Christmas in UTAH

Our first stop had to be at Rumbi's and like always every bite was savored. It truly is one place Sky and I could never get sick of. We are happy to say that we made it there 3x all different locations during our trip. Next it was off to TEMPLE SQUARE to see the lights and show the girls the temple!We didn't get to spend as much time as we wanted to in Salt Lake but in the 24 hrs we had we also crammed in 1 night with Nicole and Dave, visiting with extended family after Sky's cousins wedding, lunch with the Francis family and some good time with Great Grandpa where the girls got to be the receiver of one of Sky's childhood traditions the "candy horses" from Great Grandpa Gleave. Then it was off to Logan trying to beat another little snow storm. Once in Logan the girls were off with Nana to cake care of the cats and Bovi. Lexi got so into it and was often heard saying, "Come on Bovi" as she would walk him around the house on his leash or was found laying on top of him just like Ky did back in the day. Every time we came home from an activity the first phrase out of Lexi's mouth was normally "where's Bovi?" as she darted around the house finding him..."There he is" and soon after, "come on Nana, I see the cats!" Ky was right there with her but found more entertainment living in Uncle Ry Ry's & Daddy's childhood memories. The 3 of them got quite a kick out of breaking out the old "Thing Maker", playing with old dinosaurs and even Spinjas as they had several tournaments together.

The girls were also very excited to meet their first cousin on the Alsop side and Kylee was dying to hold little Mason. We made a trip over to Aunt Jenny and Uncle Tommy's the first day to see that beautiful boy and Ky impressed everyone with her great baby holding skills. We were so glad that we got to be there for his blessing as well. The girls eagerly awaited Christmas morning and had a great time making cookies for Santa with Nana.

Christmas was a blast as there is nothing better than seeing the facial expressions kids have as they open up what is the coolest thing on earth over and over!!!!! Santa, Nana, Papa Ted, G-ma & G-pa and Mom & Dad definitely came through during the holiday season and the girls as always were spoiled rotten. A definite highlight was the fart machine that we gave to uncle Ry Ry. We all couldn't stop laughing and the bottom right picture is Lexi chiming right in!

We had a great time at Papa Ted's on X-mas Eve and Christmas Afternoon. The girls were very entertained by all their perfect gifts. other events included: Ky's first Ice Skating experience, visiting with Gutke's, Temple, eating out, playing games with the family and a great round of sledding.

Bowling like always but Lexi's first time really getting into it.

We ended the trip with a few days up at Aunt Laura's and Uncle Taylor's where we tried to enjoy our first snowmobiling experience despite the foggy conditions and getting stuck one too many times. Kylee was quite the trooper getting all bundled up and Sky and I are ready for another try but not anytime in the near future.

We loved warming up in the pool which is always a highlight!

This trip, we had a fascinating tour of the potato plant and stood on top the biggest mound of potatoes we will ever see. We continue to be amazed at the entertainment Aunt Laura and Uncle Taylor provide for us in RUPERT, Idaho. Don't worry we will always keep coming back.

The girls kept us entertained in the evening with their dance parties and pink silky scarfs Laura made them that ended up being the perfect headbands. I love watching Peyton stare at my crazy girls.

Lexi had a great time when Peyton got in the pack n play with her and began pulling her Binky out of her mouth. I'm sure Peyton was thinking, "Why does she have one of these...aren't they for babies." Yes, that is right my 2 1/2 yr. old just recently decided to become obsessed with her Binky or as she calls it a pinkie when she goes to sleep. I know...I need to break this habit fast!!!!

Our last night we got to bring in the New Year with old college friends at Amber and Dan's house who put us up for the night. We are always amazed at no matter how much time passes you can easily pick up where you left off. We learned some great new games that we can't wait to share.

All in all it was an amazing trip and we are thankful we got to spend the holiday with family and friends. We made it home to still have our own mini Christmas at home before heading back to school. The girls spent the day playing littlest pet shop and school with their gifts from g-ma & g-pa. They hung out in their new robes and enjoyed the shake 'n' go speedway from Santa as well.

It rarely snows in Charlottesville!

