What You've Missed...

A couple of days before Christmas, Mike and I packed up the car with as much stuff as possible, the dog, and of course Owen, and headed out on a roadtrip to the east coast. This trip was filled with so many different things from job and house hunting, to relaxing by the fire and Christmas tree. We just got back this weekend, so here is a little of our trip and what you've missed...

Owen no longer needs us to play the game of Peek-a-boo, except to laugh along with him as he does it himself over and over. I love his new "party tricks", or milestones as some would call them.

This trip was filled with many "firsts" for Owen, including Christmas. He had so much fun opening his presents, and we had fun watching his face light up with everything that was going on around him. Diesel loved getting in the action too.

Although Owen received many wonderful gifts, I think this is one of the best! Grandpa Bruce made this amazing train for Owen out of a tree that he cut down on the property. It is truely beautiful in every aspect!


Our trip wouldn't be complete without visiting the Great Grams! Here is Owen with Great Grammy Louise. It was so nice seeing how rejuvinated she was whenever we stopped by. She loved holding Owen, feeding him some of her baked apples, and reading an Italian children's book to him. And we loved every minute of it too!


Here is Owen with Great Grammy Helen. Owen loved exploring her family room and getting into things. And we loved hearing more family history and her reading of one of Grandpa Bruce's favorites, Pussy Willow.

I had to put this shot in because it is so classic. It reminds me of one of my old baby pictures. Owen is crawling around with one of the hats Great Grammy Helen made him and his snaps kept coming undone because of his big butt cloth diapers. I am sure he will love this picture later on in life!

Owen is wearing a sweater that Great Grammy Helen made for him. It is incredible!

While we were in Rhode Island we stayed with Pat and Amy Greene. Here is their adorable son Riley. He will be three this month. The entire time we were there he kept calling himself, "The Biggest Guy". It was too perfect that Angela had bought these T-shirts for Owen and Mike.

Owen really started crawling while we were in Rhode Island. It was amazing. One day he was doing his army crawl and the next it was like he had been crawling his whole life (even if that is only nine months). I guess he just needed "the biggest guy" to show him how. By the end of our trip Amy had Owen walking pushing a chair.

Back on the Willard property, Owen loved riding in the woods in his new wagon that Grammy and Grandpa bought for him. No sled needed this year.

GO PATRIOTS!!!!


Just before we left to come back to Chicago, Uncle Timmy and Auntie Sadye came in from South Carolina. We were so glad we got to see them even if it was only for one day.

We met them in Boston and had dinner at a great Italian place on the North End.

What a great trip! Thank you to our east coast friends and family for making Owen's first Christmas and New Year so special. We are truely lucky to have you all!