Rowie Olympics

Getting ready to sing Happy Birthday and eat the yummy cake...

Birthday Bum

Olympian Nathan

Baby Ella

Courtney won the Volleyball competition.

Billy won the Yo-Yo competition.

We are the Champions, my friends... (my dad above (Paddle-ball), and Jill below (Ring-toss))

Hayden & Nathan swimming for prizes

Hayden & Nathan playing on the swing set (notice Rowan's new sandbox to the left)

Irene, Heidi, Courtney, & Craig

Brielle (Molly's sister) & Dan (parents to Nathan & Ella) in the parade

My sister Heidi & Rowan

My sister Alora and Rowan

My sister Heather & Billy

My brother Chad & Molly

Kevin's mom & dad

My mom and dad

Birthday Boy in his Birthday Suit

For Rowan's Birthday party, I decided to have it olympic-themed (he's turning 1, the Olympics were this year, etc.). We ate Chinese food (Beijing Olympics), and I had http://www.bemycupcake.com/ make the most delicious cake with chocolate, cream-cheese frosting. I'm addicted to them. We had torch trophies and engraved metals (Rowan's 1st Birthday), made-up national anthems for the different teams (Ice Ice Baby, and Can't Touch This, to name a few), we did the Olympic parade, and we had Yo-Yoing, Volley-Ball, Ring-Toss, Paddle-ball, and Swimming as some of the events. Nathan, Ella, Hayden, & Rowan were the only kids there by age, but the rest of us were kids by heart. Every first birthday party should end with a sink bath after eating some birthday cake. This party was no exception (objects in picture are larger than they appear). Rowan was spoiled rotten by everybody. Apparently, I'm not the only one who is completely in love with him...

Rowan's 1st Birthday (November 1st, 2008)

I can't believe it, but my baby is one! Time flies when you're madly in love. Rowan was big from the start-10 lb. 10 oz, and he is about 30 lb., 32 in. currently. I remember when he was born (I never even pushed, and I didn't feel a thing-the nurse had to lean me backwards to keep Rowan from being born), my sister Heidi and my mom were in the room (and Kevin, of course-but he was sort of near-fainting on the couch). I waited to hear him cry, but the room was silent, and then my doctor was asking for the NICU nurses. I couldn't see what was going on (being leaned back and all), but Heidi said not to worry that everything was fine (thanks, Heidi). Chaos ensued as people rushed in the room, it felt like an eternity, but he finally let out a small cry. It sounded like he was trying really hard to let everyone know he was OK, but he couldn't get much sound out. It's a year later, and he's still the same way. He's my lover. He loves to be happy, and he rarely cries. He laughs, smiles, and giggles every chance he gets. He adores Hayden, and he has always loved to nurse, and eat, in general. He started crawling at 6 months, going on the potty chair at 8, walking at 10, and he can say a few words, Gargoyle of which is his favorite. He still hasn't mastered Mama, but he is definitely a Mama's boy. He can say it when he needs to, though. He is the best-natured child I have ever met, and I can't wait to see how he spreads his love as he grows older. When he's not sitting in the fridge, you can find him blowing farts on Hayden, taking dirt out of the plants, playing with cars or dinosaurs, taking food out of the trash, trying to sit on balls, laughing whenever he hears anyone else laughing, playing in the sandbox, saying dadadada while pointing to Kevin, or dancing to music. But rarely, will you hear him cry. Thank goodness for Rowan. Rowan, we love you!!!!

Trick or Treating 2008

Right before Halloween, we went to Chuys to celebrate Courtney & Molly's birthdays. Hayden loved playing with Nathan. Courtney & Molly are my brother's hot girlfriends. The boys just adore both of them, and with any luck we'll be officially related someday. The night before Halloween, the boys went trunk or treating and invited Nathan & Ella to join. Nathan was Spiderman and he loved playing with the other super heroes. On Halloween night, we started off the fun by going to Nathan & Ella's house. Their mom, Brielle, made delicious Chili, and her mom Jill made yummy Zucchini bread. After filling our bellies, we went trick or treating in their neighborhood. Hayden was a little shy at first, but Nathan held his hand when he got too scared. He was only too scared to go to a few doorsteps. Rowan even went trick or treating on his first Halloween ever. The boys weren't up for wearing their Peter Pan and Captain Hook costumes, so they just wore their Pirate shirts. Hayden was pretending he had a parrot on his shoulder and a fake leg by the end of the night. My parents, Jill & Andy, & Molly & Chad joined us. Hayden is finally liking the idea of Halloween, but unfortunately, it's over. Till next year...

Chaos & Costumes

Chad threw a Halloween Party/Sweet 16 Twenty Years Later party for Molly. Since she turned 16 in the 80s, we had to dress with an 80s theme. There were some great costumes there. Kevin and I went as Al & Peggy Bundy. Can you guess the rest? Before the party, my parents went as Dorothy and Scarecrow to the Dial's Halloween party at their Barn. Here are a few pics from that, too. Happy birthday, Molly & Courtney! We love you!