"Good times never seemed so good..."

Jonny, Neil, and I had a great weekend together. Okay, Neil was only there for a part of it, but all of it was awesome.

On Friday afternoon Jonny and I dropped Julia and her gear off to spend the night with Matt, Cortnie, and Jack while we braved the weather and headed up to Salt Lake City. (Thanks again for the extended babysitting! Julia loves you all, we are sure.) We checked into the Marriott, bundled up, and walked around Temple Square for a very short time (we couldn't really see the lights because of the falling snow!), and enjoyed dinner at the Garden Restaurant. Then we walked over to the Delta Center (I know it has a new name, but the original is faster and easier to say) to see 67-year-old Neil Diamond put on an incredible concert. I will admit, I didn't think the concert would be so energized when he came out and sang a mellow song to start it out. But he really got rockin' and entertained the crowd of all ages. He has quite a lot of energy at his age, and after decades of performing. Even from the second to back row, we loved the concert. He sang nearly every song I was hoping to hear (especially "Play Me") and a few new ones that were true to his timeless style. Thanks, Neil!

Here he is singing "Sweet Caroline," naturally a big crowd-pleaser. Um, never mind. It is taking days to upload - if it ever even will! So, a few pictures of Neil from afar will have to suffice. Just make sure you catch him in concert next time he's close by, you won't be sorry.


Here is a video of Julia singing "Crunchy Granola Suite." It's a strange song that makes even less sense to me after looking up the lyrics. (Em remember singing Neil Diamond's "Porcupine Pie" in elementary school? It reminds me a little of that one.) Anyway, it is on his greatest hits CD that I've been listening to for weeks, in preparation for the concert. Julia loves to sing to the "Deedlee-deet-deet" part. Check it out, though it is a little hard to hear since she is tired after a fun night with Cortnie!




Okay, one more video of Julia and "Crunchy Granola Sweet." Here she is, fully energized, singing and dancing to it in the kitchen. A third generation Neil Diamond fan?

Julia's latest words

Julia (18 and 1/2 months) suddenly seems to be adding a lot of words to her vocabulary. For a while it was "ball, duck, ma ma, wa wa, nummy nummy" and a few select animal sounds. Here are the latest:


-"Noooooo!" (VERY often these days)
-"Hullo" and "Ba-bye"
-"Sigh" (outside)
-"Baby Dedus" (Baby Jesus)
-"Blaaa!" (when getting dirty diaper changed)
-"Djoo" (shoes, she now says the "ooh" sound in shoe and moo- big improvement!)
-"Boo" (boots, her favorite kind of shoes to wear)
-"Sah" (socks)
-"Juze" (juice)
-"Sheeze" (cheese)
-"Teece" (teeth, when she wants to brush)
-"Buh" (book)
-"Baa" (bath)
-"Bah" (block)
-"Arah" (Hurrah in "The Ants go Marching")
-"Ma ma ma, Da da da" (She actually says these to the correct parent now)
-"Oooooh" (when looking at lighted tree or anything really pretty)
-"Weee!" (when going down a slide or doing anything fun)
-"Ho ho ho" (surprised me with this one when I showed her a Santa ornament! I think Jonny was saying it to her at the store when they saw Santa or something.)
-Most all animal sounds, but the new favorite is "Neeeee" (neigh)
-A few names, "Bulah" (Allyson's friend Bella!), "Unta Ta" (Uncle Todd who gives her a treat and says his name every time he sees her - which is several times a week since preschool is at his house), and an occasional "Di-din" (sounds like Jillian and/or Jordan)
-She also "sings" a lot, babbling in a somewhat melodic way
-Oh, she knows quite a few signs too (bath, water, eat, milk, book, sleep, finished, points to all body parts, etc). We are working on being better about signing with her.

In Memory

On Thursday morning Jonny's Grandma Evelyn Rejholec passed away. As she was battling Pancreatic cancer, we knew her time was short, so we were prepared for the news. But even though her death is timely and expected, there is grief because she was loved so much by so many.

Jonny flew to Indiana for the funeral this weekend, so I thought I'd use this time at home to write a little tribute to Grandma Evelyn.

