In 2004, Izzy turned 2 and Dominic said bye to 4. This was a year of change that turned out not 2 formidable 4 the Lamberts to adjust to. It especially marked a year of beginnings for our 1st child. 

In May, Dominic graduated preschool, a precursor to the biggest 1st, KINDERGARTEN. In August, he started grade school at Christie Elementary. New friends, new teacher, new school, and new hours!  Went from going to school a few hours a day a few days a week to making early morning class all day 5 days a week!  A huge adjustment for the whole family. (esp the early wind down at night to make the early morning part) Fortunately, Dominic transitioned well. He has managed to earn rewards for good behavior and being a QP or “Quality Producer” every week.  He got himself placed in a special reading program due to his entering kindergarten reading at such an advanced level (assessed at 3rd grade level). He was also the only one in his class to be honored by the school principal and Plano Rotary Club in December with the "Good Citizen" award for demonstrating big word things like trustworthiness, responsibility, and kindness. He appears off to a promising well rounded start in his academic journey and actually looks forward to school... Hmmm... how long can we keep him this way?

Our little guy also spent this year trying out new outdoor activities...Experienced his 1st crash maneuvering his 1st 2 wheeler bike...Earned his 1st trophy playing his 1st team sport as a member of the “Shark Attack” soccer team... Had his 1st butt bump on ice during his 1st ice skating attempt...   Flew his 1st kite into a tree… Stuck his head under water for the 1st time during his 1st swimming lesson... 

Isabella took a dunk in "water babies" swimming class to be like Brother.  In fact, Isabella was right there enjoying or imitating Big Brother during all his outdoor exploits. Not being able to join him at school and thus having him suddenly gone all day 5 days a week was not according to her plan.  She missed him but did welcome the new individual quality time with Mommy.  They had more time to do things like read her favorite books about Maisy the mouse, play pretend with her “Little People” house, or  watch Dora the Explorer together.  She got Eli, her frequent playmate, interested in Dora and Maisy too.  Since Aunt Beth earned her real estate license this year, Eli got to come over and play with Izzy while his Mommy worked part time. 

While Isabella broadened her passion for books to include just about anything she sees during her weekly library visits, Little People and Dora are current steadfast obsessions she insists on EVERY day as well as sleeping with the now raggedy fuzzy pink bear every night. She is generally particular but passionate about what she wants. Fortunately wanting to be like Brother has contributed to her speaking in complete sentences to talk like him and picking up letters and most of their sounds to read like him. Around Thanksgiving, Izzy said bye bye to her crib AND her room and was delighted to move in with him to sleep on his bottom bunk while he moved up top. Why the big shuffle? See January surprises below....

Mommy relished having the unrushed quality time as stay at home mommy that she could dedicate to rewarding endeavors like teaching Dominic how to read or sharing creative moments with Isabella during pretend playtime. However we did have a scare threatening this precious time. No April Fool’s joke… In April, Bank of America bought Direct Access, Daddy’s employer… but not Daddy. Fortunately, we were only without income for less than a month.   Daddy now works as an independent contractor for Direct Trade, a customer of his previous employer. He worked from home coding and troubleshooting to assist customers in online stock trading for 1st few months while they made space for him. Now, he works on the top floor of a high rise in Las Colinas and observes Red-tailed Hawks from his window.

With his new job, Daddy would no longer get to work next to Kenny after having worked with him at both Amtech and Direct Access.  Mommy even worked with Ken Leder at Raytheon.  Our work-buddy-no-longer <but still drinking buddy, house muscle buddy aka "some friends and beer" ;), Vegas buddy, poker buddy, etc...> officially hooked up with some new buddies for life in October- Lisa and Meaghan (Lisa's lovely daughter).  As bridesmaid and groomsman, Mommy and Daddy got to participate in the many associated events leading up to and including Ken and Lisa's much anticipated wedding. Now our family enjoys a family buddy in the Leder family.

This year Ken and Lisa hosted quarterly Texas Hold Em poker tournaments at their house.  Last year, Daddy’s passion for poker started.  This year, Mommy got sucked in, too.  Playing Texas Hold Em Poker online or in Ken and Lisa’s tournaments was definitely one of their favorite pastimes this year.  As a team, they walked away with profit in all of the $15 tournaments. Mommy was also the only 2 time champ!

Other reasons to celebrate.... Big BIG news to kick off 2005 that couldn't wait!  Yes, Isabella freed up the nursery for a good reason... We just found out in January, and Dominic’s very pleased. He already had a baby sister and now will have a BABY BROTHER. We’re expecting him around May 27, 2005.

AND end of January, we have just acquired ANOTHER new addition to the family.  Uncle Phillip!!  Aunt Beth and Phillip were just MARRIED!!  They eloped in Vegas on top of the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. We all love Uncle Phillip and welcome him with open arms!

2005 already promises 2 be a year of excitement for our family-to-be of 5.  Hope 2005 treats you and your family well!

XXXOOO,  ♥ Dennis, Anna, Dominic, Isabella, and "baby brother" Lambert ♥

P.S. Visit www.annalambert.com to view this letter with links to enlargements of these itty bitty pics.

Holidays 2004