Julia, Puppy, and Fish

This is a video of Julia sharing her goldfish crackers with the mutt.

Strange, but wonderful compliments

About two weeks ago at the grocery store, I got a few very interesting compliments. Julia and I were running some errands and grabbing some quick groceries. I always use the time at the store to talk to Julia since we are face to face. I talk about what we are buying and looking for. Colors, names, etc. We passed a grandmotherly aged woman while I was talking to Julia about finding the yellow bananas. She passed us, stopped her cart and came back. She told me that it was so wonderful to see a mom talking to her daughter. Before I could say anything she walked away. Julia was holding on to a new package of baby goldfish (her favorite snack besides fruit). When we got to the register, I loaded the rest of the items onto the belt while another lady was checking out. I then asked Julia if I could have the fish to give to the lady. Julia handed the fish to me and I said "Thank you". The young girl at the cash register (no more than 20) smiled and told me how nice it was to see a parent be respectful of their child! She said she always sees parents just yelling or grabbing items out of their children's hands.
These compliments sure felt great - but also made me feel sad. Is no one else talking to their kids or taking the time to use the manners we want to teach? Just some food for thought - I may only have 1 child, but I sure have learned that they grow up too fast and I wouldn't want to miss any of these opportunities.

_Kathy

The Swagger Wagon

We've moved in already! 8 seats to fill. Power sliding doors

Julia's carseat actually fits AND someone can still sit in the front seat!! Middle seat folds down to be an arm rest and cup holders. Middle seat can come out or push all the way forward.

Cloth seats and armrests!

Sideview

The rear end!

The front end. I have to get used to having a nose on my car!
Color is called Smoky Topaz. It's a grey with brown undertones.
Steering wheel with controls. Outdoor temperature, door indicators. Eco system to help get better gas mileage and be more efficient.
Dual air controls. Awesome car stereo that holds 18 CDs in a memory storage. You no longer have to carry the cds with you. It also has an Ipod connection. Plugs to charge the phone and storage. On the very bottom is the cool box for waters/etc.

Hi

It has been a quick month since we have been home, I can't believe how fast the time flies. First off we had an awesome time in Michigan with all of our family and friends. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect long weekend with everyone. Thank you to everyone who made it all possible. I can't believe Julia is already one. We had an awesome time at her party with all of you who could make it. Also, congrats to Dave, Christy and Olivia on the Baptism. It was great to see the huge turnout at Church in support of Olivia. After we got home we had a week to get things settled down. That Saturday while I was in Honduras I found out I was needed in Puerto Rico and I was leaving the next night. I ended up spending two weeks there. It was beautiful and I had an apartment on the beach, but I missed my girls at home very much. And to make things harder Julia got her first real fever. Her temperature was up for four days. Not only was it hard on Julia, but it took a lot out of Kathy too. One thing that made it easier was we found a program called "Tango" which allows us to call each other over the Internet, and use the video cameras on our phones so we can see each other too! I have a few pics from P.R. that I will try to get up soon. In other news we got a new car today. Kathy got her birthday present early when we went into the Honda dealer just to look around and we fell in love with a Honda Odyssey. We love it and we finally have room for all of us including Dagny who won't have to share the backseat with me the next time we all drive home. Pictures will be up tomorrow, we didn't have very good light today after everything was all said and done ( we were there for about seven hours in total) Julia did awesome having to spend all day in a showroom. We did end up dropping her off with a babysitter while we finished the paper work because she was getting restless. I can't wait to take the family for a spin tomorrow and check everything out. Well that's enough excitement for one night. Love you all.
John
P.S. I posted a ton of new pictures a few minutes ago. You can find them by clicking older post.

Pictures Pictures Pictures

Kathy's duckies before we left for Michigan

Julia staring off into the distance.

She could have a career as a sumo wrestler.

Our little artist.

rain rain go away.

relaxing on her walk.

MMMMMM cake.

Checking her email already.

C is for cookie.

Julia cupper hands.

Come on dad, lets go for a walk.

Kath directing Julia.

She loves her puppy

She'll be a Michigan girl yet.

Relaxing at the water park.

The kiddie waterslide was still pretty fast. Kath and Julia went down together.

Pretty girl.

How did I get a one year old?

Her own plane ticket.



It was an EARLY flight.



Hi cousin.

Watchya doing in there Ty?

Hi Uncle.

All the grandbabies.

What are they doing to my baby?

I love you sis!

I think this should go on IFL's new brochures.

The Convair.

Fourth generation!?!?

Daddy's co-pilot.

Even FDR hangs out at IFL.

I love you Aunt Carin.

Nap time with Pepa.

Bath time?

New show "baby swap"

Pretty girls!

Get ready for this Dave.

Kiss Kiss

She's not sure about this.

Where did you go?

Kids time with Grandma.

All the way from China.

What a cute family.

All together finally.

All the Grandma's

The girls playing together.

Hanging with Uncle Fred.

Where did Trey go?

Has anyone seen my shirt?

Kathy worked on this since before O was born. I guess she is going to have to start another one soon.

Who better to teach her about basketball.

Happy Birthday Julia!

There she is the Birthday girl!

All smiles.

The little bees.

HI Mema.

All the beautiful cakes.

What? you didn't think I could dance?

The bee boys.

The pull string pinata.

Mia got it.

Chugging contest.

We had special cakes for all the July birthdays.

I think she likes it.

Yup she does.

Pepa was handing out roses.

Ty loved the giggly book.

Her Minni mouse dress.

The Barkers.

We are so proud of our girl.

Thank you for all your hard work Aunt Anna. I hope you kept the hat it looks good on you!

Trying to break into her presents.

Aaaaand she's out.