Here's to 31 more years!

Today my mother-in-law and father-in-law are celebrating 31 years of marriage! In 31 years they have been responsible for 3 sons, 3 daughters, 3 happy daughter-in-laws (because we married their sons), and 5 grandsons (and one more on the way)!

What a great legacy! Happy Anniversary Fred & Carolyn! And here's to another 31 years. We love you both!

Finally, a visit from Brandon!

Today we got our first visit from Brandon since he started school here in Pocatello. He started the P.A. program at I.S.U. this month and has been making the drive from Shelley, ID every day. We were so excited when he called to say he would be coming over for a little bit while he was waiting for his intramural football game to start.

We had a nice visit and Owen loved having a fresh face here to entertain him! I had to snap a picture of Brandon, Owen, and Kevin working on their laptops. Owen loves to be in the middle of it all.

We hope it's not another three weeks before Brandon comes by again (shame on you, Brandon!).

"I fix some more, Mom!"

Today I rearranged Owen's bedroom and had to tighten some screws on his little toddler bed (too much jumping on the bed). After I finished and put the screwdriver away I went on to my next task (rearranging my room...change is good and refreshing). It had been awhile since I heard Owen so I went into his room to check on him and this is what I found. He had gotten the screwdriver back out and was "tightening" all the screws on his bed. I asked what he was doing and he looked up, smiled, and said "I fix some more, Mom!".

Our baby is sitting up!

This week Wesley has "mastered" the balancing act of sitting up, and he couldn't be happier about his new trick! I can't believe how big he is getting. At his 4-month check-up he was measuring at 95% in height and 75% in weight.

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Happy Birthday to our beautiful red-haired Grandma Freidenberger (Grandma Hamburger to the great-grandkids)! We hope you have a spectacular birthday and know that we love you. We are grateful that you live close enough so we can see you so often.

Do something special today!

Love,

Becky, Kevin, Owen, and Wesley

Happy Birthday Jarom!

Happy Birthday to the greatest boss ever! And one of the greatest brothers as well! Thanks for letting me tag along with you growing up! I've got some pretty fond memories (sneaking out of the house, breaking windows, and you treating me to Subway foot-long subs just because you couldn't believe I could take it down...all by myself)!

Hope you have an extra special birthday today! Don't work too hard (even though you always do)!

We love ya!
Becky, Kevin, Owen, and Wesley

Friday Night at the RInk

Friday night we went to a birthday party at the rollerskating rink. Kevin's school buddy's daughter was celebrating her 6th birthday. It had been quite awhile since any of us had donned roller skates but we had a good time (maybe more fun than the kids). Owen tried on his first pair of skates too. They were a couple sizes too big, but he still moved around pretty darn good for a two-year old!


Me and Owen; Owen trying on his skates; Kevin and Owen

This skating rink was great (for us) because you could bring strollers onto the floor. We had a great time cruising around with our big baby strollers, but I am sure all the tweenies didn't appreciate it so much. (;



Little Wesley was such a good boy that night. He enjoyed rolling around the floor at top speeds with Kevin.



This party was all girls (except Owen and the three little babies). But, I don't think he even noticed.

Birthday girl Karly, a cousin-Allyson (I think), Owen, Ryan (Kevin's classmate), another cousin-Lauren, and Emma (Karly's sister)

Owen. The Robot.

Lately Owen has a real fascination with robots. He sees them in his books and on some cartoons and just loves the way they look, move, and talk. So on Thursday I had to pull out the camera when he decided to "pretend" to be a robot. He had my shoes on, his plastic bucket on his head, and walked around talking in a robot voice...no kidding. I love how his imagination is blossoming right now. It's SO entertaining.


"Robot. Owen. Robot. Owen."



I also had to throw in this picture of Wesley. He has discovered our little neighbor. She spends just about every afternoon at our house (her older brother is Owen's best-buddy) but Wesley has just barely discovered that she is another "little person". He is growing up so fast.


Wesley and Baby Sarah

A little bit of Idaho & Hawaii all in the same day

Saturday was "Spud Day" in Shelley, Idaho (a small town about 45 miles north of Pocatello). We decided to swing by this year since my brother-in-law (Brandon) is from there and can't say enough good things about "Spud Day". When we arrived I felt like I was intruding on someones family reunion...everyone knew EVERYONE! It was fun to walk around and enjoy some tasty food but we didn't stay too long since it was hot and the place was PACKED. Although, we did find time to get Owen on a little train ride. It was only $1 to ride and he had the time of his life! Thanks Brandon and Emily for giving us small taste of Shelley.



