Huey and Duey

Introducing the newest (very temporary!) members of the Smith household, Huey and Duey!  Big Daddy gave them to the kids or Easter and they have gotten bigger, quicker and louder over the past week!!

Jarrod created a very quack friendly home for our waddling friends.  He enclosed a space on the back porch equipped with a pool, a step to get in and out of it and a floating dock (styrofoam) with food.  They are in duck heaven!  Occasionally when we peek at them they are snoozing in the same corner :)

We do let them wonder around the back yard at least once a day.  We hope that they are learning how to hunt and survive outside of their comfy oasis because we plan to take them to a local park/pond at the end of May.  Roxie is a little too interested in them so we don't let her get too close!

Owen's new favorite word is "duck"!  Each time we go outside or return home he immediately wants to visit them! 

Camera woes and Easter outfits

So I finally replaced my battery charger this week.  Last night we dressed the kids in Easter outfits and headed out for photos.  We snapped a few photos and quickly discovered a lens error message on the camera.  Upon reseraching the error online we realized that it is rather common with Canons.  The best 'do it yourself' solution is to give it a smack.  And guess what, it works every time...at least for now.  It's hard to believe that my camera will be four years old on Mother's day!  I'd love a fancy one but unfortunately money doesn't grow on trees!

So, here are the few photos we got last night....

Taking a decent photo of both kids has become outrageously challenging!  Owen wants to constantly be on the move and Emma is quite the drama queen.  Even so, I hope you enjoy the photos :)

Easter 2011

First thing Easter morning we realized that our camera battery charger had died.  Super.  We had planned to find one after church but everythng was closed.  It drove me bonkers all day long!  I took a couple of phone photos and snagged a couple from my mom's camera.  I plan to replace the charger before this weekend and will take photos galore of the kids in their coordinating Janie and Jack Easter outfits.  Stay tuned :)

The Easter bunny left the kiddos all sorts of fun goodies:

He also left lots of eggs scattered all over the front yard!  Owen really knew what to do this year....of course he wanted to stop and see what was in each egg before moving on the next!  After a quick hunt we headed to Temple for church.

After church we headed to my parents' house for lunch.  Emma and I made this Easter bunny cake to share :)  We were glad that Lita returned from Mexico in the wee hours of the morning to spend Easter with us. 

Here is our best attempt at a family photo.  The kids were worn out!  I must admit that it was rather bittersweet to witness the very last egg hunt in my childhood yard.  Next year they will be hunting them in McGregor!

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'"

-- John 11:25-26 NIV

GO GIANTS!

This morning was Emma's first pre T ball game of the season.  This year we are the GIANTS! 

Some of you will recall that Emma was the youngest one on the team last year.  This year she is the oldest!  She did a great job today.

Jarrod is coaching again and does a fantastic job!

Little brother Owen wanted to play so badly!  We let him run on the field for awhile beforehand but he didn't understand why he wasn't allowed to participate in the game!  Afterall, he attends every practice, plays at home, and was wearing orange like the other kiddos.  Who can blame him?!  Just two more years buddy....

Grandpa James & Emma before her turn to bat :)

Emma's games are the next five consecutive Saturday mornings (with the exception of May 21st because her dance recital)!  We love fans so come watch if you can.....it promises to be fun and entertaining :)

Two peas in a pod...

"Daddy, some day I will meet my prince charming but you will always be my king!" 

~ Author Unknown

First haircut

We celebrated Owen's 18 month birthday with his very first haircut!  He had developed a baby mullet and was definitely in need of a clean up before Easter pictures!  I was a little apprehensive of how he would act but he did great!  He loved sitting in the blue jeep and looking at his handsome self in the mirror! 

Emma thought this set up was pretty cool and requests that we take her there next time :)

Ta Da....here is his new hair do!  He looks like such a big boy now.

We even got a certificate accompanied with a keepsake lock of his hair!  Jarrod says that was a one time thing and that he will go to a manly barber for his future hair cuts.  We shall see :)

A Year and a Half

Owen is a year and a whole half old today!  He is SO much fun!   

