All About Sarah

With Sarah's third birthday approaching, I finally decided to 'bite the bullet' and take her in for her first haircut.  Does anyone remember that bald baby?  Now she has enough hair to cut!  It's amazing. 

Before...I took her to my stylist (who's awesome, BTW). 

During.  VERY SERIOUS FACE.

After.  I was too chicken to do anything dramatic, like a bob cut or something - so Jennifer just trimmed the ends and shaped it.  She looks so pretty - and the curls remained!  YAY!

Then, the other day, it happened. 

Sarah. Turned. THREE!

A little biscotti and hot chocolate to celebrate. 

And of course, the park. 

Oh, there's a picture of Jeremiah!

Dinner - what a great photo!  HA

Another one - she cracks me up. 

Birthday girl!

Obviously, a lot changes in three years.  She's gone from a helpless baby to a very independent, yet very dependent little girl.  She's so fierce and strong willed - but yet such a cuddly mama's girl and daddy's girl at the same time.  Some days, I don't know what to do with her - she can go from delirously happy to screaming in frustration and back to being happy again in a matter of minutes.   But she's just so sweet and loving and FUNNY, I can't help but know she's a little star in our lives.  As frustrating as she can be, I do thank God every day that she's part of our family.  

Dza Dza!

I'm sorry for being so far behind!  Between writing for Arizona Foothills and my other blog - sometimes I can barely squeeze in time for this one!

My dad came to visit a few weeks ago, and of course, we had a great time.

We visited the art museum... 

Took a ride on the Dolly Steamboat...

And had a good time chasing Dza Dza!!  

Party Time

We threw a little housewarming/birthday party recently - it was so much fun!

We rented a bounce house...and it was crazy!!

King of the slide!!

Shawn and the kids made me a cake for my birthday. 

It was super fun - we've been having a great time!!

Caleb and Bubbie!

Have I got a recap for you!  Anita and Caleb came in on Monday, December 19th and stayed through December 26th.  It was a busy, fun filled week!

Monday night was J's preschool Christmas program.  It was adorable and awkward.  J didn't really sing, but that's okay.

It looks like he was at the mic - just a great camera zoom :) 

Post concert cuddles with my boy 

And post concert ice cream at Scooptacular! 

Caleb loved the dogs.  He had so much fun. 

We visited the history museum in Mesa (for my writing job) 

Panning for gold! 

And the kids were on TV - they thought it was hilarious. 

Some sweet cousin cuddles 

Learning about desert plants 

Yes, I had to show off my Christmas dinner...again :) 

We had lots of meals out.  

Attempting to get a good photo of Bubbie and her grandkids. 

Shawn and his Mama 

Caleb being a monkey.  (The boys both got angry birds shirt - what a phenomenon!)

It was a great visit, and as always, so sad to see them go.  The kids played so well and just wore each other out.  Jeremiah and Sarah actually shared a room so Caleb and Bubbie could sleep in their own room.  After a couple of bumpy nights, they got used to it and actually enjoyed sharing a room.

Stay tuned, we have lots more going on and more photos and updates coming soon!  The Rolands are very busy :)

Christmas!

This Christmas was fantastic.  Anita and Caleb (my MIL and nephew) came down for the holiday and it was a lovely visit and celebration.

Christmas Eve Night - New jammies!

After Anita and I stayed up til nearly midnight wrapping all these gifts! 

Caleb, excited for things to start! 

Jeremiah was so excited!

Sarah was excited too!

We started by reading the Christmas story.

And opening baby Jesus. 

The kids put our two baby Jesus' in their places 

Then, it was gift time! 

Jeremiah was absolutely spoiled! 

So was Sarah. 

Jeremiah was thrilled to open this - a Buzz Lightyear!

Sarah loved all her gifts, too. 

Caleb had a great Christmas :) 

Shawn surprised me with a cookbook from "America's Test Kitchen." (I also got a laptop - who hoo!)

Shawn got a blanket, some grilling stuff, cologne, and "Insanity" - a workout program.  

I cooked my first ever turkey and made mashed potatoes, gravy. cranberry sauce, and baked beans!

We even had a kids table!  *toast*

After dinner, a dance party! 

Hope your Christmas was beautiful and merry - Happy Birthday, Jesus!