Baby in a Bucket

I tried taking some candids of Owen playing outside but now he's smart enough to know that if he looks at me he's going to get his picture taken. Hmmm does that mean I take too many pictures? No way! Now he either doesn't look at me or he closes his eyes really tight and gives me this silly little grin. He's such a stinker. I turned the picture black and white to give it a little something since it doesn't show his cute little face.

4th of July Weekend

We had a fun filled 4th of July weekend! We borrowed my brother and sister-in-law's boat and slipped it in Muskegon where Kevin's parents have their boat. Kevin took the boat out there Thursday morning and Owen and I met up with him on Friday. Our plan was for all of us to sleep on the boat and come home on Sunday. I didn't know how we were going to get him to fall asleep on the boat with it being an unfamiliar place. Our plan was to tired him out :) Friday we took the boat out around Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan. Owen LOVED being on the boat! He had to be on daddy's lap in the drivers seat the entire time. The faster we went the sleepier Owen got.

After our boat ride we had our first attempt to put Owen to bed...that didn't last long. Then we loaded him in the carseat and took him for a long walk along the Muskegon Lake. That didn't put him to sleep either. So then I loaded him into my car and took him on a short little drive to the Muskegon Beach. The car ride always works. We then put Owen to bed on the boat. Friday night was quite chilly so after all that hard work we ended up packing up a few items and headed home to sleep where it's warmer.

We then went back to the boat on Saturday. We headed out on the Lake in the afternoon for another boat ride and ended up parking the boat in front of the Muskegon Summer Celebration. Third Eye Blind was playing that night so we could hear them as if we were at the concert. Owen's our little dancing machine. He was our entertainment on the boat with his dance moves. After the concert there were fireworks. I was surprised that Owen was still awake at that time considering it was about 10:30 or so. I didn't know how Owen would react to the fireworks. But he like them. He even did his own little oohs and ahhs. It was cute.

Owen getting ready to go for a boat ride

Owen wanted to take us for a little ride

Sunday I was planning on just staying home and relaxing but it ended up being the nicest day. So we headed back on the boat and spent the day with Kevin's parents and friends at the beach. It was a great weekend and Owen loved spending time with his Papa and Grandma Manthei.

Pentwater, MI

We enjoyed our mini-vacation in Pentwater. The weather was hot everyday...just how we like it to be! This was Owen's first time in Lake Michigan and it was hard to get him out. He had so much fun hanging out with all his cousins. I'm sure we'll take another trip up to Pentwater this summer but we always look forward to the big family vacation every June!

Outside Fun

Owen and I have fun outside today in our yard...running back and forth and picking up weeds.

February 2009

Happy 1st Birthday Owen!

Owen turned 1 on January 17th. This year has gone by so fast!

I bought this little crown and had to get at least one picture of him wearing it. He hated it being on his head so this isn't the greatest picture.

He loved his cake! We gave him a big slice of the cake with tons of frosting!

He figured out that he could eat more cake faster if he didn't use his hands.

He didn't even get down to the cake part...only the frosting.

Family shot before he got messy.

Owen on his new four-wheeler that get got as a gift from Kevin and I. He loves riding on it. He's started to figure out how to push the botton on his own to make it go.

Owen at One

(...or ten months considering he's a preemie and they don't fully catch up until the age of 2)

Weight: 20 lbs 10 oz.

Length: 28 1/2 in.

He can walk. Owen started to walk on his own on February 8, 2009

He loves to clap and wave at everyone whether you're coming or going.

Words: Mama, Dada, Bobba (bottle)

Teeth: He has three on the bottom and one on top

Merry Christmas

It's been a while since I posted new pictures on here. So now it's time to get caught up.

Owen on one of his new trucks

Cousins photo youngest to oldest: (Owen, Ella, Isaac, Nick, Lauren)

Owen's new favorite buddy: "Georgie"
He smiles and gets really excited every time he sees his monkey friend.


Christmas 2008 family photo