The Kings Arrive in Kansas!

After 10 1/2 LONG hours in the car driving from Austin, TX to Fort Leavenworth, KS, the Kings finally arrived! We were so excited to see them and it has been six months since we have all been together. We have been counting down the days until they would be here and the day finally came on Tuesday!

Nina, Ronnie, Veronica and Alyssa arrived late Tuesday night around 9:00pm. I didn't even tell the girls they would be here that night since it was past their bedtime and needed to get to bed. Plus, it was going to be a great surprise for Lillian in the morning and Lydia too!

Lillian was shocked when Veronica and Alyssa came walking up their stairs to say hello. She couldn't believe they were actually in KS! I couldn't either...I remember saying to Nina, "I can't believe you are really standing in front of me in my house!" It is FANTASTIC to have them here and I only wish they could stay longer. It has been awesome seeing Veronica and Alyssa again. They ran to me screaming my name and it almost made me cry. I miss watching them grow up and coming to family events. I can't believe what a difference 6 months can make, but they have changed a lot in that short time.

Veronica is beautiful, smart and charming. She is an amazing gymnast and always polite, reserved and kind. Alyssa is now a little girl and all signs of being a toddler are almost gone. She is still funny, stubborn and cute! Lydia adores Alyssa and takes her everywhere with her. Lydia is going to miss these girls just as much as Lillian when they have to leave this weekend! I never realized how much she would interact with them, but they disappear into the basement and just play, play and play some more. I have to check on them just to make sure everyone is alive!

We have enjoyed some outings too! We went bowling on Wednesday and ice skating this morning. It was Veronica and Alyssa's first time on ice skates. Veronica did great and hung in there for a long time. Of course, Lillian enjoyed her time too and this was her second time. The big girls stayed out and Alyssa and Lydia hung out with me. Alyssa tried, but the skates were too hard for her. So, we played outside and then went inside to play in the Crayola Playland. Everyone enjoyed their morning and even Nina skated too! Yep, chicken Nina hit the ice! ha ha Let's just say she didn't want to go back after we ate lunch at Fritz's this afternoon! :) But, Nina tried and that is all that matters!

Alyssa loved Fritz's. She loved the trains going around on the tracks and the food being delivered to you by train. Everyone enjoyed lunch and it was time for more play and the Chocolate Factory. Need I say more?

After coming home, then I took Nina out for an early birthday present. I won't get to see her on her birthday, so I wanted to do something special for her when she was here. We had a great afternoon shopping, sipping martinis and having dinner. Then, showtime began at the Martin Household. I made up a skit to the year Nina was born and included all the children. It was hysterical! Nina loved it...Veronica swam across the river, Alyssa was the Flower Child, Lydia said FAR OUT and Lillian was Marsha Marsha Marsha! They even did The Hustle at the end of the skit! ADORABLE!

So, now we are all off to dreamland. We had movie night tonight and I think the adults are more tired than the children. They slept over last night and all slept in one bed. You can imagine they went to bed late, played sleepover games and talked for over an hour in bed. So, tonight, they slept in their own beds and still managed to go to bed late and have movie night!

Tomorrow is T-Rex Cafe New Year Eve's Bash! So excited! Happy New Year! My year will end on a bang with having my awesome friend here! I have missed Nina so much and it is so great to laugh, talk and hang out again just like old times. I really miss her and so wish they didn't have to leave. Can't wait to see them again and this time we will come to Texas!!!

By the way, yes Nina is dying of cold here and is ready to be back in the sunny days of Texas!! ha ha

Love you all! May 2011 bring peace, love and happiness to you!

Julie

Merry Christmas To All!

