Dominick's Artwork

My little boy is so awesome! He has just take off with drawing and coloring - and for someone who would fight writing his name at the beginning of the year, this is awesome! I love my sweet boy!!

Picking Dominck Up

Okay, since the pictures are in reverse order I am going to write the dialog down at the bottom so it will make more sense. Kambree's favorite part of the day (besides any moment she is watching Dora) is picking Dominick up from the bus stop. We are not as lucky as some and have to walk to the next neighborhood over to get him (I know, poor me). Anyway, on lovely fall days Kambree loves to take her baby for a walk to get Dominick as well - she would actually take her baby every day if I let her, but I won't. This is just our little trip through the neighborhood with all of its fun stops along the way. First, we leave the house and out to the road, next, she loves to stop and climb up on the fence (I wonder if she pictures fields of hay instead of someones yellow house in front of her?) and then she insists on driving her baby through the leaves on the grass instead of the sidewalk.

The funny part for me is watching her try and keep up with Dominick once he is off the bus and running - literally. Most days she ditches the stroller (dead weight) and gives it her best shot, but still ends up sad - until she is watching Dora again! What a fun trip.

New York Aquarium

We picked the perfect and least perfect day possible to go try out the New York Aquarium. Dominick had the day off of school and because it was a cold and rainy day I wanted to take them somewhere to have fun. We wanted to try out a new aquarium because the kids could find their way through the Maritime Aquarium with their eyes shut. Anyway, it was awesome to pull into the parking lot and see it quite empty (which should have been my first warning sign) but I just figured everyone else didn't want to fight crowds - and that's why they didn't come. But, when we were inside and ready to run, I noticed on the map that just about 90% of the aquarium is outside - including a sea lion show. Remember, it was a cold rainy day - so this is obviously why the parking lot was empty and why it was the least perfect day.

I was an idiot and only wore a light jacked (assuming I would be inside) and the kids were not that much better - as if they cared though. It turned out to be really fun and the kids didn't have to wait in line to see anything. I am sure we will be back, but that day will most likely include sun and crowds of people - there's always a trade-off.
Kambree and I were most excited to see the baby Walrus. For some reason Kambree really likes these animals and it was so fun to see the mother and baby interact.
Dominick mostly liked the giant Walrus statue in the background - you know so that he and the other boys in the aquarium could run and jump on it while the girls watched the real ones.
I wish my camera didn't have a delay :(. This was so awesome - Dominick got kissed (well air blown on his cheek) by the sea lion in the show. I wasn't ready, because as the sea lion was making his way around Dominick all of the sudden jumped up and ran down to get some action - totally not like him, but so fun!

Our Family!

Dominick told me that I don't know how to draw our family the right way, because our legs don't look like sticks - how could I have missed that?

I'm a Sucker for a Deal

Yes, I know that the kids get royally spoiled on Halloween but I can't help but go and get the clearance costumes for dress-up. My kids probably had more fun picking out these ones (because I wasn't steering them in price-reasonable directions) and they could put them on that day. Halloween is every day at our house!
Dominick went with the soldier (no doubt because it involves guns and grenades). It also made him a little more aware and proud of the many soldiers defending our freedom today.
And, like you couldn't guess Kambree went with princess (well, witch turned princess). She also had to pair the dress with the latest in butterfly wings - you know the ones with enough glitter to cover the floor of the entire house (Aaron likes it the best)!

Anyway, as long as the kids are happy I am happy, which - come on you all know it - makes the whole family happy.

Crazy Hair

I thought I would throw in one more picture of the kids leaving for candy - glad that's over!
But, I had to just show everyone what I deal with on an almost daily basis. Look at my daughters hair - how is this possible? It doesn't matter whether she takes a bath before bed or not, but just about every morning I am greeted with this rat's nest to deal with. Some days I feel so bad about making her sit for me to work through it all, I will just leave it and watch the looks I get. Anyway, I really hope she grows thicker hair quickly so that we can avoid the painful morning untangling. I love my little princess!

