The much-anticipated Holiday Letter!

Ok, everyone...I finally carved out some time to type up some reflective thoughts on this past year. This holiday season has been like every single one for the past 10 years. It starts out fun and "doable", with parties and shopping and cards, then the closer we get to the big day, the more I stress out! You'd think I'd learn by now to either start earlier, or cut back. =)

So...2007. What a year it's been! The first few months of the year were the calm before the storm.

In March, Brent's parents came out for a 10-day visit that ended with 80% of us sick with the stomach flu. =) We still managed to have a good time, though, and even got away for a beautiful day across the water.

Ian turned 5 in April. We celebrated with a fun sleepover with the cousins.

In June, Sylas broke his arm - just in time for summer swimming - yeah! Also in June, Brent & I got away for some great R&R to the Acts 29 pastor's retreat in Sonoma.

Sylas turned 4 on July 1. We had a park party with, oh, about 20 of his friends. =) Popular dude!

Then, Brent's parents were here for the week of July 4th. Dan hosted a huge party, complete with a semi-professional, amazing-that-someone-didn't-get-their-arm-blown-off fireworks show.

The last 2 weeks of July, we had an amazing family vacation down the Oregon coast, and northern California. Yes, Sylas was still wearing his cast, which was wet within 5 minutes of arriving at the ocean.

I had 5 days after we got back to do laundry and pack for my next trip. I took the kids to MN to visit my parents. What great memories from our time with Grandma and PopPop!

That was our last trip of the summer, but just before school started, we had a fun family day in the city, complete with a visit to the aquarium and a ride on the "Ducks".

In September, our lives changed forever with the arrival of kindergarten! Ian absolutely loves school. Sylas started preschool the same week. He goes to his Aunt Cathy's house with his cousin Aidan and 3 other boys from church 3 days a week. We're just so pleased with how much he is learning! And, of course, he has a blast.

Oops, I almost forgot - Alexandra turned 1 August 30, and started walking the same day. She is quite the cruiser, and recently has been scaring us with her climbing!

In November, we got to fly to PA for 5 days for a surprise visit to Brent's parents to celebrate their 20th anniversary at their church. What an amazing trip!

Oh, and somewhere in there we got pregnant again. Not sure how that happened. =) We will be having the 4th (and FINAL) Rood in May. We have so much to praise God for in 2007. He has provided for us, kept us healthy and safe, and has blessed us tremendously with the best family and friends in the world. We love you all!

Christmas Letter coming...

Ok, this is embarassing. If you got our Christmas card, and there was a slip in it that said "check out our holiday letter" on this blog, obviously I don't have the holiday letter written yet. =) I was going to do it today, but was just too worn out after church. I promise it will be done tomorrow, though, so check back then!

Sylas the soccer star!

Sylas had his soccer game today - the only game of the season. We weren't sure how much he was catching on to the game until he actually played a game. He did awesome! He was aggressive and went for the ball, and never went the wrong way! =) He even played goalie for awhile, which may actually be his position. Then we went to Macaroni Grill and had pizza with the team and got trophies. It was a great day!

Halloween 2007

So, of course, we have to post pics of Halloween. Sure was fun to have a fairy princess in the mix this year. The boys were ninja turtles, but Rambo would be another good guess for Sylas. That "mask" ended up as a head band most of the night. We walked around the Country Village 1st, then went to the cousins' house for the "motherload". We have enough candy to last until at LEAST next Halloween.

She's growing up!

Here are just some cute pics of Alexandra - in the dryer, and 2 church-dress pics. This week, we brought her in for an echocardiogram to check on a heart murmur, and the cardiologist determined that she has an "insignificant" murmur. (probably not a murmur at all, but at least nothing to be concerned about) So, we're praising God again for healthy kids!

Rats Nest Baby

The other day, I got Alexandra up from her nap, and she had the hugest rats nest. Thought you'd enjoy these pics.

Baby #4!

We are thrilled to announce that we are expecting the fourth (and final) Rood installment. We confirmed it this morning with an ultrasound. I'm due in mid-May. Here's a pic of the little peanut.