Mommy takes a cruise!

In February of 2010 Diane Norwood, Kim Bryant and Darlene Miller took a cruise with me to the Bahamas. The day started with a call from Kim at 0545 while I was still driving to the airport, she was running up to the door to get on her plane and the lady closed it right in front of her. She then proceeded to go and buy a new ticket on another airline that would hopefully get her there in time. I arrived in Atlanta late because of mechanical difficulties and as soon as I got off the plane I went to a ticket counter far away from all the craziness surrounding my planes arrival and asked the person if I could get on the next flight to Ft. Lauderdale since I missed my flight. She got me a seat on a plane leaving in 15 minutes. I made it on and now was just worried if we could get to the boat on time. I arrived and went straight to the baggage claim and found the van people that transport us to the ship, I was the last one to arrive and the van didn't really want to wait for my luggage and I didn't know if it would make it anyway. Kim had arrived and was waiting for me on the van. My bag arrived and we made it with plenty of time. Diane and Darlene had drinks ready for us when we entered the ship and we had a relaxing 4 days. We ate great food, sat out on the desk and got some sun with goose bumps, read our kindle's, shopped and just enjoyed ourselves.
It was a great get away!

Christmas 2009

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The year of the pink motorcyles! Santa brought the girls motorcycles this year and left them under the tree. The spend the entire morning riding them upstairs and then the entire evening riding them downstairs. Julia received a jumpy jump and enjoyed jumping on that for a long time. Sydney's tummy was upset that morning so we traded off going to church without the girls and by 1030 she was feeling better and ready to open her presents. There of course were big piles of stuff from mom, dad, nana and papa so it took a while but we sat back and just watched while taking pictures.

The girls received sleds which Julia really enjoyed watching TV in and even taking a nap that afternoon. Sydney received roller blades and was in the basement trying them out immediately. She really enjoys them and is getting ready for the roller rink.
Grandma Eve and Granddaddy arrived the next week with a trunk full of presents, Christmas seems to go on forever in this house. Uncle TC and Aunt Jenn also sent a big box of presents that the girls just loved.

Julia's 2nd birthday

We had a little pizza party birthday for Julia at our house and had a great time. Mike, Hattie, Molly, Winnie, Grandpa and Margie were here to celebrate. When it came time to cut the cake after singing to the birthday girl, she wasn't going to allow that to happen. She was so excited with her Nemo cake that she wouldn't let me take it away or put a knife anywhere close to the cake. Grandpa even tried to get her to taste it so she would want to eat some but she wasn't interested. At one point we thought everyone would leave without being able to eat any cake but then I convinced her to let me cut the top of the cake. We then opened presents and Julia got lots of goodies. One of her favorite presents was Mrs. Potato head from Winnie but the best part was that Grandpa thought the hands and arms should all be in the right place but Julia didn't want them all in the right place and they kind of faught about it. It was funny to watch and made everyone laugh.
I almost forgot that on Julia's birthday morning she received a new train set from us and she loved it. She played with it that morning and then got busy flossing her teeth. I was able to capture about 100 pictures of this because we were trying to get one for the office and she was too cute that morning.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2009 was celebrated at Grandpa and Margie's house this year with most of the family and friends in attendance. Grandpa, Margie, Mike, Hattie, Molly, Collin,Ron, Deborah, Bill, Rhonda, Kelsey and Brett McCarthy. It was a nice holiday for us to be home and one of the best parts was to spend the holiday weekend at our house and we enjoyed the long weekend. Harry and I went to the UFS for the wine tasting on Saturday with Margaret and it was a good time.

Daddy Daughter Dance

The Daddy Daughter dance is one of the highlights of the school year. Harry and Sydney went shopping the weekend before and picked out the perfect dress for the event. The corsage and botineir were ordered and they dinner was planned. Sydney got to pick where to eat and of course she picked McDonald's. The night was a great time and Daddy carried his date into the house asleep. She had so much fun and can't wait to do it again.

The bike crazy madwomen!

The girls are bike crazy this spring and we have only had a handful of days which we could ride our bikes. Julia got it, you know what I mean within a couple days of nice weather this spring she officially understands how to pedal a bike. I remember when Sydney got it February 2007 when we returned from a trip to the US. It is so much fun to do a lap around our neighborhood and Julia be able to ride her bike with only a little help, she does get worn out after one lap but it is a quarter of a mile so I will give her little 2 year old legs a break. Sydney just enjoys going down the hill as fast as possible.
I hope to get my bike ready soon and put a seat on it so we can all ride this summer. Sydney is quite the little roller skater also. She got them for Christmas and has been skating in the basement for months, Julia really wants to skate too so she may be getting some for Easter or something. Anything to be like her big sister.

The things we learn at Church!

Since we arrived in Japan we have been attending church every weekend. It has become a way of life, which it should be but wasn't. While in Japan Harry converted to Cathothism and Julia also was baptized. Now we are all Catholic and enjoying our church. Sydney has started at St. Thomas the Apostle grade school last August and she really enjoys the school. We are enjoying meeting people there and getting to know other families. Last Sunday at church Sydney said to me "the people with grey or silver hair will be going to heaven soon." She has been learning about heaven a lot at school and talks about how we should all go there soon.
We like that she is teaching us prayers that we didn't know like Angel of God, which is now one of my favorite prayers and I even caught her hoola hooping and praying.