Owen had a birthday :)

So Owen was totally ripped off this year for this birthday. Friday was such a busy day with other things going on that we didn't actually celebrate until Sunday. Oops! But anyway, a few thoughts on this little guy.....

-He has the most gorgeous gray/blue eyes and his eyelashes are ridiculous. It's amazing he can hold his eyelids open.

-Owen loves his siblings, particularly Kate. When he sees her first thing in the morning his face lights up and he starts squealing (see below)

-Lately he has taken to shrieking/squealing/screaming all the time. He screams if he wants to be picked up, wants to be set down, needs a toy, needs something to eat or drink, if he's happy, scared, sad, angry, tired (get the picture?)

-He is very cuddly, like a little koala bear (my nickname for him)

-He is generally a pretty happy kid but also sort of demanding. He is quick to let us know if things aren't going just the way he wants :)

-Owen is very social and he will reward anyone who gives him attention with a gorgeous dimpled smile.

I really just can't believe Owen is 1. The time goes WAY TOO FAST.

Owen with his birthday cupcake. He wasn't too excited about it.....

I adore this boy!!!

4th of July

I love the 4th of July in Provo!!!!

We went to see the hot air balloons launch that morning.

The coolest part was the Darth Vader balloon. It was creepy to see the mask slowly inflate and rise from the ground.

But then there was a wind gust that left the balloons looking like this:

And so all the hot air balloon people packed up and left. That was a bummer. So we decided to console ourselves by hiking the Y. Connor was actually our little mountain goat who was dying to do it (although you can't tell from this picture.)

Connor on the Y.

Overlooking Happy Valley....

Aspen Grove, Cameron's Big Day, and Scott's Big Day

We spent 2 1/2 weeks in Utah for a family reunion, baptism, and a wedding. We capped it off with everyone getting the stomach flu for the 4th of July weekend. Good times! But really everything was wonderful (minus the sickness.)

We went to Aspen Grove for the Johns family reunion. It was so gorgeous there and we all had a wonderful time! But apparently I was so busy having a good time that I forgot to pull out my camera much. I did get some pictures from the day Keith and I hiked to Stewart Falls with Owen.

On June 25th Cameron turned 8. I can't believe it!!!!! It worked out that we were able to have him baptized that day as well. He was able to have all his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins there. It meant so much to me since we live away from our families to be able to have everyone together for Cameron's baptism. He had a huge smile on his face the entire day.

Keith's youngest brother Scott got married on June 30th in the Provo temple.

Scott and Kristi - they are so cute together!

The nieces and nephews sang a couple of primary songs at a dinner for Scott and Kristi after the wedding. Cameron and Kate unfortunately were not there because they were sick (that nasty stomach bug I was talking about.)

All the Johns brothers. Who is that guy in the bright yellow shirt?!?

Scott with his sisters :)

Wow this post is getting long. More later :)

May 25th Tornado

We knew it was serious when we heard the tornado sirens 5 times in a five hour period. Meteorologists determined that a tornado did in fact hit Bloomington, although they said it was a weak one (I'd hate to see what a strong one would do here....) Very humbling and sobering to see this kind of destruction first-hand. Everyone is just glad no one was killed, only a few injuries. All I can say is I really could do without this kind of excitement.....

Slurpee Time

There were no 7-11's in Milwaukee so we were so excited to discover one here because we have missed Slurpees :) Unfortunately it is in a rather sketchy part of town so I am not sure we'll be back there again anytime soon. But I love how something as simple as a Slurpee can bring so much happiness....

Bunnies, birthdays and more

Easter - Connor's birthday - Mother's Day. This sums up our last three weekends. We have been busy, but luckily it's the best kind of busy :)

Kate wanted to wear her Easter dress even though she wasn't able to go to church (she had a bit of a fever that day....)

The biggest egg in our Easter egg hunt...

Connor's birthday was a three day celebration that included a friend party, family party, and a classroom celebration (whew!) We decided to scale WAY down this year with the friend party so we had Connor pick 4 friends he'd like to take to Wonderlab and then we had cake and ice cream back at the house. It was heavenly to have such a low-key party - none of this sewing hats and making 3 pinatas and coordinating two hours worth of games for 10 five-year-olds (what were we thinking last year??)

Wonderlab is great entertainment for kids this age (and adults too!)

Cake and ice cream with Phineas and Ferb :)

Mother's Day was wonderful. How could it not be when I have kids that are this cute?!?

Owen's Mother's Day gift to me is that he has started crawling. I'm not sure if that is a good gift or not.

Kate-isms

I've got to put these on here so I don't forget. Some of my favorite Kate sayings:

"I'm not stinkin', I'm just cute!"

(when I tell her she's "so stinkin' cute")

"I love you BETTER!"

(after I say "I love you")

She's such a sweetheart. AND so stinkin' cute.