A Day Off for Daddy

Here I am at the park in Belmont. It was a little windy, so I am very bundled up.

One day, I'll be as big as Kate, and I will be able to go down the slides, too. Now I just sit.
For those observant folks, you'll see Daddy is in this picture. He took off today to make up for some of his overtime hours. He worked a lot on the March TV special, and I think it will be great! Actually, you will see this very park in the special. Isn't that cool??

Love Covers Over a Multitude of Sins

For those of you who have asked, it sure is fun to have a new little sister. I am very curious about her. Sometimes Mommy won't let me be so curious. Like - what will Sophie do if I put my feet in her face? Or, does Sophie like goldfish crackers as much as I do? Sometimes I try to help. Like when I think Sophie might be thirsty, I offer her some juice from my sippy cup.

One thing I love to do is dance. Daddy had some fun music going, so I thought that it would be great to boogie with my sister.

I sure do love my sister, though. She is a lot of fun and very cute. Mommy says one day she'll be able to run around and "wreak havoc" on the house with me. (Whatever that means. I'm sure it is something nice.)

Ready for a Wine & Cheese Evening

Last time Opa & Grandma came to visit, they bought some vino. Mommy & Daddy don't drink wine, so I thought I'd put it to good use myself. This amused Mommy greatly, although she never let me have any.

Loving Big Sister

Today, while I was just swinging away, Kate brought me some presents - a lizard, some books, blocks, a ball, a car, and a Snoopy. (Just in case you can't see it all on your computer screen.) I guess I looked bored or something. It sure is nice to have such a sharing big sister.

Saturday Fun

Today was so pretty that we got to play outside. Here I am playing on my slide!

Here I am telling Mommy (again) what different animals say. She must have a bad memory.

Daddy had to work today. If you click on the link on the left (the one that says Billy Graham TV Specials), you can see when the show that Daddy has been working on will be on by you!

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Today we went to the botanical gardens that are right by our house. Mommy is a member, so we can go for free whenever we want. They just opened up a new orchid conservatory that is very beautiful.There were all different kinds of orchids.
Here are Mommy & Daddy posing for the camera.
And here I am!!

Fun in the Bouncy Seat

One of my favorite places is my bouncy seat. It used to be Kate's, but now she lets me use it.
I especially love it when Mommy tells me funny jokes while I bounce.

Well, that's a little embarassing because now you can see that really I am just smiling when Mommy compliments me. What can I say? Every girl loves to be beautiful!

After Kate kissed the image of me on the digital camera, Mommy had her come over and kiss the real me! So much more delightful!!

Road Trip

Today Daddy had to go to Boone, NC to do some work. Since Mommy has cousins there, we decided to have lunch with them. Here we all are at Applebee's. Mommy, me, Marlise, Kees, Alyson, & Kyle. Sophie is taking a nap on the floor. Mommy says I should mention that you can tell from this picture that I can be a bit of a handful.

Trying to Fix a Hot Meal

While I am fixing dinner, I hear a lot of shuffling around in the pantry. Not very unusual. Kate is a scavenger. I then see her triumphantly leaving with a box of Cheerios that she has torn partially open.
I take the box away - after snapping a few shots. Then, I get back to cooking. I am singing and stuff (dancing), so I can't hear exactly what Kate is up to, even though she is only in the dining room. All of a sudden I hear, "Milk!" I ignore it. It comes again, louder this time, "MILK! MILK!" I go into the dining room to see Kate has somehow (I have NO idea how) climbed into her high chair. I take her down and tell her to get her own milk. What is this? A diner?? Not 2 minutes later, I hear, "JUICE!!!"
No sir, never a dull minute here.

Sophie and Kate Share

When Kate was busy doing other things, I thought I'd take a turn myself at blogging. Here I am smiling because Kate is sharing her orangutan stuffed animal with me.
If I look a little mad here, it is because Kate is taking away the orangutan. I hope I'm not that fickle when I am 21 months.

A Day With Norman Rockwell

Today we went to the Discovery Place in Charlotte. We got to see pictures that Norman Rockwell drew - in 3D! It was lots of fun.

Here I am going from the normal world into the painting world.

This is me driving a Model T car! It was great.

This is a cool doctor that examines little girls' dolls. I need to remember this and bring mine next time we come.

