Happy New Year!

Because we are a couple months late we can just pretend that we celebrated the Chinese New Year!

Anyway, we had such a fun New Years Eve this year. We first wished our friend Steve happy birthday at a their place and then spent the evening at our good friends the Thomas' house. This was one of the coldest nights that I can remember and we were all crazy enough to sit outside and light fireworks (thanks to Dennis)! By the looks on their faces, you can see the kids didn't mind the weather, not even little Leyton in the blanket - he didn't fuss at all.

You can see by the pictures that Dominick was able to light his share of fireworks also and is turning into quite the pyro - we really need to start hiding the lighters! We had good food, games, fun and friends - couldn't have been a better New Year.

Check out the video of the kids at the end of the blog - it's so funny!
I am surprised we were even able to drag ourselves out of bed the next morning, but once you have kids you have this awesome alarm clock that you can't easily reset when you stay out late. So, we went outside for some fun with Dad before he was back to work the next day.

The entire holiday break was fun to spend so much time together with Dad - we love having him home!

New York Botanical Garden & Bronx Zoo

This slide show is from a weekend trip we took to visit a special Holiday Train exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden. The awesome thing about the exhibit is that all of the famous buildings and bridges are made from natural materials (e.g., twigs, leaves, rocks, dirt, etc.). The man has been making these things for year! It is truly incredible. You may recognize some of the buildings and bridges. Some of my favorites include Yankee Stadium, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

You can imagine that Dominick's favorite part was the trains. You can see him bending over to get down at eye level. Kambree didn't care for any of the exhibit to any real degree. She just kept trying to sit on the fences (not allowed by the way) to pose like a princess.

I have to go off on an unrelated thing for a moment so you can appreciate how are trip evolved to include a visit to the Bronx Zoo. Monica has an internal compass that works in about the same manner as a TomTom or Garmin. She never gets lost and seems to be able to figure out how to get places all the time. I on the other hand, mainly getting around on a train that only involves me stepping on then off, cannot find my way home from the grocery store I have been to at least 1000 times. Monica thinks its funny that I have to have her speak the directions to me anywhere we drive (I told you she was like a Garmin). Anyway, with that background I can get back to the main story.

The kids inherited Monica's internal compass and sense of surroundings (I forgot to mention that I don't have the sense of surroundings because my ADD keeps me from paying attention long enough to observe how we get places or what landmarks are around). As we were pulling into the Botanical Garden the kids realized that we were on the road that goes past the Zoo (even though the Zoo was not visible at all). Keeping this in the back of their minds, Dominick and Kambree started whining for the Zoo once we finished with the train exhibit. So, I was introduced to the Bronx Zoo. We have a membership to the Zoo so we get to do all the fun stuff and on the day we went there was practically no one there. There were a couple reasons no one was there (1) it was so cold Kambree's runny nose was frozen to her face like Loyd in Dumb and Dumber and (2) it was two days or so after those people got killed/injured by the escaped tiger at the Zoo in California. That didn't deter us and as you can see in the slides I got pretty personal with the tigers, especially the excrements (all in the name of science, mind you).

All in all, we had a great time with the minor exception of a tirade from the kids that required a stop at the drive-thru window at McDs (I hate Ronald McDonald and his stupid huge golden arches). What can you expect when you get a late start and you are on the road at the time the kids are use to eating lunch? You gonna' get it fo sure!

If any of you come to visit New York, we highly recommend the Bronx Zoo and the Botanical Garden...while you are in the Bronx why not also stop in to see the Yanks? It's the last season in historic Yankee stadium. Then again, if you miss this year you can always come for a game in the first season of the new stadium.

Sunny & Cold

Santa gave the kids scooters for Christmas and might have been a little presumptuous in thinking they would want to ditch their little trikes. I seriously don't know what is going to convince Dominick to give up that little thing - it is hard to justify to a 5 year old that a scooter or big bike are cooler though, when he can go faster than both on his trike. Who knows, maybe this summer he'll get ditched by his friends at the beach enough to come to the dark side (or at least the older side).

Kambree is just a little girly who gets scared at every wobble - she'll toughen up!

She is All Princess!

Thanks to Santa, Kambree can be a different princess every day, or multiple princesses every day - yay (said in a high pitched voice)!

Cowan Christmas 2007

I have to first start by saying that I was more excited for this Christmas than any other I can remember. I was going to be at home with my little family, Santa was sure to come, no traveling and then shipping home gifts, really everything - and then Christmas eve after everything was ready and Aaron and I were off to bed (finally) I started feeling a little lonely (shhhh, I know- can you believe it - if you know me, you can't).

