Backyard Campout 2012

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Ryan's folks had a tent they had rarely used and told us we could borrow it. We decided to try it out in the backyard again since the kids enjoyed that so much last year. This tent is much bigger than our old one and gave us a lot more room. The kids had a blast helping Ryan set it up and each had to take a turn hammering in the stakes. Once the tent was up they proceeded to haul everything but the kitchen sink into the tent. We decided to forgo the campfire and ate marshmallows plain and popped some popcorn. We hauled the laptop out and watched a movie together as a family. The kids enjoyed it and slept very good. I, on the other hand, slept TERRIBLE! About 4 am a good midwest thunderstorm came through. It rained so hard and there was thunder and lightning. No one else woke up, but all I could think of was our tent being underneath the tree that had been struck by lightning twice and we were all going to be toast (literally). Thankfully it passed quickly and I could sort of go back to sleep. At least we found out that the tent was nice and waterproof!!! I am still not sure we are ready to attempt real camping...maybe next summer!

Opa & Oma come to visit!!!

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Mid June my parents were able to come out for a visit. It was SOOO good to see my folks since we didn't get to see them at Christmas. It was extra special that we got to see my dad. Last August he suffered a stroke and I hadn't seen him since October when he had just been discharged from the hospital. After spending the week with my dad I was overwhelmed at God's goodness and incredible healing in his life. He is fully recovered and doing awesome! It was so fun to hang out with my parents and we are so thankful that God spared my dad's life and that we were able to spend a wonderful week together!

My sister, Tami, and her kids picked up my folks from the Minneapolis airport and then headed down here for the week. What a busy yet fun week we had! Here are some of the highlights of our week and you will see pictures of in the album above:

~ relaxing in the backyard

~ fun games of Cube in the yard

~ slip n slide

~ sprinklers under the trampoline

~ VBS!!!! (All the kids got to go while the adults stayed home and enjoyed a leisurely supper without kids!)

~ Brookings Children's museum

~ tye-dying shirts at the museum

~ learning some magic from the museum's visiting magician

~ morning runs with my sister

~ celebrating Father's day with my dad!

~ going to the local ski show

~ hiking around Falls Park and riding the trolley

~ Oma reading to the kids

~ bonfires and smore's

~ talent shows (check out the picture of Caleb & Joel playing the piano...they were fighting over the piano and my mom told them that one should play on the top and one on the bottom. Caleb didn't even hesitate and hopped off the bench and started playing the three pedals on the bottom! Problem solved! We laughed so hard!)

Overall it was a very fun week and we enjoyed being together so much! We were sad to see them go but look forward to the next time we are together!

Family Vacation to Omaha

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Can you believe we have never been on an "official" family vacation? All our vacations are usually spent with extended family (which isn't bad, just different) so we decided we would actually attempt a short trip with just the 5 of us. Our destination was Omaha. 

We managed to locate a reasonably priced hotel with a kid friendly pool  near the zoo. We arrived in the evening and right away headed to the pool. The kids had SOOOO much fun and I think would have been perfectly happy spending the weekend at the pool. It had one water slide that all 3 kids went down over and over and over and over.... 

The next day we spent at the zoo. Omaha zoo is quite the place. We had heard great things about it and were VERY impressed. It was so nice to actually be able to walk around without a stroller and the kids did so well! Along with all the usual zoo animals there was a butterfly house, enormous desert dome that included swamps and caves and tons of cool stuff, an aquarium (which was my favorite because the fish swam all around you), and of course a real train, and a sky tram. The kids really wanted to try the tram, so I swallowed my nerves (as I don't mind heights, but with little kids, it does scare me a little) and we went for a ride. It was a lot of fun and gave quite a view of the zoo. We took a break for a picnic lunch at the car and then rode the train in the afternoon. The kids were troopers and had a lot of fun! 

After the zoo we had to eat at Red Robin for old times sake and it was as good as we remembered! We then headed back to the hotel for more swimming. The kids were pretty tired that night. I must say that they slept very well considering all 3 were in one bed! 

The last day we spent swimming again in the morning and then headed to the children's museum since our local museum got us in there for free. It was a lot of fun and the kids enjoyed playing with all the exhibits. Kiera was extra excited because she got to meet a princess and attend a Mad Hatter tea party with her. 

