She just keeps growing, and growing, and growing...

Today was Evelyn's 4 month check-up. In addition to another round of shots (which she took like a trooper!), we found out just how big she is these days. Here are the stats:

Height: 26 1/2" (up 1 1/2", 97th percentile)

Weight: 15 lbs. 1 oz. (up 1 lb. 9 oz., 68th percentile)

Happy Easter!!

Easter weekend was a little bit crazy at the Owens' house this year. Aunt Leanne, Uncle Rusty and cousin AJ welcomed baby EJ to the family on April 2. We entertained AJ and took her and Evelyn to their first Easter Egg Hunt and we had our first Easter Egg hunt at home, with REAL eggs!

Thursday, before EJ's arrival on Friday, we met Aunt Leanne, Uncle Rusty and cousin AJ and the girls met the Easter Bunny!

Evelyn got all bundled up on Saturday so she could help AJ at their very first Easter Egg Hunt!

Ready for the hunt!

Sunday, we had Grandma, Grandpa and cousin AJ over for Easter dinner. But what Easter would be complete without another Easter Egg Hunt? The Easter Bunny visited our house and left AJ some real eggs to look for. She soon discovered that egg shells don't taste nearly as good as the chocolate eggs she found the day before. But later, we discovered that this 19 mo. old LOVES devilled eggs!

Since Evelyn seems to prefer standing over sitting, we decided to break out the ExerSaucer and she LOVES it! Here, AJ shows her how it's done.

Hawaiian Vacation - Part II

THURSDAY

Because we had family pictures taken Thursday afternoon,
it was another calm morning spent poolside. Our hotel offered a few activities throughout the week, which included making a lei. Bama and I helped MK make her very own orchid lei. Here, she shows off her creation (she wasn't too thrilled about having her picture taken - that sure changed later in the day!) If I can, I will post some family pics when we get them.

FRIDAY

Friday morning was spent at a beach near Kapa'a - Jeff had read that it was great for body surfing. While the rest of us bathed in the sun and waded in the surf, Ethan and Jeff gave body surfing a try. I think one of them made it past the breakers, once. All I know is that they were both POOPED after an hour!

Later, we went to Anini Beach, on the north side of the island. I've decided this is where postcards are made.

The water here was much calmer as it was protected by coral. Ethan and Jeff snorkeled while the rest of us waded around, looked for tide pools and hunted for pieces of coral (don't worry - we didn't take any from the island.) :)

Bama even helped Evelyn dip her toes in the water. It doesn't look like it, but she seemed to like it!

My beach baby.

Family photo. This is how deep is was for about another 50 feet!

SATURDAY

Evelyn kicked off our last day by doing a little tummy time watching "The Princess and The Frog" with MK. This may be one of my favorite pictures. These girls are going to be wonderful friends - it's just too bad they live 2000 miles apart.

With my two favorite girls Saturday afternoon. I have no idea what MK is doing. Being 4 I guess.

Getting in one last little bit of play time before we all head home.

Our little family, again.

SUNDAY

This was Evelyn for most of the 5 hour flight to Seattle. When she wasn't laughing and giggling with Bama, she was sleeping. I hope she's always this good when we travel!

We were able to get Evelyn to laugh at us for the first time on our way home. I tried to catch it on film, but this is as close as I got. She, obviously, didn't know we were leaving Hawai'i and wouldn't be back for a VERY long time.

We had an amazing week and had such a good time with my family. Thank you so much to my mom and dad for making it all possible. Dad, don't give up your day job - we like your frequent flier miles!

Jeff & Nissa, thanks for putting up with us and sharing a room with us all week. Jeff, thank you for entertaining Ethan and teaching him his new favorite game. Nis, thanks for watching Evelyn so we could take MK to the luau - the 3 of us had a great time and I hope she remembers it forever. Our special dates mean so much to me.

Mom & Dad, congratulations for putting up with each other for 40 years. Thank you for letting us celebrate with you. When do we get to do it again? I hear 41's a big deal too.

Hawaiian Vacation - Part I

SATURDAY

As usual, the Owens family was up and at 'em before dawn. Our wonderful Hawaiian vacation got underway with a beautiful sunrise stroll along the beach.

Ethan and Evelyn enjoying the pre-dawn sights and sounds of Kauai.

Once every one else was up, we soaked in the sun and enjoyed the rest of the day poolside.

Evelyn's first swimming lesson from cousin MK.

SUNDAY
Sunday, we all piled in the van and headed to Spouting Horn, near Poipu. Here's the "blow hole" in all it's glory.

Family photo at Spouting Horn.

Evelyn at Poipu Beach.

MONDAY

Evelyn and I hung out in the shade while watching Bama and MK building sand castles. Next time (we're all hoping there is a next time!), MK is going to teach Evelyn how.

That evening, Uncle Ethan and I took MK to a luau! Evelyn got to spend the evening with her Uncle Jeffy & Auntie Nis. MK loved all the beautiful flowers and birds (especially the peacock). She even sat patiently (well, patiently for a 4 year old) as we watched them uncover the pig during the imu ceremony. MK was a trooper and tried all sorts of Hawaiian food. If you ask her, she'll tell you she had coconut cake for dinner, but she really did try it all. Even the poi.

