Wholesome Family Fun

We headed up to Payson for the day to see the Gila County Fair Demolition Derby.  Although it's a little red in those parts of our red state, (and the announcer made no bones about that fact) we still had a very enjoyable day.  It was a modest county fair, but we were there for the smashin' and smashin' is what we got.

Owen finally got the one about the horse with the long face.

Let the crashin' begin!

Owen was in his happy place.

September 11 at a demolition derby, need we say more?

Carrie was happy with a successful family outing.

P.S. Not loving the new Blogger format. Sigh.

BBQ, Birthdays and Babies

Happy Labor Day everyone. It was very nice to have three days off. This weekend was Dawn's birthday so we hosted a birthday party for her. We had about 25 people over with almost half of them being kids that have gone, or are currently going to Dawn's daycare. 

We had a pool party (really, is there any other kind of party in Arizona during the summer?), bbq and sangria. It was a blast. We're fortunate to have met some really great people through daycare and Dawn got a little weepy realizing how many lives she has touched. Most of the families that use Dawn for daycare have no other family in Arizona so she really does become part of the family.

On another fun note, we want to say, "Congratulations!" to C.J., Alexis and Bella on the new addition to their family. Jameson Paul Cooper was born this Thursday, September 1st. He looks tiny and adorable. We can't wait to meet him.

More Owenisms

• Eyes are for seeing. A nose is for smelling. Ears are for hearing things. A tongue is for licking ice cream.



• Momma, I love Niah. I want to get her a present. Hmmm... I'll get her a monster truck. She'll like that alot!



• Grown-ups like coffee. Except for Grandma [Bennett]. She likes tea. Tea makes her tummy happy.



• When I grow-up, I’m going to be a monster truck driver. I’ll have a big truck. I’ll open the door. I’ll sit down. I’ll drive fast and I’ll crush cars!



• Remember when I was a baby and I ate mustard? And I squirted mustard everywhere? And it was all over my face? That was silly.



• Hey Momma. Niah has a baby brother. Miles has a baby brother. I don’t have a baby brother. That okay. Niah has a dog. Miles has a dog. I don’t have a dog. Will you buy me a dog?



• Ed: "Owen! Are you chasing the cat? Be nice to her." Owen: "No daddy – we’re just playing hide-n-seek!"



• Owen just got a pair of light-up shoes that he absolutely loves. Carrie just got a painting of John Lennon. Owen is dancing around in his shoes when he stops to ask her who was in the painting. She explains it's John Lennon. Owen proceeds to say, "Do you think John Lennon would like my shoes? Maybe the lights would make him dance!"



• Preschool teacher: "Hey Owen - who packs your lunch?" Owen: "My momma does. She's my best friend. I love her." Preschool teacher: "I've never met your mom, only your dad." Owen: "Yeah. My mom is nice. Just like my dad!"

The Trio Reunite

The three amigos got back together today for a bbq at Niah's house. They were so excited to see each other. When we pulled up, Niah came running out yelling, "Owen!" Shortly after, Miles shows up and Niah and Owen stand at the door chanting, "Miles, Miles!" It's fun to listen to them catch up. "Owen - how you like your school?" "Miles you got any new toys?"

It was also fun for the parents to get together, decompress, and trade tips on how to handle a 3 year old. Toddler war stories were told, sympathetic nods were given, and laughs were had by all. It was nice.

Ladies Man

Mom: How was preschool today?
Owen:Good. I talked to a girl.
Mom: Oh really?
Owen: Yeah. She smiled at me. So I talked to her.
Mom: Oh my.
Owen: Yeah. But then I had to go poop.

Such the ladies man. Between his smooth pick-up lines and love of spraying himself in the face with a hose, the girls are going to be knocking down our door anytime.

A Very Fine Visit

I don't know why, but my mom kept on referencing how much she was enjoying retirement and the sun. I can honestly say I think she had a great time hanging out here for a week bonding with Owen and working on her tan. From our end, she was a lifesaver; I guess it worked out for everyone.


Owenism: "Hey Owen, do you like potatoes?"
"No... I love potatoes!"
And so it turns out, Owen loves potatoes.


Owen is "driving" a pieced-together rat-rod of a car at the children's museum. This is literally as happy as he gets. In fact, I'm pretty sure we're looking at two individuals who are about as happy as they get. (My mom loves rat-rods too.)


Owen turned and said "hi" at the lase minute. An invention all his own. He's starting to surprise us with his clever things he says and does.

Preschool Open House

Owen has officially graduated from Dawn's daycare and is headed to Prince of Peace preschool. Friday was an open house where he got to see his classroom and meet his teachers. We think he's going to like it. The preschool gives off a really good vibe and the grounds are gorgeous.


This inside of his classroom. He likes that everything is Owen sized. Each day of the week he has a different enrichment class for 30 minutes: Mandarin on Mondays, Music on Tuesdays, Yoga on Wednesdays, Art on Thursdays, and Spanish on Fridays.


It took him about 30 seconds to find the cars and surround himself with them. This is where he's going to hone his sharing skills.


