Christmas 2008

Christmas was so much fun this year. I think Shaun was more excited than Owen though. Shaun jumped out of bed and ran to Owen's room to wake him up. Owen was a little dazed but once he got down stairs he saw all the presents. I wrapped everything individually so it took awhile to open all of them but Owen loved it. He got more trains and tracks, books, movies, a guitar, a wiggle racer, and a tool box just like daddy. We spent most of the day playing and then off to dinner at the Johnson's house. It was so fun and yummy. We had all the fixings.

St. Louis Trip - Week of New Years

Alright, I'm getting closer to being caught up. The week after Christmas we went home to St. Louis to see all the family. Christmas is always a week long event for us. It took Owen a while to realize Christmas isn't really everyday.

First it was Christmas with Grandma Jenny, Aunt Rachel, Nana & Fran. He doesn't quite understand that all gifts are special so anything that wasn't a toy he just threw to the side.


That same day we did Christmas with Grandma Wild (MaMa) and PaPa. I think Owen thought he was in heaven after that day. Two different houses, two sets of presents.


New Year's Eve day we celebrated with Grandpa (Papa) & Grandma (Memaw) Neckermann where Owen got his mustang and everything that could open on it did (doors, trunk, hood). Oh, and he discovered his love for drums - and he can continue to love them at Papa's house. He also had a little sword fight with Papa. I think they did that for 1/2 an hour and Owen was not ready to stop. It sure did wear him out though.


And last but not least was MeMe's (Grandma Kappler) house where he got his very own laptop. Now, he can play with his and not mommy and daddy's. No more missing keyboard keys for us.


Between all the Christmas' we also celebrated our birthdays (Shaun, Jackie, and I), New Year's Eve (not sure what Owen was drinking) and Owen went to his first hockey game (which he was in awe of). I've never seen my child sit so still.

Our Special Child

Just had to post this picture. It was taken last November but just came across it again. Owen loves being outside and we go out in the morning a lot (as long as it's not too cold). Instead of getting dressed he just throws his rain boots on and once outside gotta put the helmet on. I love my special child.

Halloween 2008

Halloween was so much fun this year. Owen really got into it. The night before we carved pumpkins. Owen wanted to help but he didn't want to touch the pumpkin "guts". He's a boy, you'd think he'd love it. He didn't even want to touch the seeds because they were sticky. He didn't mind using the ice cream scooper. He was very good at mixing the seeds and "guts. He told daddy he wanted a scary face. No happy faces for him.

He was a little firefighter and he was so cute. I had originally ordered a costume on line but found out a week later that they no longer had it in stock. So this only left me the choice of making a costume (or spending $60 plus shipping - no thanks). Yes, I actually had to make a costume. It turned out pretty good though, I thought. He wore it to school where all the classes went trick or treating to each others room. I passed out the candy for Owen's class so I got to see all the cute little costumes. They were so adorable and so excited. They each got to have a sucker when they were done. You would have thought it was Christmas.

Owen was so excited at all the candy he got. It was hard for him to choose which one he wanted - because he only got one thing that night. He chose skittles. He protected them like they were diamonds. Don't dare try to touch. Daddy did and he was not very happy. What was he thinking.

Then when Shaun got off of work we headed to St. Marks trunk or treat. It was in Sam's parking lot and was all fenced in so we didn't have to worry about walking on the street. There were a bunch of cars that had their trunks decorated really neat. And Owen got really good at holding his bucket out to collect candy. He would say trick or treat but he was so quiet you could hardly hear. Can't wait till next year. Who knows what he'll want to be then. Hopefully I won't have to make it - although I secretly did enjoy it. Reminds me of when I was younger.

San Francisco & Nicole & Phil's Wedding

Still trying to catch up...

Shaun and I went to San Francisco for a week in October and had a blast. Owen was in St. Louis so it was just the two of us. Shaun had a conference there so in the mornings he attended that but then the rest of the day we would explore. We went to Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, Alcatraz, Chinatown, and ton of other districts. We also rode the trolley a couple of times but the lines were crazy to get on so most of the time we did other forms of public transportation.

The only thing we missed was the Ghirardelli Factory and I really wanted me some chocolate. I did see it from afar though.

He also talked me into riding tandem across the Golden Gate Bridge. That sure was an experience. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of the ride though because I accidentally erased them. That's so something I would do. Shaun did most of the work of course. I tried to help but my feet were pretty much just moving with the pedals. It was awesome there, expensive, but awesome. Luckily, Shaun's portion of the trip was paid for.

After San Fran we flew to St. Louis for Nicole (Shaun's cousin) & Phil's wedding. All 3 of us were in the wedding and Owen did an awesome job as one of the ring bearers. He walked down the aisle and even bowed at the end. It was so cute. He looked so handsome in his little tux.

Our week with Papa & Memaw

The last week in August we spent with my dad (papa) and Stephanie (memaw). Owen had such a blast reconnecting with them. We went to the Transportation Museum, Purina Farms, the lake, and spent Labor day with the family.

We were all in Nicole (Shaun's cousin) and Phil's wedding so while we were in STL, we got Owens tux. He's so handsome.

I think Owen was a little in awe at the Transportation Museum at first but he soon got over that and was all over the trains. He loves his choo choos.

We went to the park one day so he could get some energy out. He always loves the park and he had lots of fun with papa.

Then on to Purina Farms. He had a blast especially since he got to sit on the tractor. The driver was really nice. He got to play with tractors too and we drag him away otherwise we would still be there. He also got himself a fat lip when he was running inside and fell. But we got him an ice cream to make it feel better.

We went to the lake where my grandma used to live. We went swimming, he saw a police car (and the policeman turned on his lights for Owen), he "drove" the boat, and he even tried fishing.

We spent Labor day with the family. Owen had a ton of fun. He got to sit on a real motorcycle (my cousins) and he was entertaining everyone with his dancing. Oh, and he ate 3 ears of corn. He loves him some corn.

I'm having trouble loading pictures so I'll load some later.

Owen Goes To School

Sorry it's been awhile but we have been traveling fools. This first post will be for Owen.

He started school at the end of August and he loves. Well, for the most part. Sometimes I have to pry him from my leg as we enter his class room. That mainly happens when he's tired. He seems to be learning but he's also picking up some bad habits. What are you going to do though. They play outside and inside, they have music, and they usually do some kind of art. In December they have a Christmas program and I bet all the little ones will be so cute and adorable. Although, I could not image trying to coordinate that with a bunch of 2 and 3 years old. I help out there occasionally which is nice because I get to see what really goes on during the day. I don't help in his class though because that could cause problems. I would probably end up hurting a child - whether it be my own or another one picking on my own. JK. I can't wait until after the holidays because that is when they will start the potty training process. We'll see how it goes.