For Aunt Megan

Owen was chilly the other morning, so we broke out his App State sweatshirt for the first time. His Aunt Megan got this for him when she graduated last May. Thanks Aunt Megan!

A trip to the Country

This past weekend, we had the opportunity to go to the country with some friends in Charlotte. We went to Holly Hill, SC to Mary and Dave's family house. It was quite an adventure! We had a great time with the Kulps and the McCanns chatting and laughing over meals and enjoying all that the country has to offer. We missed the Hunts who got to spend the weekend in Presbyterian Hospital rehydrating Melissa. Thank You Kulp's for the great weekend!

Here are some pictures of our time.

Owen got to ride in this little Radio Flyer Wagon. It was just the right size for him.



Matt got to shoot skeet for the first time! Don't be fooled, his bee-bee gun shooting from MS/HS trained him well!



I drove a 4-wheeler! A couple of times! It was really fun. This time Matt and Owen came a long for a ride. Don't worry, I didn't go very fast. Matt kept saying - you can go into a higher gear and go faster... He was very patient with his cautious wife.



Lucy also "drove" a 4-wheeler for the first time. She was closely watched by her daddy.



Here Owen is rapping with Mr. Dave. Check out Owen's camo shoes (Thank You Grams!).



Matt, Sean and Dave went for a ride into the swamp - they wore these boots just in case they got stuck in the mud. At one point Matt said, "You don't see me like this every day, do you?!"



Here is Dave trying with all of his might to get the boots off of Matt.

We're Moving to Richmond, VA!

This weekend, Matt was offered and accpeted a job! Matt will be the Assistant Pastor of Adult Discipleship at West End Presbyterian Church in Richmond, VA soon after graduation.

To check out our new church, go to - www.wepc.org.

We are so thankful that the Lord has provided this amazing opportunity to us! We'll keep you posted as we search for a house!

Some Recent Pictures of Owen

Since it's been a while since we've posted anything, here is a random assortment of what's been going on.

Owen still loves reading - he won't sit there for 20 minutes anymore, but he loves a good book.



This Little People farm was a birthday present. Owen loves to sit and play with it. He likes to put the animals and farmer in the silo and open the door to get them out.


Dinner is a rough time around our house these days. We are trying to figure out what he likes for dinner. We're getting there. Here is a picture after one night of dinner.



Owen enjoyed watching his first March Madness game. It was on when he was born last year, but he didn't remember it(and neither did we!).



On the first day of spring, Owen and I spent some time playing bubbles and sidewalk chalk with the Kulps. It was very refreshing!



This is another one of Owen's birthday presents - today he was playing with it in his diaper. Spring is here!



Although Owen is getting at least one top tooth and has been CRANKY the last few days, we still managed to capture some sweet pictures today.

Holding Hands

Owen held hands last week for the first time!! He held hands with our sweet friend Bennett...she's an older woman! Isn't this picture so sweet?

One Year Old!

Our sweet boy is 1!



We had a great day yesterday celebrating Owen's 1st Birthday. Owen enjoyed some pancakes for breakfast; some play time and a morning nap; family lunch at Chic-Fil-A where he enjoyed some chicken nuggets, a free bowl of ice cream and a balloon; a good afternoon nap; and a birthday party with some friends in Charlotte. It was a joy to celebrate our sweet son - our gift from God!

The Cake.




Owen's cake - we didn't get a picture of it before he got to it.



Owen enjoyed smooshing his cake, but would only eat it if I fed it to him.

First Birthday Party

On our way home from Sarah's wedding in Deleware this weekend, we went to a birthday party for Owen at Grams and Grampop's house in Virginia. Owen has had an ear infection and is going through some more separation anxiety, so he was a little bit cranky, but other than that it was a good time! We enjoyed visiting with all of Matt's family, my parents, my best friend from High School, Tori, and her husband Scott, and our good friends the Salvatierras. Thank you all for loving our son so well, even when he's cranky!!

Owen enjoyed his first slice of pizza - of course he loved it!



Grams made some great cupcakes!



Owen having "Happy Birthday" sung to him for the first time.



Owen's first cupcake. He was pretty timid with it. He ended up squishing it with his hand, but didn't eat too much of it.



Here are Owen and Noah at their last playdate for a while! Noah and his mommy and daddy are moving to Peru to do church planting with Mission to the World.




Owen playing with Madison - Ashley was busy eating so she couldn't be in the picture.



When Tori and Scott moved from Hawaii to Northern VA, we set them up with the Salvatierras. They hit it off great and have become great friends over the last year. What a blessing!



Owen was blessed by his family and friends - he got some great clothes and toys! Thank You!

My Best Woman gets married

This past weekend we had the honor of celebrating the marriage of our dear friend Sarah. Sarah and I lived together at JMU for 3 years, she was the maid of honor (best woman) in our wedding. It was a great joy to celebrate with Sarah and James. We look forward to many years of knowing them as a couple! We love you guys!



Here are my housemates - we missed you Jane!!


A family shot.


My parents came to the wedding too!


Here we are with the DeBoer's!