The Osbornes

Snow Day!

2012-01-12T12:45:00.000-08:00

Owen's school got cancelled so we headed outside. Ellie brought her Toy Story toys 'cause their like her BFFs.

Chasing, eating snow and playing Wipeout. Hey, and even I chased for a good ten minutes...before I lost my breath.

Then, it was inside for some busy bag time.

What Jules was doing during all this "school" time...

No snow day would be complete without wrestling.

After quiet time, the big kids were greeted with a spy/wipeout course. The string last only a few minutes...then Ellie found the scissors and what's a 3 yr old to do when they have scissors and string...but cut away...Owen was annoyed.

Now to clean up and get ready for a AWANA party today! And after that, I'm done. No more creativity left in me. :) But seriously, we had so much fun...Owen might not want to go back to school tomorrow. ;)

A Tooth!

2012-01-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

Isn't that a toothless grin you could just love to pieces?! After a little bribe (getting to play Angry Birds), Owen let Justin wiggle his tooth out. We could see the new one coming up behind it and new the baby one was ready to be out. A little blood, some "Yet me see"s from Ellie and a victory Angry Bird game...a good way to celebrate losing your first tooth.

Oh, and a celebratory picture also! 4 quarters under your pillow was his reward. The next day Owen was most excited about the boys getting to add another "tooth" to the tooth chart at school.

One!

2012-01-09T18:19:00.000-08:00

The whole fam with the birthday girl.

Jules doing one of her favorite things: crawling up the stairs.

Cousins pic

Bad lighting, but the best one of I got of the cake and Juliet.

While we are singing Happy Birthday. Jules was on the verge of crying the whole time.

It's hard to believe our youngest baby is 1 year old. Juliet, you add so much to our family. Smiles, laughs, slobbery kisses...wobbley steps, crawling all over us like we're your own jungle gym, following your brother and sister around...nodding your head yes or no, hugging baby dolls and dancing to the Diego theme song...You are a blessing from God, and our prayer is that one day you will know Him who created you so perfect. We love you and Happy Birthday!

'Tis the Season

2011-12-30T14:38:00.001-08:00

Christmas Parade

2011-12-06T19:15:00.001-08:00

11 months

2011-12-06T19:08:00.001-08:00

The theme for Juliet is climbing! She can stand by herself and take a step or two towards you. She's in everyone's business and thinks she's as big as Ellie.

The relatives come!

2011-12-06T19:02:00.001-08:00

The CO folks came over Thanksgiving.

She makes me smile.

2011-12-06T18:50:00.001-08:00

Ellie was watching a movie and then when I checked on her, this is what I found. Can you figure out where she is?

Again, found her being silly. Both legs in the arm of my coat.

So I don't forget...

2011-11-03T11:44:00.000-07:00

So I don't forget the days of Ellie picking out her own clothes and Jules being small enough to cruise under the table.

...of Juliet hugging her baby dolls and giving them slobbery kisses

...of Ellie pretending to be a baby or puppy named "Alice"

...of Owen planning his own T-ball tourney with crazy details that surpass that of a 5 year old

...of Ellie answering the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" with "Nuffing. I just want to stay with mommy."

...of Owen doing his own commentary when playing wiffleball in the backyard.

...of Juliet trying to find every microscopic speck on the floor to put in her mouth.

...of Jules pulling up on my pant leg.

...of Ellie ordering me to tickle her or carry her or color with her.

10 months

2011-11-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

I always feel like the 10 month mark is my favorite of the baby stage. So much personailty. Crawling and exploring and inter-acting with you. (and none the disipline junk that comes later on) Juliet can walk with the help of something and loves cruising around the furniture. She's in everyone's business...sometimes to the frustration of her sister. She loves to feed herself and hug baby dolls. Sigh...can I freeze time for just a little while...

Trick or Treat

2011-10-31T18:17:00.000-07:00

Owen as Vader

Juliet the fairy

Ellie appearing as Dorothy.

Ellie wore her costume all day.

