Mt. Hood

One of our outings with Nana was to Mt. Hood - a first for all of us but Ken, though it had been quite a while since he'd been there. Owen did great in the car thanks to Nana in the backseat with him and when we got there we found snow! It's a good thing we went the day we did because the next day the mountain had 15 in. of new snow fall! We went exploring in the HUGE lodge and went outside for Owen to experience snow that he would remember (a day old baby does not remember snow). His little hands got cold and red so we decided it was time to go inside for some hot cocoa - which Owen professes to love but only really wants the whipped cream and to eat the cinnamon stick. Some of the hot cocoa went onto the table but I think we wound up drinking most of it - and it was deee-licious!

Nana Karen

Nana Karen came to visit in October and we all loved having her here. Owen had another head of hair to play with and undivided attention which he took full advantage of - we're still recovering from not having 24 hour Nana-access. We mostly stuck around home and played with blocks, trucks and read books. Owen was so sad to have Nana leave and cried after we dropped her off at the airport. For several days he would tell me "no happy Mamma" and when I asked why his reply was "Nana my house...no Nana my house" and we would snuggle and talk about how much we loved Nana. What I'm amazed that he understands (at least what it seems like he fully understands) is that in a few weeks we will get on an airplane and fly out to see Nana Karen, Papa Ed, Fred, Cal and Uncle Stan and Aunt Jess. He told me in his own words the other day what we were going to do and how there are trucks waiting for him in Chicago! (so be prepared guys, we need trucks when we get there!)

Halloween 2010

Owen has been wearing his puppy costume for over 2 weeks now. It's taking the place of a sweater or jacket and I'm fine with that. We went another year without an actual trick or treat trip and we're just fine with that. We had good weather so I was able to get some pictures outside and Owen and Ken went around our neighborhood with Owen in his puppy costume on his bike. His favorite part is the tail and he tried to snuggle with it and then asks us if we want a snuggle - how can we say no?!

Happy 2nd Birthday Owen!

Owen celebrated his 2nd birthday in laid back style with his buddy Brendan and his family over for birthday cookies. Grandma found some great vehicle shapes - airplanes, trucks, train and we rolled them out and then frosted them. Or so we thought. The pictures are now evidence that coloring that comes in little tubes is not, in fact, for piping color and defining the shape but should be mixed with a healthy amount of white frosting that needs to be colored. Poor Brendan had a joker-esque face going on while Owen's mouth just turned into a black hole. The stain came right out of clothes (unbelieveable) and yet lingered on my fingers for days.

Owen also got his first bike - a balance bike, from Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Byron. His first helmet didn't work out so well so we got him a new one that fits great - now we just need to practice wearing it! He likes his bike but it's still a bit big - his feet barely touch and he scoots about 1 inch at a time. I'm sure by spring he'll be coasting like a pro.

Out and About

I think this is a record - posting pictures the same day we took them! We went on an adventure this morning to 23rd Ave. in Portland. Ken remembered how to get to a fabulous bakery, appropriately named "Ken's Artesian Bakery" and we each got a treat. Owen loves exploring and walking the sidewalks in Portland's neighborhoods. Today we found a stick, some dogs barking in a house, 3 ground level window sills to sit on and lots of store windows to look into. He has learned that he needs to hold our hands to cross the street AND that he can usually get us to swing him in-between us the whole way across the street.

At the moment, both boys are napping and I'm drinking lukewarm coffee hoping to get another 20 min. of silence in. I'll go back and post more pics but was just too eager to get these up the same day we went out!

Here are the rest of our place...you don't get a picture of our messy bedroom!

Our Portland Home 2009

Here are some pictures from our new place. It's finally decorated (except for our bedroom) and it feels pretty cozy. Owen is reading one of his new favorite books but only because it has a page with elves making instruments. Who cares about reindeer?!

Apparently I can only load 5 pictures in a post? There are more pictures on the next one!