Saturday and Sunday started early for Owen...he was still on some other clock and wanted to get up at 4:15a.m. (CO time), but we somehow convinced him to stay in bed until 5:00a.m. and then Roger was on duty to get up and play.

Gabriella slept quite well and slept a bit longer than Owen (minus the two times getting up)...the girls found some matching outfits (the hoodies added later) and were up for a few photogs. Not that they have any say in the matter!

We spent almost the entire day at A-Basin, taking turns skiing, hangin' out with the kids, chasin' birds (oh, wait. that was just owen), gettin' some sun, and havin' fun with each other.

Owen was lucky enough to spend some time with Julie and Todd on skiis on the "big mountain". He had so much fun; he giggled, said, "yippeee," and wanted to do it over and over again.

The chairlift was so much fun...he didn't want to get off. On Sunday, Todd taught him how to get the snow off his skiis by hitting them together. He's learning so much!

Gabby and Elodie were champs during the day...taking turns napping, eating, playing...overall, just being great girls. They will be friends...right? :-)

Roger was trying to make Gabby smile for the picture above...she just stared at him...and stared...the same look. She doesn't seem to be amused by the camera yet. If you're curious, we do see other expressions othr than this, but no on film...yet.

Owen's been chewing gum like crazy...even at 6:30 in the morning. Roger took this Sunday morning...I believe Owen was able to sleep until 5:30 a.m. Roger was on duty again (we made a deal that I would not wake him in the middle of the night if he would get up with Owen in the morning. Good deal??)

Quality time with everybody...

Pink and brown...Gramma Momma bought these fleece footy onsies so they could be "twinnies." We played dress-up, once again and played with the camera some more. They were happy to oblige...for awhile. :-) Thanks Gramma Momma!

Owe was so tired today. He's been a champ for two days without much of a schedule. We got to do some cuddle-time on the couch...Gabby joined us for a picture...

What a blessing to be here with my little family!

Our trip to Colorado began with preparation and lots of hope that things would go smoothly. A few things have changed since we traveled last so we had to be prepared. We got to the airport in time and had to go inside to check our one suitcase (one for 4 people!) and go through security. Picture this: Gabby sleeping in babybjorn, Owen on a "leash," Roger with a backpack, and me with the diaperbag. All went smoothly...except that Owen set off the security when he went through. So we took off belt, backpack, boots, ugh! We were the hold-up that usually makes you rage at "that person." oh well! The plane ride was great...DVD players rock and Gabby slept the whole time after eating on take-off. Owen didn't like the bouncy-bounce (turbulence) so he got scared...it didn't help that we were in the bathroom when it all started! I didn't even get my chance to pee! We landed and got bags, car, food, and peeed (sp?). All went great. So in short...Owen got to ride on a plane, train, bus, and "new" car--all in one day! What a trooper! We arrieved and introduced the cousins. Gabby is a little softer, but Elodie is a little louder. Perhaps age has everything to do with both! :-)
I can't get over Elodie's huge eyes and how she smiles so big with them.Julie and Elodie...they are in this position a lot.
Twice the fun!

Our first day we took a walk and Owen wanted to slide down the hill so he sat down at the top of Julie's driveway and tried pushing himself down...not working. We pulled out the sled and he had a great time! And I got a work-out!

It was fun, but the wind was a bit cold...just a good excuse to come in for hot cocoa!Julie called this bounce-wars and Owen oversaw that all was somewhat fair. Elodie keeps winning!

Owen is being such a good big cousin. He plays with and holds Elodie so gently. What fun!

In the stress of preparing for our trip to Colorado, we took some time to just "hang out." :-) I sat Gabby in the recliner and Owen just couldn't resist jumping up, rocking it, and cozy-ing up next to his little sister...She didn't mind. She kind of liked the big chair. :-) My children are not tall, but they are compact...full of goodness, laughter, and love! No pickin' on the tummies! We love every inch!
Owen wanted Gabby to jump on the trampline with him...she didn't do so well on the jumping part, but she let her brother hold her for a moment. She even rolled around on her belly with him...no photo of that one.

When Gabby took nap, Owen tried out his new headphones...
We needed to be ready for the plane ride! Two hours...gotta love technology!

My angel...she truly is precious and beautiful. It's so easy to see what everyone around me is "accomplishing" or dreaming to accomplish and ask, "what is my purpose in life?" Sometimes it is easy to doubt your purpose in life when all you do is chase, tackle, feed, clean, and train a two-year-old; feed, burp, and change a newborn; and try to keep up the laundry, dishes, and dirty floors (and then some...), but...as I've said before, being a mother is a calling. I do want to do so much with all the stages of my life. I look back and don't think I took advantage of each stage...I always was looking for what was next in my life. Perhaps it is time for me to slow down and peer at the present; indulge and love this time in my life. And...maybe I can get creative and take advantage of where I am...
Look at this face? I absolutely cannot get too busy looking ahead to miss a look like this. :-) My camera may not always be ready (like it was with Owen), but I will remember...
For now I need to stop...breathe...be ready for anything!

