i love the Owenzez

Yesterday we had an Owens' family gathering/food extravaganza/birthday party/photo shoot. I will be anxious to post the proofs of the whole family, but until then, my SIL snapped a few of these as teasers. {Thank you, Charlotte!}

G&G Owens with their 13 grandchildren

{Heavy on the boys}


Us

He's going for the Rock-Star-Preppy look

One of the large group pictures was of all the Owens' in BYU Shirts. Fun statistic: Both of Steve's parents and their children and their spouses are BYU graduates. As you can see, Trevor is simply thrilled with this fact...




Cougar Beauty.

Future Cougar.

FHE Chronicles

Sometimes, there's dancing.

The Force and Cookies

I just now ordered these:

So that I could make these with my kids:

If you also feel the need, you can buy them {here}.

Karate classes have begun...

Why this is more fun for me than it is for them:

1) My dad is a 5th degree black belt. He used to teach Karate out of our home when I was a kid, and I remember that my little bro and I were often his guinea pigs/targets during demonstrations. Remember this picture with his stuff hanging on the walls? (My mom was a good sport.)

2) I find great pleasure in seeing them tied up in their miniature gi (pronounced gee) with those little white belts. They already have great ambitions toward...well, any other color belt.

3) Their concentration and attention! It is fascinating to see their respect and admiration for their sensei (which is Japanese for teacher--are you loving this karate lesson or what?). There are only 5 kids in the class and you could hear a pin drop in there. (Well, with the exception of the occasional "hi-yah!" and such)

4)They always remember to turn and bow to the Dojo (practice gym) after practice.

Apron to the Third Power

I know I've already posted this one:

But, how fun is it that my sister got one for me in Arizona,

one for her in Utah,


and one for our mom on her mission in Canada.

Aren't they the cutest?

(the ladies and the aprons)

"Mother Dear, I love you so.."

My only daughter made me breakfast in bed for Mother's Day.

{I forgot to snap a picture after that chocolate protein shake right there, was later spilled all over the counter and floor}

Then she and her brothers walked that breakfast-on-tray up the 17 stairs without a single spill {that I know of} and proceeded to waken me with a rousing rendition {and I mean, rousing} of the lovely primary song, "Mother, Dear..."

I'm awake! I'm awake! was my first reaction, thinking there might be a fire or something. Happy to realize it was only my cherubs, I elevated my achy body {I'm so old} and listened to their song while enjoying my oatmeal, toast, apple and chocolate protein shake.

They really love me.

And also know how to serve a mean, well-balanced meal!

Being a mom is cool.

Flirty Mama

Thank you, Sister!!!

Happy Mother's Day to you, too!

{I love this Flirty Apron my big sis sent. Isn't it cute?

To be used for my motherly duties }

Family Movie Night

{Pre-Lice/Pre-Haircuts}

Things they say.

Paige: Mom, where do all the American flags come from?.....Because I thought Betsy Ross only made one.


*************

Preston: Mom, are you and daddy going to get married again?

Me: Um, no we just get married the one time.

Preston: But, I want you to get married again so you can have another baby.

Me: Oh. I see. (pause, hidden giggle) Well, Pres, Daddy and I already got married once, so we don't need to get married again to have another baby.

Preston: Then HAVE one already!!!!

**************

Trevor: Mom, guess what? The Suns are playing tonight...I love Steve Nash.

*************

Gavin: Buzz?...Doody?...Movie?...Watch?

*************

Preston: Mom, did you know that a caterpillar lives in a chrysalis and then turns in to a butterfly?

Me: Oh, really? That is so interesting. Where did you learn that?

Preston: {shoulder shrug} Eh, I just know it.

***********

{Steve and I kiss goodbye...}

Trevor: EWWWW.....

Me: Oh, you know you love seeing Mommy and Daddy kiss.

Paige: Yeah. {sigh & eye roll} "Families can be together forever..."

Post It

Knights of Destiny aka The Road Show

Steve and his buddy, Jon, were the ESPN Sportcasters/emcees who helped introduce our act--so funny.

The "Knights"--a co-ed Volleyball team who just won the state champs by defeating the opposing team, the "Dragons".

Musical number after big win...

Oh, yes. Then there was a medieval messenger--He appeared from a "faraway land and time", and having heard of their bravery, came with a royal decree from the King, to defeat the Dark Dragon and save the kingdom.

By way of medieval time machine (naturally), the Knights arrive at the King's court.

...at which point, the King takes hold of the "Sphere of Strength" and tells the brave knights, that the "only means by which the Dark Dragon can be defeated" is by this sphere, ( Sarabeth's great line, "Um...we call that a VOL-LEY-BALL.")

Sadly, I have not found any photos of the Knights armor (AWE some) and shields or the Dark Dragon's Cave...They will live now only in our memory. This was a great (and by great, I mean gut-wrenching, stressful, exhausting and exhilerating) experience and I love these youth so much.

GOOOOO Knights!

Mommy/Daddy/Daughter Dinner

Around every child's birthday, we have the tradition of taking them out, alone, for dinner with us. They all look forward to this, and it's precious one-on-one time. This time was Paige's turn (a little late, after tax season was done) and she chose BJ's.

Happy Birthday Dinner!

Love you Paigey!

Teef.

Cheeks for days, I've said before.

And, oh, those eyelashes galore.

But, do you see that dark-ish tooth?

Yes, Mr. Rambunctious, and here's the truth:

Last week when off the bed he soared,

That tooth found it's way into a wooden board

on the side of his dresser, a gruesome sight--

that weak little tooth already in plight.

On the morrow, I quickly wanted to act

And the dentist declared, "It's time to extract!"

"But, wait!" I thought. "He's only just four, "

"And he'll have a big space there, for two years or more!"

But, there was no delay, for we didn't want pain

So, out came those teeth, both so it wouldn't happen again.

Now our Preston is toothless, and boy, is he cute.

He's thrilled to be big, missing both his front "tooths".

(Just to clarify: After the x-ray, the doctor saw that both teeth were absessing, the one much worse than the other. He said the other one would have to go within the year anyway, so we just decided to do both now so Preston wouldn't have to go through this again)