Here's a link to a 2 minute video of Rowan's performance in the Black Hawk Center Holiday Program. She's pushed by her teacher, Mrs. Haney, in a wooden sleigh, and having a great time.
Enjoy.

Click here to see the video.

Holiday Magic

The Christmas Holidays have so much more joy and happiness when you have little people around to share it with you. Starting with the weekend after Thanksgiving, Laurel has been repeatedly astonished by the Christmas decorations. She loves the Nativity set, especially the camel, and we talk about it often. Words like Santa, Star, and egg nog (ok the last one is a stretch) are frequently uttered from her lips.

And when she can't say the word, she just says "Wow". You can say that again.

Even Rowan is enjoying the season. Three weeks ago we visited the Festival of Trees, and this week will will visit Santa at the mall. Her Holiday Program at school is the best I've ever seen, and I often cry during every act. These kids are amazing. And special. And they really work hard to put together a great show. I'll try to get photos, but they are usually out of focus - from my tears.

If I don't have a chance to blog again about our family between now and the New Year, all our best for a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season and New Year.

And try not to make yourself crazy about the shopping, and the parties, and the decorating. Remember the meaning of this Holiday and its Magic. Wow.

You can see more Holiday pictures here.

Halloween 2008

Friday night was a such a good night. We had lots of Trick or Treaters - and Laurel and Rowan greeted them all. We got to see the entire cast of Star Wars, several times (must be very popular this year) and only one child came with out a costume. We enjoyed seeing all our neighbors, and especially Nanny's grandson Connor, who was dressed as Curious George, and Curious George (Connor's stuffed toy) was dressed as a spider.

Laurel helped me hand out the candy, and had a melt down every time I gave some away. And since we had not had dinner yet, I would only let her have milk and cheese. I am a cruel, cruel momma. And oh does she really love the candy.

Here's a photo of Laurel dressed up, waiting for the doorbell to ring. You can see more of both my girls here..

Have a great week. And don't forget to Vote on Tuesday, if you haven't already.

Love, Colleen

They change so quickly...

Tonight I took some photos of my girls, at request of their Grandpa Craig, in their jammies, getting ready for bed. Their jammies are nearly identically, with 2 tone pink pigs and elephants.

You can see more of these photos here.

October 2008

Summer is over and fall is flying by. Rowan is nearly done with her first quarter of school - less than 2 weeks left - and then fall break. She's set for Halloween with a princess/duchess/queen costume, even has a tiara. We don't really trick-or-treat, but we enjoy the neighborhood children ringing our doorbell.

News from our house: we've had one cold after another, and its not even flu season! Frankly, I'm tired of it already. In September, Laurel and Rowan and Bryan had colds. Then Laurel had Fifth Disease (have you ever heard of this - harmless HIGH temp for days, followed by an itchy rash)? Then right around Bryan's birthday, Rowan came down with a cold again, and then Laurel, and then Bryan. Thus far, only myself and Nanny have escaped the dreaded cold. (Even Grandma Becky got it the first time).

Rowan is doing great in school. Staying awake all day (that's amazing considering she now gets up at 6 to be on the bus at 7:25 AM). And she is making great strides at home with the therapies we do here. She can tolerate being on her hands and knees much longer, and we are even using a walker (only 2 steps - with maximum assistance- but its something). Laurel is a great cheerleader and often "helps".

Speaking of Laurel - wow does she know a lot of words. And she understands everything we tell her. Tonight, she took her socks off after dinner, and when I asked her where they were, she pointed to the living room. She still favors her pacifier (we call is binky - and treat it with great respect and reverence) and has mastered talking around it. She spends a lot of time reading, playing with her puzzles and hunting down our pets. She also loves to help in the kitchen when I am cooking. Oh and did I mention the laundry. She helps with that too.

Molly and Jez (dog and cat, respectively) are hanging in there and tolerating Laurel more. Its been a long time since I've heard Molly bark at Laurel. And Laurel takes great pleasure in feeding Molly food from the table.

Bryan and I are doing well. I am getting ready for the Fall Fund Drive at WVIK. And Bryan is preparing for a trip to Germany in late November, his second trip this year. Work is going well for both of us, and we are glad to be busy at the office, considering what the rest of the world is suffering.

That's all for now. Check out the new photos I've posted here. Some were taken this evening, the rest last week. They are changing to quickly. I feel like I'm missing it, and I LIVE WITH THEM.

September 2008

I've uploaded some new photos tonight, click here to see them.

I was thinking it has been a while since I've written anything here, and had convinced myself that we had not taken any new photos in weeks, and then I realized, Bryan had a number on his phone. And they are pretty good for a cell phone camera (it is an iPhone-I should give him his props).

But to catch you up to speed on what's happening at our house, starting in August:
We took a week of vacation August 11-17, where we puttered around the house. We had an architect in to help us design a ramp to add on to the front of the house. We're pretty excited about this project, and he's done a great job helping us design something that won't cover the entire front lawn.

Rowan went back to school shortly after our week off, and promptly came home with a cold. But recovered quickly.

