Dean's stocking was full of candy, books and a new "fishing hole" as he calls it!

Just remember, we still love you...

...when your mailbox remains empty of a cute photo Christmas card that captures our family perfectly
...when you don't receive a "Christmas Letter" updating you on everything we did this year
...when your email inbox does not greet you with a Christmas wish from the Rolfs
...when it seems like we have totally dropped off the face of the earth


Merry Christmas from The Rolfs!

My baby has gone and in his place is a spunky little boy sporting a new hairdo that his daddy gave him. His lips are red because of the sucker he got to enjoy in attempt to keep him still for the clippers. He isn't too happy about having to stand still and get his picture made.

With the utmost gratitude, I thank you for your service to our family. You have provided us with countless hours of peacefulness and solitude.

As I reflect on the months you have been with us, I remember that when Dean was a baby, you gave us the ability to eat in restaurants, go to church services and enjoy our favorite tv shows. I must also credit you with the fact that bedtime and nap-time rebellions did not exist in our quiet home. We are also extremely grateful that you accompanied us on so many wonderful road trips.

While many moms may scoff at the thought of allowing you into their lives, you have proven yourself to be nothing but a peacemaker and companion to us. I hope that you are not offended that Dean has so easily cast you aside. You should be proud of him for growing into such a mature, no-help-necessary-except-for-my-blankie sleeper. After all, he is almost two and this relationship has carried on a little longer than is readily accepted by society (and doctors) even if it was only for sleeping purposes. I sincerely appreciate your services and will happily recommend you to any friends who may question your usefulness.


With appreciation,

Jessica

P.S. Please refrain from reappearing in our home as this may cause undue stress and tears.

Aunt Melissa ("sees-sah") snapped this photo of Dean enjoying the leaves while she was hanging out with him this weekend.

I tried to ignore it. I tried to avoid it. But it came anyway. My 30th birthday.

There is one up side. I now know exactly how old I am again. For awhile there, the numbers seemed to blur together...I wasn't sure if I was 27 or 28. I couldn't remember if it was 26 or 27. And suddenly, I'm positive.

Dean and I walked down the street today and cast our vote! He got a sticker and I thought this was cute.

Dean had a great time trick or treating with his friend Bella. He is still talking about all the "tandy" he got in his airplane. (His airplane Easter basket pulled double duty for the occasion.) His new favorite "tandy" is a sucker. He definitely has the Rolf sweet tooth. After every meal, he asks for his airplane basket and wants to choose a treat. He was a cute little referee thanks to the Verlander's hand-me-downs! He had no idea what the whistle did and I certainly didn't bother to tell him!

He sits on my couch and counts to five.
He argues with me.
He climbs onto the dining room chair all by himself.
He answers questions.
He throws himself dramatically onto the ground when I say no.
He mimics me.
He repeats the last word of all my sentences.
He calls me mommy now instead of momma.
He starts all his sentences with "mommy,".


I don't know who this child is, but I love him.

Introducing our first contestant in the World's strongest boy contest....Dean! Here is a recent picture of Dean enjoying a hayride before the competition.



Event One: Tractor Pull



Event Two: Pumpkin Lift



Event Three: Pumpkin Reach



Event Four: Pumpkin Squat

Here is our little guy's debut on a magazine cover! We are extremely proud of him! I hunted down the printed version today. I'm sure people thought I was crazy as I took as stack of them from the rack.

This picture was taken last October at a local pumpkin patch. Dean was 9 months old. I have forgotten how bald he was a year ago!

Also, congrats to Julie Birdseye for having her work on a cover!

At first, I was so sad. My parents couldn't take a good picture of me. Even my first birthday pictures were terrible. And then, Granny and PawPaw came to the rescue and gave mom and dad an early birthday present! Now they have a really cool camera and it makes me happy! You will be seeing a lot more of me now! Thanks Granny & PawPaw!

