Skiing through the wake, with a red bag on his back...

Well, we had a first this Christmas Eve...we got to watch Santa make a special trip to DC to water ski on the Potomac River!

It was a great little show, although it was pretty windy and cold. The Grinch was on a jet ski and Frosty in a motor boat. Then Santa and his reindeer came out on skis. Carys was not too interested. She wandered and then she watched a little bit, but was too impatient to really care much about Santa when he came. To her it was the same at the wake boarding elf that came out and did flips. Luke and Rob had great seats. Luke was really into it. I was happy we went and may even venture out next year!

Beauty School Drop-out!

I must warn you that this is both funny and kind of gross at the same time. Our little Carys became obsessed with doing Rob's hair. It was really cute. Then she took it to a whole new level. She actually uses spit to style it! I guess she learned it from the good old fashioned mom move. You know, the lick the fingers to clean a face or to wet down one stubborn hair that keeps poking up when you have long since left your house and the squirt bottle behind. Come on you moms out there, we have all done it at least one time! Anyway, this video is from Christmas Eve, and it was memorable.

Merry Christmas!

We hope you had a great Christmas Eve and I hope your Christmas Day is even better. We had a wonderful day watching Santa water-ski and then did our typical traditional cookies for Santa, reading of the Christmas story, and opened PJs from Grandma and Grandpa before putting two very excited kids to bed. Now, I am anxiously awaiting the moment they are asleep and we can get on with the adult fun of Christmas Eve! I can't wait to see their little faces tomorrow...and it makes me sad this magic doesn't last forever and they can't always be so innocent. Well, we will posting pics soon. Merry Christmas from us!

Beware...it's a little spiritual

Today has been one of those days when you wake up not feeling so great because you are just plain old tired and yet you don't feel like you can really just stay home. I could give you the list of reason I didn't feel well, but it really doesn't matter. Then you go on through your day realizing there are reasons you are where you are and reasons you got out of bed this morning...there were things I needed to learn. First, I went visiting teaching (a church program where you visit another woman and give a small message). The message was exactly what I needed to hear, which incidentally is usually the case when I take the time to study the message. Second, I dragged my butt to church. I was uplifted by the music in sacrament and my kids were relatively well behaved. Yes, that may be normal to many of you, but with my two year old it isn't. Third, in Sunday School we talked a little about the sacrament and being an active participant of it and it really hit me as it confirmed the message I had already read earlier about Christ being the light, life and hope of the world. Fourth, a friend asked me to sit by her and in our conversation she offered to help clean some roasters I needed to finish washing from the party the day before. I didn't really take her seriously at first, but at the end of the meeting she confirmed she wanted to help. Well, she and her husband picked up not two, but all of the roasters to wash. As I was thanking her, I began to cry...I honestly don't know why...actually I do, but I will write that below. Fifth, another friend spontaneously came and sat beside me in the middle of the lesson and simply massaged my neck and shoulders...I felt so silly to have to close my eyes to keep the tears from leaping from them! Such a small way to relieve me and it meant so much. It did little good to hold them back because I basically just saved them for the walk to the car with my husband as I relayed how these two women just knew what I needed today. He responded with my number seven...a massage and a movie tonight!

The things I have learned this week are that the Lord definitely figures out a way to let you know he knows your burdens and knows you. It was evident as a dear friend brought me a CD to listen to that meant so much to me. It was evident by the members of our ward that were so willing to help with the Christmas party. It was evident today as I heard time and time again about the prayerful way callings are given and leadership and about the Atonement in our lives. It was evident by the friends that somehow follow the promptings in the midst of their chaos to help someone else. I was truly humbled today...which is why I can't stop crying. I was humbled through my calling as I murmured all day Friday about its complications and difficulties and then stumbled into the cultural hall filled with people so happy to be there. It was then I realized the purpose of the calling was to serve and be served. This calling helps me meet others needs, but it has already taught me to accept service as well. All in all, I feel the Christmas spirit in my life right now and I hope it doesn't leave any time soon. Thanks to you all who make this world, my world, special and beautiful.

