NOOOOO!

(okay these pictures were actually taken in January, but they give you the same cold feeling as to how I felt this morning! )

I knew when I moved to MI that we would have a long winter, and I a used to random snowstorms in Utah. I have even been caught in a snowstorm in JUNE! But this year I want to complain. Why does my heart have to be toyed with? Seriously. It has been really nice lately. We have even had some 60 degree days. The tulips outside are coming up, my neighbor's daffodil bloomed, the grass is so GREEN, and I am seeing some new flowers. I have been so ready for spring!

THEN... yesterday happened! 3 inches of cold, wet, white snow! YUCK! I know it won't stay around long, but GO AWAY FOR GOOD and come back in NOVEMBER!

I think part of my annoyance is that my parents and sisters are coming tonight (something I have been looking forward to for a long time) and I wanted to show them around town. Many of the places are OUTSIDE. ): Oh well. I guess "at least we'll be together." Hopefully by the time they leave it will be nice.

There I am done complaining. HERE 's to VISITORS in EIGHT hours! (no I am not excited at all!)

My 3 hours will live on...

This is Heidi, and I have a confession. I just found out that an experience from my past will live on....as long as choir tour at Olympus High happens. No, I never really broke rules in high school. I only "sluffed" one time, and besides being late for curfew I think I pretty much stuck to the rules. Except on Tour.

Let me set the scene. I was a junior in "highlights," the girl singing group. We went on tour with vocal ensemble and the whole concert choir (about 100 students). We traveled by bus down to California to perform in Disneyland. I was on the all girl bus and my boyfriend of 3 or 4 months, "Chicks Dig Miner" was on the ensemble bus. We were excited to go on a trip together with all of our friends. Before we left for tour we signed papers and heard rules about boys and girls not going into each other's rooms "or else."

Well. From many photos I have seen not many people stuck to this rule, but rarely got caught. Me on the other hand, I went up with a friend, Bonnijane, to visit my cute tour romance"TR" (no not really, I DID end up marrying him) and the boys up stairs for a moment, literally. Unfortunately Mr. Williams saw us and we were caught! Bonnijane and I said we were just delivering an Easter basket (I don't remember if that was true or not), but that did not suffice. We were told we could not go to Disneyland for the first 3 hours. Our friend Sita, also joined us because he threw a table off a cruise ship. Now first of all, who throws a table and gets away with the SAME punishment as two sweet girls? RIDICULOUS.

So, we missed a few rides, but now I hear that they are still threatening the high school students today with the story of "the girl who missed three hours of Disneyland for sneaking to a boy's room." My sister was lucky enough this year to say "that was my sister!" ha ha ha.

So, I am the unnamed famous "tour rule breaker" at Olympus High School. What a great title.

Oh, and one side note. Mr. Williams happened to be the same man who interviewed Dave for his mission and set him apart. I think he forgave us, though it was awkward. He was nice enough to let me hug Dave with the rest of the family after Dave was set apart as a missionary.

LOVE IT.

The elephant says...

For those who really know me, you'll know how proud I am of this moment. For those who are still getting to know me, I love elephants! Such a proud mom! (Sorry it is a little bouncy). ENJOY!

My day...

This is what I get to do and see all day. Anna and Anna Belle LOVE playing outside and in. Today was so nice it was 55 degrees. We went to the park and played on the swings. Tomorrow is suppose to be 65 so we'll do it again. This time with the camera! Here are the girlies.

They try to get away, but are trapped! They get so frustrated that they cannot go up. Although that first step is fun to play on and the stair case echoes, so Anna loves to screech up the stairs, it is hilarious!

This is blurry, but shows Anna's new things. She loves "hugs" and you can see her top two teeth!

Anna's 15 minutes of "down time." She loves these Animal sing- a -longs, especially the dogs, She always says "oof oof."
They love playing on this sleeping bag, it is so funny to watch.

Watching out the window for dogs and cars.

Chasing after each other, but typically Anna Belle is walking.

This is actually Katie A holding Anna, but I do this all day long!

These are my favorite shoes of Anna's and they are getting worn out! ):

THEY LOVE BOOKS! Especially Anna. Anna Belle's favorite thing is to bring a book to me and climb in my lap.

Anna's first time driving. She looks as confused as I was my first time.

Anna Belle's Lion growl!

Anna winding down before nap time. The string around her neck is a purse that she loves to put on and play with.

