Welcome to God's Family

Better late than never. On January 22, 2011, both Brooke & Will were baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and welcomed into what Brooke says to be, "God's Family." It was a more emotional ceremony that I expected. This responsibility is something Scott and I take very seriously. We want to instill faith in our children in hopes they will use their faith to live lives filled with joy, strength, love, compassion and humility. Judging by the way Buddy responded to the water over the head, he has the strength part down but DEFINITELY needs to work on the joy part :)

I hope as parents, we will be able to be good role models for our children so they can continue the faith journey they have just started. Brooke & Will--Welcome to God's Family!!!

Yay! Brookey was a trooper! She loved the ceremony!


It took several different angles for Buddy to be blessed by the Father, Son & Holy Spirit :)

Cousin Time

Being an only child, one of my favorite childhood memories were summers spent in the sweltering Fresno heat with my cousins Corey, Tenaya, Candice and many of my older cousins as well. The younger kids and I would play outside all day long, build tree houses and wreak more havoc on my grandmother's house than she could bear....all in the name of family time. It was pure chaos and pure fun.

So last weekend, I was extremely thankful Brooke and Will got to spend a weekend with their cousins, Olivia and Kate. Chaos, yes, but I will cherish that weekend forever!!! It was just so cute to see them all together...to see their unique personalities and how they interacted. There were bumps, scraps, bloody noses and doors slammed in faces...I think it was all worth it!!! I hope my kids will always grow up to treasure Cousin Time.

Cousin Olivia was there to greet Brookey when she came home from school!

The babies decided they wanted to go topless (Monkey See, Monkey Do...i think Livy started it!)

Beautiful Girls!!!!!!!!!!! Kate & Livy

Christmas 2010

We spent Christmas at home this year--as I insist on doing until the kids are older--and had a great time! We hosted my parents and my cousin Lucas, who was on leave from Basic Training in Georgia.

It was nice and relaxing--the day was spent eating, drinking and trying to dodge the enormous mounds of boxes and wrapping paper. My kids are truly spoiled. I always tell Brooke that "when I was a kid" I only got 2-3 presents. Our kids got probably 50 presents EACH. Insanity. I just got done dividing them between toy boxes (they can play with these now), storage (we'll take them out in 3-6 months when they're bored with the toy box toys, and my mom's house (it'll be like Christmas all over when they go to visit!).

It was a great day and although we couldn't spend it with all of our loved ones, we as a family, are truly blessed to have so much love in our lives!! Tiny Tim said it perfectly: "God Bless us, everyone!"

PS--Typical Rooney family picture above...Buddy refused to get out of his car for one second to take a pic, and Scott is trying to hold Brookey down to keep her from clocking her brother in the head and pushing him out of the car!

Gift from Santa :) (Brooke and Buddy both fight over it, so we got a lot of bang for our buck!)

Brookey & Cousin Lucas


He loves his trucks!

The destruction!! I think this way halfway through opening presents!

First Christmas Show

Brooke participated in her very first St. Dominics Christmas Show this year! It was exciting for all of us! I finally got Scott to realize what a big deal it was as we slowly watched the 700++ seat church fill to standing room only! And only 4 grades were performing! He thought I was wack-o when I told him he needed to go save seats an hour before the show started. Now he knows!! :) Luckily, he listened to me and we were in the 3rd row.

I was shocked at how well Brooke performed. Of course I am biased, but I will be the first to admit she can be on the shy side--especially with large groups. On the way to the show she was telling me how "nervous" she was. I was trying to make her feel better by saying "mom" things like "just pretend someone is naked and you won't be nervous anymore!" (That advice definitely wins me Mom of the Year!) but then I realized how extremly nervous I would be standing up in front of that many people, too!!! No way in heck I would have done that when I was 5! I expected her to stand there and lip-synch a little but man--the kid belted out every tune!!! She didn't look the least bit nervous...or shy! On the way home, she told me music was her very most favorit-est thing EVER! I am so happy she goes to a school where there will never, ever be any cuts to the music program!!

As a side note, the kid 3 kids to the right of her is also 1/4 Vietnamese and pretty much the spitting image of Buddy + 5 years :)

Being Responsible

So far this school year, Brooke has lost a sweater, her jacket and a nice hair bow. So I have been "lecturing" her on "being responsible"...whether or not that is a good idea to do to a 5 year old is in question, however I sure know she's listening...

Yesterday, we picked Buddy up from daycare and I was looking in his backpack for his beloved blanket. I couldn't find it, so I told the kids we had to go back to get it. In the backseat, I hear a big sigh and then I hear Brookey tell Buddy, "BUDDY!! Listen to me! You need to start being responsible! That blanket cost a lot of money and you need to take care of it!!"

I about died laughing. Ah, kids! They'll always bring out the "funny" side of a more-less annoying experience!!!

Ready for Christmas

We went to church this morning all decked out on our holiday gear and then attended "Breakfast with Santa" afterward. Brookey was excited to take her pic with Santa....Buddy was another story!! See picture below! But it was fun to get the kids all dressed up and ready for the holidays!


Buddy's way of saying--"No thank you, Santa"
He was MUCH better after Santa was out of sight!


My 'lil poser :)

Brooke's 5th Birthday Party!!

Brooke didn't mind that her birthday festivities lasted a whole week! She celebrated her birthday a week after her "real" birthday at Build-a-Bear with 5 of her friends. We went to the "famous" San Francisco Creamery afterwards for cake and ice cream. I like having home birthday parties, but this year, I just wanted to make a phone call and have it all done with...no food to cook, no picking stuff up, no decorating, no favors, no CLEANING UP! This was by far, the easiest birthday party EVER. Two phone calls and I was done. Next year, we might have a home party but this year, two phone calls was a Godsend :)

Smile! We're at Build a Bear!


Stuffing her bear (actually, she chose a bunny)
Ice Cream!!!


The famous "Kitchen Sink" ice cream as seen on Travel Channel's Man vs. Food

Bubble Gum, Gummy Bears, Chocolate, Mint, Strawberry...Yum!??

A birthday is never complete without the princess cake