Looking Back...

This year I actually remembered to post this blog address to our Christmas Cards (New Year's cards actually...) so "Welcome" to those of you who have never visited before. We hope that you enjoy looking back through old entries over the past years and enjoy the entries yet to come.

As you will see I am not the most consistent with entries...it depends on how busy we are with day to day life. Feel free to check back occasionally or take a few easy steps to become a follower of the blog and get an email when there is a new post if you are interested in keeping up with our comings and goings.

Despite good intentions it was difficult to find the time to post to the blog while actually going to the places and doing the activities we would eventually be posting about over the last few months!...So what you will see over the next few weeks is a sort of retrospective of our late summer and fall 2011 along with some of the recent winter weeks...And yes, it is winter even though there is no snow and I for one will admit that I am grateful for that!

I will start with a look at late summer and our annual trip to the Renaissance Festival. Each year we continue a family tradition that I grew up with and head out to Shakopee, MN for the Festival to take part in the fun. We get into the spirit of things with our own costumes like so many other visitors do. It makes the experience so much fun and we are never hard pressed for Halloween costumes if we need them on short notice!

Collin again took Daddy on in his favorite activity at the Festival...Sword Fighting. If you have read our earlier blogs you can see that he truly loves this activity and Daddy has been willing each year to "fight" Collin. (Click this link to see his first sword fighting experience.) Each year Collin is victorious, which he loves as well. At the rate Collin is growing these days, I imagine it won't be too long before Daddy puts up a real fight and Collin still wins.

This year Collin also wanted to try something more daring and was all smiles getting secured into the harness for the giant trampoline. Between the energy from his own jumping, the bounce of the trampoline and the bungee cords securing him he was flying like the superheroes he loves! As scared of heights as I am, I have to admit it looked really fun...maybe next year we'll all take a turn!

A great time was had by all and we look forward to it again next year!

Fun without sun

Plenty of fun in the sun happened this summer...and some even without the sun.

On a warm but rainy day, jumping in the puddles and trying to "skip rocks" across them was the perfect activity. Sometimes simple is best!

Fun in the sun

Plenty of time was spent outdoors this summer, including the Fourth of July weekend. We spent one day at the lake with the Butcher family and the other at Uncle Mike's new apartment on Lake Waconia where he had a big bash...

Yes, that is one of the biggest 'slip-n-slides" you have probably ever seen...about 65 feet down a steep hill leading toward the lake...no, it did not all fit in my picture. It was enjoyed by grown ups and kids alike, especially Collin and his "buddy" Tyson.

We finished up the day with fireworks, although I think the mosquitoes had more fun than the spectators that evening. Ah, the ups and downs of a MN summer!

Mummy madness

One family adventure earlier this summer was to go the King Tut exhibit at the Science Museum. Cousins Kalie and Riley spent the weekend and joined us for the event...

We learned all about mummies during the omni-theather movie, then walked through the exhibit itself. As they did not allow photography in the exhibit area, here is my best Egyptian picture of the day, Queen Kalie!

We also took some time to see what the rest of the museum had to offer, especially the hands-on activities...Nice job, Riley!

Fun was found both inside and out, including the outdoor garden maze (picture). What a great day!

Trying something new

Collin continues to love hockey and will actually start in the Anoka program as a Mite this fall (pictures to come I am sure...). He also resumed swimming lessons this summer, completing the "torpedo" level and will be a "titan" next year.

In addition to keeping up those interests, Collin asked to try something new...Karate! (Picture-Before class with some friends).

There is a studio just down the street from our house...a location close enough to walk to which is a definite perk. So, you may find us walking down the block toward lessons as we learn what the world of Karate is all about.

He has enjoyed it so far and done well. Moving from just having the uniform and no belt, he earned his "white belt" by attending classes (picture), trying hard and showing respect.

At intervals, he earns "stripes" (picture) to this belt as they mark progress.

When he earned enough stripes, he was able to test (below) in front of the class and achieved "one yellow stripe belt." Congratulations, Collin!

What's taken so long?

As it has been quite some time since the last Rosenau Review blog, it seems fitting to start with the reason for our long absence...school!

Since we've been "gone" from the blogging world, quite a bit has changed. First, Doug completed his MBA program at Concordia in May...it was a lot of work and we are very proud of him for this accomplishment! We enjoyed the ceremony and did a dinner cruise in Stillwater that evening to celebrate.

Later in May, Collin also graduated from his first year in pre-school at St. Stephens. After a concert for the parents there was cake with his classmates and their families and a chance to look back at some memory books created throughout the year.

He'll be back again this year to see his friends and teachers. Th pre-school program was only in existence for two years as of last year, so as the program was growing it was located in a room of the church. This year the classroom moved from the church and is now across the street at the actual "big kids" school...he is very excited!

