Happy Halloween!

Before we attempted costumes! 

Little Miss Cinderella 

I have 5 shots of Owen with his eyes closed! 

Owen sure thinks something is funny!

This turtle thought he should take a quick spin on his tricycle before we leave to trick-or-treat

 

 

Our first stop:  Hannah & Luke's where Owen didn't hesitate to jump right in and pick out some candy.  It seemed he knew just what to do.

Hannah, Luke, & Tristen with the kids 

 

 

After about 5 stops, Owen started ëxchanging the candy he already had by putting it back in the person's treat bowl and picking out a new piece.  That was the trend for the rest of the night- pretty funny!

 

The kids were troopers and would have stayed trick-or-treating long after Brad and I were ready to be done! 

It was another fun year for our family, more so because Owen really got into the trick-or-treating this year.  He loved it!  I was a little concerned because I tried on his turtle costume which velcroes down the front, and he immediately ripped it off.  I waited a few minutes and then slipped it back on him while he was playing with some toys and he didn't seem to mind it after that.  Owen even said "trick or treat" several times at people's doors which was impressive!  Ava loved her Cinderella costume and most of all that she couldn't really wear her seatbelt with the hoop skirt!  She took the lead with the trick-or-treating and was not shy about ringing doorbells and saying thank you as she was leaving.  She even started throwing in a "have a good evening" a couple times after she heard me say it!  We finished our evening with a trip to Subway for supper and home for baths.  It was so funny when we got home because it was just as if I had given Owen a cue that he could rip off his costume because he just started to tear it off.  I'm so surprised he didn't do that on the street somewhere!  Now to prepare for the birthday girl tomorrow!

Ava & Owen's Family Birthday Party: Part 3

Owen was very into opening gifts this year and wanted to get right down and play with every gift.  He loved all the trucks, tractor, power tools, and other vehicles.  All his gifts were a big hit!

 

 

 

Ava with her Dr. Mommy doll from Grandma Chris- she loved it as she loves anything to do with the medical profession.

Owen opening up his tractor

Ava unwrapping her pretty gift from Grandma Joyce

Ava's book from Grandma Chris
 

Blanket Grandma Chris made for Owen (has trucks on the other side)
 

Ava & Addie after they decided to change clothes in Ava's room

Dad, Shelly, Mom, & Reese

Auntie Sally and Reese

Owen playing with his truck

I'd say our birthday party was a success this year.  We planned the party for after Owen's nap on Saturday.  He was up and cheerful, so that was a good start to the party.  I made pulled pork sandwiches, a fruit salad of Ava and Owen's favorite fruits, and we had chips.  Both kids seemed to really like the meal (or were overly hungry).  We sang Happy Birthday to each of them and they both had such priceless expressions.  Ava just loved the spotlight and Owen even had a sly little smile.  Probably the biggest surprise was that Owen blew out his candles without any hesitation.  We hadn't even talked to him about it or practiced it. The kids had so much fun playing with the grandparents and cousins.  They loved all their gifts and have played with their toys for hours and hours.  Everyone did such a great job of picking things out that they like.  Thank you to everyone who came and shared in their special day.  Ava can't wait for her real "actual" birthday now!

Ava & Owen's Family Birthday Party: Part 2

Family Photo

Mom & Ava

Birthday girl!

Both sets of grandparents with the birthday kids!

Another attempt of a photo by Owen's cake (Owen just loves pictures)

It was all business when it came time to eat cake 

Sam was big buddies with Owen all day (Owen loved it!) 

Ava & Owen's Family Birthday Party...

Owen with his cake "Take 2: Dump Truck Cake" 

 

 

 

Ava with her Hello Kitty cake 

 

Luke & Hannah posing with Ava

Cake time

We had our second annual kids birthday party.  We will continue to have Ava & Owen's birthday party together for as long as we can. It's so nice only asking family/friends to come to our house once instead of twice in two weeks.  To say Ava was excited was a bit of an understatement.  She was basically bouncing off the walls when she woke in the morning (party was at 4:00pm).  She loved her Hello Kitty cake. 

Owen turns 2!

Owen's 1 and only present was a new train table! 

Owen was so mesmerized by it I could not even get him to look up for a photo

Daddy & Owen with Take 1: dump truck cake

He loved his chocolate cake! 

You just have to love black frosting (who gave him a tire piece?) 

 

The sugar has officially kicked in after his 2nd piece of cake! 

There was cake in his hair, ear, jeans, shirt, chair, floor- you name it but boy did he have fun not sitting in his high chair eating cake!

On Owen's actual birthday (a Monday), Brad was able to take the afternoon off.  We stayed up late the night before putting his train table together (many, many pieces- I swear I've ordered jewelry that came in a bigger box!).  Regardless, we were able to video him seeing his train table for the first time waiting for him in the basement.  His first word was "Wow" followed by "choo, choo".  He couldn't have been happier!  He played with it for about 5 hours that day and lots since.  He loved eating cake (and so did Ava).  I think he had a great day and even learned to say "2".