Rivers Ripple

We are enjoying the Christmas season!  Olivia had her preschool program this past Friday and has been off this week, so we've done some visiting, extra Christmas things, and just relaxed some too.

Since we last blogged we enjoyed a trip to Walt Disney World in October!  It was so much fun, a much needed escape, and just a great trip all around.  The girls, especially Kinley, are ready to go back.  Per Kinley we missed visiting a few princesses.

Dan has been busy at work.  His big news there is the sale of KWCH, which is pending final approval.  That's made for a stressful fall.  His band gigs have slowed through fall and he will take a break with the New Year while we adjust to new baby and family life of 5.

Sarah has been busy at home, keeping the girls on track, the house managed, and working on the weekends a couple of times a month.  In between, we've been busily preparing as much as possible for baby girl's arrival in February.  Lots of rearranging, reorganizing, and appointments.

Meeting the princesses was a highlight.

The girls also met Doc, Sophia, and Jake.

Olivia has loved preschool this fall and all her friends there.  She's very social at school, as evidenced by the round of high fives she distributed upon her return from Walt Disney World when I picked her up that first day back.  She's continued in gymnastics and enjoys it.  And her request for swimming lessons was squeezed in Nov and Dec.  She's actually taking lessons at a youth stroke introduction level, having learned front crawl, back stroke, elementary backstroke, and been introduced to breaststroke.  She's been focused on learning to breathe to the side this session.  At home her imagination flourishes and she is often the leader of whatever she and Kinley are playing.  Olivia turned 5 in November and was super excited for her birthday and the party she had for family.  Unfortunately, the day after she came down with a fever and was out of commission over Thanksgiving week and into the week after.   Upper respiratory virus and Strep A.

Rainbow kitty(Olivia's invention) and Crumbs.

Birthday girl.

Kinley playing Sheriff Callie and guitar.

Grammy and Kinley at the pumpkin patch.

The cousins at Olivia's party.

Kinley turned 3 this week.  She, too, was excited for her birthday party and having her "birthday friends" over to celebrate this past weekend.  She loves to play Lalaloopsy's, doctor, and whatever Olivia dreams up.  She enjoys learning activities, and often requests our daily activity time.  She wants to be able to take some lessons and will do so in the spring, once we've figured out our new routine with baby girl.  Kinley started sharing a room with Olivia in November and often talks a bit too much for Olivia's taste at bedtime.  Overall the transition has gone well.  We do music together on Mondays while Olivia has preschool and play together on the other days, in between errands.  She soaks up that time, as do I.

Brisco turned 9 years old in November and Dan pulled one of his teeth a few days before his birthday.  Overall he's doing well, with a small recent allergy flare up.  Maybe the Christmas tree?!??

Our visit to Santa this year.  :)

Anyway, hope everyone is well.  We look forward to Sunday's Christmas celebration!