Leeanne

This is my favorite picture so far of Leeanne. She is so excited to be messing with Sophia (not pictured but inside the kennel) and she reminds me of Owen when he gets excited playing with Max. Hopefully Leeanne is more gentle with Sophia than Owen is with Max.




















Here Leeanne is watching one of those magical Baby Einstein movies. We can totally relate to this picture, as we have lots of Owen doing the exact same thing. I don't know what it is about these movies, but even as an adult I get sucked into them. Brian and Jenny take note--You need the videos, you want the videos, you have to get the videos...

The Citizenship Award

This morning we went to Ashlyn's school for an assembly program. We had gotten a letter saying Ashlyn had been chosen for an award, but we didn't tell her about it. She ended up getting the citizenship award because she is nice to others, considerate of their feelings, and respectful of other people in general and their property--this is definitely stuff she does at school and does not carry over into her home life. She was so excited when they called her name. She was trying not to smile but she couldn't help herself. Also today she was picked to be class helper (which includes but is not limited to, line leading, helping with the ABC chart and getting to hang a picture in the hallway listing all her favorite things) so she was totally overwhelmed. AND she had an appointment to get her cast off this afternoon...what a day for Ashlyn!
You will notice that in this picture Ashlyn is at home, so it must be late afternoon, yet she still has her cast on. Well, mistake #1 was taking Haley and Owen to the appointment with us and mistake #2 was not taking Scott. She was all for it until the doctor picked up the power saw thing they use to cut the cast off. At that point Ashlyn started crying loudly and saying no. When Dr. Susini actually turned on the saw she started screaming loudly. When he leaned towards her she backed away and started kicking. At this point, Haley started absolutely panicking and joined Ashlyn in saying no, and then Owen, not to be outdone, started pitching a terrible fit in the stroller. So the doctor said he wasn't going to do it and to come back Monday morning with Scott and without Haley and Owen. As we were leaving and Ashlyn realized that she couldn't go swimming tomorrow as planned, she changed her tune and started begging to go back in. We usually give in, but today I was so embarrassed and mad I didn't, and the doctor wouldn't have given in anyway. I think Ashlyn learned a very good lesson this afternoon, one that was really driven home when Scott came in from work and dealt with her. Sadly, a day that started off with so much promise and fun ended with no tv privileges and one sad little 6 year old, sitting in her room having her own private pity party.

A New Car-Part 2

The Nissan Xterra we bought on the 2nd turned out to be a problem car. It has been in the shop 4 times since we bought it and it needs to go back in again. So, today we went back and got this truck. Scott is so happy about it he can't stop smiling. It actually rides better than the Xterra did and it has a lot more pick-up. It has fold down seats in the back so we could put the kids back there if we needed to, but I don't see that happening much. Anyway, it is the perfect car for Scott, so we feel lucky to have found it. Plus, the dealership bent over backwards to make sure we didn't lose any money on the trade so we ended up getting a great deal on it.

Haley 3, Ashlyn 1, OWEN 1!!!

Owen has finally decided to truly participate in this family. Today, while playing on my bed with Haley, he decided to face-plant into the edge of the window. After dumping Haley off at the neighbor's house, we went to see the doctor on post instead of the regular ER in town. Scott met up with us in the waiting room and we went into the "procedure room" and they glued the cut back together. Since I now consider myself an expert on stitches, glue, broken bones, what constitutes an emergency, etc, let me tell you, the glue is easier, but traumatic none the less (those of you standing outside around 11:15/2:15 eastern may have faintly heard his scream). Also, you're not supposed to get it wet, which will be hard since it's right beside his mouth. Haley approves of the glue, however, and she's also an expert, so she'll probably opt for the glue on her next time. Anyhoo, we have successfully made it through yet another hair-graying, ulcer producing situation, so we're pretty proud of ourselves.

Where's Owen?

Owen is playing hide-and-seek with Haley. He is not a very good hider yet, but he shows promise because he has learned not to hide in the space between the bedroom and bathroom every time. Another thing in his favor is that he knows he has to be quiet while he is hiding. While he was under the covers he didn't make a single sound, and he also managed to look surprised when Haley found him.

I wish I was a cowgirl

Haley has taken another step toward becoming a cowgirl.

Mary Kate

Mary Kate was born at 1:42 am on Tuesday, September 27th. She weighed 6 lbs 1 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. Everyone is doing well. I think they will be home sometime Wednesday, so check out the When in Rome link toward the end of the week for more pictures of her.

Oh, so that's what that's for

Going from our bedroom into our bathroom there is an odd empty space. I don't know what it is for, so I keep the ironing board in it. Today, Haley told me it was for playing hide-and-seek, and she asked wasn't it nice that our house had built in places to hide....anyway, she and Owen will stand there for hours waiting for you to "find" them. This comes in handy if you want some alone time.

Partners in crime

Owen and Taylor have a love-hate relationship. Some days they fight non-stop over every single thing in sight. On Saturday they played together really well. I don't think we'll ever figure them out.















Jump, jump, jump on the bed. At least no one can fall off this one and break their arm!

Maybe not

We don't know yet what Owen is going to be for Halloween, but I'm guessing it won't be this...that's not a bear yell he's doing, that's an all-out girl scream.

