THE WEEKEND OF TEETH AND SNOW

It's a sad day for a mom when the youngest loses her first tooth.

My girls are growing up. Both of their birthdays are next month. Camille wants to have a dance with boys and practices with a yardstick on the trampoline. (We aren't having a dance, by the way) Abby just wants to invite a million kids to her party. (We aren't having the entire neighborhood over either.)

Abby was very excited to have the tooth fairy come. Mom was sad because Abby is way too young to be losing teeth, or is she?

A view of my street, the day after Christmas.

I'm glad it's finally starting to melt!

A POSSIBLE CHRISTMAS NIGHTMARE!

I knew I was in trouble 2 weeks ago when Camille sat on Santa's lap.

Santa: What would you like for Christmas?

Camille: A PUPPY!

Anna (My Friend): You are in trouble Julie!
Those that know me well know I'm not a big fan of animals and pets. Tanner had to BEG for years for a pet, earn the money and I finally caved. However, the snake minds his own business in Tanner's room and Tanner feeds and cleans up after him. I thought Camille would let the whole puppy thing pass. She hadn't mentioned it again....UNTIL this morning.

Camille: I am so excited today is Christmas Eve! Tomorrow I'm going to get my puppy!

Daren: Santa's elves called a couple days ago. We talked about it and decided the puppy will not be coming to our house this year.

Camille: Total and complete weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. She began to cry so hard she couldn't talk. I don't want anything else for Christmas. I have been a good girl all year and a puppy is all I want. I don't want any toys...just a puppy!

Julie: Sobbing

Camille: More sobbing

Julie: Thinking of taking everything back to the store on Christmas Eve so her daughter can have a puppy - but dreading the lines at all the stores.

Camille: FINE...I'll be thankful for whatever I get. BUT I REALLY WANT A PUPPY!!

Julie: I feel like a shmuck because my hatred of pets has ruined my daughter's Christmas!

THEN THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE ON CHRISTMAS EVE

DING DONG

Just in the nick of time, Old St. Nick was at our front door. Camille exclaimed, "I really want a puppy." Santa patiently sat Camille on his lap and explained that the puppy would not be coming this year, maybe next Christmas. He told her that she was a very good girl this year and that he had some special toys to bring her later tonight.

I just hope I haven't ruined Christmas and she is happy with all her new toys!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS! WE LOVE YOU!

THE GIFT OF TRAVEL

GIFT #6

TRAVELING WITH DAREN

There are so many things I love about Daren. He is truly my better half and I am a better person for being married to him. Being married to Daren is a gift that keeps on giving. He is truly my best friend and I LOVE our life together.

I could list all the things I love about him but I know he would hate that SO instead I decided to focus how much fun I have with him. We have been married 8 years. In that 8 years we have been to Washington DC twice, Florida twice, The Caribbean, Texas, Missouri, Chicago, Hawaii, California (WAY too many times to count), The Pacific Northwest (again, TOO many times to count), and hopefully soon...The Big Apple!! He is so much fun to travel with. Going on trips with him is one of my favorite things to do.

One of my favorite memories... we went to Hawaii a few years ago. While we were there we decided to go parasailing. There were 3 height options - 700ft, 900 ft, and 1200 ft, which is the highest the State of Hawaii allows. We decided on the 700 ft. We started to pay our money and somehow the guy talked us into the 1200ft. We get out on the boat and 2 girls start their turn parasailing. They were really high in the air. We asked the guy...they must be doing the 1200 ft, right? He said, oh no they are 700ft in the air. Daren and I looked at each other and I think I turned green. We are both afraid of heights. Next thing we know, it was our turn. I was so scared for the first minute. After a minute or two, it was so beautiful. It was a scene I will never forget - looking down at the beautiful blue waters of Hawaii and reflecting on how quiet everything seemed. It was at that moment, that I looked over at Daren who was also enjoying the moment and I realized how wonderful it was to be in such a beautiful place, doing something that is WAY out of my comfort zone with my best friend!

Thanks Daren for all of the fun memories and a wonderful life! I LOVE YOU!!

Getting ready to start our 1200 ft. launch (Yes, I think I'm about to throw up)
Coming in for our landing - what an awesome experience!

