Two Fast weeks!

Benjamin's FIRST Father-Son Campout!

Jonathan took Benjamin on his first campout this past Friday night! We talked about it ALL week ... and I think Benjamin was most excited about the staying up late, eating choclate (trail mix), and playing with the flashlight ... which they did ALL of the above! A big THANKS to Jonathan for being such a GREAT dad!!

Last Saturday I had the bake sale fund raiser that I've been planning for months now! The weather held out and it didn't rain until we had packed up - but the turn out was less than favorable! I had LOTS of wonderful friends donate baked items ... and we earned about $175 to help clean up Goodale Park - which will be our Ward Service Project this coming Saturday!

We are planning to buy some plants ... we will see how far the money takes us!

Our family took a trip to Columbus, Georgia for Jonathan's grandfather's funeral. We had a nice time visiting with family and also saying a farewell to Grandaddy. Benjamin was very good and even said goodbye to Grandaddy as well - telling everyone that
"Gandaddy in heben wif Jesus". We told him that Grandaddy's spirit had gone to heaven - and that we would see him again. While in Columbus, we also got to see Jonathan's Grandma Sarah - and also eat at her cafe' - Evelyn's Cafe'. Benjamin and I shared: meatloaf, creamed corn, turnips, and macaroni and cheese - along with corn shaped cornbread- a true southern meal!

Here we are at the Columbia Riverbanks Zoo! We went with friends to celebrate Benjamin's friend, Hayden's 3rd Birthday! Benjamin's favorite was the barn owl - and kept saying, "our house, our house?" - I had to tell him that the owl had to stay at the zoo! We loved watching the gorillas being fed, feeding the birds, giraffe, goats and seeing all of the amazing animals!

So... life will not be slowing down at the Owens's home... Jonathan and I will put in as much work as we can in the next 48 hours... and then Tuesday night - head down to the BEACH - St. George Island for some family time... and spring cleaning at the beach house! Now all Benjamin can talk about is swimming in the pool, going to the beach... and picking up shells.

Just a side note... the little potty is coming with us... because when at home - Benjamin is now almost exclusively using it... and not his diapers! YIPPEE - wouldn't that be great- no more diapers for a #2 birthday wish for MOM!

Columbus and Back!

Just to update everyone on the happenings of our life -- Jonathan went to meet with the dentist in Columbus, Georgia - whiched seemed to go really well. After things went so well - we decided to go to Columbus Saturday-Sunday (4/12,13)... where we were also able to visit Jonathan's grandfather, grandmother, and aunt, uncle and cousins. We are planning to go back and meet with this dentist and his wife TOGETHER in June! Jonathan is still a year away from graduating - but we'd love to have a plan in mind.

Jonathan's birthday was this past SUNDAY!! He is Now 28! Unfortunately... for the second year in a row, I have unsuccessfully made him a birthday cake that fell completely apart. This one didn't even come out of the pan... he was a pretty good sport about it all... and even said,

"at least we get to eat some before we go to church!" I did make waffles for breakfast - which happen to probably be one of his FAVORITE foods -- and of course CHICKEN for dinner! You'd never guess that he's worked for Chick-Fil-A ... for over 10 years (on and off!) - he still LOVES chicken - even orders it at seafood restaurants sometimes!

- Benjamin helping Jonathan open gifts -

Lastly - a bit of sad news - Jonathan's grandfather - Charles Eugene Owens, Sr. - passed away this past Monday morning (2am) - after finding out in February that he had brain cancer. We were fortunate to see him the weekend before - where we were able to talk with him, watch a little of a Braves game - and get hugs. A most touchy moment, then and still now, was Benjamin's sweet voice saying: "Yuv you Gandaddy" as we left - and Grandaddy's reply: "Love you too." Although it will only be a short seperation - he will be missed.

-This is Grandaddy holding Benjamin -and MeMaw and Grandaddy at Benjamin's blessing -

Jonathan's Uncle - Leo - also has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Liver Cancer. He has had 2 chemo treatments so far and is definitely in our thoughts and prayers. We are planning a family fast for this upcoming Sunday in his behalf.

