Snow snow just look at the snow

When Owen woke from his nap, he was quite delighted and amazed that the ground turned white while he was sleeping. We quickly ate a few bites of string cheese and crackers, then bundled up and went outside.
Owen felt he needed string cheese (his right hand) and a Nerf dart (in his left hand) to explore. He ate the cheese within minutes, but held onto the Nerf dart for almost the entire 30 minutes we were outside. He only put it down to exchange it for a pine cone. No more string cheese, meant he could hold a stick. It looks like I posed him for this photo... but he sat down all by himself and flashed this grin. Shortly after the picture, I put on his mittens.

Tasting snow with his tongue. (Nerf dart still in left hand.)
We walked all over the neighborhood, to the mail boxes, in and out of yards that weren't ours. After I was quite cold, I gave Owen a few more minutes. When his nose was one shade less than purple, we went inside. He cried for a few seconds, then he was fine. He sure does like being cold!

Now he's looking out the window saying, "no... no" (that's snow for those who need an Owen translator!)

19 months

My little man is 19 months old today... sweet sweet little boy!

Elmo and Dress Up.

This afternoon, Jill, Doug and Kate came down to Salem to continue Christmas celebrations. At lunch time, Owen was done eating when the rest of us were ready to eat. We found him in Dad's chair, "reading" dad's book. It was very, very cute.
Even cuter when we added Elmo to the scene. In the afternoon, while Doug, Jill and I were playing a game, I heard my mom coming down the stairs. I looked up to see mom with Elmo.Owen thought it was very funny to be Elmo... though it was a little hot. He took this opportunity to "borrow" Kate's baby doll.

They all disappeared upstairs again, but this time Owen came down in skeleton form. Along with the accessories of a necklace and tiara. Kate was dolled up too. A cute cousin picture: Bones and a Princess.
The Friedler Family drove back home. It's always nice to be home. We plan on going back to Salem in the morning. It's always fun to spend time with family... especially around Christmas time!

Christmas Day

After working Christmas Eve, I came home and snagged a quick nap. When I woke, we celebrated Christmas at home before hitting the road to Salem to continue the celebration with my parents. Owen got an echoing microphone. I don't know who liked it more, Owen or Lucas. (or myself).

Hiding and singing.

He also got a few books...

Lucas' favorite: "The Gas we Pass" (a sequel to "Everybody Poops", which we got for Hanukkah)Then we went to Salem, and had a wonderful day. Owen helped everyone open their presents.
He also had a great time finding "toys" that weren't toys...
But then he opened his toys, and found them much more fun! Here he is with a helicopter.

With his first truck: Chuck the Truck.
A cute Christmas stool with his name on it.

And and alphabet board... which you can play with you hands AND your feet!

We had a great day. Watched a fabulous movie: UP. When it was late enough for mom and I to go to bed, dad and Lucas stayed up and watched Star Wars. I think we all had a great time.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, while I was working... Owen and Lucas went over to his parents for some Chinese food with Amy. A sweet kiss... Owen checking out the glasses look. I think he pulls them off quite nicely.

Bob was on patrol that night, but was able to stop by to see Owen. Owen even got to sit in the front of the police car. I think it's very cute, but a little concerning how close he is to the big-ass gun!

At least he's in the front seat, not the criminal back seat!

On the 23rd, Bob and Amy watched Owen while I went to work... Bob took Owen on a "nature hike" in the front. Owen found rocks, bark and leaves... I took a few pictures and Owen caught me. He just looked at me and said, "go". Usually I get a "bye-bye"... but that night it was a "go." I hope he meant: "Go, have a great night at work, I'll miss you and see you in the morning." But what I think he really meant was: "Go, get out of here... me and Bob-Bob are having a great time... no moms allowed." At least he was having a fun time!

Elmo

For Hanukkah, Owen got an Elmo ('momo') that sings the alphabet. He loves it. We love his face when he hugs him and dances with him. He will also roll on the floor with him...