As for myself, I completed the first year of my MA program for Counseling Psychology at Bethel University. However, that passed without much fanfare, which was fine because I was quite tired! No pictures to include, as they would mostly consist of my sitting in my pajamas in front of this very computer writing a paper around midnight or on the couch with some very, very large textbooks...That said, it went well and after a month off I am gearing up to start classes again in September.

We enjoyed our school year and the conclusion of it....more posts to come on how we've spent our summer break!

Making the best of it...

So, it's spring, huh? Funny, I can't tell by looking out my window... After the warm weather finally melted almost all of the snow from our yard, we had started playing outside and enjoying the warmer time outdoors. Baseball/tee-ball was a favorite and Collin would set up his tee and grab the bat and do his best to swing for the fences. It is becoming apparent that we need to get a more sturdy bat and tee as the plastic ones he started out with as a toddler have started to crack with his new found pre-school strength swing. But, as one can expect in Minnesota, the pleasant weather did not last for long, and our yard is now covered in snow again. What we did find when we went outside today, however, was surprising. Though the rest of the grass is still covered in about 3-4 inches of snow, the spot where Collin has always set up for batting practice was clear all the way to the (still brown) grass. This was not an area we shoveled and there is no "logical" reason based on sun/shade patterns this should have happened. A reminder from God that spring is, indeed, here after all? Prior to the thaw, we've done our best to enjoy the rest of the winter months after the holidays. Doug completed his last MBA program class and is officially a graduate, though he will not walk in the ceremony until later this spring. Collin (pre-school) and I (grad school) continue to hit the books, but we all still find time for fun. Here's a peek at how we've spent at least some of the last few months: Skating lessons have been fun for Collin and he is now "Sam 3" which he is very proud of. Rumor has it there is a hockey program in Anoka he'll be eligible for this fall, so I guess we'll see........... We found an opportunity to do some real dog sledding in Bloomington as well when they had an annual city celebration. Sometimes we tried to pretend it was summer and buried each other in the snow....it's the next best thing to sand at the beach, right? We went ice fishing, but only once before the lakes got too soft. Daddy caught the only fish, but we all had fun trying! And, of course, we made it to a Wild game.

This was Collin's first professional NHL game and

even though they lost (badly) we had a great time!

We hope that you and yours have also found a way to enjoy the last few months and don't worry, it will feel like Spring soon!

Enjoying the holidays

The snow, cold and approaching holidays have seemed to slow things down here in Minnesota...at least for our family. Michelle and Doug are each on a break from Grad school classes. Collin has a few more days before his Christmas break from pre-school, but has taken a break from daycare to stay home with Doug while he is at home before starting a new job in early January. We are enjoying the relative "peace and quiet" and look forward to spending time with family and friends in the upcoming weeks!

Be Happy for this moment! This moment is your life!

Theme Song

If you have audio on your computer, you have likely noticed music with the blog! Toward the bottom of the page you will see a "play list" of some of Collin's favorite songs of the last year...

He enjoys sports, but music still remains important too. He got a new and improved (more sturdy) drumset for his birthday to replace the one that has met its demise since Christmas a couple years ago. (Rocking out in his tough guy pirate pajamas...)We had conferences tonight with his teachers for both pre-school and daycare this evening and his love for music is evident there too. So, it seems appropriate for us to share with you all as well.

The songs will play as you read the blog, or else feel free to click on the ones that interest you most. For now it will always start with his current favorite "Stuck like Glue" but eventually I will modify it so it skips.

Enjoy!

So late it's scary?

Yes, I am posting about Halloween just shortly before Thanksgiving...So late, its scary....right?


This year our little man dressed as "Iron Man." I have to admit I am not entirely sure how that came about. Since right after last Halloween, the plan was to be a mummy this year. When the time came to get a costume, however, Iron Man was the clear favorite. I even got into the spirit of things (pun intended) and dug out my old witch hat and broom. No matter what Doug may tell you, that is not my normal state of being...



We then ventured back to Silver Lake, MN to do some trick or treating with Collin's cousins. This is the town where Doug grew up and roamed the streets himself as a child. I am guessing tricks were not uncommon in that town in those days....



We also went to a Halloween event at the Anoka County fairgrounds earlier in the month. Collin painted a pumpkin, got unlimited time in bounce houses (which I think he likes better than candy) and we got to make our own scarecrow, which is now living outside our front door (left, in the photo of Collin and I at the top of the page). Doug and Collin baked a pumpkin pie from scratch (real pumpkins, a home made crust...the real deal) and I baked some deliciously salty pumpkin seeds!

We hope that you all had a sweet Halloween too!

Happy Birthday, Collin!

It has been quite some time since our last post, but we could not let this important occasion go without a posting. Happy Birthday, Collin!

We continued to be very busy throughout the summer. Ideally there will eventually be posts to update you on outings to the Vikings game, the Renaissance, and just the general day to day fun and activities of our family.