She kept putting "Toto" in different spots in the yard. Then, she would yell his name and run to him to rescue him from the wicked witch.

Energy was at a major high...and we hadn't even starting eating the candy.

Harry and his owl joined us for trick or treating.

Wifflefest 6

2011-10-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

So, I took about a zillion pics of Wifflefest and am just showing a few of the fam. Here's our team, The Naturals, and we got 2nd place I might add. Thanks to the 12 other teams that came!!

I love that Kate is opening her mouth too.

The bounce house was a hit.

Giving the baby some lovin'.

My son who hits better than I do.

I think that Owen liked announcing as much as playing.

Kate, Jack and Owen

Nans and Mims, watching the girls

9 months

2011-10-16T14:52:00.000-07:00

Juliet can:

Crawl

Pull up

Clap her hands

Steal her brother and sister's toys

Give kisses

2011-09-18T20:05:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's safe to say I'm hooked on Pinterest. So many fun ideas. I've indulged in a few already. Here's the most recent. The idea came from Chez Beeper Bebe as a scrape buster. And since I'll probably never have the time to use all my scraps for a sweet-looking quilt like I've been dreamin' about, magnetic ABCs will have to do. And, I think they're pretty nifty.

Pre-school!

2011-09-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

Ellie's first day of Thursday school...she was annoyed that I made her wear the white button-up over her sleeveless dress, but it was 55 degrees out, what's a mom to do but ruin her 3 year olds personal style.

She hopped up in her chair and was ready to sing opening songs...also, notice white button-up is off, after the first pic, she declared she was "hot" and promptly removed the offending clothing.

8 months

2011-09-11T15:08:00.001-07:00

This month Juliet can:

sit by herself

wave bye-bye

say "dadadadadada"

army crawl

Kindergarten!

2011-08-18T06:22:00.000-07:00

First day of school, first day of school!! This kid was so stinkin' excited about it that he woke up at 6 a.m. No first day jitters here, just walking in the school full of confidence. Made my heart proud. And NO, I didn't cry...'cause I already had my melt-down yesterday. Ha! Once that was out of my system, I was just plain excited for O. I think Ellie was more sad at the drop off than anyone else. She wanted to go with him, and let me tell ya, it's gonna be an adjustment for her. Her best friend won't be around to play with her all day. Before Owen left for school, we all held hands and prayed. Owen-may the Lord bless you and keep you on this new Kindergarten adventure!

7 months

2011-08-12T14:57:00.001-07:00

3!

2011-06-21T11:48:00.001-07:00

It was a Candyland party for this little cutie pie. Ellie you bless us everyday! We love you!

We played a "live" version of Candyland thoughout the house before heading out to swim.

Seriously cool...

2011-06-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

Here are my kids and their cousins sitting with their great-great grandma...that's right 2 greats...as in Justin's mom's mom's mom. Got it? Amazing. Granny will be 97 this month.

5 months

2011-06-06T11:57:00.001-07:00

T-Ball

2011-05-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

The day has finally arrived for Owen to get to play T-ball. He been asking ever summer since he was 2. He has told anyone who is willing to listen about what team he's on, who he's playing, who's on his team, what he's learned and then asks them if they want to see his uniform. On the first game day, he woke up saying, "Today's the dayyyyy!" And then, put his uniform on 5 hours before it started. :) Love him! Super friends who came to cheer him on!

Mims and Pops!

Another cheerleader!

Made it to 1st base.

Post-game pose. Also, at this point, he's real excited about the after game snack they provide: rice crispy treat and gatorade

1st time at bat

4 months old

2011-05-16T16:28:00.000-07:00

Easter

2011-04-29T14:45:00.001-07:00

So glad our good friend Jessica could joing us!

A little Poppy time!

Easter playtime!

Thanks Mimi for buying the kids thier Easter clothes!

So I don't forget...

