Jack Turns 2!!!

Happy Birthday Jack! I know you will enjoy being 2 years old and try to take it easy on your mommy and daddy! Thank you for inviting us today to your birthday party. The girls and I had so much fun playing with you and all of your friends! You are a special boy and I am thankful we have the chance to watch you grow into a little man. Just close your eyes and hold on tight...life goes by too quickly! Before you know it, the Martin girls will be saying good bye and missing all these moments!

By the way, tell your parents they did a great job with the party. The food, cake and goody bags were perfect! You are lucky to have them as parents!

Happy Birthday Sweetie Pie! We love you!

Love,

Julie, Lillian and Lydia

Swimming in January???

Yes, that is right! The Martin and Pardue Clan hit the Hampton Inn swimming pool this morning. I know what you are thinking....Julie in a bathing suit in January??? It was scary and not something I really wanted to do, but being a mom you just do what you have to do and try not to look too hard in the mirror! :)

But, it was a lot of fun! The kiddos enjoyed being in the water and splashing around and it isn't too often you get to swim in January. So, we took advantage of it and Lydia even enjoyed herself too. She stayed in the water most of the time too which is a big change from the summer. Normally, she would stay in ten minutes and be done, but I kept working with her today while the girls were jumping in from the side. Lillian enjoyed the freedom of swimming with her swim belt and has improved. Wade enjoyed hanging out on the stairs and playing with the swim toys. And Sherri...she just hung out on the sidelines and was glad she wasn't me! :)

We came back to our house for lunch and naptime for Lydia. Lydia was having so much fun and didn't want to nap even though her little body needed it today. She took a two hour nap and we all played outside for the most part while she was sleeping. It was a beautiful sunny day and we couldn't ask for more! We rode the Barbie jeep, rode bikes and scooters. Then, when Lydia woke up, we hit the park for more afternoon fun!

Now, Lillian is taking a bath and Maggie is singing on the Wii. It is sleepover time and the party is just beginning in the Martin household. Lydia is asleep and Sherri and Wade are at the hotel. Time for nails, toenails and popcorn! Maybe some Hannah Montana too! Good night and sleep tight! We are still rockin!

Love you all!

Julie

The Pardue Family Arrives in TEXAS!!!

Welcome to Texas Sherri, Maggie and Wade! Our GREAT friends for Fort Riley, KS came for a visit this weekend. They arrived in town yesterday and it wasn't easy getting here with a canceled flight and being stranded in Houston, TX. So, they pursued and drove the last three hours from Houston to Temple to get here to see us!

We were thrilled to see their smiling faces! We were all stationed together at Fort Riley and we PCSed here and they went to Fort Jackson, SC. It has been over two years since we have seen one another. They all look amazing! Wade is no longer a baby as when we left Riley and has grown into a handsome little boy. His big belly has faded away and he has little muscles now...I do miss that baby belly! And Maggie is a beautiful young lady. She is taller now too and looks like a sweet little girl!

Maggie even lost a tooth tonight! She has already lost four teeth and her fifth one came out tonight as we were saying good bye. Lillian couldn't believe it and loved seeing the tooth. You all know that Lillian wants a loose tooth soooo bad!!! It made Lillian's night and now the tooth fairy gets to see Maggie tonight too in Temple, Texas. I hope she finds her!

Lillian and Lydia have been having such a wonderful time playing with their friends. This is the first time they have met Lydia and they are in agreement with everyone else in their opinion- busy body, too much, a pistol and too stinking cute! Lydia has been on her best behavior and already has Sherri in love with her! Wade, well he could take her or leave her. He just wants her to stop playing with all his toys! hee hee

Everyone is enjoying seeing one another and it has been awesome having Sherri here again. It is like we never left. It is great talking with her and I can't believe she is really here and our time is so short together. They leave first thing Monday morning. I really miss seeing her and talking with her like when we were stationed at Fort Riley. Good friends and good times! THE BEST!

Today, we ventured out to the Planetarium in Killeen. We have never gone, but it was great! We watched a Sesame Street movie about stars and the moon and it was awesome. It is hard to explain, but it is like a laser light show. Then, we went out to lunch and hit the go karts, putt putt and bumper boats.

Sherri can't get over how much Lydia eats. She ate a grilled cheese sandwich, fries, two sides of mandarin oranges, sweet apples and a brownie for lunch today. She was the last one eating! She is a mess! Lydia did great at the amusement park and hung in there like a champ considering she missed her nap and couldn't really do much at the park. Sherri and Lillian won first place in go karts! :) It was a fun afternoon and filled with laughter, good friends and now good memories!

We are off to swim at the hotel in the morning and then hit the park in the afternoon. Thank you God for this gorgeous weather!!! And thank you for this special visit!!

Love you all!

Julie

Lydia wins a CONTEST!

Today, I found out that Lydia won her first photo contest! I entered her into the Preschoolian shoe contest at the advice of a good friend- Nikki. You just have to send in a picture of your child wearing the shoes. It is that easy! And the shoes she is wearing were given to me by Nikki too! They used to be one of her daughter's shoes when she was a baby.

So, thanks to Nikki, Lydia won the contest and a free pair of shoes! And she needs a new pair! :) I am so proud of my little won for winning this contest. Of course, I always think she is the cutest think ever, but other people apparently do too! hee hee

WAY TO GO LYDIA JANE!!!!

Love you bunches!

Love,

Julie


http://preschoolians.com/photo-contest---1060