Overall our first vacation experience was a HUGE success and we were so proud of how well our kids behaved and enjoyed themselves!

Identical or Not? You Decide...

I've wanted to do this post for a while now so I hope you can help me out! Ever since the boys were born, we have struggled telling them apart. From birth the doctor said that they were not identical only because they were in separate placentas. However, from research I have done, it is still possible to have identical twins in separate placentas...my own pediatrician has identical twin girls this exact way...it just depends on when the eggs separated. So, I would love to hear your thoughts on whether our boys are identical or not. Please leave a comment to let me know! Keep these things in mind when deciding...

• When we left the hospital we kept their bracelets on for 2 months until Joel got a birthmark because we could not tell them apart. 
• After about 1 month I started taking pictures with Caleb always on the left, Joel on the right.
• Joel wore blue until age 3 and Caleb received whatever other color just so we would know by a glance...now they make up their own minds which is usually to want to dress the same. Lovely.
• They have dimples exact opposite of each other
• According to their dentist their dental records are exactly the same...he is in awe.
• When we got babysitters when they were little we would come home and not be sure if they were dressed in the right pj's or in the right crib...we would have to strip one down to check for the birthmark...often they were mixed up. 
• If the boys are dressed the same for the day and only one comes in the room, I am not sure who it is until I see the other one. 
• Ryan still can't tell them apart at 3 1/2
• When they started getting teeth they would always get the exact same tooth, just opposite the other (one got front right, the other front left etc)
• They napped in separate rooms and ALWAYS woke up at the exact same time...even if there was no crying.
• When they slept in mattresses on the floor for awhile Joel would suddenly appear at my bedside in the middle of the night and 2 seconds later Caleb would be there...without making a sound, they knew the other was gone.
• They have always been within 3 lbs of each other and 1/2 inch in height. 
• Whenever they share a bed, they are touching each other or practically on top of each other (see picture below)
• They are each others best friend...I tried having a friend over but they struggled playing with him because they didn't know how to split things 3 ways...they fought more with the two of them then with their friend! But if I invite 2 friends over, they won't play with that friend at all because they always have each other.
• Everything has to be even. If one has it, the other does too. Life isn't a competition between them but a study in fairness. They just want to be like their brother.  
• When I look in on them at night I can look at one and convince myself it's the other. Creepy.
• Last week Joel fell and cut his chin. Today Caleb fell and cut his chin in the EXACT same spot. Now they have identical owies...so much for using that to tell them apart.

As you can see, there are crazy similarities that is hard to refute the fact that they are not identical. On a lot of these pictures below I can't tell who's who. I only know because I always put Caleb on the left...but what if one time I didn't remember, I would never know. I am currently working on their 1st year scrapbook and have no idea 75% of the time if I am getting the picture right with the right kid. Sad, isn't it? Their own mother has no clue who they are. Even their personalities are similar. They cry the same, talk the same, whine the same...

Their identical cuts...Joel L, Caleb R

Joel L, Caleb R (see I didn't follow my own system!)

No idea who's who

They even cross their legs exact opposite and have arms the same! This was not set up!

Identical pose

See what I mean? They sleep SO close!

School's Out!!!

It is hard to believe that Kiera is finished with Kindergarten!!! Yesterday was her last day and they had a short graduation ceremony for the Kindergarten class. It seems like we were just dropping her off for her first day and now she is a 1st grader! Kiera had a wonderful year and loved every minute. She was not too upset that school was over but informed me she would just have lots of play dates. We do have an exciting summer planned, so I think she is excited for the next phase. We are so proud of her outgoing personality, kind heart, the great friend she is, and the passion she shows in everything she does. We have truly been blessed with this precious little girl! Enjoy the pictures from graduation!

The kids walking in...their hats just cracked me up (Kiera is in the blue dress)

Proudly waiting for everyone to arrive

Giving her teacher "Mrs. Hight" a big hug

Receiving her diploma from Mrs. Borchard, the other Kind. teacher

Waiting for everyone to receive their diploma

She is a 1st grader!

