Testing-testing. Is thing on?

Wow-it's been a while! I finally figured out the whole sign in problem, so I am now good to go-at least until the new semester starts! Christmas was a whirlwind of activity. We drove over 1,000 miles in the course of a week, but it was good to see everyone. Justin and I enjoyed our last year of traveling light. Next year we'll be packing the extra trailer of baby things (or at least that's how it feels). That was the most amazing thing to realize. Next year at Christmas our SON (yes, we now know it's a baby boy) will be celebrating his first Christmas. How exciting!

We've decided to name him Samuel Peter. Samuel is from the Bible story. I had so many health problems it was doubtful that I would have children. The story of Hannah in the Bible brought me a lot of comfort. And then God blessed with now 2 children! Peter is from my Grandpa Kuch. He was a wonderful man. He loved his family and loved watching his grandchildren play. Going to his house and watching the great grandchildren run around and fish in the pond makes me miss him more-I know he would have been delighted by that.

Julia is thrilled about having a baby brother. This was a relief to us because she had been declaring that the baby could only be a "Lydia" (our girl's name). She now refers to herself as "Baby Samuel's big sister". And she talks about everything she is going to teach him. Justin and I will refer to him as "Sam" but she continues to insist-and correct us-that his name is Samuel. Four-year-olds are a hoot!

I guess that's something else that happened since my last post. Julia turned four in fancy fashion. Can you believe that my baby is four? I know I can't! Julia had a Fancy Nancy party complete with tiaras and feather boas. She had a couple of her daycare friends and a neighbor come (we were quite thankful for the small number). It was a really nice evening. The next evening she celebrated with her grandparents, Uncle Andy and his two sons, and Aunt Abbey. She received the bike she was wanting-Disney princess, of course. That was rough for me to see. She's just getting so big! Speaking of big, she is now wearing size 5 because she is so tall. I have accepted that she will most likely be taller than me. She has started the journey of learning to read and now has 2 little books that she reads to us. I'll have to post video of that; it's very cute.

Below are a few pictures of Julia's birthday. I'll post some Christmas pictures later.