Happy 6th Birthday, Kate!

We celebrated Kate's sixth birthday with a superfun gymnastics party. The kids had a ball running, jumping, and weaving in and out of the obstacle course. Kate insisted on an "America" theme - she loves America these days - I love it, too. The party was complete with an American flag cake and sparklers and 'Pop-its' for favors. Happy Birthday, Kate, and Happy Birthday, America.

Happy Easter!

What a beautiful day it was to celebrate our Risen King!! We woke up to Easter Bunny surprises in the living room complete with easter egg hunt. Kate loved her Lincoln Logs and 50-state quarter collecting book. Charlie still hasn't stopped playing with his new set of Thomas track. We dressed up and went to church early to try and capture a family photo - in 3 1/2 years we still do not have a good photo of all 4 of us! After a moving presentation of the Easter story by our pastor, we went to Nanny's house for Easter lunch with Mimi and CeCe. You just can't beat ham, cheese grits casserole, jello salad, and homemade yeast rolls. We ended the day with a good, old-fashioned car wash - just before the rain came down.

Snow in Alabama

It has been ten years since I've seen this much snow in Alabama!  The kids have loved sledding down our neighbors hill, building snowmen, and making snow angels.  Right now everyone had passed out after a hot lunch.  The big question on everyone's mind - school tomorrow?

Merry Christmas!

What a wonderful Christmas filled with family visits, good food, and a fun Nativity play performed by Kate and cousins. Unfortunately, Charlie and Lola could not participate this year, but next year, I'm sure they will be the first to choose their parts in the play. Ford got to play the shepherd and Joseph, Anne Carlton was the angel and sang a beautiful solo, Kate finally got to be Mary, and Libby was the wise woman. Next we were on to CeCe's house where Santa came to visit. Kate got an American girl horse, and Charlie got the train of his dreams - a real Lionel. I think Daddy had just as much fun as Charlie setting up the train. I am working on uploading a few videos, but for now still picks will have to do. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Love the Owens family!

Six Flags

Startlingly yesterday we had a free day here at the Owens' house and instead of spending it at home doing chores, we decided to pile in the car for a trip to Six Flags. The kids loved it as evidenced by the pictures. Kate beamed the entire day, and Charlie spent his time trying to figure out how the rides worked (my little engineer:). He looked disappointed on the hot air balloon ride, asking, "Where's the fire? You know, the fire that makes it go up." Like father, like son.

Kindergarten

It is raining this morning and it is Kate's first day of kindergarten. She is anxious and excited at the same time. Of course, all of the parents walk their kindergartners in to school on the first day, so the halls were packed with people, raincoats, and cameras. She seemed right at home as we walked away. I think she is too sleepy to be upset. Charlie kept us up all night with fever and a croupy cough, so we dropped him at Nanny's house on the way to school. Thank goodness for family. I guess now I'm off to the pediatrician with number two.

A Day at the Lake

Yesterday, we spent the day at the lake with some dear friends. Kate watched their four year old learn to ski and determined that she, too, would try. She was so brave! I snapped a quick picture just before she lost her balance. After a few tears, with pride slightly bruised - she was convinced that she wouldn't fall - she got in the boat and watched everyone else take a turn. After she saw everyone else take fall after fall, she now wants to give it another try - next time.