One Last Getaway Before School

This past weekend we loaded up and headed to Dallas. We had such a great time! We stayed with Justin's Sister and Brother in law who were great host for our trip. We were welcomed with a steak dinner and Tammy also kept Colton all day on Saturday while Justin and I took the four yes four kids to Six Flags all day! Needless to say I think we were both feeling our age by the end of the day. The weather was bearable and the kids had a great time. We really wish we could see them more often. Justin loves getting a chance to be a kid again with Ryan and Cody and for now I have them somewhat convinced that I'm a pretty cool aunt. Allison brought along her friend Caitlyn and minus a little bit of girl drama they had a good time too. Of course they both idolize the boys and they tolerate the girls pretty well. Sunday we hit the mall and got to see the boys skate, I know Justin was wishing he could've given it a try but we wanted him to be able to move when he got home. We took the girls to Build a Bear of course, and had lunch at the Rain Forrest Cafe' . I was a litlle worried that it might scare Colton, but he loved it and couldn't take his eyes off all of the big fish aquariums. It was a great way to wrap up what's been a great summer. It really did just fly by too fast and we never feel like we get to spend enough time with all of our family, including the one's that live close. It's already shaping up to be a busy fall, school and soccer are about to be in full swing, and pretty soon I'm going to have a little boy running all over the place, he gets closer and closer to being mobile every day. Hope everyone had a wonderful summer and looking foward to a great fall. Love~Julia~

Colton says "DaDa"

Well Colton turned 7 months old yesterday and he has said his first word, of course it was "dada." He is just growing sooooo fast. He thinks it is rather funny when I say mama mama and he laughs and says dadadada. We are still not crawling yet but have discovered that rolling, scooting, and squirming is working just fine for now. I was really trying to get him to crawl but have come to the conclusion that once he starts I don't think I'm going to be able to stop him so I've decided to patiently wait for him to decide it's time, I have no doubt that he could if he wanted to. You can see his mind working as he is staring at all the stuff on the coffee table and trying to contemplate how it is that he can get up there to clear it off for me someday. He is something else, and I'm sure that his daddy's crooked grin he has inherited is going to get him out of alot of trouble someday.

Great Friends and Good Times!

This summer has been so great. We are very blessed to not only have a wonderful family but friends that have become our chosen family. Justin has several best friends that he has grown up with since a very young age and lucky for me they along with their wonderful wives have also become some of my very best friends. On July 4th we had almost a reunion type get together with them all. It was a long overdue get together but since we are all married and most with children it is sometimes a challenge to get us all together at the same time. Casey and Angela brought their new baby boy Grayson and everyone else came over to meet him for the first time. The above picture greatly represents the big trouble and the future trouble of the group. It is so cool that our kids will get to grow up together just like Justin and the boys did.

Yesterday we went and spent all day with the Halcom's at lake Greenbelt. We had a great time hanging out and having a relaxing day away from the rat race. We have decided to put at least one weekend on the calander each year and no matter what we are going to all get together. That is our most recent summer fun and it's not over yet....we will be going to Dallas to visit Tammy and the boys in August before the dreaded school year starts again. I will keep you updated and have attached many pics! Take care everyone, Love Julia

Allison's Week at Camp

Well this week Allison is off for her week of camp at HFR. This is her second year to go and she absolutely loves it. I know she has a blast but it is so weird to not be able to actually talk to her and hear her voice. She is usually pretty good about writing me at least once and I am able to send an em to her each day that they deliver to her but she can't em me back. I have this feeling that when the day comes for her to leave home I will morph into one of "those" mothers that totally annoys her with a daily phone call if not more. Sometimes in our busy life I take for granted that all and all she is more than just my daughter she is my friend even at 9 yrs old she keeps me entertained with her company. As you can see from the picture I included I don't think she is missing my company much. What more could she ask for....a week away without the dreaded parents. I know better though rather she'll admit it or not I know she misses us at least a little.

Memorial Weekend

We spent the entire Memorial Day Weekend hanging out together as a family. Sunday we went to Shamrock to visit my sister and her fiance. My older sister and kids also went. We had a great time. We went down by the river and the kids played and played and played some more. The water was so clear and warm, even Colton decided to play. He wasn't quite sure about the sand at first but once he was used to it he splashed around alot too. It was so nice to just get away. We definately don't do it often enough. All of the kids are growing up so fast, it won't be long before they think they are too big to hang out with us old folks. So it's nice to give them these memories to take with them later and hopefully teach them to spend quality time with their kids the same way someday. I know I have alot of fond memories of camping, vacations, and lake trips that are tucked away in my heart and mind forever. And yes there was also a time when I thought I was too cool for that stuff and now I live for it. It's funny after those stubborn teen years pass how you one day see how they were just a mere blur of your life. Anyway this weekend was a great start to what I hope will be a wonderful summer full of great memories! Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday weekend!

All the kids wrestling Uncle Danny!!

A Little About Us

We have been together for almost 5 years and married for 3. We are truly each others best friend. In the three short years we've been married we have faced alot of challenges that only made us stronger. We are so lucky to have been blessed with good friends, great family, and a wonderful and merciful God. We met while working for Delta Airlines and Justin proposed to me on his birthday at the airport the week before Delta left and we all went on separate journeys. We of course would continue our journey together. We were married on August 20, 2005 surrounded by many family and friends. We are always saying we wish we could have our reception all over again. Justin now works for Coors, which is of course every man's dream, to sell beer, what better job could you possibly want. I have been working for AIG Annuity for a little over 3 years now. We have two wonderful kids that keep us busy. When we are not busy, which now is very rare, we both like to travel and do pretty much everything outside.