MK and I even learned how to hula!

TUESDAY

After a quiet morning, we headed to Lydgate Park, just down the road, to swim and snorkel. We would return here later in the week for our family photos!

WEDNESDAY

Thanks to Bama & Papa, Ethan and I were able to leave Evelyn behind and take a little day trip of our own. Bright and early, we headed to Waimea Canyon. We made it just in the knick of time - not long after we took this picture, the clouds rolled in, along with the rain. Even in the clouds, the canyon was beautiful.

It should surprise no one that knows Ethan, that we managed to find the ONLY brewery on the entire island. Their claim to fame? "The last beer before tomorrow." No really - no other breweries before the International Date Line. Great beer and a great morning. Shortly after this, we found Island Taco in Waimea. I HIGHLY recommend the Kalua Pork Tacos and the Seared Wasabi Ahi Tacos. TO. DIE. FOR. We love us some good food and beer. :)

Pass The Poi Mahalo

Bags are packed, iPod is loaded, toenails are painted... we're goin' to Hawaii! I'll post when we return!

Evelyn Makes Her West Coast Debut

This past weekend was a big weekend for Miss Evelyn - she took her first ride on an airplane, met almost all of her family in Oregon and Washington and even met some good friends.


Thursday, after saying good-bye to Daddy and a morning of travelling, Evelyn got to see her Papa Mike who hasn't seen her since the beginning of January. She has changed so much in 2 months and he was absolutely smitten with her. (He, by the way, happens to love the nickname Pudge! That is, when he's not calling her EVKO, a la Rachael Ray. Ugh.) Thursday night also gave Evelyn the opportunity to meet Bama & Papa's very best friends, Molly & Jerry. She even got to meet their pup, Maggie Mae, who didn't know just what to think of this little person that was just her size.


Friday, was a day filled with family, although under sad circumstances as we attended the funeral of one of my mom's cousins. Evelyn got to meet her Great Nanny, my Auntie Julie & Uncle Gary, my Great Auntie Winnie, Great Auntie Bonnie and Uncle Stan, cousins Bob and Pat, Tammy and Scott and Karin and Ken.

Evelyn and her Great Nanny

4 generations of Antich women

Friday evening brought her introduction to her Great Gramma Betty. Evelyn and I spent Friday and Saturday nights with Great Gram. Up until then, I thought Ethan and I had been doing a pretty good job raising our little girl! :) Gramma was appalled that we weren't giving Evelyn water in addition to her formula and that I wasn't feeding her rice cereal yet! :) We all shared a few chuckles over that.

Evelyn and her Great Gramma Betty

Saturday was another big day for Miss Evelyn. Her Auntie Nissa, Uncle Jeff and McKenna made the drive up to Aberdeen to meet their niece/cousin. I wish I could find the words to describe how much McKenna loves her "baby Evelyn." As soon as she walked in the door, she knew that she had to wash her hands and sit down before she could hold her. She was smiling cheek to cheek all afternoon. McKenna wanted to hold her, she wanted to help feed her, she wanted to play with her, she wanted to burp her, she wanted to know what she was saying - all this between the kisses she was giving her. It was the sweetest thing you've ever seen. At one point, McKenna even announced "I wish she was my sister." It still makes me smile.

McKenna holds her baby Evelyn

McKenna loves her baby Evelyn

Auntie Nissa, McKenna and Evelyn (Uncle Jeffy was taking pictures)

Saturday afternoon we gathered at my cousin Jenny's house where Evelyn met even more cousins! Cousin Sophia (8 mos) gave us a glimpse of our future 6 months from now and cousin Kallie (4 yrs) dubbed Evelyn "Baby Elevyn" (this was right before she told us that her favorite cartoon is "Helly Titty" and her favorite cereal is "Hairy Nuts Cheerios!")

Evelyn and I with cousin Jenny and her girls Kallie and Sophia

Sunday, our last day in Washington, Evelyn got to meet one of my best friends from college, Gina. She and her husband took the ferry from Seattle to meet Evelyn at Mom & Dad's place. It is so nice to know that we have friends that will go out of their way to see us. We had a great time visiting and Evelyn loved meeting our G.

D, E & G

Thanks to everyone for making it such a wonderful weekend. Evelyn and I are looking forward to our next visit - it can't come soon enough.

To Do: Call United Airlines

How old do you have to be to get your own Frequent Flyer card? Seriously! If this past weekend was any indication of how well this girl will travel, I may take her everywhere I go!

Evelyn was an amazing traveller this weekend. I followed everyone's advice and made sure she was eating or sucking on her pacifier during take-off and landings to help with the change in pressure - it worked! Not even one little peep from her! During our short little flights in and out of Des Moines, Miss Evelyn was wide awake, but perfectly content having me hold her in my lap. Our long trips from Minneapolis to Seattle and Seattle to Chicago were a mother's dream come true. Little missy slept the ENTIRE way! I am so lucky!

Miss Evelyn waiting to board our plane at Sea-Tac