Happy 5th Birthday Owen!

We had so much fun celebrating Owen this weekend!  I can't believe our little guy is five (on March 1st but we counted it this weekend for his party)!  Getting so big!!  He was beyond excited about his birthday party and I think it lived up to all his hopes and dreams.  :)

We decided to do a superhero party after I ordered a bunch of felt to sew stockings and never got around to it.  Then while scrolling through Pinterest found the superhero party theme and found the perfect use for all that felt!  Owen also loves Spider-Man so it was a great fit!  

It was a very DIY party so it was risky but in the end it turned out great!  The kids had a blast playing in the yard and getting a chance at the piñata (also DIY in case you couldn't tell...).   :). We had 21 kids over and their parents.  And my parents up for the weekend.  So LOTS of people here to celebrate with us! 

Owen is the a sweetheart of a five year old.  He doesn't want to do anything or go anywhere without Levi, and he is the first to jump up and check on Abby if she starts crying.  Several times a day he tells me "mom, I need a hug..." or "I'm going to give you a hug RIGHT NOW!"  :). He runs to Joey when he gets home from work, and when he prays and night he thanks God for everybody "because I love everybody!"  And he does!  We are so blessed to have such a fun and loving little man in our lives! 

We love you Owen!

Superhero invitation!

Outtakes for the invitation picture.  The first time we tried to get a picture for his invitation he was bawling because he didn't want to dress up as superman--he wanted to be spiderman.  Wow.  Life is so hard. 

I told Joey when he went to work that day that Owen and I are going to do a photoshoot for his invitation.  He told me he couldn't wait to see how they turned out.  I sent him this after taking them...photoshoot didn't go as planned.  :)

Pretty much excited out of his mind waiting for his friends to arrive to his party!

Spiderweb cupcakes!

All the capes we made for his friends!  "I LOVE it Mom!!!!"

Spiderman pinata in the top corner  :)

Joey did all the decorating!  I just showed him the Pinterest pictures and gave him the supplies and there you go!  Looks awesome!

Corndogs, chicken nuggets, cake and candy.  You are welcome parents.  Have fun with that nap after the party.

Grandma and Grandpa came to celebrate!

LOTS of presents!

And LOTS of kids!  So fun!

Pinata time!

All the little superheros waiting their turn with the pinata!

After two rounds and the pinata not budging--maybe I shouldn't have used duct tape?--Kyle pulled a knife out of his pocket and helped the kids out a bit! 

CANDY!!!!!!!!!!!

More Backcountry Ski Pictures

Joey is still getting up at 5 AM to ski before work.  CRAZY.  But the pictures are so pretty!  And he has the best time.  At least he found some other equally crazy guys to go with.  :)

Hiking up in a winter wonderland :)

"Every sunrise is an invitation to brighten someone's day."  --Richelle Goodrich

Sunrise looking down at Quincy

February So Far...

We have had an eventful month already--and we still have a few weeks to go!  First came Valentine's Day, then Joey's birthday which was also the day we went down to see Julie and Gib in Chico, and then just some pictures of getting outside even when it is rainy.  Can't keep these boys inside for too long!  :)

Joey got all the fixin's for a Manhattan and it was totally NASTY!  Totally.  Non drinkable.  It was a good try though.  He did forget the cherry--maybe that is what makes it good.  :)  We also didn't have ice and had to use frozen oranges as our ice to shake it with.  That probably didn't help.  :)

Making me an awesome salad for Valentine's day

Look how spoiled I was!  I don't have any expectations for Valentine's day, so when this happens it is extra nice!  :)

Levi isn't nearly as into Abby as Owen, so when he wants to hold her he gets to.  The crying didn't phase him!

Such and angel when she is sleeping--she should do it more.

My first park adventure with all three.  It was about 40 degrees out and they had their shoes off immediately.  :/

I can't work out yet so Joey found some new workout partners!  :)

So fun being reunited with Julie and Gib while Julie was back from Budapest for the week!  Also pictured is Reid and his awesome hair! 

Check out this amazing quilt that a nurse from the hospital made for Abigail! 

Our for a bike ride trike ride in the rain.  :)

He was so proud to be riding his trike outside!

Maya has been a little neglected lately.  She might need a haircut soon.  :)

Look at that big kid bike from Will!

It was so cute they just kept riding in circles in the cul-de-sac at the end of our street :)

Joey has been taking these guys to the hot springs just about every week--they LOVE the "hot tub"

It is right on the Feather River about 15 minutes from our house :)

Sometimes being a big brother is even better than being a Superhero...

It is funny to me how just a few months ago I had a no jumping on the couches rule...

Now I'm feeding Abby and shouting 5! 4! 3! 2! 1!! BLAST OFF! and taking pictures.  I'm well aware of the control that is now lost and have decided to embrace it.  :)

Steidlmayers Come to Quincy!

Luke, Erin and Clay came for a visit last night and stayed this morning for breakfast before heading to Tahoe.  We loved having them and catching up and the boys LOVED playing with Clay.  Non-stop fun for those guys!  Owen wanted to go upstairs and wake Clay up this morning because he didn't get up at 6 like the rest of us.  :/

Thank you for looking Erin, Luke and Clay

Flying airplanes and sliding down the stairs.  Boys.

Don't trust those smiles for a second!  :)

Popovers for Luke's half birthday!

Yogurts!!!! 

Joey's famous scrambled eggs for the half birthday breakfast!

Hmmmm...where are Levi and Clay???

Oh, there they are!