When I was a kid, I loved a quiet, rainy day. I could smell the wet, fresh scent of the rain before it even started and hear it moving through the pine trees as it crept towards the house. And when it arrived, it would create a special aqua adventure just for me and my sisters. The ditches in front of our tiny Camp Street house would fill quickly with rushing water. This was the perfect scenario for racing sticks and leaves through the culvert. We would drop our racing-stick into the water and then sprint to the other side of the driveway to see whose came out in the lead. It was also amusing to see what would drift by in the mini river. Trash and debris that had laid dormant in the dirt was suddenly a vessel on an exciting ride down a raging stream. Standing under the sheltering canopy of the large oak trees, you could almost escape all the rain drops as you watched the trash parade. After the shower passed, my sisters and I would ride our bikes through the puddles and return home with our shirts resembling a painters drop cloth. Mom was so great to let us do this. I can't imagine the messes we made when we finally came inside, dripping and smelling like wet dogs. To this day I love the rain because of these great memories. I still am tempted to run out and get soaking wet sometimes. But instead of becoming the talk of the neighborhood, I sent my child out in it this week.

It was Dean's first experience playing in the rain. The water poured off of our roof in a perfect waterfall. Dean, wearing only a diaper (which was swelling with each rain drop!), would fill his buckets from the waterfall and dump them on the sidewalk. Then he noticed the mud puddle in the front yard. Ankle deep dirty water, jackpot! He laughed and giggled and squealed through chattering teeth until the drops slowed, the waterfall ceased and the puddle disappeared. The next day was bright and beautiful and he begged to go out again. He grabbed his blue bucket and stood under the invisible waterfall. "ON" he squealed and pointed towards the roof. "ON" he tried again looking from me to the empty bucket that he held in the air. He said "ON" once more, this time adding a fancy, excited jig. And so I awkwardly tried to explain that although I am an amazing mom, I can't turn on the rain. Ok, so I really didn't say the amazing mom part but what I did say must of made me sound like a bumbling fool because he kept looking a me with this confused expression on his face. Since the message wasn't received well by my curious 20 month old, we quickly found a new use for the blue bucket...rocks and mulch! And so my flower beds shudder in fear as we wait for God to turn the rain back on.

As you already know, I am a huge fan of Julie Birdseye Photography! Once again, she has captured our little guy perfectly. From "choo-choo's" to trucks, from rocks to popsicles, Dean's year and a half stage is summed up in film. Thanks again Julie! You are amazing!

I am having to get used to this little voice in the back seat of the car that keeps piping up recently. A few weeks ago I was driving along and had to hit the breaks pretty hard. After recovering from the jolt I hear a "whoa" from the back. I couldn't help but laugh out loud. My own backseat driver! Suddenly we have a little person that interacts with us and it is making life so much sweeter.

So we were out driving the other night and I pointed out the beautiful full moon to Dean. He became obsessed with seeing it, which became difficult as we turned corners and drove behind trees. So as a result, we heard his first sentence. He said so clearly, "Where da moON doe?". I mean, he has said things like "bye-bye daddah" but that is the only intelligible sentence we have heard until now. John grabbed his iphone and recorded it because we couldn't believe it. Such a cute little voice from the back seat just talking about the moon. Hopefully I can get it converted and posted here soon.

Dean has suddenly become obsessed with his "garrrr". He will put it on and then ask for daddah and point to the TV. He loves to watch the dvd's of the church service and tries to mimic what he sees John and the other band members do. I have seen him raise his hand to praise God while he plays because he saw Wayne (the bass player) doing that on the video. It is really cute. He has yet to shred the electric guitar just from watching Chris, but we are thinking any day that is going to click in his head. Any day.... When I ask him if he wants to take off his guitar, he shakes his head no and makes a frowny face. Then he will just walk around the room ramming in to everything because he doesn't realize how far it sticks out. The only way to get him to take it off is to give him his drum sticks! His daddy sure is proud that he can hold it correctly and is happy to see his little guy so interested in what he does. I love it!