AN UNEXPECTED GIFT

GIFT #5 - THE IINUMA FAMILY

Yukiho, Sachiko, Sotaro & Toshiya

As many of you know, we had the amazing opportunity of having a Japanese student stay with us for a week in October. There were 235 Japanese 9th graders that came to stay throughout Utah County with different host families. About 2 weeks before Sotaro came to America, I received an e-mail from his family. They introduced themselves and something in that e-mail struck my heart. His mother expressed a nervousness about him coming to America and I could feel that she was concerned and worried about him being so far away from home. I had such empathy for her because I know I would feel the same way about one of my children going to a foreign country for the first time. About this same time, I started blogging. I decided each day to update my blog so his family would not worry. I wanted Sachiko and Toshiya to know that I would take care of Sotaro, as if he were my own son.

Our family just thought we would be having a house guest for a week. We had no idea how Sotaro would capture our hearts. There is something so special about his boy. He brought a special feeling into our home. We enjoyed him so much. He is smart and funny. We laughed together and played games together. It was fun to introduce him to American things and watch his expressions.

After Sotaro went back to Japan, his mother, Sachiko and I started e-mailing each other. We e-mail frequently and I really enjoy hearing from her. It is amazing to me how similar our lives are. We both love our family and children. We both can't believe how quickly our children are growing up. We have a lot in common and I love being able to have all of them as friends. Their family holds a very special place in our family's heart. We love them, even though we've only met Sotaro for a week. We are hoping they will be able to come to America in 2010.

Sotaro e-mails us every Sunday. Each week I look forward to Sunday because I enjoy hearing from him. I enjoy the pictures his mom sends us and hearing about his success in school. A couple days ago, we received a Christmas package from his family. It was so beautiful! They sent us a wonderful Christmas card and a family picture. They also sent us the same book Sotaro had brought with him to America that has English and Japanese in it. We have all enjoyed looking at the book and are still trying to speak Japanese.

Yukiho & Sotaro - We are happy to see our BYU flag is safe and sound in Japan. The Wendels were looking for it a few weeks ago!

We love The Iinuma family!! Thank you for bringing joy into our family!

MY 2 LITTLE TREASURES

GIFT #4

Every mom dreams of having their own little girl. For me, I was blessed twice in 12 months! I love having 2 little girls. What makes the girls so much fun is they are so different, yet so much alike. They have the same interests, yet their personalities are so different. We've been told by many, one is a little me and the other is a little Daren. Can you guess who is Mini-Me and who is Mini-Daren?

Yesterday, Camille and I had a Girls Night Out. We were the only ones at home so we went out to dinner and to the mall. While we were in the car, Camille says, "Mommy, my childhood is PERFECT!" I started to chuckle and I asked her why it is so perfect. She says, "Because I have a mommy and daddy that love me and I love them!" My chuckle quickly changed to tears. That compliment made my day! I am glad her little life is PERFECT!



ABBY is a little shy, somewhat reserved. Although, she has a TON of friends. At school she has learned how to share our telephone number with her friends and they call our house constantly wanting to talk on the phone. (I am SO in trouble in 10 years) She is very sensitive and cries at a drop of a hat. She loves school and is very smart. She loves to learn and is also very good at art. She has a lot of patience to sit still and concentrate on whatever she is doing.

CAMILLE is very social! She loves friends, parties and to be the center of attention. She loves to perform and says she wants to be a star! She is so sweet and caring about other people's feelings. She hates to see anyone left out. She truly loves everyone and everything in life. She is always excited about something and constantly makes us laugh. She is growing her hair out for Locks Of Love. She HATES having long hair but does not want to cut it until it is long enough for her to give to another little girl who has cancer. She says she wants to be a hero to a sick girl.

My girls are treasures that money cannot buy. I love being their mom and watching them grow and mature. They are growing up way too fast!

