Owen's not the only one...

We have been getting a little bit of a hard time because Owen, tough as he may be, is scared to death of Santa Claus. He will not even accept candy from him, so I know it is pretty serious. I also know that there are lots of children out there who are frightened by the guy, but just to prove this point (and make Owen look better) I am posting this picture of Arden, who Santa has obviously scared out of her mind.

Our Family

Here we all are sitting on the loveseat while Pops tries to get all of us to look at the same time and smile at the same time we are looking. Nana is also taking pictures with my camera, and neither one of them was counting--you know...One Two Three (and then the camera flashes)--so I guess we didn't know which person to look at so we are looking in different directions. But overall I think it's a good picture!

Haley's Birthday Party #2

Haley had another birthday party last Friday while Nana and Pops were still here visiting. Joe, Amber and Arden came over with a cake for both Haley and Arden, since they share a birthday. For some reason I do not have pictures of the cake.

Joan and Rebeckah sent a packet of Strawberry Shortcake art supplies.
















Nana got Haley her yearly Cherished Teddy.
















Pops and Nana got Haley a pink fuzzy sweater and some khaki pants.
*please note that when I say "Pops and Nana" I use that term loosely and Pops probably had nothing to do with it besides driving the presents out here in the motor home.





















Arden got Haley a bead bracelet maker with 100s and 100s of beads.
















Arden also got Haley the Doodle Pro with Color, which turned out to be a huge crowd favorite, especially with Joe and Scott.
















Owen got Haley a Texas bell.
















Ashlyn got Haley a khaki jacket.
















Ashlyn also got Haley a pink jacket, figuring Haley couldn't wear them both at the same time so she would always have one to wear too.
















Pops and Nana also got Haley a butterfly shirt...
















The butterfly shirt goes with these pink pants that Haley can't wear often enough.
















Arden opened presents, but didn't seem interested in much until she came across the Mr. Brown Can Moo book for her baby leap-pad. At this point she began to sneak glances toward Owen to make sure he wasn't coming to try to take her book.
















Grandmama and Granddaddy sent money, which Haley spent on a dress the very next day, and a small snowman ornament for the Christmas tree.
















Janice and Barry sent Dora the Explorer house shoes.
















Janice and Barry also sent new brown boots, and Haley proudly announced that they would fit her without a doubt because they were size one-one.
















Mary Kate sent a memory game, which Haley cheats at.
















Mary Kate also sent a Strawberry Shortcake game. I recommend this game for everyone who has children between 4 and about 7. This is an absolutely great game. And yes, Haley cheats when she plays it.
*there was some speculation that these 2 presents may in fact have been Christmas presents, but we didn't decide that until after they were opened. anyway, regardless of the reason they were sent, Haley and Ashlyn both have enjoyed them tremendously.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving! Today, along with my parents who are visiting, we went over to Joe and Amber's house to eat. We had too many dishes to name them all, but I can say that all the food was just the best! Everyone had a good time. After lunch, we went across the street to the playground to burn off some carbs.

We now feel that a sufficient enough amount of time has passed since Ashlyn's broken arm and it is safe for her to hang from the monkey bars. We have checked out her new school here and I have alerted them to the fact that Ashlyn tends to fall off monkey bars and hurt herself...we are not sure yet if Ashlyn will have hanging priviledges at school.





















I suppose since this is Air Force housing they decided to put a little plane for kids to play on. Of course, it could just be a coincidence.
















Owen enjoyed the plane until I put my foot on the tail and shook it violently. At that point, he almost fell off but luckily for me he caught himself but then quickly dismounted and refused to give it another try.
















Arden loves to swing. She kicks and kicks excitedly while you push her. Arden refuses to wear shoes, so it is good that she likes the swing so much because that is all she is allowed to do at the park with just socks on.
















The top of the slide was very high, so Nana (somewhat pictured in the background) helped Owen into position at the top of the slide.
















Owen loves loves loves to slide!

Owen's secret

Owen's secret to successfully living with two older sisters: look as cute as humanly possible and carry a big stick!

Who knew?

Who knew a UHaul could be so much fun? I didn't, but Owen and Haley spent a large amount of Friday morning running around in the inside of the trailer.

Here comes Santa Claus

Santa Claus is presently at the San Angelo mall. We took our first trip there Monday and everyone got to spend some time with Santa. Ashlyn walked right up and sat with him, told him she wasn't quite sure yet what she wanted him to bring her, but that she would come home and think about it and get back to him.















Haley, for the first time in her whole life, walked up to Santa willingly and sat in his lap. She not only told him what she wanted him to bring her, she also told him where he could buy it and how much it costs. Haley is serious about this Santa/Christmas presents thing.
















Owen wanted no part of Santa Claus, despite the fact that he was giving out candy canes. Haley tried to physically push him up to the chair but Owen dug in pretty well and screamed loudly, so I carried him up there so he could get a candy cane. Owen did not talk to Santa at all.

Tickle-me-Owen

Mary Kate & people holding Mary Kate

On our trip we got to meet the famous Mary Kate. We found that she is cute in pictures, but even cuter in person. Owen did not like her at first and he did not want me anywhere near her, but over time he warmed up.















Owen and Mary Kate studying each other intently















Mary Kate and me















Mary Kate and Nana















Mary Kate and Pops. Mary Kate looks a little bit upset, but this is because she has just found out there is no more Root Beer (inside joke).















Me reassuring Mary Kate that we can get more Root Beer.
















Mary Kate and Tom

Great Grandparents

Owen and Mary Kate with Grandma (my dad's mother).















Owen with Nana and Grandmama (my mother's mother).















Owen with Nana and Granddaddy (my mother's father).

Tom and AnnMarie

While we were in Rome, Tom and AnnMarie (my uncle & my cousin) came by to visit. Owen bears a strong resemblance to Tyler (AnnMarie's younger brother), but he didn't get to come by so we have no pictures to prove that.














AnnMarie doing what AnnMarie does best

Haley's Birthday Party

We had Haley's birthday party today because this is our next to last weekend in Arizona and next week didn't work out for everybody. Here are all the kids patiently waiting for the parents to serve them pizza. They are (clockwise starting with the highchair) Layla, Deuce, Owen, Taylor, Ashlyn, Isley and Haley.
















Haley picked a Bratz cake this year.
















Make a wish!
















Here everyone is enjoying cake and ice cream.
















Haley got a set of Princess Books. Thank you Douglas!
















Haley got some pink cowboy boots. Thank you Isley, Deuce and Layla!!
















Haley got a Graco baby swing and a pack-n-play for her baby doll along with a princess dvd. People who follow this blog may remember she got the stroller/car seat combination when she got her stitches. Thank you Taylor!!
















Haley got a Disney Dream Sketcher and a Princess cartridge. Thank you Ashyn and Owen!!
















Haley models her new boots. There are just no words...





















You can tell we all partied hard tonight. An 18 month old has got to be absolutely worn out to fall asleep while eating a piece of cake!