Owen is TWELVE!

Owen! How on earth are you twelve years old?!? Just one more year until you are officially a teenager. I can't believe it! You have grown so tall! It won't be long now until you pass me up.

You are the technology guru of the family. If anyone has a question about the iPad or Chromebook, you are the man to talk to. You are a master builder in Minecraft, creating the most amazing mansions. It's truly remarkable. You just may be a budding architect.

Owen's Minecraft Mansion

Your love between your two favorite games - Minecraft and Roblox - is in constant battle. Last year you were all about Roblox and only Roblox. But your love has once again shifted back to Minecraft and Roblox has fallen waaaaay down the list of your favorite games to play.

If anyone ever wants to know a random fact about pretty much anything, you are the guy to ask. You are our very own Cliff Clavin (you "Cheers" fans know what I mean)! You love learning all about animals, history and movies. Youtube is your go to place to learn everything you want to know. And if you hear it once, you have it down. Your memory is amazing! You can recite verbatim theories and information you've heard on Youtube. I often question your source as perhaps less than reliable. But whenever I do my own research to prove you wrong, I'm instead proving you right. You sure love all your far-fetched facts and love to talk about them even more! You talk non-stop! You are always ready and waiting with a fun fact or interesting video to show to who ever is willing to listen.

You know all there is to know about the "celebrity" Youtubers and their latest endeavors. Shane Dawson is currently your favorite Youtuber. He has a whole slew of conspiracy theories that you soak up like a sponge. You love listening to his latest far-fetched theories. According to you Shane Dawson is the best and "everyone else is just click bait".

You are all about the scary movies. If there's no action and suspense, you are not interested in seeing it. Jurassic World and Godzilla are two of your favorites. You were so excited when the new Godzilla movie finally hit the theater. You had been counting down the days for months. Of course, most scary movies you've never actually seen, but once again, your internet expertise comes in handy. You scour the internet so that you can read and watch every review on any scary flick you'd like. You know the complete story lines and all the filming errors that the producer missed. You are quite the film critic!

Your favorite activity is swimming. You love water and are an amazing swimmer, although you still refuse to join the swim team. You like to keep your joy of water fun and non-competitive. When you disappear at home and I start to wonder, "where is Owen?", I can be sure to find you upstairs taking a long hot soak in the tub. You could spend all day soaking away in the lake, pool, tub or shower.

You are a master negotiator. You are always making deals with your siblings in order to get your way.  You know exactly what you want and just the right way to play each sibling to get it. While Cole knows there's no use arguing with you, your much more stubborn sisters are known to press your buttons, especially Rose. You and Rose are constantly going head to head. It's a war of two extremely stubborn little souls. Although when it comes to you and Kate, Kate is usually the winner. Most days, she has you wrapped around her little finger. You can't get enough of her cuteness, even if she is pestering you.

When asked your favorite food, you will quickly reply "noodles" and not surprisingly, your favorite restaurant is Noodles and Company.  You could literally eat noodles every single day! You love it doused in either Prego (the only spaghetti sauce you will eat) or olive oil with a sprinkle of salt.  You eat so fast, that by the time I've served everyone their plates, you are usually done and off to the next item on your agenda. Sometimes I don't think you even chew, especially when it come to Tres Leches cake!

Even though you are growing up, you still love your hugs and cuddles. And boy, am I sure happy to still be getting my fill of Owen cuddles! You are always asking if I have time to sit with you and of course, talk about Minecraft, Youtube, horror movies, and any other of your favorite topics. Every night you still ask that both Mom and Pa tuck you into bed. You just can't sleep without your bedtime goodnights (and your 3 froggies that you've been sleeping with since you were a wee one).

You love being the oldest and getting to do grown up things - baseball games, the theater, even the FANA gala this year.  You are growing up before our very eyes. We can not wait to see what the next year brings. A very happy 12th birthday to you, Owen! We love you forever and for always!