Then it was off to Idaho Falls for a little BYU football shin-dig. My brother and sister-in-law (Jarom and Elena) are kind/crazy enough to host a themed party/potluck for each BYU game this season (since Jarom is the only one that gets the Versus channel). This Saturday we had a Luau theme, which was very appropriate since they had just returned from a Hawaiian Cruise. We had a great time with great food (Hawaiian Haystacks, Tropical Party Punch, Pineapple Cake, and other "Hawaiian" delectables). It made for a great evening...even though I didn't even watch the game. Thanks for the fun evening everyone!


Kate-our real Hawaiian; Owen, Ogden, and Carter; Owen showing off his Hawaiian dish

Copy Cat

This picture says it all. Owen LOVES his dad! We have an old laptop of Kevin's that we kept around so that Owen could work on the computer when we do. He loves to pull it out and work next to his dad...but this time was even better because he went and found a ball to sit on so he could be exactly like his dad. Too cute!

Silly Boys

This morning I pulled out the camera to take some pictures of Wesley in his rocker-chair. He loves to flip himself around when he is in his chair so he can stare at and touch the red barn and animals printed on it. Anyway, while I was doing this Owen tapped on my leg and said "Momma, take a picture of Owen!", so I turned to take his picture. I died laughing when I looked to see that he was actually posing (this kid usually runs when I ask to take his picture)...with his hands and everything! After taking his picture he quickly responded, "Thanks Mom!". I decided to seize the moment and take a few more pictures of my pose happy little boy, and after each one he said "Thanks Mom!". Priceless!

Visit from the Wards

We love back-to-school time around here because it means we get a visit from Kevin's parents during their trek west to drop his sisters off for school. They (his parents and sister, Staci) arrived in Pocatello on Thursday evening and stayed with us until Saturday morning. Then on Saturday we drove to Rexburg, ID to visit Staci's new apartment at BYU-Idaho. We enjoyed a nice dinner and shared a hotel room with Fred & Carolyn in Rexburg that night.

Of course, they showed up bearing gifts! They are so thoughtful that way. Owen and Wesley were showered with nice gifts, lots of love, and lots of attention! Who could ask for anything more?! We were sad to see them leave, but look forward to seeing them in December.


Me and Owen checking out his new "dictionary"; Owen showing off his new Snoopy pj's; Kevin's cute sister Staci; Owen enjoying his new toys and books


We went to the park on Friday afternoon and Owen couldn't get enough of playing soccer with Grandpa Ward.


Staci and Owen racing down the slides; Wesley; Kevin, Fred, Carolyn, and Staci; Owen watching his new movie "Everyone's Hero"...and he HAS TO have his hat, ball, and bat with him at all times during this movie; Wesley swinging; Staci, Me, and Owen on a rock in the park; Kevin and Wesley at the hotel; Owen showing off his "latest" battle wound-he biffed it on the cement while we were waiting to be seated at the restaurant; Owen and Kevin racing down the slides

Fair Days

As is tradition, on Labor Day my family went to the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot, ID (about 25 minutes north of Pocatello). This year we went with my parents, Natalie (my sis), Alyssa (Jarom and Elena's daughter), and Brandon & Emily (brother-in-law and sister). We made a day of it and arrived in time to enjoy some lunch and left late enough to enjoy some dinner. I crave the food from the Fair all year long!


Dad, Nat, Alyssa, Mom; Alyssa and Nat; Me and Owen; Wesley

After eating lunch and feeling quite rejuvenated we headed for all the commercial buildings and barns (this year they had an 800lb pig).


Owen and Alyssa watching the horse races; Mom, Nat, Me, and Emily; Alyssa the lamb; Owen wearing the famous Culligan hat

Then it was time for the rides (an expensive necessity). Owen went on the Merry-Go-Round (which he LOVED) and also a little train. Alyssa was so nice to ride along with him. We also had to give the basketball game a shot since Kevin was so successful at it last year...but, after $10 and no baskets we decided to move on (we will try again next year).


Owen and Kevin on the Merry-Go-Round; Owen, Kevin, and Alyssa on the train; Owen and Alyssa; Kevin trying to make a winning basket.