And lastly - just a few cute pictures of Benjamin playing in his sandbox... he could play outside for hours ... and color the rest of the day!

-Sand in dump truck... and out!

Sand in castle bucket... and out!

All in a Days time!

The days seem to go so FAST -- filled with all the "go-go-go" of a 22 month old and a mom ... and on this day -a little dad too! We started off by going to the playground at Ft. Gordon - this is the best one we've been around to YET!! Slides, swings, and all kinds of things to run on!

Here is Benjamin with his friend Zaley sitting watching the horses and B. peaking through the slats on the playground ... he thought he was hiding!

Here is Benjamin and I on the slide... can you tell he wants to go again ...

not pose for a picture with Mom!

Then home for lunch and a nap - a 3 hour nap for Benjamin at that - and lots of work for me!

Jonathan was home from Chick-Fil-A a little after 1 - got the WHOLE yard mowed - and Benjamin was STILL asleep!

We then got a phone call to help put up the FIVE banners in Grovetown - that advertise the Grovetown Heritage Days Festival!! Benjamin was a TROOPER and was VERY obedient about sitting and helping... when there were lots of cars around I would say: "don't get up" - he'd repeat: "no get up, no get up" - over and over -- all for a promised "tweet tweet!"

So as for the Grovetown Heritage Days Festival...

Saturday, April 26th 2008

9am to 3pm

"Downtown Grovetown" - across from City Hall

I am sponsoring a BAKE SALE b00the as a FUND RAISER for our

children's park here in Grovetown... GOODALE PARK which is in desperate need of repair!

Anyone that wants to help out... please feel free and let me know!

So - signs put up, and when we returned all of the equipment etc, (including a 1950's WOODEN music box on loan to Benjamin for the evening) - Mrs. Rosa Lee OWENS (not relation though)- was standing at the door with a Lemon Meringue Pie -- so Benjamin got his TREAT!

Last but not least - a BATH, scriptures, prayers, and some bedtime stories with dad --

as you will see, don't forget your pillow when you come visit!

Caterpillars galore!

Yesterday we found that there were caterpillars EVERYwhere in our yard... so we finally found their nest in the woods in our backyard. Benjamin was in "awe" of it. We LOVE the "Hungry Caterpillar" book - so of course he kept saying that they needed to eat a nice green leaf! He also kept telling me that they were "sleeping" in the nest, because many of them weren't quite moving yet!

After our caterpillar find - we (Benjamin and I) decided to go for a walk in the woods down to the creek behind our house... and what to behold... the BEAVER dam! I will have to get pictures SOON! This is the most decorated beaver dam you've ever seen - I'm still trying to figure out if he put all the bottles and cans on his house himself - or mother nature :) We only saw him duck in the water twice - he was a good hider! He even had a FRESH branch on his house - with green leaves and all! I wasn't quite sure what all I would do having a BOY -- but just brings me back to my most memorable childhood days of catching tadpoles in our creek... which we did see a few of as well -- maybe we will collect some soon!

Lizards and ALL!

After an INCREDIBLE conference weekend - I have so much to share!

Hopefully this will be an enjoyable READ...

First of all for the many blessings in our (including and especially Benjamin's) life:

caterpillars to hold - airplanes that fly in the sky - lizards to hold - "profet Present Monsun" - walks - duck pond - the smell of spring - work bonus - deer eating acorns in the back yard - a weed puller helper - peanut butter, honey and jelly sandwiches on the back porch - lots of little people - trains and train tracks - school buses - tractors - the park - a sweet reminder: "mom prayers" - "Emple Square" scene on tv - ladybugs -family - "mom mom house" - sidewalk chalk - "tweet tweet" = treat, treat for eating all his dinner - jelly beans - daddy home at night - our memebership in the church - our Savior, Jesus Christ -

and a "yuv you mom, see ya mornin'" at night.