Right now, the season of fall is in full swing and right now for the Rosenau family this means school! Doug is completing the last few months of his MBA program at Concordia, St. Paul. Michelle just began the MA Counseling Psychology program at Bethel in St. Paul. And yet another sign that our little boy is quickly growing up, Collin began pre-school at St. Stephen's in Anoka, MN earlier this month!

In any case, we hope to continue blogging here and there about our life, but be patient as we get into the groove of having three students in the family!

We spent today celebrating with 6 of Collin's friends and their parents from the Bartsch, Callison, Hammill and Neumann families. Happy Birthday, Collin! We love you and are so proud of you!

Out to the ball game

Some time ago I promised an update on our first trip to the new Twins stadium. Better late than never...

We were all smiles on the way to the stadium. It was Collin's first baseball game ever and only mom's second. Going to the new outdoor Target Field stadium was a first for Collin, mom and dad!

The fun started even before we got through the doors! Collin wore his jersey and borrowed one of dad's hats to get into the spirit.

Once we were there, we hit the souvenir stand...Dad's hat was really just too big for sharing.

Then we found our seats. Not a bad view!

The it was time for a hotdog! Nothing else would do at a ballgame....

And Collin was gracious enough to pose for a picture with mom to commemorate the occasion.

Finally it was time to watch the game...pretty intently. We made it without too much restlessness. I think Collin watched more of the game than mom did, actually.

But, despite our cheers, the Twins lost to the Braves. Better luck next time!

Hangin' with Chuck E.

This afternoon we spent some time at a birthday party for Collin's friend, Bryce (photo-right). Although we have been there once or twice before, it was the first Chuck E. Cheese experience for Collin since he has really been old enough to participate in the activities there.

He enjoyed the pizza and the games, and surprisingly enough, also meeting "Chuck E." For the most part, Collin has not been a fan of life size characters (giant Easter bunnies, Santa, etc. etc.) but he warmed up to Chuck E. pretty quickly. I suppose that has something to do with the other party goers, but I suspect it is also a sign of growing up. Check out the jam session above!

I personally went to the party with one thing on my mind...the "drawing" photo booth. I absolutely adore those..I am a total junkie and I knew they had one there. I love the black and white style photo and was so excited that Collin was willing to sit down with me long enough to pose for this picture!

Happy Birthday, Bryce! Thank you for a wonderful afternoon!

America's pastime...

Each year, Collin's daycare center holds a T-ball tournament that is followed by a small carnival for the community later in the evening. This year Collin was again in the spirit of the game and loved every minute of it.

He enjoyed the game last year, and this year he had already been showing an increased interest in baseball/t-ball overall, thanks to the movie "The Sandlot." As a surprise, he got his very first real baseball glove just in time for the game. After that, it was all business!










When it was his team's turn up to bat, he volunteered to be first. Perhaps I should say that he could not have been stopped from being first up to bat..He was very excited, and as none of the other kids seemed too willing to step up to the plate it was an easy call to make. He swung, hit the ball, and off he ran. A Home Run!

It was probably one of those things you had to be there for, but it was hysterically funny. He ran as fast as he could-he was very serious about it yet, dare I say, he had a little bit of a cocky swagger to his gait! All the kids in the outfield would stumble over the ball, eventually lay hands on it and then throw as hard as they could. Given the age group of the kids, this gave our little self-proclaimed All Star plenty of time to round all the bases. The parents were laughing so hard they were in tears and it was a great way to start the game!

Collin was very proud, but not surprised---he often runs the bases at that very park when we play there as a family. He was actually more surprised his next time at bat when he had to stop to wait at first base and could not just keep going!

All of this baseball excitement translated into a spur of the moment trip the following Sunday to see a real Twin's game at the new Stadium...more posts to come!

Hoppin' back to Easter

Yes, I realize that Easter has long since passed. Nonetheless, here is a glimpse of how we spent it...

We started the weekend out at home...an early morning Easter Egg hunt left us with all sorts of sweet goodies that included the traditional chocolate bunny and a book I found about the real meaning of Easter.

Of course, coloring Easter Eggs was also on the "to do" list. Collin got a chance to show off his inner artist with some of his Cousins.

What a master piece!

Then later when the whole family slowly trickled in to the festivities at Grandma Nola's, a big outdoor Easter Egg hunt began..that's about 3 acres of hunting ground if I am estimating correctly...and that darn Easter Bunny hid nests of goodies around the whole place!

Nourished by the candy and treats they found, an impromptu football game broke out to celebrate the unseasonably warm weather. Players included aunts, uncles and cousins of all ages. You will notice that even the frills and lace of Easter finery could not get in the way of this game! Please excuse the very shaky camera work...it was windy and I was giggling way too much to stay still.