After Olivia’s crazy week of breaking bones, sharing the flu, and getting over a cold, I was really looking forward to a week with family and warmer weather. Thursday before Thanksgiving, Olivia and I flew to Henderson. Olivia did awesome. She never cried and didn’t leave any smelly presents. Hallelujah. As an added bonus, I got to watch the strangers next to me flirt and eventually exchange numbers to go on a date when they are both in Utah after Thanksgiving. I couldn’t help but congratulate the young man for being so brave in front of an audience. They kept me entertained.

Olivia had a great time playing with her cousin Chloe on the week days. It’s so great to have a cousin so close in age. Sometimes they would talk their “language” to each other and laugh as if they just told a joke and it was hilarious. Oh, one funny experience was when we were driving back to Grandma’s from the airport. Olivia was exhausted and falling asleep, but every time Olivia would actually close her eyes, Chloe would yell “WAKE UP!” It was pretty funny and Olivia was a good sport about it.

James surprised us by coming down Sunday afternoon instead of Monday. We went to parks, the shark barrier reef, the Ethel M. Chocolate cactus garden Christmas lights, an international market (where we bought pickled cabbage which unfortunately spilled in our trunk), and the Hoover Dam’s new bridge. It was wonderful to just play in the backyard. I also really enjoyed beating Dad at Ticket to Ride and Clue. I also finished making a lot of my family Christmas presents.

The highlights of the week also included great meals by Grandma, family time, and our family’s Thanksgiving turkey run. Jeremy did an awesome job organizing a Thanksgiving morning 5K for the family and some of our friends. Rachel made amazing T-shirts and Jeremy made wooden medals for those who participated. I got to catch up with Nikki, get some exercise, and enjoy more warm weather.

Thursday we headed to the grand city of Toquerville, UT to see the Valentine’s. We had a delicious Thanksgiving meal. We enjoyed some time outside there too and they got us into the Holiday spirit by decorating their Christmas tree. We came home and decorated our apartment with what Christmas cheer we could, including James’ Grandma McCoy’s winter village.

Overall it was by far my favorite vacation since Olivia was born–she had cousins she was big enough to play with now and she did fantastic sleeping in new places. It actually FELT like a vacation. Well, enough of my rambling. It’s really the pictures that you want to see…

Look what Grandma found in the attic!
I probably took (and posted too many pictures of this moment)

Chloe’s “they made me play with this” face

They were more like Godzillas playing with it, but they had fun.

Train ride
Chloe and Olivia (and Grandma and me) rode the train at the mall.
Chloe kept waving to everyone and everything: “bye shoes” (passing Payless)

I wish these pictures were clearer. They were so cute!

“This is so much fun, Cuz!”

Chloe after the trip to the mall

The new Hoover Dam bridge
There was a group of teenagers/young adults on the bridge and when we passed one of the guys said, “did you see that little baby cast? It was so cute!” Super manly.

The “Whoa” face

It took for ever to leave because Olivia kept wanting to sit on the curb on each switch back

Squishy Face

At the park

Peek-A-Boo

Just before landing a jump

Olivia finally gets revenge on Daddy for the broken arm

“Where’s Daddy’s nose?”

Static

It is so impressive what this 20 month age kid can do these days. She is a master soccer ball dribbler.

Turkey Day Race
My camera died before the race started so I only have pictures of the cousins.
No sweaty people.

“I love this doll!”

Elephant backpack from Grandma

“Go away, I am only showing this rock to Olivia”

 The Valentine’s

Olivia’s participation in the Football game…banana!

Don’t worry, Olivia was in charge of the quality control of the ornaments

Again, it was a fabulous Thanksgiving vacation. I am so grateful for the time with James off work and especially that he surprised me in Henderson a day early…things like that don’t get to happen often after you get married. I love my little Olivia and her infectious laugh and smile. We all look forward to January when our little family gets a little bigger!