My 2 year old boy

Owen is no longer "almost twoooo," like he continues to tell everyone. Our little guy had his second birthday this week and both Brett and I got real emotional just thinking about how fast he has grown, and how we want this time in our lives to slow down a bit. Wishful thinking.

Owen is such a sweet boy, he has no meaness in him and tries really hard to be my helper. He loves eggies,toast and juice for breakfast and a bowl of chicken noodle soup or a sandwich with ham tomatoes and cheese would be his preferred lunch. Now if you happen to ask the little guy what he would like to eat most likely he'll tell you "I don't knoooow" followed by what he actually would like to eat. The I don't know response has been around for a few months now, its cute but a bit frustrating. We have a pretty set routine for our week and when we get out of sync he can tell. Mondays, Tuesdays with his Daddy, they are two peas in a pod and while a whole lot of clean up clean up doesn't happen my boys ALWAYS have a great time together. Wednesdays and Thursday mornings with me. He likes to go to Target with me and have a little popcorn:) can't beat the $1.50! And Thursday mornings are story time with Ms. Jamie. Owen has been going since he was 6 months old and knows all the songs and can't wait for his stamp. While my work schedule changes weekly friday are always a toss up but thanks to family helping out Owen always has someone to watch and play with him. He would have a basketball, football soccer ball, footy, golf ball, raquetball and a baseball with him at all times if possible. He would race just about anyone with a " mark set GOOOOOOO" and " I run fasttt mama dat way."

While at the park a few days ago the weather made a turn for the worst and Owen and Brett left a bit too soon for Owen. So Brett took him to burger king and a whole new world of fun was opened up. He loved the indoor playground but needed a good scrubbing afterward. I am making a list of all the silly things he says, and new ones come up daily. Tonight he yelled down the hall to me ---"tome on mama, prayers and night night now!" He loves to sing songs and dance. He will sing I love to see the temple, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam and I am a Child of God all before closing his eyes and while in the car he tells me to " turn musik on mama loud!"We are planning to go to disneyland in a few weeks for his birthday and if asked he will tell you whom he would like to see while there---Woody/buzzz( all one word), Mickey Mouse, and Pooh bear. I am so glad, I think seeing all of these characters is do-able.

We love our Owen sooo much and I am greateful for the blessing he is in our lives and the lives of so many others. He truly is my sunshine boy!

Tahoe weekend

I was lucky enough to spend a spectacular weekend with my sisters. Kelly was the hostess of impeccable class and generosity. The weekend was full of laughs, good food, beautiful surrounding and the best company. I somehow forgot my camera ---again! But not to worry I found a few pictures to document the memorable time. We Coons sisters know how to get the party started--be jealous, it was awesome

A morning at Walmart.....

