Childhood

Wrigley

First day of cold and already I long for summer, so here's a look back.

There's no other place like Wrigley Field. Summer personified. Next year is THE year............

It's root, root, root for the Cubbies.

You say it's your birthday....

Chillin' in the little moon bounce

The much heralded "4 year old bike"

Last week's party at preschool

Grandma Owens and ML

Some of the rowdy crew who were in attendance

Suffice to say JR's Cowboy birthday party was great fun. Many thanks to all who know and love us and made it such a great afternoon. What great memories we have to cherish!

As a side note - we are getting a TON of wear out of this cowboy costume. It's our new favorite thing!

Two wild and crazy guys

Doug and Rob

Loving the Popcorn Ball

One of my favorite shots ever.....

Family Photo - a witch, a cowboy, a horse, and Rob - as himself

We were lucky enough to be placed in the most awesome C group ever. Doug and Shannon, as members of that group, have blessed our lives in so many ways. In addition to all the other things they do so well, they sure know how to throw one awesome Fall Festival!

They were kind enough to open up their home and their humongeous property to one and all this past Saturday night. We all had a great time getting dressed up, picking pumpkins and going on hay rides.

It's like this and like that and like this uh huh....

Thanks for this pic Michelle!

Retro R and JR - Easter 2006

Oh what a weekend. So much to post so little time. I suppose chronological order would be best so we'll start with Miss R's fabulous 4th birthday. (Technically, we should start with JR's second to last soccer game, but I failed to capture it on film, so we'll start with the party.) We've known R since she and JR were in utero. They go to school together and R's mom is really my hero. I've never known a woman more dedicated to making the world a better place - one neighborhood at at time.

I have to make 2 lunches now. More to come........

Oh The Places He Will Go....

I'm two days late, but I'd like to go on record as saying - I am so glad that Parker is finally here! Welcome to the world Parker M. You are precious!

Many pictures to follow.....

Buddies

JR and Big D

Every once in a while, JR will say to me, "Mommy, I need more friends." And I'll reply, "You need more friends?" And JR says, "Yes. My only best friends are E, D, JM, R, AM, P, JL, and L."

If you'll notice that's eight best friends. Wow. I guess if he was just naming off the kids in his preschool class, I would think that we needed to expand his friendship world a little, but since he is naming friends from just about every aspect of his life, we usually end the conversation by reminding ourselves how lucky we are to have eight best friends and how thankful we are that God has placed them in our lives.

Big D, pictured above is one such best friend. He & his mom and dad were some of the biggest reasons we were so sad to leave the little house on D.T. Circle. It was hard to give up living just down the street from the B. Family! Big D's parents are some of the kindest, most generous people we know. So it was no surprise when they invited us over for dinner tonight.

We count Bob & Susan as some of our dearest friends and tonight Rob & I are also reminded how blessed we are to have so many wonderful friends.

Pumpkin Pickin'

On the Tractor

Corn Crazy!

In the Field

Here piggy, piggy.....

Peek a Boo!

Today was the annual visit to the Pumpkin Patch. I think the corn crib and the petting zoo were the biggest hits.

I'll post some video of ML "patting" the bunny rabbits later. Why? Not just because it's cute and funny, but also because I am determined to persevere and figure out how to post video properly. Carrie T., you are my video to blog posting hero!

Confessions of a Soccer Mom

Okay, this isn't going to work the way I want it to - but here's the link to JR's first soccer game. Making me an official soccer mom (yak! .... like the mini van wasn't enough!) Now I find myself saying things like, "Do you have your cleats on?" and "Is it our turn to bring snacks?"
Who knew? Everything I ever wanted and a mini van too.

On a side note, this video shows off my vast knowledge of sports rules. Evidently, there is no "off sides" in soccer. Just in case you're ever asked. (Kristy L. McKinney will just die of laughter, I'm sure :-)



http://youtube.com/watch?v=zukLTn4J4c0

Cutie Pie

And for my first post......