Christmas tree decorating

We got to decorate three Christmas trees this year - one at Grandma Bromley's, one at Matt's house, and one at Grandma Auman's house. Owen loved playing with all the ornaments, though he wasn't great at actually getting them on the tree. He loves to look at all the Christmas decorations, and he is SO excited to be able to open the presents under the tree.

 I love Owen's face in this one. He loves looking at the village.

 Grandma with the finished tree.

 Discovering the nutcracker's mouth.

 Telling Santa what he wants.

Owen LOVES this...

Getting ready for Christmas!

This is the first year that Owen has been old enough to understand a little bit of what Christmas is about. For the past few weeks as we read scriptures with him at night, we've talked about different aspects of the Christmas story. He knows that Jesus was born in a stable, and that there was a star, and that the shepherds came to see him. He doesn't quite understand what the three kings are yet, but hopefully we'll get there before Christmas. We had a Primary party the other day where all the kids dressed up as shepherds, kings, angels, etc. and we acted out the nativity, which he loved. We've also been telling him about Santa and Christmas trees and about what goes under them (he's very sure about that part :). Anyway, we're been doing lots of preparing for Christmas. These pictures are from gingerbread house making and the Primary activity. I'll put up the tree-decorating ones in a few days. Enjoy!

 

 Owen was the main designer and candy-sticker-on-er for our house.

Our cute little shepherd, waiting to go to the primary activity.

The shepherds in our primary tending their goat.

The whole crew in the manger with Andy the "camel" (can you see her hump?)

Hope everyone is having as great a Christmas season as we are!

Do you hear what I hear?

My little boy swears.

A Fall Adventure

Matt planned an adventure for us a month or so ago. He woke up early and brought me and Owen breakfast in bed, then he took Owen and let me take a long shower and actually spend time getting ready. We hopped in the car and drove to our first destination (and ate yummy snacks - ie chocolate - that Matt had provided). We went to Lemos Farm in Half Moon Bay, where they had a Fall/Halloween festival. Owen LOVED everything about this place. We took a train ride and a hay ride, saw the animals, picked out a pumpkin, and watched all the other kids running around. 

After that, we went to Mavericks, which is a beach in Half Moon Bay famous for its huge (and dangerous) waves. Matt had always wanted to see it, and it was actually a really cool beach. The waves come in perpendicular to the beach from both sides and meet in the middle - it's quite cool to see. After that we had a great lunch at a local seafood place, then spent some time exploring local beaches. We ended our day by driving up through San Francisco and going to Baker Beach right next to the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a great day, and a much needed vacation for the three of us to spend time just with our little family. Enjoy the pictures... there are lots of them!

Owen so excited to hop on the train.

Looking at the funny white pumpkins.

So excited to be on the train.

Ok, so we didn't realize that when they said "haunted" train ride, they really meant it. They had scenes set up by the side of the tracks that featured dirty old dolls and creepy clowns with scary masks on. They were all covered in gore and all grubbied up... it was actually pretty creepy. Good thing Owen didn't really notice...

Look at this deceased/decaying lamb/donkey thing. Totally creepy. (Way creepier in real life but I wasn't fast enough with the camera).

Playing on the big covered wagon.

Love these two.

Ready for the hayride.

Owen was so excited about the fact that he was allowed to stand up and run around in the hay while we were driving... and he nearly jumped off the truck.

Cowboy Owen.

Picking out a baby pumpkin to take home.

 

Got one!

Being a cheeser. As usual.

Cute farmers.

Sweet pumpkin truck!

Danger sign at Mavericks.

Looking at the HUGE waves.

Look what I found, mom!

Cool rocks with holes in them and a shell that Owen calls a "sea pumpkin".

Owen and mommy doing a rock maze.

Finished!

Finding another cool beach.

Cute beach boy checking out a "house" in the rocks.

Baker Beach, San Francisco.

Look at Owen's face - he loved running from the waves with daddy.

Thanks for the great day Matt!