Christmas 2009

Another wonderful Christmas. The Kellers and Hayes joined us for an amazing Filet Mignon roast dinner on Christmas Eve. Santa most have been around late (until 4am) putting together Tessa's kitchen playset... but it was worth it, as it was a big hit. While we couldn't have family here, Nana and Pappa Joe joined via Skype to watch O and T open up the gifts.

Some pics over at flickr
Link to bigger video screen
Or click below

Christmas Play (long version)

Here is some video, about 4 minutes of Owen's performance at his Christmas play.

Click this link to see it on YouTube (a little bit bigger screen) or just click below.

Owen's Christmas Play

Look for more shorts from Owen's Nutcracker play from Building Kidz preschool but here are a few moments that gave us a chuckle.

Letter to Santa

Letter to Santa
Originally uploaded by rick loughery

Cutting the Christmas Tree Tradition

This year we broke "tradition" and instead of going over to the Sea Bowl to pick out at a tree we went down to Half Moon Bay to the Christmas Tree Farm to hunt and cut our own Christmas tree. O got a ride on the train with Rudy, Tess wanted nothing to do with it so - dad and Tess hung back while Mom and O took a ride on the crazy Christmas train.

Turkey day art

Turkey day art
Originally uploaded by rick loughery

Owen's first solo bike ride

This weekend was a big weekend not only was it Halloween but Owen officially was riding his bike on his own. After last weekend where we had some good 20 second and 30 second solo rides, this weekend Owen soared! From the moment we got to the trail he was off riding. Its pretty amazing how fast it clicked in for him especially since prior to last weekend he hadn't tried without training wheels in a few months. And on Sunday, we went down to the school and he was able to start peddling on his own (without us giving him a push).

Howl-o-Ween

Tricks or Treats

Owen is now an old pro - after several years of trick or treating, this year O was convinced not to be a dinosaur but to go as his second favorite thing... Scooby Doo.

For Tessa... she discovered trick or treating. At first she didn't even want to wear or customer or carry the Elmo bucket to collect the candy but once she saw her brother do a couple houses and there was candy to be had... she got over her fear pretty quicky. At one point Tess she had to climb up three big steps to get to the door. The elmo bucket was becoming cumbersome with its heavy load so she heaved up to the top step, climbed up, picked up the bucket and knocked on the door.

33 Seconds.

Big break through in riding the bike today. Owen was really getting the hang of it (sans training wheels). We would run along side and count. First it was 11 and then he hit the 20 second mark and by the end he was able to go 33 seconds. No major wipe outs

Birthday Scrapblog

Owen's 5th Birthday Party

The big bash was quite fun. Even though it was unseasonably cool we all were warm enough running around and jumping in the Scooby-Doo bouncy house, Scooby-Doo cake, Scooby-Doo Pinata, Scooby-Doo Balloons) (In case you couldnt guess, the theme for the party was Scooby Doo It probably would have been dinosaurs but we convinced Owen to go with his second favorite) Lots of fun and friends - Kyle, Kaiya, Kiley... as well as Justin/Jordan, Shelby, Madison/Joey, Nicholas/Michael, Rajeev, Ari - also Sammy and Sloan. Some more pics at Flickr
Or if you want to check out some pictures from Birthdays past click here.

Owen's requests

In the past two days Owen has informed mom that he wants 1. to be able to stay at home by himself 2. He wants his own TV

Rock n out at dinner

Rock n out at dinner
Originally uploaded by rick loughery

Owen's first baseball game

Owen taking a swing at the Phils/Giants game. Owen's first baseball game was a lot of fun, hotdogs, chocolate ice cream and a soft pretzel (although O didn't like the pretzel too much)

More produce from backyard

Tess apparently wants to go for a walk

Friday night bowling!

A fun night bowling for Owen's friend's birthday (Charlie). Tessa ate more french fries than the bowling alley could make.

The fruits (make that vegtables) of Owen's labor.

The fruits (make that vegtables) of Owen's labor. We planted some
seeds for some peas and carrots a few months back, O did a great job
remembering to water and keeping pests away (mostly his sister,
although I think a few carrots might have been yanked a bit earlier).

Tess enjoying a nice sunset dinner

Another 4th in San Diego

Another 4th of July and another great time down in San Diego at Aunt Kathy and Uncle Don's. Owen got to swing at the Pinata for Uncle Dan's birthday (something he got to do during one his first trips down). No trips to Sea World or the Zoo this year but plenty of great beach time. Tessa is definitely a fan of the water. You had to watch her closely because she was convinced she could walk to Hawaii.

Skunks 3 - Rupert ZERO

Summer Swim

photo.jpg
Originally uploaded by rick loughery

Busted out the pool for the first time. Tess loved it. (no action swim shots)

first baseball glove

first baseball glove
Originally uploaded by rick loughery

Owen lived up to his end of the bargain (dancing during his Spring Show) so we lived up to our end... (and yes Owen is sleeping with ball in glove in between the mattress)

Owen's Spring Concert 2009

Here is a bit from Owen's big Spring Concert tonight, - "It's a Small World" - The class did a number of songs from in different languages from "Volare" to "Sho Jo Ji" I will put up more but here is a taste from Owen's dance "I Wonder" (he gets his smooth moves from his dad!)