For Labor Day weekend, we had a nice visit with Grandma & Grandpa Sibthorp, who visited us from Virginia.

The weekend of the 5-7 we visited our other grandparents in Springfield, and Laurel came home with a whopper of a cold. Quickly followed by Bryan, and finally a visit to the doctors office for a double ear infection.

Last weekend we had a WVIK function, saying goodbye to some long time co-workers who are daring to retire and move on.

And finally that catches us up to this weekend, where were went to the Greek culture fest in Rock Island for some excellent greek food and balloon hats for the girls. As you can see in the photo of Laurel, she loved it.

We've also been busy keeping Rowan on track with her therapies: Monday and Wednesday, where she is learning and gaining a lot of strength. Earlier this week she did two really cool and exciting things: She got herself into a four-point crawling position from her tummy, all by herself, with no assistance; and she took three steps in a device called a gait trainer (kind of like a walker, but with more support). We are very proud of how hard she works.

I've been very busy in the kitchen, roasting, pureeing, cooking, and freezing produce we get from our weekly CSA share. You can learn more about the garden we get our vegetables from by clicking here. In the photos, you'll see Laurel helping with the apples we received this week.

She has recently starting eating apples whole and can clearly say "apple". She has lots of other words too: Momma, shoes, thank you, and just about any other word you use. She can run now. And I have this great new gear that really helps keep her safe, recommended by Grandma Anne Marie. Its basically a leash, for your kid. But she loves it. Asks for it all the time. And she can walk with us with a little autonomy, and a little bit independence. I hear a lot of whispers about how cute she is in it when were are in public. Best money I've ever spent on baby gear. Oh and it's a monkey back pack with a "tail" that serves as a leash.

That's all for now. I'll post more as Halloween pictures are taken, and cooler days are spent outside in our huge pile of leaves. Have a great week.

Colleen

Holy Cow that's a lot of Reinerts...

Holy cow that's a lot of Reinerts - I counted 78.


Tonight I posted 3 photos I had developed from Mom's camera, and then I edited them. Feel free to take a look, you can find them by clicking here along with some other photos I took with my cell phone while at the picnic.

More about the kids later...they're doing great and keeping us busy.

Rowan's first day back to school...

Last Thursday, Rowan started back to school for what is the equivalent of 2nd grade (see more photos by clicking here). And she had a great day. Laurel, on the other hand was missing her sister all day, and cutting her first molar. In these pictures, you can see how she is wearing her pajama top when she got up. It looked a little like a bolo jacket, and must have been uncomfortable.

Rowan left for school so early, Laurel wasn't even up yet. This year the school district has changed the school day around, so the teachers have more time to "communicate to the parents", or so it said in the email we received from the board of education. And unfortunately for my little night owl, that means she loads on the bus at 7:30, instead of 8 AM. And we all know what a half hour longer in be can do for a person. All that to say, she seems to be managing with the early schedule just fine. Now if only Mom and Dad can get used to it...

What else is new: Laurel has lots of new words, and can sign many as well: Cheese, more cheese, shoes (go outside now), up, Daddy, Hi, Bye, Sissy (and sometimes Ro Ro, for Rowan), I talk, book, ball, Molly, and my personal favorite : "what?" - but with an annoyed tone, and while she is talking on her toy cell phone. But no Mommy. What's up with that? But I'm not hurt.

She is also learning to put together puzzles, draw with crayons, eat with a fork, climb down the stairs, and put some items away (very few) after she is done playing with them. She is amazing to watch and learns so fast. It's just like they say, they are such little sponges.

I've been very busy with work, and in my free time I am putting up veggies from the garden subscription we had this summer. We are eating all kinds of new food, including lots of new ethnic foods. Its been a great adventure, and both Bryan and I are eating lots of veggies. And Laurel, too.

Until next time, we wish you all the best. And hope you are enjoying as pleasant of a summer as we are here in the midwest.

Today it was sunny and 79 degrees.

My name is Uncle Ray, and I approve this message...

Are you tired of the political ads yet?  This photo of my Uncle Ray, taken last Sunday (with my cell phone - can you believe I forgot the camera?) at the Reinert Family Reunion at Eagle Point Park.  I told Uncle Ray he looked like a politician when I took the photo.  I thought he was going to fall off the chair.  

It was a great day at the park.  I've added a few photos I took on Sunday, as well as some more of (who else) Rowan and Laurel we took last weekend.  See them at Colleen's Web albums.

And if you haven't checked out my brother Chris, and his family's brand of crazy, you should at Donovan's Daze (psst - they have a 3 year old and twin 6 month olds - its hilarious).

Enjoy.

We were very lucky in a recent storm that passed through the quad cities. This house is near ours; we were very lucky and suffered no damage to our property. Check out my web album for more pictures. I've also included some photos of the station, where we are still without power.

Hot fudge sundaes

Laurel tried her first hot fudge sundae tonight, and with no surprise, she loved it.  Yeah, its bath night.  

Things we love...

