My baby boy turned 12 this past weekend! He's grown a few inches taller this year and is sporting a deeper voice. Casey and his cousin Sophia have birthdays only one week apart so this year we had a little celebration to honor them both.
Grandma Owens ordered a delicious cake.
Casey, Sophie, Grant, and Aunt Sheryl checking out the new gifts.
I couldn't resist adding this picture........beautiful Sophia.
It was a wonderful birthday weekend! Happy Birthday Nate-Nate!
Just one decent family picture before Brandon leaves for Iraq. Is that too much to ask? Yeah, a "sort of nice" family picture......finally. Look below to see the process. Do you see what I have to deal with?
Dork Dog
Seriously??
Nice double chin, lady.
This is painful.
Well, Brandon picked up his deployment gear from CIF today. It's only a few short weeks away from his trip to the sandbox. Although we aren't looking forward to the separation, the kids decided to have some fun and gear up to see what it would feel like to wear all that poundage.
Even empty, this ruck sack nearly pulled Kyla over backwards.
Suiting up.
Some pictures from family game day.
Happy New Year Everyone!! Our new year started with a sleep deprivation experiment that Casey is working on for the science fair. This is a picture of him struggling through a timed math test in the wee hours of the morning.
We did quite a few home projects during our two week break including caulking the tub, fixing the jetted tub pump, blowing over a foot of extra insulation into the attic, cleaning the garage, ordering new bedroom linens, and installing new hardware on the kitchen cabinets and drawers. Owning your own home is both rewarding and exhausting! Here is a before picture of our new cabinet hardward.....
....and after. Simple and functional....we love it!
Kyla and Casey modeling their new glasses from Grandma M.
We got a little bit of snow today. It was enough to have a little fun with.
Our snow bunny.
Even Chobie loves the snow!
Happy New Year!!!
We had a wonderful Christmas this year and it all started with a visit from the Fergusons and Brandon's parents. No family gathering at the Owens' house is complete without a few rounds of guitar hero. Casey was sporting his new hairdo for the event.
Casey and Sophia rocked it out. I didn't get Grant in the picture singing, but he had some lungs!
Opening presents.
Gingerbread house making was lots of fun and the kids got very creative.
Grant made a mall, Kyla made a restaurant, Sophia made a house, and Casey made a church.
Best buddies.
The relatives went home on Christmas Eve day due to nasty weather conditions so we woke up on Christmas morning, just the 4 of us. There was a beautiful layer of white on the ground and ice crystals floating around in the air. It was a perfect setting to a wonderful morning with Bran and the kids. Since Brandon will miss next Christmas, it was extra special to us to spend this time together. 
.......and no Owens blog is complete without a dog picture......there ya go. Merry Christmas everyone!!
Merry Christmas family and friends! I know many of you check our blog often, but for those that are visiting for the first time this year, a family update is in order. This past May, we were stationed to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and in many ways it was like coming home. This is the place where Kyla was born and the place where our children spent many of their childhood years. It will be the place where Kyla graduates high school in a few short years.
Casey started 6th grade this year and has been working on his big Science Fair Project. He is a precious boy, kind-hearted in every way. Casey has been enjoying building new relationships at his new school.
Kyla started her first year of high school this year as a Freshman. She has been researching colleges and looks forward to learning to drive next summer. This beautiful young lady is growing up to be everything we hoped for.
Brandon is working at the MP schoolhouse developing curriculum for the CID courses this year. Unfortunatley, we got the news that he will be deploying this spring to Iraq for a year. We are confident that God has a special plan for our family and I know that our prayers for peace will be answered as we work our way through this challenge. Although we aren't looking forward to the separation, we are proud to be a part of something bigger than ourselves and looking forward to the newfound strength that we are sure to find through the hardship.
The newest addition to our family this year was our Golden Retriever puppy, Charlie. After losing our good friend, Jake, a year ago, it was a blessing to have Charlie join our family.
Our family has been incredibly blessed this year in many ways, and I am very thankful for these blessings. I am thankful for our new home, a good new job that helps support my family, great children that never cease to amaze me, and a husband that I couldn't imagine going through life without.....oh yeah, and Charlie. :) Unfortunately, we found out recently that Brandon will be deploying to Iraq for a year next March......maybe that's why I'm feeling so sappy! We ask for prayers as we work through this challenge and also prayers for Brandon's safety.
Kyla and Casey have been growing and changing in many ways this past year. They have stepped up to become more active members in decision making and taking care of the house. They are responsible and amazing. I am thankful beyond words for these two wonderful people.
Adding to the list of things I'm thankful for is my extended family. I have two wonderful parents and 3 brothers that I love dearly. My parents in-law are and have always been great friends to me. I am also thankful for the brother-in-law and 2 sisters-in-law that I consider my siblings. I am also blessed to be the aunt of 2 nephews and a niece.....I can't imagine life before they were here! Unfortunately, we don't get to see all of our family each holiday, as we are spread so far out, but we were able to spend some quality time with the Owens side of the family this week during Thanksgiving. Unfortunately I didn't take as many pictures as I should have, but here are few.
Brandon and his dad, Will. Two peas in a pod.
Despite the age gap, the kids always find a way to have fun together. This is Kyla, Casey, and Sophia dressing up.
We had a nice visit from Brandon's cousins, aunt & uncle, and grandma as well. Everyone brought a dog and Casey and Sophia kept charge of them. I think there were 5, but I lost count after 4.
Charlie and Maggie.....new best friends.