*It was a good day, just a little more emotional than I am used to...if I didn't know any better, I would think I was prego...BUT I AM NOT!

Family Photos 2008

We got our family pictures done by a local photographer, Jill Thomas, and she was wonderful! We love the shots of our kids and the location. She is really talented, so this is a plug for her! Thank you Jill! A special note of thanks to Luke who really worked it for the camera. I was so proud of him especially because this is a pleasant change of pace from the camera shy Luke. Unfortunately, Carys was opposite her usual self as well and was a little more difficult. In her defense it was cold, but you can see the variety of faces she pulled. We were able to capture a few smiles and some nice moments between the kids. If I am allowed to say so...they are so dang cute! Oh, and sorry, we had to include her "SHE SHE" or blanket in a few since it is beloved above all else...even above me at times!!

Click on the photo to see the album, if you want! (hopefully it works)

Photo shoot with jill thomas

Christmas Trees...love and hate affair!

So, I am beginning to understand why people stick with their pre-lit artificial trees. They are easier, you don't need husbands to hoist a tree on top of cars, hold them up while you examine it from every angle, or put your tree in a stand without having it lean to one side.

Last year, I went through an ordeal picking out a tree solo. This year there were no excuses...no law school, older kids, nothing that would keep Rob from being front and center in our holiday traditions. Well, this year was not going as planned. We finally went to get a tree at a local stand where we heard there were reasonable prices. While there, Rob makes it painfully clear that I am not choosing quickly enough and Luke and Carys are running up and down the tree aisles and even knocked over a tree! My patience began to run thin. We didn't find our tree and we were so frustrated with the kids we cancelled tree shopping. Luke was devastated and apologized, begged, and pleaded for one more chance saying, "I was just sooo excited I couldn't stay still!" I caved and we headed to Home Depot. We found what we thought was our tree. Luke claimed it and was so proud. You can imagine his disappointment when I put the tree up in our front room and it was too small/short, and very sparse on the bottom with light shining through it. I guess that is what you get when you pick out a tree when you are freezing, with no help, and it was dark. I was sick. OK. Maybe you are thinking, "Julie, why are you so dramatic?" Or maybe you are saying what my husband says, "What's the big deal about decorating the tree or picking out the greatest tree?" My personal favorite was, "what do you know about pine trees, you are from Miami!"(I apologize to all you readers who are now as offended as I was j/k) My response? UH...only that it is the center point of Christmas in our home decor! Only that it is a HUGE symbol and family activity at Christmas. How about this one...only that I love Christmas trees. They make ME happy when I see them and every evening during this holiday when my tree is lit and smelling up my home, I feel wonderful. So, he called Home Depot the next day and we took it back. I know I am neurotic. Home Depot will sell it and they were willing to take it back. Our choosing attitudes were much happier and we settled on a bigger one and it looked much better. The tree trimming was a lot of fun too! Rob says it is a good mix of our tastes. According to him I like a really pruned triangular tree (obviously from Miami and not from the mountainous Utah) and he likes them more like they were cute down off a mountain. Whatever, I don't see it, but if he is showing Christmas spirit and interested in the tree, I will take it. :) So, now it feels like Christmas even if the tree isn't perfect and I am even baking! Just a side note--The kids were little ornament experts this year. It was so fun to watch them strategically place ornaments where they thought they would best fit (even if they shared a branch). It was fun to have Coursey here to decorate too...made me feel like a kid again in some ways. It has been a long time since we've done that together.

Why are they so sad looking, I don't know...perhaps they are sick of pictures by the tree!

Please ignore our unfinished stripe on the top of the wall...it will be white one of these days. :) But, hey those green stripes look pretty good, don't they?

Axel Nose!