• July in the midwest, 75 degrees and breezy
  
• Swinging
  
• Picking up sticks
  
• Little girls in bib overalls
  
• Short legs
  
• Empty swimming pools (because its been to cold to fill it)
  
• Back Yards

Check out our new album of photos, More Back Yard Fun.

Have a great week! ~Colleen

Rowan: 8 years old.

Yesterday, we had a birthday dinner for Rowan; kept it small and quiet. It can be a trick fitting a party in between snacks, naps, baths, and bedtime.

Check out the web album I've uploaded for pictures of her day.

My mom took some great photos of me today. Check 'em out on the web album page.

~Laurel Eliza, age 13 mo.

Back Yard Fun

Laurel's first back yard wading pool experience was a lot of fun. For her birthday she received a sprinkler pool, that fills about 2" deep with water, and creates a ring of a water fountain on the outside. Its perfect for her.

And, Rowan really enjoyed it too. She would stick her feet into the fountain, and smile. And She loved the relaxing sound it made.

The water was pretty cold, and Laurel was all but blue when I forcibly removed her after playing in it for an hour. Check out the web album I've uploaded for more action shots.

We're back from a weekend in Springfield. We've been enjoying the nice weather by spending time out of doors, either in the wagon or on the swingset. Nothing makes Rowan happier than swinging. And Laurel really likes playing in the mulch under the swings.

I 've added two more web albums today. Check them out. Have a great day! ~Colleen

Happy Birthday Laurel!

I love birthdays. Don't you? We had such a great time on Saturday. The weather was sunny, but cool. Laurel was in great form. Rowan was enjoying the company of her grandparents, aunts & uncles, and Nanny. Everyone had a great time. And our two little girls really had a great time. Check out the web albums to the left for party highlights.

And have a great day!

Humming birthday song here.

2 New web albums...

I've posted a few new photos on the web albums page. Check 'em out.

We had a visitor on Saturday from this Great Horned Owl and its mate. He was perched on the branch right outside the living room window. Later he and his mate flew a little further into the ravine, but I can still hear their calls.

Spring is finally here...

I took a day off this week. It was supposed to be the beginning of the rain we would have all weekend. Instead it turned out to be such a lovely day. Rowan went to school, and Laurel and I ran errands and played outside. While we were waiting for Rowan's bus to drop her off in the afternoon, Laurel worked on her walking up and down steep driveway skills. She's getting better at it, but I can't seem to get her to stay out of the street. After we got Rowan inside and settled, I was able to get this photo of Rowan. She had a great day at school - swimming, and was happy to be home.

Bryan and Laurel are playing, playing together on the floor.

Last Saturday, Laurel got to play on our swing set for the first time. At first she really liked it, but after a short period she wanted down to check out her surroundings. It was also her first playtime outside. The weather has been so crummy, none of us has been out much. We had sun and 65 degrees last weekend. Perfect.

Laurel loved it outside. She picked up and tasted everything - rocks, sticks, mulch - you name it. She's learning to wear shoes and is not very fond of mulch, being restrained from running in the street and going inside when playtime is over.

Check out our web album for more photos.

Check out my web albums. I've added two new albums. Have a great week!

Have a great day!

Today's photos of Laurel and Rowan are less recent than earlier this week. In Laurel's photos - she's watching Seasame Street from the laundry basket - "Land Ho". And Rowan is showing off her gaping smile in her Christmas pictures.

Have a great day!

What's in your cupboard?

My kitchen is getting smaller. Laurel now has ownership of 2 drawers and 1 cupboard.

Good Morning Everyone! And Happy March. We are definately looking forward to warmer weather and less snow, 47 inches so far this year. The news from our house is that Miss Laurel is WALKING. AT NINE MONTHS. About 2 weeks ago she took her first steps and this weekend she practiced alot and can now walk all the way across the room. It won't be long and she will be running.

And Rowan is doing great. So far we have avoid the flu season that seems to be closing in on us. We have been secluding ourselves in the house weekend after weekend, but so far it has paid off for Rowan. And she doesn't mind hanging out with Mom and Dad ALL weekend.

Today's photos are from Saturday. With my new lens, I do very little editing and hardly every use the flash. It helps me take great photos.

New Feature...Sign up for email updates...

In doing research for a project at work, I've been playing with this blog site, adding features, and now an email subscription feature. You can now sign up for email updates to this page.

Here's how it works, you sign up through the button to the left, confirm it, and then whenever I post new items, you will get an email notifying you.

Its so darn easy. Go on - give it a try.

New Web Albums

To the left of this text is a new link "Christmas 2007 Album". This is a new addition to our blog -web albums. I've been playing around with some software, and discovered I can share a larger number of photos this way. Enjoy.

Oh - and I got a new lens. It takes great photos.

More photos...Finally.

The holidays can certainly get a little crazy for me, and I just have a hard time getting anything done that is not related to them, including posting new pictures of my little ones. And I have an amazing new lens (thank you, Bryan) that is so fast and takes really crisp photos, I can't wait to share them with all of you. So here are a few I've take recently.