Message From Santa Claus

If it were in my powers,
I would bring peace and love,
To this world of ours,
But I don't have magic enough,
I can cross the sky,
and pass by the stars,
But I can't seem to stop,
Any of hatred's wars,
I see children on the street,
With no hope left,
in the eyes.
So many homeless people
with no where to sleep.
And my heart cries.
I can't give the things they need,
Oh But God I would try.
I'm only a fantasy,
that once took wings to fly,
Some are deceived,
by the gifts that money can buy,
But those who truly believe,
see the gift with the heart,
not with the eye,
I sometime stop and go to my knees,
and pause,
and I too always pray,
That we will find a end to wars,
and live in peace one day.
For all those who believe in me,
I will continue my cause,
Across the stars,
over the wars,
On Christmas Eve,
For the hearts that still believe,
In Santa Claus

We love you all and wish for peace for everyone this year! We especially pray for the healing of baby Owen's fractures and that he may come home soon to be with his loving family. We also remember all of our friends who are not with their loved ones this year due to another deployment. May all the families be reunited soon! And to all my friends in Texas, I miss you more than you know!! It isn't the same without seeing the Chapa's and my friends at the holidays nor my family! We hope you all enjoyed this morning with your families and had safe travels wherever you ended up for the holidays!

Love you all!

The Martins

Twas the Night Before Christmas....

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads"

So, that is how it goes for us this evening too! We have stuffed stockings, wrapped presents, and placed everything in the perfect spot for Lillian and Lydia in the morning. I can't wait to wake up and see their reaction!

We did our normal tradition and let the girls open one present on Christmas Eve. They chose the one they got for each other and they did a great job shopping this year! Lillian gave Lydia a talking dog puppet and Lydia got Lillian crayons, fun pad, pencil and bath gels. They were so good to each other and it made me smile they chose those presents to open today!

We placed our magic reindeer food and carrots on the lawn for the reindeer. And if you can only imagine Lydia crying because we took her carrots for the reindeer. So hard to explain this concept to a 2 year old, but she finally gave in when I told her I would give her more for her bowl. You all know she is always eating! At least it is a carrot..this time!

Lillian made the Santa letter this year and even decorated it so nicely. We placed it on the kitchen table with the milk and cookies for Santa. I was going to place it on the coffee table, but Lillian said Santa would leave crumbs everywhere when he ate the cookies. The same 6 year old little girl would knocked over two bowls of goldfish this morning and just walked away? Huh? But, it was still cute and I followed orders!

We just got them to bed and said good bye to Oodle our Elf. He will ride home with Santa tonight in his sleigh and we won't see him until next year. The girls blew kisses to him! We read Twas the Night Before Christmas, sang We Wish you A Merry Christmas and Jingle Bells and tucked them in for the night. I wonder what they are dreaming about....Lillian presents and more presents...Lydia probably food and more food! :)

Rich and I are just about complete with the presents. Lydia's scooter is together and Rich raced off to a friends' house to pick up two presents I have been hiding for a while in their basement. You have to be smart these days! Rich almost blew it with wrapping my presents he bought me in the same paper I wrapped the presents from Santa. It was a close one tonight! Since when did kids get so bright??

Good night and Merry Christmas to everyone! I know everyone is having as much fun as me tonight. And Rich enjoyed being Santa eating those delicious cookies and I had to pretend to be a reindeer and go munch on some frozen carrots in 30 degree weather with a little snow on the ground! ha ha And a BIG thanks to Brian for writing a thank you note from Santa Clause to the girls (I couldn't write it or Rich since they are too smart for that now). They are going to love it! May all the children wake up with smiles on their faces in the morning and remember the true meaning of Christmas!

Love,

Julie

PS- Santa is officially in Durazno, Uruguay!!!! Come on SANTA!

Adenoid Surgery and First Dentist Visit??

Lillian had her adenoid surgery yesterday and tubes placed in her ears too. She was all smiles bright and early yesterday morning and won over all the doctors. She really just needed a drive to the hospital because she checked herself in, answered all the questions and even helped with her mask. They gave her a grape mask which she loved and a hair net too for her and her horse. She brought along with her her horse from the Dixie Stampede. The doctors even pretended to put the horse to sleep too!