Luke was in his third Christmas program at his preschool. It was really cute. They sang Jingle Bell Rock with pretend electric guitars and then used sign language while singing Away in a Manger. He really did a great job, although his new name will be "Axel Nose." This is because part way through Jingle Bell Rock he nearly drops his guitar to PICK HIS NOSE!!! We videoed it. Hey, some day it will be good black mail and make for a funny story. Just imagine me in the crowd, holding a camera while I use my hand and facial expressions to deter his digging. It was hilarious! Luckily many were probably too busy watching their own kids to notice...or one can hope! My other complaint is, "why when you dress you kid so cute for their Christmas program they come on stage with their hair flat and silly looking and with pink stains all over their white shirt?!" I guess it is all they can do to get those kids on stage and sing! I am grateful for this preschool and all they do for Luke. He really loves his teacher and his classmates. It has been a great environment for him. Enjoy the video...and please feel free to laugh because we did!

Luke-isms!

I know I post a ton of these Luke quotes, but this one really is so cute! Last week, he got in trouble and yes, I got a little impatient. Unfortunately, that means that I sort of gave him a mini lecture on appropriate behavior that ended up being way over his head leaving him with the basic message of, "you were rotten!" So, as usual, I felt bad minutes later and told him how I loved him and was sorry I lost my temper and he really is a super boy even when I am upset with his behavior. His reply was, "Mom, I love you. I love you through my madness...it(love) just cuts right through it (anger) and makes me happy again." Who wouldn't just pick that boy up and snuggle him with kisses, which is exactly what I did!

Here are a couple more:

Luke: Mom, do you think I am perfect?

Mom: I think you are as perfect as a four year old should be?

Luke: Yeah, but do you think I am perfect?

(why it was so difficult to say simply, yes you are perfect is still beyond me.)
Mom: You are perfect the way you are, yes.

Luke: Well, I think I am perfect. I am better than a cow walking on water!


Ok, here is my last one. I just said S%$t two times due to near accidents in the car...I know, bad mommy. I couldn't believe it slipped out like that, but it did. So, it was just me and him and I said, "Luke, mommy made a mistake in saying that word." Luke says," IS it a bad word? You said it 2 times!" I say, "Yes, mommy shouldn't have said it and I am sorry. Please don't ever repeat it...sometimes adults say things they shouldn't and it was an accident. ok?" To this he responds, "Well, mom, you know why I don't ever repeat things? I am my OWN MAN!!!" I think that is courtesy of his dad! It made me laugh and felt better about my former lapse in judgment.

Quotation ponderings

I just love this quotation of the day...not that is applies to me, of course! Although, I will admit to being both the person on someone else's back and being the man carrying someone else. I actually feel we switch between these roles throughout our life and it is what makes the world go around. How else could we figure out what it means to be like Christ in helping with someone elses burdens? How else can we learn to be humble enough to lean on someone else for help and therefore learn to rely on the Lord as well? It just made me think...balance in all things, right? We just don't want to be too much of either.

I sit on a man's back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by all possible means—except by getting off his back. – Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)

Just some cute pictures

Although I look pretty tired...this is a cute and recent picture of me and Coursey at the SYTYCD concert!
Some of my best girls here in VA...we were at the preschool halloween parade. (Brynn, Neve, me, Andrea, Laura, Rebecca, Trevor, Carys)
Watch out, boys...this one already loves kisses!
Little Rob posing for a few pictures!
Luke actually took this picture and I love it...I think it is the lighting.
Mr. Man is super cool, just ask him!

So you think you can dance concert!

Coursey and I went to the So you Think you Can Dance concert and it was AWE-SOME, AWE-SOME, TO-TALLY...(any softball players sing that cheer?)! We had so much fun gushing over the dances again and there was quite a bit of comedy too! We just ate it up and realized we will make this an annual tradition as long as we are living close enough to do so. I highly recommend it to all ages...it wasn't a traditional crazy screaming teenager concert, so we actually sat and enjoyed it.

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Miami Pictures

Here are some pictures from our latest Miami trip! The kids got to got to Chuck E. Cheese again with Papa Kevin and Emom. They got to take a break from cooler weather and could play outside. It was a lot of fun. Of course they spent a lot of time with Mom Mom and Dad Dad. It was a great trip...sometimes the spontaneous ones are like that.

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Well, it's official!

