Height Doesn't Matter, Does It?

It's official... I'm on my way to becoming the shortest person in my family, something that I'm almost positive will happen to me someday. It's okay... At 5'4", I've always been shorter than most of my friends and family members. I'm use to it. But I can't believe that one of my own children is taller than me now. We just realized last month that Spencer was gaining on me. This last year, he has shot up like a weed!! I've had a hard time keeping up with his pants/shirt sizes! I'm just glad that I have two other boys who will someday benefit from the size 14 clothes that Spencer only wore for a few months!

I predict that Spencer will be between 5'10" and 6"0" someday.
He doesn't like my guess - He says he will definitely be OVER 6'0"!

It's been a little while....

I have been so, so, soooo busy lately with my job and managing a household. (With those things alone, I don't know how I get anything else done sometimes...) So, blogging has been on the bottom of my to-do list for some time now. But, I have finally updated it for anyone interested in our life and seeing what we've been up to for the past 7 months!! I have published about 14 -15 posts, dating all the way back to the September 2009 (Alex's baptism, Logan's B-day, Halloween, Christmas, and more.... up until Easter last week). It will be in backwards order, but please take a peek, and enjoy. We have had a productive year, and still really want to keep our family and friends in the loop. We're sorry we've been out of touch.

Hopefully I will be able to keep it updated. Here's to hoping!
Love you all -- Julie

Easter 2010

The kids colored 4 dozen Easter eggs this year -- The most we have ever made!! At first we were afraid we made too many, and that they wouldn't all get eaten. We thought we would be too tired of boiled eggs, but the kids ate them for breakfast all week, and when they were gone, asked for more!

On Easter morning, the kids jumped out of bed to find their Easter baskets filled. All the boys got a lego set. Jessica got a giant and soft stuffed bunny. She also got some jewelery.

Then the kids went on an Easter egg/candy hunt around the house. They had soooo much candy, enough that we thought it would be around until summer vacation, but after only one week, most of it is gone!!! Wow!

March 14, 2010 - Spencer's 14th Birthday

FOURTEEN YEARS OLD! Wow!! Now Spencer is a teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood, and can go to stake dances, will go on a high adventure camp-out this summer, he's a year away from driver's training, and five years away from a mission! Yipes! What happened to all the years? We are so proud that he has grown into an incredibly well-mannered, respectful, righteous, and handsome young man.

Spencer's birthday landed on a Sunday this year, but we had a fun weekend going to the Piston's BB game on Friday and seeing a movie on Saturday. He requested foil dinners for his birthday dinner and a lemon cake with rainbow sherbet for dessert. He got some really good presents. He had a good day!

He got a really cool stereo system for his bedroom.

A digital drum set

Drum sticks

The second book in the "Inkheart" series that he's reading
(G-ma & G-pa Dyal gave him the third book a few days later in the mail).

G-ma & G-pa Williams gave him a $50 gift card to Hollister.
(Spencer's favorite clothing store where he got 4 t-shirts a few days later.)

What happened to all the years??
(Spencer on his 1st birthday - March 14, 1997)

March Madness 2010 - Piston's Basketball Game

March 12, 2010 -- During the weekend of Spencer's birthday, we took the family to a Piston's basketball game. Before the game, Alex and Logan had the opportunity to shoot a few baskets on the basketball court and watch the players warm up while sitting on court-side seats. It was awarded to both of them because they sold enough tickets for a school fundraiser. Cool, huh? But when the game started, we were back up to our upper deck seats -- but still a good view of the game. The kids loved eating hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and cotton candy. We had a great time!!

Alex and Logan on some court side seats watching the Pistons warm up before the game.

Alex about to shoot a basket

Our family at the game
We had front row seats on the upper deck.

Logan watching the game from above.
BTW - Pistons won 101 - 87

Mid-Winter Break -- Kalahari Waterpark

Every year in February, the kids get an entire week off of school called "mid-winter break". We try to do something fun every year during mid-winter break. This year, we took a few days and stayed in Sandusky, Ohio in the largest indoor water park resort in the world, called Kalahari. We had an amazing time. We stayed there 3 days and 2 nights. Josh took work off to spend it with us. It is a toasty 80 degrees inside with so much to see and do! We didn't even get everything done in one day.. It took us two days to see everything! We also had a really amazing suite, with kitchen and fireplace. We can't wait to go back again someday!

http://www.kalahariresorts.com/oh/

Alex's Trip to Walt Disney World

I have promised all of my kids that one day I would take them on their own special trip with me to Disney World.... Well, 2 down now (Jessica, Alex) and 2 more to go (Spencer, Logan).

This was Alex's trip. My parents let us stay with them in their hotel room -- "All Star Movie Resort" in Walt Disney World. Kristen also came up from Fort Lauderdale with her two boys, Seth and Justin. It was so fun, but very, very cold. They were saying record cold temperatures in the Orlando area! Hopefully we will never come down to Florida when it is that cold again! We like it when it is warm a lot, lot better! But, we were in Walt Disney World, and you can't NOT have fun in Walt Disney World, no matter what! And we did!!

Checking into the hotel

Our first day at Disney was at Animal Kingdom
Alex in front of the Tree of Life. This was the nicest and warmest day by far. (It was still pretty chilly though.) Alex and I arrived late (after lunch), but were able to do all the big rides and shows. Everyone else opted out that day.

Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom
Alex was very nervous to ride this extremely fun but fast roller-coaster. After quite a few pep talks, I convinced him to go and he LOVED it!!

Alex took this picture of me in Asia in Animal Kingdom
(Notice the gloves and several layers... It was cold that evening!)

Our second day was Hollywood Studios
Kristen and Julie with an army guy from Toy Story

One of our favorite rides - Toy Story Mania

Julie's favorite ride in all of Disney World
The Hollywood Tower of Terror!

Our third day was Epcot
Quite a bit colder today, and rainy too!

Stopping for lunch at the China pavilion in the World Showcase
Alex and Julie with the Mickey rain jackets we purchased to stay dry.

Our fourth and last day was the Magic Kingdom.
This was by far the coldest day we were at WDW. It was bitterly cold. Attendance was also low, so we thought the zero to little wait in line was worth it.

Alex with Goofy and Donald

Alex's favorite ride at WDW -- Space Mountain
We rode it 4 times that day!

Alex's favorite Disney character - Stitch
Alex was so happy to see him! With no one waiting in line to see him... even better!

Like I said, Alex's favorite character. Justin and Alex loved these guys!

Alex and Justin on the tea cups