"Help Me"

Olivia is really into helping me with day to day things, especially in the kitchen. She says "help me Mommy" when she wants to help me. Last week we made bread, today we made cookies. She dumps everything in herself (I measure.) She was quite dismayed when she spilled a little flour on the counter while mixing. Bill is at school all day today so we're baking and doing laundry. Mary Poppins is playing in the background-- it's a lovely day!
This is when we were almost completely done and there was nothing more "self" could do.

Malibu and Santa Monica

On Saturday we went on another outing to Malibu and Santa Monica. We spent the day in Malibu and the evening on the Santa Monica Pier. Olivia LOVED riding the horses.
On the Pier

From the end of the Pier, looking back toward the beach and the full moon.

We ate lunch at a place called the Malibu Country Mart. Don't let the name fool you--it is very "high end" and ritsy. There is even a playground for the kids while the ladies dressed in high heals and the latest fashion talk in groups while the kids play. I felt very out of place, but still really enjoyed the experience. I kept staring at people trying to see someone famous. Still no luck.

She wanted coffee from Starbucks too...don't ask me where she acquired a taste for it. She really likes it and occasionally asks for coffee, especially when she smells it.

She's into doing things her-"self" lately, so here's to putting on sunglasses upside down.

Forgot to put this in...Olivia is helping Bill go through his books on campus.

On a random beach in Malibu.

Riding the carousel at the Santa Monica Pier. $0.50 well spent!

A Visit to Campus

Last Friday we went to Biola so Bill could turn in a paper for his J-Term class and get his books for this semester. It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed walking around. Olivia's favorite part included water fountains. And the Frostys we ate from Wendy's.

Olivia is talking to my parents on the phone.

Hat

She insisted and we didn't object. This is at breakfast one morning. It's at least 70 degrees outside.

Blue

Apparently I had been doing dishes longer than she wanted. She got my attention.
Not excited it was taken away. Good thing they're very washable.

Laguna Beach

We usually try to do a family outing each Sunday afternoon. We typically stay within a 20 minute range, but yesterday we ventured to Laguna Beach (about an hour away.) It was beautiful and we all enjoyed people watching as well. The town is a blend of art and ritz.

We parked away from the main drag and walked along this lush path just above the water.

There were stairs.

We ended our evening with a shake and some burgers. Everyone was happy!

Christmas in Wisconsin

Olivia watching PBS trying to recover from being sick.
Bill and I took Addie and Olivia to visit the horses at Great Papa and Great Grandma's. It was 5 degrees that day so we didn't stay out long.

The horses (2 out of 3)

All bundled up to go outside to see/feed the horses. It's one of the girls' favorite passtimes!

Olivia at my parents' church.

Grandma reading to the girls.

We had a Christmas dinner at my Uncle John and Aunt Debbie's house the Saturday before Christmas. Olivia had a great time playing with my cousin's kids. She's all tuckered out and snuggling with Great Uncle John.

I got to be a part of my brother-in-law Jon's 31st b-day (don't let the cake fool you, that's all we had to put on it.) Our friends Aaron and Heather Jones hosted a dinner for Jon and we played Qwirkle into the night. It was a lot of fun to be together!

My Grandma Rassbach came to give us a lefse lesson. I had no idea how much went into making it, but I now know! For instance, one tip is to put an old, but clean, sock on the rolling pin (which is a special lefse rolling pin) so the dough doesn't stick.

There was lots of dressing up...

Olivia and Addie right before bed.

Greta Grace

The piano at my parents' house is a huge hit. Auntie Holly is pounding out the tunes.

A trio. I have a video of this as well, but thought I'd spare the general viewing audience.

Olivia loved to put on Papa's winter gear.

The Sprouse family sledding on Christmas Eve.

Jon and Holly (with Dave and Shelly) hosted a "Birthday Party for Jesus" on Christmas eve. We had brunch, sledding/playing in the snow, and then a live reinactment of the Nativity (per Zoe and Greta.) We then sang happy birthday to Jesus and ate ice cream cake that Marge brought.

Greta, Addie, Grady, Olivia, and Zoe.

All set to go out in the snow!

Olivia helping Papa with the snowman.

Bill and Olivia climbing the hill after a great run!

Addie and Holly

Snow

This is her first time playing in snow (right before Christmas.) This was taken after Bill pulled her several laps around the yard.

Into Imitating

Keeping Herself Busy

This was taken before Christmas. Olivia is starting to get creative when she plays.