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!

NOT on Owen's Christmas list

This is one of Taylor's toys. Owen absolutely loves it and plays with it whenever we go over and play. This is the worst toy in the world. Firstly, it's very loud. Secondly, it has an infinite number of beats and songs. Thirdly, the microphone really works (very well I might add). There are other reasons why we do not need this toy, but I can't list them all because this blog is not big enough. If anyone sends this toy or a similar one to Owen please know that on some unsuspecting day in the future I will get you back...and payback is hell.

My, what big feet you have

Owen is practicing being big like his daddy. He does fine as long as he walks in a straight line, but trying to turn on these skis (hey, I call them like I see them) gives him a little bit of trouble.

In unrelated news, we are moving soon. I thought everyone pretty much knew that, but I have come across some people who didn't, so I'm officially letting everyone know. I already have our new address and phone number, but I am not posting it on this website because anyone and everyone has access to it and I for one do not want Adam to be able to find us...haha. If you would like the information now, send me an email and I'll give it to you. Otherwise, I will be sending out an email in about 2 1/2 weeks and you can get it then.

Brace yourself...

I don't know if you know or not, but WalMart has all their Halloween costumes for $5. I know, what a bargain, right? Anyway, while out buying water today, Haley looked through the sale rack and came out with this. Scott, who Haley has totally whipped, immediately agreed to buy it. She has not taken it off and has already talked of her plan to wear it again tomorrow. She has also spoken of her plan to get Pops to buy a horse.




































I know somewhere out there 4 people are extremely proud to call these people their grandkids...

Just call me Mr. Fat Lip

Owen tends to pick fights. Sometimes with one of the girls' doll strollers, sometimes with his little lawn mower or the slide, a ball, Max, the toilet paper dispenser, the sliding glass door, etc. If something or someone is not doing exactly what he wants it/them to be doing he will try to inflict damage. Last night he decided to pick on the coffee table. I'm sure as he stood on top of it he felt he was either winning or at least was at an advantage. Unfortunately, his dismount needs a little work and he ended up busting his lip on the wonderful ceramic tile floor we have. He screamed and then kicked the table, which, in hindsight, was probably not the best idea, but he is only 18 months old so he is just starting to learn about consequences.

On another note, Ashlyn finally has a tooth that you can truly consider "loose". So Ms. Lucy Tooth bear has been dug out of the stuffed animal toybox and has taken up residence on Ashlyn's bed, waiting ever patiently to fulfill her duties of handing over Ashlyn's tooth to the Tooth Fairy in exchange for money. There is a small concern that Max may find Ms. Lucy Tooth and claim her, but Max honestly prefers Care Bears, not Boyd's Bears, so I think we're safe.

Ashlyn's Halloween parade

Huachuca Elementary had a Halloween parade Friday morning. They were supposed to dress up like characters from books, so Ashlyn went as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Not everyone dressed up, and some of the ones that did just dressed as whatever they wanted instead of using a book for their inspiration. All in all, I think Ashlyn was pleased with her choice and how her costume turned out.