The Rowland Boys

Just wanted to show these off.

First, the Artist.

And the Toy pile!

We love you Tyler! Happy first birthday!

Jackson started playing 3 year old T-ball this year. He is in the local YMCA league, on the Dodgers! He loves playing T-Ball each Friday and is really learning the game.

Wearing his hat though… that’s tough! It’s so big on his head, even with it tightened in the back. It’s pretty cute actually.

Jackson of course has his own cheering section, Tyler claps and laughs for big brother.

Look at that form!

The boy can hit a ball. I think he’s missed once the entire season.

The race to first base!

And he’s safe!

We had a great time at Gigi and Grandpa’s house this weekend! Jackson went on his first fishing trip with Grandpa and caught four fish all by himself. He was so proud!

Finally an update! Here is Tyler talking last night.

We spent Christmas morning at home.  Jackson and Tyler had fun seeing what Santa left and opening gifts from Mommy and Daddy.  It was so wonderful to watch Jackson’s eyes light up as he came out into the den.  Todd and I were nervous with anticipation like we were little kids!  Jackson was wowed by every gift.  Todd caught it all on video, so I’m sure he’ll get it posted up here at some point.

Our den on Christmas morning.

Jackson checking out all of the gifts from Santa.

Tyler enjoying the bongo drums and measuring spoons that Santa brought.

Jack helping T unwrap his present.  Jackson picked out a froggy popper for him that Tyler loves. (and yes, Jackson really picked it out himself!)

Tyler digging in to his stocking.

Checking out Grandpa Lionel’s ears with his new doctor’s kit.

Playing with the new jungle set from Gigi and Grandpa.

Every baby needs a Christmas bath.  Tyler was especially happy to get his this morning!

This year Lauren hosted Christmas Eve at her house.  She and I cooked together (and even had fun!), to make stuffed shrimp, roasted potatoes and green beans for fourteen.  Aside from Lauren’s car problems, we had a great afternoon cooking and getting things ready.  It was nice to have so many people together.

 After the meal, the boys got their Christmas Eve gifts, new holiday pajamas.  My mom started this tradition when Lauren and I were little, and I love it, so I want to pass it on to my boys.  Jackson was pretty hopped up a holiday high all night, but was suprisingly well behaved (especially since I don’t think he had a nap). 

For desert, we had yummy mini-cheesecakes that Sally made and a Birthday cake for Jesus.  Jackson loved singing Happy Birthday, baby Jesus and blowing out the candles.  Of course, between the presents, the singing, and the cake, I think he may have believed it was HIS birthday, too.

And you know how sometimes you’re just over it… wel, Tyler sure was!

Somebody get him to bed already!

This week we were witness to one of the best Christmas pageants ever, Jackson’s Mothers Day Out Christmas Party. Jackson was suffering from a cough, but he was a trooper singing every song in the list!

Pictures coming soon, but here’s some video of Jackson’s first trick or treating! His spider costume (made by Mommy) turned out great and was a huge hit!

Jackson requested to be a spider this year.  We looked a bit for one at the store and on-line, and just couldn’t find what we wanted.  I also took a couple of crazy pills and thought it would be no big deal to just make it.  Sure….  It took the better part of last weekend (like all night Friday and Saturday after the boys were in bed!), but I think it was worth it.  Jack tried it on tonight, and he loved it!  That was worth it all.  His Halloween party at school is tomorrow and then we’ll be doing a little Trick-or-Treating on Friday.  Tyler is going to be a bat (we borrowed a costume for his), and Jack is excited about that, too.  For those of you who don’t have the pleasure of watching the Disney channel daily, I’ll just tell you that his favorite character on Little Einsteins dressed as a spider this year, too.  And there is a show all about “spiders and bats” - it just doesn’t get any better than that for a two-year-old boy!