Pottschmidt Christmas

This weekend we celbrated Christmas with Matt's mom's family. We were in Fort Wayne from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. It was a nice time to see everyone. Owen wasn't even spoiled too badly!

Creating Our Family's Christmas Traditions

Tonight was Christmas Cutouts night at the Ransom house. Owen and I made the dough on Tuesday. Today we rolled them out, cut them and baked them. We had lots of fun with Christmas music and even seasonal "hats".

Love to Read

Owen has always enjoyed books, but lately I've been "catching" him reading more often. Daddy found him looking at books on Saturday and they settled in to read together. Great moments to capture.

Grandma's Birthday

November 16 we celebrated Great Grandma Burns' 81st birthday. We went to their house and had pizza, cake, and ice cream. It is always nice to get everyone together.

Talking more and more

Owen seems to pick up new words everyday. Last night he either said "cream" or "queen". After church each Wednesday we go to Dairy Queen with the kids. Owen came running up to me at one point while we were waiting for Daddy to get wrapped up with things and said "team" and made his "Dairy Queen face" I can't explain it. You have to see it. I'll try to get a picture. He wanted to go get ice cream at Dairy Queen which of course we did. He has also picked up "football" and last night after we got home we played a bit of ball. He said "football team". He has adjusted very well to his big boy bed as well. He talks about "my room" and "baby's room". We didn't even really say much about it being the baby's room. I didn't want him to feel pushed out. He has picked up on it though. He still knows he is my "baby" though. We cuddle every night in his bed, just for a couple minutes. Last night when he was ready for me to leave he said "go". They are so much fun at this age (minus the 2 year old tantrums.)

Our little Cowboy

Last night we (Daddy and Owen) carved the pumpkin. Tonight we put it outside, lit it and answered the door for 80 trick or treaters from 5:30-6:30. Trick-or-treating went until 8, but we were out of candy. Owen had a great time handing out the candy. We decided he didn't need to go out this year. Everytime someone came to the door he said, "more come". It was a lot of fun watching him.

Afternoon at the Pumpkin Patch

Last year we began the tradition of taking Owen to Kercher's to get his pumpkin. The wet, cold weather nearly kept us from getting there this year, but we made it out Sunday afternoon. It was brezzy, but nice. Owen had to get a pumpking he could "hold" and he didn't want any help walking through the field although he kept tripping. He insisisted "self". We had a nice time. Hopefully tonight we'll get the pumpkin carved.

Big Boy Room

Yesterday Owen's Nene and Grandpa (Bob and Donna-Matt's mom and dad) came up with a big boy bed for Owen. It was Matt's from the time that they moved to Ft. Wayne. They also brought a desk for Owen which he loves. He isn't sure about the bed. He wanted to read there last night and I thought maybe he was going to sleep there, but when I turned off the light and was sitting next to him he sat up and pointed to the nursery saying "bed". He wasn't ready for that last night. Thankfully we are not in a big hurry to get him sleeping there. The baby won't be here until March. Right now though he is sleeping there for nap time. We read books, I gave him Mommy's pillow then cuddled for just a couple minutes. Then I gave him a kiss and left. He cried for a total of about 50 seconds. Then he settled into his routine of talking and moving about. When I peeked in 20 mintues later he was out. Here is a picture of that as well as pictures of him helping around the house.

Harvest Time

Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me last night when I was out at Grandma and Grandpa Burns', Owen wants me to tell you about his big night though. We went out to clean as we do once each week. We got there and Eric and Papa were combining beans. I took Owen out to the field to see what they were doing. Papa was just getting ready to take a load of beans to his house to unload in the bin. He asked if Owen would like to go along. Owen went, and had a great time driving the tractor, watching the scenery go by at a slower pace, and watching Papa unload the beans. Papa said he didn't say a word the entire time and was a very good boy. Taking it all in. I'm glad he got to do that. I want him to experience those things that I did with my Grandpa and Dad when I was little.

Funny Boy

This morning Owen was wanting to use his "whrrr" a.k.a. weedeater. He had to put on his hat as well as his goggles. The funniest part was that he was still in his jammies. So cute. I had to take a picture. He actually looks rather ridiculous. Since he is two though he can get away with it.