2011-04-20T19:41:00.000-07:00

--Ellie calls scuba divers, "suba guy-vers"...I think of combo of scuba diver and scuba guy?
--Ellie also loves Finding Nemo. I often find her pretending to be "Darla" and shaking a zip-lock bag w/ a toy in it saying, "Why are you sleeping?"
--Uncle Chris asked Ellie the other day if she could touch her tongue to her nose. After much trying, she said, "No, I can only touch my moustache." :)
--Owen started T-ball after years of looking forward to it. He asked Justin the other night if they would have to take an airplane to their away games. Justin had to explain to him that t-ball isn't exactly the major leagues.
--Fresh off some fire safety tips that we went over with Owen, we had a tornado siren go off. While bunkered down in the basement. Owen told Ellie to "get down on her hands and knees b/c it's easier to breathe like that during a tornado."

Morning Snuggles n' Smiles

2011-04-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

Pre-School Graduation

2011-04-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

Owen is moving on to bigger things! Kindergarten next year. It's hard for us to wrap our heads around the idea of Owen being old enough for grade school in just a few months. We know that God has big plans for him. He is so smart, kind and talented. We are so proud of him and are eagerly watching how God will grow him into a person that will love God and love others. You rock Owen!

Awana Bike-O-Rama

2011-04-15T08:01:00.001-07:00

SISTERS!

2011-04-05T10:08:00.001-07:00

Makes me..

2011-04-05T10:03:00.001-07:00

wanna... be...

2 again!

Ellie

2011-03-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

She's my sweet child I can't turn my back on...she's the one who pulls chairs over to the stove to "help" stir mac n' cheese, who likes painting her self more than the paper, who rips up library book b/c she wants to "glue the pictures to a piece of paper," who sprays all her stuffed animals with Windex b/c "I'm cleaning them.", who takes all her clothes off insteading of napping...or just for fun hides from me when she's supposed to be napping, who plays in the backyard potting soil until her hands and arms are black...oh wait, is that some soil stuck to your cheek, that's right, you of course had to "taste" it too. You're my must experience life to the fullest, God must have big plans for you, adventurous, giggly 2 and a half year old!! And I wouldn't trade you for the world!

A Few More Tennessee Pics

2011-03-30T12:59:00.001-07:00

At the Children's Musuem in Chattanooga.

Enjoying our view of "7 states."

Weekend Getaway

2011-03-21T18:51:00.001-07:00

Rock City, GA

O (and some girl waving...) with a spider crab.

SHARK!!

Fall Creek Falls

O and I went on a 2 mile trail while Justin stayed in the car with our 2 sleepy girls.

Crossing a swinging bridge near one of the falls.

So I don't forget...

2011-02-24T13:17:00.001-08:00

Things that are going on lately...
--Ellie loves all things princess and plays with Disney princess dolls all the time.
--Owen still loves all things baseball. He also enjoys watching "Minute to Win It" clips on the computer and then insisting that I find the items required to do the challenge. He doesn't do the challenge itself, he makes me or Justin play it, while he imitates the host doing commentary.
--I'm trying to soak in the littleness and pure cuteness of Juliet as I know how fast they grow. She just starting to smile at 7 weeks, and Justin can get her to do it better than the rest of us.
--Ellie calls Colby Jack cheese that "polky-dottie cheese" when she wants it for a snack.
--Owen tried to read a note written in cursive the other day and told me, "Mom, can you read this for me? I can't read Spanish."
--I'm trying to make the most of this season of all three kids at home, knowing that Owen will be in Kindergarten next year. I have big ideas for the next few months on projects, ideas, fun things to do with them...now we'll just see if I can get my self organized...maybe if Juliet could just start sleeping through the night...hmmmmmm, that might help. :)

Happy 5th Birthday!

2011-01-29T13:46:00.000-08:00

The 5 year old wanted a football birthday party.

Playing football in the backyard. 50 degrees and sunny!

Cousins!

The man of the hour. One AMAZING little boy! We're so lucky you're ours!

Snow time!