I've only know Grandma for three years, as I am still relatively new to the Rejholec family. But I will never forget the times we spent with her in her cozy home in Columbus, Indiana.

The first visit we made was about 7 months after we were married. Jonny was so excited for me to meet his witty, full-Czech, Flushing NY-raised grandma. Our flight arrived late at night, but she was still up to welcome us with open arms, making me feel at home immediately. When I loved a Rueben sandwich I ate at a restaurant during our stay, she made an even better one for me in her own kitchen. I remember talking with Grandma alone at breakfast while Jonny showered. I asked about her husband Rudy, who had died years earlier, and she grinned as she told me of their courtship. One evening we looked through family photo albums together while she told of her children growing up. I loved learning so much about this woman that I had just met, but already loved. Before we left she gave me a gift, an onyx necklace that I wear often and love. I remember her saying it was "dainty" just like me.

Less than two years later we visited Grandma again, this time with Julia in tow. She loved "her Julia" and invited friends over so she could show off her great-grand baby. Julia was a very squirmy, active 4-month-old at the time, and would rarely sit still. Grandma would get worn out trying to hold her! But, as you can see from the pictures, there was a time when Julia settled down and snuggled with Grandma. I think that made her day.

Every now and then I'd call Grandma to thank her for a card or gift, or just to say hi. She was always happy to talk and sent kisses and hugs to all of us, especially Julia.

And that concludes my brief history with this amazing woman. I know Jonny loved her, as did all of her family, friends, and even the waiters at her favorite restaurants (her "boyfriends," she called them!) We all know she is overjoyed to be with her sweetheart Rudy again; maybe they're eating Cracker-Jacks together right now. I'm grateful to have had the chance to meet and love Grandma Evelyn. I'll miss her stories, jokes, telephone conversations about the weather, and her Reuben sandwiches.

We love you, Grandma Rejholec. Kisses and hugs from all of us, especially Julia.

Top Ten Favorite Christmas Songs

My sister Emily posted a link to best and worst lists she found online, and it got me in the mood to make my own best list. (Plus I can't agree with several of their best choices because I have never heard of the songs. Man, there really are a lot of Christmas songs out there. Listening to KOSY and FM100 always has me thinking there are only a handful!) Anyway, here are my faves, what are yours? (There are also a few early holiday pictures spattered throughout: our tree without ornaments yet, Julia smelling the tree, Jonny's set-up of the nativity and Julia pointing to the camel - for which she spits as its animal "sound,"and Jonny's sweet light job outside.)

I am confused, am I supposed to start with #10 and end with #1, being my most favorite? Oh well, I will just start with #1, the best. That seems easier.

1. "The First Noel" by the Mormom Tabernalce Choir (This one makes Jonny and me cry every time. It's a Mac Wilberg arrangement, I believe, that has an amazing climax. I love all the traditional Christmas hymns and carols that sing of our Savior, but if I have to pick a favorite, this is definitely it.)

2."Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Judy Garland (I love this classic, which was originaly written for her to sing in Meet Me in St. Louis. I just did a little research and found that there are three versions of the song, the original being pretty sad and depressing. I like the changes Garland insisted on. It still has a melancholy sound, which I like in this song. Check the history out here if you are interested.)

3. "Mitt hjerte alltid vanker" by Sissel and the Orchestra at Temple Square (Jonny and I were introduced to this incredible Norwegian soprano at the MoTab/Orchestra Christmas concert a few years ago. She has the most clear, beautiful voice I have ever heard. Buy the CD of the concert if you don't have it already. You will not be disappointed.)

4. "Here Comes Santa Claus/Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Linda Eder (Perhaps Drew will correct me on the proper title of this big band Santa medley. Mom loves the last "COMIN'" Eder belts out, and so do I. Julia clapped after the big finish today in the car, so she likes this one too!)

5. "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby (Another classic, lullaby-like Christmas song. I love the corny movie too.)

6. "Go Tell it on the Mountain" by Audra McDonald (I was also introduced to this actress/singer at a MoTab Christmas concert-I haven't missed it in five or six years. She can really sing out this passionate gospel song.)

7. "Silver Bells" by Jonny and Melody while driving (We love singing this duet together in the car, but we always get the verses mixed up!)

