Oh Yes She Did!!!

Aunt JuJu got Owen "Band in a Box" for Christmas.  Yes people... I'm talking cymbals, a triangle, a clapper, etc.  (Please recall that this is the same person who bought a giant life-size dog for him before he was born). :) I  had put some of his Christmas toys up, to be taken down a little at a time, and on our snow day last week felt brave enough to "face the music."  ( I figured since I wasn't facing 18 five year olds, I could handle a one year old with cymbals). :)  Of course Owen LOVED it... as he does his dog.  Did I mention that he  L-O-V-E-S his dog, and for that matter, his Aunt JuJu.  Sometimes when I open her gifts, I think "oh no," but truth be known, I'm so glad she does it, b/c I probably wouldn't, and let's face it... you need giant stuffed animals and maracas in your childhood!!  Side note:  She also got Jesse a "Band in a Box" which contains different instruments... I'll be sure and post the pictures of the band, if I can talk Aunt Kristy into opening Jesse's box! HA! HA!!!

SNOW DAY!!!

  Well, it looks like Owen's "snow dance" worked after all.  Last Friday was our first snow day and can we just say it was G-R-E-A-T!!!  It really didn't snow that much, but that's the great part about living here... it was ENOUGH to get us out!! :)  Julie and I took Owen out in the FREEZING cold to get his first pictures in what little snow we had.

Owen and Balloons

Aunt Kristy Lane let us take some of Jesse's birthday balloons home with us.  Owen enjoyed them!! Thanks, Aunt Kristy Lane!!! :)

Butternut Squash

I made my next new recipe from Rachael Ray ... Autumn Chili... it was good and got a 5 out of 5 from Jim!!  It definitely had a lot of good veggies for us (a no meat chili), but I have to say it wasn't my favorite... I know it's good for us, so I'm just trying too get my taste buds on board! :)  Here are some pics of my dish, but the best part is the pics I included at the bottom of Owen playing with the butternut squash.  He loved IT!!!  He carried that heavy thing around all over.  I finally had to take it away because I was afraid it was really going to get bruised up.  I tried to put a video from my camera on here, so we'll see if it works!!

Family Photos

Back in the fall, we had our friend, Amy Claibourne, take some family pictures as a Christmas gift to Mom and Dad.  We were to meet at Michael and Kristy Lane's house and then all go to the park to meet Amy.  Well, Julie was helping get Jesse dressed and he pulled on her beaded bracelet.  Beads went everywhere!! I'm talking perfect-size-to-choke-a-baby-beads... so after all of us were down on our hands and knees picking up beads from all over their house (multiple rooms people!!) Kristy Lane then realizes she can't find her wedding rings.  Several of search with flashlights all over their house... in sinks, under their bed, in bags, in the dishwasher, you name it... can't find them ANYWHERE!!! Then Amy calls and says the park we planned to take pictures at was having a civil war reennactment, so we changed parks.  Also, I brought a pair of shoes for Owen to wear in the pictures.  These were shoes my mom had bought at a yard sale earlier and Owen had never worn them before.  When we get to Michael and Kristy's, I go to put them on and there are two left shoes!! No right... turns out the yard sale was at the house of triplets... guess we got two left ones and someone has two right ones... but what can you say... it was a yard sale... It was just plain crazy!!!  We could not find Kristy's rings, so we went on to the park.  We were there several hours taking pictures and then all went to eat.  After we ate, Jim and I left, but got a call a few minutes later saying that before the others left the restaurant, Jesse had taken off one of his shoes and Kristy's rings were in his shoe!!! He had been all over the park and they stayed in his shoe.  Unbelievable!!  Well, anyways, we got the pictures.  Since they were a Christmas present, I couldn't post them before, so here they are:

Elizabeth's Visit

Jim's brother, sister-in-law, and niece were down here for New Year's.  We got to spend some time with them and enjoyed seeing how much Lizzie has grown and changed!  Here are some pics from our time together.

Jesse's First Birthday!!

On Saturday afternoon we celebrated Jesse's 1st Birthday!  He had a farm theme for his birthday and his grandmother made his cake.  It was a great afternoon.  Jesse you are one adorable boy!!  We love you so much and can't wait to see you grow and change this next year!!

Sugar overload?? :)