Kiera and her teacher...she was such a special lady and we will miss her!

Kiera and her 3 best friends (from L to R Anna, Kiera, Stella, & Kaley).

Kiera with her 4 missing teeth

Kiera's report on Pinkalicious and her clay model

The best part about no school?? Getting to have a slumber party in the boys room!

The boys just followed Ryan around and copied everything he did

Daddy and his mowing buddies

Daddy showing the boys pictures of him when he was little

Kiera decided to give her brothers pedicures

Happy Easter!

We decided to head to Prinsburg for the weekend to celebrate Easter. The kids did their Easter egg hung on Saturday and had fun hunting around the yard for their eggs. It was a little cold and windy, but we made the best of it! We had an enjoyable weekend just relaxing and having fun with Grandpa and Grandma.

I also included some pictures of the kids ice skating a few weeks ago. Our church rents the local ice rink every winter and the kids LOVE to go and skate. The boys were even brave enough to try. By the end they were running on the ice and playing bumper cars with their walkers. It was a fun event!
Papa giving some instructions...

Joel on the hunt
Caleb found another one!
Checking their progress so far...

Me and my favorite kiddos!



Getting some more energy and refreshments...

Kiera turns 6!!!

What a crazy fun last couple weeks! We returned on Wed. from spending an incredible week at my sister Tami's in Duluth along with my sister Lisa, daughter Rylee, and my mom. Ryan had his annual Winter retreat, Kiera had no school, so we headed North! We picked up the WA folk in Minneapolis on the way and decided that relaxing was our only agenda for the week. The kids had a blast playing together and the adults had fun just catching up on life and sharing many side splitting laughs! It was so fun to go ice skating, roller skating, sledding, eating meals out together, having movie nights, and just enjoying family. It was so fun to see my niece who wasn't walking the last time we saw her. She was so much fun to play with and cuddle! They grow up way too fast! Oma spoiled us tons and we look forward to seeing them again this summer sometime! We headed home to a weekend full of birthday celebrations!

Kiera turned 6 yesterday and was one spoiled little girl! We decided that since this was her first year in school, we would have a party and invite the girls in her class. Since Kiera brings home 2 Fancy Nancy books every week from the library, we decided on throwing a Fancy Nancy Tea Party. I am proud to say it was a HUGE success!!! The girls arrived in their fabulous attire and had a divine time! We had a photo booth, lots of crafts to do, some games, and finished the party off with parfaits! I really enjoyed getting ready for this party and it was fun to see the girls having such a fun time together. On Sunday the Link clan came over for spaghetti (Kiera's favorite) and parfaits. It was fun being together and celebrating Uncle TJ's birthday as well as Kiera's.

The highlight of the weekend for Kiera was being able to get her ears pierced on Saturday. The tradition in the Rouw family is that at age 6 you can get your ears pierced. I decided to continue this tradition and Kiera and I had been talking about it the past couple months. I wasn't sure if she would follow through and told her she didn't have to get it done, but she really wanted to. I was so proud of her and she looks so grown up now in her earrings!!! Even Grandma got to be a part of the experience and we so appreciated her help this weekend!

Enjoy these pictures!!!

Our Teapot cupcakes



Fancy Kiera

Brothers who were not too excited to be in the picture...they just wanted to eat cupcakes
Our Fancy Nancy tea party set up
They got to decorate their place mats, each utensil had a jewel on it, Kiera made name tags, and they made their own fans to add to their ensemble.
I was very proud of the photo booth...it turned out really cute!
Most of the girls (Ryan's mom brought hats for them all to wear)
These 2 girls just cracked me up. They asked if they could pose for the picture...talk about some attitude!!!
My plan is to use the pictures as thank you notes
Playing the "Packing for Paris" relay...pretty excited!
Decorating their placemats

Opening gifts
One of the parfaits
Getting ready for the ear piercing
The finished product!
The Van Hulzen cousins singing cha cha cha rah rah rah....
Kiera and her Mrs. Hight at her birthday celebration at school. We brought popcorn balls to celebrate! They were a hit!
Her brothers enjoying the school snack at their own table...they thought they were big stuff!
Our precious birthday girl! We love you so much Kiera!!!!