Wrapping up 2009... in March 2010

I remember when Owen was a newborn, and I updated his website WEEKLY. Man how things have changed. These days it's so much fun visiting and playing and experiencing life WITH Owen, that neither of us think about getting behind the scenes and capturing it on paper, video, or film like we used to... or at least not often enough.

Next month Owen will be three. I cannot even wrap my head around it. Roger pointed out that now he'll be closer to starting school than not. Ugh. Each day with Owen is so precious, that it hurts my heart to feel them moving past us. Thankfully, most days are full of so many new ideas and adventures, that the excitement of it all mostly distracts us.

Owen is incredibly inquisitive, frequently asking "Why" and "What are you talking about?" ...sometimes with more tone that you would imagine from a two year old. He is incredibly social, and while he still takes a little bit to warm up, he is increasingly self-confident and outgoing.

Words to describe Owen right now would include incredibly thoughtful, affectionate, positive, curious, adventurous, loving, determined, skilled negotiator, insightful, and creative. He continues to love to read and build. With the weather warming up he is looking forward to more bike riding (he just might get that trike mobile yet... especially now that he has grown tall enough to make it feasible) and playing outside with his friends and neighbors.

Owen is busy planning his birthday party for next month, and might just invite all of Billings if he gets the chance. It should be interesting to see how all of that turns out.

In any case, as usual, I apologize for the delay in getting the blog updated. These past months have been busy and at times challenging for our family, which always makes us even more thankful for Owen, who keeps us grounded in the present and thankful for our greatest blessing.

Here is a collection of pictures from the end of 2009, including our first ever official family pictures and Christmas.

I think Owen learned THIS from his big sister...

What are siblings for?

This picture doesn't even need a caption.

I wasn't home when this picture was taken... but it looks like Owen got creative with toting in an ottoman so that he could eat at the counter...

Brushing his teeth... in a pair of polka dot high heeled shoes. Isn't that how you brush your teeth?

Being two is a lot to manage. Witness Owen eating beans and talking on the cell phone.

Christmas tree December 2009.

Helping Evey open the presents he got her.

Enjoying all the great stuff! These two are amazing when they are together. They can literally play for hours without a single fight or argument. It's so much fun watching them grow up together.

As with most things this year in Owen's life... it's what you can build and stack that counts the most!

Checking out some fabulous new socks. Owen is very fashion forward in his footwear. He prefers most shocks and shoes in pink. Who doesn't?

This looks like the only picture of the three of us we managed to get.

Owen always has lots of love for his Aunt Lisa.

Owen did not have enough gusto to get through unwrapping all of his presents Christmas Eve night. Thankfully, he managed to find a second wind in time to find what Santa brought him Christmas Day morning.