We are gearing up for a busy weekend ahead! 

Thanksgiving 2012

This Thanksgiving was pretty low key for us.  We ate lunch with the Lehmans and dinner with my family.  It was nice to stay in Greensboro, because it actually felt like a decent break!

Eating breakfast Thanksgiving morning:

 This is what he does when I ask him to smile:

 Owen was a trooper on our Friday shopping spree, so he got a new pair of work gloves!  He puts them on every morning and mows after breakfast!  He also wears them to school, and puts them back on when we get home in the evening!

On Saturday, Pat and I went down to the last State football game.  Then on Sunday, we spent hours decorating for Christmas.  It's hard to believe Christmas is less than a month away!

Photo issues...

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There has to be a way to continue to upload pics for free.  As soon as I figure it out, I'll be back!

At 5:55 this morning, this little boy busted through our bedroom doors...

and scared the crap out of us!

What's Happening?

A lot...

On Friday, Pat took Owen to another photo shoot.  The first one was for Adidas, and this time it was for Carhartt.  The pics were taken at a farm that breeds golden retrievers, so as you can imagine, Owen was in heaven!  Here is a pic Pat snapped on his phone:

Saturday was super busy, but fun.  We headed down to High Rock Lake in the morning to celebrate Jordan's first birthday.  I always enjoy getting to spend time with my college roomie, and Owen likes to hang with the boys!  Happy 1st Birthday, Jordan :)

After we got back from the lake, we came home for a few minutes then headed over to the Blackwell's house for an oyster roast.  We were there for about 3 hours, and I kid you not, Owen sat on a riding lawn mower for about 2 of those hours!  He is ALL boy...

We aren't big oyster fans, but we did enjoy fresh trout!  Owen even ate 2 large pieces!

Sunday was for a successful shopping trip in Charlotte (with my MIL) and catching up on some much needed rest.  I think we were all beat from a jam-packed weekend!

2 years old

Owen,

As I sit here and write your 2 year old blog post, I feel like it's only a dream.  I cannot believe you are already 2!  I remember bringing you home from the hospital like it was yesterday!  Your daddy and I had no clue what we were doing!  All we knew was that the love we felt for you was incredible- like something we had never felt before.  Our hearts are still full of love, joy, excitement, and thankfulness!  What a blessing you are!

 Owen,

You keep us on our toes.  You are adventurous, you are curious, and you are independent.  Very independent!  Sometimes I forget what you really are capable of.  Like putting your plate in the sink when you are finished, getting water from the water dispenser on the front of the fridge, climbing into the car and into your car seat all by yourself, shaking an adult's hand, feeding the dogs, feeding yourself, drinking from a big boy cup without a lid, unzipping your coat and taking it off, and the list goes on.  I'm sad that you are growing up, but happy that you are figuring out your world and how to function as a member of society.

Here are some of your current stats:

-weight- 32 pounds (90th percentile)

-height- 2' 11'' (78th percentile)
-BMI- 18 (82nd percentile)

-shoes- 7/8 

-diapers- 6

-shirts- 3T

-pants- 2T 

 Owen,

You are a very social kid.  Whether we are at the grocery store, the park, or at church, you say "hi" and wave to everyone!  You have never met a stranger.  In all fairness, who wouldn't love a face like yours??  Those little white teeth (that you love to brush!), big blue eyes, and button nose will cause heads to turn in a minute!

 Here are some of the things you love to eat:

-pizza

-veggie hot dogs

-quesadillas

-meat: chicken, turkey, pork chops, sausage, beef

-mac and cheese

-any kind of fruit

-muffins

-cheese sticks

-yogurt

-you will try just about anything then spit it out if you don't like it!

 Owen,

Your daddy and I are so proud of the little boy you have become.  Like all parents, we want you to be successful while being your own, love unconditionally, help those in need, and strive to be the best you can be.  Most importantly, we want you to love the Lord with all of your heart. 

 Here is what your typical daily schedule looks like:

-wake between 6:30 and 7:00

-eat breakfast

-morning snack around 9:00

-lunch at 12:00

-nap from 1:00-3:00 (give or take)

-afternoon snack when you wake up

-dinner around 5:30

-bath

-bedtime is 7:30

 Owen,

We pray that you will continue to develop into a loving, kind, gentle young man.  That you will be healthy now, and in the future.  For your safety, and the safety of those around you.  That you will bless the hearts of others.  And we pray that you will just be you.  You are perfect inside and out.

Here are some of your favorite things to do:

-play outside

-pretend to drive real cars

-play with trains

-watch/pet/feed animals

-mow, blow, and weed eat the grass

-play sports

-draw and color

-read books

-visit your grandparents

-play with other kids

Owen,

Thank you for this journey of parenthood.  Thank you for the tears of joy.  Thank you for giving us the strength and patience we didn't know we had.  Thank you for the belly laughs.  Thank you for the hugs and kisses.  Thank you for a wonderful 2 years of love.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

xoxo, mommy and daddy

Mary's wedding

One of my college friends, Mary, got married on Saturday, so Pat and I went to Burlington to celebrate her special day.  Everything about her wedding and reception was perfect!  

I will always remember Mary and Jono's wedding anniversary since it was on Owen's 2nd birthday!

Congratulations Mary and Jono!  We wish you a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness!

Cooking made easy

Recently, I discovered the beauty of using a crock pot.  I don't know why it took me so long, but I'm glad I finally pulled it out and plugged it in!  One of the best websites I found is:
http://momswithcrockpots.com

There are SO many recipes on this website, it's incredible.  I like how it breaks the categories down into appetizers, beverages, breakfast, dairy free, dinner, gluten free, and side dishes.  Here are a few Pat and I have tried so far:
-pork chops and gravy
-nacho cheeseburger macaroni
-chicken and dumplings- our favorite!
-caramel apple pork chops

Last week when I went to the grocery store, I got enough ingredients to make 8 more dinner recipes!  Life is so much easier when you plan ahead, and let someone else the crock pot do the cooking!

Did you?

Owen's 2nd Birthday Party

For Owen's 2nd birthday celebration, we decided to have a small (16 kids, ha!) party at The Little Gym.  That way the kids could run around and be wild and crazy.  Typical 2 year old behavior, right?!  The theme for the party was "Go for the Gold".  I tried to use as many of the decorations from last year as I could.  I just changed a few things to fit the color scheme.  

 Upon arrival, the kids got to play in the gym.  The leaders had about five organized activities for the kids.  They played with the parachute, blew bubbles, jumped on the bouncy mat, got out the balls, did flips, and practiced various skills on the equipment. By the end of the first hour, I could tell Owen was getting tired!  

 After our time in the gym, the kids were ready for a little snack.  We had PB&J sandwiches, veggie sticks, apple slices, vanilla oreos, cupcakes, and water and juice to drink.  Most of the kids went straight for the cupcakes!

 When it was time to sing "Happy Birthday", Owen lost it.  His bottom lip came out and he started crying!  It was pitiful! When I ask him if he had fun at his party, he starts to fake cry!  We still can't figure out why he was so sad!

 For the party favors, we gave each one of the kids a water bottle, gold medal, and the balloon on the back of their chair.  The Little Gym gave the families a free introductory class pass.  

We could not have picked a better place for this party.  All we really had to do was show up.  The two leaders helped set up, organize/lead the activities, and clean up EVERYTHING!  They were great.  We ended up giving them most of the leftover food and drinks.  If you ever need birthday party ideas for a 2 year old, I highly recommend The Little Gym!

It's hard to believe in 5 more days OTL will be 2!!!