A ROWLETT CHRISTMAS

Christmas.

Well Christmas was crazy again this year. Unfortunately I had to work (something I will never do again). But for the 22-24 I had off. I had just come from working 4 14 hour days in a row with Robby just finishing up classes on the 17th and shadowing a surgeon on the 18th. So 22-24 was golden time running through an hour glass. We were so blessed to see both sided of our families during our visit. I was able to see my brother's Dan and Matt after our trip up to the temple (which was beautiful).











Yes, It was freezing but so worth it! Then we stayed with my brothers and Matt is studying to be a chef and boy did we get treated! Lamb for dinner with glazed carrots, and seasoned potatoes. Amazing! I'm so proud of Matt. Working full time and school is one of the hardest things I've ever done!
Then it was back to Manassas with the Rowlett Crew.
Doesn't this pic look good?



Abby had such a great time with her cousins. Abby loved everything Christmas there.



It was cute to see all the girls together playing. They read books, played games, they played dress up, they were princessed, Tanner lemming, singers, mother definers, I don't believer in sleepers, (my daughter) I want to establish the bottom step as time outer :)
Yes, They were all of these things on our valuable time off.









I really do appreciate Julie's love this year in making it my BEST birthday in a very long time. She made an awesome cake that was amazing. If I ever want a cake again I know who to call. And to I'm sure all the girls who bought flowers and my gifts that was a huge surprise and amazing! Thanks heaps and mounds what an amazing treat.
Julie this picture is just for you - Abby opened the energy saver plugs you got us and this was Abby's reaction...umm, we'll drop her lower cases and advanced colors this year and start her on windmills and global warming Julie:) That face just says it all.



Jenny worked hard the entire time to make sure things went well and the house had food. Mary/Tim are an awesome team and were so cool
for looking after Abby for a much needed break while we ran out. Congrats on your engagement!



SORRY THIS IS THE ONLY PIC I HAVE OF JUST YOU BOTH. You both did just finish a whole day of watching millions of sugar high kids...oh yeah tired!



Laura and Tony are an amazing couple who honored Robby and I (and the rest of the fam) to be apart of the blessing of Elijah. What a gentle soul. He wanted to cry during the blessing but he settled and it went beautifully. Thanks guys. And without Amber I think the Rowlett's on the Monday we got there would still be trying to figure out "What's for lunch?" You really are an amazing sister in law. Thanks for everything and Abby loves the tea set. She's been trying to force feed us water for DAYS.



Abby is always happy to see Grandma Deb Deb. She went to the ER last night with her first ear infection EVER and cried for Grandma Deb Deb because Robby called her for help last night. Too cute right??? And so is this picture!
Any ways Merry Christmas everybody and thanks for a great time!

Well our Christmas at home on the 26 into the 27 was great. We made cookies for Santa the night before.



Put carrots out for the reindeer and Santa even left footprints of magical snow!





Abby wanted a doll, little black dog and a diamond...yes my friends a diamond. Yes, she did receive all. She dug through the presents finding "the one" proudly stating "Oh this is it!"







"Santa brought it" She opened it. "My, My DIAMOND!" Yes a big plastic buck fifty diamond from Michaels. Priceless. When she puts it in her purse it could be a weapon.
All in all it was great and I'm in love was our time off together. So I'm off to enjoy NEW YEAR'S.
Happy New Year's Everybody!

Pics

Sorry that nothing has been posted in a while...things have been really nuts here obviously. So here's a few pics until we have more time.

We went downtown to a "grand illumination" where they lit up a whole bunch of stuff. It was really cold, but Abby loved the deer.






This really cool family was taking pictures at the same time as us, and we offered to toake theirs and they took ours. For the picture, the daughter let Abby wear these antlers that would light up when you pressed a button. When we tried to give them back, she wouldn't take them and let Abby keep them. I love the Christmas spirit.
We got ourselves a tree and decorates it last weekend. Abby had a blast doing it, and didn't break any ornaments.








Abby hanging her stocking.

So my wife is totally awesome at her job. They can write thank you notes to other employees and have them delivered with a candy bar. The last time they came around, this is how many she got:

I am so proud of her.

Also, she has become a slayer of cave crickets. Or spider crickets. Or whatever you want call these things:

They show up in our place from time to time, and if I'm not around to take them out, she does.

Finals have arrived. Must go study something.

Videos!!

So we can now do videos. We haven't been able to since we got here due to the incompatibility of Vista and our video camera and my ineptitude at figuring out how to make it work. But now...videos can be done.
This is Abby singing the Bumblebee song.
We're still working on it.

This is her singing some random song that she made up on the spot about butterflies.

HALLOWEEN!

Okay, So we haven't posted in forever...so here's October in a nutshell.
We went to a pumpkin patch with my awesome friend Keri and her daughter Taylor. We got this huge pumpkin and we carved it to look like Jack in the "Nightmare Before Christmas." I know the most awesome pumpkin huh?



















Then I have pictures of Abby and I making cupcakes for Robby's birthday. We put sprinkles in the batter and I asked Abby what it was and she said " Mama we're putting rice in daddy's cake." I guess that's what I get for making my daughter eat healthy. She has no idea what sprinkles are. Nice.





























And then yesterday was HALLOWEEN! Yes, we went down Hanover St Trick or Treating and it was a blast! Abby was Dorothy for Halloween this year! She was SOOO cute. My AWESOME friend Keri helped by making an apron for her costume...and well I'll Let the pictures speak for themselves. I've never had such an awesome time trick or treating. I thought UVA was great...RICHMOND is AWESOME! This downtown street was made up and and simply amazing. Abby got gobs of candy and a one of a kind costume. We trick or treated for 2 hours and were beat! What a blast! (And yes for those that are looking she's got The Ruby slippers on and looks amazing!).

A few quick pics

I know that nothing has been posted in quite some time. And I apologize for that. I will try to post something great in the near future, but here are a few pics to hold people over.


Abby practicing for the major league



Abby and Jodi went to a pumpkin patch and had a really good time picking out pumpkins, riding hay rides, and doing all the fun stuff every kid should be able to do leading up to Halloween.


They also went to the state fair here in Richmond one day. And it was a blast.

The little girl is Taylor, one of Abby's new friends. Taylor's mom and Jodi have been hanging out some lately, her dad is also in grad school here in Richmond and is gone a lot, too. So I'm really grateful that Jodi has found someone that she can do stuff with when I'm not around. Which , is like, always.


We're all hanging in there for now. We are pretty busy (well, really busy) and I have to say I'm sorry if there are some of you that we haven't talked to and/or seen for a bit. Just know that we love you all and think about you and it's not that we don't want to see you....well...maybe there are a few of you....never mind.

*edit: due to extenuating circumstances, the video that was previously posted here had to be removed. Apologies to those who didn't get to see it.