At church on Sunday's the kids are learning about creation. I copied an idea I saw a friend do at home. I made a side of the paper that saide "God made the Day" and the other side said "God made the Night". Then Owen glued yello paper on the side with the day and black on the night. We had a good time. We also did a project where he colored a paper blue with crayons and he glued on cotton ball clouds. We've had fun talking about what God made.



Last Friday was a warm evening and the Brenneman staff picinic.
We went to Ox Bow Park and had a great spot right next to the playground. The kids had a great time. Owen doesn't realize he is much smaller than most of the other children. He showed no fear of the large slide, and loved this horse. We had a nice time together. It had been a long time since the staff and spouses had done something together.

Michigan victory over ND

I must say that yesterday was a satisfying day for those of us who are Wolverines fans. I must admit I only come by it by marriage. I find it is more fun to root for the same team as your spouse! We went to Wayne and Kristi Smith's for kickoff. Ahhh...to be in the home of a Notre Dame fan when they get beat so decisively. The boys had a fun time and at some point you will probably see a picture of Owen in a Notre Dame cheerleaders outfit. They teamed up on us and disappeared with our dear impressionable little boy. When he returned he was in the "dress." I must admit he would make a cute little girl as well.

Celebrating Dad

Yesterday we celebrated Dad's birthday. Eric, Alicia, Dad, Owen, Matt and I went canoeing. It was a bit chilly, but once on the water and paddling we warmed up nicely. Owen did a fantastic job. He had a little stool that he sat on and was at the feet of Matt or I the entire time. He was cute with his little PFD and hat on. After that those of us who felt the cold (Alicia and I) had some hot chocolate. Yummy. My first of the season. Around 6 we went to Grandma and Grandpa's for supper. KFC was on the menu. Good stuff. We also ate "the recipe" a.k.a Brown Sugar Chiffon cake. It is the traditional birthday cake of Grandma Burns. I made it this year. It turned out well. It was a nice day to celebrate Dad.

A little boys nap

Right now as I write this I can hear the kicking of little Owen's feet upon his crib's "headboard"-the solid wood piece that runs along one side of his crib. Unfortunately, he slept about 20 minutes on the way back from Grandpa and Grandma Burns' right before lunch. That took the edge off for his p.m. nap. I am fortunate though. Most likely he will talk to himself, kick his feet, etc. Happily until falling asleep. He is not upset, just having two year old fun. The question I ask myself now is, what will I do in the situation when he is no longer in a crib? That day is coming rather quickly. When asked if he wants a big boy bed he says no and tells me that this is his bed. I think we may be in for a little battle. But maybe he'll enjoy it more than he realizes. The freedom will probably excite him. Well, for the moment the kicking has stopped. Maybe he is slipping off into that happy 2 year old place.

Labor Day Weekend

Ever have a weekend you plan ahead and think it is going to be so much fun...then get to it and think, wish I hadn't planned quite so much. That was kind of one of those weekends for Matt and I. Friday night we went to the Essenhaus in Middlebury for dinner, just the two of us. Kristi Smith had Owen. Owen enjoys playing with Ethan though they are at a stage right now where they fight a lot. Saturday we went over to Eric and Shelley Kralls to root for Michigan. They guys had to listen to it on the radio because neither of us has ESPN. On Sunday we went to church, then in the evening went over to Hicksville, OH to Andrew and Sarah Lawrence's for dinner. It was yummy!!! We are enjoying the time we get to spend with them as old married people these days. Then it was on to Ft. Wayne to Mom and Dad Ransom's to stay the night and cookout the next day. My parents came as well as Sarah and Andrew. It was nice. The ladies went and walked around at Jefferson Point (my favorite place to shop). I didn't buy anything, just enjoyed the weather. All in all it was a nice weekend. Just busy. And with not feeling great right now with this pregnancy I could have use a bit more rest.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

Owen with Uncle Evan



















Super Toddler!















Owen and Nana















The new playset thanks to Nana, Papa, Nene and Grandpa

Something New

Well, I never thought I'd do this, have a blog, but maybe it'll be fun. We'll see. My main reason for doing this is to share all the wonderful things about our Owen, and of course the new baby when it comes. I want to be able to share pictures and so forth. For those of you who we haven't kept in real good contact with I'll post some pictures of our life here in Goshen (church, home, etc.)