Happy 2nd Birthday Owen

Owen's birthday was a busy day. That morning we met Terri at a local state park to take his 2 year photos. He wasn't in the greatest spirits because he had a touch of a bug, woke up the night before with a fever. She was great as usual though and did her best to get a smile, and she did. After pictures we dropped Owen off at school, where they celebrated his birthday, and his classmates birthday, which are on the same day, with cupcakes and crowns. After afternoon nap we picked up Owen with a special surprise, Grumpa and Grandmama came for a birthday visit. At home that evening we unwrapped presents. Owen was so funny each time he would rip off a piece about the size of his hand and hand it to Grumpa to hold. Not too long and he had the hang of opening presents down. After dinner, since we thought he wasn't going to have enough cake that weekend, we had cupcakes and Owen got to blow out his candle.

Owen having fun opening presents

Owen blowing out his candle so he can devour the cupcake

We had a good time celebrating our birthday boy and were looking forward to more celebration with friends that weekend.

Halloween 2011

Since Owen loves to roar we decided to get him a dragon costume for Halloween and boy did he make a good dragon. That morning he had a party at his school where all the kids and teachers dressed up and they played games and ate snacks.

Owen and his classmate Ma'Kayla at the school party

Owen playing at the school party

That evening after dinner we got Owen dressed back up and went out trick-or-treating. Our neighborhood is great for it and there were so many kids and families out. Owen was unsure about the whole thing at first, including wearing the costume and hat, but when he started getting a big reaction out of everyone over his costume and roar he couldn't wait to go on to the next house to show them his outfit and give them a big roar. We had a great time and Owen was so excited.

All dressed up ready to go trick-or-treating

Fourth of July Las Vegas Style

For about a week over the Fourth of July we flew out to Las Vegas to help Grumpa and Grandmama get settled into their new house and meet Owen's new cousin "Baby Well." Owen did great on the flight and made friends on the way out and the way back that were nice enough to let him sit on their laps and look out the window.

Owen loving the view from on top Grumpa's shoulders

Owen loved his new cousin and was always VERY concerned about the baby. If she was unhappy he always wanted to help her stop crying. A couple of times we even caught him trying to give her the pacifier.

Owen with Baby Noel

On the 4th we had a big dinner, went for a swim in the pool, and watched fireworks, some our own and some were set off all around the neighborhood. Owen had a pretty good time playing with the sparklers until one got a little close to his hand. He is still fairly senstive and hesitant around any sort of heat so even though it didn't burn him, the warm next to his skin was enough for him to call it quits.

Owen done with sparklers and ready for bed

We had a good time there, swimming in the pool, exploring the new house, and hanging out with grandparents, aunt and uncle and cousin.

Weekend on St. George Island

In May Grampy and Lovey came out to visit. During their time here we spent another weekend on St. George Island. All-in-all, Owen did a great job and had fun at the beach. He wasn't too sure about it at first but every afternoon he started having fun. On the last day we hung out until about noon, to get out of the house we took a walk on the beach and he was ready to go play, just like his momma, didn't want to leave.

Getting used to the sun and water

Lovey showing Owen how the sand toys work

Lovey and Owen going to the next family over to meet the little girl that was about Owen's age

The wave action in front of our spot had created sort of a sandbar. Each afternoon as hightide was coming in the waves slowly krept high enough to break over the top of the sandbar, slowly filling up a low spot. Each afternoon when Owen came back out after nap this was the perfect play spot for him (until the last monring he was always a little unsure of the waves). It was only a few inches deep at first and slowly grew and he loved to run and splash and play in the water and sand in it.

Owen playing in the afternoon "river"

Owen and Lovey out swimming in the waves

This ended up being our only trip to the beach last summer, can't wait to go back next summer!

Easter 2011

On Easter last year we went to our friend's parent's house here in town for Easter at Esthers. Just like last year, the food was good, the company was great and Owen took home a stuffed bunny.

Owen had more fun this year during the egg hunt, he was still in the smallest group for all the little ones but he got the hang of looking for eggs and putting them in his basket. When he figured out they had candy in them the world was that much better.

We left with full bellies and a tired child. Without family in town it's nice to be able to spend the day with such a welcoming group.

Lowery Park Zoo in Tampa

Last spring we took a weekend trip down to Tampa for a college friend's wedding. While there we thought we ought to use Sunday and take Owen someplace he would enjoy that we don't have in Tallahassee. We settled on the Lowery Park Zoo. It was a nice zoo with the usual animals, some unique ones, several areas to pet animals and was great for a 1-year old.

Owen wanting to go play with the bird

Owen LOVED petting all of the animals, most of them of them he tried to lay on or ride.

The zoo had a very nice petting zoo area with several different kinds of animals running around that you could go feed and pet. Owen couldn't get enough of the petting zoo!

There were a few different larger animals that you could feed, one of them was the giraffe. Since Owen absolutely loves giraffes we decided to let him feed one. The look on his face was great, he was completely in awe!

We had a great time, we got there at opening time in the morning, ate lunch there and left early afternoon, just in time for Owen to nap in the car on the way back home.