Merry Mismiss!

Lights Lights Lights

This has been a very busy month for us. We were able to go to the lighting of downtown Miami Lakes. They turned out all of the lights on the street, and then Santa, Mrs. Claus and two helpers threw the switch that lit up the whole town. It was a beautiful sight and I am so glad we got to see it. 

      A couple days ago we were coming home from some shopping and Kathy decided to take us on a little detour. We had gone to this place called "Chuck's corner" two years ago and we wanted to take Julia. We got there a few minutes before it started and a sleepy Julia was trying to figure out why we were stopped on the side of the road, but when the show started she thought it was awesome. We were all smiling and it was the perfect end to a great day. I hope you all are doing well. 

Love,

John

Julia and Mommy watching the light show

Julia and Daddy watching the lights.

I had to wake her up but she thought it was worth it.

HI

Hanging with Mommy waiting for the show to start

Practicing pulling Santa's beard. 

Not too sure about Santa this year. She will love him from a distance. 

Santa and Mrs. Claus about to light up Main Street.

Here we go!

Isn't it beautiful.

Happy girls.

Muah!

Bethlehem - Parts 1 & 2

'Tis the season to be inspired by all that God has provided us and the sacrifices made for us. This month was the annual Bethlehem Bash at our church. This includes games, bounce houses, snow piles, petting zoo, and crafts for the kiddos. Then a live re-enactment of the Nativity story. We had a lot of fun with Julia and the snow this year.

It's snowing in Miami Lakes. Courtesy of 2 Semi trucks, 10 tons of ice,
and a large grinder.

Dearest Santa: When a child is nervous PRIOR to sitting on your lap,
it's best not to come across the room and try to remove her
from her mother's arms. She may like you on Sundays
without your beard - but seriously - don't chase the children!

Julia holding a snowball!

This picture made me laugh. She was smiling and laughing the
entire time she held the snowball. This looks like she was in pain.
Don't worry Grandmas, she never held the snowball for over 30 seconds.
Her hands were just fine!

Our second event this month was called Bethlehem Revisited. You can find more information here. http://www.bethlehemrevisited.com/ . In their words, "First United Methodist Church of Coral Springs, invites you to step back in time to

 Bethlehem Revisited, a living interactive recreation of the town of Bethlehem as it appeared 2000 years ago.

Over 150 participants take part in a class, which demonstrates the customs, politics and manner of dress of the era so that they can remain in character during the Bethlehem Revisited performance.

Our historic recreation includes a walled city in which we use more than 30,500 square feet of lumber to construct. Authentic shops and their owners who are eager to show you their wares and demonstrate how they are made. You will also find livestock, Roman soldiers, storytellers, musicians, and a Living Nativity."

This event was so wonderful. This was the last year they were ever doing it and we found out just in time to go on the very last day. This experience was just amazing and chilling too. As we waited in line, Roman soldiers came by to yell at us and soldiers on horses paced back and forth. We were transported back to the City of Bethlehem on the day of Jesus' birth. As we entered the city gates, a wonderful woman told us the good news of the savior's birth as shared to her by the angels. Upon entrance into the city, we were directed to have the male head of household register our name for the Census (the reason Joseph had to return to Bethlehem was that a census and taxes were to be collected for Cesar). Then we heard from a Jewish priest about the rumor of a savior being born and how we should look for him. Then we were able to stroll through the market place of Bethlehem. There were booths for every kind of job. Each booth had workers who could tell us all about their trade and/or craft. We had fresh bread that had been baked in the fire after watching how the grain was ground and dough made. We learned about olive oil, paper production, perfume (we got to smell myrrh and frankincense), candle-making, basket-weaving, and how the blacksmith turned the Roman swords into plows and fruit pickers (like a staff) for their farmers. We met the butcher, the shepards, the musicians, and the inn-keeper. Then we got to see the lovely new family - Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Such a beautiful little baby. So thankful for the opportunity to connect to the story in this way.

Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. With angels behind them.

A menacing Roman soldier. He kept yelling about me using

magic to take his picture. Oh, and tell the whole group that we,

"smelled like sheep"

The three wise men. Just outside the city gates preparing to follow the star.

Hearing the news of the arrival from the shepherds.

 John signing the census

The butcher. All animals were currently alive or recently deceased.

The turkey was alive and creeped me out! But the duck and fish

on his plate were very very recently dead.

The inn-keeper telling us his side. He begged the Roman Soldiers

to make room for Joseph and his pregnant wife, but they refused.

They said "Make way for Rome" and left Mary and Joseph to 

sleep in the stable.

Monthly Photo Shoot

The last couple months have been hard because Julia has not wanted to sit in the chair and pose. This month she learned to say cheese and smile at the camera! Oh wait a difference. Pictures session was quick and fast with some AWESOME pictures!

Chhheeeeese!

Wow, those feet are soooo big!!

It looks like Lenny with antlers! ($6 at Target Aunt Christy!)

Goofy girl!

I'm in love with this girl!!

She noticed that her glow sticks were over on the dresser...
Photo shoot was wrapped!!

Hanging Out Part Duex

Here are some great videos that we want to share!

She was a little funny with the camera on - but I'm so so proud

of all her great animal noises. The list gets longer and longer everyday!

I can't even keep them straight in my head anymore. 

**Note: The elephant is a trumpet and she's moving her arms like a trunk....really**

Going downhill at the play place. She was chasing after a blowing

leaf. Our leaves have just started to fall and she loves to collect them!

We entitled this one, "Don't mess with the Julia!'. 

Hanging Around

Well, with an almost 1.5 year old running around the house, there isn't much of it - but here's what been happening when we've been just hanging around the house!!

Who could say no to that face??

"Huggy hug"

Maybe this makes me a bad mom....

But I didn't do it alone..

Who are we kidding? She loved it!

She has been asking to "Cha-wer". So she colored while
Mommy did some work on her computer! 

PONYTAIL! I just loved this complete pony.

It changed the look of her face to have her hair completely back!

There is Julia's BIG bug bite on her right arm. She's still healing up
because she likes to pick the scab. You'll see a lot of long sleeve shirts...

Thanks for this gorgeous dress Grandma Ortiz. We are off to church!

Ponytail. This shirt is a 3T!!!! Lots of extra room in the sides
but it just barely covered her belly! We pulled it out early
because we needed more long sleeve shirts.

Also a 3T shirt we pulled out for the long sleeves. This is
really a PJ shirt so it's super tight but I think it looked
great with jeans!

Red nose from drinking my cold sippy cup of milk super fast!

Our score! We got a last minute call from a friend the other day saying that our
little town of Miami Lakes was holding a bike safety rally! They were
giving away all kinds of prizes and information - but they were fitting and
giving EVERYONE free helmets! We got there just 5 minutes from the end but
we were able to get fitted and try on helmets! Thanks so much Miami Lakes -
The Lows will be styling on their bikes.

Rocking the piggies!

Front piggies!

She was starving!! She ate a whole plate of spaghetti and
broccoli and then asked for more! She finished this whole
squeeze tube of corn too!

She wasn't scared! I promise. This is the only picture I could
grab at our free classes at The Little Gym. She loved doing this
and wanted the teacher to help her do this over and over.
We had a great time at The Little Gym but I think joining will be just
too expensive for now. But they played great games and helped
Julia achieve some new physical skills too. We also learned
the sign language for a lot of colors!

Off to church again! Thanks for this pretty dress too Grandma Ortiz!

Some 1/2 naked drumming after our glow stick bath!

Thanks to Mema & Papa for the wonderful drum kit. It's
currently my favorite toy. I especially love the little maracas!