Again the weeks have gone by so fast here in Miami! I've had some good time off so I was able to spend some quality time with my girls. Kath, Danielle, and Anna cut out, baked, and decorated 140+ Christmas cookies. Kath also made 5 dozen Pumpkin Apple Cinnamon muffins. Then we played Santa's Elves and delivered them to some of our neighbors and friends from church. The girls did an awesome job decorating the cookies and there are some pictures on Facebook if you haven't seen them.
Last weekend, we did our Christmas party with our Miami friends. We did a secret Santa gift exchange. Kath got another bead for her charm bracelet and I got a Costco size box of popcorn, Costco size jar of nuts, and movie tickets, and a babysitter for movie night! We had a great time and Kath cooked a huge 10lb ham for everyone.
We went to church on Christmas Eve. It was a nice service and we sang some carols then made joyful noises with silver bells. Julia loved ringing her bell and making lots of noise at church. After that we had been invited to the home of one of our Church families for a shrimp boil. I didn't know what to expect, but I liked what I saw when we got there. Outside there was a big pot on a burner (the same thing that Chad uses to fry a turkey). In the pot went chicken, sausage, shrimp, crab legs, corn, potatoes, and seasoning. Everything was delicious especially Kathy's appetizers that she made. Even though we were out late Julia did great and even slept in her carrier for the last hour or so. Then it was home and off to bed so that Santa would come.
To our delight, Santa did come and filled the bottom of our tree all the way up to the branches! I couldn't wait for Julia to wake up so she could have her first Christmas. Kathy made a yummy breakfast casserole filled with leftover ham, sausage, onions, green peppers, hashbrowns, and eggs. While that cooked we dove into our pile of presents. Thank you everyone for all your thoughtful and awesome gifts. We really appreciate everything.
On Christmas morning, Julia also ate her first solids. Julia had some oatmeal for Christmas breakfast. She wasn't so sure she liked it but she managed to eat a couple spoon fulls and didn't make too much of a mess. After that, most of the day was spent relaxing. Jay came over for dinner and Christmas movies and Kath made pork chops, mashed potatoes, and veggies. We were sad that we couldn't spend Christmas with all of you but we had a great day.
Today we got up and headed off to church. Kath ended up doing all the readings. The pastor has a way of asking you without really asking, so all of a sudden she was reading. She did a great job and Julia and I listened from the audience. After church, the same family that invited us over Christmas Eve invited us to go to the Lions/Dolphins game. Kath opted to relax at home, but I took them up on their offer. They ended up having a sky box for this game so that was awesome for my first NFL game(that I remember anyway) and the Lions even pulled out a win! After the game I came home and got to play with my girls for a bit before one of them had to go to bed... Now it is about time for me to do the same. We love you all and hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. This will more than likely be the last blog in 2010. I'll see you in 2011.
Love you all,
John
We went to church on Christmas Eve. It was a nice service and we sang some carols then made joyful noises with silver bells. Julia loved ringing her bell and making lots of noise at church. After that we had been invited to the home of one of our Church families for a shrimp boil. I didn't know what to expect, but I liked what I saw when we got there. Outside there was a big pot on a burner (the same thing that Chad uses to fry a turkey). In the pot went chicken, sausage, shrimp, crab legs, corn, potatoes, and seasoning. Everything was delicious especially Kathy's appetizers that she made. Even though we were out late Julia did great and even slept in her carrier for the last hour or so. Then it was home and off to bed so that Santa would come.
To our delight, Santa did come and filled the bottom of our tree all the way up to the branches! I couldn't wait for Julia to wake up so she could have her first Christmas. Kathy made a yummy breakfast casserole filled with leftover ham, sausage, onions, green peppers, hashbrowns, and eggs. While that cooked we dove into our pile of presents. Thank you everyone for all your thoughtful and awesome gifts. We really appreciate everything.
On Christmas morning, Julia also ate her first solids. Julia had some oatmeal for Christmas breakfast. She wasn't so sure she liked it but she managed to eat a couple spoon fulls and didn't make too much of a mess. After that, most of the day was spent relaxing. Jay came over for dinner and Christmas movies and Kath made pork chops, mashed potatoes, and veggies. We were sad that we couldn't spend Christmas with all of you but we had a great day.
Today we got up and headed off to church. Kath ended up doing all the readings. The pastor has a way of asking you without really asking, so all of a sudden she was reading. She did a great job and Julia and I listened from the audience. After church, the same family that invited us over Christmas Eve invited us to go to the Lions/Dolphins game. Kath opted to relax at home, but I took them up on their offer. They ended up having a sky box for this game so that was awesome for my first NFL game(that I remember anyway) and the Lions even pulled out a win! After the game I came home and got to play with my girls for a bit before one of them had to go to bed... Now it is about time for me to do the same. We love you all and hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. This will more than likely be the last blog in 2010. I'll see you in 2011.
Love you all,
John
ummm thumb
Julia at the end of her nap. Notice the sock on the floor and her "Please free me" look!
Always smiley when she wakes up.
Julia has become very good at eating her toes. That is how we know it's time to feed her ! =)
We leave her for one minute and she is wearing her mirror as a hat.
Opening an early Christmas present from Aunt Alison.
It's an awesome new giraffe jacket with matching bows!
Julia sitting up on her own!
She is learning how to pet Dagny. Dagger is very excited about the future.
Very cute "what did I do" face. You can really see the curls in this one.
Julia had oatmeal for the first time on Christmas morning.
Not quite sure how she feels about it.
Atleast it wasn't too messy!
Julia's stuffed animal collection
Chillin with my peeps.
Kathy's beautiful and delicious Christmas ham.
One of Julia's Christmas dresses (from Aunt Diane). It is very cute on her!
The stockings were hung by the game cabinet with care..
Julia left some cookies and a note ...."Dear Santa, Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus! I love you both! Julia"
Our tree on Christmas morning.
Before the festivities began.
Opening her first Santa present on Christmas day
Shes having fun! 
"What is it Mommy?"
"It doesn't matter I found something to put in my mouth!" But it's a beautiful ornament from Uncle Dave and Aunt Christy.
It's a cool shirt from Uncle Dave and Aunt Christy.
New books for Christmas 
This one is soft. 
Dagny even got some new toys for Christmas. 
Kath got some new Pandora too! 
More presents but she doesn't want to give up her elephant. 
Santa brought me lots of things to make me smell better. I guess I should take the hint...
A cool new shirt from Mom O
Kathy's new book - Shopaholic Mini from Julia.
Julia loves her sock elephant.
The haul this year!
Dagny sniffing out her new present. What is it?
A new bone of course.
The girls exhausted after present opening and breakfast!