As you can see Benjamin has been such a joy. Jonathan and I are amazed daily by what he says and the things he does. Although he is ALL boy and gets into plenty of trouble - he is a very sweet child. Theses pictures are of Benjamin looking for OUR lizards. We have AT LEAST 2 that live on the back porch - maybe they should really be called camillion's ? - because they change color! We've caught one - and I let Benjamin hold it! I took a picture of the lizard because he was shedding. I told Benjamin we couldn't pet him, so he kept repeating: "no pet yizard..."

Other big news - Jonathan is on spring break this week - which isn't much of a break... but some fun for him! Monday he is going to visit with Dr. Narde's office and staff. We met him at a career fair and really liked him -- he is located in Columbus, GA. Jonathan is planning to go into general dentistry and we are just beginning to look at where he may practice! Tuesday he is playing in the Alumni Golf Tournament in North Georgia ... home Wednesday and then a few days work at Chick-Fil-A... and afternoons and evenings with US!

The weekend has been amazing - started off with a service project with a few friends making baby blankets to donate to the hospital - then two WONDERFUL days of General Conference -where we were able to sustain a new prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, as President Hinckley passed away in January. If anyone is interested in watching any of the conference, you can watch any session at: lds.org

Between sessions and into the evenings I was able to make some baby gifts for friends!

Last bit of news ... Benjamin and I are going to Utah for one last two-for-one airplane trip ...

May 27th through June 3rd ... just one day shy of his 2nd birthday. We are SO excited and can't wait to see friends and family in Utah and just BE in Utah... Hope everyone has a great week!

An Easter Celebration!

Well - Easter for the Owens home has been a MONTH long celebration! Benjamin has been sleeping with "silly rabbit" since we got him out of the box! We've been to three Easter egg hunts - the first of which, Benjamin couldn't figure out what was going on! By the third -- he was RUNNING!

Benjamin found another egg to add to his basket!

Lilli giving Benjamin a hug good-bye!

This was the third Easter Egg Hunt -- SOO many eggs - and by now, Benjamin had things DOWN pat, especially after I said, "run, run, run!"

Our family at Leitner Lake!

Monday we had an Easter FHE - where we sang - "Christ the Lord is Risen" (B. just helped me play the piano), talked to Benjamin about different pictures of Christ, and colored Easter eggs -- between Benjamin trying to drink the egg dye and his hands COVERED -- that was the fastest Egg dying I've ever done -- only 1 out of 6 cracked!

Today was Easter. We had a nice relaxing morning - playing with Benjamin's new LITTLE People, his FAVORITE toys and getting ready for dinner tonight before going to church at 12:30. My favorite part of church was Sharing time where Melissa (2nd counselor) - gave a beautiful lesson where the children opened eggs with things that symbolized different events of things that happened around the Crucifixion/Resurrection. I LOVED seeing the children and hearing them read from the scriptures.

Benjamin playing with his Mr. Potato Head and Little People!

We had Easter dinner with friends in our ward - you will see one of my FAVORITE pictures where - one of the kids that got done eating earlier than Brooks ... kindly gave him a chicken to enjoy with his dinner as well!

Is that a CHICKEN on your plate?

We hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Easter -- we have enjoyed celebrating and thinking of our Savior Jesus Christ a little more this week! We feel blessed to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and are excited for General Conference!!

Owens Easter Sunday!

Where have we BEEN!

Well things have been SO busy -- just as for everyone else I'm sure... but I started working full-time with Kroger again - for 2 reasons ... the FIRST being that I HAD to ... because Kroger re-aligned their Areas - now I have 2 areas (45 stores), whereas before I had 1 area and only 31 stores. I LOVE my job - and feel so blessed that I've been able to work from home - but ALL of my time when Benjamin's occupied (SLEEPING) - is taken up doing Kroger work. The timing was a huge BLESSING - because we need to go back on Kroger insurance - so perfect timing! Jonathan will work at Chick-Fil-A until the end of the semester but then he will be home to help out with Benjamin more while I'm working full-time!