A few weeks ago I signed Brett and I up to volunteer at the Blind Center for a morning shopping outing. It is part of the Give a Day Get a Day Program through Disney. I was a little nervous to go, not knowing exactly what we would be doing and not having a whole lot of experience with the visually impaired. Owen came with us as well, I had called ahead to make arrangement for him but was told not to worry and if both Brett and I would be there everything would be fine. SO Owen and I got up early so when Brett came home from work we could head down to the center. We arrived to find a bunch of volunteers waiting and a room full of eager shoppers. Owen was so patient and talked to all. Telling them about his "bans"shoes(vans) w/ dinosaurs and his jacket zipper. After filling out a bunch of paper work and having a litte mix up about whether or not Owen would make things more difficult , we got our assignments and headed to the Walmart. The buses were parked and about 8 volunteers paired off with these sweet people. The three of us got to help a sweet little lady named Christina. She had just a few things to purchase and a coupon for her toothpaste. She is 20 years old and lives with her mom and grandma, and her grandma's boyfriend Larry. Her week consists going to the center Tuesday, wednesday and Thursday where she has her two best friends Robin and Dan with her. As we walked through Walmart with her I just about lost it and started to cry. This sweet little girl was so happy and talked and talked and said hello to everyone. She also told us " Its allll good" about 25 times, Brett and I loved it and Owen was so entertained. She held his hand and he sang to her. We talked about birthdays and hemogoblin(Christina and Brett had long conversation about how oxygen and our lungs work) and babies ,exercise, food and Las Vegas. Christina is a little angel. She wanted to get her mom a valentine, so Brett found her one that sang a song and she could record a little message to her mom. We helped her to that and once again the tears came. I think I scared her because she kept asking " so how are you doing" After getting all the items she needed we headed to the front of the store , where we got to meet Robin and Dan, who were as sweet as every .We packed up her things and she headed back to the center for a little chicken burrito and bowling. Owen was trying so hard through out the whole visit to get eye contact, he is very concerned when he can't see your eyes looking back at him, I was so thankful Christina would let him hold her hand instead. Owen asked for Christina tonight when I changed him, I know he enjoyed today as well. I was moved by the cheerfulness of all those special people. They love each other and watch out for one another. It is a beautiful thing. I wish I had their ability to love so unconditionally and to be completely focused on the internal beauty. I am determined to return to this lovely place and spend more time with them , they have changed me for the better and I am grateful to them. It was a beautiful morning!


PS no people of walmart were spotted this trip hopefully next time:)

Photos

I don't like to post with out a few pictures so I am over loading you with a bunch!




Owen's first memorable experience with sledding at Lee Canyon. We got there early and had the entire meadow to oursleves. Well other than a Dad and his two kids riding down the hill in a plastic kiddie pool--Desert rats for you!Owen loved it and kept his hat and gloves on the whole time, it was a cold one. He was fearless and wanted to go with his daddy down a big hill. Here he is heading up the hill with Brett and Cameron





Owen loved the tubes and would just lay on a tube until someone would either pull him around in it or head up the hill for another WEEEEEEEEE!!




He was so silly and would not smile the entire time there. Maybe he was frozen? Uncle Tommy and Ethan came with us much to Owen's delight. He asked for tommy all day long. We love Tommy, he is the best with my Owen!


Cameron got leave from Afghanistan for two weeks and surprised us all on Sunday the 27th. We were all happy to have him home for a bit. We are very grateful for his service in the military and hope to have him return again safely. Cameron has always asked when Owen would be big enough to play with and now he is.They were silly together and Owen is lucky to have so many great uncle that love him!

2010 bring it on.......

Happy New Year! I am looking forward to this year and all the excitement new goals and a new start bring. Christmas and New Years were a happy time for us. Brett made it through both holidays with minimal sleep and overtime hours and I was fortunate enough to have some time off work to get our new place organized and just be with Owen. I was sicky sick and so our picture count is pretty sparse. Owen was so overwhelmed with gratitude on Christmas morning he would randomly say "TANK YOU SANTA" as loud as he could to make sure the jolly fellow heard him.He is a sweet little man and I am happy he is learning his manners. I am going to make more of an effort to post even the silly things, so that I don't forget...Here's to resolution #17!!!
ps Owen had a good day at nursery all things considering; his accident leaving his pants unwearable, having his best friend "Jensen" back only to find she is going to be released, and then to top it off, going back to nursery pant-less and shoe-less despite my pleas to go home, he was determined and I am impressed. What a day
Brett is off to Denver to test for their Fire Department. We are praying for the best

The Smell of Christmas

The last two weeks Owen has had two run-ins with Santa, neither of which were very successful, the last was at the Venetian/Palazzo Christmas Party for the kids. It was actually really well done, with bouncy slides, carnival games, and a ton of food. Part of the festivities were to go and see Santa and get a 5 by 7 photo with him. Owen kicked and yelled soon as we headed towards the Jolly old man. I managed to get Owen to sit on my lap next to Santa for the photo, not smiling, but not crying. The first encounter was with Grandma at her Primary Christmas Party. As you can see Owen refused to sit with Santa, and cried histerically. I don't know what it is about Santa but Owen just wouldnt go to him. Owen talks about him all the time and knows that Santa is bringing him presents. I thought after seeing him love all of the characters at Disney Land that he would just be thrilled with Santa this year...nope.

