12.15.2007

Merry Christmas to you!

We wish you all a Fun, Safe, and Merry Christmas!!!



Another year has flown by....The twins have grown considerably. Holland can say just about anything. Just the other day when I was cleaning up she told me "Good Job". She can also count to 10 and say her ABCs. She loves a good cuddle in the morning and evening. She calls herself "Honin". As soon as she sees me or Ryan she will say "Hi Mommy" or "Hi Daddy". She loves when Daddy comes home because she looks forward to a BIG kiss and a bear hug. She loves a good tantrum...but that is when the cuddling really comes in handy.

Ethan LOVES choo choos and trucks. He has the movie Polar Express memorized from start to finish. He also loves to be thrown about. Ethan loves when daddy comes home because he knows it is time for"rough housing". He gives me the sweetest smile. You know, the ones that melt your heart. He loves to be with his sister. When she is asleep he will go in their room and talk to her until she wakes up. He mumbles alot..but believe me he thinks he is saying real words. Some of his favorite words right now are "No, You, Tree, Dada, Choo Choo, Snow, Outside, What's that? and truck".


Ryan loves his new job at Discover. He has been with the company well over 10 years so it is good that his job is fulfilling. In addition, he has also become quite the handyman. This old house we bought needs alot of work. We have finished our downstairs and 50% of the upstairs. We have done alot of the renovating of our home to ourselves. Ryan is now proficient in installing doors, staining and painting banisters as well as electrical work. In the evenings I find him in the garage with his new table saw. The TV is not getting much use anymore. It may be time to disable the TIVO. AND I am pretty sure Ryan can also count to ten like Holland...or maybe even to 100.

p.s. I think he is cute.

Me, well, I am busy with kids, work, friends and my church responsibilities. I also find time to go shopping once and awhile. If I am lucky I will also get in a "short run" or workout at the gym. The twins definitely keep me busy. They test me on a daily basis. As they get older I find myself putting them in time out more often, cleaning up more messes, and receiving more juicy kisses. We have the most fun at weekly playgroup and the indoor tree house at the Mall ( I secretly love it because I can window shop). I love working with the youth at church. We have already had 2 sleepovers and 1 week long camping trip. I love the energy and vivaciousness the girls bring into my life.


Overall, our lives have truly been blessed this year. Living away from family and close friends is hard at times. But, I love my little family of four and the joy our little ones bring us.


Can't wait to see what 2008 brings!

12.14.2007

Favorite Movie

We are going through a major train phase. Ethan loves, and I mean really LOVES choo choos. We watch Polar Express about 5 times a day. Ethan calls it his "big choo choo" as opposed to the little Thomas the Train he constantly is holding. He even has Holland addicted. She wants to watch it as much as he does. I have to admit I like it too. I cried watching it the first time.


12.12.2007

Slang for the Month




These slang flashcards are the product of a "white elephant" gift exchange we had at my house last night...courtesy of Sarah. I wish I had pix to post of the fun night. I loved the slang so much that I am instituting a monthly blog entry here at "The Real Rachel Ray". So here is this month's first slang word....



ROLL

12.11.2007

Freezing Rain, Sleet, Snow

That was the weather forecast I heard today -- isn't winter FUN?
I think playing in the snow (Ethan says "shnow") with 2 toddlers is super FUN!

12.04.2007

His First Tinkle


After months of flushing the toilet, handing mommy toilet paper, and watching us go pee (sorry for the visual)....Ethan went pee-pee in the toilet for the 1st time. Ethan is officially a big boy! I am so, so proud of him. Now the hard work begins.

I would love some advice because this is my first kid to train. Hopefully Holland will follow in his footsteps. Way to go Little Brother!

12.02.2007

Matching Sweaters and Screaming at Santa

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Love Ethan, Lake & Holland


Have you ever worn the same outfit as someone else at a party? It happened to me once on a double date. The girl and I were wearing the exact same outfit. I was embarrassed..but still thought I looked cuter :) My sisters and I sometimes wear the same stuff at family events. Saturday was a matching day for me too -- with Kendee. I promise we did not plan it. Don't we look cute?



It was a big picture day. We managed to survive the ice storm just long enough to get some great pix of the Rowley family. We took photos of the kiddies with Santa. Oh man, that was a nightmare. My kids were screaming and shaking. I don't have a clear picture of it, but you get the gist.

The 3 little monkeys were cute as could be while they held hands through the mall.
Don't you love the Holidays? I do...can't get enough of it lately.

KJ, I hope we can do it all over again, minus AXIS and ALLIES. Thanks for another fun night Rowleys.

I expected much worse...

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12.01.2007

Family Ties

Amber & Leo
Katarina
Grandma Barbara
Becky
Eri k aka Little Bumma
Heather & Brandon
Laurel & Tom
Lee & Jeff
Mimi & Papa

Patience & Reagan
Sandy & Robert

Sarah & Ryan
VanWyngaardens

Happy Birthday Little Sister

Happy Birthday Sarah!
I still remember you when you were this little. I love being your older sister
I will always remember when I sprayed hairspray in your eyes
I will always remember when you would borrow my clothes without asking
I will always remember our late night talks in our bedroom
I will always remember getting you ready for your school dances
I love you.
Happy 27th little sister!
p.s. don't you love mom's shoes in the back? I think I own a pair like that.