I saw this on my friend Kelly's blog. It's fun and funny, but I'm not sure how accurate it is! I think Julie Baby looks a lot more like Jonny than the meter reads.

Oh, come, let us adore Him

Wishing you joy and peace as we celebrate the birth of our gracious, loving, and redeeming Savior.

Lyrically-Challenged

Another note: Throughout my life, there have been those songs (be it a hymn, country song, folk song, disney song, whatev) that I just don't quite know the lyrics to at certain points. For instance, as a kid, I thought the abc song had the word "elemeno" in it. Anyway, I am proud (and maybe a little embarrased) to announce that I recently learned the correct lyric to a song that has been bothering me this holiday season and many past! I was always confused why in the song Home for the Holidays they sing "For the holidays you can't be home sweet home." It just didn't make any sense! So I finally looked up the lyrics and now it is all clear to me. As many of you probably already know, the song goes, "For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home." Of course! Case closed.

P.S. In Up on the Housetop we sing "Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?" This is the correct lyric, but what does it mean? Who wouldn't go where? Up on the roof with Santa? I just don't get it. If any of you do, I'd love to be enlightened.



P.S. We had a Polar Express Pajama party at preschool. That is why all the kids (Julia included, naturally) are in their jammies.

finish a puzzle, retrieve a husband

I know a lot of you out there are puzzle- lovers. Until a few weeks ago, however, I didn't know I was married to one. One evening after Julia had fallen asleep, we thought we'd play a game. Wackee Six seemed a little too involved and Boggle would take too much thought. Out of the blue, I suggested we work on a puzzle. "We have one!?" Jonny exclaimed as his eyes widened. I dug out a floral puzzle we had received as a gift years ago.

This is when I learned the methods of puzzling. Jonny began explaining how we'd go about putting together this 1000 piecer. I didn't realize so much went into a little jigsaw! Anyway, we worked on it that night for quite a while, hardly accomplishing anything (in my opinion, at least. Jonny seemed to think we had made great progress). And there the puzzle sat for over a week. Discouraged by the complexity of the puzzle (the flowers were nearly all the same color!) I hardly ever touched it again. Jonny, however, would return home from work, kiss me, make Julia giggle a little, then sit down to the puzzle and work until I covered it up with place-mats so we would eat dinner on the kitchen table!

Well, time went on, and Jonny surprised me by announcing that he was going to tear apart what he had completed (probably about half of the difficult puzzle). I reassured him that I didn't mind it being out on the table (for a little while longer) but he insisted that he and the puzzle were through.

I don't know why or how this post is going so long, but there is more to tell! I will try to make part two brief:

At Macey's on Friday night, we came upon a 1000 piece puzzle that looked more our style. I could tell Jonny had an itch to accomplish what he had set out to do with the first puzzle, so we brought it home and worked on it for about an hour. I was actually quite into this one - it had a lot more variety and I could relate to it as it was a painting of SLC. (The flower puzzle was so impersonal. Not to mention out of season.) Anyway, the next day Jonny was at the puzzle when he had even a spare minute. Didn't I realize I'd lose my husband to that puzzle just as I had to the other!? Well, I helped out a lot with this one. Partly because it was more on my level and partly because I wanted Jonny back!

Thus, I am very proud to announce that we completed our first puzzle together last night. There was a great sense of satisfaction that came with popping in the last two pieces in unison. And though it was fun and festive, I am happy to see it go and have Jonny back...until the next time a puzzle crosses our path.
P.S. While puzzling, Jonny noted the satisfying sound of a cardboard piece being pushed into place (when surrounded by fellow pieces). As a now-accomplished puzzler, I must admit that there is something thrilling about that sound.

What Julia is up to . . .

Trying out a new hair style:

Experimenting with different tastes:

Sitting up!Getting a lot of attention at preschool -
maybe a little too much:Discovering her toes:

Improving her sleep habits:

We started letting her cry herself to sleep about three weeks ago. She is finally getting the hang of it! She was so used to us bouncing her to sleep (yes, we spoiled her, I know) I thought she'd never be able to fall asleep on her own. Good work, Julie Baby.