Hang in there with my catching up over the next couple of days...
So after 24hrs. of non-stop snow we ended up with about 27in. Kinda crazy that during our 1 year in Charlottesville we were here to witness their 4th largest storm in history. We tried our hardest to enjoy it but struggled knowing it was definitely going to mess up our travel plans to UT. Here, I was nervous that we may struggle with weather problems in Salt Lake traveling this time of year. Never in my wildest dreams did I think all the trouble would come from our end. Our great neighbors helped ease our minds as we all headed out to play in this winter wonderland. We couldn't bbelieve what we were looking at! Sky tried his hardest to keep up with cleaning off and digging out the car and the girls were up to their waists in snow. They lasted for awhile and we had a good time attempting at some sledding despite Lexi's face plant on her trip down with Ky scaring her sledding experience for a little while.

Sky of course attempted the Unthinkable!

After a fun day of snow we faced the unknown future of our travel plans and countless phone calls to the airlines. Our flight was finally officially canceled out of DC and at this point they said they couldn't get us out until x-mas Eve. This just wasn't gonna cut it! After working with several supervisors we got rebooked out of GREENSBORO,NC. We did head out Sunday morning in the JEEP to see if we could make it. After about 20miles of passing countless stuck cars and swerving around numerous fallen tree branches we hit the police barricade and knew we had to turn around. Explaining all this to a devastated 5yr. old who now hates snow and desperately just wanted to be in Utah was so hard. Our good neighbors greeted our arrival back home and let us crash at their place. It was so nice for the girls to have friends to play with keeping their minds off of the situation and keeping me from overly stressing which is something we all know I am great at. We had a great warm lunch, let the sun beam for a few hours and then headed back out on an alternate route finally making it to Greensboro after 5 hrs. (a drive that normally takes 3) swam in the hotel pool, unwound, caught a flight Monday morning, arrived in SLC that afternoon..............and when all was said and done only missed about a day of the trip!

Our awesome trip to come next....

Festivities verses mad rush, packing & SNOW!

The season began with a gingerbread house that came home from one of Grandma's famous treasure hunts at the end of our Thanksgiving stay in NJ. The girls had a blast with the decorating once challenged mom and dad with both sets of hands and a hair dryer attempted to get the house to stay together without a side caving in. I'm sad to say that this was even one of those pre-made kits...apparently this needs to become a tradition. We finally succeeded and our cute gingerbread house has a great sunroof across the top. Every day since its assembly more and more candy goes missing :)

Kylee was a dedicated worker and very proud of her accomplishments. Alexis, on the other hand, couldn't even finish her decorating before devouring her character. We were shocked we had enough candy to finish the house!

Last week we had our ward Christmas party where Kylee and her PARENTS were shocked with excitement as Kylee came out dressed as an angel. She was dying to get picked and fortunately did. You could see our grins from a mile away apparently as we proud parents watched her sing.

Alexis watched with her longing eyes and dreamed for the day she will be apart.

We had a great time and I'm so thankful for a ward family where ever you go and love spending time with my little family!

We hope you all have a great holiday season! Our plans are to head out west for the break when we make it. We currently are getting hit with a huge snow storm and Charlottesville freaks out with any kind of snow! We are at 6in. so far and expected to maybe get up to 2 feet. Skylar is stuck in the madness and has been in the car for 4 hours trying to get home from work which normally takes 30min and Kylee is finally peacefully sleeping after coming home early from school due to throwing up on the gym floor right before the school Christmas sing. I promise, I am still smiling as I write all of this....love Christmas and know it will all work out. I sat with my girls on the sofa tonight reading Christmas books, with our little Christmas tree and snowglobes and starring out the window at a beautiful snow storm. Those moments you forget about the countless trips to the stores trying to figure out christmas gifts and still currently feeling like you have failed...what is the perfect thing to get people. Or that you haven't touched the packing and what nightmare will we run into at the airport. Maybe from all of this we won't be waking up at 4AM to catch a flight out of DC sunday morning. Oh, and Sky just called informing me again how much he loves his 4 wheel Jeep as he just passed a wreck on a side road trying to find a shortcut and may actually be home in about 20 min.

ENJOY THE SEASON!!!!!!! I can't wait for some sledding tomorrow!

