oh the lies

I love primary? No you don't Owen. That sticker on your head...it's a lie.
I knew it. I knew that my kid would be the one that cries for nursery on Sunday. In fact I told my bishop two months ago that he might as well put me in the nursery because my child would be the cryer. Well, he didn't. Not like I really WANTED that calling, but just thought I would offer. Just thought I would warn them.
Owen's nursery teachers are so cute. A young married couple with no kids. They try hard, and there are a lot of other little boys his age that he loves to run around with in sacrament meeting, but heaven forbid I put him in a room with all his friends, surrounded by awesome toys, and shut the door. Heaven forbid.
People are going to tell me he will get used to it. I've heard it before. He is the biggest Mama's boy, I cannot leave his sight. Oh well, maybe I should enjoy it until he starts pushing me away.

My Monster

My monster turned 18 months on Feb. 26th. He is in the 25th percentile for his weight and in the 90th for his height. Tall and skinny. He is growing and talking and doing everything is supposed to be doing. We are so grateful to have such a healthy happy little boy.

We got Owen's baby bouncer back from one of my sisters a couple months ago. Owen automatically took it over, and it is his favorite place to chill out. This is part of our nighttime routine. We turn on 'Sprout' he grabs his blanket, his milk, and his puppy, and plops right down in his little lounge chair. He's so funny.

a boy and his dog

Hiding out under the computer desk

I think that Wrigley is Owen's best friend. He loves his puppy so much. Wrigley is so good to him. He let's him roll and play all over him. Owen is only about three inches taller then Wrigley, it's so funny to watch them play. Thanks Wrig.

Zermatt

Corey and I own a hotel suite at Zermatt Resort in Midway. Corey dedicated about 7 years of his life to this place until recently when he decided that he needed to move on. He worked there when this place was a pile of dirt, and his office was in a trailer. It's so amazing to see what this place has become. We have so many memories of this place and have so much fun when we are up there. Unfortunatley we are unable to keep our place due to finances and the economy. That won't keep us away though.

We decided to make a quick getaway this past Saturday to Sunday. We went swimming, ate good food, explored these beautiful ice castles they have on the property, and just had fun.

big boy bed...

Owen has never been a great sleeper. He still wants to cuddle in mommy and daddy's bed at night, and never wants to be in his room alone. We have been trying to get him to want to sleep in his own room. I thought that a "big boy bed" might intrigue him. It did. He has fallen asleep in his own bed since it has been up, and come 3:30ish he finds his way into our room. I attempt to take him back into his bed, sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. I know a lot of people say this is horrible, but I don't care. Owen will only be our baby once and there are few things better then cuddling with your precious little boy. I can't get over the fact that he even is old enough for a "big boy bed" time flies. I say this time and time again.

choo choo's

Owen's cousin Lucas gave him his old train set, and Owen is in love. They are his "choo choo's"

our little cheese

Christmas 2009

I am aware that this is totally late, but I couldn't just NOT post christmas!

Posing nicely for the camera! (rare)

Owen's presents from Santa!

Spike Jr. the dinosaur (grandma looking lovely as ever in the background)


Owen's favorite, Elmo!

Me and my guy

4 years

Corey and I got married December 3rd 2005. Hard to believe we have been married for four years. I decided that I would recap.
December 23rd 2004. Corey and I met at Guadalahonkey's Restaurant. Corey was 23 and I was 18. Corey was a server and I was there taking my niece out for her birthday. It's funny because this was our last choice of a place to go eat, but everywhere else was so busy. Morgan kept telling me that "that guy" kept staring at me. I could not get over how handsome he was. I was secretly hoping that he would come talk to us. He did. He got my number and called me the next day, which was Christmas Eve. We talked about nothing really, said that we should hang out. We texted for two days straight just about. December 26th he came over to my house and we sat on the couch and talked, held hands, and laughed. When he left that night I knew that I could have something serious on my hands.
Throughout the rest of the winter and spring we dated only each other. We never really talked about it, but we just didn't want to be with anyone else but one another. Corey left for a business trip in April. The night before he left he told me he "thought" he loved me. I took that as he did. When he came home from Europe he informed me how much his cell phone bill was. A LOT!!
Summer comes and we have decided that we want to get married. What a fun summer. We go to St. George with my family, and it's crazy how this guy has just molded perfectly into my family and every aspect of my life.
It's October and my sisters, Mom, and myself go on a girls trip to Vegas. We shop, we eat, we talk, we laugh, we have so much fun. Just when the trip can't get any better Corey shows up at the mall! He whisks me away, with my bags already packed (by my sisters) and we go to the airport. We get to the front desk and the lady says, "from las vegas, to long beach, and then on to JFK." WHAT?? I've dreamed of going to New York forever. This is no secret to anyone. We end up in NY, have a blast in the city. On day two we are in central park, and he asked me if I knew why he had brought me here. My reply? "because you love me." He told me that he knew coming to NY was a dream of mine, and he wants to make my dreams come true...cute I know. So he proposes, and I say yes. We had a fabulous three days in the city. It was a dream come true.
December 3rd 2005. We got married in the Salt Lake temple. It was a beautiful, COLD, winter day. The best.
The past five years of knowing each other has been a blast. It has not been perfect, and at times it has been downright hard. We have done a lot. We have seen Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain. Multiple trips to Mexico, more trips to NY, and an awesome trip to Chicago. Traveling has been a huge part of our early married life and I am so grateful that I have seen this world.
However, the past two years have been so much more. 2008 was a long year, being pregnant and having a new baby. 2009 has been probably the hardest, but happiest year we have been together.
Corey, we have done some amazing things. Thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for being such a sweet loving Daddy to Owen. He adores you SO much. Remember that this is the time of our life. We are LIVING it today, our past was awesome, but sitting at home with you and Owen is where I want to be. Happy 4 year anniversary, I love you so much.