Owen finally calmed down enough to take his Candy Cane and bag of M&M's, he walked away and with a quick look back said to Santa with his eyes "I respect what you do, I just dont like you."

So last night when we were getting ready to make our annual trip to the Magical Forest, I asked Owen if he was ready to go see Santa? Owen with shoes in hand said "no" and ran to put his shoes way. If that was where we were going, he didn't want any of it. I had to tell Owen about the train, the Carousel, and all the lights, before convincing him it would be okay.

I have to say I love the Magical Forest, what I love most is the smell. I think its the funnel cake mixed with popcorn, mixed with hot chocolate, mixed with the cold brisk air. It brings back so many memories for me volunteering at the Magical Forest. There were many a Christmas Seasons that Chad and I spent almost everynight that they were open going there and dressing up in their animal costumes and running around all night.

I also do have to say that I like the old Magical Forest better, back when the trail was made with bails of hay, there was no inside food court, all of the singers were outside, the train path changed every year, there was no gift shop, it was a group little cottage houses that you bought all of your goodies and snacks from.

Where ever you are and whatever your doing, we hope you are having a very Merry Christmas!

All hallos eve

My parents are home:) I missed them and so did Owen. They came home just in time for Halloween and boy oh boy their neighborhood never lets you down. Neighbors decorate their lawns, court yards and give out yummy candy--king size! Owen was Woody(Shelley made an awesome costume) from Toy Story and Brett & I stayed with that theme, me--Little bo Peep,Brett--green army man. Seems to always happen we are on the off years when it comes to dressing up, last year we didn't and everyone did(including M&D)and this year we were the lone couple --oh well. We got to go Trick or treatin with the cousins(Owen refers to Mitch & Ethan as "my boys") and my sweet boy understood to say trick or trea and thank you! Highlights of the evening include:
Owen & Bosty yelling "let's go" to J&T and D as they discuss apertures and film speed
D wearing his ear muffs and getting a lil Almond joy for himself
the little asian kids not wearing costumes and trick or treatin before its dark out, O having a bite from everyone's candy stash
M telling me that "That's just the type of dress you should wear all the time"
E discussing what he would like to be next year
B thinking everyone and everything is " a little scary and not sill magic",and of course D&J having Thriller playing in the courtyard with the smoking fountain, so awesome! Yipeeee for the Holiday season here at last!

Owen rode a horse and the ferris wheel at the pumpkin patch, he was super excited about both and his facial expressions were priceless

I'm walking on sunshine waoooooo.......

Owen laughs at anything Jalen says!


Owen loves to go on walks, he loves to run, walk, climb and jump at any given chance. Soon after waking up each day he will ask for his shoes (usually his cowboy boots like today), find my shoes and head toward the door for a stroll. Today was a lovely day for a walk, sunny, light breeze and just a few clouds in the sky. He asked for his bike and ball and we headed out to find some grass because our complex management decided to tear up about 90% of all the grass:( Our sweet little neighbor Jalen joined us on our walk much to Owen's delight. Jalen is a stud, and so kind. Last Christmas he left a note on our door that would have made just about anyone cry. He wished us a Happy Christmas and that he reminded Santa to leave baby owen a toy. He and Owen played and laughed for almost 2 1/2 hours. It was very sweet and made my whole day. There is something about just being outside in the sunshine, it lightens your whole spirit and makes me think of all the wonderful blessings I have in my life. It was good day

