Holiday Happenings...

We were very fortunate this year. We got to celebrate Christmas not once, not twice, not even three times, but four!

Last week, we had Christmas at the Urbans' house. The kids were so excited when Santa came and left presents out in Mama and Papa's yard. It was so extremely cold outside..it's amazing that Santa's reindeer could fly! Mama and Papa also got a surprise from all of us kids, when they opened up a trip to Hawaii. Aloha, Mama and Papa!

We spent Christmas Eve in Olmitz, Kansas on the farm. At one point, there were 29 people celebrating the holiday together. We enjoyed time with Brandon's family, especially his grandparents, and we definitely enjoyed that good old farm cookin'!

On Christmas day, we traveled home and celebrated with Megan and Barry and Isaac. Isaac appeared to enjoy his first Christmas thoroughly, and Ben and Grace helped him open his presents, too.

Yesterday, my mom and dad came over and we celebrated once again. Santa had come to our house in the morning and the kids had woken up at 4:45 a.m. We talked them into staying in bed (our bed!) until at least 6, but they never did go back to sleep. It was amazing that they lasted until Nana and Papa came at 1:00 p.m. When we opened the new Nintendo Wii, all four of us got our second wind. In fact, Brandon stayed up until midnight playing Guitar Hero. Ben had played Mario Baseball for awhile, I had played Harry Potter, and Grace (and all of us) practiced vocals on Disney Sing It.

Needless to say, we have had a wonderful Christmas, and we're looking forward to a fantastic new year as well...for there is still so much to come!!! Wishing you the best!

Pajama Party

Megan and Barry had a date tonight. They got to go to Walmart together while WE got to babysit! We got the better end of the deal. After catching a few minutes of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, singing "Do you know the muffin man" and playing peek-a-boo, Isaac put on his jammies...so Ben and Grace did too. "Pajama Party!!!!"

Holiday Party

Brandon and I hosted the Thomas and Betts holiday party. Since I was on "bed rest", I didn't have to...I mean get to...help as much. Thank goodness for Costco, for Brandon and his mom, and for holiday decorations. We had a great time and the evening was a success. Here are some pics.

Is this heaven?

Apparently, this is what heaven looks like at Lawrence Heights Christian Church. It's believable, until you see that my child is an angel! Ben and Grace had their annual Christmas program at church this weekend, and just like it has done in years past, things went surprisingly well! Ben even remembered his lines once he found the microphone. (There was a what-seemed-like-forever-moment when he couldn't locate a mic so he refused to start the scene for everyone else)

As you can see from the pictures, Ben played an angel. I was worried when his halo kept breaking during practices...seemed a bit ironic to me, but he actually played the part well. Grace played a shepherd, although she knew everyone else's solos by heart and would have done well in the lead!!! Here is a good picture of Grace as she struggles to untangle her staff from another shepherd's!


What else? I am at home resting this week, which I'm finding it more difficult to do! Why is it when I can't rest, I want to, and when I'm supposed to, I can't? But for the baby's sake, I am spending a few days at home. We have a sonogram scheduled for Monday and that will hopefully tell us that things are A-OK! The baby has been moving non-stop. She is probably bored from my inactivity. Brandon has been so helpful..doing laundry, making breakfast, lunch, and dinner, taking the kids to and from school, and answering my every whim. We also have the Thomas and Betts holiday party at our house this weekend, so he has been preparing for that as well. Parents and friends have been a big help as well.

This weekend, I am singing in the church Cantata. It's 200 pages of non-stop singing. We'll perform it at a retirement community and then in church on Sunday. I wonder if anyone will notice if I sit down during the songs? No, I'm sure it will go smoothly, even if I am a nervous wreck!

Tomorrow, I have an ornament exchange with Megan, Julia, and Keri. We were supposed to go to Paisano's, but since I'm "resting", I think dinner might come to me! My friends are awesome!!

A Christmas Card

Ben and Grace have a Christmas program tonight at church. Here they are getting ready for it and posing in front of their own tree.

