Stuard Family: 2014

December 23, 2014

Santa

Santa came to visit

Cameron was excited to see Santa and tell him want he wanted for Christmas which included an I-Pod and anything that isn't girlish.

Julia wants a Seahawk sweatshirt and anything that isn't boyish!

Natters was so cute with Santa. As you can see the smile says it all. She has a long list of everything her heart desires, everything from a hula hoop to a camera.

Lucy was not scared of Santa at ALL. In fact he came in and she walked right up to him. She was very excited to see him and tell him that she wants a "kitty purse" for Christmas.

December 18, 2014

A tradition like no other

Natalie's artwork never fails to make me smile

This is a good thing because the same day this was drawn our Christmas tree fell over. You might say, "Didn't your tree fall over a couple of years ago? Didn't you learn your lesson?" You might think that we would but this is not the case. We are apparently not quick learners around here. Cam said, "Maybe we should just tie the tree to the wall every year, just in case." Nothing makes me crankier than decorating a tree for the 2nd time, lights and all. Lots of ornaments broke this time, but I am learning to go with it and am trying to remember what is most important. Besides now I can look back at the sad state of the ornaments and laugh one day about it. Right? Hopefully this little tradition we have started will end. Our tree is now safety bungeed to the wall. It is a nice look...

Our camera is of the highest quality. :(

December 17, 2014

Volleyball

Julia just finished up her season of volleyball. Can I tell you how much I love this sport. It is inside, the matches are short, and it is fun to watch. It was pretty painless!! Julia was a Wildcat in the 9/10 age division. She is becoming a pretty good player. She was one of the very few on her team that was consistent in serving and to be counted on when it mattered. Way to go seven!

My one and only picture I took of her all season.....

New family pics

We had our family picture taken the other week. Why is it that so stressful? Mitch's boss was gracious enough to take our picture. He takes wildlife photos that are amazing. I told him, taking our picture wasn't too far off of wildlife other than wildlife would probably cooperate better.

Christmas Recital

Monday was our annual Christmas recital at Grandmas. Both Cameron and Julia are getting better and better. Natalie is waiting some what impatiently for next year when she will be old enough to start piano. After the recital we decorated gingerbread houses and Lucy loved her "candy house." The kids have pretty much polished them off and it is only Wednesday. Gross!

It's good to be an Englishman...

I was uploading Cameron and Julia's Christmas piano recital videos when I found this. Where have the years gone? I want to give this little boy a hug!

December 16, 2014

Mother-Daughter Activity

Julia and I attend a Mother/Daughter activity that was put on by the Achievement Day leaders. It was an 80s themed mix up dinner. Julia was so darling. She loved every minute of it. I loved being with her but have to say was a little bit tired. We had the Turkey Trot and Natalie's birthday party earlier that day and I was running a little low on energy.

The mixed up mystery dinner was fun. Everyone got a menu with lots of funny saying and you had to choose one for each course of the dinner. Julia's dinner ended up being noodles, jello, and a roll eaten out of a cup, with a toothpick. I didn't fair much better. I got a bowl but got 3 types of bread for my main course.

At the end of the night they played a 80s trivia game and Julia was so proud that I got my question right. She also loved that I was one of the 80s mom's that was featured in "Name that 80s mom"

Turkey Trot

This year our annual Turkey Trot landed on Natalie's birthday. It was a super busy fun day! Cameron and Julia ran the 5k and Natalie and Lucy ran the 1k. I originally didn't sign Lucy up to run the event. I didn't think she would make it 25 m before she wanted to stop. Boy, was I wrong. She insisted that she run "her race" and she ran the entire way. She was so cute!

Natalie ran the 1k and thinks she is ready for the 5k next year. Hopefully Dad will be able to run it with her as I think I am a perfect cheerleader/spectator.

Lucy with her medal

Cameron at the beginning of the 5k.

Cam placed 1st in his age division ( boys age 9-11) with a time of 20:44. That is an average of 6:41 a mile. Next year he is in for some tough competition when he has to run in the 12-14 age group.

Julia placed 3rd in her age group (girls age 9-11) with a time of 28:02. She really improved from last year and even though running long distance isn't her favorite, she rocked it!

Of course we finished the morning off at Krispy Kreme for a little celebration.

Natalie's Birthday

Natalie turned 7! I would say I can't believe it but Nat is 7 going on 17 so seven doesn't seem so far fetched. Nat wanted to have a penguin themed party this year with very specific ideas of how the cake was to look. I hope I came close to making her visions a reality. She had a friend party with 9 friends that showed up. That is a lot for our little house. The party consisted of crafts, dance party, more crafts and eating cake. I have to say when it was over I was relieved!

This was pretty much the only picture I took of the party while it was going on. Hope our mental pictures of the party last.

I decided to spice her decorations up a bit and make a balloon arch. It turned out awesome!

November 18, 2014

OH MY GOODNESS!

I originally had scheduled Lucy's birthday pictures to be taken before her glasses came but with an extremely chapped lip and a black eye that would not go away I finally got them taken yesterday. She got her glasses last Wednesday and she has been a good girl wearing them. These pictures turned out so dang cute. Here is her photo shoot: