Author: julie

Oh, I wish I [lived] in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!

This is Jules. It has been one party after another since last Wednesday! We started off Wednesday evening right, watching neices Melissa & Megan in Suessical. It’s a Dr. Suess musical. Megan did a fantastic job as Thing 2 and Melissa truly captured the audience as Gertrude McFuzzy. We left the babies (Gwen & Lucy) at home for a change and took the two big girls. We sat center front row with Jim & Eliece, Dave & Marilyn, and the Crosby Clan. I watched as both girls eyes became saucers and they sat on the edge of their seats. On the way home, I could overhear them in the back saying, “When I’m on stage, I’m going to be Jo Jo (grace)” and Abby, “I’m going to be Gertrude!” They were all about it! Looks like we’ll be signing up this fall.

On another note, I had a good getaway with the sisters in sunny Dixie or St. George. It’s amazing to me that we can be away from each other for months at a time and somehow we pick up almost on the same sentence after being together five minutes. When we get together we don’t plan to do much or go many places because we are so content with gabbing, laughing & catching up, we have a hard time getting places at all. I can see why many brother-in-laws migrate to bedrooms, downstairs, bikiing, hiking, sleeping whatever they can do to steer clear of the crazy Jenkins sisters! We talk about our kids, our troubles, our joys, we watch movies, cackle & stay up late. Whatever we do, we do with zest (pools, trampolines, concerts, walks).

Unfortunately the synchronized swimming was a bust this reunion but the trampoline tricks were a nice save! It’s always a whirlwind of late nights, candy, sore stomach muscles (from laughing), and sunburns. We really get some looks from people especially when we tell them we’re sisters. There were some highlights like listening to Dad, Lisa, Amy & Bonnie play on the large Grand piano in the St. George tabernacle. Another was listening to Peter Breinholdt & Sara Sampler sing Growing Old With You to my parents under the star lit sky @ Tuachan (nice touch, Nan). We always think that it needs to be one day longer but are nervous of the men at home watching the kiddos. It was unanimous that we would be getting together sooner than later–four years is just too long.

Even though it was so nice to be able to think clearly, shower and dress MYSELF, eat in peace, lay by the pool, & sleep-in until 8:30, I found myself missing those noisy car rides, hectic mornings, and chubby fingers and toes. Didn’t miss the diapers too much–I will admit. Just grateful I have a husband that is willing to let me go occasionally on these excursions. He steps up to the plate and does a great job as full-time Daddy. Thanks Brian for making it possible! Enjoy the Pictures. http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/

BE MINE

This is Jules. What is it with those conversation hearts. They don’t taste all that good but they still make me smile like they did in grade school. You know what I’m talkin’ about…like when the boy you liked put the I’m yours, I love you, or kiss me conversation heart in your Valentine it made your whole week. TRUE BLISS!! Speaking of my Valentine, I have been trying to get reservations for two weeks now in Utah Valley and as of this very minute–no reservations! I forget that many get engaged up here on Valentines and it is a big deal (popular holiday)–I’m always a day late and a dollar short.

This morning was eventful. I laid out Valentine’s shirts & necklaces and hair bows (Great minds think alike, Grandma Elcock)! It was so much fun to hear Abby & Grace–their squeals. But even more fun was that I actually was able to write them a heartfelt note that they could understand and read themselves (a first). I just told them how proud of them we are and what amazing girls they are. They gave me big hugs. Grandpa Jenkins bought the little girls a giant teddy bear. Lucy has latched on and Gwen is scared of it slightly because it’s double her size. He is so soft & cute. Grandma & Grandpa Elcock sent an exciting Valentines package a couple days ago. They girls looked so cute in their shirts and necklaces yesterday and Lucy and Gwen love their sweaters–A big thanks. Loved the Valentine’s card–Steve–it means a lot.

My sister, Amy and I were able to get together on Monday to set the date and location of next years family reunion. It is a daunting task in that there is a possibility of 80 people. Lodging and food for that many is in the thousands and we are scratching our heads a bit. It was good to be with Amy and spend lunch with her, my parents, Brian and the kids at La Famous, Los Hermanos. Any ideas are welcome…I’m starting to think cruise… because it’s an all inclusive deal.

