Happy 38th Anniversay Mom & Dad

Today is our Parents 38th Anniversary.

Mom & Dad, we ♥ you both very much and thank God for you.

Thank you for being Godly examples and for your unconditional love.

Thank you for being the best Parents!

Thank you for being awesome grandparents to our 3 children!

Thank you for your love and support!

A trip through memory lane... :-)

“Side by side - Year by year.”

“A successful married life requires falling in love many times, but always with the same person.”

The Rowell's... THEN...

...and NOW...

Birthday party aftermath

At 7:30 this morning, I was rudely awakened by my beautiful, just turned 14 yr old, wondering where her birthday money was, from the family party we had last night!! What!!! It’s 7:30 and you just woke me up from a dream!!

Anyway, seeing that she was serious about this, and after scolding her for leaving the b-day money in an envelope! (after she, accusingly, asked if I threw away any pink envelopes with her name written on it)! I got up!!! I know, sounds confusing, but that’s how it was, at 7:30 this morning.

I asked her if she went through ALL her stuff and did she check the trash…. I told her to run outside and grab the 2 trash bags that were on the very top of the dumpster, since today is trash day!! You guessed it. I dug in the trash this morning…Where is the picture you’re asking?? Yuck, that’s nasty, I’m not taking a picture of the trash I just dug through, lol!!

Anyway, continuing with my story, which happened at 7:30 this morning…I was digging through the trash, as neighbors drove by and probably wondered why “that crazy lady, in a pink robe” was digging in people’s trash.” Yeah, do you think Meagan was out there? Nope!! (Ok... I do have to give Meg credit, she did help me with one.) After dumping several bags, Meagan going back in the house, and returning to the front door to say something about the envelop had been under the couch, or on the armrest of the couch... Mind you, she’s at the front door and I’m at the curb (with cars driving by) and I really can’t hear what she’s saying!! I’m focused on digging through the trash, since I see the trash truck approaching me, and it’s about 4 houses away. (Trash truck approaches, but drives by without stopping, I guess he's not our trash man.)

I went back in the house to find Meg sitting, very calmly on her bed, sorting through her b-day presents, only to find out that she had found the money (while I had been outside, still digging in the trash!) She said, "I told you I found it." I guess that's what she was trying to tell me when she appeared at the doorway and I was at the curb!!

Happy Birthdy Meagan

Here it is...the slideshow from Smilebox

Make a Smilebox slideshow

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Happy Birthday to our baby girl, Meagan, who's 14 yrs old today!! WOW!! We are so proud of you and LOVE you sooooo very much!

I have the cutest slide show that I was going to post...and have tried all afternoon, but SmileBox must be down, since I can't seem to get my show going!!! Ugh (as Meagan would say)!!

Well, until I can get that too work, here is a sneak preview of the pictures on the cute slide show I created for her birthday.

Happy Birthday Meg!!

1st Valentines, 2-1995



3 yrs old - Birthday Picture

Snow Fest

Today, I took our boys to the Snow Fest, here in the city of Norwalk. It's an annual event where the city makes snow (out of big blocks of ice, I was told, since I asked :-). There were snow slides, crafts, games, and a snow play area. This was our 1st year going and we had FUN!! Here are a few pictures of the event.

Ryan wrestling Korbin down for a picture!

Ryan showing off his "snow man."

(It's a little small & it's melting!)

Korbin & Ryan enjoying the snow, on the outside, since the lines were way tooo long when we first arrived




We finally made it inside...twice!! The 1st time around Korbin left kicking & screaming (not pictured, since my hands were full). His 8 minutes of "snow play-time" were NOT long enough. I was a good Mommy and we got in line, again!

Writting letters to Santa ... Korbin was done quick and used his pencils as drum sticks...he's my little drummer boy!

In line for the sled ride!

Annual Harvest Festival ~ Oct 31, 2008

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Pictures of the Week

Twins For A Day...

Korbin sporting Ryan's spare glasses

I need to explain the following picture... All 3 of our kids love the camera, and occasionally "borrow" it without me knowing. Well, this is what I found the last time I downloaded all my pictures (there were a few others but this one was the best) lol :-)

Ryan, photographer in the making... As you can see, Korbin's in the background, very much aware of the camera!

