Christmas Day...catching up

Christmas Day was also fun. We spent the morning with the Bettendorfs ~ opening presents, laughing, and eating. Rowen loved every second of it!!

{Rowen LOVES his big Monkey}

{surrounded by GIFTS}

{Jason's new book}

{Christy & Chipper}

{New tri-CYCLE!!!}

{Grandma Diana - loves any pic of Rowen}

 

Then we were off to my cousin's house for celebration #2.

{Lindsi & Derek}

{Uncle Joe Lee}

{the Hochberg clan}

{My Mom - working away}

{All the kid cousins - except Rowen}

{Robbie & Alli}

{Aunt Shari, Uncle Joe Lee & Rhonda}

 

{the Hosts - Alli & Rob}

{Little B's}

 

{Rowen playing with cousin Tyler's HAND GLOVES}

Although the holidays were crazy busy (as usual), we had a great time!! We hope you had a fun holiday as well!  Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve

Rowen's 2nd Christmas as a lot of fun! He helped me wrap presents for weeks before Christmas. He helped put on the tape and some of the bows. He would say "PRETTY" when we were done wrapping each gift. He was super excited about the Christmas tree and decorating it. He wanted to "help you" with the lights and was a big help putting on the ornaments (pronounced "ORNMENTS" by Rowen). It took him a few days to realize that once the tree was decorated, we were supposed to leave it that way. 

Christmas Eve came and we spent the evening at the Annual Bettendorf Party (which we were told could be their last one!). Here are a few pics from the party:

{Annual family photo by the tree}

{the Hosts of the Annual Bettendorf Party - and Rowen}

{Old classics}

{Rowen modeling}

{Christy & Chipper - cute pic!}

{So glad Garland could make it!}

{Excited!!!}

{Even some long lost cousins showed up}

{Mike & Renia}

[Quite] a few drinks were had by many! A good time was had by all!

Santa!!

This year Rowen was so excited about Santa and snowmen! Every day he would talk about them and couldn't wait to see Santa. So we finally went to see Santa (before Christmas) and this is what we got...

Thanksgiving

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Lake Tahoe. We spent the days frolicking in the snow and enjoying the clear mountain air. Jason and Lisa skiied at Heavenly.

 

We have posted a slideshow of our adventures on the blog. If you receive updates to our blog via email, you will need to click on the link or go to the website to watch the slideshow.

 

Hope everyone is enjoying the start of the Holiday Season!

 

Halloween

This year Rowen was an Olympic Soccer Player for Halloween. Since he loves to kick the ball and says "shoco ball" all the time, I figured this was a fitting costume for him. To start the holiday, we went to a small Moms Club Halloween Party at the park. Both the kids and the moms were amazed at how well he controls the ball. A few of them asked me if I taught him how to do it! I don't even know how to control the ball - not sure how he knows!

Unfortunately, Rowen got sick a few days later - so the rest of the holiday was spent in the house. Although we did put his costume on so Daddy could see him on Halloween night. 

{Grandpa brought him over a gold medal}

{he got a soccer bag for trick or treating}

{smiling even though he was sick}

Bye Bye Baby ~ Hello Toddler!

On September 25th, Rowen went for his 15-month check up. He weighed 27 lbs. and was 33 inches in length/height. He was still in the 90th percentile in height.

He is now 16 months - and he has 16 teeth with one more molar on the way. Now that he is walking and talking, it's so funny to be able to have (short) conversations with him. He's really a little person! He even has his own vocabulary...

motorcycle = shysho

pacifier = pa-ki
soccer = shoshow

brush = bwush

sit = shit (woops!)

helicopter = copter

pirate = pi-dat
outside = side
have it = had it

get it = get it (while pointing his index finger)

Every day he does funny things! We watch Sesame Street in the morning and he learns a new number and letter every day. Then he tries to imitate what they do on the t.v. The other day we were watching the Backyardigans and they were talking about a Yeti and singing the STOMP song. Next thing you know he's stomping his feet saying "STOMP STOMP STOMP" and walking around the house yelling "YETI YETI YETI". 

At this age, Rowen loves motorcycles, helicopters, balls, shoes, water (swimming in it, drinking it, or playing in it), and helping with chores. He loves to throw clothes in the laundry (pronounced "yaundry") and throw trash in the recycle bin (although sometimes other items end up in the recycle bin ~ like balls and toys).

He also loves to read books. So....if you're sitting on the couch or the floor he assumes you'd like to read him a book. He finds a book and gives it to you and says "me me me" then makes himself comfortable on your lap. If you don't start reading it - he says "read it" then waits for you to start reading.

I'm so grateful that he speaks pretty clearly for a one year old. It makes life a lot easier when they are able to tell you what they want. So, when he's tired - he puts his head on your shoulder and says "ni night". It's so sweet.

(Rowen saying "See You"}

{on the move}

While he is a very sweet little boy, he does have a devilish side to him (from Jason, of course). He likes to "sneak" on people around corners. He also thinks it's real fun to run away when he knows you're trying to get his shoes and socks on. I say "come here" and he runs and says "mere mere" with a big smile on his face. Little stinker! 

When he does something bad and he gets in trouble - he puts his arms up and says "huggies" to try to get out of  trouble. He loves to be chased and frequently says "get you" as he's running away.

As much work as it is to have a toddler ~ I must say they are a lot of fun! He definitely makes sure I get my exercise every day! The Bettendorfs are not sitters!!

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!