Birthday Boy

On July 3rd we celebrated Owen's third birthday. He wasn't too concerned about presents (didn't mention them until 6pm that night) but right after breakfast he was asking for birthday cake. He picked out his cake mix at the grocery store - the "red one" (strawberry flavor).

We were so lucky to have Jared's parents in for the week and they helped celebrate with us. Owen is thrilled by his new t-ball set, sandbox and picnic table for the backyard.

Owen showing us he is 3 years old and ready to eat his cake! Now he's ready for presents!

After a good hit, Owen says "Good Rip!"Owen, "I think there is something in here for me!" It was the sand for his sandbox. We can hardly get him out of the thing, definately a hit.
Enjoying a new slinky from Pops

Growing Girl

Our darling Paige continues to grow and change faster than we like, but there is nothing we can do about that except to watch and enjoy.

Paige has mastered pulling up on anything and everything, crawling on all fours and is experimenting a bit with the walking if she's holding your fingers. She looks so anxious to take off chasing her brother but I think it will be a little while yet.

She has just cut a few more teeth and once they come in we'll be at five. We often get stopped so people can comment on her beautiful blue eyes - I never thought I'd have a blue eyed baby, she didn't get them from me. Paige is getting more and more hair though not certain if it will be straight or curly, blond or brown...we'll see.

Here are a few pictures from the past few months.

At the Concert in the Park in May
July 4th, trying to climb up the slide at the park
Playing in Sadie's kennel...somewhat contained and out of trouble
Happy as can be on Daddy's shoulders
Mother's Day 2009, beautiful baby girl so happy to be with family!

Getting Settled

Well we've done it...we've made the move across the world then survived the drive across the country and are now settled into our rental home in Coronado, CA (across the bay from San Diego). We are loving our new home and community. Though how could you not love Coronado? The weather really is just fabulous, no complaints! Jared is getting the hang of the new job and looking forward to the work. I am getting into a routine with the kids and enjoy walking every morning exploring our new area.

I can't believe it's been 2.5 months since I've posted but then again, we've been a bit busy. There will be quite a few posts as I update with pictures of the house, the kids, Owen's 3rd birthday and our visit with Jared's parents.

Enjoy

Darling Boy

I am biased, I know, but isn't our boy Owen just cute as can be? He was such a great traveler and so much fun to be with on our trip (most of the time). Owen had a lot of fun at the beach getting dirty and is still talking about it. He also really enjoyed riding the ferry boat to Athens and back and sleeping in his bunk bed.

Paige's first beach trip

While in Crete at the end of our trip we finally had nice enough weather to make a quick trip to the beach. Paige and Owen had a great time and it was fun for Jared and I to watch them play. Though trying to keep an 8month old from eating sand...I conclude that babies+beach=lots of work for mommy! Paige is still "exfoliating" her system after the sand she managed to eat despite my efforts to keep it from her mouth. Here are some pictures of our beach baby.

Family Fun

We traveled with two other couples who were nice enough to oblige us in taking family photographs along the way. Getting a picture where we are all smiling - no easy task! I think we got a few good ones...

Picture from the Venetian Fortress in Reythnmo

Hiking the 8km Imbros Gorge - it was awesome!
The Parthenon in Athens...always being "reconstructed"
Exited Solethers as we depart on our overnight ferry boat to Athens
Anchors Away - a Navy family must to take a picture on an anchor

Scenic Crete

We recently returned from a ten-day vacation to the Greek island of Crete. It was a wonderful vacation and we are so happy we had the chance to see this beautiful place. I was surprised by how rugged the island was. We didn't have the best weather while there but made the best of it. Here are some scenic pics...

Little church in the beach town of Georgiopouli set out out on the rocks.
Coastal cities along the very cold Mediterranean Ocean.
Venitian Aquaduct serving the Knossos Palace.
Snow capped White Mountains. Tree-lined drive into town.

Sweet Kids

Owen has done great with Paige and for the time being thinks it is pretty neat being a big brother. He of course has the moments when he doesn't want to share but all in all, we have no complaints. I have been trying for months to get a good Owen/Paige picture and think I got a couple last month. Take a look.

Jumping Bean

We call Paige our jumping bean because she LOVES the doorway jumper. The only doorway where we can hang it is in the bathroom but she doesn't seem to mind. We're glad she's enjoying it because it got very little use with Owen. Paige uses it for entertainment, Owen used it as a sleeping prop.

Paige: "I could do this all day."

Owen: "Zzzzzzzzzzz"
Paige: "This is great!"
Owen: "You want me to do what?"

Update on Owen

It's hard to believe I started this blog when Owen was just 9 months old and now he's two and a half!!! He is a big boy now but still has the same sweet spirit and is still quite the hambone. Here are some updated pictures of Owen from the past few months.

DJ Funk Owen with his aggie hat backwards and in his hands are sticks he uses to make a rythem to his favorite songs...The Farmer in the Dell and Jesus Loves Me.
Owen still loves swinging at the park, he could do it all day!

Sticker fun. Why stop at just one?

Owen enjoying the scenic view while out hiking.

Daddy time

It seems Jared doesn't seem to make the blog as much as he should...sorry Jared! Here are some pictures of Jared with the kiddos, they sure love their daddy.

Pretty Paige

Our pretty little girl Paige is 7 months old and continues to be a joy. I am thankful that it is just as fun to see her master new skills as it was to watch Owen. Paige started crawling (or her version) two days ago and it's great fun to see her set her mind on a toy she wants and then work hard to go and get it (and I imagine it is quite a bit of work to get her chubby little body to do what she wants!) She is just cute as can be with her chubby cheeks and legs, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Here are a few pictures of her over the past two months...I've been quite negligent about updating the blog as you can see.

Nice gummy smile...no teeth yet but we don't think it will be long.


Enjoying swinging at the park.

Paige loves the doorway bouncer!

Why?

When you see the pictures you will understand the title of my post - Why?

Why do boys think it is fun, funny or okay to put their underwear on their head? I came downstairs yesterday from putting Paige down for her nap to find Owen in fits of laughter. Owen of course found it hilarious to run around with his underwear on his head. I haven't a clue where he got this idea from. I had to take a few pictures then told him to put his underwear back on because as you can imagine...if they were on his head there was nothing on below.

Sunny San Diego

You may or may not know but the 3rd of May we'll be leaving the beautiful Azores for sunny San Diego! We have decided to continue on in the Navy and Jared has accepted a set of orders to the Navy Seals Logistical Support Unit at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado (San Diego), CA.

We're excited about the move and being stateside again. We will keep you all updated as we make our way West.