After only 1 year...but VA beach is calling!

We knew our time in Charlottesville would be short but we never knew we would make such life long friendships in such a short period of time. Thank goodness we are only 3 hours away and many of them have already come to visit. We had so many great friends living in the same neighborhood making it convenient to just hangout and play all the time. Kylee was at the point that she didn't even knock when she went 2 doors down. These great ladies wondered what they could do to help and my response was, "Let's go shopping and out for ice cream!" I was in dire need of a girls night out. Yeah and Yeah they helped in many other ways too.Can I stuff you all in a box and take you with me. I am ready to move on to new places but not without ya. Thanks for teaching me sooooo much and being such wonderful examples.

We managed to get the place packed while fitting in as many last minute playdates, swim lessons and get togethers as possible. Kylee pretty much lived at our neighbors house our last few days there and when told it was time to finally come home was found here under the bathroom sink hiding for a long time as we really couldn't find them. I still can't believe they fit under the bathroom sink and didn't eventually come out from pure pain or sweat. The things she will do to stay with friends! I can't blame her.

Well, we promised the kids they could play in the moving truck and PLAY they did. Their creative minds came up with all sorts of ideas. We even had a picnic lunch inside the truck. They were at it from the morning Sky arrived with it till bedtime. At one point I wondered why all the girls were hiding from me and then saw the ramp to the truck covered in small little seeds they had collected. When I asked, what they were doing there my innocent (yeah right) little Kylee said, "We are setting a trap, the ramp is supposed to be slippery so you or dad will fall and be a little hurt so we won't be able to leave." I never knew a sentence could be so horrible and sweet at the same time. We woke up the next morning to a car that had been attacked with darling signs and sweet going away presents from our friends. With many tears passed we finally finished loading up and were on our way with promises made that they all had to come and visit. Skylar had the girls in the truck, Ted drove the Jeep and I was alone in the minivan allowing me to reflect and get ready for our next journey.We arrived to this and this helping my hurting heart but no things can replace true friendships. The girls had a blast exploring the house and we love its location. YES it has a guest room! For the next long while we will be renting since you all know how hard it is for me to make decisions and I have so much over the next couple of years to figure out...this area is huge. I do feel like we found a great neighborhood and good schools. Kylee made sure we made it up to the beach within our first 24 hrs. I mean really who needs to unpack. Priorities are Priorities. This is Sky and Ky pointing at our first of many dolphin sitings.
Skylar has worked so hard and we are extremely thankful he has hit the end of his training. He was blessed with some amazing teachers at Penn State and UVA where he met wonderful doctors and has always been apart of a team with people he respects. We are thankful for his training but also the amazing connections it provided as we have now learned that even in medicine your world is more open based on who you know. WOW, Skylar has a JOB...a real one!

Being in a new area not knowing anybody and it being in the middle of the summer with no scheduled events going on as Skylar headed off to his new job was a little overwhelming. However, me and the girls pulled out crafts and activities that I had stored up over the year that we hadn't had time to do while we counted down the days between each visitor. We also filled our time unpacking, shopping craigslist, over analyzing which TV sky should get, baking at our new kitchen island with the girls (a vision that has come true) and trying to keep cool. We quickly learned of open swim at the stake pres. pool where we began to meet some people in our ward.

Numerous baths have been taken in Mom and Dad's tub which has JETS providing endless bubbles...an absolute dream come true to these little girls! They also love the gigantic mirror around it which they dance and sing in front of all the time.

We also had a great morning of finger painting with pudding which quickly turned into ice skating along the kitchen floor and finished with Mom caring them up to the shower.With the move I have sure enjoyed watching these two cling to each other. Pretty neat to know that where ever you go your family comes along with ya. There relationship has grown so much and they truly love being with each other. Alexis is normally more excited to show or tell Kylee something than me.

GOING PRIVATE

I hope this won't stop any of you from checking the blog but we feel it is time to go Private. That means I need your e-mails!!!! So if you want to stay in touch with the Alsop crew through the blog leave me a comment with your gmail address and I'll send ya and invite. If you don't have g-mail, e-mail me and I'll let ya know what my plan is.

Now, I can blame the lack of recent blogging on the fact that I've been waiting to go private and waiting to be settled in our new place. However, it is time to kick it into gear especially since this is what I call my journaling and scrapbooking. I do want to turn some of it into a book soon so any of you that have done this please send tips my way and what site you used.

Please stay in touch with us. We miss all of you a ton!

Trip out West

The first of many...catch up posts!

I just can't move forward until I jot down a few memories from another great trip to Utah and Idaho over July 4th. Sky was insistent on having a few weeks of vacation between ending his fellowship and starting his job and of course he succeeded. So, for the first part of his break before packing up the house we headed out west.

