Thanksgiving Break

What an exciting Thanksgiving break! Rich's brother and sister-in-law, their two boys and Grandpa came for a visit in Kansas. It was so exciting to see everyone and Lillian was thrilled to be around family again. It has been years since we have seen one another and it was so nice to be able to have the chance this year.

Of course, the kiddos played all day long. The cousins really enjoyed being around one another and it is so nice since everyone is close to the same age- poor Lydia is the one out there alone. But, Lydia hangs in there with the big boys and girls.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and everyone chipped in to help bake all the goodies. Rich did his normal turkey and it was delicious. We had some friends over too for the holiday and they fit right in with the holiday drinking clan. :) I was very thankful I ran six miles before we had such a big meal! :)

We had the chance to all go ice skating too. It was a nice day to be outside and around 50 degrees. Who can beat that in Kansas? Lillian picked right up where she left off ice skating last year and really enjoyed herself. The boys did great too including Grandpa. Grandpa did take out a 10 year old little girl! HA! They all lasted for an hour and a half which I was impressed! Lydia made it around the whole ring this time which was much longer than last year! HA! Maybe next year will be her year. So, we just played outside for a while and waited for the gang.

We also made it to Fritz's for lunch and Science City. By that time, Lydia was worn out! We managed to squeeze dinner in and head home. Grandpa has to leave in the morning and the girls are really sad especially Lillian. She really does love her family and she knows we don't get to see everyone often considering being a military family. I am glad both girls have enjoyed this opportunity. We will have one more day with the cousins, so who knows what we will do tomorrow.

It was a great Thanksgiving full of good memories! Love you all!

Julie

Happy Halloween 2011!

Happy Halloween! It has been a fun and busy weekend for the Martin clan. We started Saturday morning off by selling Girl Scout cookies. Yes, they are officially on sale in the Martin household and all immediate family have to buy 10 boxes and extended family 4-6 boxes! And you know who you are! HA!

Then, we all got in costume and headed into downtown Leavenworth for the store Trick or Treating. We are Safari Hunters and the girls are zebras. Yes, we are hunting are own children! Rich brought that to my attention! The girls enjoyed playing some games and trick or treating in and out of the stores.

We came home in time for Lydia's nap and then went to the Carousel Museum in the afternoon for their Halloween festival. The girls enjoyed the cupcake walk, crafts, balloons and face painting. Plus, you could ride the carousel as many times as you wanted...over and over again! I think my stomach had enough after a few rounds, but the girls went on and on.

We put the girls to bed and went to the Maguire house for the adult Halloween party.
It was so much fun hanging out by the firepit chatting with old friends. The dancing in the smoke was fun too although I was a bystander. I am not as young as I used to be- no comments from the friends or family. :) Drinks, good friends and good food...what a fun night!

Finally, the night of Halloween arrived! We had a little neighborhood potluck in my garage before hitting the street. I made Hotdog Mummies, Pizza Face Mummies and Turkey Meatloaf Pumpkins. We also enjoyed chicken tortilla soup, pumpkin spice dip, bat wings and other goodies from the neighbors. Everything was so delicious! YUMMY! Thanks for everyone contributing to make it a fun Halloween dinner!

The girls enjoyed trick or treating this year in the neighborhood. It is no joke trick or treating on post..the kiddos are out for blood! Blood in the amount of 15 bags of candy! WHEW! The girls went out for about an hour or so and then came back to hand out candy until we completely ran out. YES! It was a little chilly tonight in Kansas, but we managed at 57 degrees. No laughing from my friends in Texas considering it was probably in the 70s!

Happy Halloween and good night all my little ghosts and ghouls!

Julie

Carolyn's Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch

Who doesn't enjoy another wonderful sunny Saturday morning at a pumpkin patch? The whole family did today! This pumpkin patch had so much to offer and we spent about four hours touring the farm. It is in Liberty, KS which is about an hour from Fort Leavenworth. But, it really was worth the drive this morning. For those of you who live here, then you know everything is an HOUR away! HA!