FACEBOOK - GIFT #2

It might sound crazy but I am go thankful for Facebook. It has been so much fun to catch up with friends from high school, college, and from previous times in my life. I feel so blessed to have been able to visit with friends who from circumstances of life, we have lost communication. I am so excited to go to Las Vegas soon and visit my dear friend Erin. She has told my kids that she has crazy stories about me from high school. However, I can only remember stories about how studious I was and how my total and complete focus in life was about obtaining an education. I have no idea what stories she is referring to! :)

THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH - #3

I love Disneyland! We have been blessed to take our children there too many times to count. We usually go every 6 months to a year. When we lived in Las Vegas, it was exactly 3 1/2 hours from our front door to the front gates of Disneyland (with no traffic.) I love Disneyland so much that each time I go there with my kids, as I walk through the front gate and smell the churros and popcorn, I start to cry. It only happens for a quick second and then I don't cry the rest of the time. There is something magical about taking my children to Disneyland. I have so many fun family memories of going there as a child and as an adult with my children. We have been taking our kids there for years and I hope to continue to take them there for many years to come!

Camille's first trip to Disneyland - 2 months old! (2002)

2005

2008

Looking through our hundreds of Disneyland pictures makes me want to go there right now!! Gift #3 is my family memories at Disneyland

GIFTS

One of my dearest friends from high school, Erin, has a really cute blog. This month she has devoted every day to express gratitude for a gift in her life. I decided to copy her idea and share gifts that I am grateful for. So each post until Christmas will be a gift that I am grateful for. They will be posted in no particular order.

Today's gift -

MY NEIGHBORHOOD

I feel so blessed to live in this neighborhood. I love living here. I love the people in my neighborhood. I love the friends we have made since we moved here. I love the people who teach my children at school, at church, in scouts, at piano, and at all the activities they are a part of. I love how my doorbell rings constantly with children who want to play with my children. I love my children's friends and I am grateful that my children have wonderful and amazing peers to grow up with.

Thank you to all of our wonderful neighbors who we are blessed to call friends! We love you all and hope you have a wonderful Christmas season!

LITTLE MISS V.I.P.

This week was the week that the kindergartner in our home has been waiting for! She was selected as her class V.I.P. We brought her favorite snacks, pictures of her family, her favorite toys and games to share with her classmates.

When asked what makes her the happiest - her reply:

"When my brother Tanner lets me hold his snake."

Her class was surprised to learn that she loves to wear the snake as a necklace. I still don't comprehend how she's afraid of a fly but she'll wear a snake as a necklace!

Congrats Abby on being the V.I.P. You are a V.I.P at school and at home!

THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER!

Twelve years ago this very night, I was laying in a hospital bed in my favorite city of Portland, Oregon. I was going to have a baby boy. The only problem was the baby would be born premature and I was extremely ill. The doctors tried everything to help me but the eclampsia had progressed to my liver, where the next phase for me would include seizures and then death. I was extremely scared. I had 2 previous miscarriages and I desperately wanted a healthy baby. I truly believe in times such as these, The Lord sends angels to help. The angel that was sent to me was a wonderful and talented nurse named Lorrie Leno. Since I had been in the hospital for quite some time before my delivery, I knew Lorrie well. She was my favorite nurse. She was kind and funny and a source of comfort.

As my labor was not progressing and Tanner's heart beat could not be found, I was rushed into the delivery room for an emergency C-Section. Lorrie was there. She was calming during a very scary time. Tanner came into the world weighing 3lbs 11oz. Again, Lorrie was there reassuring me that all would be well and Tanner would be okay. It wasn't until after Tanner was born on that beautiful Sunday morning that Lorrie told me that it was her birthday too. It was a tender mercy to have this wonderful woman, who had meant so much to me and had given me hope when all hope seemed lost, share her birthday with my son. All these years, I've never forgotten her. Each year on Tanner's birthday I always think of Lorrie Leno and in my heart I wish her a happy birthday.

Well today, I was making Tanner a birthday cake and started thinking about Lorrie. I recently signed up on Facebook and the thought came to me to see if she was on there. Sure enough, there she was. It has been a thrill to catch up with her again. I was so excited that she remembered us because we have never forgotten her. We have told Tanner numerous stories about Lorrie and have shown him pictures of her. When I told him tonight that I had found her on the internet, he just beamed! He was so excited! She has a wonderful gift of being a nurse. She is a hero in her profession and I can't wait to take Tanner to Portland someday for them to meet again.

In the meantime, Tanner has had a job for the past few months. All he has wanted for his birthday was a Nintendo DS. I told him he would need to earn half of the money. However, since I make him put half of his paycheck in the bank it has taken him a while to earn enough. But the time has finally arrived!

