Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Owen is 3!

I cannot believe that Owen is already three years old! It doesn't seem that long ago that I was debating whether to call the doctor or just head to the hospital. He was 5 weeks early and a tiny little guy. I remember it clear as a bell. He, of the 3, was the most pleasant delivery experience.  I think it was mostly do to the fact that we weren't expecting it, the epidural worked its magic, and it was pretty fast. It helped that I loved my doctor. Shortly after he was born we made the decision to move to Spokane and it has been a whirl wind ever since! Time does fly!

Owen is now a vibrant, silly, warm, tender, and fun little boy! He has become so independent and has to do things all by himself. If you tell him No, he will say, "Awwwww." I get a good chuckle watching him play. He has a great imagination, and he sings and plays just like I remember Emma doing at this age.  He LOVES anything with wheels. No surprise his favorite movies are Disney's Planes and Cars.  He has all the matching toys and accessories! You will not find him with out Lightening McQueen or Dusty Crophopper in hand. He still loves Mickey Mouse, but its on the back burner. His favorite food is Macaroni and cheese with hot dogs or basically anything chocolate! He loves fruit snacks too. He loves to play with his action figure toys and to draw and color. He especially loves to watch his movies. Even more so in the new car! He loves to go outside when the sun is shining and is learning to ride his bike. Owen loves to play with Emma and they are getting very good at sharing and cooperating. He sneaks into her room while she is at school and plays with her toys. Owen is now a big brother and just loves Jude. He asks to hold him everyday and he gives him kisses and pats on the head. I cannot wait to see how they become buddies! Our once serious boy is now our funny little man. He says the darndest stuff and just lights up the room! And our once not so affectionate boy is now quite the tender little guy. He gives me hugs, kisses, and loves so much that sometimes I have to put down what I am holding or doing to brace myself! Ha!  Daddy is still the fun guy who can get Owen to cooperate when Mom can not and they are great buds. Owen has become such a fun little boy! I enjoy spending my days with him and cling to our special moments. They will only last for so long!

For his 3rd birthday we went to Grandma Anderson's house. It was supposed to be a bit warmer there and so we headed over for the weekend. Owen had a blast! He just played his little heart out! He woke up on his birthday and I heard him ask Emma, "Its my birthday today?" He got to open a gift in the morning after breakfast. It was a new outfit that included a new Dusty Crophopper shirt. He immediately wanted to wear it. He played all afternoon outside with Emma while I made his cake and wrapped his gifts. When he came inside and saw his cake he said," Oh Wowww!" and hopped up onto a stool to admire it. That sealed the deal for me. I knew right then he was having a good time! For dinner I made his favorite homemade mac and cheese and bratwursts. A little fancier than Oscar Myer for us adults :) I had decorated the dining area the night before with a balloon cloud chandelier with hanging Dusty Crophoppers. I used a blue table cloth for the "sky" and made white cloud place mats. For the cake I just made boxed funfetti and iced with blue and white icing and topped it with, of course, Dusty Crophopper. Owen LOVED it. After dinner he opened the rest of his gifts which were all Planes themed from toys to pj's. We sang Happy Birthday and he blew out his #3 candle. He played with his toys for a while and then crashed in bed. The entire day he had a permanent smile on his face. He had a great 3rd birthday.

I am so lucky to have you in my life, Owen! I love you! Happy Birthday!










Jude is three months old!

Its March already? How on earth did we get here? I swear that I was just preparing for the arrival of a new baby while simultaneously trying to plan Christmas. Oh how time doth moveth forward!

Jude is now 3 months old and is the most happy little fellow. Here are a few fun facts about our sweet baby boy:

Jude is just that, sweet. He loves to smile, giggle, and coo.

He thinks he can sit up on his own and tries so hard, but not quite yet. He also likes for you to put him upright onto his legs. Soon he will enjoy one of those activity centers that he can bounce on.

The world is busy and he wants to see everything that is happening. If he can't, he gets unhappy quickly and "complains." Not really crying, but this kind of "Hey pick me up!" kind of whine.

Jude is very easy and sleeps well. Eats well too! At his 2 month check up he weighed 13 pounds and 10 oz and over 23 inches long. A month later I can only guess he is well over 14 pounds.

He wears size 2 diaper now and is in 3 to 6 month clothing.

Colors and objects are much more appealing. He is refining his motor skills and will attempt to reach out at what he can see.

What color will his eyes and hair be? Currently Jude's eyes are still clear and blue and his hair is still brown. Both can change at any given moment like his siblings.

He is almost too big for the bassinet next to my side of the bed. I am valiantly trying to redo what will now be the "boys" room.

Still not a binky lover just like his siblings which I am not complaining about. One less thing to wean!

He has noticed Emma and Owen. In fact, he now responds more to their voices and will follow them with his eyes with this kind of wishful, "hey guys! I wanna play too!" kind of look. He loves to give them smiles and he especially watches Owen. Not sure if that's because we spend much more time as a trio or whether it foreshadows their life ahead as brothers. :) I hope the latter.

Jude is mellow, bright eyed, happy, and perfect. We love him so very much! Onto the next 3 months and the changes will be astonishing as always. :)  We love you Jude!

