Christmas 2009

BLIZZARD OF 2009

Snow, snow, and more snow! It started snowing on Friday evening around 8:00 pm and continued to snow until about 9:00 pm on Saturday! We got about 21" of snow, which was measured by Juan going out on our deck in only a shorts and a t-shirt to measure!

When Xavier woke up on Saturday morning he looked out the window and his eyes got wide and he said "Mama, Santa is getting ready to come".

Mari and Xavier could not wait to get outside to play in the snow - so out we went. They played in the snow while Juan shoveled the sidewalks.

On Sunday afternoon we went sledding with our friends in the neighborhood! The kids had a blast and didn't want to come in despite the fact that they were freezing.

Hailey, Lily and Xavier Sledding

Xavier making a path

Mari stuck in the snow

Xavier knee deep in snow

Xavier sledding

Lily, Mari and Hailey sledding

My snow angel

Mari and Hailey taking a hot chocolate break

Message from Santa to Xavier

Santa sent this special Christmas message to Xavier:

http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/c784ceed51dc2680191b1dc41146332a

Message from Santa to Mari

Santa sent Mari this special Christmas Message:

http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/0237c6838c1b3c64e915fe8e60bbaa29

Mari and Xavier

I liked this picture of Mari and Xavier so I thought I would share it.

Xavier asks to have gel in his hair almost daily because he tells us the "girls like me when I gel my hair!"

It's Official....

Xavier is a true Rawding!

On Wednesday evening he was having trouble going to bed and kept coming to our room because he had to pee, needed a kiss, etc. The last trip to our room he came in asked me to "pull his finger". Without thinking I pulled his finger and he farted!!!

Fast forward to tonight. I had a couple of friends over and the kids started to dance. Mari and her friend Krista were shaking theirs butts so Xavier decided he would join in. He started shaking his butt and much to my surprise he decided to "moon" us while he was shaking his butt.

On both occasions I tried not to laugh, but was unsuccessful. My only regret is that I didn't have the video recorder going or I could possibly be $10,000.00 richer!!!!

Halloween - 2009

Big Boy Undies

We have been working with Xavier on potty training (FINALLY) and he is in love with his spiderman undies! Isn't this is the cutest spidey bum you have ever seen, or am I biased?

OUCH.....

Mari was walking down the front steps last night with her hands full and lost her footing and fell. She did not want to drop what she had in her hands and landed on her face.

Boy + Crane = Happy Boy!!!!

On Saturday morning I took Xavier to see the crane where Juan was working. When he saw his daddy and the crane his eyes got as big as silver dollars! We spent about an hour watching his daddy load materials on the roof - Xavier was in heaven. Xavier LOVES heavy machinery and would of stayed all day if I would of let him. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Pretty in PINK...

Mari had her first soccer game today and of all the colors available her team got PINK!!! Today was her first soccer game and she did pretty good but needs to be a little more aggressive. She had a lot of fun and seems to love the sport of soccer. Below are some pictures of my "LADY TIGER":

3 is the magic number

Happy Birthday to the light of my life!

A New Chapter Begins - Kindergarten...

She started school this morning, and she seemed so very small
As I waited here beside her in the kindergarten hall
And as she took her place beside the others in her class,
I realized how too soon those first few years can pass.

Remembering that I saw her as she first began to walk,
The words that we sounded out when she began to talk.
This little girl is much absorbed in learning how to write
It seems that she must have grown into girlhood overnight!

My eyes were blurred, but hastily I brushed the tears away.
Lest by some word or sign of mine I mar this big first day.
Oh, how I longed to stay with her and hold her by the hand,
To lead her through the places that she may not understand.

And something closely kin to fear was mingled with my pride.
I knew she'd no longer be the baby at my side.
But she must have a chance to live, to work her problems out;
The privilege to grow and learn what life is all about.
And I must share my little girl with friends at home and play.
She's not a baby anymore, Mari started school today.
(Author Unknown)

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

To beat the high temperatures and humidity, we went to the National Museum of Natural History on Saturday. I think it was meant to be because we got a parking spot directly across from the entrance to the museum (which is unheard of in D.C.). Also we arrived just as they were opening up for the day! The kids had a great time and really enjoyed everything they saw. We definitely need to start taking advantage of living 15 minutes from Washington, DC.