Just a cute picture of Owen... just look at those eyes.

And... just a cute picture of me and Owen.

Grandma's house

Yesterday, Owen and I went to Salem for my mom and my annual Christmas Cookie Making Marathon (or CCMM for short). Even with our "little helper" we got fudge, peanut butter balls, mounds balls, Russian tea cakes, and Ritz cookies made. It was a very successful bake off.

Mom had strategically placed toys around the house for Owen to find and enjoy... and of course Owen found great toys in things that weren't toys too... like empty boxes and plastic spoons.

Here, Owen is playing with a singing dog. He learned how to turn it on and off. All by the push of an ear. Dancing to the music with his plastic baster.

I forgot a sippy cup for Owen. (I'll blame pregnancy) So, we gave Owen a water bottle. After surviving near drowning a few times, he learned how to sip slowly. But ,he learned that if he shook the bottle, water would go EVERYWHERE! That was a lot more fun than just drinking water. He also would "share" his water with various snowmen, penguins and other toys. Such a sweet boy.

Towards the end of the day, Owen was getting a little tired, mom pulled out a great toy... a floor piano. Owen loved it, and it provided much entertainment so mom and I could finish the last few cookies.

New Toy

Lucas' co-worker, Karla, got Owen a new toy. It's a magical wand of sorts... push the button and the lights spin round and round. It only took Lucas showing him twice where the button was and Owen started it all by himself. It was so cute to see his face full of amazement...

He has been walking around the house just staring at the lights... what a great toy!

Tis the Season

Hanukkah is here... as yummy latkes! Here's an artistic shot by Lucas.

Christmas is also close, and we live three blocks away from the "Griswald's" nephew. He starts decorating the day after Halloween, and then turns the display on the day after Thanksgiving. We walk down there a few times a week, and of course drive by more often. The pictures don't do it justice... and you can't hear the Christmas music in the background. Owen barely knows what to do with it all! But he loves it all the same!

Munchkin Playland

A few days ago, OK, maybe it was last weekend... Lucas and I took Owen to Munchkin Playland. We've been here before, and the more we go the more fun Owen has. This time, he loved "driving" the school bus with a doll he found there. He also liked playing house. Which really meant taking out all of the dolls and furniture... then reluctantly putting them all back when asked.

Ringing doorbells to go inside...

His favorite of the day... a big fish.

And, just a super cute brown-eyed baby boy.

Hanukkah, Night Two

Last night was the second night of Hanukkah. Owen really like the menorah... we just try to keep hands and candles separated. With a little help... a very fun yellow ball (oh how I love easily entertained kids!)

Spoons

Owen is pretty good using a fork to eat with. 1. Aim. 2. Stab. 3. Place in mouth. 4. Repeat steps 1-3. Spoons are trickier. 1. Get food on spoon. 2. DON'T TURN SPOON OVER 3. Get food into mouth. 4 Repeat previous steps. Undoubtedly, spoons are harder, and messier... but we have to try. Here's Owen working on some yogurt. (or "gurt" as Owen calls it).

Yesterday on the couch. Lucas and Owen were quite tired... but Sesame Street kept Owen awake.

Zoo Lights

We did it. We went to zoo lights when it was a "balmy" 23 degrees... add in a wind chill, I'll say it was maybe 10 degrees. Mom and Dad went too... I think the four of us were colder than Owen. He did have many layers on... but was mostly happy out in the cold weather. I think I was the warmest adult (I am a human incubator at the moment). Lucas was still in shorts, but did have socks on AND two hats.
Family photo. Grandparent photo.

A beautiful blue tree... and me, mom and Owen.

Dad treated us to some hot cocoa. Owen started getting a little cranky when we were inside. I think he over heated. He had the cutest rosy red cheeks!

He had a great time playing with Grandma's super huge snow gloves. (I think they look like Darth Vader gloves)

Add Grandma's purple hat, Owen was very happy.