Thank You Long Overdue

I actually have some time to say thank you to one of the wonderful families that we met while in China....Kathy, Scott and David. A few months ago John was on a business trip and planned on meeting them half way and I so wished that I was there. He brought back gifts and one that is so special is Kathie and Sierra while in China and then while home as well as Julia and I in China and she told me to insert a current picture...well I have been unfortunatly procrastinating but I finally got a picture. The poem in the middle is special! I never expected to meet such wonderful caring people. It has been fun sharing stories and we were so fortunate to celebrate Sierra's 3rd birthday with them in the hallway of our hotel...they had a room next to ours which was perfect!!

Kathie has such a big heart and I feel as if I have known her much longer than a year!

Happy New Year! 2010

What a wonderful year 2009 was! I hope we have a terrific 2010! Our annual tradition is to get together at our neighbors home and ring in the New Year! It is fun since familes from the neighborhood come and the kids have as much fun as the parents! Two of our neighbors Tasha and Trony are moving to Texas so we wished them well ! Trony smoked ribs and chicken for our dinner which was really good! Julia actually rang in the New Year and I think she thought we were all pretty crazy. She was dancing in circles in the neighbors basement and enjoying all of the music .When it almost struck midnight I put her on a bar stool and put a hat on her and she was watching all of the noise makers and horns and streamers being handed out, and all I could imagine that she was thinking was those Crazy Americans!!! She was so cute in her party hat...she loved all of the Happy New Year necklaces! The kids also bring home grab bags with all sorts of fun things! Thanks Jim and Dena for another wonderful New Years Eve!

Happy New Year to everyone! I am looking forward to celebrating the Chinese New Year this year!

Continuation of Christmas Pictures

My Sister Christine with Julia

My sister in law Lucy with Julia

My brother John with Julia

My nephew Ryan

My Step Father Allen with Julia

Continuation of Christmas Pictures

Continuation of Christmas Pictures

Here are some more pictures from the day!

Merry Christmas!

Yesterday was an incredible Christmas! Evan and Julia were so excited about Santa coming! We went to 4 PM Christmas mass which was so sweet. I usually sing in the choir at midnight mass but this year I decided to go to the earlier mass to be able to spend more time with my family! The childrens choir was so adorable and they had the nativity scene reenacted by the 2nd graders to a beautiful Amy Grant Christmas song. Julia was so excited pointing at them and telling me that that was Jesus mommy and daddy! We then had my side of the family over for drinks and appetizers which was really nice! The gift that Julia had wrapped in my previous post was apparently only a wrapped piece of cardboard...the outside decorating was actually the gift which I ripped apart thinking there was something inside...I of course had to tape it back...we all had a little laugh!

Christmas morning Evan woke up first and then Julia was crying out! No sleeping in when there are Santa gifts! Julia was very surprised to find her kitchen set all assembled by dada. My sister bought her all of the pots and pans and plastic food and canned goods and tiny boxes of cake mix. She now cooks breakfast lunch and dinner for all of us and is very proud! Evan was very excited to find his top gift which was the Wii. We had a lot of fun doing Wii Fit Plus last night. I love the tennis and the obstacle courses! We then went to John's parents for dinner! His parents yearly tradition is Shrimp Newburg with salad and trifle for dessert....all very yummy! We then stopped off at my moms house since she was having all my cousins and my uncle over from Madison. It amazes me how she cooks for 35 to 40 people at her house every year for Christmas. It was really nice seeing everyone I took Julia into the doctor today and she has another sinus infection and fever so another round of antibiotics...hopefully we will see some improvement soon. Tonight we are going to the Bucks game! Hopefully the roads won't be too bad...it is really snowing hard. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Two Special Gifts

I had to post the two special gifts that were created by Evan at school and Julia at daycare. Julia brought home this package that is all wrapped and decorated and signed To Mom and Dad Merry Christmas Love Julia and has her picture on the top. She is very excited about it and has it waiting for us under the tree.

Evan brought home a wrapped gift for us as well today. He said that he worked real hard on it and could hardly wait for us to open it. Then he said that we should open it today since it is more of a decoration for Christmas. It is a Christmas tree made out of string that he threaded through paper. I love homemade gifts that come from the heart! I cry every year when they are given with so much love!