Random Stuff

Olivia has been drawing various pictures of the new baby lately. I thought this one was pretty cute. She is teaching her little sister to dance.

Olivia got to bring home her own volcano from a science class she's been participating in. Can you tell that she thought it was so cool?

Carter in the bathroom + a very quiet house = trouble! That would be lotion all over the place.

While we were in Georgia last month, we had a decent family picture taken at Grandpa Bill's house.



Carter was bound and determined to ride his bike and scooter down the icy/snowy driveway.



*We did try our canned chicken. It was delicious! Very tender and tasty. I will definitely be canning more. I may even like it better than Costco's canned chicken.

*Olivia got the name, Clarabelle, from the cow on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

*Olivia's first pet, Skittles the fish, died a short five days after being welcomed into our house. The next day, we welcomed Rainbow (another Betta fish) into our house. He died seven days later. The most frustrating thing is hearing what the professional "fish man" says about Betta's: "Betta's live in mud holes in Japan, they are very hearty fish." Well, thank you Mr. Fish man, that makes me feel so much better. NOT!

*After Olivia decided to name her second fish, Rainbow, she turned to Aaron and asked him if that was a good name for a boy. Aaron and I looked at each other and grinned. He then told her that it was a good name for a boy FISH.

Snow Days '09

Fairfield is on their fourth snow day this week. I know, I don't have any kids in school and so really it means nothing to me. Actually, Aaron is in school this quarter though and so he's had some snow days this week too. Since he can help take care of kids in between studying, I've been more productive this week!

Aaron and I used some of our Christmas money to buy a canner. Since chicken was on sale this week, we stocked up and used the canner for the first time. Hope it tastes better than it looks! We used this method to can it. So easy.

After having the fabric to make capes in my basement for over six months, I finally got them done!


Carter loves pretending he's Super Why.



I also repaired Olivia's first pair of holey jeans.



And of course, we played in the snow

and ice.

Oh, I also made some yummy Italian herb bread.

(I can still say that I made it if all I did was throw it in the breadmaker, right?)

1 1/4 c. + 2 T water

3 T olive oil

3-4 T honey

2 t salt

3 T powdered milk

2 c. wheat flour

2 c. white flour

4 t gluten

1 T dried Italian seasoning

1/4 c. parmesan cheese
1/4 c. potato flakes

2 1/4 t active dry yeast

Makes a 2 lb. loaf

Push Start - French Cycle ;)

Thanks for the recipe Kari.

#3: IT'S A...

And to Olivia's dismay, we won't be naming her Clarabelle.

My baby girl is FIVE

My little Livy Lou turned five years old today. I finally got enough energy yesterday to throw a fun day together for her. I think I pulled it off...

Olivia has wanted a pet for sometime now. This is Skittles, her new pet (a Betta fish). She already loves it and was found several times today admiring it and telling me what she thought it was feeling as it looked out at her.

We picked up a couple of friends and headed to McDonald's for lunch.

Then we came back home for some cake and icecream. Please don't mind the cake. Olivia was quite happy with it and remember that she did get a nice Cinderella cake less than two weeks ago.

It only took her about ten blows, but she finally got out the five candles (seriously).

Olivia loves friends! I gave her the choice of going to see a movie with one friend or inviting two friends to play...it didn't take her long to choose the second option.

For her birthday dinner, she requested macaroni and cheese "with the shells." I tried to make her eat the peas, but since it was her special day...I couldn't push it too hard.

Then somewhere closer to bedtime, she had more friends over to play with, Daddy got home and we did cake and icecream again.

A proud Mommy moment happened earlier this week. Olivia is beginning to catch on to this reading stuff pretty good now. She loves her Dick and Jane book! I think she may even prefer it to Junie B. Jones ;)

Love you Liv's!

Georgia 2008

As always, when we visit family, there are lots of pics. Enjoy.

The Georgia Aquarium was very cool. Lincoln, Carter, Olivia, Braden, Madison, Hannah.

Carter's first 4-D movie at the Aquarium.

Olivia loved touching the sting-rays, star fish and other sea creatures.

Checking out the sharks in the underwater tunnel.



Olivia, jellyfish, Aaron



After the Aquarium, we got directions to a fun little park that is next to an airport. Carter enjoyed the planes taking off and landing more than the swings and slide.



Winding down from our first day of fun at Jason and Diana's house. Olivia (as always) loves those babies! Carter is trying to give Natalie some loving too.



Hannah jammin' with rockband.

Olivia taking her turn.

I'm still amazed that Savannah (7-years-old) knows almost every word to every song on rockband.

Everyone has to at least try the drums, right?

The next day was spent at Stone Mountain. Olivia is sporting her support to Georgia Tech.

It's always nice to find Georgia Tech apparel so easily ;)

These three counsins were all born within a five-month period. Madison, Braden and Olivia.

Riding the sky tram to the top of Stone Mountain. That white stuff below is apparently the coolest thing in Georgia right now...SNOW.

Carter, Bella and Olivia on top of Stone Mountain.

Beautiful views and sunsets from up there.

Riding the Train at Stone Mountain. Braden, Madison, Savannah & Olivia.

Kirk, Vicki & Bella.

Diana, baby Natalie, Jason & Lincoln.

Cheril, Justin & Hannah.

And rounding up our party of 17!

Bella and Olivia enjoying some Frosties. Their bribe for being good during family pictures.

Carter loved the trains at Grandpa Bill's house.

Carter and myself at Grandpa Bill's house.

Braden

Lincoln

Vicki and Aunt Beverly (our family photographer)

The night before we hit the road to come home, the family threw a little party for Olivia (since her birthday is in less than two weeks). Kirk and Vicki let Olivia her pick a birthday cake.

She was thrilled!

A big THANK YOU to Kirk and Vicki for all the activities we got to do.

And a big THANKS to the entire Lunt clan for practically dedicating an entire week to hanging out with us! We cherish the memories that were made.