Christmas morning...starting at 4:30am

We thought since Owen is too young to really get the "wake up early because of the excitement of Christmas morning" that we'd get to sleep in a bit.  However, little man didn't sleep very well and after waking up at 4:30 and trying for an hour to get him back to sleep, we just decided to start our morning with sleepy eyes.  (Brett and I stayed up until midnight putting together Owen's new wagon from Grandma and Papa)

Owen loves it though!

He snuggled in it, read in it, pulled it, rode in it, and was very sad after a walk that the wagon had to be left in the garage.

New magnets from santa!

Sleepy boys snuggling and having breakfast by the tree.

Merry Christmas 2009

Owen sat on Santa's lap briefly at his daycare Christmas party-giving him a good stare down.

  We're looking forward to mass this evening, Christmas morning at our house (for the first time) and celebrating the holiday in MT.  We're praying for snow too!  Wherever you are, we hope you're having a wonderful holiday with family and friends-

Merry Christmas! 

Thank God for neighbors

Yesterday morning, you could say I had a bit of a late start because of a minor and brief crisis.  Here is how it played out...

Owen and I were ready to head out the door by 7:20.  I loaded my purse, school bag and phone into the car and started it to warm it up.  I go inside, put on my coat and put Owen's hat on him and we head out to get in the car, only it's locked.  Hmmmmm.  Spare key-with Brett at work.  Landline-disconnected as of 1 year ago (remember my phone is in the car).  Skype someone??-no account set up to dial a phone and my credit card is in my purse in the warmed up car.  Use the key pad on the door to unlock the car-SORRY Dad, don't remember the number code, or where we may have written it down (probably in my purse...in the car).  So, Owen and I march up the street in the dark to find an awake neighbor.  I learned that although I love our neighborhood and our friendly neighbors, many of them are either gone for the day or not up at 7:30.  At the 4th house we tried (and  knew she was awake because I saw her through the window reading in her bathrobe) we were welcomed in by our neighbor who let us use her phone.  Owen thought it was awesome because she has two big dogs and a lot of magnets on her fridge, so that kept him busy while I called Brett, school and AAA.  Brett was already in his am meeting so I could reach him, my co-workers covered my classes for me because they are so great, and AAA said they would be there in an hour to unlock my car.  Owen and I thanked our neighbor a million times, Owen cried when we left the dogs and magnets, and we went home to wait for the nice AAA man that unlocked our car so that our morning could continue per normal.  So, I repeat, I am thankful for neighbors (especially the ones that are up at 7:30).   

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Along with an awesome Griz victory yesterday (they play in the national championship next weekend), we also got 6 inches of fluffy new snow!  This was Owen's first real experience with snow and he is a big fan.  There were a lot of "NOs" when it was time to come inside for dinner. 

Who needs a sled when you have a rubbermaid tub? 

(it also doubled as a swimming pool last summer)

Crash!  Snow is fun even in your face!

O Christmas Tree

Last Friday we ventured out to find the perfect Christmas tree-and we found it!  Christmas tree hunting is more challenging than I had ever anticipated.  First, you spot a tree from the road that looks like the size and shape that you want, but when you walk up to it, it's either 20 ft tall, two trees together, or bare on one side (or all of thee above).   However, we were very lucky and found this pine standing by itself that is the shape, fullness and size that we were hoping for so we took it home.  As it turns out, when our tree was standing in the forest with 200 ft ponderosas, it didn't look all that tall.  When we put the tree up in our house...it looks tall-about 12ft in the stand!  Good thing we have vaulted ceilings!  By the way...I love it. 

Owen is helping me put the lights on the tree.  He was not sure what to think about bringing a tree in the house (it is a little strange I guess), but he points it out and says "TREEE" a lot, so I think he likes it too.  

Climbing the ladder with Brett to get the lights on the very top of the tree.  

Light Show

Check out this light show that Brett's cousin does at his house in Fernley, Nevada.  His cousin Chad does a light show to music every year-and even did one for Halloween.  It's pretty impressive and although I have no idea how in the world you do it, I know it takes some serious programing.  Way to go Chad!  He also happens to be a metal lover, so take your pick...one show is Big Band and the other is Metal.  ENJOY!

Big Band

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZwB0wRNQkM
 
Metal (Eric, you should choose this one) 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9hbkk1nVuY

Happy Thanksgiving

Owen with his Papas-cute pic huh?!?

Tuesday night we drove to Spokane and caught a flight Wednesday morn to Portland.  We had wonderful dinners and visits with the Saris on Wednesday and then with the Roches on Thursday.  Thanksgiving morning the crew at 166 headed to the lake for a very rainy Turkey Trot-Owen fell asleep in the stroller all bundled in one of Grandma Sue's space blankets and two different kids asked why we wrapped our baby in tin foil!  We enjoyed a relaxing rest of the weekend visiting family and friends and eating great food.  Thanks Mom & Dad!

With G Sue and Auntie Connie after walking Mickey and Essay up the road.

Visiting the Rybar cousins and their dog Belle.

Owen had lots of fun playing with his awesome aunties too!

Here he is being silly with Auntie Maria

and spinning and falling with Auntie Lis!