Belated Halloween Pics

We actually did celebrate Halloween, it just took me a long time to get around to posting the pictures. We had such a blast this Halloween. These pictures were taken the night of our ward party which was outside with perfect weather! As you can see this is the second year running for Dominick to be a pirate (we think it has something to do with the weapons - not sure though :)! Either way he made a great one and was totally happy to join in the enormous sword fight at the party between any kid with a sword - good times!

After last years fiasco with the princess dress, we stayed completely away from dresses this year for Kambree - of course this is the year she is obsessed with them, but who knew? Anyway, she was just as excited about being a little chicken too! I have actually wanted to put my little girl in this costume ever since Chloe (Dominick's late girlfriend - she's not dead, just not in CT) wore it - it is adorable! Kambree loved it up until she realized that it slowed her down when running - then she promptly told me "Mom, this is too big for me - I can't run faster." Unfortunately, I made her keep it on.

On the night of Halloween we went to our friends the Thomas' who live a couple towns over - it was crazy - and by crazy I mean the best display of Halloween lovers ever! It was a few blocks of pure partying - no matter your age. Our friends ran out of candy twice (before 9:00)! Dominick was tired of trick-or-treating early on and spent the rest of the night jumping out of a box scaring people - he had more fun doing that than getting candy! We had so much fun! I think Kambree will eventually get the image of Dennis with his mask out of her mind - she just needs time!!

After seeing the awesome make-up job on Dominick's face Kambree insisted she wear "make-ups" too. So, we did the best we could with what a chicken wears - she was happy and that's all that matters!
That's gotta be the cutest pirate ever!

Dominick's Day

Okay, as a parent you know your kids will not always like (or obsess) over the same things. So, we pick days for our kids - but by default both kids get to come! Today was Dominick's Day! We'll have to see how Dominick reacts to the "American Doll" store on Kambree's Day:)! Aaron rides the train every day to work and back but Dominick asks every day if he can ride on the train too. So on this Saturday the big workshop/hub of the Metro North Railroad was having an open house with lots of activities, scenic train rides, food and fun.

It was perfect weather, and gorgeous scenery as we rode along the Hudson River and awesome TRAINS!!! Dominick could not contain his excitement and was going crazy. We had to see everything and when we left Dominick cried to stay longer. Now, anytime we ask what he wants to do or where they want to go he says "to the big train station." He doesn't understand that it was a one time deal - poor kid. Maybe next year!
This was Dominick on the train ride pulling the horn.
This was the funniest little robot. There was a couple of guys working it's actions, but over behind a car was a man talking into a microphone that came out of the robot all robot sounding. It was hilarious to watch the kids as he said things to them - they really thought he was alive. Dominick is giving his best robot impression too!
This was Dominick pretty much all day!
Dominick loves diesel engines and this was the biggest one in the building. His face is a little down, because he wanted to go inside this train but we were not allowed.
This had to have been the longest toy train track -it ran the entire length of a commuter train. The kids stood watching these forever.

First Pet - I Guess

As crazy as it sounds Dominick really wanted to bring in his latest bug and keep him for a pet (because they learned about pets recently). So, I thought I would humor him for a day or two until it got old (or stinky - whichever came first). But, after a day I had to switch his home and must have cut the holes in the aluminum foil a little too long. Dominick was going to say goodnight to his little buddy when he couldn't find him - yea, I know! So, a little creeped out to say the least we go on a bug hunt through the house. I really wanted to get them to bed so I told him we would find it tomorrow (fully intending to find it and throw it out), but he started to cry which is so weird that he got so emotional over this bug, it was kinda sad to see him yet also a little funny. Anyway, we kept looking so he wouldn't cry and soon we found him hiding behind the door (how obvious). Long story short - I explained to Dominick that he (the bug) needs to live in the grass but he would love it if we would visit every day. So, with a few tears we set him free -only now he keeps asking when we are going to the real pet store to buy a pet - this is only the beginning I think!

