Getting ready for Christmas

Here are some pics of Christmas prep and getting the tree.  Owen loves looking at the "pretty lights" on the tree.  He has learned where the switch is and likes to turn them on and off.  We're still working on the concept that the ornaments stay on the tree.  

It's fun being in a new neighborhood and seeing the decorations.  Some folks are pretty major around here.  There is one house down the street that has a serious light show going on. Another has a bunch of characters in a swing type ride and on a ferris wheel as well.  Owen loves it when we drive home at night and see all the lights.  

As of tonight we have only one gift left to buy.  Yay!  

This week we'll be taking off on our tour of California for the holidays.... 

Deck the Owen!

Grandma, Owen and Mark at the Christmas tree farm

Second pony ride.  This is the same place we got our pumpkins and where he had his first pony ride.  We were looking at the Christmas trees and we told Owen he could ride the horsie again.  He took off running through the trees to find the horsie.  He had a great time!

"Helping" decorate

The finished product.  

Complete with leftover birthday party decorations.  

More Party Pics

Here are even move birthday party pics!

Elmo loves you!  Please don't hurt Elmo.

Huggies

Here is some cake eating.  This year he can use a fork!  

Small miracles.

Owen's favorite present, the picture of Brandon.  

He went crazy for it!

Some of the crew at the Festival of Lights

Owen's 2nd Birthday

Owen had an awesome 2nd birthday party!  We were gearing him up for quite awhile before the actual party.  Then of course I had to wake him up from his nap so he didn't miss it!  He had a Sesame Street theme with a healthy does of Elmo.  

We had lots of friends come for the party and to see the new house.  Owen didn't know what to do with himself.  He was a little shell shocked at first....

He handled it all pretty well.  Had a minor breakdown when the candy came out of the Elmo pinata.  He was yelling "put it back! put it back!".  Then when everyone sang "Happy Birthday" he got a little freaked.  But for the rest of the day he was a champ.  He had a great time eating his cake and ice cream.  All the kids ran around in the backyard and had a lot of fun.  They really do entertain each other.    

The kids table, pre-kids.

My friend Trina's munchkins, Sarah and Nate.  

They loved playing with Owen's toys.

Stick the nose on the Elmo game!

Owen and his best buddy, Brandon.

Elmo!  Why are you hanging from the patio cover?

Good Grandparent turnout.

Fun cake

Opening presents with Brandon and Arabella.

He LOVED this book from Grandma C so much.  Presents were done, so he plopped down to start reading it.

After the party, hanging with grandmas at the Festival of Lights.

More pictures to come....

Mariposa Cabin Visit

We finally made it up to see my parent's "cabin in the woods" in Mariposa, CA.  It is located a little over an hour east of Fresno up Hwy 140.  After an eventful drive that included flinging bungee cords, a flapping tarp, three stops to fix the tarp, and shiny new chip clips we arrived under cover of darkness at the end of a long, windy, and foggy road.

Owen loved exploring the property, including putting rocks in his mouth to get the full sensory experience.  We checked out the town and bought our Christmas ornaments in a cute little shop.  I'm sure there are many more fun visits to come!  

Owen only gets to play with these blocks at Nana and Papa's house, so he becomes quite obsessed with them when we visit.

Nana and Owen drawing at the kitchen table in the cabin.

In the Mariposa Art Park

I found a kitty!  Let's see if he enjoys me chasing him all around the joint.

Checking out the property.

Lots of room to roam.

Owen and Nana.  You can see the aftermath of the Telegraph fire.  My parent's building was spared, but the property looks a bit charred.

Owen's first campfire.  

He kept calling it "Happy Birthday".  

It was quite precious.

Mark and Papa checking out the land while I attempt to keep Owen from rolling down the driveway.

A Mensing Family Thanksgiving

Here are some photos to show you what it looks like to have 40 Mensings in the same house on Thanksgiving.  We had a great time.  It has been awhile since so many of the family have been together in one place at one time.  We missed all of you that couldn't make it, but honestly, there would not have been room!  You can also view some video from Thanksgiving here.

Marcus and Owen working the puzzle

Mom and Dad's living room/family restaurant

Mensings on the patio

More patio dwellers

I think I caught this group all chewing at the same time

Marcus, Owen and Ella playing in the yard

"The trio"

Fred, Kalvin and Bella behind

We were totally egging Emma on.  Sorry Cori!

Reading family memories and giving thanks.

Kendra and Wall-e

Late night Balderdash game with the holdouts

Playing in the backyard

Here are a few shots of Owen, Amos and Guy playing on the deck the weekend we moved in.  

We haven't really been home that much to take pictures.  Basically the backyard is this deck and grass.  A clean slate really.