Christmas 2011

Christmas Eve 

 traditional p.j's pose in front of the tree.

 My sweet Anakin

 Christmas day, dad got BSU flags for the car.

 The big family gift this year was the Wii.

 Nadia

 Caitlyn....yes, that is a snuggie.

 Allie

 Brian

Everyone seemed to have a nice Christmas, and was happy with their gifts. We went to Sacrament meeting afterwards and then to Grandma and Grandpa Owings' house for dinner and games. What a great blessing to celebrate our Savior's birth.

ER Excitement

Allie came home from school sick on Monday and we had no idea it would turn into such an eventful time. She was throwing up everything that went it all day and night. The next day she was complaining of stomach pain on her right side, so we took her to urgent care where they immediately sent us to the ER for testing. Likely cause of stomach pain: appendicitis! After several hours and runny urine, and blood tests, and doing a CT scan, they determined she needed an appendectomy, today. So off to a different hospital so she can be seen by a pediactric surgeon. 

Allie wanted uncle Kevin and Dad to give her a blessing. Kevin was great since he had appendicitis when he was 11 too. He told her all about what would happen.

In the pre-op room. She was a little nervous as were me and Brian, but that was to be expected. The surgeon came in and talked about the procedure. She did it laparoscopically so it would leave minimal scars and only take 1/2 hour to complete.

Brian and I waited to see her again and she was pretty out of it in the recovery room. Once she was doing better there (about 45 minutes) they sent her to pediactrics for the rest of her stay.

There to greet her were her sisters Cailtyn and Nadia.

Only clear diet on the menu which really made her mad. She just wanted to eat some "real" food. Pho broth was on her mind......good choice, but a no go.

Brother Brian was there, however he was having a very hard time seeing his sister in this state. He was about to pass out, and was very emotional over the whole thing.

The next day Allie was feeling much better. 

Brian even did better seeing her in the hospital. We were able to go home around 4:30pm that day to begin the full recovery process at home. And she finally got to eat around 2:00pm which really made her happy.

Olivia's Room....

Well it's not quite finished, but Olivia's room is coming along nicely. I love how it is so girly.

I put new fabric on this old glider rocker, and painted the changing table from brown to white to give them a newer look.

I made Olivia's name in wooden letters and scrap booking paper and used the butterfly balls Tori made me from my baby shower to hang from the ceiling.

Here is the crib I purchased from my sis in law, Amy with the new bedding I picked out. I knew it's what I wanted the second I saw it.

A little closer look. I love the pale green paint I chose for the walls.

 I put the decals on and added a shelf to put stuff on. Every little one needs a picture of Christ in their room.

 Believe it or not, these same dressers were used when Nadia was born. We added new hardware and some paint for an nicer look.

I think she will be very happy in here. Of course she will spend some time in my room after she is first born. I will want to keep her close to me for awhile.

Family Pics Through the Years....

So, I thought it would be fun to put up all the family pictures we've had yearly since 2005. As you can see we've all changed a lot!

Above: 2005-Not my favorite picture of us. I hate the outfits, the hair, and the fact that I'm the only one looking into the camera. What is everyone else looking at? I hate that the photographer didn't have the red background covering all the back area, I mean come on, I could have taken a better picture with my eyes closed.

Above: 2006-One of my favorites. I just love the hats, and everyone looks happy.

Above: 2007- I love the outfits here. Brian (dad) was really sick, so he didn't feel much like being here that day.

Above: 2008- I like this pic, but I look a little old fashioned with my hair. This was the year Nadia, Brian, Allie and myself got baptized. I didn't get the memo that cleavage was immodest.

Above: 2009-I love this picture. This was the year we were all sealed in the Temple. I love the fall colors, and all of us holding hands.

Above: 2010-This is one of my favorites ever. Of course I like it because I had lost weight and looked much better. Nadia had just gotten her braces off, so she was happy, and I love that everyone looks so pretty and happy.