I guess I wasn't as much lonely, because I had my family right with me, but there was a feeling like something was missing. I felt like we should be somewhere (like probably the Gilgen family Christmas party for one). I convinced myself I was being crazy that this was going to be the best Christmas ever. So, come six-something a.m. we were off to the races - literally! The kids raced to the tree faster than we could get up, dressed (Aaron), and turn on the camcorder. It was awesome, and by awesome I mean that it was awesome that so much stuff exploding like a bomb could fit in our front room. After opening gift after gift after gift from our family - so many, I kinda started to feel a little home sick (cringe). Seriously, me home sick? It has just never been known to happen.

Anyway, we could not believe how much our family cares about us and our kids - which is weird, because we do know how much they love us, but it was overwhelming love that we felt. We (Aaron always feels like this, the little sweet-heart) really wanted to be with our families - having brunch with you, taking the kids from house to house to play with cousins, Grandparents, Great grandparents, everyone that we love so much and miss so much. Eating ourselves sick, playing games all night long, watching all of the new movies everyone received, playing in snow (because it alluded us here).

It was a wonderful Christmas at the Cowan house and we just wish we could have been there in person to hug you all and thank you in person for caring so much for us. I wish you could have seen Dominick and Kambree's faces as they opened your thoughtful gifts (and had to take at least 15 minutes playing with or begging to play with it before moving on to the next awesome gift).

We love our families so much and hope we can spend more holidays with you (and on that note our door is always open to you here as well - even if it is a bit cozy in our place :).

Here is Kambree's big (so big you can see she had to bring some furniture down to her level so she could play with it) Doll house that Grandma and Grandpa Roundy gave her. Immediately, any princess or doll she had went directly in their new house - it is awesome, thank you.

Aunt Deedee spoiled our little princess with this Dora toy box (which is greatly appreciated for all the toys they just opened :) and her new Dora backpack, which she actually calls her suitcase to bring on Jet Blue, and a new Dora Baby that went perfectly with her new baby crib. She loves them all so much and we wish so bad you could have seen her face. Thank you!
And Dominick's Pirates of the Carribean Ship set and extra figurines from Aunt Deedee. Dominick has been a pirate for the last two Halloweens, so I think you nailed this one on the head. He loves them so much and he can make a pirate ship out of anything now - seriously anything. Thank you!

I feel bad we don't have pictures of everything that everyone gave to us and the kids - we just didn't take the time to get the pictures (lazy parents). But all of the gift cards, books, cars/dolls, movies, craft materials, candy (I think), clothes and really everything are appreciated so much and we love you all so much.

I am going to have to tell the kids Santa lives in Utah, not the North Pole. They won't believe me anyway, because they know he lives just down the line in New York City at Macy's!

Miracle on 34th Street (Literally)

I'm sure you have all heard of the Miracle on 34th Street, but I would like to tell a tale of our own Miracle on 34th Street (complete with pictures).

It started on a cold winter day during the second week of December. We had arisen early to fight the bitter cold and swarms of people slogging through the streets of New York City to see Santa Claus (the real one that works at Macy's on 34th Street...you know the same one that had to go to court and prove he was Santa in the movies).

Anyway, our trip in the city began near my office (see picture below). After disembarking from the train at Grand Central Terminal we cut West across Madison Avenue on 42nd Street to take in the warmth of the holidays by walking down 5th Avenue. If any of you have been in New York anytime during November and December you know what foolery it was to try and push a double wide stroller down 5th Avenue (needless to say we learned our lesson and came back by way of Madison Avenue).

After a bit of pain and suffering and a few choice words from the throngs of people that we flat tired or just plain maimed with our ginormous stroller we made it to Macy's at 34th Street. No, that is not the miracle, although getting into the door was almost a miracle. You see there is a constant stream of people going in both directions through the entrance/exit. Given the size of the stroller there is only one way to get in and its not through the rotating door...it's through the wheel chair accecible double wide doors. Trying to get through is still a trick even though its wide enough because the constant rush of people think that you will just go after they get through...but that's what 200 people in a row think so eventually you just have to push the line back into the store and make your grand entrance. We're in...only problem is we are in the perfrume section and there are stairs every 20 ft as the level of the department changes 5 or so feet in elevation. We have to figure out a way to get to Santa. As you can imagine, the elevators are crowded as ever so being an impatient east coaster now I decide to ignore the signs forbidding strollers from the escalators and we begin the ascent to Santa.

