Memorial Day Weekend

After several months of trying, we were finally able to find a convenient time to head to Newport News to catch up with our friends, Brent and Wendy Vallee and Kevin and Liz Hass. It also happened to be John's birthday weekend, so it was even more fun to get to celebrate a little belatedly. Brennan loved, loved, loved getting to play with Sydney and Savannah Hass and really did well playing with them instead of near them. It's a great step for our little guy! Owen got lots of love from his honorary aunts and uncles. All in all, it was a great weekend full of great fellowship with some very dear friends.

Brennan really enjoyed some playground time and even willingly went on the merry-go-round!

Happy 35th!

Teething much?

Owen loved pushing this hippo toy up and down the driveway. Later, he even took a turn on the trike!

Pool Love

With the ultra-warm temperatures settling in for what seems to be a long stay, we decided to pull out the pool for some water fun this morning. The pool love was strong this morning! Brennan was thrilled and played enthusiastically, filling buckets, dumping and splashing to his heart's content. Owen exhibited more caution than normal and was perfectly content to stand at the side of the pool and splash. I did put him in it for a bit, which he enjoyed once he got used to it. I'm sure his pool love will grow as the summer progresses!

The Walking Man Walks

Owen started taking a couple of tentative steps around his first birthday, but nothing major until yesterday. He's been busting out with a good number of steps and he seems pretty proud of himself to enter the world of the walking. We were glad to get some of these first moments of walking on video!

Annual Outing

We look forward to our annual strawberry picking outing every year. Yesterday was the day for us to head out and gather our supply of delicious berries. Brennan really got excited about picking berries this year, but Owen was pretty ambivalent about the whole thing (he preferred to spend the time pushing his stroller around). 13 pounds later (yikes!), we headed for some shade and a picnic lunch. All in all, a great outing, but made a little more complete today with a strawberry pie and many more strawberry goodies to come!

A Wagon Riding We Will Go

These boys love wagon rides! Owen laughs and laughs when we start out. I think he just enjoys not being strapped in to the stroller on our walks! Normally Brennan loves to walk, but when the wagon comes out, he loves to jump in and enjoy the ride!

Proof that small children live in your home

Exhibit A: Owen can un-spool a roll of toilet paper in 3.7 seconds. (OK, I've never actually timed him but that seems about right).


Exhibit B: Right now potty training feels about as hopeful as getting Esther to open her own can of cat food.



Exhibit C: If only we had baby proofing devices that could somehow secure books to the bookshelf, the lid of the trash can (Owen is a little dumpster diver) and my bedside table drawer shut ... but without the use of screws or nails.

Exhibit D: The ubiquitous step-stool ... maybe the single most important kid item in the house. And usually a force for good and not evil, as Brennan uses it to get things he should be getting. Once Owen gets bigger that'll change though, because he'll surely use it to get things he shouldn't be getting.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to both our moms and all our mom friends!

Lately

It's been a while since the last blog post, but with very good reason. This morning, we wrapped up 10 days of family in town. John's parents were here from last Tuesday through Sunday, and my parents arrived last Friday. My mom left this past Wednesday and my dad left this morning. It was busy, but very enjoyable...although we are definitely enjoying a low-key weekend after all the activity!

Some highlights of the visit: celebrating Owen's birthday with both sets of grandparents, a trip to the zoo, a picnic lunch in Maymont Park, eating out at local restaurants to show off our beloved city, a morning outing to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, and lots of time out on the deck soaking in the Virginia spring!

The birthday boy sure enjoyed his cake!

Opening presents was fun too

Both sides of the family gathered together for the first time since our wedding!

They're not so sure about posing at the botanical gardens

Just hanging out in a tree--there's so much more fun stuff to see when you're this high!

Feeding the fish