We're Thankful!

I don't normally make Thanksgiving cookies, but this year I discovered I had a leaf cookie cutter hidden in the way back of one of my drawers - so, I did as any normal person would do, I went out and bought myself some betty crocker sugar cookie mix!

I decided to get Owen involved, it was more like "Momma, I need to help you" and who could resist! He had a "hand" in helping get these cookies baked, iced and put together for our friends and family - I found him a couple of times hidden under the table with a mouth full - I'm hoping it will go alittle more smoother once Christmas rolls around, I don't think there was one thing in my kitchen that wasn't covered with flour or little balls of cookie dough!

Tah-Dah! We did it!

And now for a taste!

Hallelujah Night 2008!

We had our annual church Hallelujah Night this year on the night of October 31st, 2008.
Last year Owen was a 'homemade' scarecrow, this year a 'homemade' fisherman...let's just say I can't bring myself to spend money on a store-bought costume he'll only wear one night of the year!
All-n-all, I think he made quite the cute fisherman and he was ready to play some games!

He spent some of his night at the fishing pond - go figure!

Family Vacation, Lake Conroe

We recently took a much needed family vacation and stayed at a lakehouse in Willis, TX located right on Lake Conroe...we have decided to make this an annual thing, this being our second year doing it...many fish were caught, many laughs were had, many memories made and, of course, many pictures were taken! Here are a few of my favorites...

When we first arrived there was a neighbor man Feeding the ducks dogfood, the next day we went out to the local wal-mart and got us some too...Owen was quite the duck feeder!

It wasn't long before Owen discovered all the fishing poles left outside and started casting away!

Owen's First Fish - He's so very proud!

Owen and cousin "Wesey" checking out the bait caught earlier that day!

My little "toddler ninja turtle" taking a break at the pool - this wasn't worn to learn how to swim, nope, it was purely for safety purposes, he has no fear of the water, jumps right in!

Owen and Papa getting ready for a boat ride!

Daddy and Owen jumped in the lake, clothes and all, to cool off!

Mom and Dad going to check out a house for sale on the lake

The Lopez's - my sis Jackie, bro-in-law Dennis and nephew Patrick (yep, he's on the phone calling to see what was for breakfast!) - they had been out since 5:00am.

Mel caught this 60lb. catfish on a homemade jugline - it was the big daddy he'd been hoping for!

And he sure did fillet it, fry it and eat it up!

This is us enjoying the catfish...we shared many meals on this table, it was just the right size for us all!

Dennis very proud of his catch - 12lb. bass!

Like father like son - not quite 12lbs., but still just as proud!

This was taken on the last day - all packed and ready to hit the road home! (Mel's missing, he's taking the pic - still haven't figured out how to set my timer!)

We're so surprised, we can't hardly believe it's the last day here!

And we're so very sad, 'cause we didn't want to leave!
THE END

Some Summertime Fun!

Summertime around here means finding all sorts of creative things to do to keep the kiddos cool and happy...here are a few pics of how we've spent our summer months so far - usually in the water with friends and family!

Owen & his buddy Logan splashing around in their very own mud bath, courtesy of Rockport Beach!

Owen & cousin Patrick at the lake playing alittle one-on-one in between swimming & munchin on hotdogs!

And here they are again in our backyard taking a "popcyckie" break, followed later by a juice box break - it was very hot that day!

Creative play is the best kind - yes, he's naked, the faster down the slide the better!

We discovered a small "waterpark" in a town near us - granted it's just water randomly shooting up from the ground and pooring down from the top, it makes for a fun afternoon!

Lindsay, Cherie, Logan, Owen & Luke
We finally got them to stand still long enough to get a picture...it happened to be right under the pooring cone - awe, Linds, what a sport you are!

Terrific Two's Here We Come!

We celebrated and survived yet another birthday party - this year Owen turned Terrifically Two - although I love planning parties, I believe this one was twice as much work as last years - but, all in all, we had fun and made lots of memories..so, you bet I've got plenty of pictures, here are just a select few!

We shared a little at-home party with Owen the night of his actual birthday.

I think these make for the most sweet and precious birthday memories with him.

He loved getting his own personal cake, daddy and mama singing "Happy Birthday" and he did a pretty good job at blowing out his candle on his own this year!

He did get a taste just right before plowing right into it, all the while singing
"Happy Birthday to Owen" over and over!

Aunt Kie-Kie decided to make Owen's cake again this year, however, she didn't tell me I would be decorating it. Although it looks pretty ruff on the outside, it was still pretty good on the inside - let's just say it was made with love...

We had quite a few from Owen's guest list show up - the yard was full of family and friends and any outside toy I could put out - hard to capture it all with just one shot.

We bought Owen the swingset you see way in the back, lefthand corner.

The online ratings said it would take 3 people 6 hours - guess how many hours it takes with just 2 people...

We served Nana's chicken salad along with some ham & cheese sandwiches, complete with pickle spears, chips and dips. I believe someone told me Owen had about 6 pickles that day, I saw the proof of it about 6 o'clock that night...

Owen tippy-toeing to kiss Curious George goodbye!

I think everyone from toddlers, to teenages, to uncles tried to break this pinata!
Still today, all I hear out of Owen is "Curious George sad"...he will never be the same!

Everyone say "Monkey"!

Rockport in March

Rockport in March is not so sunny, as you would suppose, there's quite a chill still in the air, but we continue to brave it out every year, just so that we can celebrate our anniversary...and of course, to let Mel get some fishing out of his system! This year we stayed 3 days, so Owen, mom, sister Jackie and her son Patrick came to visit us on our last day there, so we tried to get alittle of everything in, including the beach, but were only able to get our feet and ankles in.

We've stayed here twice now, and would recommend it to anyone - It's like you're on a resort, palm trees everywhere, beautiful swimming area and the main, huge, public pier is right across, not to mention you can just walk on over to Charlotte Plummers to eat out.

After lunch, this was the last we saw of Mel that afternoon.
He headed for the pier and we headed for the beach!

Water! Yea! Cold!

My attempt at helping Owen build a...well, just keeping his attention long enough to get the sand in the bucket was a challenge!

Owen making his way to Aunt Kie-Kie to scare her with the "yucky" seaweed.

It was a great day! I love my little man!!

Our Trip To The Aquarium

Last month, during cuz'n Patrick's spring break, we braved a trip with Owen and Patrick to Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, Owen had his 'moments', as we like to call them, but he had a great time running around and discovering all kinds of sea-life creatures!
Patrick & Owen in front of a statue of a whale



Owen was completely fascinated with the underwater view of the dolphins...He would chase them back and forth screaming "RUN, RUN, RUN"!

We couldn't leave without visiting the gift shop - Owen went straight for the dolphin head-on-a-stick...and wouldn't part from it for days.

Easter Sunday

I always look forward to celebrating Easter - I love seeing the ailes in the stores turn to all colors of pastels - buying little things here and there to stick in Owen's basket, finding a cute Easter outfit for church (which the weather didn't allow him to wear, alittle chilly here still, not quite like spring) and spending time together with family, eating BBQ and of course hunting eggs!


Owen opened his Easter basket from mom and dad in the car on the way to Momo and Popo's house...we'll be cleaning out green grass for weeks!


Owen's cousins - Abby and Patrick


Owen hitting the chicken pinata...

and Mel pretending to be a chicken pinata!