Fun & Games

 Kyle is having SO much fun with all of his birthday loot.  I can't tell you how many times he puts together his new puzzles each day.  He just spent 45 minutes putting them together and taking them apart over and over while I was on the phone.  I'm so grateful something keeps his attention for that amount of time!  He also loves the guns.  {It's so LOUD when he shoots!}

I think Ryan is having a good time, too.  Many of Kyle's old toys are free for the taking now that he's preoccupied with the new goods.  Ryan especially is enjoying cars and things that stack lately.  He drives them around on the floor, making what I'm sure he thinks is an engine sound, but it's more like a high-pitched squeal to me. 

It cracks me up to watch this boy as he builds "big towas" or neatly places all the cars in a row.  I hope he's not another OCD case! 

I'm so grateful that these two boys have been having so much fun and that they have so many things to keep them entertained!

Dora 2.0

Dora the Explorer went and got herself a "mommy makeover!"

Yes, it's true: another Ford Explorer has entered our lives.  No, Brandon, it's not because we are that loyal to Ford.  We actually really wanted something different--a Tahoe, Yukon, or Sequoia, maybe, or any other SUV that wasn't SUPER huge but still had a third row seat.  You know, since we now have baby #3 on the way and can no longer use our Prius as a family car.  We also kind of had our hearts set on something a little newer and really wanted to maybe get some upgrades like leather, etc.  Chevy and Toyota just are really proud of their cars and for the same {sometimes even older} year model with similar upgrades, we were looking at spending close to $10,000 more.  I also REALLY wanted to get a different color than Dora 1.0, but we found a major internet deal on this one from a non-Ford dealership and just couldn't pass her up.  So, Dora is back, better than ever, and I'm SOOOOO excited to have my own wheels again!  

Quick Update

I have no new pictures for today, but still wanted to record a few exciting things that have happened this week.

1) I passed the glucose test for gestational diabetes, and everything is looking good with Mini Cooper 2011.  {I also LOVE my doctor!}

2) We bought a car!  I'm SO excited to have my own set of wheels again.  We pick her up tomorrow, so I'll get some good pictures.

3) Project Runway started again.

I'd say it's been a pretty good week!

Choose Your Weapon

In one corner, we have Kyle.  He's chosen to battle with his new birthday cap guns, especially since we actually broke down and put the caps in there.  He LOVES the sound and smoke coming off his freshly fired gun and loves to tell us to "put your hands up!" before shooting us dead.



In the other corner, the ultra-mega-featherweight champion, Ryan, has chosen to battle with Kyle's light saber.  His decision to hold said light saber by the dangerous part may, I think, lead to his take-down.  {That, and the fact that once Kyle sees Ryan playing with HIS light saber, the baby's goin' down.}     

For now the cowboy wins, but it may not be too long before the little alien comes back with a vengeance. 

More Reunion Photos

 It was a short trip from Okmulgee to Pryor to spend the day at the Owings Family Reunion.  How fun it was to meet so many of Stephen's family members while also catching up with some that I already know.  

 After lunch, everyone took turns introducing themselves, their families, and updating the clan on any news. 

 

 Talking about all this family stuff made Uncle Hubba remember to tell Grandma Polly how much Rebecca loves the family name of Septimus....

 Then we played some "Minute to Win it" style games.

Ryan REALLY wanted to join in the fun, but made a much better spectator.

 Auntie Carolyn took the opportunity to get some geneology done.

The kids played in the gym, 

Kyle  had a few meltdowns,

 the adults mingled, 

 

and we joined in the fun of the annual auction.  Uncle D taught Kyle how to bid {scary!}

 

 My favorite item was this wood and barbed wire hanging made from stuff from Grandpa Blackie's farm.

 

And I won it!

Grandpa had fun with the boys.

It didn't take long before they were both so tired that it was time for our little family to hit the road.

 Before leaving town, we did get the chance to drive out to see the old farms and to visit the cemetery, too. 

The reunion was a quick weekend trip, but I'm glad we were able to be close enough to have the opportunity to go!

Generations Photos

One great thing about making the trip up to Oklahoma was letting Ryan meet his Great Grandma Polly. 

We also made sure to get a photo of the 4 generations together.

Here's Polly with her kids.  {Uncle D couldn't help himself but act a fool.}

I'm glad we were able to get these generations of family members all together. 

Oklahoma!

Last weekend we were able to attend the Owings Family Reunion in the metropolis that is Pryor, OK.  {*sarcasm intended.*} This trip was planned, canceled, and re-planned at the last minute, and I'm glad we had a chance to visit some places of Stephen's roots.  Here's a photo of all those from his branch of the family tree that were able to make it.

Watch for more to come....