Some Pretty Exciting Goings-on...

Hop on over to the O'Baby blog to learn a little more about what's been going on in the O'Brien household the last month or so!

You'll get to see more about this guy:

And, get to meet this guy!!:

Lessons in Bad Parenting #247

We all strive to be the best parents we can be. Sometimes we fail. Sometimes in these failures, we must step back and laugh. Because heaven knows, God is.

Lesson #247 - When repeatedly asking your child and your dog to mind you and neither could give a flip. Calmly find video-recording phone, press play and record blackmail for later when your child actually might care that what he is doing is GROSS!!!

Please come back often for more enlightening lessons in bad parenting, I can assure you there is bound to be at least one more...

To the Zoo!

Last month we finally made it to the zoo. I had been wanting to go, but it was either too hot, we were too busy, or just too tired. But, this time, Owen, Grandma Holly and I made a plan and stuck with it.

We made our trek over to the Dallas Zoo, as I was excited to see the new Giants of the Savannah exhibit. I didn't really know what I was in for, because I had this line my dad said once upon a time running through my mind the whole time. He told me once, the best exhibit at the Dallas Zoo was the cockroaches when he was little. ICK!

I will be happy to tell you that that is NOT SO!  It was delightful! We had a great time. I think I probably enjoyed it the most. The Grandma was excited to be there with the grandson. The kiddo was excited about all the statue animals. Me? My animal loving self was in wart hog heaven!

Here's a few snap shots from the day. I can't wait to go back!

The elephants doing their tricks...see the trainer on the rocks on the left.

O says he approves of the Savannah. 

Well, hello there!

Parallel parking for giraffes!

Watching the lions from our lunch table.

Mom, these elephants are really my speed!

Teehee! Trunks are funny!

That guy's funny, Grandma!

One more time!

Of course, Grandma Holly had to take him on the Carousel! 

Yea! for the zoo!

A Trick-or-Treating We Will Go

I posted a little bit about O's first real trick or treat expedition over on the O'Baby Blog, but I wanted to share this little bit of video too!

I know he's my kid so that influences me on the cuteness factor, but seriously, this kid is cute. All dress up in his puppy-with-no-puppy-ears-because-I-won't-wear-them costume and his big blue eyes just make me melt!

The Big Dig

Today, I had a meet-up with resident archaeologist, Tex O'Brien. He was in the area for the big dig at the historic Ft. O'Brien, which happens to be right out my back door. I did not want to miss this opportunity to see the legend in his element.

 He welcomed the crowd, and told us a little bit about how he goes about his explorations. Tex said a good pair of cargo pants is a must, as well as a trusty shovel and spatula. "I can't tell you enough how often a good spatula can get you out of a pretty nasty scrape," said Tex O'Brien.

 "You just feel it in your bones when you're onto something. Like today, I just knew I had to get out here and get a feel for the earth. In my second trip out today, I've already found a red rocket and a green fish! Do you know what this means in my field?"

Clearly, Tex was excited about what he had uncovered today at the dig site. I can't wait to see what he learns from these artifacts!

 Above, Tex O'Brien points out one of the dig spots that's yielded quite a bit of artifacts in this last outing. Tex was also quite willing to get his feet dirty. He said something about feeling the sand between his toes...or maybe that was me wishing for a beach vacation.

Tex also had his assistant, Ryker vonStryker out on the dig too. Tex likes to say Ryker works like an animal, whatever that's about...

Here Tex O'Brien said something about the way the building was constructed as well, but it was way over my head. I tell you, this guy is amazing!

It was an exciting day for sure. Tex said the site looked promising for more treasure, but he and vonStryker had a call from Mr. & Mrs. Cole to rescue a baby llama in Peru. Man, the life this guy leads...they should make a movie based on this guy - a handsome archaeologist with a goofy side kick off to save the world one adventure at a time. I bet it would make a killing! 

Tex O'Brien, safe travels and we look forward to your next adventure!

Owen and the Blueberries

No lie. The kid LOVES his blueberries. The other day, I said 'to heck with it,' washed the whole container and gave it to him. I don't know if the boy could have been happier.

He got to figure out how to open it. LOVE. He got to pick out the berries by himself. LOVE. He got to be his crazy, silly self. LOVE!

