Halloween 2013

We kept our tradition going this year by trick-or-treating with the Spottsville's and the Wichterman's.  I absolutely love celebrating and decorating for all the holidays because I have such warm and fuzzy memories of holiday traditions and decorating as a child.  Since Mikayla's due date was October 17, I was obsessed with making sure everything was in place for a spooktacular Halloween for Jack.  I knew his world (and mine) was going to be turned upside down with the arrival of our new angel, so I wanted Halloween to go off without a hitch.  Jack's costume was ready, trick-or-treat bag out, and decorations up.  Of course, nothing goes smoothly no matter how prepared you are when you are talking about doing anything with two toddlers, a newborn, and an 8-month old, but we had fun nonetheless.  Mandi made some awesome turkey and sweet potato chili and I made some pumpkin cornbread.  By the time we got out of the door for trick-or-treating, it was already 7:00, but it was perfect because Jack and Anayah have little legs that can't last that long anyway.  Jack and Anayah were stinkin' adorable as Jake and Izzy from "Jake and the Neverland Pirates."  They stayed in character all night, often correcting us if we called them Jack or Anayah, and they would naturally hold hands when they crossed the street.  My heart melted.  He is so blessed to be growing up with such a sweet friend.  Mandi and I had to turn in early since we had feeding and bedtime schedules to mind.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!

My little pumpkins and me

They are soooo cute!

Choosing candy...a kid's dream come true!

"Follow me Anayah! Yo-ho let's go!"

Isn't she gorgeous?!

The trick-or-treatin' crew: Surya holding Jack (his shoes gave him a blister, so he had to call it a night); Maddie as Catniss from Hunger Games; Sarah as a pirate; Anayah as Izzy; Lilly the car; Kaitlyn the ghost

My new little pumpkin Mikayla settling in for the night

Exhausted and sugar crashed!

Jack's Art Show

There are many reasons I love living in Temecula and one reason is all the fun classes the city offers for kids.  I signed Jack up for an art and literacy class this summer.  Each art project was accompanied by a book.  Nana took him to classes when I had to work and she made a suggestion that I have an art show displaying all his art work at the end of the session.  I thought that was a grand idea!  Even better, I decided to have it at my baby shower so he didn't feel left out.  We displayed all his pieces in the front of my sister's house on the day of my baby shower for Mikayla and made special art cookies.  As guests arrived, he offered them a cookie and juice box and showed off his art work.  It was so awesome to see how proud he was, especially since all summer he was so shy about sharing his work with anyone.  What fun we had!

He loved handing people a juice and cookie.

I love how happy and proud he looks in these photos!

Jack's 3rd Bithday

We decided to have a small party for Jack's 3rd birthday since his time as an only child would be ending in a few short months.  When I first asked him what kind of party he wanted, he was obsessed with the show, "Octonauts" so I found all sorts of "Octonauts" themed party ideas and started planning.  Well, any of you with small children at home know that Disney had commercials all summer long about a "Pirate and Princess" summer and advertised the shows, "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" and "Sofia the First."  Mandi (remember, Anayah's Mommy) and I quickly realized how effective that advertising was because it wasn't long before Jack wanted a "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" themed party and Anayah wanted a "Sofia the First" party (thanks Disney!).  Nevertheless, I had lots of fun planning the party.  It was a small party, but tons of fun.  We went to my sister's house again to utilize the pool on a hot day and had a blast!  I can't believe my baby is already three!  I find myself getting emotional by how quickly time is passing by.  I just want to hold on to every moment. 

Jack's actual birthday

His aunt and cousins brought him cake and presents on his actual birthday.  He loves these girls SO much!

Pre-party fun with Grandma Sherry

Surya's mom came down to celebrate Jack's 3rd birthday and he loved every minute of her being here.

Pirate Party Time!

They are checking their maps for how to find the treasure!

"Here it is, guys!"

The tablescape

Gotta have a pinata!

Fun details

Party favors

Surya and I did our best to make pirate-themed cupcakes.

One of my favorite pictures of the birthday boy.

Waiting patiently for their turn.

CANDY!!!!

Mila won the game!

Madie so wanted to join in with the big kids.

Besties

"Look at this, Anayah!  We can play this together later!"

What great memories!

Happy 3rd birthday to my sweet angel from heaven.  He is growing up to be such a thoughtful, caring, loving, and wonderful little boy.  Every day is a blessing with him.

