2009 Reviewed

(TURN SPEAKERS ON!)

Another year over... and a new one about to begin. We were taken on quite an adventure this year as a family... one with many joys, sorrows, and most of all memories we'll never forget. Here are the highlights:

1. Landon figured out how to eat. After months of worrying if this child would eat he figured out not only that food was good... but how to use utensils brilliantly early. Now we're questioning if he has a tape worm like his father... he never stops to breath!

2. Shawn went from 24 pc. - 150 pc. puzzles in lighting speed. I think we actually skipped the 3 year old kind and went straight for 5 year old. Oh, and his drawing skills amaze us.

3. Jon has tools... and skills. Mad skills.

4. My grandmother was diagnosed with bladder cancer. She is now cancer free. Praise God!

5. The photography business grew in great strides (leaps, bounds, and rocket speed too.) Next year looks amazing.

6. Jon grew a beard. Jon shaved it off. I miss the beard.

7. We moved! Yes, we moved! Into a house we love. A town we love. Oh, and we kinda like our neighbors (just a little.)

8. Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep "promoted" me to Area Coordinator over the local hospitals. These families have touched me... changed me... in a way I never thought possible. I am honored to have met families with such compassion and love. I am a better person for having known their precious angels... even if for a brief time. www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org

9. Our beloved Echo passed away. We then got the devil... I mean Canon Rawlings. A labradoodle who thinks he's a lap dog. At least he stopped ankle biting, right? For real though... he is a fantastic pooch... and we are thrilled he is one of us.

10. Randomness: My wisdom teeth are no longer a source of agony... only the holes left behind are. Connor was born! Lindsey & I saw David Cook. We went on our first family vacation. Jon & I drove Shane's mustang. My van broke down (4 times.) I also saw New Moon (4 times... well 3, and one more tomorrow.) Lynda & I kissed (totally on accident.) I watched Delilah... Shawn realized why he was terrified of a baby's cry.

11. We have a "N"amily. Our neighbors have taken us in (whether or not this is something they think was a good move or not remains to be seen) and treated us like their own children/grandchildren. It is my firm belief that everything happens for a reason... THEY happened for a reason. And we are blessed.

12. Pops came to visit. And it was good. We miss him :)

13. Jon and his brother have discovered a new found "closeness"... we have family with them... and it is wonderful.

14. Christmas Eve was the best, ever. (namily)

15. The Wii has taken over. The Wii Fit Plus is the best invention ever (well, 2nd to the camera.)

16. We have fallen deeper in love with our own "family unit"... treasuring every moment... and cherishing one another every day. We have been so blessed with two beautiful children... who provide such unconditional love... and teach us how to be better people. We thank God everyday for the miracle of them.

17. To our friends, family, and neighbors: Thank you for 2009... we're excited to see what 2010 holds.

Wishing everyone a bright and joyous 2010... filled with love, good friends, treasured family, and moments that make your heart smile.

Two Aunts & an Uncle

Even though Christmas day is behind us we still had a few holiday celebrations awaiting us after December 25th. Sunday afternoon Uncle Cody & Aunt "Wynda" headed North for a two day get together with our families. This time is always welcomed, and terribly missed when they leave. Shawn can't get enough of his Aunt & Uncle spoiling... he certainly knows what he can get away with in their presence. Jon and Cody spent a good deal of time in front of the Wii that we decided to get with some Christmas gift cards for the family. If Landon & Shawn are as close as Jon & Cody I will be one happy Mama! And if their significant others are as close as Lynda and I... well that will just be one amazing added bonus :)

*side not* Christmas must have really rubbed off on dear Shawn. He's been talking nonstop about God, Jesus, and Jesus's birthday. I'm loving all the questions!!

Laughing at the "weeping" pig, Linny.

A handmade pillow from Aunt Lynda.

A monkey!

A gardening set for our green thumb... who insists it's spring outside so he can go out and weed/plant/& dig.

Spring fever came early.

Remember the Inchworm riding toy that Landon received from Nanny for Christmas? If you forgot, see the post after this one. This is Shawn's drawing of it.

Family Fun.

Good boy, Canon! Lynda and I were out in the kitchen and Canon strolls in with this in his mouth! He dug to the bottom of Lynda's bag... only to find... a THONG!

Learning books.

This kind of scares me... a lot.

Wii.
After the boys went to bed that night Cody & Lynda stayed for a while to play Wii. We played some great games of bowling, tennis, golf, boxing, Super Mario, & Smash Bros. Lynda and I got a little too carried away with tennis and collided in mid air... both escaped with minor injuries.
4 player games rock!

Today Aunt Stef came by for Christmas with the boys. Landon was actually interested in opening a present (unlike Christmas Day.)

Shawn extremely excited to see his Aunt!

He's always had a crush on her... it's rather cute.

A "digger" for Shawn.

And a bus full of blocks for Landon.

Best Friends since kindergarten. Its hard to believe we've been through so much in the past 22 years!!

Aunt Stef & Landon (who, we've decided, is finally in need of a hair cut... well just a slight trim.)

Thumb Sucking Button Digger.

Thank you Uncle Cody, Aunt Lynda, and Aunt Stef for sharing Christmas with us. We enjoyed your wonderful company and time well spent with the boys. We love you all!

A VERY Merry Christmas

Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind;
Teach us to be patient and always to be kind.

