Thursday, January 28, 2010

Oh Owen!

Love...this...kid!
Because the silly string ran out, they decided to use shaving cream instead...


with some good buddies (aka partners in crime)

Recent Funny Owen Stories...
One day I heard him crying and I called for him and he came to me with snot running down into his mouth and said, "Mommy help! I got bless you all over my face!"

Another day I was getting him dressed and I pulled a face because my shoulder was kinked and it hurt and he noticed and said, "Mommy, do you need a get better? Let me kiss it for you."

He's had a difficult time getting over Christmas. For several weeks after he would walk into the living room and look at the big windows where the tree used to stand and say in a melancholy voice "Chwistmas is over." and hang his head with such finality.

He also still asks everybody he comes in contact with whether it is a friend, a cashier, a teacher, random people on the street, "What'd you get for Chwistmas?" Usually they can't understand him and they lean in really close because they know he's asking something serious. He always asks again and then I help translate. It doesn't matter if he's already asked you. He'll ask again and again. The point is that he gets to tell you what he got which is always "Caws" (or cars). Lightning McQueen and Chick Hicks if he gives details. He is in love with anything Cars (especially from the movie) and his favorite cartoon is Tom and Jerry.

He always tells all my lovely friends that he missed them every time he sees them. "I missed you Bwitt." "I missed you Aunt Wisa", etc. Such a flirt!

He gets his hot and cold mixed up and breakfast and dinner. Every morning he wakes up and says, "It's... morning time!" and then asks me what we're having for dinner? He is obsessed with pickles and wants to eat them for every meal. He also likes cold hot dogs straight out of the fridge (so gross!)

He cracks me up every day. He is so funny and sweet and cute and cuddly...but then spunky and mean when he wants to be. He loves using potty talk to make his older siblings laugh and he likes the word "stupid" lately which is new for us as all my others knew that word was forbidden and they obeyed! He has definitely learned to defend himself with the older brothers. He loves attention...probably because everybody loves him and gets so excited to see him--he's like a mascot! "Ohhh-wen!" they all yell and run to him with their arms outstretched for a hug. All of the kids' friends get excited to see him at school and all the youth at church love him too. He loves it.

He has a funny walk where he sticks his belly out and moves it side to side and a run where he kicks up his feet to his bootie with flourish--both of which he does to get people to laugh and he loves breaking out in a happy dance. He is a joy! He even closes his eyes and sighs when he hugs you. Irresistible! Oh Owen!

Friday, January 22, 2010

The Hike Before the Storm

Last Saturday our friend called who knows a meteorologist, who said that it was going to rain for the next 7 to 10 days. He was going to take his family on a hike while he still could...before the constant rain kept us indoors. We were game. It doesn't take much persuasion to get us out and about!

I missed out on all the beauty and fun--I had a date with the contractor to find an inexpensive but attractive counter for our kid's bathroom! So sad to miss!


They found some cool bridges--natural and man-made...


And finished off with the cement slide...Love the joy on their faces!




Then the not-quite-as-joyful faces...
Check out Hannah's face in the next couple shots...



Open your eyes!! Scared much? There's my girl...bright-eyed!

Jake too, behind Coleman kept his eyes squeezed shut! Hilarious!...


Beautiful day!
AND, it has rained incessantly for the last 6 days and counting. Good thing we have knowledgeable friends that we listen to!! ;) Thanks Brad!
Thanks for taking pics Britt!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Beauty Shop

Who knew what fun you could have with washable markers and a lot of hair bows!?!?






Yikes!


We are in for it with these beauties! Aaaaah, can you just imagine what the future holds!?! Good thing a good wipe got them all cleaned up and they have years before the real thing! I'm terrified! Stay away boys!

(Even the dolls got involved)
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Johnson Ranch

New Year's Day 2010
(wow that's weird to type. Is it really 2010!?)
We headed up to a friends' ranch (basically a lot of beautiful land) and rode some loud stuff with 2 or 4 wheels with Uncle Scott before he headed back to college. It was amazingly fun!

We rolled out the fake lawn and we were ready to go. We are so white-T baby!

And then off we went...





On trails...


Off trails...



We saw some of these...

And climbed some of these...

And had some of these...

We threw rocks...


We explored old ruins...




And then it was time for the mini motorcycle...





Owen really wanted to do it too.

We let him ride with 4 wheels on the ground...


And then there were guns. (I said we were white-T!)...


But first things first...earplugs for all!



My kids stayed clear of the real guns, but enjoyed their new air soft guns they got for Christmas from Uncle James (who else?)







They loved it!! They also loved the cool rock formations everywhere!


Time for some Uno and guitar by the campfire...

Gracie thoroughly enjoyed her first outing with the family!

And we all enjoyed watching the sky as it changed to evening...



Next day...
More of the same...






We helped chop firewood to earn our keep...

And then topped off the trip with a crazy ride by dad will all the kids...
Ready...

Set...

Go...

through brambles and branches...

through water and mud...

On two wheels, instead of four...

And of course, lots of hills...

The kids loved every minute!
And the only two pics of mom (doesn't it always happen that way?) I was the one at the back of the train taking all the pics...
First, my eyes are closed...

and second, not so cute...

Oh well.
The best part about the trip...Jake loved every minute! Much to his dad's dismay, he has never really been too sold on the 4-wheelers! He'd always do it, but just for short distances or because he was bribed. This trip, something clicked and he was a maniac--loving every minute, not wanting to stop and going through some pretty crazy spots without so much as a whine!! It was a beautiful thing!
Yay for Jake!
Yay for all!
What a fun way to start the new year! Thank you to the Johnson's for their great hospitality!