January Gems!

January Favorites!

This month I decided to start something new. I am highlighting just a few of my favorite pictures. I was only going to do two, but I thought that I should throw in the ones of Rory and I too. They were such action shots, they really exemplify us right now.

Rosemary has Personality...as you notice that's with a capital 'P'! She is growing and learning and getting into everything! At 17 months her vocabulary has sky rocketed! She uses both signs and words. Here she is with an empty whip cream bottle. Somehow she knew just what to do? It makes me wonder if she saw daddy do this before.
Tackle Daddy! In seconds Rosemary joined in the fun! The girls love to wrestle and tackle daddy when he comes home. I remember doing this with my dad too! So much fun!
Well, this is what I look like on most days. I feel bad for all those people who see me every day before two o'clock. I don't get to shower or really pull myself together much before JJ goes home and the girls are taking their naps. Oh well! I love this picture with Rosemary! I was wearing this scarf and she wanted to wear one too. She LOVES to wear hats! She is pretty excited to match her mommy!
Here is a picture I snapped at the zoo of Cecily. I absolutely love it, I only wish it wasn't blurry. This is one of those pictures that I just have to keep even though it is a little out of focus. Cecily is excited to be three. She is feeling very grown up because she learned how to dress herself. She loves coming out in new outfits and playing dress up. She has been giving turning three a lot of thought, she even told her Uncle Phil that she would eat salad when she turns three. I am a little worried that when she turns three she will expect me to hand over the car keys or something (a little foreshadowing of what's to come I think.)

January Sprouts, Choo! Choo!

The theme for January Sprouts was Chugga Chugga Choo Choo! Sprouts started meeting in our new church building in November. This has given us lots more space for our growing group. It has also changed the dynamics in a major way, it has provided us with lots of new, but good challenges. We had such a fun time reading 'The Little Engine That Could," Dancing to songs about trains, and eating the amazing cakes that Amy made. (Amy is one talented cake maker, I guarantee you will be seeing more of her work in the near future). I found the Thomas cake pan for about a dollar at the thrift store... it has been making the Birthday rounds with our friends ever since. Grandma Bear found the pan with the little engine and all the cars. So much fun!

Happy Birthday Grandma Bear!

Cecily had a wonderful time planning her Grandma Bear's birthday party. She was so cute, and thought to ask her Grandma whether she preferred vanilla or chocolate cake. (The answer was German Chocolate Cake with lots of frosting.) We managed to get some presents (we hope she liked) and wrapped them up special. We hope Grandma Bear enjoyed her party as much as we did! We love you Grandma Bear!

Critter Club- Harbor Seals

Nanny and Poppy (Jen's parents) got us an awesome gift that just keeps on giving! A family zoo pass!! We are happy to say that Cecily, JJ (the three year old boy I babysit) and Rosemary are members of the Zoo Tots Critter Club! This little club meets twice a month on Thursdays and Fridays to give kids a little lesson, make a craft and get an up close encounter with one of the animals at the zoo. So far this is the only one we have been able to make it to, but we are excited to go at least once a month.

For January the class we went to was about Harbor Seals. We had an awesome time! We also made it just in time to see the Polar Bear (JJ's favorite) have his lunch.

We just love the Zoo! If you ever want to come too...just let us know!

The First Annual Juego Bowl!

Rory's Birthday lands right after Christmas and just before New Years on December 30th. He is pretty used to having his birthday and Christmas kind of run together. However, we try not to let that happen. At first this year he didn't really think he had anything in mind for his Birthday. But over time it became apparent that there was a Birthday wish in there after all. He wanted the game night of his dreams. A night where he could play games of all kinds all night with the whole family, especially with his brothers and my dad (I find it funny that they used to be my brothers, but they belong almost exclusively to him now, I really do love this though).

The family ran with this theme and came up with the First Annual Juego Bowl. (Phil came up with the title) As you can see by the chart it was a full fledged tournament. As you may judge from the pictures... the birthday boy had a good time.

Wrapping it Up!