A December to Remember

My, oh my how time passes!  Honestly, I can clearly remember the beginning of December.  I was unpacking and getting our lives back together from the cruise, wondering where the heck my Christmas cards were (hello, I ordered them before we left!) and I was cursing myself because I did not have all of my Christmas shopping done (admittedly, I knew this would probably happen; but I so wanted to be better this year!!)  Knowing that this month was going to pass by quicker than one of Audrey's naps, I braced for impact - yet I don't think that it did any good!  Today is Tuesday, the 30th of December and honestly it is one of the first days that I have been able to breathe a sigh of relief that it is all over.  During the last month of this year I have witnessed the passing of an older generation, welcomed my Sister into my home (yahoo!), flew back home to Salt Lake for a 15-day stay (fifteen days you ask? Was I crazy? Heck yeah!),  Audrey experienced snow for the first time, and then she refused to sit on Santa's lap for the first time, Christmas Day with all of it's magic and wonder came and went - AND THEN - (yes, there is more) the three of us flew back to Sacramento on the 26th in time for Ted & Amy's wedding (dear friends of ours, of which Josh was one of the groomsmen).  We attended the rehearsal & dinner that night, celebrated their wedding the next day, and then finally  shared Christmas with Josh's family on the 28th.  Geez, I am exhausted just explaining all of it! My apologies to all who have been suffered from neglect on my end... Life has just been so crazy!  I promise to make it up to you next year (He he!)  Hopefully the following pictures provide you a glimpse into our December... a month that has passed by much to fast to remember!

My Grandpa Jack, pictured here with Kate, Audrey and I in November of 2007, passed away at the end of November.  While he was not a big part of our lives growing up, he cherished Audrey and loved her so.  I will remember him for his witty personality, advice that he gave,  and for his funny emails.

His 1930's Ford Classic car was at his funeral.

Audrey & her Tia Katie back in Salt Lake.  Audrey was showing her support for the Peace Corps, a gift from her loving Auntie!

Audrey's first steps in the snow!

Ah.. this white stuff is kinda cold!

Audrey and Kate hammin' it up for the camera!

Audrey's first sled ride... what fun!

Smiles galore!  Audrey's first snow experience turned out to be a success!  YAHOO!

Audrey at the family Santa Christmas Party.  She looks like she is having a good time here, until....

...Santa arrived!  She wanted NOTHING to do with the jolly old fat man who was handing out presents.  Notice the grip she had around my heck?  Yeah, she wasn't going anywhere near him!

I WANT YOU!

During our stay in Salt Lake, my Mom made Audrey this adorable hat.  I couldn't help but include this picture!

Christmas Eve has finally arrived!!  Audrey was showing off her ability to point out her belly-button.  Isn't she the cutest?!

Audrey & I at my Grandpa's house on Christmas Eve

Marquiana, Liz, Isiah, & Madison enjoying the festivities.

Kate, Jessica, Liz & I

Kate & Morgan

Audrey giving sloppy good-bye kisses to Grandpa

It's Christmas Morning, and Audrey's favorite gift was this box.  She spent quite a long time moving it around the front room, and climbing in and out of it.  (Note to self: next year, don't spend ANY money on her: just get her a box!)

Grandma Deb & Audrey reading one of the books that Santa brought her

FINALLY FLYING HOME!

Sacramento, here we come!!

December 27, 2008

Congratulations Amy & Ted!  What a beautiful wedding!!

Thanksgiving Cruise

This year for Thanksgiving, Josh's parents treated all of us to a 7-day Mexican Cruise aboard the beautiful ms Oosterdam, one of Holland America's cruise ships.  Having never been on a cruise before, I was a bit nervous (being pregnant, having motion sickness, AUDREY!!) However, I am happy to report that we all enjoyed ourselves.  Audrey loved being absolutely spoiled by her grandparents, and flourished with kisses from her uncles.  Josh and I relished in the two nights that Audrey slept in her grandparents cabin (THANK YOU AGAIN, LINDA & PAUL!)  My favorite memory of this cruise, was the day that Linda, Audrey and I spent at the beach in Cabo San Lucas.  The weather was just beautiful, and Audrey had so much fun playing in the sand.  It was so calming and relaxing, it was perfect.

One big happy family!

Zack, Josh, Audrey and Jeff enjoying our first night out on the cruise ship.

Audrey enjoying herself in Cabo San Lucas.  She spent all afternoon filling a cup full of sand, dumping it out, and then starting all over again.  What fun!

Zack, Linda and Jeff in Mazatlan enjoying the sun.

Josh and I heading out to our formal dinner.  Linda and Paul watched Audrey for us while we enjoyed a "grown-up" dinner for two.  While I adore my little Audrey so much, I can't deny the fact that it was so nice to have a nice dinner all by ourselves.  

 My sweet precious Audrey.  While she was a handful on the cruise, she did exceptionally well adapting to her surroundings, and going with the flow.  She loved all of the stairs on the cruise ship, and spent a lot of time walking up them, and then down them - all the while reaching for one of our hands to help her.  Audrey has a straight forward personality: when she doesn't want to do something, she simply doesn't do it!  One night, after dinner, Josh declared: she is a 'Rubalcava'!  I just laughed and smiled.  Yes, our precious little Audrey may be a little stubborn, but it makes me love her all that much more.

