Happy 2nd Birthday Julia! July 26th 2009

Where has the time gone! Julia finally turned 2 yesterday! I was up trying to post a video on our computer but had to abandon things due to too late and it was not working! We had a really nice party with just the 4 of us! Julia loved her new baby stroller and was pushing it everywhere! She had a little tea party with her babies and her new tea set! She actually kept her bow in her hair most of the time....she figured out that it was there in the restaurant and wanted dada to wear it....eeek!!!

I wanted to add the video clips of us singing Happy Birthday but for some reason when I try to download it says that blogger can not accept! I guess I could use some computer help....Donna would you be able to help?

Evan was kind enough to suggest sharing his birthday celebration with Julia for this weekend when the whole family can join us. I am making an Elmo layer cake for Julia and an electric guitar cake for Evan...I am still looking for black licorice strings for the guitar strings. Evan will be 11 on Aug 7th so we figured it would be easier to get everyone together one time since everyones schedules are so busy!

Kathie and Sierra thank you for the nice birthday wish! Sierra I love to hear you say Happy Birthday Julia!

Continuation of Duluth Trip

I have a few more pictures to post. Here are some pictures of Downtown Duluth. I also got a few pictures of Evan and Julia in this incredible park that had thousands of different roses and fountains and gazebos and it all overlooked Lake Superior.

If anyone can tell me how to rotate the pics in my previous post...I would be forever grateful!

Visiting Grandma

We had a wonderful trip upnorth to see my grandmother. We left last Thursday and returned on Monday afternoon. My grandmother lives in an assisted living and had a stroke before we left for China in January. She lost a lot of movement in her left side which was difficult for her since she was very independent. We were so anxious for Julia to meet her great grandmother for the very first time. We stayed at a hotel that had a waterpark in it so that was fun for Evan and Julia. They also had a Bonfire every night with Smores and two of the nights they showed a movie off of the hotel outside so that everyone around the pool could enjoy it.

Grandma looked good and enjoyed our company. We had dinner with her at the assisted living on Friday night and met a few of her friends. My brother did drive upnorth on Saturday with his wife and son and my mother. It was nice getting together with everyone.

John initiated Julia to the waterpark even though the main word was "No" she managed to give everything a try! She loved it when the big bucket of water would drop a huge load of water on her! She liked the childrens slides. Tiki Tom (The Hotel Mascot) did show up for one of the Bonfires and insisted on pushing Julia on the swing....she Loved It!!

The drive was 8 hrs one way with a couple of stops. It was not as bad as we thought it would be....there was a little fussing but made it there and back in one piece!

Zoo Day

Today it was fairly cool so too cold to go to the pool. HMMM what to do with an eleven yr old boy and a 2 yr old girl. Well we finally decided on a day at The Zoo. I finally purchased a Zoo Pass Membership so we can go all summer long when we are undecided....and we won't feel guilty about leaving early and coming back. They have a new exhibit where you get to go into the aviary,most of which are parakeets and cockatiels and some small parrots. They give you a stick with millet on it and they come down and feed on your stick. The elephants were in rare form performing tricks and Julia and Evan loved feeding the goats!

Happy Fourth of July

Julia and Evan waiting for the parade to begin

Julia with Grandma and cousin Ryan

Evan and Julia with cousins Christopher, Joseph, John and Ryan
Hard to get everyone to pose!

Julia with her glow necklace waiting for the fireworks to start

My festive dessert!

Hope everyone had a terrific Fourth of July weekend. I was so happy to have Friday off and prepare for our annual barbecue! We mainly have family over and it looked as if it was going to rain /was overcast most of the day. Was in the 70's and was comfortable. Did not get Julia in her pool until today due to the weather being kind of chilly and the water needing to warm up.Julia was not as crazy about her pool as she was riding on our backyard swing...she is a swingin gal!

We were worried if Julia was going to be afraid of the fireworks but she loved them and kept clapping and signing ...More More! She picked up some sign language apparently in the orphanage. We went to the fireworks twice...first on the 3rd after the parade and then again on the 4th after our family party! The displays were both incredible as always! My husband Loves the Fourth...you can not keep him from going to the fireworks stands!!

Happy Da Da Day June 21st,2009

Da Da...I just have to help unwrapping

Happy Father's Day to all Dads!! Today was a very busy day at our house. We went out to breakfast to celebrate Father's Day as well as my birthday and my sisterlaw and her husbands anniversary ! Many celebrations combined into one! After breakfast went to my mom and step fathers home to have a quick visit and then into the car to drive Evan to camp for the week! It is Evans first time at camp and he was so excited! Julia loved walking the camp grounds and investigating everything. She got so excited and started running around in her white sandals with her new outfit ....... she ended up running into a huge mud puddle which I just caught her sliding into.....so much for the white sandals!! I am going to miss Evan this week since he has been my helper with Julia in the morning before work! He helps me get out the door in time. I am sure that he will have a great time at camp with all of the activities that they have to offer.

We ended the day by scooping Julia out of her car seat and into the stroller for a continuation of her nap and our 4 mile walk. During out walk we picked up some takeout Chinese and had a nice quiet dinner at home.

John is a wonderful husband and terrific father to Evan and Julia...we want to thank him for everything! Happy Father's Day!

Haircut Day! June 6th 2009

Wow I have not been blogging for awhile. There has been so many illnesses around our house that I am looking forward to opening up the windows and shooing the flu!! Julia had an ear infection that was discovered at a well check which did not respond to the 10 day course of antibiotics and so she still has the infection combined with bronchitis. I think she picks up so many things at the daycare and passes them on to her mother!! If anyone has any suggestions as to how to stay well when you are in daycare...I am all ears!!! On a brighter note....she is on her second course and is starting to appear a little bit better!!

Today Evan had a game this morning and won.....10 to 3. Did not get to go to this one due to tooo cold for mom and little sister! I did hear that he did steal home....he has the uniform to prove it....lol A couple of weeks ago he started pitching and did a very good job at his first time out....I think the parents are more nervous watching!

After baseball Evan and I decided to take Julia for her first haircut...she was looking kind of shaggy. I am trying to grow her hair out in the back but needed a clean up. We go to a kids salon that does a tremendous job. Julia was not too fond of getting her haircut but was mesmerized when they started blowing bubbles at her. She picked the pink sports car to sit in.

They did put a hair clip in....without her knowing....hope she will keep it in for the day.

John's brother Jim is in town from New York so we are meeting up with him tonight at Johns parents for dinner. Jim brought Julia the cutest turtle...its back lights up with stars that project on the wall and it has pictures of various sea creatures that light up as well...Julia loves it!!

I have been enjoying all of my travel mates blogs.....I am hoping to plan a reunion at Disney world in a few years if anyone would be interested!