8. "Merry Christmas, Darling" by Karen Carpenter (Yes, a sappy love/Christmas song. But I find myself singing along with all my heart whenever I hear this one.)

9. "All I Want for Christmas is You" by Olivia Olson from Love Actually (Sorry Mariah, but I like this tween's version a lot better. It is a great one for an Ipod workout soundtrack- year round! Watch the edited version of the movie; it will be one of your favorites.)

10. "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney (This was on the worst list Em found. Never! Okay, so it is cheesily synthesized, but I love it every time I hear it. Must be from the Beatles indoctrination during my childhood.)


Now here are a few honorable mentions that didn't fit in the Top Ten (and I'm sure I missed some other faves, but this list is good for now).

-"We Wish You are Merry Christmas," a two piano version (Sorry, can't say I know the pianists' names. But the whole CD provides festive and non-intrusive background music.)
-"Ding Dong Merrily on High" by Mountain Ridge Junior High SSA Choir of '98/'99 (Emily, you are totally a party-pooper for not singing this with us the last few years on Christmas Eve's Eve. You know you love it.)
-The entire Alabama Christmas CD (I'm sure if Jonny and his fam hadn't introduced me to this one, it would never be on my list. Sorry, Love! But the cheesy lyrics and tunes now have a special place in my heart. And Christmas is no longer complete without "Thistle Hair the Christmas Bear." Um, I can't believe I just wrote that. Oh well! I guess it is true.)
-A few movie soundtracks: Elf and Miracle on 34th Street
-My neice Allyson's "Deck the Halls with Toys and Dollies" and my original "We are the Kings"Ha! A little inside joke for only a few siblings.
-"Happy Hanukkah" by Adam Sandler (No, it's not a Christmas song, but it's seasonal and hilarious.)

Julia's Footwear

This is how I found her in the hallway:
This is how Jonny found her in the kitchen:

Baby in May

Some of you know, but many don't that we are expecting a baby on May 16th! We are thrilled to have a new little one join us this summer. Julia, we believe, will be even more thrilled when the baby becomes a playmate. The two will be just shy of two years apart. So that's what's happening around here! 

this morning...

I want to post about my Maryland trip, but I have a feeling I will only have a few minutes to write anything before Julia demands my attention. (She is jealous when I am on the computer. She wants to watch her Nick Jr. shows like she does while I shower. Either that, or she wants me to play with her. If she can't have the computer, no one can, I guess. It's a struggle!) So I will just post two of my favorite pictures from my relaxing, fun, eventful trip and put a link to Emily's blog where she detailed the week in full. Thanks, Em!

This photo was actually taken in Philly on our somewhat-spontaneous road trip. Don't worry, we not only ate Geno's famous cheese steaks and visited historical sites, but we also ran up the "Rocky Steps" - a dream come true! See Em's slide show for tons of pictures.
Meanwhile, I better get back to this little one, who is spending her morning with these two doll chairs. She squeezes her little bottom into one, struggles to get out, then squeezes into the other. Before I took this picture, she was insisting that I sit in the second chair. ("Siz," she demands!) Now she is mad that I won't. Oh, and she doesn't want pants on, but of course her favorite boots have been on since right after breakfast. (And she was upset I wouldn't put her white tennis shoes on over the boots.) So goes this morning!

Yee Haw!

This is Jonny.  Writing, that is... that's Julia riding.

My lovely wife is on the other side of the country right now, having a blast with 3 of her sisters.  Julia and are here at home and yesterday we were just twiddling our thumbs.  That's when Julia said, "Yo Daddio, why don't we go to that animal place?" (she has learned a lot while Melody is away).  I said, "Now we're talking." And off we went.

Ju loved the animals, and even fed them some corn.  Good times were had by all.

Having issues with moving the pictures around... Why does blogger only give you a tiny box to work in?

Anyway captions for the pictures:

This donkey came up behind Julia and freaked her out

The lambs were cool, but Julia wasn't so sure about the goats.

Ahhh... a cute little lamb and a cute little girl.