Playing in the Pumpkin Patch

I love pumpkin patches!!  When I told Josh that I wanted to go to a pumpkin patch to get some pumpkins, I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised when we stumbled upon this particular pumpkin patch.  Previous pumpkin patches that I had been to were just that: a field (dirty, no doubt) filled with pumpkins that grew there.  Dirt, or no dirt, I wanted some pumpkins (plus, who could deny the photo op with Audrey?)  So, off we went!  As previously stated, Josh and I stumbled upon this lovely little "Pumpkin Farm", and had a wonderful time with Audrey.  The grounds were beautifully kept with pumpkins to be found everywhere.  Audrey enjoyed running around, picking up pumpkins (in some instances only attempting to!), setting them down, and then starting all over again.  The Pumpkin Farm had a petting zoo filled with goats, along with other animals kept on the grounds including bunnies, chickens, cows, and lamas.  The look of amazement and wonder in Audrey's eyes whenever the animals made noises was so much fun to see.  I am so glad that we "stumbled" upon this little gem of a place not to far from our home.  It is a place that we are sure to visit next year, and many years after that I am sure.

Our Disney World Holiday

Last week, Josh, Audrey and I met up with Josh's cousins in Orlando to go to Disney World (honestly, I don't know what I was thinking being pregnant and all!) But we all really had a great time!  We went to Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and finally Disney World.  All-in-all, we spent 5 days at Disney's theme parks.  While it is pretty likely that Audrey won't remember this trip, she really had a wonderful time.  She enjoyed meeting Piglet, Pooh, Tigger, and Pluto, and above all loved all of the water fountains that decorated the theme parks.  It was Audrey's first time meeting her cousins from Ohio, of which, they all absolutely adored each other.  Below are some pictures of our trip.

For our first day at Disney World, we dressed Audrey up as Minnie Mouse.  

She looked beyond adorable!  

Here are photos of Josh's cousins: Percy, Ashton, Tyler, Piper and Grace.

They were all such a HUGE help with Audrey.  Thank you girls!

I couldn't resist adding this Pumpkin Mickey!

Here is Audrey and I at Minnie Mouse's House.... um, I wonder if she is home?

Carol, with her eye's closed (Josh's Aunt), Cousin's Becky & Matt (Parent's of the five girls) 

and Piper.

Audrey is here with "Aunt" Becky.  Audrey was laughing because the girls were tickling her... they had so much fun!

Finally, a picture of Josh and I...  

I have to say that during this trip, I was in awe of my husband.  Because I was so exhausted due to the pregnancy and all of the walking and moving that we were doing, Josh really did everything for Audrey.  and I mean EVERYTHING.  He is so darling with her, and loves her so much that it really was comforting to me to see their relationship grow a bit during this trip.  She certainly is a Daddy's girl, and I couldn't be happier.  

Thank you Josh for everything that you did on this trip.  

It meant more to me than you will know.  I love you!

Playing in the Backyard

A couple of weeks ago, we had our family pictures taken in our backyard.  Here are some of the best that I wanted to share with you.  It constantly amazes me just how much Audrey has grown up, and how much she continues to change.  She has such a personality on her (as you will see) and she loves to play with her Mommy and Daddy - ah!  Audrey really brings so much happiness to our lives, I truly don't know where I would be without her.  I find that my favorite time of the day is watching Josh chase her around the house and listening to her scream in delight.  Have fun looking at the pictures, I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do!

We are California Buckeyes!

Many of you may know that Josh's family is from Ohio, and in Ohio they kinda take their college football a little seriously.... so naturally, we, the Rohrer family, are Buckeyes!!!  Here is an oh-so-cute picture of Audrey showing some school spirit.  We just couldn't get enough of her in her darling little cheerleading outfit, and knew that you all would feel the same way.

Our Saturday Evening

Tonight, Josh and I had some fun playing with Audrey outside in our backyard.  Above is a picture of Audrey and Josh smiling for the camera.  Audrey just can't seem to get enough of my red watering can, and she loves to make a game of walking back and fourth from the cement to the grass.  We think that she is showing off to us her ability to do so.... She is getting so big!

By the Way...

In case you have not yet heard: I"M PREGNANT!  Josh, Audrey and I will be expecting a new addition to our family in April.  Audrey and the baby will be 20 months apart, and while I know to expect that it will a hectic transition for our family (with two young ones) both Josh and I really wanted our children to be close in age.  So... bring on the gray hair!!  HA!  All joking set aside, Josh and I are really happy, and feel extremely blessed to be so lucky.

Audrey's First Birthday!

It's Official: My little girl is one years old!  

I know, I know, I can't believe it either!  On Saturday, August 23rd, we had a little party for Audrey at our home to celebrate.  

The following are pictures of the party.  Enjoy!

Here is the birthday girl showing off the darling dress that her Daddy picked out for her.

Josh and I are hugging our number one gal!

Here is Grandma Deb loving her Audrey

Audrey absolutely loved her very first cupcake - it was a hit!

 Mommy and Audrey

Uncle Zack with Audrey, who is demonstrating that she is "So Big!"

Grandma Linda and Audrey

Audrey with her Tia Katie

Uncle Jeff is stealing kisses from Audrey

...and finaly, here are some "behind the scenes" pictures of Audrey's party...