The Rose Family

Here it is, 9:00PM on November 18th. Six years ago, Rebekah and I were getting back from chaperoning a youth scavenger hunt at South Coast Plaza. Rebekah had a terrible cough that night, and was getting really tired. Lo and behold, we were up in a matter of hours and on our way to Hoag Hospital at 3AM. Our little Matthew came into the world 9 hours later.

The time seems to have passed quickly. He's been perfect since the day he arrived. So here are a few pictures from six years ago and a few from now. Happy Birthday, Matt! We love you!

We've been keeping busy these last few months, trying to stay cool (the pool has been well-used). Matthew has been enjoying and doing well in school. Joshy started preschool and loves it. Little Jake started walking, loves his PB&J sandwiches and is very good at saying "hot! hot!" and "no! no!". He's fun to listen to. Both Matt and Josh are on the same soccer team this year with our neighbor Bryce. They are on the Hornets. Derek is coaching the team again this year and has a lot of fun with the kids. They get to chase him around the field during practice, trying to hit him by kicking the soccer balls at him. Rebekah started teaching her classes just before Labor Day and loves all the kids in her classes. For the first time in over ten years of teaching, she has a class of all girls. I guess that's her way of making up for the over-abundance of boys in this house.

We've had some fun pool parties, football parties (go cougs!) and our regular Settlers game nights. It's been a fun start of the fall!

We spent a quick weekend in Utah for Amy's wedding. It's hard to believe that Amy is old enough for it. Yes, even with hundreds of pictures, hours of video and months of planning proving that she is, we are still wondering how quickly time flies. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Rose for holding down the fort while we escaped the heat. We missed the boys, but it sure was fun to go.

I (Derek) was the designated cameraman, so I spent most of the day holding the video camera in my right hand and digital camera in my left. Rebekah sported her hot pink bridesmaid dress. She spent a lot of time doing Amy's hair just right and prepping her for the big day. It was a lot of hard work. Especially the part where she sat in a nice comfy chair and got her nails done. That was probably the roughest (rolleyes). Thanks for letting us be a part of your day, Amy & Brent! We love you guys.

The night before Kindergarten we made lunch, picked out his clothes and packed his backpack

This 4th was a lot of fun! Thanks to the families who sacrificed their perfect Southern California weather for Arizona heat. We had a blast with you here. There wasn't enough sun block for the many hours spent in the pool. By the end of the day, we had several waterlogged lobsters who wanted to go right back in. While the children swam, we spent our hours playing Settlers of Catan. I think we must have played at least seven games, with Greg "Tall Man" Moon taking most of them. We also managed to get Grandma and Grandpa addicted to Jericho. By the time they left, they were already halfway through season one. More people that need to buy duct tape and plastic sheeting. And Kudos goes out to the Dunns for providing about 10 gallons of home-made root beer and a very tasty berry flag cake.

All fun aside, Rebekah and I have lived in many countries and know how blessed we are here in the United States. We are so very lucky to be able to express patriotism and take advantage of the liberties that thousands of people purchased with their sacrifices. We are grateful to our own family members who have sacrificed of themselves for these freedoms.

David Atkinson - Colonel - US Air Force - Vietnam
Douglas Rose - Sergeant - US Air Force - Vietnam
Florin Rose - US Army - 2nd Infantry - WW2
Garr Rose - US Army - WW2
Douglas Hansen - US Army - WW2

Little Jacob love is 1 today! We had a fun day today. We woke him up with a birthday balloon before I went to work today. Mom made him a birthday breakfast. Grandma and Grandpa Rose sent him a package and he had fun opening the fun presents. His birthday wish (that he told Mom, apparently) was to have Mom read him Wheels on the Bus, twice. That's his absolute favorite book. Happy Birthday, little guy! We all love you!