The time for family pictures was long overdue for us. I kept waiting for the silliest things until I wanted to get them done. I wouldn't do them until I had lost all my weight (which is also LONG OVERDUE) I finally realized how selfish I have been, and how much more important it is to capture my ever growing one year old. I love these pictures and am so glad I did them. Us women are never satisfied with ourselves are we? That's what I need to remember. I'm not the only one! Thanks to one of my best friends Jessica Oberg for the fun night at Wheeler Farm and the wonderful pictures!! Love you girl.

Owen Benjamin, my big one year old

August 26th came and went and my baby boy turned one. My how time flies. I don't think you understand the reality of that statement until you have a child. One year ago I could not imagine having a one year old. I was consumed by the newness and absolute completeness that Owen had filled me with. Now, not only do I have a one year old, but I can see his whole future ahead of him. How close it is, how real and vivid it feels.

I see him outside playing in the dirt and rocks, loving life, not having a care in the world.
I see him being a strong, loving, older brother, a protector.

I see him walking away from me on his first day of

school, so brave.

I see Corey and I on the sidelines at his games, cheering him on.

I see him growing, going to high school, doing homework, learning to drive.

I see him growing taller then me.

This boy has got me wrapped around his finger. I am so proud to call him mine. I can't wait for him to experience life. All the good he will get to be involved in, all the wonderful things he will do. He has such a sweet happy personality. I thank my Heavenly Father I get to be a mother. Especially to him.

My cute little man struttin' his stuff...

Teeth! Finally, teeth! At 11 months owen had a single tooth! Come almost 12 months and he has two teeth. By one year I think he might have four. Those top front are almost through. I am so surprised by how long it took this boy to get these chompers!

FIRSTS!!! ...

Owen got his first haircut last Saturday. He went from my baby to my big boy, and I hate it. He looks very studly with his new cute little spikes, but it will never be the same. His baby hair is gone!



We went to the zoo a couple weeks ago, and I think Corey and I had more fun then Owen did! He just wanted to crawl around on the grass. He did like the monkey's and we were lucky enough to see them swingin' around too. Those zoo animals sure are lazy.

St. George, and much more!

Over the 24th we decided to take a tiny bit of a getaway and go down to St. George with my family. It was a funfilled weekend that consisted mostly of swimming and eating! Owen loved the water, and we all had a really fun time!
While we were gone, Owen turned 11 months. I can't beleive it. He also FINALLY got his first tooth! He has been taking some steps for over a month now, but on Sunday when we got home, he decided that he wanted to officially become a walker. I think it's because I refused to let him crawl or walk around in that dirty hotel room, and the rest of the time he was in his stroller. So confined. Poor guy. So now he is off and I love it. It's so cute to watch him roam around. I will get some more pic's up soon!

Cousin Aliza

Owen loves his cousins. They are all so good to him, and love him so much. We are with my sister and her husband and adorable little girl Aliza a lot. The first thing Liza does when she sees Owen is give him a hug, whenever he cries, she say's "ob I'm right here" and they love to play and wrestle around. He is so in love with her. I am so glad my little boy has these relationships with his family and I know these two will be life long friends.

Big boy car seat!

Owen is now 22 pounds and very tall for his age, so he is sitting in a big boy car seat! I can't beleive it! My how time flies! He loves facing forward, and being able to look at us while we are in the front seat. He talks to me during the car ride, and when he's not, he is rocking out. He's so funny...

Owen Benjamin, 8 months old!

8 months ago I loved you more then anything I ever had, even though I had just met you.

8 months later I love you more then anything I ever have, and know you better then anyone I have ever met.

8 months ago I was scared to fall asleep, worried that something might happen to you.

8 months later I still check on you a dozen times each night.

8 months ago I was amazed by what you were.

8 months later I am still in awe of what you are becoming.

8 months ago I couldn't imagine you growing any older.

8 months later I can see you in the future.

8 months have come and gone. I need time to stop. I love this boy and I devour every single day I have with him while he is still so small. I love you ob, and I will try to remember every small thing you do, for that is what makes life ... life. You clap, you crawl, you wave, you laugh, you explore, you try to talk to me, you play with my hair, you pull yourself up. You love me more then anyone else has.

Jiles Dunn Barnes

My big sister Jenny had her baby boy on April 17th. He was 5 weeks early. Weighed 5 lbs. 11 oz. His lungs were not developed and he was life flighted to another hospital. Life is unexpected and at times very scary. Luckily, I beleive that Jenny and Jd have the faith it takes for this boy to get better. I will say that over and over. Jenny was able to hold him for the first time tonight. She was, and I quote, "over the moon!" I don't have pictures yet, but go to the barnsie bunch's blog if you want to see this beautiful baby!