Owen Turned "Free"

Dear Owen,

I love you!  I love your sweet little voice!  I just can't get enough of it!  The way you say everything is so full of expression.  I love the way you get excited about everyday things.  Simple things like taking a bath, visiting your grandparents, or seeing your Thomas trains every morning make you so happy.  I knew that your expressions would be priceless on your third birthday.  And of course they were really special.  Aidan was the first to wish you Happy Birthday on your big day.  You were so pleased that this day had finally arrived and you immediately exclaimed "I'm free!  It's my birfday!  The sun is up!  Yah!"  You were grinning from ear to ear and we just couldn't help but smile all over too.

You were so easy to please on your birthday.  All you needed was a party with balloons, party hats and cake (because you knew the ingredients for a good party).  We celebrated with some of your close family - Grandma, Grandpa, Grammy, Granddad, Aunt Jaime, Uncle Phil, Aunt Leah, Britton, and Ariana.  We had to eat dinner, cookies and cake before it was time to open presents and you had a hard time waiting to see what was in those packages.  But you were very patient!  When we got down to opening all the gifts you delighted us with more sweet expressions.  I think you were so excited and overwhelmed by all the new toys that all you could say was "Look!  Ohhh!"  Only when you said it, it was more like "Loooook!  Ohhhhhhh!"  If only I had a recording!   Here are a few pictures of your third birthday.

A Gift From Aidan

A Card With Money From Grandma

The First of Many Trains

Aunt Joanna Made the Thomas the Train Cake and "3" Cookies

Cousins Britton and Ariana and Big Brother Aidan

Another Train from Grammy and Granddad

Aunt Jaime made sure the cake wasn't prematurely damaged!

More Tracks and Trains

One Happy Three Year Old!

You have delighted us everyday of the past 3 years.  We are a happier family with you around.  I can't wait to see what another year brings.  Hopefully a lot more squeeze hugs, "skeeemo" kisses, and butterflies on my cheek.  I will always "care" of you.  Happy birthday Owen.  I love you more!

XOXOXO,

Mom

Happy "I'm in charge" Day!

Here is how Aidan decided to spend is special day.  He picked out all the details and it was a full day!

Krispy Kreme doughnuts for breakfast.

All Star Sports - the ticket eater.

Hit the jackpot!

All Star Sports - Climbing Wall

All Star Sports - Laser tag with Carter.

All Star Sports - Go Carts

Subway sandwiches for lunch.

Movie - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2

Present time (after a dinner of grilled brats, fresh tomatoes and peaches, corn on the cob, cucumbers, and baked beans)!

Swimming

Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake

Movie with Dad - This 10 year old and his Dad thought he was finally old enough for The Dark Knight.

10 crazy years old!  I love you Aidan!!!

Good to be Home

Sometimes the stress and exhaustion of a family vacation can really wear on you.  I know that I hesitate to take all the long road trips, or the hiking and camping trips that Kip and Aidan love.  They take a lot of planning and patience.  But one thing that a vacation like this does for me, is remind me how much I love my home and the comforts of home.  I am utterly exhausted from the trip, but so happy to be hanging out at home today.  Looking back at the 9 day trip, I can see that we had a lot of fun!

Because I have these pictures handy, I will share one of the many highlights of our family's summer vacation.  We took a river rafting tour on day 8 of our vacation.  I found one that wasn't too fast and had little chance of bouncing out a two year old, so we could ride together.  The pictures the tour company took are a pretty funny, play by play of the kid's faces so I am going to show you a lot.  It looks pretty rough, but of course they took the pics at the few whitewater drops there were (Don't worry Dad...).

You can see that Owen and I got the dry side of the boat.  Somehow Aidan didn't...