Happenings

What's been going on in our neck of the woods, you ask?  Well...

National "Talk Like a Pirate" Day happened.  Turns out Krispy Kreme gives you a dozen free donuts if you go in dressed like a pirate.  Since Owen dresses like a pirate almost every day I figured I'd take advantage.  I guess that technically means this was Owen's box of donuts.  Owen was thrilled when he saw that he's not the only one who likes to dress up like a pirate.  He especially thought the pirate teenagers were cool.  My faith in humanity was restored when those teenagers talked to Owen like pirates and gave him high fives.  Thank you to the teenagers who didn't think you were too cool for kids.  You made my son's day.

Apple picking with friends.  A seasonal favorite.  We tried our hand at making and canning applesauce from the apples we picked that day.  It was delicious.

Ward Halloween Party.  I'm going to be so sad if (when) my children ever decide they're too cool for group costumes, it's really the only reason I like Halloween nowadays.

Owen has taken to "baking".  Most often it's "takes".  Here was one of his recent concoctions, I had to document.  I believe if you were to analyze the separate components you would find: cocoa powder, unsweetened baking chocolate, breadcrumbs, corn meal, corn syrup, peanut oil (copious amounts), and baking powder?  He always somehow finds a way to make them bubble and fizz.  These "recipes" are generally created when I'm putting James down for naps, or am otherwise occupied.  I discover them when I come down and Owen says, "I'm baking a take!!".  I usually know the creative process is happening when it gets too quiet for more than a minute.

Although these forays into the culinary world are rather messy, and sometimes waste a lot of ingredients, I really love that Owen does enjoy baking and cooking lately, with and without me.  It's been really fun to have him help pour and stir and anything else he is able to do, and then remind him that he helped with whatever it is we end up eating, be it pizza dough, spaghetti squash, or (real) cake.  We're already making some great memories cooking together in the kitchen, and I look forward to many more.

James is just plowing forward with life.  He's so happy and sweet.  He loves to be held.  He crawls everywhere and pulls up on everything. He loves his dad and his brother.  He has 4 teeth (front, top and bottom).  He does not love sleeping...we're working on that. :)

Owen is intensely curious, always asking, "why?", and loves life.  One of my favorite things to hear him say lately is, "I'm so essited for..." or "_________ was weawy fun!"  

Casey is starting his interviews for residency.  Feel free to pray for us, if you're the praying sort. 

 Funny story from his life lately:  A fellow medical student recently asked, "So, is your wife pregnant again yet??"

Casey's response: ".........."

These boys sure keep me on my toes.

Sorry for the photo dump (only I'm not really). 

Congratulations if you made it to the end of this post.