We started off with a packed full day in Salt Lake fitting in as much as possible before heading up to Logan. This always includes eating at Rumbi's and seeing old friends!

We had a great night at Amber's house and I'm so glad that every time we see each other we can just pick up where we left off. A bunch of old Hershey gals got together as several of us were visiting Utah at the same time. It was a blast seeing everyone and catching up on each other's lives. Together we had quite the gang of kids... who helped being the photographer and grabbed a shot of us Mom's plus darling little Mia.

Kylee was extra thrilled to spend some time with Zanna! We sure wish it could be more often.

We also fit in a tour of the Conference Center and loved showing Kylee where the prophet speaks to us. Her reaction was priceless as we showed her one of the paintings in there...She just stared for a few seconds like she knew she should recognize the people but didn't.

Once we helped her along with this huge grin she said, "That's grandpa and Aunt Laura." Pretty cool to have my Dad and siblings faces in the conference center.

We made it to Logan and the girls were let loose...enjoying several moments with cousin Mason, exploring Nana's house, finding more treasures to take home and Lexi spent as many moments as possible checking on the cats and walking Bovi. Kylee even enjoyed her first ride on the "Zamboni" with the professional Uncle Ry Ry, which not many 6 year olds can say they've been on or even me for that matter.

The girls enjoyed their Mason time and he was such a trooper letting them feed, hold, change and play with him. He even let them use his toys which they clearly were too big for. He was a little concerned with Lexi in his swing but as you can see there was no getting her out! Instead of taking care of the baby she was loving the chance to be the baby.
We happily/willingly even pulled off a group shot for Nana which we haven't accomplished in a long time.

Kylee and I joined in on one of the boys rounds of golf where Kylee didn't do a whole lot of golfing but did do a whole lot of driving. She had a blast behind the wheel of the golf cart and couldn't get enough of it. Oh, a whole lot of ball washing too! We were happy to be there on the 4th where the girls got a chance to be a part of the tradition of setting fireworks off in the backyard of the cliffside house and see the show at the USU stadium. We definitely had some fun late nights!We got several "Parachute" firework DUDS but the girls thought it was the coolest thing trying to find and occasionally catch them. After several attempts we did have a few successes and learned where NOT to buy them next year :)

Ry and Sky took much pride in their grand finale firework which in the end was pretty impressive. Whether it was worth blowing most of the firework budget on it is up for question but we had a great show. These boys will always be boys! Kylee even took part in helping ignite this BAD BOY! Poor Mason joined us just in time for the finale and his ears may be scared for life when it comes to the noise of fireworks. We went out with a BANG! We went through box after box of sparklers and later even witnessed marshmallows being roasted over a candle during another one of our fabulous "game playing" sessions. It is fun to feel like KIDS again when we visit Logan. Even Uncle Ry Ry is growing up as we all enjoyed meeting his girlfriend Leisa while we were in town. The girls hit it off with her and wondered if they would see her again. Only time will tell!?!?!? Thanks for the great time crew!

The "FUN PARK" was calling our name or should I say "DEAL OR NO DEAL" Thanks Grandpa Ted and Glori for cheering us on.The girls had a heyday redeeming all the tickets!!!!!
I can't believe how many memories the fun park holds...from college single days to early married life, Kylee's younger visits and now Lexi loving it as well. I do wish we had an arcade that cheap here on the east coast.

The end of our trip was spent in Idaho again at my sister's place and out on the Snake river.

COUSIN TIME AT THE WINDY PARK! Both my girls couldn't get enough of Peyton and we had a blast just hanging out.
We provided plenty of entertainment for Peyton as we all tried to steal as many squeezes as possible. Both girls love her to death and Kylee like always takes great care of her. I love their faces as she is reading this book to Peyton. From just looking at it I can hear the emotion in her voice as she tries to explain part of it to Peyton.

There was plenty of water fun had on the Snake River during our few days in Idaho. We were thankful for warmer weather this year and we all had a blast.

Lex and Ky were hilarious waiting for the waves that Daddy was making hit the side of the dock, giving them their own little ride. I love how these two are finally becoming playmates!

Why is it that boat shots are always so dang cute? I just love all these girls and our love for PINK!

Kylee had her first tube ride and not only loved it but wouldn't get off. THANK YOU AUNT LAURA for being the trooper that braved the cold water with her for the never ending ride.

Like always it was a fabulous trip especially when I don't think about the crazy flying experiences we had getting home! 24hrs. later we made it back and since then we've received care packages for the girls from Delta in the mail and have made countless phone calls to the airline but oh yeah I wasn't gonna mention that. We had a BLAST with family and are so THANKFUL for all the fun TIMES and MEMORIES! It is nice to just hang out, eat eat eat, watch others entertain the girls, shop, chat, play games,etc.!!!!!! (especially before diving into the stress of moving)