~ Helen Steiner Rice

With Christmas day having crept up on us through the 25 days in December... and passing by us in the blink of an eye... I count my blessings for the time we shared this Christmas season. This was our first Christmas in our new home. The first Santa letter writing in our kitchen. The first tiptoeing down the stairs to see what wonders await. And our first Christmas Eve celebration with our newest family members... our "N"amily.

Christmas day was all but a blur. Rushing the kiddos around to head to "Grandmother's house" (Nan's)... a festive meal, present opening, and rushing out to avoid the weather. However, none of that was what Christmas day was all about. Christmas was held in our hearts... and the true spirit shown through. As we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ... our Savior... we made a special point to celebrate His birthday by telling Him how happy we were of his birth and what He means to us.

A few days prior to Christmas... a photo shoot with the boys.

The sun! The snow! The coooold!

Taking his time to get acquainted with the fluffy white.

A special bond.

Beautiful Boys.

Christmas Eve. A rather large package arrived at our doorstep... from none other than Pops & Grandma Carol!

Thank you both, so much, for the wonderful gifts and the beautiful words written inside the Christmas cards. Those words meant so much to us... and shame on you for causing a few tears on Christmas Eve ;) We love you both!
P.S. Shawn adores the card with your voices... Something he'll treasure for a long time!

Shawn's family portrait. Isn't this kid amazing!?!?!

Christmas Eve with the "N"amily.

Vroom Vroom.

This may be one of my favorite pictures of all time. Not that it is a work of art, but the subjects, and what was captured... Kevin & Chris opening their album from us... and Landon gazing lovingly into Toby's eyes.

Big squeeze!

Adopt-a-gramps

The kiddos Christmas Even presents from us, Toby and his gift, and Namily bonding time.

Toby causing quite the commotion with the kiddos... He's too darn fun to play with!

Shawn & his new firetruck (just like Mr. Meiser drives!)

Beautiful People.

One big happy Namily :)

The Meiser's.

Jon & I have two wonderful role models here.

"N"amparents.

"N"amaw's night wouldn't be complete with a belly button show.

Landon sure adores her <3

"Uncle" Justin!

The Rawlings Family Christmas Eve 2009

Our world.

Nearly impossible. A photo with EVERYONE looking. Canon, ya look good!

Watch out for the ferocious beast!

Guitar lessons from a "N"ampaw.

The youngest Rawlings... handsome (and naughty) as ever.

I think she enjoyed this as much as he did.

Another great role model... for the youngin's.

"Dear Santa,"
Shawn surprised us tonight by working on his upper and lower case letters together!

All finished!
Cookies for Santa. Cauliflower for the reindeer.

The children all snug in their beds...
Santa arrives.

Christmas morning.

The Priceless Shot.

Its too early for this... my hair hasn't had time to adjust.

Stocking stuffers.

Just what I always wanted... a BALL!!!

Present Happy.

Leapster Games. A few favorites... Backyardigans, Ratatouille, Diego, and Create a Creature.

PJ party.

Unwrapping Landon's gift (Landon was throwing a tad bit of a fit right then.)

Oh wait, whats thissss?

The Leapster 2! What a hit :)

My 1st remote control car.

2nd Christmas for Lil Guy.

A Barrel of Monkey's (for toddlers)

Need a push?

Daddy's presents from the boys... Transformer toys!

Oh boy... now this did the trick.

And away I go.

Walkie Talkies that Shawn picked out (all by himself!) for Daddy.

The bunny Shawn picked out for me.
I love it so much!

Christmas morning is so magical... for so many reasons.

The Little Artists.

Having fun with their presents from Santa.

Good Morning. I am Dr. Shawn here to help you today.

Hmmm... this look suites him!

FurrKidd's Christmas.

A new toy to rip to shreds.

My baby's growing up... his first big dog Kong!!!

Christmas Day at Nan & Peeps.
Shawn & Landon's Town... made by Peeps.

Unwrapping.

Singing Songs.

One of my greatest gifts.

"Guitar Miro, Guitar Man, & Walls!"
Shawn's translation for Animusic. This kid's obsessed with this DVD.
MeMe & Pappy, ya did good remembering this... now he's glued.

Unwrap a smile.

The famous Dragon Castle. What Shawn's been asking Santa for for a month now.

My littlest love.

Enjoying every second holding him... for he'll soon be off running now wanting to be picked up very often.

Big Guy & Me.

Enjoying all the cuddles and snuggles I get :)

Festivities.

The Performer.

Feedback! MeMe says, and I quote, "I love this gift."
She enjoyed both performances by her grandchildren very much.

He certainly knows how to work a room!

Future Rockstar!

This kid's got MOOOOVES!

Story time with Pappy.

Big wheels keep turnin'!
Nan's reminising of when Michael and I had these as wee ones.

The Inchworm!

Ok... so sue me... I've never heard of Zhu Zhu pets. My parents were all excited that they got these for the boys because I guess they were some big ticket item this year... something EVERYONE hadddd to have and stores were out of them.
No, never heard of them... ever.
Shawn thinks they are hilarious.
Landon is intriqued until one gets near him then he runs away screaming.
Who knew such little "robots" could provide so much amusment for Mom.

To all our friends and family... Merry Christmas. We wish you peace, joy, and happiness always.