Our Yearly Family Pictures

Oh the joys of taking the yearly family photo! I play fashion designer, make up artist, hair stylist and support person for most of the day making sure everyone looks their best, and we get to our apt. on time. Once there, I'm constantly checking to make sure hair is in the right spot, there are no glare from glasses, and everyone is giving their "real" smile and not some fake, lame, "I wish I weren't here right now." smile. Through the past 6 years, I can say it's gotten easier and better. Our first family photo in 2005 was not one I'm particularly fond of. Our clothing (yes, I picked it out), our hairstyles, the setting, and the fake smiles some of us were wearing help contribute to that, as well as the fact that we had barely become a family, only a few short months prior, and well, you can definitely tell. With all that said, it's a tradition we will continue until all the kids are gone, and then maybe even after that.

Yep, had to do the prego pic.

The kids are so big, it's hard to believe.

It looks like we all belong together, doesn't it?

Merry Christmas 2011!

Olivia's Newest Photo

Well, we've started calling her Olivia, so I guess that is her name! We are still feuding over the middle name. I originally wanted Anne, but Brian said no way. Now I'm leaning toward Nicole, and I think I may have him convinced. He won't admit that though. I think he is still pulling for Jordyn. (Not happening.)

Anyway, we had another ultrasound to check her heart and diaphragm, and everything looks great!  Her head is down and her feet are on the left side, where she kicks me routinely at 6 am. She is facing toward my back, and because the placenta is right on top, we were unable to get any cute 3D photos of her face. 

Only 15 more weeks and she'll be here. We are so excited!

Baby Shower in Vancouver

A couple of my best friends, Tori, and Brandy threw me a wonderful baby shower this past weekend, and I was able to see so many friends and family I hadn't seen in so long. It was so much fun!

Beautifully decorated with lots of pink, and lots of butterflies.

The candy bar memory game was fun

Tori and me (I've know Tori since high school)

Brandee and me (I've only known Brandee since 2006, but it seems like I've known her forever)

Windy and me (I've known Windy since elementary school)

Angie and me (I've known Angie since 1998)

Nadia, me, Jocelyn, Mykelyn, & Amanda. (I've known Amanda since 2000)

Denise, aka: Willy and me, aka: Rat (I've known Willy since 1996)

Brandy and me (I've known Brandy since I was 14)

My Grandma Darlene and me

Cousin Julie, Matt and me

4 generations: Donna, Linda, Nadia and Me (we all have the middle name of Marie too)

I was so blessed to be able to see all these wonderful people as I haven't seen most of them in so long. Being in Idaho now makes it hard to see them. I love them all dearly! There were so many more there, that I didn't get pictures of, so maybe next time!

Baby Girl Owings

Today was my ultrasound apt, and we pulled all the kids from school so they could be there to see the baby for the first time. They were all excited and waiting anxiously to see if it was a boy or girl. Here is her profile, beautiful already.

It's definitely a girl~

I had a dream last night that it was a girl and lately I've just had a feeling it was as well. Although I was really hoping for a boy, I'm very excited about having another girl. I know girls, I can do girls. This will be fun.

Homecoming Dance

The girls lined the walkway with this paper to begin the jungle theme.

Inside the main entrance it read: Welcome to the Jungle.

The main entrance into the dance. This picture did not do it justice. It was way cooler in person.

A couple of parents came up with an awesome design for a waterfall, and it turned out great.

Another talented parent designed and painted this.

Finally the night of the dance. Nadia and her friend Lexi got ready together.

Nadia's dress matched the jungle theme with her cheetah print.

She got her hair done for the special day.

She swears she didn't dance with any boys, and I'm ok with that since she is just a freshman. She still has 2 years until she can even date!

Caitlyn decided not to go to the dance and went to the Boise State Football game with dad instead. I really wished she could have gone too, and she ended up being the only cheerleader that didn't go. Oh well, maybe she'll decide to go to prom this year. I love getting the girls all fancied up for stuff like this. It brings back my high school memories.