The Birthday celebrations continue! Rog invited a few of my closest friends to come join us out for an evening in Uptown at Chino Latinos...a great night-spot, good eats, and fun times...

An attempt at most of the gang...minus the ones taking the picture...
John came solo, but he just got engaged last week! Another wedding in our future! Yippee!

No words to describe these two...oh wait, fun! :-)

Jenn...what a sweetheart! She came to celebrate with me after a 12 hour shift in the ER. Thanks hon!

Kate and Jenn...and me smooshed! :-)

Mike and Julie! Thanks for coming out and sacrificing precious sleep...especially when you are trying to rack up on the sleep before the baby comes in May!

Kate and Aaron...such busy lives and also sacrificing sleep for me. Thanks for coming and I hope you had fun!

Teachers...can you tell? So fun...and you got to sleep in on Monday too so I know you are not hurting today!

I plan to keep celebrating so be ready to keep up with me! :-)

MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME...gramma enjoyed a minute with gabby...
owen enjoyed some cake...i blew out some candles! good times at gramma's!!!

This morning we went to Gleason's Gym. Owen loves "the pit!" Today he didn't get stuck and I didn't have to help him do too much. I love this picture because he actually looks like a "cheese head". A tribute to my Wisconsin family and fans!

Thank you, Julie Stella, for coming and being an extra set of hands, and thank you Wendy for bearing the cold and coming out with the boys! Owen had a blast!

More Birthday Celebrations...Jenn came over and played for a bit this week. I was so proud to get Owen to wear matching shirt and pants, but then he insisted on putting "superman" over the top. Then jenn showed him how to put purple beads on over his ears...goof balls! Obviously I also let my house go a bit during the day...Owen is quite the tornado!

Does she look like me???? When she's awake we try to have a little fun...it's still been three nights in a row of partying 'til midnight. :-)

Tonight we went to G=-ma Mimi's for dinner and cake. She asked to keep Gabriella for awhile. I guess a mother is always a mother...and holding a baby compares to nothing. Thanks Gramma for the dinner and Birthday wishes! We love you!

Pretty in Pink!I am sorry...please forgive me. I will try to take more pictures. My camera is not always handy, but this beauty was taken on my cell phone!

Precious little girl...trying to keep her eyes straight...

much of nap time was spent in this little bouncer that Owen passed down to his little sister...
Pretty little girl with her pretty pink blanket...

Then owen decided that he wanted to "take a nap" in the bouncer as well. He made me smile when he hopped up and ran to get his own blankie and bear. :-)

At least Owen sang Happy Birthday to me today...twice!

The Birthday week has begun! I shared a party with Papa Steve today....who, here, looks as happy as can be with little Gabby! Happy Birthday Steve!

I finally took the clippers to owen's hair...he is looking more and more like his daddy! I couldn't keep up with his thick mop so I cut it nice and short on the sides and back...couldn't say good-bye to the top! :-)
What do you think?
I think he likes it! :-)

For my first week home with my kids...I have been trying to keep it interesting and busy...It is quite the transition to be home...very different!

Monday we went to Rog's work and went out to lunch with "daddy." Tuesday we got all bundled up and pulled the sled around the yard (Owen's friends Caleb and Nathan couldn't come over because one of them got a cold...perhaps they'll come play next week!). Yesterday we went to the cousin's house and played...and played...and played.

Today we took a field trip to see baby Logan, Carrie's baby that is one week younger than Gabriella. They were so cute together...Owen was so excited to see baby Logan...

Gabby and Logan...sleeping and sucking, what a life!
Congratulations Carrie and Rob!

It's been two weeks and Owen has not asked when Gabriella was "going back." He seems to be adjusting well and continuing to have lots of fun. Thanks to everyone who pays plenty of attention to him before going ga-ga over Gabby. :-)
Gramma Momma and Auntie Emmy (not pictured) both took Owen swimming when they were here for an extended stay. What fun!

Still lots of love...he wants to hold and kiss her all the time. I had to convince him today that he could not pick her up out of the swing...that could have been disastrous!

When he's done holding her...he's done. We have to be there to "catch" her. :-) don't worry! he never is alone with her or holding her on his own...just don't tell him that! :-)
Roger has been wonderful to spend so much quality time with the little guy. One of their favorite things is to read books "on their bellies." My sister just had to take this picture.