It was pitiful watching her wake up, but that is the most painful part so far. All smiles going in, but now waiting until she is herself again. The doctor was able to drain a lot of fluid from her ears and even said her adenoids looks "scarred." The doctor even mentioned some children are able to come off allergy shots and all medicine! Lillian would love this and so would I! No more shots!! Lillian has been a trooper for 3 years getting shots every two weeks and not once crying, so she deserves this as a little Christmas present. Let's keep our fingers crossed! So glad to be home and done!

She is having a good day so far. We are back to playing with Lydia, fighting with Lydia, having multiple tantrums, stomping up stairs, slamming doors, crying and I would say almost completely back to normal as of 11:00am this morning!

We even managed to make it to Lydia's first dental appointment and Lillian's check up. Lydia just kept tantruming (is that even a word?) and saying she wasn't going to do it, didn't want to be there, told everyone no and peed on me. We just started potty training on Monday and I guess that is how she got even with me. So, had to clean dental chair and change her clothes all while Lillian was getting her dental x-rays. It has been a fun morning! And then, the dentist asks me if Lydia cooperates while brushing her teeth! Really? Didn't you just get a small dose of my everyday life?? But, at least no one has cavities and we managed to count Lydia's teeth and get fluoride too. The dentist office these days are great! This place has a video room, coffee room and silent rooms where you can't hear the 2 year olds screaming!! I need one of those rooms now! PLEASE SANTA!

So, enough of my sarcasm. We love you all!

Julie

One Weekend of Fun and Exhaustion!

So, it was worth it! But, now we are all home and somehow I am more tired than any of the other three people in this house! :) It could be because I am feeling a little under the weather the past few days and just tired from trying to keep up this crazy pace of the holidays. But, now we are all home and will sleep in our beds tonight!

The weekend started by going to Lillian's Award Ceremony from her play. The director hosted a Red Carpet Attire after party. It included a walk on the red carpet, dinner, awards and a dance. Lillian won two awards for her role in a Christmas Carol. She won Shining Star Award and Miss Jr. Congeniality Award. I was so proud of her especially since her peers voted on these awards. She was so happy and proud of herself. She received a certificate, crown and trophy and it was her night!

Then, we had to come home to get some sleep. We headed off to Branson, MO yesterday. It is four hours from here and we were ready to visit Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. It was so fun! The building is tremendous and was beautifully decorated for the holidays. We got to watch the preshow which was so entertaining for us and the kiddos...the kiddos didn't get all the humor, but loved the juggling acts. We headed in for the main event and had awesome seats!

The Christmas show started and it opened up with a man shooting out from the door standing split leg on two horses. It was perfect! Lydia is so into horses right now and this show was perfect for her and Lillian too. The horses did so many acts, tricks and races. It was awesome being a part of the show and it was North versus South. We were part of the North and we lost by one medal. But, it was fun! The show included kids racing chickens, pigs racing pigs and jumping hurdles, couples racing on pony sticks and of course the normal acts. It was pure fun!

The dinner was hands only! No silverware at all! You drank soup from a bowl, tore your chicken off the bone and ate a baked potato with your hands too! I don't think the girls ate one bite, but Rich and I enjoyed the meal. The girls were too entranced with the show which was fine by me! The show ended and we went past the stables to meet all the horses.

Then, off to the drive through holiday light show. It took a while to get inside, but once we were in, then the pace picked up. It was a nice show and smaller than the one at Fort Hood, but great for the girls. It was past bedtime anyways and we were all getting tired.

We headed back to the hotel and hit the sack. Then, we woke up this morning and hit the road. We stopped at Fantastic Caverns on the way home and it was awesome too! You got to ride through the cavern on a jeep and trailer. It was so cool to see the inside and you must go if you are in this area! The history was amazing! It is hard to explain the beauty, but something you must see!

Now, we are home and trying to get ready to end the night. Lillian has her surgery on Tuesday. She is getting tubes in her ears and having her adenoids removed. Please keep her in your prayers!

Love you all and enjoy your Christmas holidays!