The girls enjoyed the whole adventure. They rode the train twice, went down barrel slides (red and blue), rode the pony swings, dug for Dinosaur fossils, went on a hayride, went through several corn mazes, went through the petting zoo, had their face painted, tried to lasso a bull and I am probably forgetting the rest. And what morning is complete at the farm without a good old fashioned pig race too? Miss Piggy sadly lost!

Rich even enjoyed the pumpkin doughnuts and homemade fudge. Okay, I did nibble on one or two doughnuts myself...but, don't hold it against me! :) They were amazing and even still warm when I bit into one this morning in the brisk 60 degree weather. YUMMY!

Enjoy the fall and all it has to offer! Love you all!

Julie

Lillian Turns 7 in Mrs. Blain's Classroom!

Today we celebrated Lillian's 7th birthday at school. It was so nice to have Mrs. Blain invite us into the classroom after lunch. We brought cupcakes- purple ones! Of course, Justin Beiber's favorite color! Lillian also got to stand on her desk while her whole classroom sang Happy Birthday to her. She couldn't wait to stand on her desk, but she told me not to worry since Mrs. Blain would be holding her! :)

Lydia got to sit at a desk too. Lydia loved all the extra attention from the older kiddos. Then, Mrs. Blain asked if Lydia would like to stay to play a game of Four Corners. How sweet was that? Lydia and Lillian both loved it and we got to play two games.

Then, school had to start up again with lots of work. On Monday, the principal will announce her birthday during the morning announcements and Lillian will get a book. This birthday is going on FOREVER this year and she is getting spoiled rotten!

So, tomorrow Lillian officially turns 7 years old. The BIG day will FINALLY arrive in the household. Lillian is really growing up and amazes me everyday. She is so bright and beyond her years. I just keep telling her to enjoy being who you are at this age and don't worry about being any other age. She enjoys her friends, being in 1st Grade, loves her teacher, and still loves to dance. She joined Dance Team this year and started taking jazz classes on top of tap and ballet. She really is something else and I am thrilled I get to watch her grow up everyday! Mommy loves you Lillian and enjoy being 7 years old!

An Angel Left Her Wings

I have this little angel. For me she left her wings.
She has no idea how much happiness she truly brings.
She brightens up my days with her smiles and her laughs.
She helps me to remember all the blessings that I have.

Her face, it is so perfect, she's sweet and soft and pure.
Sometimes she can be willful and sometimes she is demure.
She tries her very hardest to please and do what's right.
She gives the greatest hugs from morning until night.

Every person that has known her sees this light within her soul
I know that in this whole great world, she has a special role.
She's helpful and considerate to everyone she knows
This light in her shines brighter as my angel grows.

When she sees someone is sad, it opens up her heart.
She wants to do all that she can; she wants to do her part.
She'll squeeze away the sorrow and make me forget about my pain.
She shows me where the sun is when we're hiding from the rain.

I know that God must love me, He showed me with His Grace
I knew just how completely when I saw my angel's face.
And in that very moment when she came into my world,
I knew that she was so much more than just my baby girl.

She would be my sunshine, with a sweetness that won't end.
And when she grows up one day she would be my closest friend.
She would be the reason I would always try my best.
For my little angel baby girl would be my greatest test.

When God entrusts to you an angel, who has left her wings for you.
Encircle her with love with everything you do.
Let her know God made her, and that He trusts you with her care.
Be sure to make time for special moments with her to share.

And when at night she finally says her prayers and goes to sleep
I Thank Him for my angel, and ask for him to always keep
A watchful eye and hand to protect her from this world.
Protect my little angel; protect my baby girl.

Love you all!

Julie

Weston Big Red Farm

This morning was a gorgeous morning in Kansas! It actually felt like fall and not too cold, but a brisk 57 degree morning. We went to Weston this morning with Lydia's Parents As Teachers group. We always enjoy the Fall season and going to pumpkin patches. We also love this farm in Weston. They always do a great job with the pumpkins and all their activities!

The girls enjoyed visiting with all the animals this morning. They saw the chickens, pigs and goats. Lillian and Lydia also went on a pony ride. Lydia rode Bulls Eye and Lillian had Sweet Pea. I think they could have rode those ponies all morning long, but it was time for their turn to end.