I got some stinkin' cute pictures of my O'Bear. Super dooper LOVE!

Wishing you all love and antioxidents!

One Nap a Day

Ugh, friends, I think we hit it. I think we are down to one nap a day. You know what this means, I bet you can already tell. A slowdown in the production of blogs.

With a kid that NEVER sits still. And I do mean never, this means a long day ahead for mama. He doesn't watch videos. He doesn't snuggle. He doesn't sit and read. We 'go-go-go.' (That's even O's favorite word!)

So, don't give up on me. We're here. I have ideas in my head...now, if only time to get them 'on paper' per say!

Fourth Fun

The Fourth of July was so much fun this year.

So, this is parental supervision?

Last year...I was stuck inside with a brand new baby trying to keep my sanity.

This year, we were in a field eating out of the back of a truck and enjoying the plane show and fire works! All with a smiley, bubbly one-year-old!

The plane, boss! The plane!!

 So much fun!

Kaboom!!

A Game of Chase

You see this guy?

Yeah, you...

This guy, has become the favorite go-to playmate of a certain one-year-old around our house. Every night before bed this week, Ryker and Owen have played Chase up and down the hall. Sometimes Ryker is into it and gets down into a 'play bow' and makes funny barks. Sometimes he looks to us for help, like "are you really going to let that kid hang on me?"

It has been fun to watch their relationship grow...our first born and our fur born! =) Just think, one day, Ryker and Owen are going to be running up to me asking if they can go on a walk by themselves. I'll say yes, and I'll follow behind stealthly in the Cozy Coup! 

Ryker, you have your quirks, but we're so glad you're our puppy!

Owen's Rookie Year

Last weekend, we had a great time celebrating Owen's Rookie Year! It is hard to believe this little guy is one already. But sometimes it's hard to believe he's only one!

Here's a few (i.e. a lot) of pics of the big festivities. It was so great to have Owen's grandparents and aunts and uncles, as well as several of our friends, and Owen's very special one-yr-old friend, Asher to help us celebrate!

Happy Birthday, Big Boy!! You are a crazy, fun, silly, challenging joy we're so proud to call ours!

A Vacation for Three!

This past five days, our little family of three has gotten to enjoy our first vacation together! Joe had a business opportunity that brought him to the North Carolina coast, and with the help of AA airmiles Owen and I got to join in the fun!

To say I was terrified flying with an 11 mo was an understatement. There are just too many things going on and going wrong with air travel these days. But O showed me! He was a trooper, and I even got to snuggle with my little guy for two whole hours while he slept on me!

Let's see... We visited the Great Dismal Swamp, saw a blimp and ransacked a hotel room on our first few days! O loved being able to wander all around the room.

Blimp and blimp hanger....doesn't it look like a loaded down milk cow?

After Joe finished his business obligations, we headed to the Outter Banks, or the OBX as all the cool kids call it. We stopped in Kitty Hawk/Kill Devil Hills to see the Wright Bros Museum only to have missed it by 30 mins. Then we headed to the beach. Owen LOVED IT!!

O on the OBX

He loved the water. He loved the sand. He loved the birds. He loved the people. It was soo much fun getting to see him smile and enjoy something we love too! After unloading a diaper full of sand, we enjoyed a great dinner on the beach and a stroll on the pier.

Daddy and son making waves!

To continue our adventure, we headed down the road a bit to visit Joe's college buddy, Dave and his wife and kiddos. I have to take a second and rant here. On what should have been about a 2-hr trip in Texas turned into a 3.5 hr trip in NC. PEOPLE!!! It is OK TO GO FASTER than 55mph on a straight road with NOTHING ON IT!!!!! For the love of families with young kiddos, boost the dang speed limit!!!

So, when we finally arrived in New Bern, we had a blast! Dave and Bekah and Jonathan and Miss Abby were the perfect hosts. We played hard, visited an aquarium, checked out a fort, played on the beach and even went to church!

On our Fort Macon visit, we changed Owen's diaper right where a civil war canon used to sit. Now, do you think that guy all those years ago in the throws of battle was thinking, "You know, some day some dippy tourists are going to be stomping all over here and even changing diapers where I'm fighting so hard?" Kinda puts things into perspective a bit -- everything changes, even the things that change history.