3 months old!



Jude 12 weeks


Jude 2 months old

Jude 8 weeks




Monday, March 10, 2014

When snow and childhood meet!

(Que the music) I'm Dreaming of a.....White February? Winter, YOU ARE LATE. It cooled off in October as it should but we didn't get any real snow until the very end of January and heavily into February. Its the most snow we have seen since living here. Poor Phil had to shovel more than his fare share this year and the kids have been cooped up inside with temps hanging around 19 degrees. The thing is, if we live where it snows shouldn't we learn to play in it? What is a snowy winter without a snowman, or snow angels, or screaming down a hill on a sled? I sincerely hope that by dragging my children out into it, they had fun and appreciated it a little. hehe. Owen certainly enjoyed his first trip down the sledding hill and digging his boots into the white dusty snow. I tried to help them build a snowman in the front yard and they rolled in the snow and made snow angels. I took them to the sledding hill and they had a blast going down together. My only idea that I didn't get to share with them was to use food coloring and "draw in the snow." I guess I have something up my sleeve for next year! :) And of course, as quickly as the snow storms rolled in, they also melted away. Its now March 10th and while our last 5 inches of snow arrived on March 2nd and 3rd, it is now as if it never happened. Temps have gone back up to the 50's and we have even had a peak a boo game with the sun. I saw a fat bellied robin the other day and that's a sure sign spring is on its way! Here's to warmer weather, green grass, and blue sunny skies....




Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Emma's Baptism and Jude's Blessing

Boy, was that a busy weekend, but it was the best kind!!!  Family from all over came to see Emma be baptized and Jude blessed. Everyone basically showed up on Friday and left Monday. Our house was loud, chaotic, and crowded, but we enjoyed every minute!

Emma felt so special that people drove up from Las Vegas and over from North Dakota just for her. We are so proud of her! She was SO nervous about the baptism because people would be watching and she was afraid the water would be too cold...too deep...water would go up her nose...Daddy would hold her down...she would slip...    None of those things happened of course, but she did have to be dunked twice. The first time her hands didn't go all the way under! When she realized they had to do it again, she said."Awwww!" and everyone chuckled. The second time everything went perfectly. She wore her pretty white dress(doing a fun set of photos at the temple soon!) and was happy and relieved. We all went to dinner at Emma's choice, Timbercreek Grill and Buffet. She ate 2 plates of dinner and like 4 helpings of dessert that included cotton candy, the chocolate fountain, brownies, and ice cream. :) She had a permanent smile on her face all evening! So happy for her! So glad she felt the spirit and felt special! She is such a sweet girl.

Sunday we blessed Jude. He wore the same white outfit Owen did, but of course it actually fit him. Owen swam in it! Phil did a great job this weekend and Jude's blessing was sweet. Everyone who could be there to participate was there and that meant a lot to us.

After the blessing, its generally a tradition to do a lunch. This particular Sunday just happened to be the Superbowl. Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos! Go Hawks! :) We had pizza, salads, spinach and Macayo dips, churro bites, smore's bars, and soda. We visited, munched, watched the game, and passed the baby around. Just wish the game had been more interesting, but glad the Seahawks won! Everyone continued to visit together after the game. Emma sat in laps and got loves. Owen ate, played, and soaked up the attention. Jude snuggled.

It was a fun weekend seeing everyone and visiting. Everyone lives so far away that when we all get together like that, it feels like we have never been apart. I enjoyed seeing everyone as much as the kids did. Hope to see everyone again soon! We had a blast!

Daddy and Emma!

Emma in her special white dress!

 All the family together!

Jude all ready for his blessing!

Nana and Popo

Grandpa Tribett

Grandma and Grandpa Anderson

Emma and Jude all in white!

Everyone at the blessing!

 Our family!


 Aunt Rachel and Uncle Jared

Uncle Steven

Emma so happy!

Aunt Rachel

Uncle Steven and Jude

Uncle Steven and Emma

Emma at her special dinner. Note Jared and the cotton candy!

A few of the family nuts! :)

Our Superbowl spread! Laura made some yummy stuff!

Enjoying company and watching the game!

Emma enjoying her food and sporting her Seahawks shirt!

Showing our Seahawks pride!


Parting is such sweet sorrow! We loved seeing everyone and were sad it went by so fast! Until we meet again! Love you all!

Emma's 8th birthday party!

This year for Emma's birthday I threw a cupcake decorating party. She has really been into baking cupcakes and cookies lately so it seemed fitting! We sent out the invites and they ALL showed up. They did such a great job and they were so careful decorating each cupcake with their own design. We played "Pin the candle on the Cupcake" and "Balloon Pop." The kids LOVED popping the balloons and scooping up the candy and money. Then we opened gifts, sang happy birthday, and ate those delicious, adorable cupcakes! Emma had such a good time with all her little friends. She felt special and that was enough for me! :)  Happy Birthday Emma!

All around the table!

Decorating!

A sample.

 Pin the candle on the cupcake!

 Our cupcake tower!

 Check out the one with all the eyeballs!

Balloon Pop!

 They had a blast!

Opening gifts.



Singing Happy Birthday!