Hats

Sister Oliver of the Abbey

The Matador. Ole! 

Dejected Shepherd

Sheik with modern flare

Bashful fireman

It only takes one spark, kids.

Sexy fireman eyes

Not sure what's going on in this one.. 

Serious, with a side of belly

Just chillin with my hat on backwards. 

Ha. Love this one. 

Working on His CrossFit

Saturday morning Ollie thought he was a participant in The World's Strongest Man Competition. 

It was so funny to watch him lift this office chair and then grunt, clap and strut around. This video is for you Aunt Skye. Maybe he'll follow in your footsteps. 

Ollie and the Apple

Finally, as the Ollie Bird tries to nap (despite a little temp today and teething, poor lad), I shall try and pop a few pictures up. 

He has so many new things that he "Does All Day" but one of the funniest is his delight in carrying random produce around the house. Ideally, there would be two - two avocados, two limes, two small apples - one in each fist. Around the loop he goes, from kitchen to dining, through the living room and around the corner and down the entry hall and then back to the kitchen again. Sometimes, while doing this, he will get very quiet and then I know that he's trying to break the skin of whatever fruit he has for a little nibble and I delicately intervene (i.e. take it away) without creating total devastation on his part. Here he is playing with a Granny Smith earlier this week: 

"Please sir. May I have this apple?" Reminds me of that scene from Oliver Twist, but not nearly as scary. 

Ollie's First Birthday! (where does the time go???)

How is it that the Ollie Boy is 1 year old? Despite our shock at the passing of time, and the fact that we are living with the parents and out of boxes at the moment, we still managed to throw a little whale theme shin dig to celebrate this wonderful milestone:

There were cupcakes of all sorts, including the lavender (wish it could have been more blue) blueberry lemon cupcakes that I made as a no sugar and gluten-free treat for Ollie (and me) to enjoy. They were surprisingly delicious! 

We also had red velvet, chocolate raspberry cream, sweet and salty chocolate and strawberries and cream cupcakes from the ever popular Jones Bros Cupcakes. Too bad some toppled over in the car. I would like to note that this had nothing to do with Isaac's driving but  rather with the way the lady at the shop packed up the cupcakes. Oh well, all was not lost and they still tasted yummy.

Ike helped me make this festive garland... 

And there were of course, tiny whale party hats... 

Oh Ollie! Why can't you give us a smile? 

Being able to host Oliver's birthday party back home with almost all of our family (we missed you Ali, Kelly and David, Nick and Sarah and Marcus and Skye!) was a huge treat for us. After all, that's why we moved! 

Uncle Levi, Isaac, the birthday boy and Uncle Jesse - a good lookin' bunch. 

And then there was cake! 

Grandma Epperson and Nanny Eunice flank Ollie as he goes to town on his cupcake... 

Yum. He was actually relatively neat and tidy considering the potential for a giant cake and ice cream explosion. 

Having Ollie's second cousin Ryleigh come to the party was really special. 

The kiddo hit the mother load when it came to gifts. One particular highlight was this snazzy riding turtle. It sings and bounces and Ollie loves it more every day. Thanks Ally and Levi! 

Cousins Peter and Ben were the life of the party. Check out this sequence of photos... 

I don't know about this... 

.... And I'm ready for a nap. And nap he did. 

Happy birthday sweet Oliver. We love you more than we can say. So glad you're our boy. 

Lion Towel Time

There's nothing cuter than a baby in a lion towel, I say. 

This one came from Uncle Mike and Aunt Joyce way before Oliver was born. He's big enough to fit inside it now without getting swallowed up and it's so soft and comfy. Thanks again Joycie and Mike!

Just a man and his straw....and a ladle

The slotted spoon goes up.... 

The slotted spoon goes down... 

Back up again... 

but the straw never leaves the mouth

Until it's time to play the flute... or taste the soup... or whatever he's doing. Ah babies.