Well, here we are leaving the exhibit. I thought I'd sit down with Mr. Rockwell and tell him how much I liked it!

Confessions of a Bad Parent

So, I admit, I'm not always the perfect parent. I have a quiet moment with Sophie sleeping peacefully. And, Kate is upstairs playing happily. I think, hmmm... I'll get some stuff done. I start off with good intentions - cleaning the kitchen. I find it has been a little while since I've cleaned off the counters. Then, I decide to sit down on the computer for a minute to play a game of solitaire. After losing the first one, darn it, I play another. After a while (and a few games), I realize, Kate is being a little too quiet upstairs. So, I get up to see what she is up to exactly...

The worst part is, when I found her, it was so stinking funny, I had to run downstairs (leaving her on top of the changing table) to get the camera. So, I'm not sure exactly how many parenting rules I've broken here, but... What's a girl to do??

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow....

Today I woke up to see something I've never seen before - SNOW!

Mommy says, actually I saw some last February. But, you can't expect a girl to remember 11 months ago!

The sad thing was, by the time I woke up, it was raining and the snow was melting. So, I couldn't even go play outside.
So, I just sat inside and played with my toys.Here's a new picture of Sophie. Sorry we haven't put up too many pictures recently, but our camera broke, and we had to buy a new one. We are doing well, though. Sophie went for her one month check up last week. She is off the charts at a whopping 13 pounds! We are so proud of her.

Very Excited Big Sister

I love holding my little sister and I always say "hold you" when I want to because that's what mom and dad say to me.

Sometimes I just have to take up the slack in this family when Mommy and Daddy get distracted.

Life is fun with a baby sis.

Sophie Anneke Asleep

Sleeping sweetly!

Fallen alseep mid speech

Photos and video from Tante Rebecca's Blog

Christmas in Carolina--Friday, December 21-Monday, December 24

The Wonder of Christmas
Neil

Kate loves chocolate!
Kate's new umbrella
Tante Rebecca loves holding Sophie!
Neil helps out!
Sophie takes a snooze

2 week old Sophie Anneke



Christine with baby Sophie
She sure is a cute one!
Katya likes to hang out with whoever has the most food on their plate.
Oom Neil knows how to have fun!


Good times around the table
This girl loves accessories!
People like to stare at her.
True Dutch girl--pour it on!
Opa takes a snooze with Sophie

No one minds making a fool of themself over a cute baby
A cozy evening by the fire
Mom & Dad Roosma
Neil fell asleep on the window sill
Dad, Carolyn & Katya

The 22nd was our 6th anniversary, so Mom & Dad took everyone out to Caravan for coffee and dessert.
Happy Anniversary!

Checking out the selection
Micah roughousing with Kate

Kate ate a little bit of everything

Santa came by on the firetruck. Of course, we had to wake Katya up from her nap!

outside Carolyn & Micah's house, waiting for Santa

Elegant table centerpiece

Phil helps mom prepare dinner
A Dutch Christmas Eve tradition of...

veal or pork with potatoes, beets, hard boild egg, and pickles.

The Christmas jammies I bought for Sophie

We attended Carolyn and Micah's church on Sunday

The Bomgaars Family

"The Senior Roosmas"
Kate and Opa
Kate in the Mrs. Claus dress I bought her

The Christmas Loot

Carolyn sent Neil's gift to our house, so she drew a picture: the Once Upon a Time In the West Soundtrack
Christine gave dad a tiki head tissue dispenser

More accessories
Angelina Ballerina from Oom Neil and Tante Rebecca
Katya likes to store food in her cheeks for emergencies
Pip & Christine
A virtual crockpot for Pip & Christine (also sent straight to their house)

After work on Friday, we went to the airport to fly to Charlotte where Neil's sister Carolyn lives. We were barely in time to make it, and when we got there it turned out Neil forgot his drivers' license. I don't know what lucky star he was born under, but due to the fact that he only had a student ID, we got to go through a special (note: SHORT!) security line and made it in time for our flight.

We knew that our plane, Neil's dad's plane, and his sister and brother in law's plane would all land within approximately ten minutes of each other. It was like The Amazing Race. As soon as we touched down, Neil called Carolyn and said, "Did we win?!" Indeed we had.

We had a fantastic time and enjoyed playing with our nieces Katya and Sophie.