Back-tracking to Lily's Blessing

Well, I'm trying to catch up on some photos I never posted. Lily's blessing was a special day, so I thought I should share them. I believe it was the first week in December. Lily was sure looking cute that day thanks to Grandma Nielsen. She made Lily a beautiful dress. It's nice to have someone with sewing skills willing to make these special dresses for my girls. Thanks again Grandma Nielsen!

Our Electronics Junkie

For those of you that know Clementine, you know she is an absolute electronics nut. She is especially fond of "numbs" or phones and computers. You should see her work an iphone. She is a pro. People stare in amazement when they she her whip through pages and applications. She even has her own iTouch. I know, it is crazy that a 2 year old would have that nice of electronics, but it helps keep us all sane at times.

She recently took at trip to the mall with her Grandma to visit the Apple Store. As you can see by the pictures, she was in heaven. I heard all the sales people got a big kick out of her. She cracks me up.

This was Clemie attempting a nap at Grandmas house. She has to have her iTouch when she goes to sleep now. She loves to watch YoGabbaGabba, Jacks Big Music Show, surfs the web, plays games, etc. I think it's actually a little out of control. I hope we're not causing some permanent damage by allowing her to do this.

Happy Birthday Dad....a day late!

It's just like me to forget birthdays. I have to constantly remind myself, write them down, put them on the calender, and then hope that someone else reminds me too. Well, I just looked at my calendar today and realized that I forgot yours, again! I'm pretty sure I totally forgot one year and you didn't ever get a phone call. I know you were very disappointed and knew I didn't want that to happen again. I'm sorry Dad for forgetting again. I hope you can forgive me for being a little lazy and selfish at times.

So as soon as I realized I forgot your birthday, I went to check my sister Kellie's blog to see if she had wrote anything for you. Of course she did. She had a really nice tribute to you and of course I cried all the way through. It made me think of all of the times we had together, many of the memories are the same as Kellie's. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you. I'm sad to not have you around and it is hard for me to believe that you aren't still here. I remember the day Brent had to tell me that you were gone and how shocked and in disbelief I was. It just felt like a nightmare and I was hoping I would wake up and realize it wasn't true. I think it's going to take us all a long time to adjust, but we'll always be missing you.

Dad, I am constantly reminded of you.

Us Williams girls were all blessed with the signature "Norm Forehead". Brent affectionately calls it the "Movie screen Forehead". Let's just way I'll always have bangs.

There is a certain look that I always give Brent that apparently you often gave him too. I always get a "thanks Norm" every time I give it to him.

I still get ripped on for my "making change" class in high school. Just to remind you it was called Quantitative Literacy. Apparently I learned something. I manage the money in our house.

Dad I do know what "Extra Care Bucks" are.....but NO there is no such thing as "Regular Care Bucks".

One of my favorite phrases I get from you. I've told Brent the story a million times of how I got it. I know he doesn't want to hear it again, so I'll tell you. It all came from the famous motor home trip where you tried to rent us an old, smelly beater of an RV. We made it about 10 minutes down the street before my mom made you turn back home to return it. The next morning we woke up to my mom pulling down the street in the most pimp-daddy motor home they had on the lot. We were all so excited and finally made it on the trip our second try. As we were pulling out of the driveway you said, "Let's blow this popsicle stand". I make sure to use this phrase whenever I get the chance.

These are just a few of the thoughts and memories of you. I wish you were around to make more, but it makes me happy to remember those times.

Happy Birthday Dad! I didn't forget, I just remembered a day late.

Welcome Lily Lynn....

Yes, it only took me a month....but I'm finally posting some pictures from Lily's birth. Time has really flown by since she's been born.  For those that don't already know, she was born September 13th and weighed 6 lbs 2 oz.  She is a petite little bundle of joy.  She really has been a good baby.  She's pretty much slept all of the first month of life, except for the time she takes out for eating and pooping.  She's sure to set her mental alarm clock for every three hour and never misses a feeding.  She did sleep a 6 hour stretch ONCE, and mommy is certainly looking forward to that happening more often.   Her sister Clementine has grown to love Lily and is excited to help with anything she can.  She loves to hold, kiss, point out all of her body parts, force binkys in her mouth, and buckle her in her car seat.  She's a great big sister!

Life Changes....