The preschool has a garden that the 4 year olds take care of. Last time we saw it, stuff was growing like crazy and there were 4 little bunnies enjoying the harvest. When it's all grown and ready to be picked, they make a big salad out of all the veggies and everyone gets to eat some. Pretty solid stuff, we're excited. Owen is really excited to get started also, I hope he never loses that.

Owen's Seattle Vacation

Ed and Owen spent July 6-22 in Seattle and I was able to join them for the last week. Since we've been back, Owen has been telling stories about boats, baby birds, worms, baby bunnies, and driving cars. The names "Tejas" and "Bella" roll off of his tongue naturally. I don't think he could have asked for a better vacation.


Throwing rocks with Tejas at Blake Island.


Climbing the big toy with Oliver in Bellingham.


Partying with Bella and celebrating her birthday.


Banging on the "drums" with Claire and Jackson.

Our Sunee Vacation Photos

We are wrapping up a nice little week with our niece, Sunee, who has been down from Seattle and loving the change in atmosphere. We did a little of everything, seeing Cars, shopping, racing cars, swimming, hanging and celebrating 4th of July and surviving an epic dust storm.

Sunee is a fantastic young lady and it's nice to actually get to spend real time with her. She was coming to Washington while Carrie and I were going, so we really only have vacation visits to base knowledge on. This is similar, but a week of being around her has given Carrie and me a much better understanding of who she is.

Here's some documentation:


Sunee enjoying some pool time. Lots and lots of pool time was had this week.


Owen getting into the act. He loves his swim jacket because it helps him swim faster, we love it because he sinks without it.


Sunee and me gearing up for some serious competition.


Coming down the straight.


Owen likes putting many things on his head. Helmets rank near the top.


The dust storm we had last night was crazy.


Godspeed little doodle.


And one of our favorite shots, Sunee celebrating America with a little fire on a stick!

Parenthood

Daddy, my finger stinky.

OK.

Daddy, smell my finger.

(Smell) Owen did you stick your finger in your butt?

Yeah.

Wash your hands.

Sweet Red Pepper

The summer heat is starting to take its toll on our little garden. The peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes are sprouting madly only to be burned by the sun a day later. Somehow this little pepper made it though.

It takes awhile for a pepper to turn red. This guy has been a big, green pepper for a few weeks, just hanging there, taunting Owen to come and pick him. Owen has been surprisingly patient and was very excited to see that the pepper finally turned completely red.


Our lone red pepper. A lot of love, patience and sweat went into that little guy.


We're determined to keep the plants alive in the 110 degree sun. We bought sun shade fabric tonight and Ed put it up so hopefully that will help them get through the summer.

Owen's Parents

This photo was not posted because of something Owen did. In fact, this is down right a poor picture of the kid. (In his defense, he had just woken up.) But Ed and I are smiling and having a good time so up the photo goes. Cause sometimes, you gotta take one for the team. Thanks Owen.

Mud Time

It's that time of year again when parents encourage their kids to dive into pools of mud and slide down muddy mountains. Want to dump a bucket of mud on your head? Go for it! The muddier, the better. The daycare gang met up for some Mighty Mud Mania today. This is the 3rd year we've taken Owen but the first time he's really gotten into it.


His favorite part was sliding down mud mountains and "falling" into mud pits.


Baby Grae (Niah's brother) even got into the action.


Nothing says a hot, muddy day like icees and ice cream. After they were adequately sugared up, they tackled the mud again.

Today is Miles' birthday so we are all getting together again to celebrate with frosty drinks, pool time and a slip-n-slide. (Toddlers on a slip-n-slide sound dangerous but not as dangerous as adults with frosty drinks on a slip-n-slide.)

Coming Up For Air

That's about the best way I can describe the way I feel right now. I feel like a free diver who just went on their deepest dive ever and has reemerged to the surface without... what, death? Yeah, I guess that's good because it felt, to mix metaphors, pretty touch and go there for a while.

I spent Monday and Tuesday cleaning my classroom and getting checked out, so today was my first day that I got to have Owen and spend the day together. It was good. It is reminiscent of the Ed & Owen Show, except both of us are a little different from the people who we were then. I don't want to blather on, so I'll end with... I'm hoping to get back into the blogging; at least before my next dive. These photos have no real significance other than we're having fun with Owen and a little surprised by how big he's getting.


Owen is chipping in around her in that unique way only he can.


No lie, between April 19 and June 1 he grew 1.5 inches. We have it marked on the wall. He's eating everything in sight and complaining of leg and back pain (Jebus, I'll bet).

We'll Be Back

It's killing me when I think about how bad we have gotten with this blog. We were doing so well with it for so long. Things just got a little too crazy around here and some things had to be put on the back burner. Unfortunately one of which was this blog. I mean, we haven't even put up photos from his 3rd birthday party. And I made a kick-butt cake too that I wanted to show off!

I think the dust is starting to settle though. I'm into my second week at the new job. Ed wraps up his first year of teaching this Friday. We both have a momentary break from school. And our next round of guests arrive in a few weeks. (Hello Suneela! You ready for some sun?!) My point being that we are going to try and ramp up the blogging again. I don't want this to slip; it's so wonderful having all these memories recorded.


Even the simple memories like this one.