A Very Daisy Day

Grace had a big day on Saturday. She had her investiture ceremony at Hidden Valley, which means she is officially a Daisy Girl Scout! Since she said her "On my honor" pledge, she can now wear her vest, along with her pins and badges to school. We are so proud of our Daisy! After the ceremony, we got to tour Hidden Valley, a real "hidden" camp in the middle of Lawrence. We had the ceremony in a cabin and then toured the grounds, which will be where Grace can go to day camp this summer. We saw the Yert (a round, raised cabin), the zip line, a fabulous tree house, and many winding paths. It was great fun...and then it began to snow! It was a great experience for all of the Daisies. Here are some pictures of the event.

Lots of surprises!!!!

This week is conference week, so I am at school from 8 to 8 for today and tomorrow. I was so disappointed because our new baby furniture was to be delivered today and Brandon would get to see it before me! I called and bugged him all day long. "Is it here yet?" "Is it put together yet?" "Is it cute?" Each time, he was busy and almost sounded annoyed when I called! I was so mad! Well, I just got home, and guess what? Our furniture arrived, has been assembled, the room has been painted, and the wainscoting was put up! Surprise, Julie! These pictures don't do it justice, but here are some shots of our new baby's room-to-be! Imagine it with the red toile bedding!

And the sonogram says.....

It's a girl!!!!!We had our sonogram today and expected to see our little boy smiling back at us! Instead, our little girl was throwing punches and hamming it up in front of the camera. Life is full of surprises. We had a boy name picked out, but we're not ready to name our new daughter just yet! Maybe that part will be a surprise, too.

Fall Fun!!

We thought we left all of those leaves on New Hampshire Street behind, but it turns out that there are just as many, if not more, in our new neighborhood!

Election Day!

Brandon and I got up early and "Barack-ed" the vote this morning. The kids participated in the Kids Voting as well! (I am pretty sure they "Baracked" it as well) Tonight, we are off to an election party. I decorated cookies with the Obama campaign symbol on them. What happened to the old days when I used to work at The Cookie Factory and my decorating abilities looked good? Brandon made some Sarah Palin broomsticks for the party as well. (string cheese and pretzel sticks made to look like a broom)We are heading to the party tonight. Although Keri said it was a Bipartisan party, I am wearing my blue and Brandon is sporting his Obama Says Knock You Out shirt. We'll see how it all plays out!

Happy Halloween!

We had a great time tonight trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood with family and friends. Happy Halloween everyone!

Carving Pumpkins

Wednesday night, we had the opportunity to go over to Megan and Barry's house and carve pumpkins with the youth group. Here are a few pictures of Brandon's "Death Star" in the making, and Grace, supervised, with a knife! Ben carved his own pumpkin too but ended up hanging out with me inside, where we enjoyed Megan's famous hot apple cider!

Busy weekend!

Once again, the Urbans had quite the busy weekend! But a great one!! The kids did not have school on Friday (I had a teacher inservice) so they spent the morning with Nana. After Nana took them to lunch, Aunt Stacey took them bowling. Friday night, Grace and I attended the Girl Scout Cookie Kick-Off, an event that officially puts us out there as Cookie Sellers! If you'd like a box, they're $3.50, and worth every penny. Let Grace know...she has a great speech prepared that will make you want to buy at least two boxes. Grace had a good time at the event. Her troop was the only "Daisy" troop, meaning the only KG/1st grade group of girls. They got to make crafts (called Swaps), learn about cookie-selling safety, and sing "Make New Friends" - a familiar song for many of us! While Grace and I were taste-testing cookies, Brandon and Ben went down town to the Game Stop to play some video games. They were then going to go to the Free State/Lawrence High football game - the last to be played at Haskell Stadium, but Ben was too tired. When Grace and Ben were in bed, Brandon left and went to hang out with Barry at church for the youth group lock-in. He enjoyed playing ping-pong and broom hockey.

