Our little bear

 How you have grown, Mr. Owen!  At 3.5 months, you look like a good mix between your sis and big bro, and we all think you have your own handsome look going on!  Here are some things you enjoy:  mama and daddy singing to you, being held (by anyone!), laughing and smiling at the silly faces your brother and sister make at you, daddy coming home and holding you, mommy milk, your play mat, swing and bouncy seat, and putting your hands in your mouth (in fact, you have little patches of dry, rashy skin on each had where you suck on it!  ha!)  Andrew likes to hold you and whisper in your ear "We're going to be good buddies, aren't we?"  That makes mama's heart melt.  And when you start to cry, Natalie comes to you and says "Oh, Oh baby...shhhh."  She likes to pretend she is your mama.  

You help us to slow down and enjoy the little moments, buddy.  And you are a great reason to sit and snuggle while the snow flies outside.  Although I do look forward to warmer weather and letting you explore the great big world outside our door!  We love you to the moon and back, Owen.  So thankful the Lord gave you to us!

Lake Michigan!

It's a fighter!

Here is Andrew with one of the many fish he caught this summer using his new Spiderman fishing pole!  Not so sure what the goggles are for (it may have been raining, and he felt those would help?)  But he was too cute, pulling in a fish and shouting "Mom!! Look!  I got one!  This one's a fighter!" Joe and I both enjoy fishing, and look forward to many more family fishing days!  It remains to be seen whether or not Natty will take up the sport, but for now she happily tags along and yells "fishy!" when anyone reels one in to shore.

summer days

 We made many visits to the 'peep peeps' this summer.  Natty loves them from afar.  Joe picked up a pretty rhode island red and the kids came up with the name Hot Tootie for her.  Now any eggs we get are known as "hot tootie eggs' regardless!

Pics for Nana

A few spring photos!

Fall Days

 Today was a beautiful fall day, so after the kids naps I got the gumption to get everyone outside, in nice outfits to try and capture a family photo!  It is hard when there is not an actual person behind the camera, but we got a few shots that will work!

Here is Natty's 10 month picture!  The girl made her first legit attempt at crawling this morning as she stretched and scrunched her legs and arms towards me.  Practice practice, baby girl!  She still has 2 teeth on the bottom, and we found out tonight that she loves home made macaroni and cheese :)  Joe says she is a girl after his own heart: aka, she loves to eat!  Natty loves to smile at everyone, and seems to thrive off of social situations.  She just loves anyone who will look at her, talk to her, and just make a fuss over her.  Yep, she is all girl in that way!  We love to hear her laugh...it is infectious. She is learning how to turn the pages in books, and does enjoy when just she and mom or dad can sit down and read a book together.  Oh yes, and we can't forget her trick she likes to pull out for anyone who will watch;  buzzing her little lips together until bubbles come out and drool ends up all over.  Oh my :)

The Cottage

Finally, a summer pic of the whole clan (minus all our furry friends).  Many fun days spent at the Dewart Lake cottage this year!!!

 Nana and Andrew went kayaking together!

 Me and my Natty girl!

The Sandbox

The sandbox has been one of Andrew's favorite spots this summer, it seems.  He will ask me to go outside, and after I say that its ok (and of course he usually asks "mom, come with me!  Play with me!" I try to when i can!)  then he slides open the screen door, shuts it tight, and carefully makes his way down the deck stairs.  His face lights up if I make my way down behind him.  "Mommy!  Play in sandbox with me!"  The big turtle shape is filled with soft white sand, and I sit down next to my sandy boy.  We push trains, trucks, and bulldozers around and around.  We hide our toes, and find them once again.   He gives me a grin and begins to dig a hole to hide G.I. Joe.  If Natty is with us, she is usually content to sit in the rocks, picking up one in each hand.  We have spent many hours playing in the cool shade in that sandbox this year.  I have loved watching his imagination grow as he builds and digs.  And surprisingly, most of the sand is still in the box!  

 This is the beloved "Butch".  He can tow most anything.

Andrew is tickled that I am taking pictures of him in the sand.  

9 months!

 These pics are a bit late, as Natty turned 10 months as of today!  But I realized I hadn't put these on the blog since last month, so here we go!  I had a fun time getting these pics...Natalie is such a fun girl!!  She is so joyful, and all smiles (well, most of the time!)

Here she is "showing" me the flower...too cute!

Bless you!!

Life as of late...

Natty loves to swing!  We went to a park in Sunbury for a picnic dinner and play time.  And it seems that Andrew likes Calvin and Hobbes.  He sat down one night after bath time and decided to do some reading.  I can just see the wheels turning as he sees all the shenanigans that Calvin gets into!

 Joe took me out for the day to celebrate my birthday back in August.  I could go anywhere and do anything I want, he said.  Well, I proposed we go resurrect our rock climbing skills at the Outdoor Climbing structure down near the Scioto River in Columbus.  These photos...well, lets just say we love being together, and being goofballs.  After climbing, we headed over to the NorthMarket for lunch.  What a cool place!  We walked around the open-air market, browsing among the unique and multi-cultural vendors for a few hours! I had a wonderful day with my hubby, and felt very blessed!