2011-01-22T12:21:00.000-08:00

Introducing...Juliet

2011-01-10T15:36:00.000-08:00

Christmas

2010-12-29T19:16:00.001-08:00

So thankful for...

2010-11-29T16:05:00.000-08:00

...my sweet husband

...my 2 kiddos

...my little one on the way

...supportive family

...Friends

...water, food, work

...Church family

...Love and Grace

Meet me at the Fair

2010-11-29T15:59:00.000-08:00

So glad that I shared a both with my friend Sarah. She definitely made the 17 hour long weekend fun. I won't say that I'm going to become a lifer in the craft fair business but it certainly was a unique experience.

Craft Fair

2010-11-10T16:04:00.001-08:00

So I'm doing something that I never in a million years would have guessed I would do...sew something and sell it at a craft fair. Just less than a year ago, I didn't even know how to sew. This has been a really fun creative outlet and very out of the box thing for me. My friend and I have a booth at the local craft fair in 2 weeks. We'll see what happens...

Fall!

2010-11-08T11:31:00.001-08:00

Wifflefest

2010-11-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

Nana and E cheering us on the first game.

Lots of help in right field.

The best way to travel on the tree farm.

The Wiffle Masters...13 teams....4th place finish. O got 4 base hits and 1 double.

Trick or Treat

2010-11-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

Giraffe CHEESE!
His I'm gonna tackle you poise.

Hiking, leaves, sore muscles, oh my!

2010-10-19T13:46:00.001-07:00

Went to Giant City State Park with J's parents last week. It was of course, beautiful. We hiked around for about an hour and then had a picnic.

Blue Hornet

2010-10-19T13:36:00.001-07:00

Blue Hornet is the neighbor's cat that decided to have kittens under our deck about a month ago. We've finally been able to see the kittens the last few days. We actually pulled up a loose board in our deck to do it...we just couldn't wait any longer. And to our surprise, their were 3 kittens, as we've been only able to see 2 through the cracks the whole time. The kids are so enjoying this "season" of cats as the neighbors are moving in a few weeks and will be taking them with them. I overheard Ellie the other day saying to herself, "This is my family. My brother Owen, my Mommy, my Daddy and Blue Hornet." I'm sure it will be quite the shock when the mama cat and kittens go...

Weekend Fun

2010-10-03T13:27:00.001-07:00

We visited my folks this weekend. Went to the city museum, zoo and Cards game. This is O's baseball stadium made out of legos.
Zoo

Hi Fredbird!!

Owen dreaming about playing when he gets bigger. "Mom, I want to play for the Cardinals, Mets, Yankees, A's, Twins...." And then I lost track b/c he named about all the teams.

We actually made it through all 9 innings w/ a 4 and 2 year old. O was focused the whole time. And E just made friends with all the people around us, danced to any music and made a big ol' mess with nachos.

Pics of the Kids

2010-09-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks Andy for taking these!

What is the age of the child?....ummm...32.

2010-08-15T11:57:00.000-07:00

Apparently, our community center doesn't get very many adult birthday parties, but that is where we celebrated Justin's big day recently. We played in the gym and also some "Minute to Win it" games. Happy birthday Justin! We love you!

Paul & Alana

2010-08-12T13:20:00.001-07:00

Who are Paul & Alana? Also known as...Paul-Lana, The Renters, Mr. Paul & Ms. Alana or Lasagna...Only the amazing couple that we were privileged to have rent our apartment for the last 2 years. They left last week to head onto bigger and better things...also known as seminary. We went into the apartment yesterday, and Ellie asked, "Where Paul-Lana?" I said that they had moved. She said, "They coming back?" Sigh...no. Then, the other day Owen and I are talking about where we would live if we could live anywhere. Owen says N. Carolina. I ask why and he says, "Because that's where Paul and Alana live." Sigh again. You all are loved and missed! We hope that it's going well and know that God will use you for great things!

Happenings...