Now the 34th Street Macy's is a bit on the old side and some of the escalators are made of wood still and powered by Clydesdale horses. There also so skinny an anorexic supermodel still has to turn sideways to fit. Those are the escalators we have to go around and find an alternate path. After going up 4 or so floors we finally give up and go to the elevators. We get ready for a long haul by pulling out food and setting up a tent, however, Macy's is smart and they have a priority elevator for people with strollers (lesson learned - don't avoid the elevators). After taking down the tent and eating our meal we jump on and giddy with excitement we anticipate our visit with the merriest of all elves, good ol' Saint Nick himself. We got off the elevator and rounded the corner to get in line. Can it be, is the line really this short? We entered the waiting area all decorated and beautiful. It looks like a short 5 - 10 minute wait...hahahahahaha Macy's has a trick up their sleeve. The line starts near the end of the line and in the fun of their Christmas exhibits. You can do that when you wrap and twist a line over a mile long through the bowels of a huge department store. The picture below shows us at mile marker 22 as we wrap around Macy's back office operations in the boiler room near the HR offices. While we think about applying for a job since we're in HR we more seriously consider taking a bathroom break...but we know that would be foolish and we would lose our place in line. They have no sympathy for ameteaures who didn't have the foresight to wear a catheter or a depends adult diaper. They are unfazed by crying toddlers in the infant stages of their potty trained lives having just finished two juice boxes and needing to use the toilet. No, no, it is a strict policy get out of line and go back to the end of the line. It is the only way to keep fights from breaking out. Can you imagine if the big guy from New Jersey thinks you are cutting him in line? Forgedaboudid you gonna get whacked! All the while as you go through the line the Macy's workers - strategically placed every 20 yards or so in the line - remind you that you are "doing this for your kids", "patience is a virtue that you must learn NOW", enjoy the quality time with your family", "get to know the people ahead of you and behind you", etc. etc. etc. Yes the picture below also shows the kids eating their third meal of the journey. But, wait for it, yes, wait for it....
The miracle occurs and we survive the line and see Santa Claus. For the kids, and even for us, the wait is worth it. We saw the Big Man himself. Alive and in the flesh, rosy cheeks and snow white beard. The kids knew it was really him and for the first time (a second miracle) they sit on his lap without even hesitating. A miracle where strangely enough weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth are eerily absent from the visit to Santa's lap.
The proof is in the photo . The kids sit on Santa's lap sans parents.
After we witnessed two Christmas miracles Dominick was so happy that we gathered round a make believe fire and sang Kumbayah. Unfortunately Dominick sang the rock version and broke most of the strings on his guitar. Even though it was unplugged we felt the power that is rock and roll.
When Kumbayah began to break down because of the malfunctioning guitar we took retriever rides (Kambree got first dibs). Yes, you're right, the retriever is in attack mode, but Kambree jumped on from the side that didn't have the teeth showing, at least initially. As you can see in the picture the dog quickly turned to try and take a bite out of crime, but Kambree was already on for the ride. After 8 seconds the rodeo clowns came out and the fun was over. Meanwhile, Dominick was in the background tuning a new guitar for an encore performance. He was half way to a Starbucks double carmel machiatto, triple grande lowfat soy, something or other and nothing can stand between a young boy and his cup o' joe.DISCLAIMER: This story is mostly true. No animals, other than Aaron, were hurt in the making of this post, and even then it was only his confidence that took a beating from pushing the double wide for a prolonged period in a public place. The truth is the Macy's experience was really fun and it only took about 1 hour to get through the line. Even though it was nearly 12 miles long...well, that may be a slight exaggeration.

Dora and the 9 Dworfs

My little Kambree cannot collect enough babies for her to take care of. It is amazing to see after having a boy that has no mothering tendencies to this little "mom." She is so funny with them and always has to lay down with them after getting them all situated.

It is hard to tell, but she is Dora in this picture because for Christmas her Aunt Tiffany gave her the cutest little Dora Princess Pajamas that she just has to wear all the time - seriously. She wears this day and night and doesn't care at all that it has to be worn over the cloths or other pajamas because it is too cold - she just has to wear it.

Rediculous Update

I feel stupid even trying to update the amount of time that has elapsed since my last post. But, since I do know that people read it and love to see the kids and what they are doing (in this case have been doing - for a long, long time) I will attempt to catch you all up.

This, I had a hard time even remembering. This is the one and only time we had snow here (that lasted more than 15 minutes). It is not even technically snow, it was a couple inches of powder followed by a few inches of freezing rain - which was critical in allowing us to sled and enjoy the stuff. The ice layer on top was so slippery that the kids were flying down a hill I wouldn't normally have even considered a sledding hill - good times (or should I say time).

We hope to have at least one more snow fall - at least to justify my purchase of the warmest snow boots ever (not the best looking - just warmest).

By now Kambree is realizing the speed at which she will be traveling, heading right to a big shed at the bottom - I had to walk her up the hill and then race to the bottom of the hill to beat her and redirect her sled from crashing into the shed (because of course I was way to big to ride with her - and she wanted to be like Dominick).
Here the two snow lovers are at the top of the hill.
Random picture stuck in the middle (just go with it) - Kambree has found the cutest little friend that loves babies and princesses as much as she does. They have so much fun together and it is so cute to watch little girls play.
Back to the snow day - this is the two of them warming up with a warm cup of hot chocolate afterwards.
They were so excited to help clean the sidewalk off (good thing it really isn't our job - they would have been outside all night with all that ice).