Pumpkin Patch

Since it's October, we had to hit up the local U-pick pumpkin patch.  It was a really cute place with a good selection of gourds, a straw maze, and even a little train to ride around the pumpkins.  Needless to say, Owen had a good time tromping through the patch, riding in the wagon, hopping on the train, and catching up with his pals Carson and Abigail.

Seriously....Already?

We were a little surprised when we started to get SNOW this morning.  I think the weather forecast missed this completely!  And it's been coming down in big, fluffy flakes for several hours now.  Hard to believe that we were sweating outside just a few days ago!!  Here's hoping that it melts very soon, so we can learn and do all of our "winterizing" before it really sticks.

We made it!

We survived our first weekend sans-Daddy.  No problemo!  It was a mini-trial for when he'll be gone for a whole week later this month.  How did we manage?


Playing with friends - Carson, Abigail, and Owen doing an "all fall down" (the best part of Ring Around the Rosies!)

Owen's first football game - The stands were packed for the cross-town high school rivalry game; we didn't stay long because it went on well past his bed time.  We wanted to ease him in to football games to see how he'd handle a full college game, since last fall he bawled every time the crowd cheered at practice.  Conclusion?  Cautiously optimistic!

Outdoor time - Not just any outdoors, hiking the Tetons with friends (Jacob, Brady, and their parents)!  It was a gorgeous day that started out clear and ended with just a few raindrops as we got back to the car.  Though it's mostly evergreens, there were some leaves changing color, especially in the undergrowth.  The hike wound around Jenny Lake and went up into a canyon to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point (an overlook of the lake).  Beware, lots of pictures ahead!


Cozy car ride to Grand Teton National Park w/ 3 adults and 2 car seats in an Outback 

String Lake trailhead - the boys liked to throw pebbles into the water

Group shot at the start of the hike

And not long after that...

Walking along Jenny Lake

Osprey in a nest near the lake - we could hear the babies chirping

Serene mountain path and stream

Hidden Falls - we let the boys run around here and they enjoyed their freedom!  All they need is some dirt, rocks, and/or sticks.

Over-the-shoulder shot of my backseat driver

Perilous hike to Inspiration Point overlooking Jenny Lake

Majestic mountains - you can see the storm clouds rolling in on our way out

Signs of Fall

We've had absolutely perfect weather for the last few weeks, but it's been getting cooler at night and darker earlier, so some of the trees are beginning to change.  I think fall is on the way!  I'm excited to experience a true autumn finally - apple and pumpkin picking, leaves changing, corn mazes...  These maple trees are at the entrance to our subdivision and just beautiful.  (Owen's on Daddy's shoulders, which is why he's sucking his thumb!)

Cuddlebug (just not at the office)

Today, Granna and Grandad headed back to Texas.  I think Owen is going through a phase where he is drawn to and prefers the male role models in his life.  He took to Grandad instantly and became his best bud/shadow over the course of their stay.  Notice the thumb-sucking whenever he was in Grandad's arms.  Lots of book reading and "gucks"!  We had a great time!

While the grandparents were in Yellowstone, we visited Daddy's workplace on Open House day.  I think Owen was interested in all the cords and cubbies for about 5 minutes.  Then he decided that running up and down and around the halls was more fun than the office.  He's perceptive, no?

Kindermusik

Last week, we tried out Kindermusik.  It's about 45 minutes of singing and dancing and stories.  With Owen always bopping to music, I couldn't imagine him not liking this class.  It took him a while to warm up, but once he realized that I wasn't dropping him off and he could be as goofy as he wanted to be, he was fine. 

Storytime - he liked this because the blanket had fringe!  Because of that, he sucked his thumb through most of the story.  (He's in the burgundy striped shirt.)

We played peek-a-boo with scarves.  He really liked this part!

Besides throwing his sticks and running out the door (there was a playground visible at the end of the hallway), he did pretty well.  I think we'll see if he's got some musical talent by the end of the year.  :)

21 months

Just a quick note to celebrate 1.75 years with Owen!  It's been more and more fun.  


New words include:
"key", "shish" - fish, "shoos" - juice, "bak" - bike, "eh-he-he" - horse, "bawk" - all birds (complete with wing motion), "at" - cat


New activities include:

• closing his bedroom door with a "buh-bye" and wave, opening it, and repeating
• crashing cars together and going "bpssh" (crash sound)
• sneaking his lovey pillow out of his crib and dragging it around everywhere until it's secreted away again
• watching his shadow move as he wiggles around
• flipping upside down over legs propped up on ottomans

This week, Granna and Grandad are staying with us, so here are some highlights so far.  The flipping I mentioned.  He loves to be upside down.

At the end of the zoo.  He was not in the mood to sit still, so this was the best we could get!

He wasn't feeling well today, so we let him carry his lovey around for a while.  He stayed on Grandad's lap for a long time (for him).