Fourth of July

This was our first year venturing out to fireworks as a family on July 4th. Owen's best friend William finally moved back to Pittsburgh and since they moved out to the 'burbs we decided to enjoy a crowd-free fireworks show. 

 

These boys were so happy to be reunited. We never really told Owen that William moved away for the year since they made frequent enough trips back to play. But he knew he didn't get to play with his buddy as much as he wanted to and they were so happy to play together all day on the 4th! 

 Since it was "America's birthday party" Owen insisted we have cupcakes. So I had to run out to Target at the last minute and buy a box of Funfetti. First time ever making funfetti and it was a huge hit!

 This blurry photo is the only one of us together on our 5th wedding anniversary. Needless to say we are just happy to be together enjoying our family. I cannot say that the past five years have flown by, but I can say that they have taught me more about unconditional love and respect than I ever thought possible. I'm so proud of the life we've created together.

 (of note: Owen is obsessed with the american flag and went crazy over these shorts when he saw them in Kohls. Since he still wears 18-24 month shorts (skinny boy!) and they only had 2T they are constantly falling off of him. He could care less as long as he has his "United States Flag" shorts on!)

{you can hear Owen singing "Happy Birthday" to America, here.}

Mother's Day 2013

A Mama of Two.

 {Jeremy had to work but came home with a Vegan strawberry shortcake for this dairy-free Mama}

{Kveller surprised me with the Smitten Kitchen cookbook off of my wish list and I made (and ate) this broccoli slaw the very same day}

Pancakes before Passover

This morning we headed over to the JCC to enjoy a yummy breakfast of Pancakes before Passover. There was a magic show for the kids and a matzah house building project. Jeremy and Owen had fun constructing their little house and Owen ate his weight in pancakes!

Gillen was along for the ride and per usual flashed everyone his adorable smiles.

Happy Valentine's Day

Owen's Valentine's Party

Owen had ten of his play group friends over to our house to celebrate valentine's day. We did some crafts and decorated sugar cookies.

Owen's best friend William was in town (we still haven't told him William moved away since they will be back in June) and the boys were so happy to celebrate together!

Group Shot = best we could do with this many kiddos

Road Trip: Tennessee Christmas

We took a "long, long car ride" to visit family for Christmas. This was the first Christmas Jeremy has had off in almost four years. Owen was so happy to just be together - in the car and in the "ho-towel" rooms we stopped in along the way.

He was so crazy in the room, dashing around telling us all where we would sleep. Checking everything out. Jumping on the bed and finally passing out at night. He was a champion sleeper while we were gone. Play hard, sleep hard.

 We packed up some yummy goodies to take with us too!

Enjoying the Holiday Lights: Phipps Botanical Gardens

We finally broke down and bought a membership to the Phipps Botanical Gardens. They had candlelight nights inside and a winter garden outside. The night we went it was 50 degrees and absolutely beautiful!

Chanukah Shabbat

His favorite gift of all the nights combined. A "tinky"

Six Candles: A special visitor

Tuesday evening our power went out again from 1-3am. Owen's music, light and fan turned off and he was scared again. He was wide awake, crying and asking for food while Jeremy and I scrambled to find the LED lights we went out and bought the night before. Jeremy was on call and trying to make sure his alarm was set and thankfully Gillen's ipod went to battery back up and he was the only one who wasn't awake!

Needless to say Wednesday was a very tired day for this Mama. In the evening we welcomed a VERY special visior - GOGI!

I was busy making dinner so I didn't get any pictures of Owen opening Chanukah presents with Gogi but he was thrilled with his doctor costume and I'll have to post a picture of him in it very soon.

Thursday Gogi and Owen went on a special adventure on the BUS to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Owen had a blast showing Gogi around the dinosaur museum.

After naps, Daddy came home early and we bundled up the boys and walked up the street for Chinese food.

That night Owen opened presents from Uncle Phil/Aunt Marylou and his Doda Kelly. He was so exited he could hardly stand it, that and he has been opening up Gillen's presents too so double the presents!