Here we are with the last installment of my favorite moments of 2009. As I was preparing this last photo group, I felt sad that 2009 was over, and that we won't be in Virginia any longer. I have really loved the East Coast, but I do hope I'll enjoy the West Coast as well. I know that as long as we are together as a family, lasting memories are bound to be made no matter where we are.-Gillian was invited to a birthday party by one of her class mates. I think Gillian was the only one invited from her class; everyone else there were friends of the birthday girl, and they all knew how to skate, except for Gillian. I was proud of her; she never gave up, and she had a blast.
-As Gillian and Jefferson started school, I was finding more time to spend with James. He is very loving and sweet, and above all it doesn't take much to please him. In this picture, he is having a time of his life just playing in a indoor playground located in the mall. The simple pleasures of James' life.
-This year our children had no doubt what they were going to be for Halloween: Star Trek characters. Gillian took the role of Kirk, Jefferson made a very convincing Spock, and James wanted to fly the Enterprise as Sulu. I know that not many children know what Star Trek is about. Our children had once a week a movie date with their dad. Every Wednesday, they would watch one episode of the original series of Star Trek. They know a lot about the characters and the plots. We haven't introduced them to the movies or the other Star Treks since they are still very young, but watching these episodes with their dad will be one of their favorite memories.
-I honestly love being with my kids as long as we are doing two things: reading together or being out and seeing something educational or entertaining. I'm the best mom then.
-This trip to Monticello was fabulous. The weather was beautiful, the leaves had just turned color, and the house was enchanting. I had written an essay on Monticello while in college, so seeing it and looking at every nook and corner was awesome for me. We loved the house, with its amazing architecture and inventions; we loved the storage area and the rooms where they cooked and baked; we were astonished by the vast land and gardens Jefferson had the servants plant all sorts of vegetables and fruits, and we were in awe as we visited the tomb of this great renaissance man. Our Jefferson felt very proud to carry this amazing individual's name.
-My trip in New York city was a lot of fun. My mother, my brother and I (and Charlton) spent three days there. Elijah had found us a great deal at the New Yorker hotel right down town, and so we were able to truly go anywhere we wanted. We went up the Empire State building, we strolled through Central Park, and we visited Wall Street, Federal Hall Memorial, Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, the Statue of Liberty, and of course many more on the way. Two things I want to mention here. First, the elevator at the Statue of Liberty wasn't working so I climbed the stairs up the statue's skirts holding an 18 pound baby in my arms. I will always remember that I climbed the stairs with Charlton in my arms. The other interesting thing also happened while at the Statue of Liberty. Sunday morning come, we were still in New York spending some time with my cousin. While we were in New York, Elijah is asked at church by a couple if his wife was visiting New York city this weekend. We hadn't told anyone, so Elijah was a bit surprised. The couple mentioned that they had been there this weekend and had thought that they had seen me. When that was confirmed, they added to Elijah smiling "Don't worry, she was behaving." Of course I was behaving, what else can you do with a baby in your arms, and a brother and a mom on each side:) It was very funny incident, and it goes to show how little our Mormon world is.
-This year we spent our Thanksgiving with friends in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. The children had the most fun. They got to swim in the ocean, although it was pretty cold. They would stroll along the beach collecting shells, and then they would master the courage to get into the water, and after they had had enough cold water, they would run to the house to get warmed up in the jacuzzi. Seeing them had so much fun made me want to be a child again. We were able to visit lighthouses, Kill Devil Hill, Roanoke Island, and of course Thanksgiving dinner was great, because each family cooked one or two dishes and I wasn't tired out before the dinner even started. We all had a great time.
-Christmas season came to fast this year. In the beginning of December, we had a long list of items we had to accomplish before the 18th, on which date we were planning to go down to Georgia for the holidays and two weddings. The list included finding a house in California, buy presents, mail some of them, prepare for James' birthday on the 13th, and of course pack for the trip to Georgia, and having a plan for packing the house when we got back. Everything was accomplished with lots of help from friends and family.
