Conference visitors

My dad has an awesome tradition that he has done with all of the kids 12 and older.  The conference after they turn 12, he brings them up to Salt Lake to enjoy conference in person and whatever else they can cram into their weekend.  They usually stay with our cousins in Alpine, but now that we are living here we get them!

It was so fun to have my dad & Grant here for 5 days.  Owen & I joined them on tours of Welfare Square & LDS Humanitarian Center one day, and let me just say wow!  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is absolutely amazing in its organization and ability to reach those in need anywhere in the world.

 Grant in front of the thousands of pounds of clothing that were being prepared to send off throughout the world.

It is hard to see in this picture, but there is a red pin in each country that the LDS church has provided assistance to.  It includes just about every country in the world.  In countries that the church is not welcome, aid is sent through the American Red Cross to ensure that it still gets there.

Sleepy Owen after a long day of tours!

 Playing with Grandpa Urry... all of my cousins & siblings should know exactly what they are doing!

We wrapped up the weekend with a big family dinner.  Brad's cousin was visiting from Hawaii and we got to meet his little boy, Nalu, who is about 6 weeks older than Owen.

7 months!

One month older already?!  Everyone always told me 'They grow so fast' and 'They are only so little for so long', but you don't know quite understand what they mean until you are experiencing it.

 7 months old

Too many flashes... let's try again 

That's better

Love those baby blues.  I hope they stay!

 Not the best quality picture, but I had to document Owen's first baseball game. 

 Owen is so funny... just recently whenever we pull out the camera, he whips out a smile.  Doesn't matter if he is in the middle of crying, super tired or whatever.   Once he sees the camera he is all smiles!

BYU Cougars... Q&A

Hey Owen, how do you think BYU will do tonight in their big game?

'Hmm... good question.'

 'Let me think about it.'

'I'm feeling a win!' 

Come on Cougars, don't let your youngest fan down!

6 months!

My baby is now 6 months old.  I know I say it each month, but how is that even possible?!

His 6 month stats are:

Weight= 18 lb, 5 oz  64%
Length= 28 1/4 in     94%
Head= 17 3/4 in        83%

I know 1st year stats aren't necessarily indicative of growth later in life... but who knows-- just maybe Owen will have some height in him!

Owen is such an awesome little boy.  I don't know how we got so lucky to have him in our family, but I am surely blessed to be his mom.  Maybe this is making up for all the tears I shed when starting our family took so long.

Owen is an eater.  He loves all food and we haven't found anything he won't eat.  He is enjoying all of the new fruits and vegetables we give him, but he especially loves the table food we sneak to him here and there.  Unfortunately, he has had a few reactions to certain things so we have to be really careful to what he tries.  He still sleeps like a champ.  Two naps during the day, each 1 1/2-2 hours long, and then sleeping for 12 hours at night.  It is wonderful.  He is enjoying the newfound freedom of rolling around and is starting to figure out all the fun toys we always give to him.  No teeth or words yet, but I have a feeling it is right around the corner!

6 months old 

Owen definitely does not like to be constrained or held in our laps.  He has to be moving.  Playing on the floor is his most favorite thing right now.

This is what your face looks like after you roll around in your spit up

Playing with dad 

Obviously, 'Super Owen' was surprised to see me 

 Grandma Susie came over for a bit to hang with us one rainy Saturday

Sunny San Diego!

At the beginning of February (I know, I'm way behind) we took a little getaway to San Diego.  It came at the perfect time-- Utah was in the teens when we left, and San Diego was in the 70's.  Brad was only able to stay for a few days, then Owen and I got to stay and play for another week.  It was a much needed vacation and I know my family loved seeing us Owen.  :)

 On the first afternoon Brad and I took a drive out to Julian-- just the two of us!  The rest of the family had a great time entertaining Owen while we were gone.  We walked around for a short time (too windy) and then had lunch at the Miner's Diner.  It was a fun afternoon.

When we got back we let Owen experience his first swing, and he loved it!  This was quickly followed by his first taste of an orange, also a hit!  We were spoiled with fresh squeezed orange juice & fresh avocados all trip.  Heaven, I tell you!

 The next day we ventured out to La Jolla Shores.  You would have thought we were staying for a few days instead of just a few hours by how much stuff we brought with us.  Babies have so much stuff!

 First order of business was sunscreen.  Poor Owen inherited his momma's fair skin. 

Next order of business, lunch!

And finally time to test out the water.  Too cold for Owen's liking (proof is on the video camera) but he did love the sand in his toes (and in just about everything else too: fingers, ears, diaper...)

By that time Owen was pooped, so he napped for a bit and then we called it a day.   

 The rest of the trip was filled playing with family, visiting friends and shopping...plenty of shopping!We got to visit our good friends the Andrews and they treated us to a delicious fondue dinner.  After dinner Owen treated us to a full out screaming fit.  Fun! :)

 Owen got to meet his Great Grandma & Gpa Urry.  We were glad we got to see them, even for a short visit, while we were there.

 We took a fun hike to a waterfall near Lake Hodges.  Poor Grant broke out with poison oak about 2 weeks later.  It was Brad's fault Grant!! :)

 

Lunch date with my dad & Taryn 

 

 Dress up time with Taryn.   This is what it would be like if you had an older sister, Owen.   Be grateful!

Baseball with the boys.  Much more exciting for Brad than the "invisible" baseball of yester-year.

Just writing this post makes me want to jump on a plane and head back.  We had a great time & miss everyone already!

5 months!

Owen turned 5 months while we were in San Diego.  Not a shabby way to celebrate being 42% of a year old!

He looks less like a baby and more like a little boy each day.  Stop growing so fast Owen!