Chuck E' Cheese!!

We went to Chuck's Place last night for Avery's and Brody's Birthday Party. Despite not having napped yesterday, Conner had a BLAST!! He was running all over like crazy and wanting to go on all kinds of fun rides. He got to run around with Sydney and Avery a bunch while Owen hung out a lot with Bryson. There were SO many people there that it was a little crazy and hectic but Conner didn't seem to mind. I was worried about losing track of him...but I guess I was just feeling a little overprotective. Josh and I ate pizza and cake behind Conner's back (I fed him before we went) and we ALL drank lots of sugary pop. I brought Conner's jammies and changed him in the car before we headed home- I anticipated his falling asleep- Which he did right away and slept like a log all night. What a fun night with our friends and family- Thanks Lindsey and Sarah for the great time!!

Utensils

Wanted to comment on one of Conner's most recent milestones. He is using a spoon and fork quite efficiently. It seemed to happen on his 1 and a half year birthday exactly. He just suddenly started keeping the spoon at the same plateau until it reached his mouth and he stabs things pretty well with the fork. He also doesn't give up and start using his hands quite as fast as he used to. Pretty soon he'll be cutting steak with a knife!

PS: I am very excited to go to Ella's Shower tonight. I can't wait to see her and maybe hold her. I will be so sad to see her mommy and daddy move away- they have been such special friends to us.

Blog Journal

I heard from Raechal about a friend who writes in her blog every day as her journal...then she prints them out and keeps them. I wanted to try to do this too because I am not very good at keeping up a writing journal (my head works way to fast for my writing hand). I heard, also, that there is a web site called http://www.blurb.com/ that will bind your blog into a hardcover book...I haven't checked out the site yet, but I think this is a great idea too.
So, I wanted to start with what we did yesterday. Conner and I went to Disneyland with friends for Avery's birthday. When we first got there, I was starving, so I ordered two corndogs from the kiosk at the end of main street (thinking they would be dinky ones like at Hot Dog on a Stick-sorry Robyn). Boy was I wrong. Those things are like a foot long and two inches in diameter!! I ate them both! Ha Ha what a pig!!
We went on Autotopia first and I had a really hard time keeping Conner in line just to get on the ride. I had to hold him for a bit and it was a little hard on my big pregnant belly. Finally on the ride, he got to sit behind the wheel and steer which jerked us all over and our car kept quitting because I was going too slow. Needless to say, we've been on better rides.
Next we went on the Buzz Lightyear and once again Conner's eyes were as big as saucers as he clung to his laser gun and watched the glowing creatures around him. He seemed to like it though- no tears or holding on to me tight.
Raechal talked us into going on the spaceships that go round and round. They go really fast and squash you up against the outside wall. I think I will let Josh take him on that one next time- or maybe I will just wait until I am not pregnant anymore.
We headed to the train but it started to downpour on us so our day was cut short. I need to invest in one of those rain covers for the stroller...
We had a great time even though we weren't there long. Luckily, I got a season pass- so now Conner and I (and all our friends) can go almost whenever we want. I'll have to keep track of how many times it takes Conner to really get into Buzz Lightyear!
I will post pics once Raechal and Lindsey send me some (hint hint).

Conner and Yogurt

Conner worked on some soy yogurt the other day and made quite a time of it. I think he thought the spoon was a little too slow and so decided to drink it like a shake. He was even patient enough for it to slide down all the way to his mouth (and face). After he ate what he could this way, he resorted to the spoon again to dig out the last morsels.

All Aboard!!!

I saw this Polar Express train at the Spectrum at

Christmas time and I knew that Conner would love a ride but I wasn't sure it was still there until I saw on Sarah's blog that she went to it the other day. So, we called up Rae and Toby and asked them if they'd like to make a night of it. Conner was a little weary during the ride- his eyes wide open and watching everything go by. I, myself, was afraid every time the crazy conductor decided to do his little whip turns!!!!

Then we all enjoyed dinner together. Everyone had Chipotle but me- I had a Dulce De Leche Crepe from Crepe Makers. YUM.

USS Midway- San Diego

On January 13, 2008 we headed down to San Diego to board the USS Midway for a little extra credit for one of Shelby's classes. It was a beautiful sunny day to be with our family and a chance to admire and revere one of the ships used in World War II. Being on the ship gave us great respect for the all military personnel from our past and present. Josh got a chance to be up close and personal with some of his favorite jets while Conner was in awe of the old radar systems- which he learned about from one of the actual original Captains of the ship. Josh's Grandpa Dewey (stationed on a ship during WWII) would have been so proud to see us on one of his country's vessels.