Saturday came and both kids had soccer games. It was freezing!!! After the games, we went to Kansas City. Mom and I went to Holiday Mart, a posh gift/craft show in Johnson County, while the kids went to lunch with Dad. Later that evening, the kids went to Mama and Papa's to spend the night while Brandon and I went out with his sisters and brothers to celebrate Devan's birthday. We even went out to Henry's afterward for some wine. In my case, more water! We had a great time.

Sunday came, and the kids had their last soccer games of the season. After a whole season of waiting, both kids were able to score a goal!!! I think we were more excited than they were! After the games, we went to Gracie's friend Nicholas's house for a party, pizza, and a soccer cake. Then we went home and the kids got into their costumes. We drove to Kansas City to Mom and Dad's church for Trunk or Treat. We got to eat dinner with Keri, Casey, Mary, and Jack; Mom and Dad; and Megan, Barry, and Isaac before trick-or-treating. If you can't tell from the pics, Ben is Harry Potter (although he refused to wear the glasses), Grace is a cat, Isaac is a hotdog, Mary is Sleeping Beauty, and Jack is Frankenstein. Brandon wore his Burger King mask and scared several children and adults. The kids came home exhausted, but still had the energy to sort out their loot. Wow, what a weekend!!!

Finally, he lost it!!!!

Yes, Ben has finally lost his first tooth. After hanging by a thread all day, Brandon pulled Ben's tooth around 9:00 last night. We watched High School Musical (since there was no school for them today) and he brushed his teeth over twenty times during the movie. For some reason, Ben thought if he brushed his teeth, they would come out easier. :) That's the most he's ever brushed his teeth. And thanks to the Tooth Fairy, who has set the bar high...for Ben raked in a five dollar bill this morning. Maybe that includes interest since he's the last kid in his second grade class to lose a tooth. Oh, and she left the tooth behind since Ben wrote her a letter asking her to leave it for his baby book!

House Warming Weekend

Hello everyone! We had a great time at our house warming party. Thanks to all of you for making it such a success. We had a great time and wish we could host one every weekend! Activities ranged from horseshoes and volleyball, to roasting marshmallows and drinking wine. There was even some political discussion. What a great night. Oh, and the kids had an awesome time running free in the backyard. Here are some pictures from the event.

Grace gets a haircut!

Grace got a new, sassy haircut today. While our friend Marci was cutting it, she said "Grace is going to be such a diva!" Going to be? I think we already have a diva on our hands. Ben came home from soccer and brought the muddy field with him. I made him get the broom and clean it up. Here is proof that he followed through.



We're all glad the weekend is on its way. It's been a long week for most of us, a challenging week for many of us, and we're praying the weekend brings peace and comfort to all.

Soccer Pics

This Saturday was very busy with soccer pictures, two soccer games, and Christmas play practice. Brandon and his family helped put the finishing touches on the house as well. Here is a picture of Grace and "her boys". We're going to have to watch her!!!!

Home Sweet Home

Well, we did it! We're home sweet home on Sage Brush Drive. After several stressful days leading up to the closing, we are happy to say that we feel right at home now. Thanks to everyone who helped move boxes, paint rooms and trim, bring food, and provide moral support! You can't really see it in this picture, but our URBAN rock is also at home in our new front yard.

In other news, we're in the second trimester now and will plan to find out the gender of this little baby in November! You know we have no patience and can't wait! Grace and Ben are playing soccer. Gracie starts Daisies next week....one step before Brownies and two steps before Girl Scouts. We still get to sell the cookies though! Brandon is in an all-day softball tournament today. The kids spent the night at Nana and Papa's last night and are off to the pumpkin patch with Mama and Papa today. I joined the church choir and we practice tomorrow! Life goes on, eh? Here are some pics from the move.

The rain comes to an end...

This is the last weekend in our house, and after several days of rain, we were blessed to see a full rainbow above our heads tonight. Pictures don't do it justice, but here you go!