Fresh Christmas Wreath

I’ve always wanted a fresh Christmas wreath, but never felt I could buy one because we always get a real Christmas tree, and they’re expensive enough. But I love wreaths and love that they can be made out of anything. A few months ago I went online to see if you could buy the wire circles like Lyle Dabb uses to make his wreaths. I found out that you could and that they were very inexpensive ($1.50 for 12). I only wanted one so I looked at my local craft store and found that they sold something similar. So when we picked out our Christmas tree the man trimmed it up for us and asked if I wanted to keep them trimmings. I made this wreath out of those trimmings plus a few clippings from a nearby tree to add some variety. I’ll make a wreath for anyone who will come and pick it up! Sometimes it’s nice to be poor. I had so much fun making it and I never would have made one myself if not for lack of money.

Owen's Sail Boat

This is my first blog post. Caroline made this beautiful cake for Owen's birthday. It even tasted better than it looked! I am so proud of my little 2 year old. He is so cute the way he can talk with us now with his cute little voice. Caroline and I are so blessed to have such a wonderful little son.

Thanksgiving

Here are a few pictures from Thanksgiving. I only took three pictures, all of Owen and Jeff sitting on the chair together watching Charlie Brown's Christmas. Thanksgiving evening Owen and I made chex mix together. He loves chex, pretzels, and peanuts so he was in snack heaven! The other picture is of Owen playing with his little people toys and a sneak peek of our Christmas Tree!

Our Terrific Two Year Old

After a crazy day we managed to celebrate Owen's second Birthday tonight. He was so excited to open presents and blow out the candels on his cake. He loved all his new toys especially his letters and the little people main street that I got at a garage sale. He stayed up until 10:00 playing with everything and then we still had to pull him away to put him to bed. Can't believe he's already two! He was so cute tonight. He blew out his candels about 5 times as we kept relighting them and then singing Happy Birthday again. Then he licked all the frosting off his cake and kept saying "I like it." He jabbered away while he played with the Main Street. His imagination has really grown. We wish everyone could have been here to enjoy it with us!

It's Never Enough

After spending almost 10 days with Mom and Laurissa you would think I would be satisfied and not missing my family, but I still do. I just love being with those people that I can call my family. Everyone always makes me feel so loved and important. It is so fun just to laugh together. I find that when I am with family I don't feel so tired, I can work easier, and enjoy life more fully. All year I think about the time I've spent with family. I think about what we did and what we talked about. It's amazing what an influence it has over me. I am so glad I have such wonderful parents who have always done what's best for me. And great siblings who are truly my best friends. Here are a few pictures that remind me how much I love being with my family. I realize I am terrible at taking pictures. I took only a handful of my trip up to Laurissa's and I realized I don't have one of Mom or Laurissa! I wish we all lived closer so that we could spend more time together. But for now I'll just have to cherish the time I do have and enjoy being here with Jeff and Owen. I don't know what I'd do without those two! I love and miss everyone! (Dad Mom Laurissa Greg Jon Kanien Brad Miriam Spencer Lizzy Kristin and all my nieces and nephews)

Fireman to the rescue

Approximately one week ago, after arriving at the Neuenschwander home, Fireman Owen found a neglected child in a cold corner of the home. He quickly went to work for he knew what had to be done. He changed into his uniform (good sign of a true professional) and ran through the house gathering the needed supplies: diaper, desitin, and wipes. He gently laid the baby down on the floor and prepared for the worst. He lifted up her bottom and uttered these most feared words "It's a big one!" He wiped her off from head to toe (reports are the baby had been sitting in a messy diaper for who knows how long). Then he applied the desitin although onlookers state that they didn't actually see Fireman Owen figure out how to unscrew the lid. But nonetheless the baby was clean and comfortable within a matter of minutes. Although changing diapers isn't directly in a fireman's line of duty, Fireman Owen feels firemen should help out in anyway they can seeing how so many people look up to them. The Neuenschwander community thanks Fireman Owen for saving a poor neglected child from discomfort.

