Monday, December 28, 2009

Christmas in Pictures

We had a fabulous week in Arkansas with my family! Everyone was there and we really enjoyed having an entire week together - we haven't all been together since last Christmas.

Here's a recap in pictures! (as always, click to enlarge)

We...


...played by the lake,


talked to the babies,


admired them,


passed them around,


snuggled them,


went for walks,


watched Quinn's dance moves,


laughed with babies,


admired these curls,


hung out on the golf course,


golfed in shorts (they knew we were from out of town!),


lost golf balls in the mud,


enjoyed the beautiful day,


loved being outside in December,


took hundreds of pictures of these babies,


watched them nap under blankies from Aunt Kelly,


cracked up at this boy in his jewelry,


appreciated his sense of style,


loved that he wanted to wear earrings,


got puked on multiple times,


almost floated away with 4" of rain! (you can see the red line where the edge of the sea wall is!),


were charmed by this sweet face,


watched Myla go from smiles to tears in a matter of seconds,


worked on the babies' neck strength,


opened presents,


sat by a cozy "fire",


got a PS3!!!,


cleaned up a big post-present mess,


oogled these blue eyes,


taught Quinn how to play foosball,


smiled at how cute this Nana and Papa are,


dressed up and went to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

and had an overall relaxing, food-, fun- and family-filled week!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Want to Win?!?!

Anyone want an HP TouchSmart 600? I DO!

So, I entered this contest. You should too! :)

PS. I've been reading MckMama's blog for a year and a half - it's great! She is a hilarious, honest, warm and witty writer...enjoy!

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Monday, December 7, 2009

CHRobinson Holiday Party

We had Ryan's company party on Saturday night. It was downtown at the Radisson (don't get Ryan started on the parking situation - let's just say it was a cold few blocks with my bare legs!!) There was a great buffet, desserts and then sliders and fries around 11. Ryan played a lot of blackjack but, despite winning lots of tickets for the raffle, didn't win any prizes. He was really hoping to win the PS3!

I wore one of the dresses I worked on this year!






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Thursday, December 3, 2009

NEW NIECE!!

We have a new niece! Lauren Marie Van Cleave was born at 12:28 today.

8lb 3oz
19.5"

She's beautiful!! I'm not sure I can wait until next Friday to meet her!



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Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We celebrated with a quiet day at home. After sleeping in we had a late breakfast of egg sandwiches and relaxed.

Then [my favorite part], we put up our Christmas tree! I've been waiting all year to do this! We didn't put one up last year so this was the first year I've ever put up my own tree. It took a long time to fluff all the branches out. Luckily we have a pre-lit tree so I just had to decorate. Ryan made a good supervisor (and he put hooks on all the ornaments for me). I reminisced about each of my ornaments (not sure Ry really appreciated all the stories!)

I started writing Christmas cards while Ryan relaxed and watched football. Then we tried out a new recipe for stuff chicken. It was a success!! Next up was Angels and Demons, then smoothies, and now we're basking in the Christmas lights and watching Elf on tv.

Thanks to all of you for being such a blessing in our lives!


Val - this is for you! Ryan's ornament was the first one on the tree!


Chicken with spinach, cheese, sundried tomatoes. Thanks for the recipe, Mom!


LOVE our newly festive living room!! AMA, do you recognize the tapestry above the front door?


The chair is already my new favorite seat!


I have been reading about adding spinach to smoothies so I gave it a shot. Looks pretty disgusting but couldn't even taste the spinach. A new way to eat my veggies!!

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

A Day with the Rudes!



We spent the weekend in Iowa. We celebrated an early Thanksgiving with Ryan's family in Ames, Ryan went to Iowa City for the Hawkeye game and I spent all of yesterday in Des Moines with the Rudes.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures in Ames but did go a little camera crazy at the Rudes'. (Meg also grabbed our camera and had a little fun getting shots of her babies) Not a lot of pictures of Myla and only a couple of Rex - Quinn stole the spotlight! (And I spent my baby time cuddling instead of snapping pictures...)

They're growing like crazy!! ENJOY!




























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