Happy 2008 from the Mendezes!

Yes, I'm flabbergasted too. How in the world did it get to be 2008 already? Sheez.

December around here was quite a whirlwind. The main topic of conversation: SANTA. And Abby was quite emphatic that she.did.not.like.him.at.all. Not one bit. Ever.

At the Embassy Holiday Party

Can't you just see her thinking, "You're a mean mommy"?
With the Santa in Aviano

In other interesting news; I'm done with my CLASS! Barely got my final project in on time, but who cares? It's done. (And Joel won the championship in his Fantasy Football league. You'd think he walked on the moon.) We went to the Embassy Christmas party, and also hosted a small Christmas Eve extravaganza here in our house.

Our Christmas tree was huge!

We sent the older boys out on Christmas Eve to shovel snow. They thought it was fun!

Abby says "Cheese"

Oh, before we get to Christmas day, I have to tell you what Joel did. He got me GOOD. He threw me a surprise birthday party at a restaurant, and actually surprised me! I was so not in the mood to go out and couldn't think of a decent excuse to get out of it - and besides, who has date night with an 18 month old chaperoning? And lo and behold, when we arrive, there are all my buddies sitting at the table waiting on us. I was such a dork, saying, "Oh isn't that nice that you are all having dinner together?" "Isn't it such a coincidence that we're all at the same restaurant at the same time?" Yeah, I told you I was a dork. It took me a minute or two to get it. Anyway, the restaurant is called Fort Apache and has fabulous American BBQ, in the middle of nowhere in Croatia. I ate some seriously yummy ribs. Who woulda thunk?

Okay, so here are a few Christmas pictures.

I know I've not really written much this post, but I figured you guys rather see the pictures instead of listening to me yack on, anyways. And the reason we have so many great pictures? Santa brought me and Joel a new camera, so we've been "practicing" quite a lot!

Okay, just one more picture that I have to share. Do you see this face? This stinker is what I deal with every day. Yep. We're in trouble.

Till next time!

Love,

Julie, Joel, and Abby