2010-07-26T11:49:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to record a few observations from this morning...
For instance:
-Ellie learned that if you pour a cup of water into your dress pocket, the water doesn't stay in it.
-Owen's wiffleball playing has outgrown our backyard, having hit 2 balls over the roof of our house. He has also now officially passed me up on wiffleball skills.
-I am reminded again that I am expecting as I'm starving all the time. I announced at 10:45 that it was lunch time.
-Ellie is into feeding the "peacocks" that apparently live just outside our fence. She passes grass and rocks to them through the fence.
-Owen just wants to be outside playing sports...even if it's 100 degrees. He also does play by play while he plays..."That was a nice hit, Billy...Slimey, a double play...Juan Britt up to bat...That's a stand-up homerun...and he "grinded" out to left field..." are just a few of the phrases he said just this morning.
-Ellie made mud-pie muffins outside...unlike Owen, she just wants to be playing the dirt.
-While finishing up lunch, I turned around to see Ellie and Owen shaking a salt shaker on their strawberries. I say, "Oh guys, you don't want to do that..." just as Owen takes a bite...hee hee...the look was priceless. He said, "But mom, I was just putting a little sugar on them like you do." So today, we learned the difference between salt and sugar.

The New Nephew

2010-07-21T12:30:00.001-07:00

Welcome Drew Matthew!
Ellie so wanted to hold him.

The new family of 5.

So glad that I got to be at the hospital for this amazing arrival.

The trip was more than just welcoming Drew...it was also lots and lots of cousin playtime!

July 4th

2010-07-21T12:24:00.001-07:00

Watching fireworks.
We had our own 4th of July parade.

We also celebrated Jack's 5th birthday.

Ellie is 2!

2010-07-03T07:07:00.001-07:00

Ellie turned 2 last month and wanted a kitty cat party. We more pulled off a backyard pool party with an attempt at a cake with a kitty cat face.
Jack on the slip n slide.

This slide into the swimming pool has brought more joy these last 2 summers than I ever could have imagined.

Birthday girl!

She got a tricycle from her Mimi and Poppy.

Kittens!

2010-06-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

No, we don't own kittens. I'm not that good-hearted, but really cool farm near our house had some that the kids got to love on recently.

Texas

2010-06-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

Just got back from vacation to Dallas and San Antonio. So fun!

At Seaworld

Downtown Dallas

Had family reunion and birthday party for my Grandpa's 90th

Owen with cousin Abe...if we only lived closer, the fun they'd have.

With my sweet niece Cassie!

Butterfly House

2010-04-06T11:32:00.001-07:00

Backyard football

2010-04-05T11:43:00.001-07:00

Making it through February

2010-03-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

V-day cookies...yummm....
Decorating snowmen

More campfires in the backyard.

A visit to the peacocks...apparently nobody has visited their humble abode in awhile because they came out in full force and ate from our hands. Pretty cool.

At a playdate at a gymnastics center.

Has anyone else checked out the birdies at the mall? The kids LOVED feeding them.

The Tooth

2010-02-15T11:15:00.001-08:00

So the events last week were unexpected to say the least...Ellie slipped and hit her mouth on the bottom step of our wooden stairs...and lost her front tooth. Ahhhhh!!! Seriously, it was not a pretty scene and I was not a hold-it-together mom. I cried longer than she did. But, I'm getting used to her new beautiful smile and will be headed to the pediatric dentist later this month to talk about what this means for future teeth issues. In all honestly, she is a giggly, happy-go-lucky, climb on anything kinda gal, so this new "look"may fit her little "watch me or I'm going to get into everything" personality. Sweet Ellie, we love you just the way you are!!

Surprise trip to Minnesota!

2010-02-09T11:57:00.000-08:00

I know what your thinking...Minnesota in February...Yup, you heard right. I had the chance to take the kids and go with my parents to surprise my sister and her family (she knew that my parents were coming but not the rest of us). When her 4 yr old heard the doorbell and looked out the window, he just yelled, "Mom, Owen's here." She was a little confused and then of course, way excited. Now we come to the un-fun part: 12 hours up and 12 hours back. We also had leave a day early because of snow storms, but the funness of being there made up for any length of drive. Also, the kids were ama-za-zing on the drive up and down!
Lots of lots of snow!! We sled in their front yard.