A few words to describe him at this stage include sweet, silly, cuddly, playful, sneaky, curious, persistent and busy.  He still doesn't talk much but definitely has a cute sense of humor nonetheless :)  He still occasionally bites his mama (super!) and loves to throw toys, food, pacifiers and anything else in sight.  He has advanced overhand throwing skill and aim (thanks to his dad) which may pose quite a challenge to teach him not to chunk toys at little friends.  He still doesn't sleep all the way through the night but that's okay ;)  He loves his late morning nap which often lasts 2.5 hrs!  Depending on our schedule he sometimes still takes a second nap each day (I am determined not to let him give up naps as early as Emma did - before age 2).  When he is ready to get out of the crib after sleeping (or just to get our attention) he loudly throws his pacifier and sippy cup on the floor. 

He now has a total of twelve teeth.  He is still taking Polyvisol drops daily and also usually begs his way to a princess gummy vitamin like his sister gets! 

We are diligently working on manners with both kiddos.  Owen asks "Boof?" (please) over and over again if there is something he really wants! 

He still adores his big sister and wants to do anything she does...which obviously includes bringing all the blankets and pillow pets into the living room and watching Tangled :) 

He usually doesn't mind getting dirty.  He still enjoys the great outdoors and running, climbing, exploring and playing ball.  He has a new found love for bubbles and baseball. 

He loves trucks, power tools and anything that makes noise (excluding the vacuum). He also loves his daddy and is royally offended each time he leaves for work :)



It's hard to believe that we are on the downhill slide to TWO years!

18 month check up

Today was Owen's 18 month check up at Hillcrest....

He got to stand on the scale like a big boy this time!  He weighs 23 lbs 14 oz and measures 31" long.  His height and weight and finally in the 25th percentile!  His noggin is still off the charts large in size (brains, of course!) :)

He is curious and mischievous all day long.  Of course he had to check out all the drawers, cabinets and crawl spaces at the pedi office! 

It didn't stop there!  He insisted on holding Dr Dewbre's utensils during the exam.  He even attempted to stick the tongue depressor in her mouth!  She said that he looks great!  I shared concerns regading his lack of eating and talking but she reassured me that he is right on track.  She expects that his vocabulary will explode over the next six months! 



Owen lucked out with no shots this time and his next well child visit is at age two. 

Batter up!

Pink flamingo

We have a new (temporary) yard decoration!  It is a six foot tall pink flamingo :)  We live on a major thoroughfare for our small town so everyone will see.  This beautiful bird serves as a fundraiser for the Milam county CPS board.  Each Spring several of these travel around and get locked to different homes.  We make a donation and they will transfer it tomorrow to another lucky family's yard (of our choosing)!  What a fun way to raise money!

Peek a boo Owen!!

Star Farmers Market

This afternoon we visited Star Farmers Market in Rockdale again.  You can see our first adventure from last year here.  Emma knew just what to do.  She kept saying "twist and pull"! 

Owen followed right along.  After picking he ate some and put others in the basket!  As you can see, he was hard at work :)

And this is the best photo I got of both kids.  It's becoming quite an interesting challenge!

The market has rows and rows of beautiful bright red strawberries and expects to have blackberries, peaches and other healthy treats ready in just a few weeks. 

Here is our take home stash which weighed in at just under two pounds!  We plan to make popsicles and smoothies this week.  I also have a new tasty pie recipe to try after Easter ;)

Nature festival

This morning we attended the second annual Milam county Nature Festival.  It offered lots of educational fun for the whole family!  It was especially ideal for Emma's age.  First she decided to get a colorful snake painted on her arm:

Next she made a plaster mold of a skunk foot.  She also planted her own wildflower in a newspaper cup.  Owen tried to help :)  She learned all about bats, butterflies, insects and many more species. 

Smokey the Bear made an appearance.  Owen waved big from a distance but I'm not sure he felt as friendly when we went up close to snap a picture!  I wanted to include this photo especially for those of you who know how uneasy I am around mascots/characters.

Emma enjoyed playing archaeologist and digging for hidden treasures! 

She even touched a snake.....

...and an alligator (named Amos) without hesitation!  Eeek!!!



We look forward to returning next year :)