Welcome to the World, My Little Girl

My precious Mikayla.  This is our story about how you came into this world:

Your daddy and I always knew we would have a little girl, in fact, daddy had your name all picked out long before we even had the pleasure of seeing your beautiful smile and shining eyes.  You were very comfortable in mommy's belly.  I would feel like I was having constant, consistent contractions and then it would all stop.  I even went to the hospital twice, only to return home.  Finally, on the morning of October 14, I wasn't feeling myself.  My blood pressure was elevated so we headed to the hospital.  The kind nurses convinced Dr. Im to keep me in the hospital to induce me.  Your daddy and I were so excited to meet you.    I was induced around 7:00, and by 10:30/11:00 you were getting ready to make your debut.  Daddy really wanted you to be born on the 14th rather than the 15th because of the famous people you would share your birthday with (he is nutsy), and I just wanted you born healthy and strong.  My labor with you was truly quick and easy.  In about 4-5 pushes you were born!  Although you were only 3 days shy of your due date, your daddy and I thought you would be a little thing.  Imagine our surprise when they told us you were 8 pounds 4 ounces!  You didn't seem that big to us because you had such petite features.  Right from the start you were a great baby.  You were easy-going and pretty quiet.  In the hospital, you were right on track.  By the 3rd day, we were ready to go home!  You have been born into such a big and loving family.  Your aunts, uncles, cousins, and Nana and Papa were are dying to meet you!  You are the 6th granddaughter out of 7 grandchildren!  I truly cannot wait to watch you grow up and leave your mark on this world.  You are such a special person and we love you so very much!  Happy birthday my baby girl!

Mikayla Marie Von Rosen

October 14, 2013

11:39 p.m.

8 lbs, 4 oz

20.75 inches

A Boy and His Dog

I just love this picture of Jack and his best girl Dixie.  She is such a blessing in our lives.

A Boy and His Dog
Edgar Guest 

A boy and his dog make a glorious pair:
No better friendship is found anywhere,
For they talk and they walk and they run and they play,
And they have their deep secrets for many a day;
And that boy has a comrade who thinks and who feels,
Who walks down the road with a dog at his heels.

He may go where he will and his dog will be there,
May revel in mud and his dog will not care;
Faithful she'll stay for the slightest command
And bark with delight at the touch of his hand;
Oh, he owns a treasure which nobody steals,
Who walks down the road with a dog at his heels.

No other can lure her away from his side;
She's proof against riches and station and pride;
Fine dress does not charm her, and flattery's breath
Is lost on the dog, for she's faithful to death;
She sees the great soul which the body conceals--
Oh, it's great to be young with a dog at your heels!

Knott's Berry Farm

We kicked off our summer with a trip to Knott's Berry Farm.  I hadn't been there since I was in middle school or high school so it was a treat for me to walk around and reminisce.  We went with Lilly's Girl Scout Trip so we did some group tours/activities first.  We had planned on taking Jack to Camp Snoopy to ride all the rides, but once he set his eyes on those huge roller coasters, he was hooked!  Nana and I took him over to Camp Snoopy and he looked at those kiddie rides like they were the most pathetic thing he had ever seen!  Luckily cousins came over and saved the day.  Everything is better for Jack when his cousins are involved.  My sister, mom, and nieces took turns taking him on rides since pregnant ladies can't ride most of them.  I did what a pregnant lady does best...EAT!  I had an entire funnel cake with boysenberry sauce to myself while they all waited in line for the log ride.  At the end of the day we went to Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant to have ourselves some fried chicken and mashed potatoes.  My family spent every Easter morning at that restaurant with a big group of friends for many, many years, so that, too, was fun for me to go back to again.  I can't wait to take Jack back when he is older so he can ride the bigger roller coasters.

Cousins are here!  Life is grand!

First roller coaster and he scored the front car!

This ride is for Papa!

I think this was his favorite ride.

This was his least favorite.  It could have been because he was tired and hot, or it could have been the technical difficulties it was having.  They waited in line FOREVER and then when it was his time to go, he refused to cooperate with the checking of his height.  He would not stand up straight; legs apart, jelly legs, you name it!  This kid can be quite stubborn (he gets that from his father)!  Just to spite everyone, he refused to act like he enjoyed it.  He never even cracked a smile.

Enjoying some cotton candy while he waited in line for the next ride.

Definitely enjoyed this one!

 As we were trying to convince Jack that it was time to leave by letting him know he had ridden all the rides, we walked by this one and that clever little boy said, "Mommy!  I didn't ride that one!"  Great memory kid (he gets that from me ;).

Of course he had to have the red one.

Nana is such a trooper!

The end.