I'm baaaaack!

I admit...I've been terrible.  But after seeing my friend Julie get back to her blog and after my father-in-law used one of my past posts during Owen's dedication, I realized that I really need to get back to it.  I took some time yesterday to read through my old posts about Caleb and our general life happenings.  It made me want to have the same record of what's happening with Owen during this precious time and also to keep track of how Caleb is changing.   I also realized that I used to post something at least once a week and then slowly went to one post per month.  Yikes! No wonder everyone lost interest.  But since we're past the stage of sleepless nights and we're embarking on what appears to be a fairly regular routine, I'm going to try it again.
   So without further ado, I'm going to attempt to catch you up on the last 4 months of our lives with some highlights and pictures.  We've actually been quite busy within the last few months, so there's a lot!

Owen over the past 5 months...he's a big boy!  At his 4 month appointment he was 2 inches longer than Caleb was and about 1.5 lbs more.  Caleb better watch out!

 We made some visits to friends who recently had babies.

Sam, Caleb, me, Owen, Jenny, Maggie and Tug

Gus, Olivia, Anna, Caleb and Owen

 Gabe had a lot of concerts over the summer, so it was nice to take the kids out of the house for awhile.  It's a novel idea when you're used to having a December baby.

Caleb dancing to the Batman theme that the Brass Band of Central Illinois was playing

Looking pretty fly

We also hit the Illinois State Fair and the Sweetcorn Festival.  Hooray for Daddy being home in the summer so we can do all of these things as a family.  I wouldn't trade his summers off for anything!

Caleb loved all of the rides.  He was even brave enough to go on the kids ferris wheel.

Mmmm...sweet corn on a stick.  Does summer get better than that? 

Caleb's 1st day of preschool.  He was pretty excited!  He got to go pick out his school supplies and get a new backpack.  Earlier in the summer his two "big kid buddies" sent him a letter showing their pictures and telling him how excited they were that he was coming.  His first comment about them was "they're pretty!"  Lord, help us now!

Hittin' the Pumpkin Farm!

2nd Annual Brass on Deck

Inspector Closseau on a hunt to find the pink panther.

The quintet

ISU Homecoming 2011

It was cold, but we all had a good time.  Caleb loved all of the marching bands!

 My mom was visiting with all of her ISU roommates for their anniversary of graduating from ISU.  I'm not sure she'll appreciate if I post how many years, so let's just say it was a mile marker. :) I'm sure my kids will be taking pictures of me with my friends in years to come! 

Halloween!

Owen was a giraffe and Caleb was, what else, Batman.  Anytime you ask Caleb his name, or say his name, he says "no, my name is Batman"

Eating cereal for the first time.  It was hit! But it took awhile to perfect eating off the spoon.

Caleb's 4th Birthday party

 I cannot believe he is almost 4 years old!  Where did that time go?

 Owen's Dedication

The same night that we had Caleb's birthday party we decided to do Owen's dedication.  Seemed appropriate to ask the family to only travel one time.  Especially in the busy holiday season.  It worked out.  It was a lovely service! And this time around, our kid was actually awake for his dedication.  What a nice little family!