Morning cartoons

If everyone can get themselves ready by 8 in the morning, they get to watch a half hour of morning cartoons before we leave to take Ashlyn to school. Unfortunately, the show that comes on at 8 is Higglytown Heroes. I'm sure you remember that this is a show that pretty much freaks me out. This is a good shot of what the people look like, and if they get scared or excited, they all pop into each other like those nesting doll things, which in itself has led to a laundry list of questions from Haley. And seriously, what is up with the talking squirrel? Small children (at least mine) seem to have a somewhat difficult time understanding the difference between tv and reality, and they think cartoons are just drawn pictures of real life from somewhere. I mean, sometimes, if you really want them to, will squirrels talk to you and help you find heroes when things go wrong? No. But Haley-bless her heart-wants it to happen so badly that she makes Max watch the show with her so maybe one day he'll be like the squirrel.















Max is not in this picture with Haley watching the show because he was busy sharing a waffle with Owen.

Mr. No Pants

After church on Sunday, Owen was hot (in more ways that one-ha ha!).















(insert whistleling sound here)

Happy Birthday Taylor Thompson

Friday was Taylor's 2nd birthday. On Saturday we went to a party at her house. Not to state the obvious, but it had a princess theme. We got her princess dress-up clothes and shoes and we made her some cds of some really good Veggie Tales songs.















Because he secretly has a crush on Taylor, Owen agreed to wear the princess hat for her party.

Wand of Power

This is actually a thingy that sits in the bathroom and you stack rolls of toilet paper on it. Owen likes to take the toilet paper off and then carry it around the house waving it at people. At one point he actually hit one of the girls with it, so now they run away from him screaming that Owen has his Wand of Power and he is going to get them. (after writing this, I feel that in a few years this "wand of power" thing may not be very funny) Anyhoo, Owen thinks it's hilarious to swing it at us. Coincidentally, I also have a wand of power, but no one around here thinks it's too funny. Mine doesn't look much like Owen's though...mine is wooden and shaped like a spoon.

Earning his keep

Though it may seem like it, around here it's not all fun and games. Owen must do odd jobs around the house to earn food and clothes.

In less than 2 minutes...

Today after lunch I announced that I was going to run to the bathroom and I would be right back. I must have been gone all of 2 minutes and when I returned I couldn't find anyone. I checked outside in the backyard, but then heard noises coming from the direction of the hallway. By standing carefully on the toilet and holding the camera over the curtain bar, I was able to get this shot. I must also add that I did not look into the shower before taking the picture, so I was somewhat relieved. I would also like to add that this was not the bathroom I was using when the dissappearances occured.















After the flash went off they realized I was in there with them and it became a giant game of peek-a-boo with the shower curtain.

Good Morning Sunshine

Owen wakes up in a pretty good mood usually. He's most happiest when you take him straight from his bed to the kitchen to get some chocolate milk and cereal. Right now he prefers to eat dry Cinnamon Toast Crunch. So give him food and drink, put him on the couch so he has plenty of room, and turn on Higglytown Heroes (you really don't want to know about this show) and he will dance up a storm.















This is Owen still dancing. When he does this I always ask "How big are you?", trying to get him to connect the question to raising his hands way over his head. My hope is one day it will all come together and when we are in social situations I can ask "How big are you?" and he will stretch up his arms and then everyone will ooh and aah about how cute and smart all my kids are. So far when I ask he just ignores me and keeps dancing, but I am confident it will happen.
















Here he is standing sort of still so I can get a good side shot of his new hair cut. Either that or there was a serious need for some type of hero on Higglytown Heroes and he was waiting for one of the scary/weird stackable people to come to the rescue...FYI-if you have not seen this particular show, stop whatever you are doing right now and thank your lucky stars

Buzz cut

Yesterday when Scott got his hair cut there wasn't anyone else waiting so we asked the lady to cut Owen's hair too. So he got his first haircut with clippers. She shaved all the back (not to the skin or anything) and then quickly cut the top with scissors. We fed him fruit chews steadily and he didn't get upset at all. He was a little curious about the clippers but seems to favor them over the scissors.
I think they tickled him a little because he made funny faces.
Hopefully I'll get a better picture of his hair sometime today.

Go Hawks

Owen having some cinnamon toast for breakfast and wearing Scott's Shorter hat. He hasn't learned to take his hat off at the table yet.

Doing the dirty work

Proof that Scott changes dirty diapers

Upside down

Scott swings Owen upside down all the time. Owen absolutely loves it. I think he's going to be a daredevil for sure!

Big like my daddy

Well, at least Owen thinks he's as big as his daddy...

What a lazy dog

This is just about all Max does.

Hitchin' a ride

Owen gives Care Bear a ride around the house on his scooter. The pictures are blurry because they were a little too dark and the computer lightened them.

A New Car

All the car dealerships were having Labor Day Weekend specials so we decided to go out this morning after taking Ashlyn to school and see if we could find a really great deal on a car for Scott. Knowing we weren't moving for another few months, we weren't seriously looking. Also, the last thing Scott said when we left the house was "I am not bringing a car home today." Well, it's still today, and this is sitting in our driveway. Actually we did get a great deal on it. It's a 2003 Nissan Xterra, and it only has 30k miles. We got an extended warranty and Scott is very happy with it. And as a special extra Labor Day bonus they are going to tint the windows for free.

It's football time!!!

College football started Thursday. In honor of the first game, Owen broke out his Peyton Manning jersey. We can't wait until Saturday when games are on all day long!