Leaf Fun

I've always loved playing in the leaves. Owen finally caught on today and we had a blast. I'd build up the pile and he'd run through it. Here are a few pictures. I could only take so many because I lost our big compact flash card last time I went to get prints. Only a 256, but still I'm frustrated with myself. I loose a lot of things!

Cowboy

I was going to put this up a few days ago, but forgot. This is from our ward Halloween party. We forgot to bring our camera but our friends took a picture of Owen for us. He was seriousally the hit of the show. Everyone thought his costume was the best. This picture doesn't do justice, but it's cute.

Pulled this out of the pile..deserves showing off

I was looking for a new desktop background picture this morning and fell in love with this picture. Last year Owen was still our baby, but this year he is all little boy. Makes me miss the baby!

Thanks Jon for taking some cute family pictures of us!

Stitches

Here is our little guy with his stitches! Still happy as can be! Click on the image to enlarge! "Cheese!"

Owen

Owen is so much fun just to hang out with. A few days ago I was lying on the family room floor on a pillow that Owen had gone upstairs and gotten me. After returning with a pillow for himself he laid down and turned to me and said
"I need a book."
"You need a book?" I replied.
"Ya"
"Maybe you should go get one."
"yeahhhhh mommie" he said and then jumped up to get one.















Here are the little books that I love reading to him.

















The smile says it all!
I love little Owen! He is so much fun I can't imagine life without him.
Congratulations to Jon and Kanien who are just starting the adventure!

Ricketts Glen

This past weekend we took a camping trip up to Ricketts Glen State Park.
It is located about 2 1/2 hrs North East of Hershey. We failed to make reservations and when we called on Friday they said they only had 5 sites left! Luckily Jeff got off early and we got the second to last spot. It is a beautiful area and reminded us more of a mountain setting than anywhere we've yet visited.


Here is Owen and me making pancakes and sausage. Owen had
a lot of fun. He called the tent "a tunnel" the whole time and still refers
to it that way.

He loved playing with all the dirt and sticks,


and throwing rocks into the bottom of the waterfalls.
Jeff carried Owen the whole time!!!
Sometimes he was good and.....
well sometimes he was a little crazy.

We had such a great time and are glad we went in spite of all the work it takes to go camping. It was perfect weather-blue skies, cool temperatures, low humidity and the waterfalls were amazing!

Pony Ride

Here is my beautiful toddler having the time of his life on a pony. At first he was a bit hesitant but after a few minutes he kept trying to get the pony to go faster. After two rides on a small pony Jeff asked if he wanted to ride the big one. Owen replied with an emphatic "NO!" Maybe next time:)

Island Park and Yellowstone

Well I know I haven't posted since we've been in Utah. I just thought I'd put in a few of the cabin and Yellowstone. Jeff was able to go backpacking in Yellowstone for a few days with the rest of the family. Don't be fooled by the blue skies. It rained, hailed, and thundered most of the time. But being in backcountry Yellowstone is wonderful no matter what the weather. Here are some pictures of Colonnade Falls, and one of the vast meadows they hiked through. Jeff and Lizzy tied for catching the most fish, 7. Owen and I stayed at the cabin with Miriam. We did a few hikes but mostly relaxed. Couldn't help including such a cute picture of Kristin!

New Haircut, New Overalls

So many times I drive myself crazy trying to get a good picture of Owen. But today he was posing so cute! Here he is sporting his new haircut and his new overalls (only cost me $2 on the clearance rack at Wal-Mart! Long live tightwadry!)

Another Day at Hershey Park

We went to Hershey Park for family night last night. It was hot!

Hershey Park

Here are some great pictures of Owen on some kiddie rides at Hershey Park. He was still a little unsure at this point, but now loves the rides. He often says "shershey park" and tells me all about how he wants to go on the train.