Micah's Special Day!

Micah Russell Owens

We had a WONDERFUL day the day of Micah's blessing day! He was dressed special from head to toe and then some! My mom made his beautiful gown - it even had an "O" embroidered - my favorite touch this time! His Aunt Elizabeth made the most adorable shoes ... and they were perfect - and his Aunt Charity made a beautiful blanket! The blanket was a little warm for this time of year - but I am thrilled to take REAL pictures of him with his gown, shoes and blanket ... well - SOON! We had the blessing of having so much family come - we live about 1-2 hours from most of our family now - although we did have some travel a little further! Thank you for making his day so special. We had a special little lunch after as well - although he didn't eat too much -- he got the "seconds!" Here are a few of my favorite pictures - although we did take individual family pictures as well!

The GROUP picture of everyone who was able to come ...
- Little Micah -

All of the priesthood holders that were able to come.

Micah in the mother's room before his blessing...

The Owens at church...

Rachel and Micah at church.

Family picture at home at the end of the day!

Mary and Benjamin enjoying lunch after church ...

It was a special day - with a special blessing - I just love our family!

Summer Reading Fun...

This summer our library is doing a summer reading program for kids ... you choose the goal - and if you meet it, your child gets a free book! I thought - 8 weeks @ 20 books/week ... then surely we could read 150 books! So we got going ... and it seemed like we wouldn't make it - but we're right on track - 84 books "down" and "66" to go! (AND you can only count a book ONCE!)

Here are a few of MY/OUR favorites so far that I would recommend:

this is a great "DAD" book

really like the "Blackboard Bear" books:

one of Benjamin's favorites ...

a great Thanksgiving book...

and another great dad book - and one of my all time favorites:

we'll keep you posted on how we do ... til'then... THE END.

Fountains, fingers, feets and jammers!

Just a few summer fun days ... I'm a little behind at posting - but here are a few of our latest and greatest activities!

Suwanee City Hall Fountains!

Fingerpainting ... and making birthday "thank-you's"!

Hand prints and foot prints of the boys ... even Micah got in on this action ... but DON'T try and use Stampin' Up ink ... it doesn't come off for days!

And TODAY ... we made peach freezer jam ... with more on the way! I hope (while the boys are sleeping) - I can make jam in a "jar" so in case our freezer ever goes out - we won't lose it! Here's Benjamin ... my first taster - of course he had to help stir, lick the bowl - all the fun parts as well!

Mr. Po-oo-oost MAN!

Today our "field-trip" was to the post office! Of course you can't go there unless you're dressed as a mailman ... right?

So we got in the box of 2 year old clothes and got out Benjamin's 2008 Halloween Costume!

Who says boys can't dress up to go out!

All of the workers at the "City Hall/ nearest post office" loved his outfit ... and of course he weaseled a sucker out of one of the lovely ladies!

See: Micah sleeping as usual!

He did help me put on the stamps on Micah's birth announcements ... and kept saying, "I'm a good mailman ... I'm sure a good mailman."

What a funny little guy!

From there were headed to a little bakery where he was hoping to pick out one of these:

... note his favorite was the BULLDOG cake

... such his Father's child!

Instead we got cookies and peanut butter balls instead!

On the way home he kept asking why we couldn't get a CAKE. I finally said, "The cakes cost LOTS of money!" and he then replied, "I didn't think you had to have money. You just need a cwedit (credit) cawd (card)." Where I then EXPLAINED on a 3 year old level - that you have to have the money to pay the credit card when the bill comes in the mail!

Lastly ... stopped at Blockbuster to get a movie for tonight!

Summer of FUN!

Benjamin on the playground!

One of my friends ... Autie ... got an idea from one of her friends ... to make a summer (60 days) full of fun - MEANING: you have to do something fun with your kids EVERYDAY! So we are going to try it - atleast try and hit more days than not! So far we've done great and had so

much fun! GRANTED - the fountains were closed on day 1 and we went to the wrong library on day 2 - but we just re-arranged!

These are pictures from our picnic at the wooded garden!

I did a little "research" and we've found lots of things to do this summer! I think I'm most excited to check out The Yellow River Game Ranch where they have all kinds of animals to see and pet!

Other ideas on the agenda:

Georgia Aquarium

Atlanta Zoo

Coca-Cola Museum

Fernbank

Water fountains

Hiking

Swimming

Dahlonega Gold Museum

Lake Lanier - and water park

Amicolola Falls

Let me know if you're interested ... and want to come along to any -- OR have any other ideas!

Annual Stone Moutain Trip!

Our Stone Mountain trip was a little different this year - mostly because we didn't go to the top of the mountain... maybe next time - but we did do a few different things. We had a great time with my mom, and sisters/family... Laura, Charity, Scott and William!

This is our little family in front of the train ... it was pretty HOT - but thankfully not too sunny!

Here we are on the riverboat ...

Poor little Micah - they insisted on us taking a lifejacket for him - like this would've actually saved him ... but I guess it was the law :)

This was Benjamin talking to the goats at the petting farm!

Here's Micah, Benjamin and I at the laser show ... Benjamin was so excited to get a new sword as his from last year was on it's last leg.

