Rock Star!

Rowan had his two year pics taken this week at J. Klaasmeyer Portrait Design in Paola, KS.  He did fantastic!  I was encouraged to bring as many outfits as I wanted and she helped me pick based on what would work best with her props and backdrops.  She chose his birthday shirt because it matched a turquoise chair she had so well and the navy polo because it was a solid color classic.  He got bored with the process a few times, but Julie was amazing with him.  She gave him many breaks and had tons of tricks up her sleeve to help him cooperate (Smarties, stickers, and even bubbles)!  Here are the pics she posted on her blog.  He had a very expressive day!  Julie said she never posts the best pics and that she always saves them for the viewing-so I can't wait to see the rest!  I feel like we might be in real trouble! :)  Feel free to email me for contact information for Julie.  I also have her blog listed on my Blog List and her website under Links I'm Loving.

Snow Fun!

Christmas weekend gave us a huge opportunity to have Rowan really experience the snow for the first time.  He was so amazed by the white stuff and all you could do with it.  He wasn't the only first timer-Remi had never seen the snow either and had a blast.  Rowan HATED his snow boots.  They were too big, too small, and too everything else he could think of to get us to take them off!  When he finally understood that he couldn't play in the snow without them, he gave in.  I had to laugh when we got everything on him- visions of Ralphie's younger brother in "A Christmas Story" came to mind!  Hilarious!  Rowan's favorite thing was sledding (in the yard and in the street)-thanks Terri and Kristine!  

There were plenty of tears when Josh said it was time to come in.  A chance to play in a warm bath helped!  It was during this particular bath that Rowan announced that he could swim in the tub!  Maybe that means we'll be brave enough to return to swimming lessons this summer!

A White Christmas!

Christmas Eve Gigi came up to stay with us.  She and Josh both traveled through the snow after work- it was definitely going to be a white Christmas!  Just as we had each year since Rowan had been born, Josh read T'was the Night Before Christmas and we left munchies for Santa on the fireplace.  (This was tricky this year with Remi!)  This year the cookies were NOT homemade and Mommy forgot the carrots for the reindeer, but Santa was still pleased with what she had to snack on!

 

Josh was not pleased when Rowan woke up ready to go at around 5:30.  I wish I would've had the camera ready to capture Rowan's face as he came downstairs to this Christmas morning!  He crawled through the tunnel first (another great IKEA find) then tried out the easel (yes, IKEA again-$15)!!  We were so truly blessed this year-opening presents felt like it took forever.  Could've been because Rowan opens so carefully and had to read each of the 5 books Santa brought him before moving on to the next gift.  

 

Aside from the tunnel and easel, other favorites were his huge metal Tonka Dump Truck, his soccer ball, his Brown Bear Floor Puzzle, and his train set (I feel like a broken record-IKEA :)

  

 

So outside we had the biggest snow that we'd seen in several years.  We were completely snowed in.  After getting stuck in the snow, then causing Josh to get stuck in the snow when he went down the street to help dig him out, Jared joined us later that morning and the gift opening continued!  One of my favorite pictures- our little David Beckham!  We will definitely pull this out again when he's playing for the World Cup!  He truly impresses us with his ball-kicking skills.

The rest of the day consisted of nothing but eating, playing, and napping.  It was perfect and I just can't believe after all the work and planning that it's over! 

Hanukkah

Hanukkah at Aunt Margie's was so much fun!  Rowan definitely enjoyed it more this year since he was older.  He loved snacking on all of the treats that were set up everywhere and was very eager to open everyone's gifts for them!  He got to watch everyone light the menorahs, play with a basketful of dreidels, play with cousin Jaxon, and check out everyone's neat new toys!  I was so sad to see that many of my pictures starting in December came out somewhat blurry.  I took many more at Hanukkah, but they were just horrible to look at!  I may actually have an excuse to upgrade to a new camera!

This is what we did the rest of the weekend---relaxed!  I hadn't realized how many great holiday books are in Rowan's collection.  He loved The Polar Express!