Owen outside

This afternoon for lunch I took the kids to the playground and we had a picnic.

I didn't take any pics of Riley because she was busy playing with other kids!

Owen and I were just hanging out on the blanket at one point and I took a few pics...

Little sweetie!

Owen and his first steps

Owen is making lots of steps these days!

The last week or two (I can't really remember) he's taken one or two steps only.

He's been doing that for awhile.

I felt like today he was trying harder so I grabbed the camera and caught him taking more steps!

Go Owen!

P.S.  This boy always has his blanket!  He loves putting it in his mouth...ha.

Riley's 1st day of school

Riley had her very first day of school today!

She's in preschool!

I felt rushed out the door this morning (we still have to get used to this new routine).

I did manage to get a couple of pictures before taking her to school.

all ready and excited!

 

 



I should've taken a picture of her backpack...I will try to remember tomorrow.  It's cute.  She picked it out and it's a....princess one!  Of course.

We had a great first day.  Riley's teacher said she did awesome - listened very well!

(So...it must just be Mommy we don't listen to, huh Riley?)  ;)

Happy 1st day, Riley!  You are such a big girl...we love you!

Owen's 1st Birthday

To celebrate Owen's first birthday, we had my parents here for the day.

We had a nice visit and were even able to celebrate my dad's birthday (early) too...

Owen definitely liked his cake - even though he was sick with a cold.

He ate ALL of it.

He started out slow, eating with his finger and then eventually he went faster by grabbing it with his whole hand!

I had got a (free!) store-bought cake and gave him a slice of it.

Owen's cake
(I couldn't pass on a free cake!)

The Birthday boy sitting in his highchair ready for action!

First given his slice of cake...see the one finger at his mouth?

 

There's that finger again...only - where's the cake?!

"I'm DONE, all done!"  Haha..this one cracks me up. 

And later in the day (after dinner and when Owen was already in bed for the night) we celebrated with more cake!

A cake that I baked, and it spelled "Dad" on it with strawberries and blueberries.  Riley helped me decorate it!

Granddad and Riley

the kids with their grandparents
(a little blurry...but still so sweet!)

Awesome, good day.

Happy FIRST birthday, Owen!

And Happy (however many) Birthday to you too, Dad!

Love you guys - thanks for the fun today and the excuse to eat cake TWICE.


P.S.  Not a lot of pics of Owen's birthday because I was video taping it some too.

Owen - 12 mos old

Owen is 12 months old today!

1 year.

First Birthday.

Our baby is getting so big and today is absolutely proof of that.

First thing this morning I got the camera out to capture his 12 month picture.

It wasn't very easy.

For one, he has a cold...a runny nose and red/tired eyes weren't helping.

Two, he's all over the place - as to be expected in an active 1 year old!

But really, these pictures capture our little O and show exactly the type of stuff he's into these days...(and for having a cold, he's still a very happy baby)

 

crawling all around

 

 

being Mr. Smiley

 

 

slobbering on stuff, all the time

 

 

big sissy trying to relocate him...

 

 

oh now big sissy is looking so calm and reserved.

 

uh huh...don't let this sweet smile fool you!

 

:) (love you, buggy)

and yes, playing with mommy's shoes - something we do daily...

 

 

Owen, you are getting so big!

We love you and have enjoyed these last 12 months with you - watching you grow and learn.

Thank you for all your snuggles and smiles.

Happy 12 months buddy!

Love,

Mommy

17 and going on an adventure

My stepdaughter, Emillie, turned 17 years old last week!

And just a few days after celebrating her birthday, she was off on an airplane...

To Germany!

Emillie is going to be living with some family on her mom's side - a relative who is stationed over there right now.

It's a really big adventure for her and we're hoping it'll be that change she's so been wanting. 

We're going to miss her so much - we knew we were going to be saying goodbye to the girls (Emillie and Hannah) - but never imagined Emillie moving before us!

Here are some pictures of the kids taken last week before Emillie took off...

Emillie and Owen

 


Riley, Emillie and Owen

 

Emillie and Riley

 

Riley, Hannah, Owen and Emillie
(the night Emillie flew out)

 

Riley, Hannah (13), Owen and Emillie (17)

 


Me, Riley, Hannah, Owen and Emillie
(the lady on the right in pink we don't know...haha)

I miss Emillie already!

(Good luck to you, sweet girl - we love you.)

boat ride...a first

Last week Riley got to visit the big city...Baltimore.

We took her (and Owen) to the aquarium - which was a lot of fun.

Afterwards, she got to ride on her very first boat!

Not just any boat. 

A purple dragon!

Anyone who has been to the Inner Harbor knows exactly what I'm talking about.

She had a memorable ride with her grandparents.

A good day, for sure!

Riley with the dragons behind her

the dragon boats from further out

there they are!

and again.

our flower girl