Happy Birthday Son! We love you!

And....

Happy Birthday Lorrie! We love you too!

SUPER WOMAN

Daren's sister, Julene, who lives in Maryland has 3 children. Her oldest son turned 4 this past July and her identical twin boys just turned 2. Just taking care of her twins and her 4-year old is a full time job.

Well, she called the other day to tell us she's pregnant. We were all really excited for her. Then came the REAL announcement. She is having another set of identical twins! By the way, she was not taking any medication which would enhance her chances of multiples. They run in her family and her husbands.

So let's do the math:

5 children under age 4
Every seat in her van will be taken - 1 with a booster, 4 with car seats
How do you put 4 children in car seats when your husband is at work?
Where do you put 2 sets of twins in a shopping cart?
They have outgrown their house
Possibly 4 in diapers
Trying to feed 2 babies with 2 2-year old running about the house

I can't stop thinking about her and the workload she will have. Just thinking about it makes me tired! I want to enter her in a contest for "Super Mom" or "Help...Amazing Woman has 5 Kids in 4 Years"

Anyway, congrats Cade & Julene!

P.S. Daren's brother has triplet boys! And no, I don't feel left out for not having multiples!

THANKS A LOT MAX HALL!

The Whittingham's moved out of the neighborhood but decided to leave this in front of our house. I knew this day would come. It was a fun weekend to see the BYU houses red and the Ute houses blue. Our neighorhood really gets into the game. It's great!

Our vote for the Ute player of the game.....#15 Max Hall.

HOLY WAR IN VAL VISTA

IT'S THE DAY our neighborhood has waited for all year. The day when the neighborhood is divided into 3 groups:

1. The BYU Fans
2. The Ute Fans
3. Those who could care less about "The Holy War"

For the first 2 groups, plans have been carefully crafted to display their team's spirit on the opposing neighbor's lawn. For our family, it was simple...ensure there would be NO RED at The Wendels!

We waited as late as we could here in Utah County to "Kidnap" The Wendels' Ute trailer for an "Extreme Makeover." However, LATE in Utah County means 10:30pm and The Wendels were still awake, having a party with some friends. The Nelsons came over to help with the kidnapping. Daren and Craig were 5 seconds away from taking the trailer undetected, when The Wendels came outside. We were caught in the act! They were good sports and let us take the trailer.

Travis & Craig Nelson

While we were taking the trailer, some other Ute Fans, The Cox's, drove by and saw what was happening. As we were laughing and talking to them, someone placed a nice blue 'Y' on their car. As The Cox's drove off, they had no idea they had a beautiful blue Y on their car.

Making over the trailer

This morning it was the best to wake up to this:

And this:

And definitely this:

However, we also woke up to this - some gibberish about this being their house and their state, yada yada yada

No rivalry game would be complete without Cougar Craze ice cream. I gave some to The Wendels to enjoy as 'Comfort Food' when they lose today. Ice cream always makes everything taste better, especially when your team loses.

As a side note, The Cox's know The Whittingham's. If The Whittingham's read this, just remember, The Val Vista neighborhood trailer door is always open!

GO COUGS!!

P.S. It is so fun to watch people out of our front windows drive by and honk, laugh and shake their heads!

THE KINDERGARTEN RULES

The last few weeks when we drop Abby off at school she has the following requests:

1. Don't kiss me goodbye in front of the school.

2. Don't talk to me once I get out of the car going into school.

3. Once we are in front of the school, do not hug me goodbye.

4. Don't talk to me in front of my friends.

5. If I forget something in the car, don't call my name to come get the forgotten item.

Yesterday, Daren dropped Abby off at school. She left her coat in the car. Daren was not aware of "THE RULES." He rolled down the window and called Abby's name loud and clear. She totally ignored him. Again, this time a little louder, "ABBY" nothing except a quicker walk towards the school. He tried a 3rd time even louder, "ABBY." This time the playground aide noticed and gave him a stare. However, his daughter only gave him a quick run away towards the school.

DOES THIS MEAN 10 YEARS FROM NOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DROP HER OFF A BLOCK AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL?

TANNER'S SCOUTS

Hi everyone this is Tanner. I have to type this for scouts. I am working on my Communications merit badge. I have to type what I've been doing.