Julie

Breakfast with Santa at T-Rex Cafe

After last night's performance in a Christmas Carol, it was time for a BIG breakfast with Santa and the T-Rex cafe dinosaurs! It was an early start to the morning after such a late night, but please don't misunderstand me...my kiddos were up on their own without any waking! :) Lydia decided it was officially time to start her morning at 5:30am and Lillian wasn't too far behind her. UGH!

We managed to get out of the house only a few minutes late. Mom was a little tired after baking like Betty Crocker until 11:00pm and Dad was up late after starting a 15 page paper due at 6:00pm today for his Master's course. Needless to say, Dad made it to bed at 2:00am and didn't make it to breakfast. He still had four pages to go this morning and it was best to leave him with a quiet house. :) I know I know...you don't have to tell me what an awesome wife I am! ha ha

Off we went with the Chesser Family and we had such a great breakfast! Each kid got to see Santa, get a goody bag, decorate a Christmas ornament and have a huge buffet breakfast. And the coolest thing was when we arrived, Santa was in the fish tank scuba diving! The kids thought it was awesome!

So, after a big breakfast and shopping at the outlets, we are now off to performance number 2! Lillian has to be on stage at 2:00pm for her last show. She is so exhausted right now and has black circles under her eyes (thank goodness for concealer), but being a true performer, the SHOW MUST GO ON!

Love you all!

Julie

Lillian's Opening Night....

A Christmas Carol!

Lillian had her debut performance in A Christmas Carol tonight and what a FANTASTIC show the chapel put on for us tonight! It was a dinner theater. The buffet opened at 6:00pm and the show opened at 7:00pm. It was a perfect evening! It was truly magnificent, funny and so adorable! All the children worked hard for months and it was a show to be proud of tonight!

Lillian stole my heart and was so energetic on the stage. She overemphasized all her hand movements and words and really stood out on the stage. Okay, so maybe I am biased, but she was perfect! She didn't miss a line! She did come in early on one line and she just ran off stage laughing and then ran in again when it was her line. She didn't get upset at all and just kept smiling! She really does shine bright!

The stage is the perfect place for her and I am thrilled she had such a great time tonight. Lydia, in the beginning of the play, was shouting "Sissy hi!" She melted my heart too! Then, of course, she decided to take a stinky and I got to smell that the rest of the play. I couldn't leave...I was afraid I would miss the best part! Or course, Lydia got restless towards the end of the show, but the songs would keep her going. She finally said at the end of the play, "Night night." My poor baby following her superstar sister around the world. Okay, just Fort Leavenworth! :)

All the singers were talented and the tap dancers were great too! The show really showed a lot of different talents from each kiddo....Lillian tapped too. Man, we go to sleep tonight smiling. Okay, I am really making desserts for the 2:00pm show tomorrow, getting ready for breakfast with Santa, praying it doesn't snow and hoping Rich has his 15 page paper in by 6:00pm tomorrow night! We have a lot to be thankful for!!

Enjoy the show!

Julie

Golden Living Center Visit

Today we visited the Golden Living Center for our Girl Scout Take Action Project. Lillian's troop has worked hard the past couple of weeks preparing homemade Christmas cards for the nursing home residents. They colored Christmas trees, used markers, stickers and wrote words on cards. Each girl made 5 Christmas cards and they got to had out their own cards today and put a smile on someone's face!

We talked about nursing homes and what it means to some residents to have visitors. The girls were so excited and we had also prepared three Christmas carols! They sang Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and We Wish You a Merry Christmas! As you can imagine, they shouted We WISHHHHHH You a Merry Christmas and it was adorable! They each wore a Santa hat and shook jingle bells while they rocked it out!

After we passed our cards and sang our carols, we then served the residents cupcakes and punch. I think the girls learned a lot today including my own daughter. It is better to give than to receive and don't forget the magic of the holidays. Our schedules get so over complicated and we miss out on all the small things in our lives. I know I was happy just to see one smile today and know they had that one moment with our troop. Sometimes I forgot myself it isn't always about shopping, making lists and checking it twice! Okay, for those of you that know me, you know I will continue to make lists, check them twice, get way ahead of myself and enjoy all the little details that complicate my life! :) But, I can try, right?

