Christmas and more Christmas

What a busy week with lots of family and fun!

Monday Rose helped me make some brownies to enjoy with Aunt Kate and Uncle Jon who are visiting during school break, we can't wait until they are done this spring and move back!

Tuesday Rose insisted taht she needed a gift for her babies...this was either the kindest gesture ever or a really sly ploy to get another toy... So we went to Target, as we do every week, and found this record player (I think mine is still somewhere in my parent's attic). 

Rose also helped me make an Angel Food cake to give to Pop on Christmas since we didn't make one for his birthday. Rose doesn't love the mixer on high, so she wore her ear protectors!

I don't mean to brag....but we are ridiculously awesome at baking this cake :)

Wednesday after a riding lesson and trip to Dunkin Donuts, Rose found some HUGE muddy puddles to stomp around in at home. 

I signed up to work overtime Christmas Eve, so daddy gave Rose one of her presents a little early for the two of them to enjoy in daddy's pole barn. 

Here are the presents for Rose all ready for Christmas morning!

Rose loved all her presents...

And especially her baby doll that pooped charms ;)

After presents and some play at our house we headed to breakfast at Pop's and Nana's. Rose was very excited for a baby doll that was as big as she was and cousin Trip.

We then headed down to Grandpa and Grandma's for another round of presents and lunch.

Rose got another doll that poops charms and was just as happy! This kiddo loves her babies and was very happy to have twins!

Rose was even able to cuddle up with Aunt Jenni for story time.

Grandpa and Grandma got Rose a new bike. She loved it and is doing so well steering it all around.

Saturday before we headed to the Bechtel Christmas, Rose rode her bike around the pole barn and then decided to drive daddy's bus...she left her helmet on, good call!

Justin (or the iPad) seem to have been a magnet for little girls at the Bechtel Christmas party, but he was a good sport and played lots with these two cuties. 

Great Grandma

Sunday it was more fun with the bike, this time she decided she should put some tools in her basket. 

I think we have finally recovered from our exhausting Christmas week, bring on the New Year!

Twas the Week before Christmas and there was MUCH going On…

It was lucky for Rose and me that Justin was working very close to Ikea on Monday. Thanks to Pinterest, I saw an idea for using Ikea spice racks for book shelves. Justin and Rose assembled them (and after Rose used them as animal pens) she and Justin installed them in her book nook. I think it turned out amazingly cute and Rose loves arranging the books in her library…or just taking them all out and having mommy arrange them ;)

SOOO Santa…what we have decided to tell Rose is pretty simple: Santa is a person who reminds us to be kind to each other and one way of being kind is to give gifts to people we love and who help us. That’s it. We tell her that people give gifts to each other and have involved her in the process of picking out gifts and wrapping them to give. (She also needed no assistance in making sure we knew which gifts she would like!)

Tuesday parents were allowed to come into dance class for a special Christmas show. It was great to see all Rose has learned over the last few months and she seemed to be having a good time. She was also Miss Meghan’s little buddy J

(this little girl was in the front row on the opposite side of the room when the dance started...but she worked her way back to be right next to Miss Meghan)

Wednesday was a really fun day. Rose started off by sleeping until almost 8:30am, which is late for her, then we headed out to her riding lesson, a quick stop at Dunkin Donuts, a park, and then off to grandma’s and work! Whew!

Thursday’s was a PJ and reorganizing day! Sometimes the mood just hits to rearrange and Thursday morning was that day…Rose very kindly let me move around a bunch of her toy items (mostly taking her larger toys from the first floor to the second floor, it’s times like this I wish we had bought the ranch style home…). Anyway I think it worked out well and downstairs, while Rose’s stuff is still in every room, seems to feel less cluttered.

We usually end the week pretty happy and this Friday was also lots of fun. Rose and I played lots in the playroom, she wore some fun antlers, and she LOVED the penguin slippers that nana got me as a gag gift (because I have hinted many times that I would like some new slippers for Christmas…).

Rose has decided to 'keep mommy's slippers'. Apparently one is the mommy and the other the baby penguin. She also hugs and kisses them...too much cuteness!!!

 Saturday our yearly ornament arrived, I don't know how any ornament could be cuter!

Justin and Rose had dinner with his parents and Rose enjoyed a very large snowman cupcake. 

Sunday Rose was all ready for 'Mommy-Daddy-Rose Day' and since Rose has a runny nose we decided on an inside activity: bowling!

Top 10 of 2014-This is the post that goes with the Holiday Card :)

Rose turns 3

-EVERY POST in this blog is all about Rose, because while we share our memories with family and friends, it is intended for Rose to have as kind of a digital scrapbook of her childhood. The 3 year old Rose is like a little person with her own mind and ideas. She is fun to play with and has a very creative imagination. She prefers to be active, but has her favorite cartoons and books when she needs to slow down a bit. Nothing makes her happier than playing with her babies and nothing makes her angrier than when it is time to wash her hair. She loves fruit and donuts. Mommy and daddy love that she still takes a nap! 

It is also thanks to Rose that we added Meow to our home...

Heather's new job

-After 4 wonderful years working as a Service Coordinator for Early Intervention, Heather accepted a new position at the same company, and is now a Crisis Interventionist. The change was precipitated by a need to be home with Rose during the mornings to take her to speech therapy. The change has been positive in lots of ways including more time with Rose and a pay raise :)

Justin's Pole Barn

-After 6 long years of living in our home, Justin got the one thing he wanted from day 1...a larger garage.

 4 Beaches

-Although I wouldn't have expected us to love the beach like we do, we certainly were a beach family this year with an overnight trip to Cape May, day trips to Sea Isle and Avon-by-the-Sea, and a week at Lewes.

2 Trips to Knobels

-Rose LOVES rides. We weren't sure after an early season trip to Knobels if we would make it again, but we made it (on their very last day)

Cousin Bruce III is born

-This was probably the happiest moment for Rose who adores her baby cousin. She is very lucky that they live close and has gotten to see a lot of Bruce since he was born. There is nothing Rose enjoys more than helping to change his diaper by handing over wipes and a clean diaper!

New Car (sort of...)

-Heather got caught in the 'great hail storm' and her beloved red Jeep was totaled :( We upgraded to a larger Jeep and although Heather misses her smaller Jeep, all the extra room has worked out really well!

Master Bedroom and Bathroom

-Progress has been made in the master bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom is done and the bedroom, not so much ;) Maybe by next year's review!

Kitchen Color

-After 5 years of the dreaded 'neutral' color, Heather picked a color and Justin painted it for her birthday present (because Justin REALLY hates painting!).

2014 was packed FULL for us :) Here's hoping 2015 is wonderful for everyone!!!