We also rode on the hayride and went out to the pumpkin patch. Each girl found the exact pumpkin they wanted and we rode the tractor back to the main farm. We also picked out a few more pumpkins and corn stalk for the front porch. Time to decorate this afternoon!

Love you all!

Julie

Justin Bieber 2011!

Tonight we ROCKED it out with Justin Bieber and all of Lillian and Lydia's friends for their joint birthday party! Lydia turned 3 years old on September 20th and Lillian will turn 7 years old on October 8th. This was the first year I combined the girls' birthday parties, but they both wanted a dance party..so, why not?

We had a Justin Bieber Dance Party at Play Bounce and Jump. We rented our their Mini Night club and turned on the Justin Bieber movies, flashed the lights and disco balls, and played Musical Chairs, Freeze Dance, Pass the Microphone and just DANCED! We even had a great friend, Sarah, who placed Justin Bieber tattoos on the kiddos faces as they arrived tonight. All the kiddos, all 40 of them, seemed to have a great time... I hope so among all the chaos!

My girls enjoyed every minute! Lydia said tonight at bedtime that she wanted to go back tomorrow and Lillian said it was the best party ever! So, in my book, it was a successful night! All of their friends were so generous and we spent a while going through the oodles of presents. The girls are really lucky to have such amazing friends that care so much about them and their happiness. They have been spoiled all week by presents and more presents. I don't know what we will even think about asking Santa to bring them for Christmas. He might have to skip this house!

Thank you for everyone who came to ROCK it out with us this year. We want to thank you for all your kindness and generosity. The girls had a night to remember always! Love to everyone and Happy Birthday Lillian and Lydia! So, the big question is... Will I ever combine the parties again? NEVER SAY NEVER!!!

Lillian and Lydia- How did you grow up so fast?

Love you all!

Julie

To My Daughters:

Can I Carry You?

I guess that I can hold you
one more time before you grow.
And tell you that I love you
so that you will always know.
Please let me tie your shoe again.
One day you'll tie your own.
And when you think back to this time
I hope it's love I've shown.
Can I help you put your coat on?
Can I please cut up your meat?
Can I pull you in the wagon?
Can I pick you out a treat?
One day you might just care for me,
so let me care for you.
I want to be a part
of every little thing you do.
Tonight could I please wash your hair?
Can I put toys in the bath?
Can I help you count your small ten toes
before I teach you math?
Before you join a baseball team
can I pitch you one more ball?
And one more time can I stand near
to make sure you don't fall?
Let's take another space-ship ride
Up to the Planet Zoor.
Before our Cardboard Rocket
doesn't fit us anymore.
Please let me help you up the hill.
while you're still too small to climb.
And let me read you stories
while you're young and have the time.
I know the day will come
when you will do these things alone.
Will you recall the shoulder rides
and all the balls we've thrown?
I want you to grow stronger
than your Mom could ever be.
And when you find success
there will be no soul more proud than me.
So will you let me carry you?
One day you'll walk alone.
I cannot bear to miss one day
from now until you've grown.

Buffalo Bill Days in Leavenworth, KS

We headed out this morning to Buffalo Bill Days. "The festival — honoring one-time Leavenworth resident, Wild West show organizer and Medal of Honor recipient William Frederick Cody — started in 1969 in Leavenworth and lasted for more than 20 years before several different city celebrations were consolidated to eventually become what Main Street has hosted for the last several years as the First City Festival." But, now it is back!

We had fun strolling the streets of downtown Leavenworth. There were lots of little games to play along the way, carriage rides, and lots of different vendors. The girls also enjoyed the Kiddie Corner where they made a bead from clay, had their face turned into a butterfly and colored some pictures of Buffalo Bill. We even enjoyed a traditional Indian show. We will miss the Outhouse races due to nap time, but it sounds hysterical!

After lunch and almost three hours on the streets of Leavenworth, we decided to come home for naptime. Lydia was worn out! Onto the circus tomorrow! Love you all!

Julie