I like this pic because you can see how deep the snow was compared the Ellie. Also, my mom is in the window looking out. She felt she could enjoy the fun from the inside looking out. :)

The kids also went down the slide into the snow. Yippee!

The kiddos!

Snow!

2010-02-01T10:57:00.000-08:00

Owen named him "Goody." Sounds goody to me.

"Dad, my hands are freezing...let's keep sledding!"

Owen taking Paul on his first sledding ride of the year.

Friends Paul and Alana joined us for our sledding expedition.

Good Old George

2010-01-28T15:17:00.001-08:00

Today Owen got a birthday card from Grandma Vicky. He says, "Mom! I got one...two...three...four George Washingtons!!"

Happy Birthday Owen!

2010-01-24T12:38:00.000-08:00

The big camping birthday party arrived. Owen's been asking for weeks if today's the day. We set up a tent in our living room.
We had the kids make their own bags of trail mix.

Ok, I'm just a little bit proud off my "camping" b-day cake. It was fun to make and O helped me with some of the details...tent color, how many fish in the pond, where the candle should go...I love how excited he gets about everything.

Jack and Owen

We set up a campfire in the backyard to roast hotdogs and make s'mores.

Mimi and Poppy were the first to arrive. "My guests are arriving!!!" yelled Owen when he heard them knock.

I'm just like every other parent who thinks, "My kids are growing up so fast!" 4...I have a 4 yr old. Wow. Owen--We are blessed to be your parents. You are a smart, funny, creative, caring child of God. I look forward to seeing what this year brings for you and watching you grow. We love you!

Mini Ice Age

2010-01-15T14:39:00.000-08:00

So, I'm somewhat confused...we of course have been hearing the last couple years about global warming. Then we have a few weeks of single digit temps, which is unusual here. I didn't really think anything of it because it is winter after all. But THEN, I read an article on a major news site about one scientist saying that it is the begining of a "mini ice age." So that brings me to my confused state...is it getting warmer or colder...or does no one really know what they are talking about...that's what I'm thinking too... :)

Nonetheless, the colder temps created a lot of ice in the Mississippi. We had fun today going to the river to throw ice chunks in the water.

Post-Christmas Campfire

2009-12-29T12:19:00.000-08:00

Because we like to pretend we live in the country, and because my parents are such good sports, we were able to convince the family to make s'mores in our backyard. Mmmmmmm...and Brrrrrrrr.... :)

Christmas

2009-12-29T12:08:00.001-08:00

Spending Christmas day with cousins!

We spent Christmas day at my in-laws.

Air hockey table!!

Showing off the Elmo slippers.

Christmas morning.

My little Handy Manny

2009-12-29T11:54:00.000-08:00

We are having a bathroom built in our basement. The worker doing this is a friend from church. He was kind enough to let Owen "help" him. Owen was so super excited that he waited at the bottom of the stairs with his tools for Gary to arrive.

Owen insisted on wearing a plaid shirt because, "that's what all workers wear, Mom." Apparently, he had taken notice of want Gary and his dad wore the day before, and sure enough, when they walked in, they had on plaid. Thanks again to Gary and his dad. Yeah, B&B Construction!

The Great Gingerbread House Disaster

2009-12-12T13:18:00.000-08:00

Hmmmm...I'd like my $9 from Wal-mart back please. I didn't even get a pic of the final product before it caved. Maybe it was doomed from the start from the push and pull of little hands trying to put candy on in...maybe I should have read the directions first about letting the glue...sorry, icing...dry 15 minutes before adding decor...maybe I should just roll up my sleeves next year and make a homemade one. Either way, I had only had a chance to clean up the mess and turn around before seeing our collasped house. For what it's worth, Owen said that he still had fun making it...and I guess, that's what it would have been worth even if it had stood intact.