The Pack

So, it is official. The Pack is out of the running for the Superbowl. If any of you saw the game, you know how close it was and we SO thought we had a chance!!

Happy Birthday to the Greatest Dad!

I have to let you all know that it was Josh's birthday on the 2nd of January (also my Mother's birth date). He was feeling really under the weather and ended up staying home from work all day to sleep and try to recoup. Chicken noodle, Sprite, and Malt O' Meal were his friends.
We didn't get to celebrate, so I told him we would have to take a raincheck on his b-day.
I just wanted him to know that I think he has turned out to be an amazing father (and husband). I know that he loves us so much and deeply wants to take care of our needs. He is an intelligent and hardworking soul who strives hard to reach his goals. I am so lucky to have found him. I love him with all my heart.

Happy Birthday Honey!

Photos Galore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel like this guy!! I just finished uploading and ordering 490 pictures!!!!!!! So, you know if I only uploaded 490, that I had to look through at least 3 times that!! And, because I was uploading from discs, I had to select them one at a time (going to the browser between each selection). How much of a pain is that? I started this afternoon at 12 (while Conner napped- for 2 hours) and then took it up again when he went to bed at 7:30- I just now finished and it is MIDNIGHT. I am going crazy...

Ok, I will look at it optimistically- I am finally caught up on my pics (now I just have to put them in albums-no, I don't scrapbook...yet). Now I will keep on top of them! And, because I preordered photos at 9 cents on snapfish.com I saved a ton on this order!!

So Busy!! So Fun!!

It seems so long since we've been on our blog!! My parents came into town for Christmas and we were on the move non-stop. Both of our families spent a lot of time together (including Jessica's family who came into town as a surprise to Sharon). On Christmas Day we had 6 families together.
Conner got to know his faraway grandparents really well and it was so sad to have them leave (especially for me). Luckily they will be here in April for Wyatt's arrival.
We took a ton of pictures...so I picked a few to share.

PS: The "whipped topping" that I am squirting into Conner's mouth is made of Soy (found it at Mother's because I wanted him to enjoy a dessert or two along with the rest of the family).

We've Been Elfed Too

We've been elfed too!!
Check us out at: www.elfyourself.com/?id=1320322660

Christmas Picture Day

Conner was having so much fun during our Christmas picture taking session. It probably helped that Grandma Owens was jumping up and down and calling Conner's name...

Grandpa Owens thought it would be cute if we had a picture that highlighted my tummy somehow.

Brrrrr!

Is anyone else cold!!???

Here I am complaining about 57 degrees when my mom and dad are in Wisconsin feeling a brisk 16 !!

Follow The Star

Follow the Star warmed our hearts and souls on this chilly windy night.

A yearly tradition, we don coats, blankets, and hats and head outdoors to observe the commemoration of Christ's birth. Live actors take us to a manger far away where Mary and Joseph kneel amongst the livestock, receiving the King of Kings, as a glittering angel sings words of praise above them.

This night, this instant, my mind centers on what I see and I feel the spirit of the Lord soar within me. I thank thee Lord for all the peace and joy thou has brought to my life. I thank thee for the path thou hast given me. I thank thee for thy son.

Playtime before Bed

Mommy and Daddy (together) got a little play time with Conner before bed tonight.

A Thief in the Fridge

Who's learned to open the fridge and steal things off the shelves??????

Morning Ritual

My little ray of sunshine wakes me up every day with talking from his crib. I get a bottle ready (yes, I still have not weaned him from his morning bottle) and then I go get him out of his crib. I bring him to my bed and lay him next to me where he drinks for a little while. Then, he rolls over and says "Da Da" and laughs, flinging himself onto his daddy's neck. Thus the morning rituals have begun. Conner gets a few hugs and kisses from dad then crawls over him to grab his cell phone. They chat at no one for a while then we get out of bed. Daddy helps Conner brush his teeth and then we say our prayers. We've got to cherish all these special moments because before we know it Conner will be off on a mission...

Our Tree

I added some more lights and lots of tinsel to our tree. I love how it turned out but I am a little afraid that we are losing it already. Let me explain: its water consumption has decreased dramatically and if you listen closely you can hear needles dropping every now and then. Hopefully it won't be a crispy fried mess by the time Christmas rolls around.

When Conner and I go downstairs in the morning he stands and waits for me to turn on the lights and then he smiles and makes "Oooh" sounds. If I forget to turn on the lights he stands by it and points at it and says "Uh-Oh" over and over until I turn them on. SO CUTE!!