DORA Live

HOLA!! Today was another big day in the girl's fascinating lives! :) We went to DORA Live in Austin, Texas! What a fabulous show...okay, so I didn't see much except the lobby. But, Lillian loved the show! We went with Nina and the girls today and some other friends were there too. We were all in our seats and doing well and then the lights went out and the LOUD music came on the speakers. That was about the end of my show! Lydia didn't like it at all and it was an interactive show. You know DORA! So, every time someone screamed, answered a question or cheered, then Lydia started crying. That left me and her in the lobby walking around and up and down stairs. UP and DOWN. UP and DOWN. UP and DOWN. Get the picture? Apparently, there is a term for us- Lobby Walkers. :)

But, Lillian and her friends loved it! They all thought it was a great show and Lillian loved it as much as Sesame Street Live. Diego even showed up with Baby Jaguar! ROAR!! We spent the rest of the day with Lydia taking a long afternoon nap and playing with friends. It was a great time and one we won't forget. Lillian is ready to go back! I don't know about her sister though. Maybe in another year!! ADIOS for now AMIGOS!!

Love you all!

Julie

Lydia's First Steps Take 2

Lydia's First Steps

Lydia's First Steps

Hello everyone! Well, what a fantastic day for all of us! Lydia has learned so many new tricks and I am so proud of her. She can now say bye bye and wave good bye too. It is adorable to see her in action and ham it up for everyone. Even the Wal-Mart greeter and cashier. Lillian and I thought all week that she was just babbling bye bye and just waving her little hand when she wanted too, but today she put it all together. And her first moment was.... in Wal-Mart. Good heavens do I shop there enough? Rich would agree with this statement and longs for the day I don't go to Wal-Mart for something! :)

Then, our wonderful friends came to visit us from Pflugerville. It is just an hour down the road. Nina and I have been friends since Rich and I were engaged and none of us had children. Now, we both have two children and both have two girls! The kiddos played so well together and honestly played in Lillian's room for most of the day. We went to the neighborhood pool for an hour, but then all the girls wanted to come home for painting nails, toenails and doing makeup. And you should have seen the makeup! Watch out Tammy Faye!!!

The girls also had a water gun fight too in the backyard. They had lots of fun shooting each other with the water guns and hose. Okay, we we are technically in a water ban, but I forgot for a moment. They were having so much fun playing. :)

Lydia also had another big moment today. She took her first steps all by herself. As you all know, she has been walking holding onto my finger since she was 7 months old. But, today, I had Nina to use! Nina would stand her up and she would walk to me. She wouldn't walk back to Nina in the beginning, but towards the end of the day she would. I was so proud of her for trying today! I am so ready to stand upright again and to stop walking all over this house. She is almost 10 months old now and for the last three months I have done nothing but walk, walk and more walk! :) This is when I miss Rich the most...all these little moments. Plus, I don't have anyone to use to practice walking Lydia back and forth. She won't do it with me and Lillian. Oh well, we just have to keep trying. She is doing fantastic!

So, enjoy the video clip for now. I tried to get it on video, but it was a difficult task. This one was for you honey and I hope you love it. Our little girl is growing up so fast. Can you believe it? She is also clapping now...I forgot to mention that little step. She is clapping for her daddy and saying go daddy go!!! We love you very much honey! We miss you today and for all those special moments!

All our love and more,

Julie

July 4th Pictures

Some great photos from today! Enjoy!!!

July 4th!!!

Happy July 4th!!!! We made it home today from the parade and I was thankful for that...I was a little nervous because I have a little one that wants to walk all over the place and the older one that wants to walk all over the place in a different direction! But, we made it and what fun! The girls got all dressed up in the American Flag dresses and we were ready to go to the parade and wave our American flags.

It was a nice parade and just enough time to not get bored or overheated. It was almost a 100 degrees, but we were so lucky to be outside a friend's house which had a nice big shade tree and the wind was blowing too. Some friends came along with us too which was great! It is so great to spend the morning with friends and I love watching the little faces on the children as the parade goes by. It is so neat to see what excites them.

Lillian was really excited this year for the parade and even woke up at 6:15am! She couldn't wait to see the firetrucks, cheerleaders, princesses (the little girls riding on the back of cars with crowns) and Ronald McDonald. Yes, Ronald McDonald. I said I would never have one of those children who eat there all the time and yes I do. She waved so hard at him- I thought she would break her wrist again! :)

Lydia, well, she just walked me all over the place. AGAIN!! She did sit down to eat. She never misses a meal! We had a picnic lunch there too while the parade was still going by. But, other than that, I walked her around and met so many new people who couldn't get over her blue eyes, adorable chunky legs and the girls matching dresses. I think she will be just as social as her big sister who doesn't know a stranger! Now, I have two to really keep my eyes on!

So, for now, Lydia is napping and Lillian and I are getting ready for the cookout at our friend's house. It will be great to end the day how it started..with friends. Happy July 4th! And thank you honey for calling me today. It was so great to share the day with you and to see how you were doing. We only wish you were here with us and I must say it was a little emotional today. I missed you! And the girls did too! You made the day complete!

By the way, Rich is doing great. He said he is in the midst of day 6 of a sandstorm and no one has flown in days. He sounded great and said he didn't see any "fireworks" today which is fabulous! :) We just talked mostly about the kiddos and he didn't have too many updates. He is just hanging in there and trying to keep his lungs clean from all the dirt and sand blowing in the air. He is thankful for all the packages coming his way and can't wait to get them. Thank you everyone!

Take care and we love everyone!!

Love,

Julie

Early July 4th!

Happy July 4th everyone! It is the eve of July 4th and the girls are in bed now. I was just thinking of tomorrow and how much fun the day will be. I know the girls don't realize the true meaning of July 4th just yet, but I am trying to teach them day by day. It is especially important considering our circumstances this year. I want them to know how much their daddy sacrifices and will sacrifice for them and their children. I want them to have respect and pride for their country. I know all that will come in time and with age.

So, for now, we keep things simple. We talk about freedom, we talk about daddy and his job, we talk about parades, we talk about cookouts and talk about spending time as a family. That leads to Lillian and I making chicken salad, brownies and a dip for the cookouts tomorrow while Lydia takes her morning nap. It is a time we are looking forward too- being with our friends and watching the parade. I know Lydia won't remember as much as Lillian, but I hope she remembers that we were there with her on her first July 4th. She will see her scrapbook later in life!

So, Rich, I love you and HAPPY JULY 4TH. Thank you for all that you do for us- your family. We miss you dearly and celebrate tomorrow in your honor!! We are so proud of you! Good night!

Love Always and More,

Julie

THE AMERICAN FLAG

The American flag stands for freedom

The red, white, and blue

It tells of sacrifice for freedom

I beleive in Peace and Unity

Red stands for Power

Our Nation so Strong

White Stands for purity and peace

Blue stands for Happiness

I Am Proud to be An American

I stand Proud and True

I show Respect to the flag

By placing my hand over my heart

a moment of silence

And a quick prayer

for those, who have fallen

for freedom

We are United

We are One Nation

I am Proud to wave our

Flag so freely