Utah

We went to Utah in October for two family weddings and a whole lot of fun! These pictures are actually going the opposite direction (end of the week to beginning of the week) so bear with me as I add a little insight to each one!
I actually don't think I can explain this picture of Aaron, but I had to put it up because I love to hear and see Kambree's reaction to it.
Grandma Cowan was nice enough to use her aluminum foil to make Kambree a princess dress and crown - she must have been using Dominick's dagger as a magic wand.
Grandpa was busy making Dominick pirate hats and swords all night (of which he cried over when they didn't stay straight all night).

This is Aaron getting some air off a little hill while we were 4-wheeling with my family. It was so much fun to go and watch my family totally in their element! They go almost every weekend and the kids are getting so good - lookout motor sports world for some Rees boys!
That's my boy! I couldn't have been prouder of him on that 4 wheeler. My sister Tiffany (who owns this and some more of the machines was so surprised when Dominick got on and before getting instructions (which she was ready to give him) he pressed the gas and was gone. She was chasing him down to at least put the safety band on his wrist. He's a natural! I just wish he could go more than once a year :(

While Grandma was making her princess dress, Kambree decided that she wanted to help cut (which she is obsessed with, but can't figure it out). I made a fatal mistake, because right as she is in the picture she cut her shirt in three places - that's pretty fatal!
Dominick on top, and Grandma Roundy with Kambree below! Kambree was so scared of the 4 wheelers at first that she would only get on with Grandma (what she doesn't trust me)?

Dominick kept trying to get up this big hill, but because of a cap on the mph, it couldn't make it - this was just one of the time he had to be pushed out.
This is me getting some air!
At my brother's wedding, the kids had so much fun waiting outside for the Bride and Groom (Michelle and Andrew) to come out. These are the three boys (I should really include Spencer in the "boys'" club now, but I'm not used to it).

This is the second princess dress that Kambree got to wear this week. She was so excited about being the "prettiest princess" every time we went to a wedding - she did admit that the bride's were princess's though!
This was before Andrew's reception.

Dominick and Kambree had to use every bit of restraint in them not to touch this water fountain at the temple - and since it was in the middle of everything it was difficult!
Waiting for a bride to get dressed was just too boring for Dominick - he needed to go find bugs, which he did!
Abi, McKenzie, Karson, Dominick and Braden
This was at Ashley's wedding which was so incredibly gorgeous! I was so excited for Kambree pulling up the rear of the procession as a flower girl - the look on her face is confusion as to why she was walking and not riding in the sweet red wagon! She did great though and if you walked all the way to the start of the procession (which nobody can see) you would see that she did actually throw some of her rose petals out!
The Cowan Family!
So handsome number one, but I had to show how hard it was for Dominick to stand still when he knew there was a dancing floor calling his name! This tuxedo is just about his favorite outfit in the world - because it transforms him into a dancing machine! He ate as fast as he could and danced until the DJ went home! In the process he ripped his cuff on his pants open, lost a cuff link and lost one of his three jackets - what a night! Oh, and Carolee, if you read this I am desperate for some of your pictures of Dominick on the dance floor (what was I thinking - I didn't take one??).
Us before the ceremony
You can't see him very well, but it is Dominick and Becca (mostly Becca) pulling the flower girls through in their wagon. Dominick did so well and even jumped up when the bishop mentioned rings - he was prepared just in case!
The cute little flower girls that got to ride! They were so cute!
When the love affair with his tuxedo began!
Little Isis Cowan! She is our niece and we think she is so cute.
This is the Bountiful, Utah Temple and I was so excited to take the kids there, but was even more excited because Kambree cried to go there every day! When you drive on the freeways, you can look up on the mountains and see the temples glowing and so Kambree always saw it and wanted to go up. We took them up to walk around the grounds and were excited to tell them that in that bottom right corner room is where mom and dad were married and sealed. So fun and so great to see their excitement!
Dominick giving Isis some loves while walking at the temple.