March B-Days For Jeff, Lorrie and Rachel

I received a real surprise this year for my B-Day. On the 18th of March I went over to have lunch with my parents in Santa Clara where they live, and when I entered the motorhome(they live in a Class A Motorhome), I saw Rachel standing just inside the door and Will sitting in one of the chairs. I said hello and was about to ask why and then Amanda and Melissa came from around the corner where the couch is and said Surprise. I was in total shock!! I never expected them to be here. They said didn't you see the truck outside? I did see a truck and motorcycle in tow, but didn't think it was theirs. It was such a wonderful surprise. I found out that everyone else in my family knew, only I didn't. The kids had gotten there only 2 hours before I arrived. They had checked with my boss earlier in the week to see what time I got off work that day, so they could be there on time. This had all been planned for about month. Well, the rest of the suprise was that they were all going to to redo my kitchen cupboards. Dennis and Jeff had started them a while back, but never finished them. Will did alot of the work and they look great. They took off the white paint, sanded off the dark brown paint underneath and have them down to the natural wood. We will have to linseed oil them and then put them back up. Dennis and I just have to get movitated to finish them. Hopefully the weather will get back warmer so we can do this outside. Amanda was able to visit with many of her High School friends while she was here. Well, we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on my B-Day(20th) after work and Rachel loved it. On Saturday the 21st(Rachel's 2nd B-Day) we had a party at my sister's home in Scotts Valley. Patty & Dan Moody, Dave, Carole & Ruben Carter, my parents, Dan Judd and of course my sister and her family were there. It was a great party and great to see everyone. Jeff, Rachel and I received many nice gifts and appreciated them. Sunday we headed over to Twin Lakes Beach to enjoy the ocean. This is the same beach were Will proposed to Melissa over 3 1/2 years ago. It was windy and a little cold, but I gave Amanda and Melissa each a pretty glass bottle for them to collect Santa Cruz beach sand and shells so that they can each have a little bit of Santa Cruz and the beach with them always. I was sad to see Monday come since the kids had to leave to go home. It was such a long drive for them all, but I'm glad they made the drive. Waiting until mid August for our Family vacation is so far away. I'm so glad that we had great weather for them while they were out here.

Fun Flashback

So this photo is from my 8th or 9th birthday, I can't remember for sure. I just want to start sharing old family photos because I think its fun to look back. I'd also like to have some of all of yours for my collection. You might recognize a few of the kids here. On the back wall is Brian Moody, the other boy on the left is Jonathan Judd, I'm in the middle below Brian, Front row on the left is April Judd, Front row right is Kimberly Snyder, and the blond in the very front is my sister Amanda Judd. The other kids were some of my friends at the time. This birthday party was at Dave Carter's house.

Amanda's 22nd birthday!

22 candles Everyone singing at the restaurant Amanda spent the Holidays at my house including her birthday, which is the day after Christmas. We went to a Brazilian Grill called Tucanos for dinner and the employees sang to her and then we had cake at home the next night because we were too full from dinner to eat it on her birthday.

Dennis Judd Family Pictures 12/2008

Well, since we were all together again for Christmas, we went down and had family pictures done. Melissa and I always seem to be the ones who organize this. It took us a little longer to get us all showered and ready to go. I'm glad I was the 2nd one to shower because I got hot water and those at the end did not. It pays to get up early.

We were only 1/2 hour late and only had to wait 10 minutes and it didn't take too long for all the shots they took of us. Melissa and I picked out what we needed and then it was off to lunch. The best thing was the special they had was we could pick out 8 sheets of pictures and get the CD of all the pictures without enhancements and it was only $139.00. Now we can take the CD to different places and get whatever pictures we want. I wish they would have this special all the time.

Our next family picture will hopefully be at the beach. We want warmth, not snow!! I don't mind Utah so far, but the snow is cold.

Trip to Las Vegas

In November I decieded to run away from work and home for a few days and asked Melissa, Will and Rachel to run away with me. They drove the 5 hours and met me in Las Vegas. We stayed at the Stratosphere(never again will we stay at this hotel). I flew in on Thursday afternoon and they drove in that evening. My cousin Debbie who lives in Vegas picked me up at the airport and took me to the hotel. It was great to see her and her sister Rebecca since we have not seen each other in about 16 years.

We hooked up with some family friends Jessica and Emmy who also live in Vegas. Jessica, her husband and kids have lived there for a number of years and Emmy her sister came to live with them a little while ago. They showed us some of the exciting things on the strip. It was great to see them and Jessica's kids. I have only seen pictures of her family. We did some sight seeing for the 4 1/2 days and were able to do things Rachel liked. We went to a kind of Discovery Museum that Rachel just loved. The time was too short, but it was nice to get away and see Rachel and not have to wait until Christmas. Maybe we can do this again sometime.