family kicked in with kitchen related gifts. Olive has embraced her new occupation, head chef. After opening gifts at the house we went over to Molly's for a Christmas pagent - super fun. Bob showcased his juggling skills and Kate did a dramatic puppet show reinactment of the Breackfast Club. Fun was had by all.

Merry Christmas and much love!

Christmas Eve

Visit with Santa

Santa made a special appearance at the Goodman's house. Most of the kids screamed but not our Olive who can be won over by the promise of a present. The top image is a photo of Olive with her best bud Gretchen.

Tuba Christmas Concert

Chicago!

We had a great trip back to Chicago for my Uncle Louis' 80th Birthday. The theme was "Around the World in 80 Years" and it was perfect in every way. We stayed with my superstar cousin Jenny who not only put together a black tie soiree for 150+, she hosted 15 family members in her home (in addition to her own family of 5), and pulled off a brunch for 50+. Did I mention that she also sold a property over the weekend, wrote expert testimony, and made time to catch up with each of us? Amazing!