Catching up already...

It's a new year and we're already behind. Well, we'll start with our trip to California. We left Montana and drove to Payson, Utah. The conditions weren't too bad and we were excited to get to Pomona the next day. Julie drove from Payson to Las Vegas, and made great time. We were leaving Vegas and it started snowing. By the time we hit Primm (2 o'clock in the afternoon) it was really snowing and the freeway had been closed for a few hours for construction, so there hadn't been any plowing yet. Due to that and who knows what else, they closed the freeway for the rest of the day, and the following morning. They finally opened the freeway at noon, but by then there was a ten mile line on the freeway to go south, as well as a line to get on the freeway from the casinos at Primm. We chose to go back to Vegas and spend a few hours with Julie's brother Justin and his family. We had lunch, played their wii, and then got back on the road at 2:30. It was a slow drive, but we made it to Pomona by 8. We were glad to be there. Luckily for us, Joseph was amazing and traveled really well. The picture is right outside of Buffalo Bill's Casino. A few boys started making snowmen. It was nice. The other picture is just past state line. It was a snowy wonderland.

While in California, Julie was able to catch up with a group of friends from High School (two of whom are pregnant as well). It was tons of fun, and she stayed out way too late! Time has flown by so fast from those days, and it's always neat to see how we've all grown and changed in that time.

Christmas Eve was a fun time at Julie's parent's house. The whole family was there (except for Travis and family who just moved to Montana). It was tons of fun. Joseph really enjoyed playing with his cousins. He remembers them all very well. We took pictures of most of them, so we can show him their faces, and keep them in his memory until the reunion next summer.

On Christmas morning Joseph, Julie, Grandma, and Riley made graham cracker houses. It was so much fun. Joseph enjoyed eating the candy more than making the houses. But he still made quite the creation with Julie's help. Then after Riley and Nicholas were picked up to go home, Joseph had his own Christmas morning opening presents from Julie, Aaron and the Denney side of the family. (The Burnhams all opened presents together on Christmas Eve) Joseph got a few really exciting presents. One is a new bike. We didn't bring it to California because of space issues, but he did get a helmet on Christmas, and has since tried riding it around the apartment. He is even understanding the pedals a little bit. Unfortunately, it's still way to snowy and icy outside in Montana for him to get real practice riding it outdoors.

In news since we've gotten home from California, Aaron had his 27th birthday! We had a modest celebration at home, just the 3 of us. It was nice to be home on his birthday.

Julie has been busy finishing up that last class for her bachelors degree. Unfortunately, she has to retake her final exam. She was 3 points shy of getting the grade she needed. But she is determined to get it done. It has already been reordered, and she will take it again at the end of the month. In the meantime, she is a studying machine, and will not be set back again!

Julie has also been busy relaxing, and in her downtime has been working on a blanket for Joseph. She started it months ago, but in the last month has finally been putting the pieces together. It was just finished last night, and she is so proud of it!

Last, but definitely not least, Julie had another doctor's appointment yesterday. We are still expecting a girl! She is so extremely active. She wouldn't stop moving for either ultrasound. But we were finally able to get a decent picture of her, which was exciting. Julie's doctor even put the machine into 3-D mode, and printed a really neat 3-D picture. (He is a really great doctor!) She still doesn't have a name yet, but Aaron and Julie are working on it, and Joseph contributes when he can. Although so far, the only names he has come up with are Carly and Kaliya (his cousins).