Here are some of the precious pictures my friend Micah took of our family! Micah came to our house to capture our family, including little Liam, for our Christmas pictures. I can't show you all of them because some will be used for "surprise" Christmas presents for the family. But, here are some that we really like including our Christmas card picture above. (I tried to enlarge it, but it didn't work.

We hope you and your families have a happy, healthy Christmas and New Year.

Thank you God for giving us Your son!

Halloween 2009

We had a great Halloween this year. Delainey wanted to be a Wicked witch with green hair and Jac was a black cat. The festivities started Friday morning with Delainey's Halloween party and parade at school.

All buckled in and ready to go see big sister at school.

Is tha a wicked witch leading the parade?

Jac was even asked to be in the parade with her big sister.

The Oliver girls leading the way!

Jac really doesn't seem to understand what is going on.

Parade and party are all done!


This year our church hosted a Trunk or Treat and we decided this would be good idea. So we dressed up the girls and headed out.

Our little black cat, who refuses to put on her hat

Check out the green hair!

By the end of the night, Jac was sans costume, but holding all the candy!

Goofy was in charge of passing out the candy from our trunk

Who needs pants, when you can wear a onesie?

So just let me sit down here and enjoy this sucker.

A weekend away...FINALLY!

Well after working 6 days a week for several months, the pool business finally settled down enough to take a Saturday off. Fortunately, a friend loaned us her condo in Murrells Inlet for the weekend and off we went with the girls, Pie, Grammi, Aunt Chelle, and Baby Liam. What a relaxing weekend and thankfully it was still warm enough to enjoy several walks on the beach and Delainey didn't mind putting her feet in the water. A weekend away from Columbia was exactly what the doctor ordered!

Sunrise the first morning.

Laura and Jac on the beach for an early morning walk

I think we have a little runner in our family!

The Oliver girls watching the waves

Delainey and Jac playing in the sand

"It's not that cold!"

I love this kid!

Filling a bucket

Still filling a bucket

Sunrise the second morning

The alligator at the Lazy Alligator store in Murells Inlet

30 seconds after getting the car, she was out! Must have been a fun weekend!

State Fair 2009

Delainey is ready to race!

Jac discovers how good elephant ears taste with Laura

Delainey and Laura on the elephant (A tradition started by Poppie)

Jac and Laura on the ferris wheel

Laura and Delainey on the ferris wheel

Mimi, Jac, and Delainey riding the Merry Go Round

Delainey, Jac, Mimi, and Laura fishing for a great fair prize

A couple of Sundays ago we headed over to the SC State Fair to take in the SIGHTS, sounds, smells, and good eats! Once the girls get older, I will start taking pictures of the interesting South Carolina residents that come out for the State Fair. I have often wondered where these people hide the rest of the year, seriously!

This year, the fair featured chocolate covered bacon, which I never found, and all of the usual rides and fair foods. Last year at this time, Jac saw the entire fair from the front of my chest being carried around the Baby Bjorn, funny she doesn't remember that. We rode rides, saw animals (including the pig races), and ate lots of bad for us food. Next year, Jac should be able to join Delainey on some of the kiddie rides though. Still a good time was had by all!

Jac is growing up!

I love this smile!

Yes, I can do it myself!

I mean, who doesn't sleep like this?

So it has been awhile since any of us have posted to our family blog, so I decided to take a couple of minutes and put up a few pictures. The quality of the pictures aren't great, because they are from my cell phone camera. Our nice digital camera dissapeared a couple of weeks ago and has not surfaced anywhere. Very dissapointing!

Anyway, this update is dedicated to sweet Jac Jac. She is growing up right before our eyes. Still not much of a talker, but she is very smart and....determinded is the best word. She holds her own with her big sister, but is still very clingy to Mommy most of the time. I think she would be just as content being an only child or a little sister. She is very expressive with her facial expressions and wants to try everything by herself (reminds me of another kid in this house). Now, if we could just get her to start talking to us, life would be so much easier!

Sweet Liam

As promised on fb, I am updating about my precious nephew (including new photos). Liam was diagnosed with PKU shortly after he was born. Apparently it is part of the blood work that DHEC does for newborn babies in the hospital. I do not profess to be knowledgeable about the disease, I basically just hear things from Pat and Michelle and try to read up as much as I can (http://www.pku.com/). Essentially, poor little Liam can not process protein like most of the rest of us. He is currently on a special formula which he needs a certain amount of each day and then he can nurse for the rest of the time. Each week Pat and Michelle have to take a blood sample (twice) to DHEC to have his protein levels measured to adjust his feedings accordingly. Yesterday was the first time they took the levels in themselves and he is doing VERY well. Most people with PKU are essentially vegans for the rest of their lives, getting the only type of protein they can by way of supplements. So, that is the extent of my general knowledge, please comment to correct me if I have said something incorrectly (it's entirely possible and probable). As for Liam individually, he is back up to his birth weight and doing great!!! And, he is PRECIOUS! He has fantastic parents and they are all doing well!

Pie and his babies....I think he might be in heaven here!!

Delainey loves baby Liam!

Happy 5th Birthday!

Dear Delainey,



Happy 5th Birthday! I cannot believe that 5 years ago today we welcomed you into the world. Your Mommy and I were so excited to have you become part of our little family. You were the first grandchild for the Allens and the Olivers and you were given so much love from the beginning. All of your grandparents were waiting for you at the hospital when you were born and everyone was overcome with joy when you came into this world.

You have provided nothing but happiness for anyone and everyone that you have encountered so far in your life. We are so proud of the young lady that you have become. Your Mommy and I brag about you all the time. You are a wonderful daughter and a fantastic big sister. Your little sister idolizes you and you treat her with such patience and love.

Over the past five years you have learned so much and we cannot wait to see what else you will learn in your life. You are a very good swimmer, you love to play outside, your imagination is through the roof, playing dress-up is a favorite hobby, and overall you are a fantastic well rounded little girl.

Always remember that your family loves you very much. God has truly blessed us and we could not be prouder. You are the best 5 year old I know.



Love,

Daddy

End of the Summer

These are just a few images from the end of the summer. The weather is starting to cool now and our time outside is getting shorter. The girls are busier than ever with school, dance, and learning new things. Everyone is growing up way too fast.
We did enjoy a nice Labor Day together as a family with a bike ride/walk down at the river, a nice lunch at Chik-Fil-a, and then a vist to EdVenture. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our everyday lives that we forget to slow down and enjoy some time together just the four of us.

Come on Fall!