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland... of Love

Ok, only those in my family will get the title of this post. Oh, this is Jonny by-the-way (not Jon Bytheway). Once when I was younger I got a Christmas present for my dad. I got him a cheap CD called "A Country's Christmas." The title to this post is from one of the songs on that very lame CD. Oh so the picture above is out out back window. I love this snow. I can't wait until I can build a snowman with Julia.
Above is a pic of two gorgeous girl. We just took our poor baby on a walk and she looks like Rudolph with her little red nose.
Melody is some kind of genius. She always has these amazing ideas and her creativeness never ceases to amaze me. Check out the tree. It is Julia's family tree. There are pictures of her with all of her family members as the garland of the tree. So very cool. Zoom in and check it out.
I had to add another picture of Julia. I call this jacket her kung fu outfit. I promise next time I post it will be about something in particular. I just wanted to share some pics.

Christmas Shopping...

...and a bite to eat

Happy Thanksgiving

Julia didn't want to be left out of the preschool festivities...

Caught Baby-Handed

A classic pic of Lili and her fun boyfriend Jeff. I love their expressions, I just had to post it!

Oh, and here is a slide show of recent events.

Atticus Finch

Yesterday Jonny and I watched To Kill a Mockingbird. For years it's been one of my favorite books and movies. I think every single character is cast so perfectly in the film - especially Gregory Peck as Atticus. Who else could play him?

There's just something about this movie that makes it one of those that I could watch over and over again. So much good and truth is portrayed in the film. Atticus Finch is one the greatest literary heroes. After watching the movie, you feel like you know him personally, respect him, and want to be like him.

If you are looking for a true classic, watch this movie - even if you've already seen it a dozen times!

The Latest

Thanks again for all the advice that was given concerning my post "I'm Pooped Out." The messy situation is a little more controlled now that Julia is in a bigger diaper size, we have a have a tub of oxi-clean, and I keep a buffer between her cute little bottom and the car seat. However, even with all the preventive measures, some blowouts just can't be avoided. For instance...Jonny was the unlucky soul who discovered this one (upon taking Julia out of the car seat). Sorry, love. But you handled it well.

Little Cousins and Big Potatoes

Last weekend we finally made the short but very worthwhile trip to Boise to visit Joe (Jonny's brother), Jerichoe, and 3-month-old Hudson. We almost turned around when Julia was in hysterics during the first half-hour of the the nearly six hour drive. But thankfully she calmed down, fell asleep, and we all enjoyed the ride. She was a peach for the remainder of the weekend.

When we arrived at their cute little house, there was "lots of baby holding going on" (as Amber's kids say). Baby Hudson is an adorable, snuggly, cuddly, calm baby. It was so funny to me when he so easily fell asleep in my arms - I'm so used to squirmy, lively, loud Julia! Yes, the little cousins are very different, but they also have a lot in common. (As do Jerichoe and I! We new mothers talked and talked while Jonny and Joe watched Transformers, looked at Joes's cool tool set, and drove around in the truck. Ha!) I even think there is something similar in their looks. Must be those dominant Rejholec genes. Anyway, we had a great time eating Jerichoe's delicious cooking, stopping in at the weekly auction (so cool! I can see how people stick around all day), strolling around the zoo, and mostly swapping babies and chatting. We are so excited for little cousins Julia and Hudson to become friends in the coming years.

Oh yeah, on the road we passed several huge trucks hauling potatoes. At first we thought the potatoes were boulders - those things are humongous! That's all.

Happy Halloween

Yes, Julia is wearing the pumpkin stuff from the bargain shelves at Target that so many other babies have donned this year! (You can't beat a $3 Halloween costume.) Oh, and aren't those trees in the background gorgeous!? I wish I could say they were in our front yard, but we live in the duplex across the street from the one pictured. Still, I enjoy the view from my front window!

To Run or Not to Run?