Tess staying "InTouch"

Tess staying "InTouch"
Originally uploaded by rick loughery

Owen's first sleep over

Owen preparing for his first sleep over at his buddy Kyle complete with backpack and dinosaur sleeping bag.... Owen the next day after staying up until 10:30 and waking up at 6

Paper Mache

Memorial day weekend was a bit grey but it gave us an opportunity to do dabble in some new projects - Paper Mache.... of course we made a dinosaur (Swimming Stegosaurus to be exact).

Visit from Nana and Papa Joe

Owen and T had a great visit with Nana and Papa Joe. They covered a lot of ground when they were out here from Santa Cruz boardwalk to the wineries in Nappa (even visiting V. Sattui).

Wild Flower Hunting

This spring the wild flowers were out in full force and we had a few weekend morning hikes going to look for some. While Owen was really into it, Tess was more interested in her rocks.

Pigtails

IMG_1858.JPG
Originally uploaded by rick loughery

Springing along

Been awhile since the last post. There are a bunch of new pics on flickr. Tess is turning a corner, she is actually "wanting" to walk and communicating with a shake of the head 'yes' or 'no' -- evening waving bye when its time to go to bed. Some words are starting to become apparent but she has the 'pointing' thing down pat. The teeth are starting to come in and she is starting to play by herself (although she would rather bother her big brother).

Grandpop Loughery came out for a visit and Owen didn't leave his side for a minute. It was some good quality time, even managed to pull off a pretty big hike without too much complaining from O.

Now we are prepping for Nana and Papa Joe!

What dropped from your ear?

Some time around 7:30 am...
O and Mom chilling on the couch both trying to wake up... O w/ his OJ, Mom w/ some coffee.
Owen, shakes his head, grabs at his ear.

Plick.

Kim: What was that?
Leans down.
Kim: Owen did that pebble just come from your ear?
Owen: Yeah, I put it there yesterday.

Easter Morning 2009

Hunting for the Easter baskets.... Dad thought he did a better job of hiding them.
Click this link for another video.

On board

click for quick video, playing around with new camera in small gray waves

Staycation

Well if there is a place to have a staycation - Northern California is a pretty good place to do it.

Got a lot accomplished from painting the kitchen to having some fun at the California Academy of Sciences to a day trip up in Tahoe with Owen and dad.

Some video is below of Owen sledding.

sledding in tahoe

Day trip up to tahoe to get some uncrowded sledding!

Spaghetti and meatballs

It's been a while since the last post - some random pics are on flickr to check out. This is a "Loughery" classic that grandpop Loughery reminded me about. I am going to scan "the original" at some point for a comparison and contrast. Home made spaghetti, meatballs and sausage - compliments of mom. Smell good cooking all day on rainy winter day.

brotherly love

Weekend with Dad

Fun weekend with O and T while mom was down in San Diego. We did some projects, played some games, stayed up late and scored some great shells during a low tied. Owen is getting pretty good at spotting the starfish and is very patient in his searches. He even found a baby starfish (pic on flickr - I would have never spotted that). All in all a great weekend - Kind of the same feeling as a weekend bender, with just slightly less of a hang over.

Owen the Director

Owen is definitely the "director" type. Here is some video of Owen's dinosaur movie. This time I showed O had to take a picture of the dinosaurs, move them just a little, then take another picture, move'em, take picture, etc. He picked up on this pretty quickly and didn't really need much help from me after. Owen also sat down during the editing process to give direction on sounds. There is "bonus" footage at the end, an interview with the director.

Inauguration

Inauguration
Originally uploaded by rick loughery

Owen obviously doesn’t quite get what’s going on and might not fully remember – but he asks, “Is Barack Obama our president now? Now he is our boss?” No matter how you look at it – it was a historical day for our country and I hope that Owen and Tessa will be better off for it.

Tess... Well she just digs the Cheerios.

Tessa Turns One

Not quite the big bash that we had for Owen's first birthday - but it was fun and we had our friends Molly, Kiley and Sammy with us. We had some mac-n-cheese w/ hotdogs (okay it was actually Annie's organic and chicken apple-sauge but she'll never know:-) and made some cupcakes (with help from O and Ki). All in all a nice little first birthday - its been a great first year, can't believe how fast it has gone by since this time last year. Tess - to make it up to you for the lack of party- we'll buy you a car on your 16th. (my choice on the car... hope you take "auto shop" in high school) Click here for some picks on Flickr.

Holiday Hang Over

IMG_1343.JPG
Originally uploaded by rick loughery

The tree is down, outside and waiting for the trash pick up.
The decorations are back in their boxes stored in the rafters.
The new toys are integrated into the old ones.
The only thing left from the holidays are the extra pounds that mom and dad kept. But hopefully those too will be removed and not brought back until next holiday's binge.

A great holiday all in all - and sad that it is over. But looking forward to 2009 and the new opportunities it will bring.

I will put some video up (taken with the mom/dad's new Christmas gift) and click on flickr button for some holiday pics.