Rob is an attorney! He was sworn in and vowed to be honest and true and to uphold the law in front of the VA supreme court Judges. It was another graduation type ceremony. The speakers were great, though. I couldn't believe how many new attorneys there were. It made us feel so lucky to have a job and to be where we are. Here are a couple of pictures.

West Wing Tour

Our great friend invited us on a tour of the West Wing of the White House and it was soooo neat! The interior design reminded me a lot of my grandmother's decor in her home. It must be the traditional east coast influence being that my grandparents are both from MD and PA. It was so interesting to hear all of the stories and history of the White House. The Oval Office was one of my favorites. I love that each President of the United States has their very own rug designed just for them to represent their roots or beliefs. I have yet to look online to see pictures of all the past rugs. I also loved that the photos are regularly switched to portray only the most recent photographs except for one hallway in which we could see the President doing "normal things." He was fishing, weeding, and even mountain biking...I was surprised to see his physique was quite impressive compared to the way he looks in his suit. We went to the press room, too! I had to get a photo of the seat where Fox News reporters would sit...that one is for you, mom! Anyway, it was a great tour...Thanks to Brian for that. It was an experience we will never forget! ( Here are some pictures. We weren't allowed to photograph everywhere, but did what we could.)

yes, I know it is almost Christmas...

BUT, I need to document my first Trunk or Treat success before I print all this past year out. This trunk or treat was really great. It was busy and a lot of people came, but I think everyone was pleased and satisfied with the turn out. We had cute googly eye wreaths in the center of the tables with buckets of candy. We had a photo spot. We had a costume contest after the parade and a jack-o-lantern contest. The chili and cornbread turn out was great too! I couldn't have done it without my sister who really was my right-hand woman. :) My committee didn't come together until much of the planning was finished, but they were awesome and really willing to do their part. Hopefully the Christmas party will be fun too!
I had to include the picture of Carys begging to be picked up...which happened half of the night.

Five More Things...

Five Things People may not know about me...

1. I hate the sound of my voice...like when you hear yourself on the answering machine or on a message. It makes me cringe and it sounds nothing like I think I sound...it is very disappointing and wonder why anyone talks to me on the phone. HA!

2. I absolutely hate, with a passion, to be hung up on or dismissed in similar fashion. It makes me kind of turn into a crazy person. I will call back until I get you...it is the height of rudeness in my book. I would rather be cursed at or yelled at than hung up on. I get mad even thinking about how infuriating it is. :)

3. I aspire to write a few books. I actually have titles and notes written on a few topics, but like most projects in my life they are left undone. I have so much to say...surprise, surprise! Maybe some day when I am Dr. Julie and have my PHD it will happen and you can say you knew me when I was up to my elbows in kid poop and had perpetual rings under my eyes! Hey, if you are really nice maybe I will put you in my acknowledgement. :0

4. I am petrified of spiders and really don't like most bugs. One time my mom and sister actually let a spider crawl on my shoulder without telling me because I was driving and they knew I would crash the car if I found out. Another time I screamed so loudly about a spider on the seat next to me that my mom nearly crashed the car. Now, I have grown up some and don't go quite as crazy (for fear of passing this fear on to my kids), but I still am pretty girly about it. One of me and Rob's first fight was about how he couldn't successfully kill the spider I saw in our bedroom and I thought was going to crawl up the bed skirt into our bed...I am a nut!

5. Once when I was 14ish I punched a grown man in the face...it was the most invigorating feeling in the world! We were both pretty shocked, but it was a real and steady punch. I have never done it since, but it was something I will never forget...showed me I was strong enough when I wanted to be. Sadly, it isn't much of a story though.


My TAG is to anyone who hasn't done this before.

Favorite Things Tag

I may have done this before, but it is fairly easy...


Five of My Favorite Things...
5 TV Shows I Love to Watch:
Grey's Anatomy
General Hospital
One Tree Hill
Lost
Gossip Girl
(i watch too much tv and sadly there are more shows I love)

5Favorite Restaurants:
Chipotle
My Karma (indian)
Chick Fil La
Tony Roma's
Japanese Steak House


5 Things That Happened Yesterday
Rob's Gma passed away
I bought milk shakes at chick-fil-a
I talked on the phone too much
I bought airline tickets
I made Cranberry Sauce

5 Things I Love About Fall:
Halloween!
Going to the pumpkin patch
The new styles of clothing in the stores
I love the changing colors of leaves
School starts!