Notice the sign says "Fort Macon was made for war, not safety. Please be careful. " Kinda interesting!

The Atlantic Ocean at our backs!

To wrap up our visit, we "pushed" the speed limit on our way back to VA, and got to visit with my cousin Merritt and her boys. It was so fun to catch up with family that we don't get to see as often as we like!

Wow, a great trip! Lots of memories, lots of sand in our shorts! Can't wait to do it again...after a bit!

Leader of the Pack

Last night after supper, we loaded up the kiddos and went to a nearby dog park. Owen, Ryker and I had found it earlier on a ride around town after Mr O decided he didn't need a nap. (I'm sure he'll deny it if you bring it up, but some two-legged bud
dy DID take a nap on the drive.)

When we got to the dog park, the sign said kids 9 and up allowed inside. I guess this makes sense, some of these big dogs might see Owen as a treat, and I'm sure they don't want me going Mama Bear on a dog going after my son. So, Joe and Owen out, Leanna and Ryker in.

Ryker is a funny dog. He gets soooo amped up when other dogs are around when we're inside or on a walk. However, when we get to the dog park, he kinda trots around, but mostly stays away from other dogs. He has issues...we know that.

But he loved it. He loved running around. He loved, ahem, marking everything. He loved being a dog. But, what's a dog to do when there ARE so many other dogs around? Show you're the big man on campus, of course.

Ryker, my 40lb, medium build, mystery-breed dog find the biggest, baddest male Doberman Pinscher to try and dominate. Thankfully, Mr Doby was not as bad as he looked and just growled and snapped. Oh, Ryker, you're such a nerd.

Meanwhile, back on the other side of the fence, Owen was having a blast!!

Joe and Owen were walking around on the perimeter of the park talking to all the dogs that came to check them out. O would squeal and try and pet the puppies through the fence. Daddy however was looking out and made sure all were safe. Though, O did get his arm through to pet the poofy little American Eskimo, and couldn't have been happier.

Oh, what a good day when you bring home both you're boys and they are both happy and exhausted -- a day well lived!

(an old pic, but shows my buddies together!)

What the Hail?

Seriously, what the hail??

Last night was crazy. We didn't even know anything was rolling into town before the low, super-sonic thunder started rumbling. So, we turn on the weather and see a squall line is moving in and it should be a quick shower over in about 15 minutes.

And here it comes...the rain came. The lightening started flashing, and the loudest, scariest thunder started sounding. Poor Owie awoke with a cry, so I went in to get him and that's when the hail started.

It was CRAZY!! I had NEVER heard it that loud. I do NOT like hail. I started freaking out for poor Rufus, our trusty Civic. He does not like the elements, but the garage was a little full. We were just going to let him be, but it was getting worse...and that's when we heard the window break.

The stinkin' hail broke a window!!!! WHAA???

So, Joe rushed in the garage and started making room, I went to help and Owen got to see one heck of a storm. When I raised the garage door for Joe to bring Rufus around, Owen could hardly believe his little eyes and ears; it was pretty cute!

We waited it out to put Owen back to bed, about 45 mins in total, playing Peek-a-boo and such. Feed him, put him back down, and listened to him babble for a bit.

What a night.

So far all I've found are the broken window and several dings on Rufus. I DO NOT like this side of DFW.

You can take your hail and shove it!

Your biggest non-fan,

Leanna

Morty's Migration

Mortimer the Moose joined our family this Christmas. He is Owen's moose. They are friends. It is great.

However, a few weeks ago, Morty heard it was supposed to snow. Being a moose, he likes snow. So, when mom was out the day before he wandered out into the backyard looking for the coming snow. Supposedly he migrated on his own, at least that's what the red one is telling me.

Poor Morty was discovered the next day, when it did, indeed, snow! Though it seems his trip wasn't quite what he had planned and seemed to have run into several hardships.

So, Morty was rescued and brought in to thaw by the warm, toasty fire.

We'll see if Morty plans any more solitary migrations, or if he'll just choose to travel with his pack.

Just had to throw this pic in of Owen and Joe enjoying O's first snow! Love that little guy!

Family Pics

Here's a few more of my favorite pictures from our photo shoot with Mr & Mrs Smith! Thanks again guys!