I've been going to a lot of pow wows to earn stuff. I'm going to one at UVU and I'm almost done. I'm working on art, communications, and citizenship in the world. Please leave as many comments as you can! Bye!

THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

It's that time of year again when the Christmas lights come up. Tonight, a nice man came to the front door offering to hang our Christmas lights. He told us that he was doing The Wendels lights across the street (see picture below) and wanted us to hire him to hang our lights. I secretly thought to myself, The Wendels are getting solid white lights, not Ute red and white lights. I told the man to finish The Wendels and then come back to our house. When he finished their house, we told him he could do our house in blue and white lights:

The crew hanging our blue and white lights

Then the lights were about 3/4 hung, The Wendels came outside. THEY WERE SO MAD to see our house all lit up like BYU. It was wonderful! They were really mad because they were thinking of doing the red and white lights but decided against it. Then when they saw our house, they realized they are going to have to hire the guy to come back to switch out every other bulb to red OR Travis is going to have to get up on the roof and switch them out himself.

We told them...


THAT'S THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR BEING A UTE FAN!!

The Ute House

OUR WEEKEND

The whole weekend I have been sick. I have coughed, coughed and coughed some more. My ribs hurt from coughing so much.

Saturday, Daren did 2 things he has never done before:

1. He went to the BYU game by himself. His dad couldn't go because he is recovering from knee surgery. I am sick, coughing up a lung, so to speak. So Daren went by himself. Secretly, I think he enjoyed going to the game alone. He could listen to the pre-game show without the wife talking his ear off. During the game, the wife wasn't there to ask for snacks, wasn't there to make comments or ask questions. Just 60 minutes of straight BYU football, uninterrupted! Pure BYU heaven! Then on the way home he could listen to Bronco's whisperings of sweet nothings, again without the wife yappin in his ear. But when asked, he is very smart and says how much he missed me there with him. Hummm, which is it?

2. Later that night, we went to a party at our neighbor's house. They rented a mechanical bull. He was so cute riding the bull! And that's no bull!

On Friday, we had a special surprise. Great Grandma Bloxham came to visit Grandpa Bloxham who is recovering from knee surgery. I think it is so cute that even at her age she is still worried about her son and had to come from Idaho to check on him. The kids were really excited to see her. Abby is named after Great Grandma Bloxham so she was really excited to see her name-sake.

The best part of the weekend was that our Primary Program was today at church. It was a wonderful program. The kids did a great job!

BUT my favorite part of the weekend was that I have been corresponding with my favorite Japanese friends, The Iinuma Family. We e-mail each other almost everyday. I love this family! This weekend they told me that they are trying to come to America next year or the year after to visit. It would be a dream come true to meet them all. I will keep my fingers crossed (In America that means that I am wishing for it to come true!)

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!

We woke up this morning to this:

A Few From My Back Window

I don't think I will ever get used to the cold and snow. I much prefer the warm sunshine and blue skies. But my kids love the snow and have a lot of fun playing in it.

One of the perks of being the youngest...all the snow to yourself. The older 2 had to go to school! It was mostly melted by the time school was over.

KNEE SURGERY

As I mentioned in my Halloween post, Daren's parents are here. Daren's dad is having knee replacement surgery today. They will be here for the next week and a half, although Scott will be in the hospital for the next few days. Daren's mom has health care needs herself and we are glad to be able to take care of her while Scott is recovering.

Camille keeps asking grandpa if he is scared. (She does not do hospitals, blood, illness, etc. - it totally freaks her out!) He's been in so much pain for so long that I think he's hoping he will start feeling better with his new knee. I'm so thankful that we are able to help grandma and grandpa during this time. We love you!

TINKERBELL, A PIRATE AND THE CONTESTANT

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

We had a fun Halloween this year. Camille was an American Idol Contestant, Abby was Tinkerbell and Tanner was a Pirate, which he bought with his own money.

Daren's parents are here this weekend and so for the first time in our marriage, Daren and I were able to go trick-or-treating with the kids together while his dad handed out the candy. It was awesome. Usually one of us takes the kids while the other hands out candy. It was great to be able to go together!

Pretty Tinkerbell

Scary Pirate

Future American Idol Contestant