Update

I know. I know. It has been way too long since I've added to our blog. I do have an excuse. We have an announcement. We're expecting. #3 is on the way!! Although we are very excited, I got caught in the 1st trimester blues. Since finding out we were expecting in January I haven't felt well and took all I had to just do the bare minimum to keep the family fed and clothed. Anything beyond the necessities (like blogging) was pushed aside. The good news is I'm 16 weeks now and haven't thrown up for a couple weeks now and have been staying up past 8:00. I'm feeling great and getting much more done. The due date? Sept. 17th. This makes our summer quite eventful with both a baby and a move (still don't know where), but we're ready for the change.

Here are a few things that I've been able to catch pictures of lately:

Owen's best friend still remains to be Puppy. I honestly feel like we own a real dog. He puts him to bed at night in a toy dog carrier. He takes him out the back door to go pee from time to time in the day. He feeds him. He colors pictures for him. He has full on conversations with him. The latest is when Ryan went to Atlanta for a dental convention and Owen put puppy in his suitcase because he thought puppy would like a vacation. So, he parted with him for 4 days. We asked multiple times if he was sure he wanted to send him. I'm still not sure if he was more excited for the return of puppy or Dad.
Ava loves sporting her new hat. She had a pony tail that day, so her hair is all tucked inside.
A group of friends got together for an Easter egg hunt. Owen was sooo excited. Ava wasn't sure what the point was, but liked carrying her basket around.
Owen is taking inventory of his eggs and all the candy inside.

Finally, an update

I know it's been forever since I've posted anything. Thanksgiving/Christmas is always a busy time of year. We had a great Thanksgiving in Raleigh, NC with Ryan's parents and will be going back there for Christmas as well. December has been a fun time with the house decorated, family home evenings about the Savior's birth, Christmas shopping, lots of baking, and more shopping. Ryan has just begun his 2 weeks off and we are all very exctied. Here are a couple things I was able to get pictures of the last while.Owen had a very cute christmas program at his preschool. Although he was constantly singing the songs at home for weeks, when it came time to perform he had his hands down his pants the first 3 minutes. Then, in his mouth the absolute rest of the time. Absolutely no singing from him. Not even a couple hand motions to the songs. Still so cute to see him up there with the other kids.
Ryan works 10 - 11 hour days and it's not uncommon for him to fall asleep on the couch, or floor for that matter. It doesn't even matter how much commotion is going on around him or if the kids are decorating his face with stickers. He's the most sound sleeper I know. We love you babe for all of your hard work!

Our Wallis weekend

So, with the usual dreary, overcast, rainy weekends that come more and more often this time of year it was a slow weekend. But, there were a few perks. We went to IKEA and made one of the best purchases ever! First of all, any trip to IKEA is a delight. Except there's never enough time to spend there. There are so many great organization ideas. I could go crazy if the budget allowed. Being good though and sticking to our budget we only purchased what we went there for - a little kids table. I've known forever that Owen would love to have one, but now Ava is at the climbing age and loves getting up in chairs, especially ones just her size. So, we did it! I'm so glad. The two of them are adorable sitting at their little table together, talking (as much as Ava can at least). This is going to be great! Why is anything we use as adults that is on a miniature scale just so darn cute!

Ryan was also under the weather, so even more reason to stay in. But, Owen and I did a little baking. We made chocolate chip cookies. I swear winter is so dangerous. When it's so cold and overcast I just want to be in and have this incredible urge to bake. Is is just me? Anyway, Owen loves measuring and dumping the ingredients. Of course Ava is right there at my feet wishing she could be up on the counter. Not to be trusted there though. Sorry Ava. She watched it all mix together and that made her happy.
Our new table.

Ava's getting a little better as using a spoon. Still some room for improvement. How cute is she though, covered in pudding?
Sweet chocolate chip baking! Only thing better is eating them.

Halloween Happenings

Halloween was a hit this year. Owen thought the actual day would never come. What torture it must be for a kid so young to see all the halloween goods in the stores for so long, the Halloween specials on tv all month. He's been bringing home Halloween crafts from preschool all month. Then, FINALLY the last day of the month, is the day to trick or treat and go get all that candy. However, with a dentist for a Dad he doesn't get to stash it away for his own keeping like I use to do. It's quite cute how this season just totally stresses Ryan out. So, he came to the conclusion that Owen could eat all he wanted that night. Then, he could have one piece a day after his naps. It's actually worked out well. After 24 hours Owen stopped begging for it and looks forward to his nap time. Here are our pictures from the big day!
Our little Bob the Builder and our bubble bee
Ryan was the designated parent to take them out trick or treating. I guess he was raised thinking that was the Dad's job. I was happy to stay behind to pass out treats and see all the other kids in their costumes. However, I did get to do one street with the kids at the end when we ran out of candy. Owen's pride and joy. This is the first pumpkin he's ever carved.

Is this for real?

OK! I get these toy magazines in the mail from time to time and always look through for Christmas ideas and things. Sometimes there are unique games and toys that I don't see in the normal stores and are partly educational. Or sometimes, it's just something the kids would love. So, I'm looking through the latest magazine, Young Explorers, and find Gassy Gus. I was laughing out loud to Ryan as I read the preview (as typed below). I can't believe this is a game. Turns out Ryan found something to put on his own Christmas list. :)

Gassy Gus
Ewww! There's nothing Gassy Gus won't eat, from baked beans to broccoli. Feed him a food card, pump his head and his stomach swells...but watch out-the bigger his belly gets, the more chance Gus will blast gas, and that's a penalty! The first to feed him all the food cards without an "explosion," wins! Includes a back-up belly (balloon). For 2-4 players. Ages 5+.

Dance your heart out Owen!

We had some live entertainment this weekend around our house. I have no idea where he got it, but Owen came up to me and said, "Mom, watch this." Then, busted out his sweet dance routine. I'm wondering Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or something. I absolutely had to get it on camera though. So here it is for all to enjoy. Hopefully others think it's just as adorable as we do, but we are partial, I know.
Ava's also a little dancer lately, but it takes skill to catch that on camera. Hopefully, I can get it soon.

Our trip to the dairy

Last Saturday we all got to go to a local dairy that also has a small farm, miniature golf, homemade ice cream, and more. I'm not sure that I've mentioned it, but my youngest brother, Scott, and his family moved to Columbus to start dental school at OSU. Poor timing because we just left there, but atleast we're only an hour away so we've gotten to hang out a bit. He just turned 25 and to celebrate, they came up to Dayton and we went to the dairy with the little ones. Here are the moments captured on camera:
It was love at first sight when Owen saw the tractors he was actually allowed to climb.
Ava loves to sit behind any kind of steering wheel lately and drive.
Had to snap a shot of us in our matching hats. Owen thinks it's was pretty funny I have a hat like him.
The boy loves his farm animals!
This is the fattest turkey I've ever seen! HUGE!
The whole day was a wool festival. So, they were sheering sheep and llama, then spinning their own yarn. Pretty cool to see.
Ava just kicking back, enjoying the sights.
They had a whole music station set us for kids to pluck, strum, and bang on instruments.
After the dairy it was home for some birthday BLT sandwiches. Happy birthday Scott. You're a wonderful brother! Good luck in dental school.