Happy Birthday

I've decided to start the tradition and post about all our family members birthdays. That includes everyone on my side and Jason's side of the family. So, be prepared, since you may (will) find yourself on my blog if you're

part of the Rowell/Salazar family :-)

Today, December 4th is my brother-in-law, Javier's, birthday. "Javie" is married to my sister Olivia. I just called him to wish him a "Happy Birthday" and he told me he took the day off, and made a trip to the dr's office since he's been a little ill :-( ... happy recovery to you.

Make a Smilebox greeting

We're Expecting...she said...

Yesterday I talked to my sister Patty, who lives in

Las Vegas, and she told me the exciting news...she's expecting her 2nd baby. How cute!! I also have another sister, Nancy, who is expecting her 3rd baby, and is due the

beginning of March.

My sisters...Nancy & Patty

AND...there are more babies on the way...I have 2 sister-in-law's that are expecting and due within a few days of each other, and are expected to deliver in the next month. WOW!! You know what that means, right?? Lots of shopping and baby showers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=055ZA5kGfAs

Family Picture Day

In preparation for the "Family Picture Day" we all went shopping at The Children's Place and bought matching outfits for all the kids. Aren't they cute!!?? I actually drove to 4 or 5 different stores, trying to find the right sizes...What madness, but it was well worth it, since I can't even begin to tell you the last time we attempted to do a family picture (that is with

the entire Rowell Family)! Here are a few pictures my camera captured. More to come once we

get the proofs from our photographer friend.

Ryan striking a pose

Meagan...looking all grown-up & beautiful

We shopped at a different store for her, since she's too grown up for The Children's place.

Daddy & Korbin

Korbin...it doesn't take long to know when the camera is coming.

The Couples

Pictures of the Week

Korbin Chase Rowell...

Enjoying the sound of raindrops falling.

And...enjoying Mommy's cup of COFFEE

with her favorite cream in it

(coffee mustache featured)!

Nie Nie Dialogues

(In honor of the Nielson Family…

picture borrowed from NieNie Dialogues Blog site.)

When I joined the blogger world, and as I read many funny, inspiring, and touching blogs, I came across one that had a post about the Nie Nie Dialogues Blog, and the story of a husband and wife who were critically injured in a private plane crash this past August. Touched by their story, and interested to read more, I clicked on the link. My heart broke as I read about their tragedy... I realize how blessed I am to have my husband and children!! "We must be thankful for today and the ones that we love, for tomorrow it can all be gone!"

Nie Nie had been blogging for a few years and as not to miss anything I started reading her blog from the beginning. WOW! What insperation and passion comes from her postings and pictures!! I have been touched...I've realized, why worry about the little things that do not matter! I started to see with different eyes...if that makes any sense! It has inspired me to be a better mommy to my children and the best wife to my husband. I am blessed!!

If you would like to read their story and updates on their recovery, I have added a button to my blog "I readNie Nie."

May the Lord bless and keep this family!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o6U-P10rHs

Thanksgiving Day

Welcome!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Come on in and please take your shoes off.

There is plenty of great food (turkey and Honey Baked Ham not pictured :-)

... and lots of desserts. We got all our pies from Polly's Pies this year (well, with the exception of the 3 cream cheese pies we made). Here are a few pictures of our thankful day. We are blessed with a wonderful family to spend it with.

Warning: Lots of pictures ahead :-)

Kristy, Morgan, & me

"Rowell Gang"...hanging out ready to eat.

Korbin (my son) and Morgan (my niece)

Baby Jared...nap time

Ryan (our son)...in a not-so-good mood...he must have been hungry...no pictures please!

Jason's brothers...Jimmy, Jeff, & Jared (and nephew Johnathan in the background sleeping).

Shelley & Jimmy

Jeff, Kristy & Mom

Korbin, Dad, Mom, & Morgan...enjoying a funny video created by the Rowell Brothers

Jason DJ'ing the kids swim party in the backyard, and Korbin attempting to play the drums as well as ride a skateboard. (It's a tradition to heat the pool every year for Thanksgiving. It gives the kids something fun to do :-) and it entertains them ALL day long!)

And a Happy Thanksgiving to my side of the family, who live in McFarland. This is the first year Jason and I weren't able to celebrate this day with both sides of our families. Traditionally, we spend the early afternoon with Mom & Dad Rowell, then drive to be with my family in the evening. This year, my parents decided to spend Thanksgiving with my sister, Patty, in Las Vegas, and for one reason or another we weren't able to make the trip down to McFarland to be with the rest of my family.