Thanksgiving

2009-12-12T13:04:00.001-08:00

We went to MN this Thanksgiving to visit my sister and her family. My mom bought the kids matching outfits for the big day. (She just couldn't resist!) While there, we also got to visit the zoo and Mall of America.

The Halloween Post

2009-11-02T12:09:00.000-08:00

Re-introducing: Teddy Roosevelt, George Bush, FDR, Abe Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Dolly Madison
He's serious about the New Deal.

Abe and Teddy

Amazing...

2009-10-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

...That's what it is when you get to witness the beginings of a new family. Last night, we had the privilege of seeing our dear friends Anna-Marie and Brian meet their baby boy Knox from Korea.
Knox was crazy about all the kids that were there. He was squealing and laughing at them.

He was not at all scared of all the unfamiliar faces.

We are so excited for Anna-Marie and Brian on their new adventure into parenting! What a great family they will make.

Friends practicing their "reaction" for the big moment.

Some of kiddos. And see all the people in the background...they were all there to greet Knox...about 45 folks total.

Just Playing

2009-10-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

Wifflefest Part 2

2009-10-15T11:32:00.001-07:00

The Crazy Ninjas
The Beet Farmers...Owen was so impressed by thier overalls that now when Ellie wears hers, he calls her a little beet farmer.

Thanks Matt "The Voice" Hall for your superb announcing.

The Philibusters.

The Wifflers at bat.

Wifflefest 09 Part 1

2009-10-13T12:01:00.001-07:00

Our team: Ann Justin for All
Owen played on our team... and got 4 base hits I might add.

The Pond Field. We had 13 teams in our tourney this year. We've grown from the 4 teams that we had 4 years ago when we first started this.

The Pine Field.

The kids playing in the Jump N' Jay.

Hail to the Chief

2009-09-21T12:04:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't know, Owen is crazy about U.S. Presidents. Seriously, crazy about them. It started at 2 1/2 when he discovered some pictures of the presidents in a dictionary that we have. "Mom, tell me who they are." So, I did. "Again." OK. "Again." A president flashcard gift by his Mimi sped up the madness, and before you know it he knows all the presidents by name. This was a year ago and the craze hasn't decreased. We've checked out library books about the presidents and played with those flashcards until they have become lovingly bent. Owen has told random people when we're out and about that they look like certain presidents...my favorite being the time he told a man at Wal-Mart that he looked like Rutherford B. Hayes...the man ignored him. When Owen is playing baseball in the backyard he'll say something like, "Johnny Reagan is up to bat." I ask who that is. "Ronald Reagan's brother." Of course... So that brings me to this pic. Owen got these glasses at Awana last night and has transformed into Teddy Roosevelt. And apparently, I didn't know this before, but Teddy likes to tackle his little sister...go figure.

Labor Day at the Beards

2009-09-11T11:37:00.000-07:00

The gang. For the past 8 years, we hang at the Beards house for the weekend and then canoe down the Black River.
I don't have any pics of Owen golfing, but that combined with him playing washers, wiffleball and frisbee made one little happy boy.

I love being able to catch up with all these amazing people.

Note cats in corner of pic. While all the game action was the highlight of the weekend for Owen, I'm pretty sure that the cats were the highlight for Ellie.

Awwww...remember when they were just babies?? Now they play tag and fight over the wiffleball. :)

Always a lot of washers going on.

Washers is not for the faint of heart.

Is this when we were taking about the 2 guys that were living in the attic??? Thanks Rachel for that story. I don't know if I'll ever be confident about my attic security again! :)

Always lots of wiffleball playing going on too. Yes, Owen is in the middle diving for a ball.

We love our friends Anna-Marie and Brian and are so thankful that they open their house up to us every year.

And she's out...

2009-08-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

I was cleaning up the kitchen while Owen and Ellie were still eating lunch, and when I turned back around to the kids...this. Poor E was just too tired to make it up to her crib.

