Our "Big Man" is 11 weeks already...

Lounging on the couch

Owen loves for his sister to play with him and really loves batting at his toys

So Serious

Big Smile!

Hard to believe that Owen is getting so big already. He's doing so much more now. He lights up and smiles nearly every time you talk to him. He can recognize Ava and play with toys. He's very happy to be sitting in his bouncy seat looking at something and attempting to touch it. He even has giggled this week (Grandma Joyce did the trick!). Our huge milestone happened on New Year's Day when Owen slept from 10:30pm until 8:30am! I woke up at 6:00am of course, but I was able to go back to sleep once I realized everything was okay. We have moved him from our closet in the pack-n-play to his own room in the crib which is going well. If only the winter sicknesses weren't here!

Dr. Sieve???

Ava calls this "measuring the heart"

Grabbing a BP and Temperature

The stethoscope is her favorite!

I'd have to say that the doctor set Ava got for Christmas is one of her favorite gifts. She now has her doctor bag that she carts around all day with her stroller and various doll items. As soon as Daddy was home last night and done eating his supper (even though it was time for bed), she had to do a quick assessment of both of us. She said we were both doing "good". That's a relief!

Owen gets to meet Aunt Sandy in Arizona....

Sandy and I Shelly & me by those beautiful palm trees

Sandy & Owen (he really looks confused)

More Tucson relatives...Cousins Morgan, Meg, Shaun, and Aunt Donna (Shaun's Mom)

Sandy picked us up at the airport and her first time holding Owen

Zach (9 years) & Toby (5 years) with their new cousin

Toby loved to pose for pictures

Two Aunts who are elated with their new nephew! Priceless!

My sister Shelly and I decided just a couple weeks before Christmas to make a trip to Tucson to see our other sister Sandy. It had been five years since I had been down there, and Sandy really wanted to see Owen. With the direct flight from Sioux Falls to Phoenix, I didn't think it would be too bad flying with a 2 month old. We decided Brad and Ava would stay home as Sandy doesn't have a lot of extra room for guests. Ava was disappointed to have me leave, but I knew she'd be fine. The trip out there was great. Owen slept almost the entire plane ride and was really good. We did lots of fun things like shopping, going out to eat, bowling, and even went to a movie (Aunt Donna babysat Owen) while we were down there. Our 4 day trip went by way too fast and Owen was held and cuddled by his two aunts the whole time. Sandy dropped us off at the airport in Phoenix and made the two hour trip back to Tucson. We, however, did not get to take off. What started out as a 30 minute delay due to fog in Sioux Falls turned into 4 hours of waiting in a crowded airport. Luckily, Owen slept almost the entire time. We finally boarded and took off for Sioux Falls. A two and a half hour flight of 3 diaper changes and a lot of bouncing Owen, we were finally descending into Sioux Falls. Then, the travel nightmare began. We nearly touched down when we suddenly started ascending quickly. After what seemed like an eternity, the pilot finally told us he couldn't see the runway due to the fog and we were being diverted to Rapid City. It was 10:30pm and I was not looking forward to getting dumped off with a baby in a different city. We learned there were no flights available from Rapid to Sioux Falls. After a long wait stuck in the plane after we landed in Rapid, we finally were allowed off the plane, got a car rented, and headed to a hotel where we rested our tired bodies at the lovely hour of 1:30am. We were up again at 7:00am and loaded in our rental car for the drive home. Then we ran into the blizzard. Shelly drove the first half until we got to Chamberlain. Then I drove the second leg to Sioux Falls. For much of my leg, we were only going 30 mph, so it was a long and scary trip. We debated about getting another hotel all along the way, but we were told that we would drive out of it. That didn't happen until we were about 25 miles out of Sioux Falls. Fortunately, Owen was a trooper and we only had to stop twice to feed and change him in our 8 hour journey. The Lord was watching over us that day and we made it home safe and sound. I was never so happy to see my house and bed in my life!

Christmas Day at the Sieve's...

Brad with his surprise gift from me

Opening the 4th empty box to tell him to go to the garage to look for his gift

Ava & Joe

Owen is relaxing

On Christmas Day, we went to Gary & Joyce's. Lisa & Lori were not able to make it home, but the rest of us got together. Joyce made a wonderful meal and then we opened gifts. By this time, Ava had the whole gift opening thing down to a science. She pretty much opened everyone's gifts which they didn't mind, so that was nice. Gary & Joyce picked up the rather large air compressor I wanted to get Brad and hid it in their garage for me. I then had Brad unwrap lots of empty boxes until he finally had to go out to the garage and find his gift from me. He just couldn't understand why he had to open that one gift at his folks' house instead of at home.... We had a very nice Christmas.

Santa Came to Our House...

Digging in her Stocking...

A new baby...just what she asked for.

Even after getting home late from Shelly's on Christmas Eve, we still managed to get the cookies and milk out for Santa. When Ava woke up on Christmas morning, we immediately showed her the plate of half eaten cookies and half glass of milk to explain to her that Santa had come. Much to our surprise, she was more excited about her morning appetite than Santa coming. She proceded to climb right up on the barstool and grabbed a cookie to finish :) What can I say...she loves oreos! We did manage to divert her attention and showed her the stockings where things started to come together for her. She had asked Santa for a Barbie watch and a new baby, so she was very excited to get those presents in her stocking. She did seem a little sad though when she asked if Santa was going to come again the next night and I told her no, not for a whole year. Ava really enjoyed the gift opening and Santa this year. Lots of fun for us.

Christmas Eve at the Kleis's...

Shelly & I by her beautiful tree Brad is tearing things up!

Ava never struggles to find fun toys at Sam & Addie's house

Owen in his "Forget Santa, I've got Grandma" shirt

Two peas in a pod! (Addie 4 years, Ava 3 years)

Dad & Shelly "lounging"

We made the trip down to Sioux City on Christmas Eve. We attended the early church service and then went to my sister Shelly's house for supper and gift opening. Shelly was a wonderful hostess as Mom had to take a year off due to her shoulder surgery. We had great food and enjoyed spending time together. Ava had a blast as usual with Sam and Addie. We really didn't see much of her as she was off playing most of the time. Owen was a trooper for all the travel, but we did have to make a stop on the way home for him to eat. These really are such fun years at Christmas. The kids just love to open their presents and play with them immediately.

Waiting for Santa & A Visit from the Grandparents....

This photo was taken after waiting what seemed like an eternity in line at the mall to see Santa. Look how excited Ava looks until she actually enters the vicinity where Santa is. She froze with fear and wouldn't move. There was no balling, but she did not love Santa. She said absolutely nothing to him, and had an extremely somber look. You should see the professional picture we paid for! Oh, the memories! Remember the days when they'd let you take your own pictures?

Grandma Chris manages to hold Owen even with her sling

An attempt at a photo with Grandpa and Grandma, but Owen was not in the mood!