I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything.  Life has been full of changes for our family and I've been a little bit overwhelmed and not really sure what to say about some things.  I'm going to do my best to give an update.  Sorry, no fun pictures involved.

First of all, we made the big move from New Haven, CT to Highlands Ranch, CO.  I ended up flying with Clemie and Brent and his dad made the long drive with the truck.  Everything went safely and smoothy and we're happy to finally be a little bit settled here.  We're currently living with Brent's parents.  They have been so patient with us as we try to figure out what's next for us as far as a job, house, kids, etc.  The job hunt for Brent has been a challenge, but we think things are starting to finally fall into place.  It's been nice to have Brent at home with us to help with Clemie and to keep us company, but I'm happy he's finally started to go to work last week!  Right now he's up to 2-3 days a week, but we're sure his workload will pick up soon... despite Brent's desire to be a full time mountain biker/hiker and fly fisherman.  

A major life change has recently affected our family.  A few weeks ago my dad was killed in a boating accident in Key West, FL.  We were all totally shocked and of course devastated by the news.  My dad was so young at heart and none of us thought this day was coming any time soon.  We have all come to rely on our faith and knowledge that our Heavenly Father needed him home more than we needed him on earth and that we will see him again one day once our journey in done.  The funeral was held in Key West where my dad spent much of his childhood and still considered home.  He died and his earthly body rests in a place that brought him so much joy and doing what he truly loved, anything out on the ocean.  We are missing him ever so much and think of him all the time.  We're all learning how to adjust our lives without him and I'm sure this will take some time.  It will be hard not having such a fun, loving guy around.  We love you Dad!

In more happy news, baby girl #2 will be born sometime within the next month.  We are so excited to meet her and hope that we can come up with a name before she is born.  We're open to suggestions if you have any.  Remember, she will have a sister named Clementine, so it has to kind of go with that.  It's been a challenge.  

Well, that's my update for now.  I'll try and keep the postings coming.

Brent's Graduation Dinner

This week we had Brent's graduation dinner for completing his residency here at Yale.  I can't believe it has been a year since attending the dinner for last years graduates.  It was fun to experience living in New England, but I am so ready to move on to Denver.  Brent has been super busy with his program and I never imagined he would be away from home so much.  Between being on-call and all of the extra evening lectures and visits to a local dentist's office, he has been gone late into the evening many nights.  Between being pregnant and having a wild child to look after, it has been a little rough the past few months trying to survive until the end.  Well, our time is almost up, and I couldn't be happier.  I'm really excited to live close to family and start this new phase of life!

Before the dinner.  We never take a family picture, so I figured this was a good opportunity.  Sadly, this is about as good as it gets.

This is Julie 26 weeks pregnant and feeling rather large.  I'm hoping this isn't going to be a 10lb baby!

At the dinner.  Clementine was such a good girl.  The whole things lasted about 4 hours between the presentations and dinner.  I think I was more antsy then Clemie.

Doing what we have to do to keep Clementine entertained.  A little sprite never hurt anyone.

Brent showing Clemie off to everyone.  Clementine is pretending she's a shy girl.  

Brent going up to get his certificate.  They introduced him as the "hot shot" of the group.  Not sure if that is an insult or compliment, but I guess we'll take it.

Cape Cod

A couple of weekends ago we were lucky enough to have my Aunt and Uncle come up from Key West for a weekend visit.  This gave us a good excuse to make a road trip to Cape Cod.  None of us had been there before, so it was a new experience for all of us.  Not really knowing where to go in Cape Cod, we headed all the way to the end of the Cape to Provincetown.   It was beautiful and the weather couldn't have been more perfect, but lets just say it was not at all the yuppy town we all expected.  We were definitely the minority when it came to heterosexual couples. Let's just say our next visit to Cape Cod will probably not include Provincetown.  We discovered on our way home some nicer small towns with beautiful beaches that we would love to visit again.  Overall, we enjoyed the day eating lunch on the waterfront, walking the town, and exploring some beaches.  

These were our views while eating lunch.

Clementine enjoying eating lunch with her great Aunt Louanna and Uncle David.

Clementine trying out a boa at a local toystore.

Downtown Provincetown

This was the beach we discovered on the way home.  I can't remember the name of it, but it was beautiful.

We had to go test out the water.  It was so freezing!  The only people crazy enough to get in were the surfers with wetsuits.  Clementine loved the waves and even stuck her toes in.