Good Bye Little Fella, we miss you already...

Last week we had to say goodbye to something that almost became part of the family. Here "Lies" the balloon of the year....

Yes, this quite large balloon lived a full life from Jan. 21st until March 2nd. It was loved by many throughout it's lifetime, especially Anna, Anna Belle, Mia, Lincoln, and Hunter. It traveled many places and stood tall through it all. It went through drool, hugs, and punches. It was a tough one, but alas, it met its fate. We miss you purple balloon!

Washington D.C. (LOTS of Pictures)

I had to start with this shot because I'm particularly proud of it. Heidi and I had the entire day to ourselves (thanks Emmy!) and we had a blast running all over town.

Here are my two ladies at Mount Vernon (George Washington's home and final resting place).

Sorry, couldn't resist putting in another. They're just so cute!

Just one of the many gorgeous planes at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum (Dulles Airport).

Heidi & Anna in front of the Enterprise space shuttle.

The Enola Gay, which dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

Iwo Jima Memorial ... I didn't think it would be so HUGE!

Anna got this ballon at Johnny Rockets, which might have been the highlight of her trip!

Washington D.C. Temple ... quite impressive in person.

Impossible to tell what this is from my picture (really bad lighting and no flash photography allowed), but this is the Declaration of Independence. Quite humbling to see so many original and powerful documents in D.C.

Just thought it was pretty cool to see a document that was actually signed by George Washington. We saw all kinds of artifacts from many of the early presidents.

One of Lincoln's trademark tophats.

Anna LOVED climbing into Mommy's suitcase and throwing her clothes all over the room!

I know you can't tell much from the picture, but this was possibly the most amazing moment of the trip. At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, we were surprised to we among the very few to watch the Japanese Prime Minister arrive to a full military ceremony, 21 cannon salute, etc. He then placed a wreath on the tomb and walked right by us. What good timing on our part!

Ahh, the Lincoln Memorial ... one of my favorites.

The statues at the Korean War Memorial were quite impressive (particularly their facial expressions).

We HAD to get a shot in front of the White House ... though the stranger we asked had no clue how to take a good picture! It was incredible to be so close to the home of so many US Presidents.

What would a trip to D.C. be without a photo of Washington Monument?

Heidi in front of Amelia Earhart's outfit.

The Wright Brothers' original first plane to take flight (at National Air & Space Museum).

Heidi and Anna in the central lobby of the National Gallery of Art.

Hey, it's not every day that you get to stand a few inches from a Van Gogh!

My wonderful Aunt, Uncle, Cousins, and their significant others. Thank you for such a truly amazing experience.

Whew! Sorry for all the pics, but we did so much in a week that I couldn't possibly show even a fraction of it without a lot of photos. I miss D.C. already and hope to go back soon!

What a month!

We have been lucky in the month of February.It is a short month, but we seemed to pack a lot in. There is too much to blog about at this moment so for now I will post the highlights...


*3 week cold and sinus infection (no, not really a positive highlight, but one I dealt with the whole month)

*Anna's first ear infection- yucky AMOX! Oh, I forgot to give it to her again this morning! opps.

*Fun "Old School" Valentines party @ the Owens. We thought it would be fun to make our own "boxes" like you would do in elementary school. Dave and I worked way too long on ours. It was fun! We did the Michigan Stadium...


If you want to see more photos go here: http://owensarea.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-heart-day.html


*Woke up on Valentines to Breakfast, Chocolate, Carnation hearts, and Roses (and 3 pink carnations for Anna...Daddy is so cute).

*Went to WASHINGTON D.C. for spring break! (yes, spring break is a bit early in MI, but whatever). We will post another time with photos.

* Staying with Dave's Amazing Uncle, Aunt, and Cousins! It was the best part of our trip for sure. We had such a great time reconnecting, and Anna LOVES the Burtons! (especially their photos...I think I'll post about this later)

* Hearing that Dave's cousins might come live by us and go to the U of M School of Law! Congrats again Richard! We hope you and Sarah will come be our A2 buds!

* Pizza with Tophams and getting to hold beautiful one- month- old Sloane while Lincoln "beat" Mia (our dog) with a balloon. Hillarious.


* Fun Get together tonight with Utah and BYU fans, it was a fun get together...and we won't say anymore!

*And to end the month off right, Dave has finished our taxes! We WILL be getting a good return this year, which is so exciting considering the last two years we have PAID (darn self employment!!)