Owen Turns 4!

Phew! I am finally getting Owen birthday pictures up! 

Owen Parker turned 4 on September 19th. He requested a "donut cake" for his birthday breakfast. Uhh, ok? Well, what the birthday boy wants, the birthday boys gets! He was perfectly happy with the donuts piled on top of each other and some candles on top!

Bubs had school that day (he took Angry Birds fruit snacks to celebrate with his class!) so after we picked him up we headed to lunch with Nana & Papa. Owen's favorite lunch food is cheese crisp so Mexican it was!

And he got a birthday ice cream sundae!

After lunch we headed home and Owen opened his cool Hot Wheels toy from Papa & Nana. 

After naps we went to Chuck E. Cheese for dinner. This is Owen's FAVORITE place that he talked about ever since we had his big friend/family birthday party here last year. Since it's his "off" year for a party (we do 1 big party per boy every other year) we had Jeff & Ruth and the kids come celebrate with us!

(thanks to Ruth for taking most of these photos!)

I just love their friendship!

Back to the house for cake, ice cream and presents

Innotab 2 from us

Owen, Owen, Owen. What can I say about Owen? He's affectionate, funny, silly, stubborn, sensitive, impulsive, curious, loyal, handsome, and a host of other things! He keeps us on our toes and we just love him. He's changing and growing so much which is so fun to see!

Owen loves hot wheels, Dr. Suess books, games on the iphone, taking pictures, family movie night, popcorn, cheese, his ASU jersey, lunch at Chick fil A, garage sale-ing, riding his Lightening McQueen bike, sips of my coffee, the beach, fireworks, and helping in the kitchen (especially if I'm making cookies or sweet tea!). He's crazy tall for his age and people constantly think he's older than he is. His speech therapy is coming along great and he's right on course to hit all of his speech goals for this year! I can't hardly get a word in edgewise these days, he has a running commentary on everything (including a random obsession with cacti, haha). No complaints here! He's very social and is constantly asking "who's coming over?" and "where are we going to go next?" Boy likes to be busy! He has a love/hate relationship with school and doesn't always want to go, but I think it's because he feels like he's missing out on whatever Austin and I are doing while he's gone. He does have lots of friends that he talks about from school and often gives hugs to his friends when I drop him off. Sweet boy!

Happy birthday, Owen Parker! I'm so glad you're mine!

My 25th Birthday

My 25th birthday was a nice one. Ryan took the day off to be with me. We went to breakfast. 

Taking pictures of each other. Ha.

I was spoiled with presents and sweet cards. Tara and JoAnn got me the first 2 season of I Love Lucy. 

After breakfast and hanging out a bit, my dad picked me up for lunch. We went to On the Border and ended up talking for 2 1/2 hours! I love my dad! No picture though :(

Snuggles with Austy. 

The In-Laws came over for a bit in the afternoon to visit. For dinner I had requested to pick up Pei Wei carry out and eat at home and rent Sherlock Holmes 2, which we hadn't been able to see in theatres. I was very excited to watch it, but it ended up being kinda boring (in my opinion), and I fell asleep about half way through. Ha! Way to party, Danae!

Since Ruth was out of town for my actual birthday, we celebrated the next weekend. We got dinner at Olive Garden (YUM), then saw Snow White and the Huntsman. 

After the movie, we relaxed and chatted at Starbucks. Since we're both using MyFitnessPal and trying to keep calories down, I opted out of my sugary frapp in favor of a chocolate milk. It was just as good, even though I felt like I was 8, especially when they call "kids chocolate milk!" at the counter when it's ready. 

All in all, a very nice and relaxed birthday. I got to spend it with all of my favorite people and felt very loved. 

Austin's 2nd Birthday Party

On Sunday, April 29th, we celebrated this little boy's 2nd birthday. We had a casual party at the park and it was really fun! 

Unfortunately I didn't take a single picture, but Dad did! So these are all courtesy of him and Tara, who took some of these pics while she was playing around with Dad's "old school" Nikon. 

My handsome little brother Jesse

"Helping" with the matches - yikes! Aren't the cupcakes cute? Ruth made them for me. 

Dad's wife Lynn chatting with the ladies. 

Precious face

Sharing a "sip" with me

The ladies - Becky (sis in law), me, Emily (Jesse's gf), Lynn

All the kids had fun in the sand. Here's Austy with cousin Eli, who has his own 2nd birthday coming up!

 Sandy, sweaty adorable mess. 

 Bubbles!

Cousin Drew blowing bubbles

Cousin Bella

Austin has been a huge joy to this family. He's very friendly and says hi to about everybody he sees. He frequently follows kids around asking for a hug. He has lots of words and is quite vocal. He's sweet and silly. He adores ketchup and condiments of any kind. He and Owen (or O-wie, as he calls him) are best buds and partners in crime and are learning to share with each other :)

Austin Caleb, I can't stop kissing on you and thanking God for my precious boy. You are loved!