To my girls- you are amazing and I learn from you every week! No matter how much time it takes to prepare for meetings, how many permission forms I have to complete and how many ideas I need to come up with or try to come up with....you always remind me of the fun. I love seeing you all weekly, I love seeing you smile and I love all the fun outings (and we have so many coming up in 2011) and dare I say.... FUN PATCHES (I can't help myself)!!! You have given me a lot and I hope you have learned a little in return from me!

Have a wonderful time in Nebraska, Hannah. We miss you and your family. Laurie, why did you go again? We hope you enjoy watching these songs as they are just for you! We hope you smile, laugh and sing along with us over and over again! Have a wonderful holiday and keeping being as sweet as you are forever! And don't forget your first troop! :)

Enjoy the show and Merry Christmas! See you girls next week for the Christmas Party!!

Julie

Give it Up! Give it Up!

Lillian showcased one of many songs and scenes from her upcoming performance in "A Christmas Carol" this weekend. Her and some of the cast performed "Give It Up" for the 11:00am service this morning at church. She has been rehearsing her lines and songs for months now and I know all her hard work will play off this next weekend. She is playing the role of Lauren. She came out today all ready to sing and told me later over lunch, "Man, I wasn't expecting all those people!" Too cute!

The church is hosting this event and have held practices once or twice a week for several months. Lillian has put in a lot of late practices for a six yer old little girl! But, she is ready to rock-n-roll next weekend. She is playing an angle, the role of Lauren, singing and dancing and several costume changes throughout the play. Speaking of that...where is she? We need to rehearse those lines now!

Love you all!

Juli

The Nutcracker

I took Lillian to her first performance of The Nutcracker today at St. Mary's College. It was a cute performance and geared towards the audience. This show was only open to Girl Scouts and it was a sold out show!

I thought it was going to be a complete ballet, but some surprises are good too. It was more of a true play with lots of props, colors and displays. It was funny too in some parts and had a cute ending. Lillian and her friends loved it and wanted to come back, so that tells you something. They enjoyed meeting the cast afterwards too and telling the cast their favorite part of the play. I thought that was pretty cool for the kiddos.

We enjoyed a nice lunch together and then home for a birthday party. Lydia actually got to have breakfast with Santa this morning and enjoyed a plate of hot pancakes smeared in syrup! Sugar and more sugar seems to be the theme of happiness in this house! Hopefully, next year we can all go together to The Nutcracker, but I knew my Lydia wouldn't sit still for a minute much less an hour! :)

We still have Santa's Mall this afternoon and the Christmas Parade. Let's hope we can stand the cold...only 34 degrees now with the sun shining! BRRR!!!!

Julie

Tree Lighting Ceremony on Post

We went to the Tree Lighting Ceremony on post this afternoon. The temperature was pretty comfortable outside around 40 degrees, but man did my feet start to get cold. Lillian's too and Lydia's little hands. Lydia is so stubborn about keeping her mittens on even thought she will repeat "cold cold cold!" What to do at this age?!

The girls got to ride in Santa's sleigh and that was a big hit with both girls! Santa arrived and got ready to meet all his little children. We headed right to Santa's sleigh and hopped right on! Lydia loved it and wanted to ride it again, but by the time we took our turn, the line was ridiculous. So, we never made it again!

We headed over to see Santa to tell him how much we loved his sleigh! The girls talked to him and Lydia even told him she wanted a scooter for Christmas! It was adorable! We all know Lillian rambled on and on with her list and he said, "We are going to have to work on you!" Don't we all know that by now!?

After finishing our activities,then we listened to Eisenhower and Bradley Elementary perform Christmas carols. They were all really good and they had quite the crowd too tonight! We missed the official lighting of the tree, but we will go back tomorrow. It was getting colder and colder and we had dinner plans with some friends. So, a night full of Christmas activities and friends. The holidays are officially open for business and more to follow tomorrow! HO! HO! HO!

Love you all!

Julie