This is the question I wake up asking myself lately. Julia and I have really enjoyed running in the mornings the past several months. But now that the air is so much crisper - especially before the sun comes up - I just don't know if we can continue this. I mean, I love running in the cold. Julia, however, doesn't work up the sweat that I do. I have been thinking about going early in the morning - before she wakes up and while Jonny is still home. But man, that might require more will power than I currently possess! I suppose if I had the money and space, I'd invest in a treadmill. Then there's always the rec center track. But the AF rec charges $1.25 just to run on their tiny track! Hmmm, I just don't know. Perhaps I will have to retire my running shoes until the weather is nice again? What do you other moms do to get your exercise in?

Here is Julia all bundled up for our run. Yeah, she doesn't look too thrilled.

Oh man, it was really good...

About a month ago, my sister Cami posted about her intense craving for pastrami burgers. She wrote, "Is it really too much to ask? I just want a big fat burger piled high on top with more pastrami than you can fit in your mouth at one time. Oh, and I want to dip it in REAL fry sauce. Got that?"Out and about, Jonny and I were hungry for something warm and substantial. We opted against Olive Garden-though we had a gift card. We needed some fries. Then Jonny suggested somewhere I would hardly think of going: Apollo Burger. I know their burgers are good, but I usually think more along the lines of salads or wraps for lunch. Not today. We went all out with fries, drinks, burgers, and plenty of ketchup, mustard, and fry sauce. With each bite, I was in grease heaven. I rarely order a burger, so when I do it better be good. And this pastrami burger was soooooo good. Sorry Cam, I hate to rub it in. But it was the best think I have eaten since the nachos Em made last Friday. Sorry you weren't here - I'm sure I could've spared a bite for you. Well, maybe.

P.S. I never knew there were so many choices at Apollo Burger. I was torn - Should I get a Reuben, patty melt, Philly cheese steak, the classic Apollo Burger, or any of the other sandwiches that sounded amazing? Obviously, I went with the burger, but it was a toughy. Has anyone had anything else there that is blogworthy? Next time I have a craving of this nature, maybe I'll try something else. But that burger was soooo good. (Yes, it deserves all the o's again.) I only want to invest in the calories of another menu item if it will be that delicious.

Let's get together, yeah yeah yeah...

If you've read Emily's blog, you have been thoroughly filled in on the great time Julia and I had in Maryland this past week. And since Em did such a wonderful, detailed job of it, I will go a slightly different route with my post concerning the birthday trip. Being with Em always reminds me of how lucky I am to be her twin. Growing up, I loved having Emily for my best friend and twin sister. We have countless memories of those happy years. (Don't get me wrong, we did have our bouts. We are probably all the better friends because of our silly fights!) It breaks my heart to think our memories together have lessened these past four and a half years that she's been in Maryland. But that just makes the times we do share together even more meaningful. Anyway, we returned home yesterday and I already miss Emily, KC, and the Turpins. I'm so glad I was able to visit - a weekend in Maryland is a perfect way to celebrate a birthday. Here are a few of the reasons why...

Top Ten Reasons to Spend your 23rd Birthday Weekend in Maryland:

1. You are privileged to stay under the roof and care of this delightful, hospitable couple. Throughout your stay, they hold, hug and kiss your baby often.
2. You get to visit two silly boys who also smother your baby with kisses.

3. You are lucky enough to walk the gorgeous paths outlined with towering trees that are older than this country.4. You get a free professional baking tutorial, complete with the use of a colorful Hawaiian apron.
You get to bake this cake and eat it too.
5. Your baby may learn to fly.
6. After relaxing in the arms of her aunt, your baby enjoys the sweet tropical serenade of the talented Kenneth Clark.
7. Bath time amenities are included in your stay.8. You get to tour the surrounding cities and have lots of big fun.
9. You get to introduce your baby to her fun family that she lives too far away from.
10. You leave with a few more priceless memories of good times with your favorite twin sister.
Thanks for a great time. We love you Maryland people!

Oh, I guess there are 11 reasons. The last one is that after all that fun you get to come home and be kissed by this handsome man who you have missed like crazy.