Aside from working a LOT -- we all got a stomach bug - YUCK, Jonathan even stayed home from a dental conference to take care of us - he was better by then!

Here are a few of my favorite - RECENT pictures!

- in the tub -- Benjamin LOVES playing "toys" and Bubbles are always a plus!

Benjamin was helping me make cookies one night after dinner - but while they were baking, he had a BLAST hiding in the cabinet - and he actually FIT on the lower shelf, I just couldn't get a picture quick enough!

Lastly - a picture of Benjamin shaving with Jonathan one Sunday morning - BEE antennas and all - poor guy, it took us a few days to finally realize that the shaving cream was a LITTLE too strong - which he got a rash from... so Jonathan bought the Aloe sensitive skin shaving cream - so now they can shave together!

A Valentine's Night at the Circus!

So like EVERYONE else - we have been SO busy lately - but I wanted to get our blog a little up to date! We went to the Ringling Brothers Circus for Valentine's Day and had a WONDERFUL time as a family. The best part for me was watching Jonathan crack up over the French clown. Many of you may know that Jonathan served his mission in Montreal - so he knows French and thought the clown was hilarious. He would say everything in French and then repeat it in English ... he was pretty funny!

We got this QUICK picture of Benjamin wearing his nose - I think it pinched his nose so he didn't really want to wear it much!

This is Benjamin up on Jonathan shoulders before the show started so he could see the

pre-circus festivities!

Here are the acrobats -- WOW! We really liked the jugglers too!

Benjamin's favorite of the evening was getting this $9 snowcone -of course dad bought it for him ... and dad ended up drinking most of it! Now the elephant is a nice bath toy :)

And last but not least - here is one of the elephants -- sitting down!

Benjamin had a great time - even though the show didn't start until after his bedtime! What a lucky guy to have such fun parents! We can't wait until next time!

SkI tRiP!!

Well -- SORRY I am so behinded at updating everyone -- but things have been VERY busy! Jonathan and I were able to go on the Owens family ski trip to Utah this year! We skiied at Snowbird and Alta! Benjamin stayed with my parents and had a blast ... I still wonder if he missed us. The snow was AMAZING ... I personally would much rather ski in powder except your legs get so TIRED ... but falling is so light and fluffy! AND ... just for the record, Jonathan and I were on the winning team for the "ski competition!"

1. Jonathan and I at Snowbird!

2. Sarah, Me, and Lindsay getting ready to head down the slopes!

3. Jonathan took me down a black diamond -"CARBONATE" - only my career 2nd ... but it wasn't so bad BECAUSE there was so much powder ... I'm holding to 2 blacks ...

at least until next year!

4. so here is the gang (minus Lisa and Daniel who did get to ski Saturday afternoon with us!)

Eric, Justin, Jordan, Mathew, Lindsey, Gene, Paul, Sarah, Me, and Jonathan ... we will need MORE GIRLS for next year!!

5. Me and Laura Hobson at Cafe Rio ... a 100% all time favorite Restaurant of ours! We were able to visit the Hobsons and the Heidemans while we were in Utah ... but such SHORT visits, it was just not long enough!

The 4 day "vacation" was great - and as always, it was WONDERFUL to be in Utah. We were able to also attend the Provo Temple while we were there which holds a special place in my heart! My biggest "regret" ... was that I wasn't able to go to President Hinckley's funeral. Between only having one car ... and Jonathan not wanting me to stand in line by myself for hours in Salt Lake (although it's probably one of the safest places on earth!!) ... I went skiing instead. I have had the opportunity to watch the funeral since then ... but I just WANTED to be there. I LOVED skiing the day with Jonathan and family - but I still regret not being able to go

Maybe next time :)

I guess as President Hinckley says, "things will work out!"

The best part was being with family, seeing old friends, being in Utah - and most of all, a nice weekend just with Jonathan! We missed Benjamin and I couldn't get enough of him when we got home - but we had a BLAST!