Ya Ya's Island

2009-08-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law and I headed to Paducah, KY last week to check out Ya Ya's, a jungle gym, blow-up slides/mazes and games play center for kids. Our kids loved it! We loved it (mostly because we had the place to ourselves!).

Family Pics

2009-08-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

For Ellie's 1st B-day our friend Jessica took some pics of our family and just of Ellie. They were taken at our friend's tree farm.

Visiting Grandma

2009-07-06T18:44:00.000-07:00

Playing in great-grandma's house. Owen, Carter and Jaydon.
Ellie with her Nana and Aunt Cheryl

With my grandma in CO Springs

Garden of the gods

2009-07-06T18:40:00.000-07:00

At the Royal Gorge

2009-07-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

On the bridge over the gorge.

We rode this across the 1000 ft. gorge. Amazing!

Pikes Peak

2009-07-06T18:26:00.000-07:00

Owen and I went up Pikes Peak last week during our visit to CO Springs. He thought it was so cool to throw snowballs in the summer.
At the top of the mountain with cousin Jaydon.

Happy Birthday Ellie!

2009-07-06T18:16:00.001-07:00

Kiddie pool party!

Look who's 1!

Chi-town visit

2009-06-03T19:47:00.000-07:00

We went to Chicago last weekend for my cousin's wedding. Congrats again Fran and Ernesto!

The cousins.

Downtown Chicago

In the ferris wheel at Navy Pier

Zoo

2009-06-03T19:33:00.000-07:00

Love this pic of Mimi and Poppy with Owen and Jack at the zoo.

The next great Cardinals pitcher...

2009-05-24T19:13:00.001-07:00

The wind-up
Smokin'

Meet me in St. Louie

2009-05-24T19:02:00.001-07:00

Park fun

2009-05-12T16:30:00.001-07:00

We love our community park and visit often. My kids love the swings, what kid doesn't, right?!

Camping

2009-05-12T16:24:00.000-07:00

After a failed attempt at camping a friend's house due to the tent collasping, Justin pulled it off the other night in our backyard. Owen thought it was the coolest, although a 4 a.m. rain brought them in to finish our in our living room floor.

I love this stage!

2009-05-12T16:13:00.001-07:00

We are in full-fledge climb into any space we can fit mode. I remember when Owen was doing this and I always thought it was so cute! 10 months is a fun age, although I'd be lying if I didn't say I do look forward to her walking...I'm getting tired of removing pieces of carpet fuzz and little bits of stuff from her mouth throughout the day. My theory is being higher up equals less interest in small stuff on the floor!

Easter

2009-04-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

With the cousins at Uncle Chris and Aunt Lindsey's house for Easter lunch.
Cuteness Level: High

Ellie and Mimi at the Egg Dying Party

Kate was quite the talent at egg dying.

Vacation Part 3

2009-04-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

Vacation Part 2

2009-04-09T11:38:00.000-07:00

We stayed at a resort so we had accesst to all sorts of fun things. Owen loved the putting green and we all loved the hot tub.

Are we there yet? Part 1

2009-04-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

We left at 3:30 a.m. and hadn't even made it to the end of our street before Owen asked if we were in Alabama yet. We gently broke it to him that, no, we weren't. But 10 hours later, "Hello Clear Point, Alabama!" Ellie was probably the most excited to be free of the car seat.

We Heart Spring!

2009-03-20T18:27:00.000-07:00

We've been enjoying the warm weather!

9 months old

2009-03-20T18:23:00.001-07:00

Painting Cars

2009-03-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

Justin's Awana club is having a grand prix car race. He bought an extra home for Owen to paint.

Celebrity Dad

2009-03-19T19:31:00.000-07:00

Justin was recently nominated and won one of the top 40 under 40 for our area. The published his picture and some info about him in the business paper that our local paper publishes. Way to go Justin. We've always thought you were #1, or at least in the top 40.
To see some pics of him...http://www.semissourian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/tngallery?Avis=SC&Dato=20090319&Kategori=BUSINESS&Lopenr=703199990&Ref=PH