This is VERY incredible:

"Click, Clack, Moo"-ed Out

This has been Julia's favorite book for the past several weeks. It's probably because she loves cows (we don't quite know the origin of her obsession) and can say "Mmmmmm" (moo) on every page. She usually won't read anything else until we've read this one first. Last night Jonny was having an unusually difficult time getting her to follow him to her room to read before bed. He started quoting, "Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type..." and she dropped what she was doing, clapped and ran to the rocking chair.

Ha! Just now she saw the book cover image on the screen and she clapped and mooed!

I think this is a clever, cute book and I've always liked it, I guess Jonny and I have just had enough of it for now. But not if Julia has anything to do with it!

P.S. She also likes Duck for President and Giggle, Giggle, Quack - just not as much as this one.

nice people

After Jonny ordered and payed for a sandwich at the Subway drive-up window last Friday, the cashier surprised us by saying, "Thank you for being nice people." Was he having a hard day? Were previous customers not nice and commonly courteous people? Hearing this through the window just before we drove away from this guy we will likely never see again made me hope that I am always a "nice person" as I go about my daily activities, often with strangers. I may never be thanked again for courtesy, but I will certainly remember the time I was.

enough time for pigtails

Okay, I guess it's not that exciting, but actually leaving the time to put up Julia's hair on a Sunday morning before 9:00 church is kind of a big deal around here. (Usually I just instruct Jonny to spray her hair with water, fluff it to encourage her natural curls, and clip a bow in - which, luckily, is simple and darling.) Her hair is growing quite a bit so I decided to try full-on pigtails. Success! They even made it through most of church. I know, a lot of pictures of the pigtails, but I liked her expressions as Jonny chased her around the house, snapping shots. And I especially love the aftermath photos.

This is Halloween...

Being a bumblebee

Carving a PumpkinKissing a Jack-o-lanternReading with Great Grandma Julie

Watching TV with Great Grandpa ScottMastering the downstairs climbRaking Leaves with Uncle Drew

Running the Logan First Dam 5kThanking the Babysitters Extraordinaire

the next best thing, I guess

Yes, I enjoyed a happy birthday - but only as happy as one can be without sharing it with my twin sister Emily. The last two years we celebrated together in Maryland. This is only the second birthday we've spent apart. The other was my sophomore year of college. But my awesome roommates made sure the cake they surprised me with was covered with pictures of Emily. (I'll never forget that, Linds and Mer!)

This year, her lack of presence was made up by a somewhat joint birthday party via web cam (Em's present from KC). This was fun, but kind of made me miss you more, Em, as you were all alone in your home at the time.

But the good news is, Amber and I WILL be traveling to Maryland in less than a month! We buckled down and bought the plane tickets last week. So Em and I will have another, belated, birthday celebration in November. (And Amber will be included, as she has an Oct, b-day as well!) After all, whose birthday only lasts one day? They certainly don't around here.

Can't wait to see all you Maryland people soon!

P.S. My birthday did already last the entire weekend. We enjoyed a lovely breakfast at Kneader's Saturday morning with Lindsey and Keegan. (Hope you two don't mind that I'm counting that as part of my birthday festivities!) In the afternoon Jonny, Julia, and I went on a bike ride on the Provo River Trail. It was perfect weather and the leaves were gorgeous. We ate at the Provo Bajio after, which always brings back fun memories of our college years. On Sunday Mom made Hawaiin plate lunch and the fam came for the mulitple birthday party. Thanks for the gifts, food, and fun, everyone!

french toast

If you haven't been to Kneader's for an unlimited french toast breakfast, you should definitely make a morning of it soon. (Although we can usually only eat 2 pieces each - they are nice and thick.) It is delicious and it also comes with unlimited whipped cream for those, like Julia, so inclined. Anyone want to meet us there sometime soon? (This picture was taken a few months ago, so we are due for another visit.)

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Check out my sister Lili's blog to see THIS after reading my previous post and Cortnie's comment on the post before that (for the full history.) You will not be disappointed.

For Cortnie

... in lieu of her comment on the last post. (And yes, I know you have seen all these pictures, Cortnie, but they are our recent favorites. If I had the software, I'd photoshop Julia in place of a cherry tomato. Instead, these will have to suffice. Thanks again for the family pics, Matt!)