Dear Olivia,

I just realized I never wrote to you about your very first camping experience! Okay Daddy always tells me you went camping with the White side of the family but I don't think sleeping in a cabin counts as camping! This was your very first in a tent camping trip! Let me tell you, I was nervous. Going camping with little kids is never easy. I was especially worried about you falling asleep, and your lack of walking. Both fears turned out to be true. You were so frustrated being in the playpen all the time but quite honestly, I didn't want you crawling on the dirt. There was bugs and sharp rocks and other nature type things! ;) You actually did better than expected at the sleeping part. You threw a fit for about 20 minutes but as soon as I nursed you, you conked straight out!

Camping was fun, and I think you enjoyed it over all. You loved all the food, but that was no surprise. Me and you, we like our food! :) I think the food was probably your favorite part! It was also fun watching you interact with your cousins! Henry was there and so was Gunner! You loved them, sometimes a little too much. At one point you and Gunner were in the playpen together and you started smacking him. He didn't seem to mind and you were laughing, so we let it continue! ;)

You fell asleep on your first hike and it was pretty adorable! I was worried you wouldn't like being in the hiking backpack but you didn't mind at all apparently!

I love you Olivia Beth! I love experiencing all these firsts with you! It's so much fun to watch you explore the world!

Love,
Mom

Dear Olivia,

You my dear, are getting more and more active by the day. You get into so much trouble! I swear it's at the point of craziness! Today you were getting into every drawer in the kitchen, dumped comet on my rug, pulled out ever cd case we have sitting on the computer desk, pulled out all the recycling, stuffed your toys in the kitchen drawer, threw your whole plate of food on the floor, and so on and so on. You definitely keep me on my toes kid! Every time I turn around you are into something else. I can't even begin to imagine what it's going to be like when you can walk!

Speaking of which, today we went to the splash pad. This August has been strangely rainy and cold and today was so nice I knew we had to go have some more summer fun before it was over! You loved it! At first you were hesitant and just wanted to sit on the bench by me. But then you started playing in the water and you had a blast! You giggled and laughed and splashed! I had a blast just watching you. I began to notice though, that your knees were getting all red from crawling on the hard floor. So I reached down took you by one hand and you walked around the splash pad. I think that is the most walking practice you've ever had! You did great! It was fun to see you on two feet walking around, even if you did have assistance! :)

We then went to the park and you loved it! You have no fear my darling! You climb up everything, go down all the slides, all without assistance. I basically just followed you around and prevented you from crawling on the VERY hot playground ground.

You are so much fun Olivia. I'm sorry I'm so bad about writing to you. I just love every second I get with my beautiful little girl. You are so stinking adorable and you just melt my heart with your smile and giggles. I hope you always know how much your Mommy adores you!

Love,
Mom

Dear Olivia,

Your Dad called me at work on August 9th to tell me you did something amazing! You guys, Dad, You, and Bently were having a dance party in the kitchen. Suddenly you were standing there in the middle of the kitchen bouncing up and down on your feet! You got to standing all by yourself with out any help! I was so jealous I missed it! Later that night Grandma Kay Lynn came over and your Dad of course began to brag about your new found skill. Grandma then informed him while we were in the temple for Valerie's wedding (8/8/14) you did it like 3 times! She thought it was something you had done for awhile so she didn't mention it to us! So I guess your Dad and I both missed your first time that you got yourself to standing! ;) I love you beautiful girl! I cannot imagine you walking! I feel like you are getting so old so fast! I can hardly believe it!

I love you with all my heart!

Love,
Mom