Playing Catch-Up

Here I am again - playing catch up with blogging! There just never seems to be enough time in a day to do everything on the "to do" list.

Here's an update for the month of September. We had a lot of fun in Big Bear over Labor Day weekend. Rowen LOVES being outside - he loves the dirt, trees, grass, sticks (which include leaves), birdies and all other creatures living out there. The weather was gorgeous and we got away from the OC heat for a few days!

On our second day in Big Bear, we rented a kayak and Jason & I took turns going out & relaxing on the kayak. It was GREAT!!! Rowen was happy just to be outside and playing in the water.

On September 9th, we took Rowen to Sea World. I hadn't been there in about 20 years, so it was all new to me as well. Rowen got to touch the dolphins, star fish, and even some sting rays. It was a fun day!

{we saw a Sesame Street 3-D show - so Rowen was ready with his glasses}

{Rowen with his new penguin - thanks Grandpa!}

The following weekend was Jason's work party at Knotts Berry Farm. Snoopy came by to visit for a bit and Rowen couldn't get enough of him. He gave him a GREAT BIG HUGGY!

On September 22nd, we threw my Mom's 70th Birthday Party. I know....WOW! It was a 1950's theme so we had a few "props" to make it festive. [Photos courtesy of Jason]

 

{Uncle Joe Lee & Rhonda just cruising}

{We tried to get a group photo...boy was that a challenge!}

{the Pink Ladies}

And now we're almost to the end of October. Can you believe it????? More new Rowen pics to come!

Rowen is Finally Walking!!

On September 21, 2012, Rowen took his first steps! He is a very cautious walker - so it's funny to watch him as he walks & says "whoa whoa". Below is a short video of Rowen Walking. The video was taken by Christy ("Honey") while babysitting a few days ago.

August Happenings Continued...

On August 25th, we went to a concert in the park with my family in Valencia. It was a Bon Jovi cover band and they were actually pretty good! As you can see from the pics below, Rowen had fun playing with his cousins in the park!

{Kami & Rowen playing with a string}

{Grandma dancing while attempting to take a pic of Keri & Rowen}

August 26th was also a fun day...another beach day!! Here are a few pics of Rowen & Daddy playing in the sand. 

{Daddy dug Rowen his own small pool with a wall to block any incoming water}

{Rowen having fun in his  pool...again}

 

{Rowen getting wild with his two "Pakis" - pronounced PA-KI}

Watermelon Wagon Tour

On August 23rd, Rowen & I went on a playdate with Sam & Makaila to Tanaka Farms. We took the Watermelon Wagon Tour and it was really fun! We rode in a wagon pulled by a tractor and they picked all kinds of fruits and vegetables from the farm and we got to try them. We ate carrots, corn on the cob, green beans, a type of cantaloupe called "Sandy", and 3 different kinds of watermelon. They also told us how they care for the soil to grow the best tasting fruits and vegetables possible. I must say - none of it was cooked and it tasted great (and I don't even like fruit very much)!

{Since the watermelons were round - Rowen kept saying "ball"}

At the end of the tour, we got to pick our own seedless watermelon from the farm. Such a fun day!

Where did August go?

I just realized it's been quite a while since I've blogged! Where did August go? Summer is coming to a close and the Bettendorfs have been extremely busy. Here are a few highlights from August 2012:

{we visited Grandma Diana on August 9th & Rowen had fun trying on all of her HATS}

{growing big so fast - he now has 12 teeth!}

{Rowen's big feet - he wears a size 5 Toddler shoe}

{He loves to read books and point out all of the items he knows}

{Rowen got his first hair cut on August 15th}

{the family at Grandma Diana's 90th Birthday Party}

{Rowen loves his Auntie Christy}

{J&L at Grandma Diana's 90th Birthday Party}

{Rowen & Uncle Chipper in the big pool}

{Rowen enjoying his small pool in the patio}

{Kicky?}

  

Our Little Fishhhh

Recently, Rowen & I have been attending some "playdates" with some moms and babies through the Tustin Ranch Moms Club.  A few weeks ago, we went to a water playdate at Lisa's house (only one block from our house) and the babies went in a blow up pool. Rowen LOVED it!! He and Suri stayed in the pool for almost an hour - just playing together with toys and balls and enjoying the water. Here are a few pics of him in the pool.

{"sharing" the ball}

{Suri is 16 months and Rowen is 13 months}

After he was done in the pool, Lisa (Suri's mom) turned on a water snake.  It is a long snake with holes in various places and, when attached to the hose, it shoots water out all over the place.  Rowen really had fun getting hit in the face with the water!  He just sat there and let the water keep hitting him. Funny kid!

{Rowen's favorite two things: BALL and HAT}

 

We have since purchased a small blow up pool for our patio.  He likes to kick his feet in the water - so now every day he says "kicky" and wants to go in the water. Our little (as Rowen would say...) fishhhhhh.