Christmas Fun

We had a wonderful Christmas celebration this year.  We always have company for the holidays and this year my Mom, Fred and Brian joined us. 



Owen wrote this at school, with the help of his teachers.  Such a sweet brother!

This is Hattie, our House Elf that watched over the kids before Christmas.  This was Hattie's first year with us and he was a HIT!  I had no idea how much Owen would enjoy having Hattie around and wondering where he would show up every morning.  This is going to be an annual tradition from here on out.  I just wish Hattie could stay all year long!



Making sugar cookies with Uncle Brian

Early Christmas morning

Yes, my kids are definitely spoiled.  I even attempted to get the grandparents to tone it down this year.....as you can see they didn't pay any attention to me!  I'll try again next year.

Kids make Christmas such a blissful day.  I absolutely loved watching the joy and wonder on their faces.

 Owen's big gift was a new Razor Scooter, which he has been zipping down the street on.  Probably his most used gift was an animal floor puzzle that's he keeps piecing together over and over again.  Adler received ceramic dishes for her kitchen and lots of baby doll clothes.  She adores dressing and re-dressing her babies!

They also make huge messes!

Adler loves her new dishes

Adler and Grandma at the Discovery Museum, a few days after Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Last weekend we took the kids on the Polar Express!!  The V&T Railroad started their Polar Express rides this winter here in Carson, and it was such a fun experience for the kids.  We all wore our pajamas and robes (just like they do in the book)!

Amazing that Adler didn't scream here.  It helped that her brother was thrilled to see Santa!

Someones got their Golden Ticket!

Owen, Sofia, Orrin and Ryder

The train we rode on was 100 years old. 

Drinking hot chocolate and reading the story

Adler looking at the North Pole

Owen and Ryder checking out Santa and the Elves at the North Pole

When we left the North Pole to head back to Carson City, Santa and a few of his Elves boared the train to say hello to all the kids and pass out bells. 

Tessa & Adler playing after the ride

This year we went up to Tahoe to cut down our Christmas tree.  We really couldn't find much, but after an hour of looking we found one that was good enough.  It's not the most beautiful tree, but it works.

My family carrying the tree back to the car.

Mimi & Olfa

Micah's parents came all the way from Texas to help us celebrate Owen's birthday!  Of course the kids had a blast and for 4 days after they left Adler asked where her Mimi and Olfa were.  Too Cute!

Snuggling after bath time

Owen beating his Olfa in Memory

Mimi and Owen created a beautiful gingerbread house!

Adler and Mimi put all her babies to sleep in her crib.

Thanks for coming to visit us!!  We miss you already!

FIVE.

It's so hard for me to believe my first-born is FIVE.  Seriously, how did that happen??

A little about Owen these days:

• He loves to be outside.  Anything from playing baseball to bike riding to gardening to hiking is on his list of fun things to do. 
• He is quite observant for a five year old.  He always notices when I'm wearing new clothes or things he hasn't seen in a while. 
• He is organized.  He likes everything to have a place and can be found at school or at a store putting stray things in their proper place.  His teachers love this quality!
• His favorite TV shows are Curious George and Wild Kratts.
• He LOVES animals!  His favorite toy is his massive animal figure collection.
• He has recently become interested in coloring and drawing.
• This kid is a whiz at the game Memory!  Prepare to lose.
• He is still affectionate.  I'm going to get as much loving from this kid as I can now, because I've heard this will stop in a few years.

Last weekend we had a party to celebrate Owen's 5th birthday.  He had about 14 friends join him at Bouncerz and they had a blast.  I actually don't have many pictures of Owen at the party because he was running around so much and difficult to catch on camera!

Owen, Orrin, Leo and Charles

Adler and her Dad getting crazy on the slides!

Lunch/Cake Time

Mimi & Owen

Tessa & Adler

Owen's favorite part of the party!

 Owen's actual birthday was on Monday and both Micah and I took off work that day to celebrate with him.  Micah's parents were here for the occasion too, which made it even more special. 

Owen woke up on his birthday to a room full of balloons!

Like the movie "UP"

Dad made him special '5' pancakes.

Owen and Adler made a cool fort in the living room.

Owen chose to go bowling for his birthday.

After we went bowling, and while Adler was napping, Micah and I took Owen to the store to spend some birthday money he had received from his Great-Grandparents.  He decided to go Michaels and buy more animal figures.  It was adorable to watch him make decisions about what to purchase.  In the end he bought 4 new animals and saved about $10 for another time.

And he asked to go out to eat at Red's for dinner.  Interesting taste for a 5 year old.

I can hardly wait to see what this next year has in store for Mr. O!!

Photography Classes

I have taken 2 photography classes recently with Johnstone Studios in Reno.  They have taken our pictures several times and are seriously talented.  I was excited to learn from them and start using my DSL camera creatively.

These pictures were taken during my second class, which was a one-on-one session with Trevor, using my camera and my family as the subject in Genoa.  I'm thrilled with the results and hope I can continue this little hobby.