5Things On My Wishlist:
to get in shape
a make over and spa weekend (is that two?)
organize my entire house
a new pot and pan set
my christmas tree decorated!

5People I Tag:
Katy
Courtney
whoever wants to!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This holiday was looming over me for weeks now. I procrastinated shopping (Rob went last night at 8 pm). I planned the menu on Tuesday night while we painted our front room, which is looking awesome by the way (pics to come soon). My house was in shambles until this morning. My plan was to grocery shop and clean yesterday. My kids are both pretty sick and we got some sad news that Rob's grandma Morgan passed away yesterday morning. I quickly switched gears and spent a couple of hours figuring out flights and schedules for Rob to attend the funeral in Utah. I was proud that I actually booked two one way flights to equal $364! That is a slammin deal considering it was two days away and over the worst holiday for travel possible! Unfortunately, it wasn't in the cards for me and the kids to go. This loss has been a bit more difficult for us since it was pretty unexpected. Rob lost his grandpa last month to Alzheimer's and that was difficult as well. Is it true that things happen in threes? I hope not. Two is enough in this short amount of time. They will be missed immensely and are loved dearly. After processing and getting through yesterday we made and survived Thanksgiving! I have to say it was one he*% of a bird, too! It was the first turkey we have made that was actually easy...it was totally thawed inside, it cooked evenly, didn't brown too much, produced a lot of juice for gravy, and wasn't dried out! The biggest success of the feast was that the bird was done early enough to make the side dishes and eat on time! Can you believe it?! I couldn't. Everything was delicious and we are truly grateful for our family and blessings this year. I thought I would list a few for record-keeping sake.
1. our great friends we have made while living out here without our family
2. our home that provides a happy place for us to raise our children (even if it isn't always at neat as it should be)
3. Rob's job and job security considering this economy
4. I am particularly grateful for the advances of technology so we can talk to all our relatives and friends away and never miss a beat.
5. My beautiful and witty children who make me nuts and make me alive all at the same time. They are my joy.
6. A wonderful and loving family near and far.
7. Our close relationship with our Savior and our testimony of the Gospel.
8. My sister has been able to be with us for the holidays!
9. our marriage and how strong we grow together with each trial and joy.
10. I am grateful you aren't ready to throw up at the sappy post this has become...:) sorry!

Our best to you on this day! Happy Thanksgiving!

Don't we look young?

It occurred to me that you don't really see the changes in yourself until you see a not-so old picture. This picture was only 3-4 years ago! I feel like I look sooo much older now, (and fatter but that is not for this post) yet in my minds eye I see that young girl not the reality. Why is that? Is it self-preservation? Don't get me wrong, this is not a pity post...I am not unhappy with the recent Julie...it was merely a thought I had while looking through my photos on this old laptop! I really shouldn't be posting this nonsense when I still haven't caught up on Rob's swearing in, my concert, or other recent family stuff. Oh well! Oh, and look at my little man...can you believe how round his little face was? Now it is longer and more angled...already growing up. Makes me sad in a way. I do love that picture of him, though. ( just over a year old)

Strike a pose!

We just had a great visit with Aunt Sarah, Rob's sister, over the past week. It was so fun to talk and catch up with her. The kids were CRAZY about her. Luke actually cried when she went to her conference and stayed in DC for a couple of nights. He said, "I don't want Aunt Sarah to sleep in a hotel." It was sad, but so cute. It always amazes me the difference there is in connection with family even when they don't see much of our family often. It is like they just know they are in that special category. It warms my heart.

Well, Carys had a great time playing with Sarah, too! Sarah snapped this picture before she left. Carys had just spilled on her pants and I took them off and she wanted her new ducky slippers on. Sarah told her to say cheese and this is her pose....TOO CUTE! She is such a girl. I love it.