The Olsen Update

Saturday we drove the girls down town to visit the Houston Zoo with the Oliver family. We couldn't have asked for a better day, It was chilly in the morning but warmed up a bit by noon. I will gladly take that over hot and humid any day. The garaff on the right is only a month old and stands as tall as Chris. The one on the left is it's mother and she wasn't to happy about me taking pictures of her baby. She is as tall as my house! So in my next life, I've decided that I'd like to come back as a Mirror Cat. Just look at these two guys, they lay in the sun and just enjoy all the crazy people walking by. Don't they look so happy to be alive? We were able to see some cool flamingo fighting and bathing while we were their. Alana loved it. She said they were dancing. Alana had to brush EVERY goat in the pin at the petting zoo. She almost missed one that was in the corner, but quickly cornered him and got the job done. Ariana wasn't to sure about the animals t...

Chris , Alana and I are all home with food poisoning for yet another day after eating some bad pizza on Thursday. We're all doing much better but still have no energy and are getting used to eating again. This week as been very busy for me because I had quite a few events, including the screening of the movie "Moon" by Duncan Jones. Just wanted to let you all know that we are alive, and almost well. I'll post pictures when this screen stops spinning.

(Ariana Trying out Lemons and Pickles) Yesterday we decided we would try to get in the Children's Museum since it was their free grand Re-opening. We drove down the street only to find people lined around the block waiting to get in. So we quickly ditched that idea and went to another museum that was free in the area. I'm so sad that they wont let you take pictures there because Alana had some pretty interesting faces when she saw paintings and sculptures of naked people. I laughed and then quickly covered her eyes. After words we stopped by 59 Dinner for lunch. We were all drenched from the rain but we all enjoyed our selves. Ariana enjoyed the trying new foods and I was jealous of Alana because she had curly fries and I had plain :-(

Today was one of those days that not everything went right but in the end I was happy. After some bad news and then some good, the girls and I headed out to play in the puddles. It seemed to be the only thing to get my mind off of all the things going on in my life. As you can see, Alana was prepared for the situation. But like a kid I couldn't resist the giant wet play grounds and jumped in. Slacks, four inch heels, camera and all! Some times its better to wash your cares of adulthood away, and go back to the times when we had no worries. How fun to be three again. When I got home, reality set back in... "I've got to scrub my pants and dry my shoes!" But it's these memories that are the fondest. Just playing in the puddles with my kids. What better entertainment than rain collected in a hole on the side of the road. He who said that "Best things in life were free" was a very smart man. Rain Boots When the sky grows dark and pours out its tears, the ...

I am playing along in a fun little swap that one of my "Photog Friends" convinced me to do. The rules are (and I'm copying the text from her blog) The first 5 people who respond to this post will get something made by me: it will be my choice, but will, hopefully, be something you can use or enjoy for its aesthetic merits. This offer does have some restrictions & limitations... *I make no guarantees that you will like it! *You will receive this item before the end of the year (December 31, 2009) or sooner. *You will have no idea what the item will be, or when you will receive it. *To participate, you must re-post this on your blog and put together something to be sent out as 5 surprises of your own. These surprises can be anything....a piece of art, a photo, a poem...whatever you choose. I think this will be a lot of fun!

Enjoy!

{Pictures I took after stake conference} Ariana has now been one for a solid week. There have been many changes in that time that makes me realize that she is growing too fast and that the days of having a baby around the house are quickly slipping away. Yesterday was a big day for my RARA. We pulled down Alana's old toddler bed from the attic, and dissembled the crib. I did this at nap time so I could sit and listen at the door to see if she got out. She did well. She only got out once. Then last night we tucked her into bed as usual and she slept great. When she woke up in the morning she quickly got out of bed and ran to my room to wake me up. I think this is going to work nicely. Another development is running. Ariana has short stubby legs, so imagine a dwarf trying to run and you end up with a sideways gallop. It's very cute. Last night we had a long rendition of baby tag, where you chase the baby and then the baby chases you. There's a lot of giggles and f...

he Allergists voted to scratch it, and the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves. The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve, and the Obstetricians felt they were all labouring under a misconception. The Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted. The Pathologists yelled, 'Over my dead body!' while the Paediatricians said, 'Oh, grow up!' The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, the Radiologists could see right through it, and the Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing. The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, 'This puts a whole new face on the matter.' The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists felt the scheme wouldn't hold water. The Anesthesiologists thought ...

(The cakes for Ariana's party) Monday was our first time to celebrate TWO birthdays. I can't believe it's already been a year. This year I got Chris nothing but geek stuff. Lots of fun GEEK T's for him to wear to work. Ariana had a good turn out for her party. She really loved all the attention that she got. Lets face it... She's a ham. RaRa is having a great time with all the goodies she got from our friends. The cake was a real smash for Ariana! I'm still finding cake in her ears. :-) As the people slow started leaving, we thought it might be fun to bring out the Wii Fit. I wish I had pictures, because it was a blast to watch people try to hula hoop and ski jump! Maybe it's time for a Wii Fit Party.