Lucy keeps sneaking the cupcakes we made yesterday. When she eats a cupcake there is no disguising it. I don’t know how she does it but usually there are crumbs all over the house and she still has sprinkles in her teeth hours out. She is loving music school and is starting to get the whole beat and rhythm thing. She is learning to share & speak a little bit better. The girls started ceramics yesterday morning and will start chorus tomorrow. They are thrilled because at school today all their valegrams will be sent. Valegrams are little notes you can buy with either balloons, pencil bouquet, gummy bouquet, or sucker. I love these little extras this school does. Speaking of school, Brian went to parent teacher conferences last week. Grace’s teacher was oozing about her and saying she is the model student. Brian quickly asked if there was drama and crying and she reassured there was not. Amazing how they can be so different at school. At any rate, the teacher said that by the end of Kindergarten they like the students to be at a level 3. Grace scored level 20 her first day here. We were both shocked. I guess Abigail’s reading to her has paid off. Abigail continues to excel and do well in school too. She is making new friends as well.

Well, I tend to jabber on and on. I don’t know where Brian and I will end up eating tonight but I do remember 11 years ago today we ate in my little tree hut while my mom served us. Good times! Some things never change through time. I married the love of my life, and I’m happier with him now more than ever. He is my best friend, my partner, the AMAZING father of 4 beautiful girls and my soul mate. I love you, Sweetie. You mean everything to us! BE MINE! so cliche but that’s ok.

For the photos click http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/

Snowy Day & Photos of my girls

This is Julie. The girls and I had a snowy day yesterday and we were enjoying watching the snow coming down from INSIDE. We were looking out the windows at the beautiful snow dancing and then I noticed we were in the perfect light. Soooo I grabbed my little point and shoot and had a good time. I have been bustin out the camera more because of you Nat. Natalie told me about a website that has beautiful & inspiring photography. Lets just say it whet my appetite. I was taking pictures of Grace and Lucy jumped in suddenly and then the magical shot happened. I love the picture of Lucy sitting on the quilt but I do have to agree with Grandpa Elcock that she looks too grown up. I am a little rusty with the photography but there has been talk of a new digital camera! Gotta practice!

Last night Brian and I were up again until 1:00am watching the final episode of season 2 of Top Chef. Alas no more. He brought home a dvr to change my wayward habits. Jami Wardle are you proud or what? At any rate I am pretty excited and scheduled in today all my favorite shows so they’ll be recorded and we can go to bed a little earlier like normal people. Who am I kidding–I’ll always be a night owl! What would we do without Modern Technology–the world would go on I suppose, but it is so nice to have it all at our fingertips. Today the inversion burnt off and it is a beautiful day–blue blue skies and white snow-dusted mountains.

I took Lucy to her first Toddler Tunes this week. She is with a group of about seven 3-year olds. Leslie, my nephew Morgan’s wife, is the animated and amazing teacher of the crew through Art City Music Academy. She truly has the most amazing soprano voice. Lucy loves Leslie and thinks music school rocks. All the children have a parent or significant other there to guide them and interact with them. They each got to play on their own keyboard learning differences between the black and white keys. They switch activities often about every 2-3 minutes playing drums, shakers, rolling balls, reading stories, etc… Aunt Marilyn was kind enough to come bathe Gwenyth and have some one on one time with her through the duration.

Speaking of Aunt Marilyn, she and Dave are currently digging a pool and she mentioned to me that she might be teaching swimming lessons this summer. To that I say, where do we all sign up! Lucy took the sink or swim survival course last year but could use a little work and the other girls could use some formal technical training. Did I mention that Leslie is also an amazing tennis player and tennis teacher… We are so glad to have such talented family members so near by. I also signed Grace & Abby up for Lindon Elementary Chorus and Ceramics & crafts. Through the city I have Lucy signed up for Toddler Gymnastics and Grace and Abby are taking cooking classes. Wow that sounds like a lot–I hope we haven’t over scheduled. Now I know why I shouldn’t write the blog. I am a horrible speller and it gets dull very quickly so I’ll stop here. Adieu

http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/