For those of you who don't know Sugar, he is Andy and Terica's dog. Julia has a special relationship with him. She often steals his cage. And in return if she walks around in a diaper he will follow her licking her belly. I just think this is hilarious.
We got to go swimming in Uncle Jake's hotel while he was in town on business. We had so much fun. There was a little girl swimming at the same time we were and she asked Natalie if Jake was her dad. She got very passionate about her response and said, "NO, that's not my dad, I have a different dad!" Then the whole way home from the hotel, which was about 30 minutes, Natalie was sniffling and saying, "I miss uncle Jake. When do we get to see him again? Why can't he come home with us? I want Uncle Jake." It was almost a fake cry, but I couldn't help but smile at how cute it was. I'm glad my kids have gotten time to spend with him. We are praying they get stationed somewhere close so she can get to know her cousins. We had such a fun time. We played games together that week. I also got to go to a session at the temple with him and my dad and that was a blessing. I'm so glad he came we had some good talks and he said some wonderful things about his wife. I'm glad that I have him as an example to me.
So, the day before St. Pat's day I was at Terica's(my sister-in-law) helping with the invitations for the wedding. I went home at about 5 in the morning. So after half sleeping all day while my kids played in the house. We went outside around 4 or 5 and enjoyed the beautiful weather. My mom gave them these shirts and I think they are so cute. Julia's says "One in a Million." Natalie's says, "So Lucky to be me." I love it when it's nice and we can play outside. Can't wait for summer!
So I feel like things are starting to get back to normal. Having family in town and helping to plan and carry out a wedding has really taken it's toll. I did have fun and was glad to help. It's also been fun having the family in town. So I feel a little guilty for not blogging much the past few months. Hopefully I will be better about this now.
We had a beautiful day at the zoo recently with some friends in our ward. The kids loved watching the sea lions eat. There was also a new baby giraff there. It was a fun day.
I am just now getting around to blogging about Julia's Birthday. We had a great time. Her birthday was December 28. It was a Sunday and we had both sides of the family, and Ben and Becca, over to Andy and Terica's. We had a great time doing dinner, opening presents and having birthday cake. And Nicole did her rendition of Bon-que-que. Which I think some people thought was funny, and others didn't. It was fun to have the extra family there who were in town for the holidays, like Rob and Sarah. I just can't believe how fast that first year went. Time flies when you have kids. But she is such a joy and is so fun talking and playing with her sister. Some of my favorites are when she hears music and turns in circles, or hands me a book and turns around and sits in my lap. My favorite is when she runs to me with a big smile on her face and hugs me and snuggles in my neck. I just love the age she is at right now. And I think she is so smart. But I am her mother.
These are some pictures from Christmas. We had a great time and spent lots of time with family. We did the English side gift exchange on the Sunday before Christmas so Karl could be there. We got an emergency radio/flashlight. Terica made a really cute wooden picture of our family (I'll post a picture of it later).Natalie got dress-up cloths and a monster size coloring book. Julia got a Curious George doll that sings her to sleep, and a little toy that sings when you push buttons. Jake and Sariah had our names for Christmas and they sent us a food storage chart, and some cute rag dolls that Sariah made. Supposedly there is a game on it's way, but we don't know what happened to it. On Christmas Eve day we went to Andy and Terica's house and then that night we went to the English's. Dad read the story from the bible, then we sang LOTS of songs from the hymn book. Then some people played games and others watched the Nativity Story movie (the full length, non-cartoon one), it's one of my favirites. Adam and Gloria, Nicole, Cherise, my parents, Cami, Marcus, and our little family were all together for that.
Then we went home and prepared for our little Christmas the next morning. Marc got baseball tickets, and a picture collage to take to work. Michelle got a watch, a bookmark, and a scarf, hat and mitten set. Natalie got a Belle doll, a tent, sleeping bag, and yellow treats (which was all she wanted, "yellow treats in yellow wrapping paper"). Julia got a Mrs. Potato Head, some books, a ball, and stuffed bird. It was fun for it to be just our little family that morning and to see the surprise on the girl's faces when they opened their presents. That's my favorite part about Christmas, how excited they get about the littlest things.
After opening gifts at home we headed over to spend the day with the Maddox family. We were very blessed there as well. They are soo good to us. We got some 100 hour emergency candles, and a beautiful picture of Christ. Marc got nice gloves and a hockey book called Game Face, I think. Michelle got a great beading set in a handy carrying case. Natalie got cute jeans and some pj's. She also got and jewelry box that has Zoey from sesame street and plays music, a necklace and bracelet set, and some little dolls with plastic outfits you can change out. Julia got a cute vest and some pj's. She also got a worm that sings and glows to sleep with. Kevin had us for Christmas and he gave us a new game called Killer Bunnies, which we love. That's all I can think of as far as gifts go, sorry if I skipped any, needless to say we are very blessed. But the best part was getting to see so much of our family. Adam and Gloria, Nicole, Cherise, and Karl visited form my side. And Rob and Sarah, and Scott and Caroline visited from Marc's side. It was so much fun!
So, the other day Marc called me and asked me if I'd checked my e-mail that day. I hadn't so he told me to go check it and to my pleasant surprise this is what I found.
I am excited to announce Marc Maddox has been promoted to Accountant I and will begin transitioning to his new role this week. In Marc's short time with us he has demonstrated a high sense of urgency, attention to detail, and overall high customer service. Marc always volunteers for special projects and seeks out ways to provide assistance to the department as a whole.
Please join me in congratulating Marc!
Jordan Martin
Director
Client Accounting Services
Colliers Turley Martin Tucker
Marc has been with this company for about two months and we were very excited to hear this news. It is great for me to hear from others that my husband is doing the amazing job I know he is capable of. And getting recognized for his hard efforts. I knew that once he got the opportunity to prove himself in his field, they would not be disappointed. I love you honey!
We had a great holiday season. These pictures were taken at a Santa's Cottage event at the elementary school. It was hosted by the Parents as Teachers program were are involved in. As you can see they had a reindeer, Mrs. Clause, and Santa. Is it wrong of me as a parent to just LOVE the picture of Julia crying with Santa? It's one of my favorites. The thing is she's usually not afraid of strangers. In fact that very same morning she walked up to a teenager she didn't know, with her arms out wanting her to pick her up. The girls had a great time. Natalie made a gingerbread house, and got to meet a gingerbread man, which she was very excited about. She remembers making ginger bread houses with Grandma Maddox last year and can't stop talking about it. They also made other cute ornaments, and reindeer food. Natalie got to pick out some gifts on her own as well. Uncle Kevin got a travel trivia game which, I'm sure he'll use often, lol. Aunt Nicole got a cute little velvet purse to go with the purse I made her for Christmas. I just love the holidays. It's so much fun when you have little ones and they get excited about the littlest things. The way their faces light up when you talk about Santa. The way Natalie constantly wanted to sing Christmas songs and is upset now that the radio doesn't play them anymore. I especially love that she added her own line to "Santa Clause is coming to town." She sang it to Julia when we were on our way back from Thanksgiving. She sang, "He sees you when you're sleeping, he sees you when you are awake. He sees you when you're making a mess, so be good for goodness sake!" Julia was having a hard time and Natalie made it all better by singer her to sleep, she kept saying, "It's OK Julia, we're almost home, just go to sleep." As she stroked her face. Anyway, I loved seeing the joy of it all through my child's eyes. She asked Santa for yellow treats in yellow wrapping paper, and a princess Belle doll. And that is just what she got, and lots more.