Two to GO!

This is kind of a "me" post ... but I'm so excited to only have TWO more Micah pounds to go before I'm back to my pre-prego weight! I know 2 lbs. doesn't sound like a lot- or maybe my body is just not the same shape - BUT my clothes still just don't fit right - so I'm hoping these 2 lbs. will make the difference! So what to do to get there:

1. get the treadmill fixed

2. run in the Georgia heat outside until it's fixed

3. play tennis with Jonathan

4. get a baby-sitter so I can play tennis with Jonathan

5. swim with Benjamin

6. TRY and eat less ice-cream

7. run a little EXTRA so I can eat ice-cream

side note ... after my first run last week ... which was only 1 lap around the neighborhood ... I was back inside before Jonathan knew it and quickly fixed my bowl of ice-cream! only bad part - he headed downstairs to check something on the computer and caught me! - oh well - at least it's only 2 lbs. to go!

What comes with Marriage!

When Jonathan and I got married 6 years ago ... I not only got a wonderful husband, but LOTS of wonderful family! As of now - I think there will be 60 of us in all this summer! Aside from Jonathan and now our boys, one of the most incredible blessings that came with our marriage was a Special Mother-in-Law.

Cheri is such a wonderful mother and grandmother to us. She has been a wonderful example to me and always lends a listening ear! I'll never forget the first moment that we met at the Temple, as her arms were wide open and a loving hug that still brings tears to my eyes. The moment is etched in my memory. Cheri has a special spirit about her that radiates to all around her. Although she's had a rough few years (25 or so?), you'd never know because she only remembers the good times ... and the good things in others.

This post is just for her ... as I hope she knows how much we love and support her. She will forever be a mother to me, and a sister in Zion. It's always so hard to leave her house as she always has tears in her eyes, but the moments and conversations we have are priceless and truly are the reason for those tears.

Thank you Cheri for the incredible mother and grandmother you are ... I hope to be a mother like you!

Here are just a few pictures from our week in Florida. Benjamin loves Nana and all the memories that he makes with her. Micah enjoyed many smiley moments with her as well. Jared and Albert are two of THE BEST uncles! They both play with the boys so well - and are just FANTASTIC! Jared leaves on his mission to INDIA ... on August 12th ... that is a whole post in and of itself - that I will get around to BEFORE he leaves :) Thank goodness we will still have Albert around for a few more years!

Jared, Micah and Benjamin all ready for bed!

Cheri holding Micah so Benjamin and I could swim!

Micah and Benjamin in bed at Nana's ... although they didn't sleep together, but Benjamin has to have a good-night moment with Micah almost every night!

Albert and Benjamin swimming at Aunt Jenny's!

Benjamin, Albert and Micah hanging out ... isn't this such a sweet picture!

Drammy and Drampy's!

This is what we do at Grammy and Grampy's!

Last week we had the WONDERFUL opportunity to go and visit Jonathan's family in Florida -- just Micah, Benjamin and I! Grammy and Grampy (or Drammy and Drampy as Benjamin says -- although he ALMOST can get the G sound now!) ... have become grandparents to me just as if I were their granddaughter! I have incredible memories with them - and enjoy the moments that they spend with my little boys!

A farvorite memory - which I wish I had caught on video was: Benjamin and Grampy washing the bird feeders ... whem all of the sudden Grampy being so perfectly DRY just got TOO tempting for Benjamin. A little water on Grampy, then a little on Benjamin ... then Grampy running and hiding behind the tree from Benjamin ... ended up in the best WATER fight ever ... until Benjamin realized he was 100% soaked. They came inside (Benjamin crying a little) ... but after getting all dried off ... Benjamin quietly telling Grampy, "that was fun!"

Here's Grampy and Benjamin washing off after feeding the chickens!

Benjamin watching Grammy's bread bake!

Grampy and Benjamin picking the squash...

Benjamin and Grampy with their harvest!

Grampy and Micah!

Grammy and Micah!

What a PERFECT picture to end on... Benjamin DRIVING Grampy on the golf cart! These 2 guys are peas in a pod when they are together - although Benjamin can get his mind made up about some things - but you'd never know as Grampy is so gentle and kind with this little red head!

We truly had a wonderful time and I wish I could spend the whole summer there! We especially enjoyed Grammy's homemade bread and fresh pickles they had just canned from their garden! Did I mention that Grammy makes the best sandwiches! It must be a Grandma thing because my Grandma and Mom always make good ones too!

We'll be back SOON!

Visiting Stacey, Kensie and Cade (and Stump!)

Last week when we were in Florida, Micah and I went to visit some dear friends in Gainesville -just 30 minutes from Jonathan's Mom's house! The Cricchio's lived in Macon my last few years of high school and became GREAT friends! Now they have two girls - Kensie and Cade - and still have Stump (not pictured) - their faithful dog - whom is even in their answering machine message! We had a great visit - and the BEST taco salad ... Thanks Stacey! Can't wait to visit again!

Here are the girls "baby-sitting" Micah while Stacey and I were eating lunch in the kitchen! What big helpers!!