Tubies

Owen is a champ. He had his surgery today and was nothing short of an angel for pretty much the whole day. We woke up super early gave him a quick bath and headed to the surgery center. Brett and I had explained the whole process to him many times but how much of a bilateral myringotomy with tympanostomy tubes does a 18 month old understand, all he needed to know was we would be there with him. We were with him during all the pre-op monitoring and he met his anesthesiologist Dr Brookshire and Dr Yu, his ENT, came him to talk with us as well. Dr Yu is such a good doctor, kind informative, thorough and who doesn't automatically like a Dr with a fanny pac on? When Owen was all set to go he hopped into the little red wagon waiting for him and they wheeled him off. His eyes got really big as he turned the corner and he couldn't see us waving anymore, we could hear him crying and I almost started crying but held it together. The whole procedure was super fast and Dr Yu came out to explain post op prescriptions and let us know how things went. Owen was still sleeping and as soon as he woke up we got to go back to see him. He was restless and cranky and needed some juice but after he got his juice we rocked in the rocking chair for a while untill he was released to go. All in all we had a good experience and are hopeful this coming winter will be kind to his little ears. Thank you to all for your love & concern, we truly appreciate it.

( He really liked his id bracelet and wanted to show me over and over, so I took a picture, and he loves his daddy's fireman helmet and told me CHEESSSE CHEEESSSE until I got the camera out, such a little ham, I love it!)

Loafers?

This morning Owen chose his own shoesies.......and wore them to story time, where he got two compliments on his fine choice of footwear

My little yogi

Owen has his own yoga mat and prefers to practice his sun salutations in his diaper with two binkies. He has his exhalted warrior pose with Rodney Yee down!

Today went by so quickly, before I had a chance to breathe it was already 630 and my Owen was asking for a "BITEEE",(aka a meal, snack or whatever you may have in your hand) I got a good majority of my errands done and we stayed quiet enough for Brett to sleep. He has a tough Friday-Saturday schedule.I work every other Friday now and so Brett has Owen bright and early Friday morning as he walks in from work and I leave for work, his brother and mom help out a ton but I know he is sleep deprived. SO when I get home Friday night Brett gets a little nap and then heads off to work again and on Saturday mornings goes from work to a 6 hour long class. He is training with full gear and a breathing apparatus that I know weighs at least 40 lbs+, in the lovely hot LV weather and today after his first class he brought home all that gear. Owen loves it, I am still trying to find a place for it, under the table perhaps? I am in amazement at his ability to keep going with a smile, he showed me how the gear works and how quickly he has to learn to put everything on(under 2minutes) and I got a little emotional about it. I guess I hadn't really thought the whole "my husband is a fireman" all the way through. I know this is what he wants to do and to see his excitement and enthusiasm today I have to be his support, he deserves it and I love him. So as long as my days may be I know they are never going to be as long as his are and I am tough and I can handle this will be good for me. The First Presdiency message this month in the Liahona is just wonderful, here's a little something to think about:

As you live up to this mission, in whatever life circumstance you find yourself—as a wife, as a mother, as a single mother, as a divorced woman, as a widowed or a single woman—the Lord our God will open up responsibilities and blessings far beyond your ability to imagine. May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you. But don’t reach beyond your capacity. Don’t set goals beyond your capacity to achieve. Don’t feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure. Don’t compare yourself with others. Do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest. Have faith and confidence in Him, and you will see miracles happen in your life and the lives of your loved ones. The virtue of your own life will be a light to those who sit in darkness, because you are a living witness of the fulness of the gospel (see D&C 45:28). Wherever you have been planted on this beautiful but often troubled earth of ours, you can be the one to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (D&C 81:5).

Bring on Monday!

Fridays

I love Fridays. I never mind working on Fridays for some reason and after this week I am just happy to be working at all. Brett started school this week and we are going to seriously be playing tag during this semester. Between my new schedule and his work and school load I will be able to see him for about an hour during the week and a few more on his day off Yipeeee I have learned some hard lessons this week and I feel more watched over than ever before as a little family. I am thankful for my faith and ever optomistic husband not to mention this little guy who just loves his mamas' shoes! check out those thighs :)