Happy Birthday Julia!

Julia turns a perfect 7


Earlier this month Julia turned seven years old. Seven happens to be the number of perfection and, forgive my parental bias, but of course I think the number fits, well, perfectly. But I'll stop the temptation to effuse. We asked Julia, "what would you most like to do for your birthday...", and before we could complete the question out popped the words "Disneyland!". So this week we'll be heading off to the happiest place on earth.

Besides being one year wiser, refined, and more knowledgeable on all things reading, writing, and arithmetic, there's another obvious change to mark the passage of time. Take a close look at these pictures and you might notice something's missing; actually two things, as in two front teeth. After lingering by a thread for what seemed months, both fell out within a week of each other. At this writing she has another on the bottom about ready to go. Though incisor limited, Julia has proven more than able to tackle all manner of favorite foods, especially cake and bean burritos, two of her favorites.


Here Julia, ever the fairy princess, readies a napkin for another cup of tea.

Another cup of tea?



You are special indeed



A model 7-year old.

Every year with Julia brings new joys. Yet however wonderful to watch her grow and mature, there's a part of me that wishes this period of her life would last longer. I absolutely loved Julia as a 6 year old. She got very used to me saying: "Honey, don't grow up, stay this age for another few years". Of course I said that when she was five and four and three and two (not one, I was more than ready to toss the diapers), and I'll probably say it about seven. The truth is, when Julia is 30 she will still be the perfect little girl this Dad loves to tickle, cuddle, fawn over, spoil, adore, and thank God for every day of my life.

Last Summer

Arik and pal at the T-Ball Awards Barbeque

OK. So I'm still feeling guilty about the lack of family blogging this summer. Overall, we all had a splendid time. We actually did quite a bit including a trip to Camp Nelson, T-Ball, Concerts in the Park, the Beach, and of course Hawaii. Here's a few sample photos...with more posts to come soon.



"Do I have to give you this water baloon?"



Juju already surrounded by boys. Uh Oh



We also were fortunate to see the daughter, Amy, of two of our closest friends (Bruce and Vicky) become married to Bill Rasmussin up in the wine country town of Paso Robles. If Juju is accustomed to being surrounded by boys, Arik took advantage of this venue to turn the tables.



Hmmm, whose chicken fingers am I going to snatch?


Arik also decided to upstage the groom with a little dancing display of his own.



Arik, ever the leader