Fun in the Fall Sun

While everyone here in Georgia was experiencing the first nights of freezing weather this fall, Josh, Olivia, and I were basking in the Florida sun!!!
The weekend before Olivia's first birthday, we loaded up the car with sunscreen (and most of the house) and headed for Sunny Orlando. We were told that Orlando would have temperate weather (and I read on the internet that all of the resort's pools were heated) so we hoped to escape the 30-40 degree nights in exchange for some sun bathing and splashing in the pool - and that we did.
The resort has three pools, but the newest is called Splash Lagoon and it's a 12 acre water adventure. There are two cool water slides that even impressed Josh. There's also a long, relaxing lazy river with all sorts of water features. Olivia loved every moment in the water. We had to force her to get out when she started turning into a raisen, but after a few minutes out and a snack, she was running right back for that big blue bathtub. The funniest story from the pool was when we were floating down the river and Olivia was in her baby float and Josh was hanging on to the side of my float. He and I were talking and watching Olivia (she was floating like 2 feet in front of us) and this lady jumped up and headed toward her. I guess she saw us and realized that Olivia was with us, and then she laughed at herself. She thought my 12 month old kid was floating down the river alone....(what kinda parent does she think I am!!)


They also had these fountains at the entrance to the pool, and they amazed Olivia. She watched as the water shot out above her head, and then suddenly it would sink back beneath the ground. What was this??? It took her a while to figure it out. Do you splash in it? Do you grab it? Can you taste it? She ran from spout to spout grabbing at the water like she was going to tear it from it's stream, but alas, her little hands went right through the shoots of COLD water. (This was the only water attraction that wasn't heated...and it was freezing!!)

On Monday night, Olivia's birthday, we took her to Universal City Walk. Josh and I love walking around that area checking out the venues. Olivia loved it even more. She ran around the courtyard and even made quite a few new friends. Two little girls in particular caught her eye and they chased each other around for quite a while. We ate at Daddy's favorite resteraunt, Bubba Gump's Shrimp, but Mommy creamed him on Forest Gump trivia!!! Run, Mommy, Run!!
We did spend one day away from the pool. Josh convinced us to go to WonderWorks. It's this huge upside down building, but we weren't sure what was in it. We found that it was full of science fun that boggled the mind. One not so scientific game was the baseball pitch. As you can see, Daddy's already teaching Olivia a little about pitching.
Our last night on the resort was spent outdoors. We took Olivia to one of the four put-put courses on property, and she loved it. She couldn't quite figure out how to use the club, but she certainly knew where the balls went. It was the first time EVER that Josh and I weren't competative on the Golf Course....and we had a blast letting Olivia pick up the balls and do with them what ever she wanted.

Overall, we had the best vacation in the world. We're debating on whether or not we want to go back to Orange Lake next year with Olivia and Sweetpea, or if we want to try someplace new. One thing's for sure, you can definetely go to Orlando and spend the whole week on the resort and NEVER run out of stuff to do. It was hard coming home, but if there's one thing that we'll learn for next time.....AirTran all the way!!!

Unconventional Turkey Day

Hello again. Well, after a few weeks of blogging break, I bring you our Thanksgiving Day update. I hope that all of you are doing well and I hope that you had a blessed Thanksgiving. We celebrated in an unconventional way this year. We had our Thanksgiving the weekend prior, so we spent Turkey Day in Dahlonega taking pictures of Olivia. May I present, our Thanksgiving Turkey!!

With life being as hetic as it always seems to be, we didn't make it to Burt's Pumpkin Farm this year. I had bought several Fall pages for my scrapbook, so we headed to Dahlonega to get some Fall pictures of Olivia before the last trees lost their leaves. As you can see, she found the crinkley leaves quite amusing.

Hey Dad! Look What I found!!!

As soon as we got out of the car, Olivia just started running around the yard of Price Memorial Hall (the gold steeple on the Dahlonega square.) She ran from tree to tree just jabbering away. Josh and I could barely keep up. She finally plopped down and Daddy caught a quick pic.

She was amazed at all of the leaves. She found this huge leaf that she hung on to for a while. And in case you're wondering - No, she doesn't get out much.

Cute as a Pumkin Pie!!!

Daddy was finally able to jump in a picture with Olivia. He was talking to her about the leaves as she crumbled them all in her hands. She and Daddy have "deep" moments together. He talks about things that are way over her head, and she listens to his unending wisdom!!!

After a funfilled afternoon of playing in the fall leaves, the three of us decided to eat out for dinner. We enjoyed the traditional Thanksgiving fare, but Mommy didn't have to cook or do any dishes! It was an absolute wonderful day, and we have everything in the world to be thankful for!!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving to you all!!

(Note: I have so much blogging to catch up on. First Birthday, vacation, and Christmas decorations....stay tuned. I'm back in the blogging mood!!!)

I don't want to grow up, I'm a Toys R Us kid

There's a million toys at TOYS R US that I can play with!

Last night Josh and I took Olivia to Toys R Us. We were shopping for her birthday, and I have to say, having a 1-year old is great!!! You can shop for them while they are with you and they don't remember the toy when they open it!!! Anyway, we took Olivia out of the cart to let her pick out one of her presents. Daddy wasn't being any help in deciding, so we let Olivia choose! Afterwards, we let her rome around and explore the store and see all the goodies that it had to offer.

She ran straight for the Power Rangers!!! What!! Not that she can't play with "boy toys", but there was a whole section of baby dolls just across the aisle! Come on baby, lets find the girl toys!!!

That's more like it! She found this baby dolll that talked and giggled and opened and closed her eyes. Mommy was even impressed with this baby! Olivia found the "Try Me" hole in the box and pointed out the baby's eyes and nose to us. She's getting really good at identifying parts of the face.

On to the next toy....BRATZ dolls. Mommy wasnt' too thrilled about this. These dolls seem to be a little to edgey for my taste. I know that they are the rage right now, but why can't Barbie Dolls and Cabbage Patch Kids keep kids happy these days. We let Oliva look, but I don't think that she'll be getting a BRAT anytime soon.

After about half an hour of following Olivia around the store (laughing the entire time), Daddy finally said that it was time to go! ;o(

We had the best time last night. I just loved seeing her as she explored all of the different toys. I just wonder how long we'll be able to get away with taking her to a toy store and not buying her everything that she picks up!!

Only 3 more days until your birthday party, Livi!!