Overdue Marathon Alexis Update

Lexi has become my little side kick during the day now that Kylee is at school all the time. We have been trying to keep ourselves busy and I can't believe how grown up my baby is. Her phrases keep us all constantly laughing and her cuteness makes us all fight over who gets to eat her. I feel good as she runs to me for protection when Sky and Ky are both attacking...knowing that I always get the amount of cuddles that I need. She is right by my side each morning and has become my shower buddy. She loves to stand on the toilet next to me every day as I get ready and puts on every single one of my lipsticks. This is often followed by her asking for each thing that I'm using from moose to my deodorant. Her personality continues to emerge more each day which is also making me have to watch her even closer each day. It amazes me how different each kid can be. Kylee still checks in with me constantly or is nervous to even go up to people she knows to ask a question. Alexis on the other hand is constantly invading even strangers personal space and tends to make a friend or companion where ever she goes. The latest is my institute class as she makes her rounds to people I've never met. As I look back, I'll find her coloring with a missionary, sharing all her toys with an elderly lady, or escaping to who knows where. She is often rewarded with a trip to the mall afterwards and loves going on this tiny merry-go-round and lately it is to see Santa! What was once a scare is now an absolute love! She is obsessed with any dressed up character and can't get enough hugs from them. For example the Hershey characters and the latest is Santa. I think we have visited him over 10x already this season.

We enjoyed tagging along with some friends to a field trip at Explorations back in the beginning of October. It was filled with hands on projects and it caused me to realize it was time to engage Alexis in more activities. She loved, painting rocks with water, rolling out the clay, building and most of all the rice table! This was one of our first one on one activities and Alexis not in Kylee's shadow at all. I was just overwhelmed with watching every move she made and seeing her in all her glory as she was part of the group.

Choice of Attire: Would probably always be a bathing suit. This day it was 3 of Kylee's suits on over her PJ's (October/few weeks after our FL trip)
In Love With Her Silkies: Often asking to be naked and wrapped in them. Couldn't even dream of sleeping without them (must have "pink one" and "white one" as she calls them)

Latest Love: A binky or as she calls it a "pinky" I may have set a new record....child never has used a pacifier and now at 2 1/2 won't go to sleep without her pinky. Let me tell how happy Sky is about this one! What started out as innocent make believe play with her babies has turned into a horrible habit which I guess I will face after the holiday.

Tough girl who still shows little pain...amazing how quick she bounces back from injuries which I still is attributed to the NICU.

Best Sleeper ever! still so easy to put down and a delight to listen to in the morning. Has her stash of stuff at the bottom of crib and wakes up singing to herself.

Sound Impersonator: great at imitating every sound she hears and then asking what's that or impersonates a cry, wine or yell of another child including Kylee. Cracks me up every time.

Following Father with her movie lines: I got her going and now she runs on her own, latest cute line is from Grinch..."I don't like em, no I don't" Began with, "Turkey & Sugar"

Following suit as she seeks for the Thrill as well...A recent form of entertainment is using the spare mattress and sofa cushions as a slide down the stairs and for extra speed the silkies are the girls mats! She loves every ride she is tall enough for at Hershey Park and we are glad we've gotten her back twice since we moved...favorite I think is the swings! Lastly, this is a high swing hanging from a tree in our friends backyard...my jaw dropped on this one as I looked over at Lex and Sky! It is so fun to watch her excitement for Life! Each activity is met with a "Yeah Yeah Yeah" in a high pitched squeal as she jumps up and down with her arms in the air.

After one recent bath she was found like this. All set up with her stuffed animals, in the pop up basket that she found and of course in Kylee's room where we are often hanging out in the evenings.

Alexis is frequently found singing or humming a tune. Within minutes of getting in the car she asks for a song and knows so many of them. (every wiggle or beaty primary song) I NEED SOMETHING NEW! I am amazed at how fast she learns the lyrics and remembers the tune.

Ky, heard her singing this primary song and asked, "How does she know that?" "From listening to you" Some of Ky's examples I wish I could erase but others I am so thankful for. Alexis learned how to hold the book out and tell these stories from watching big sister constantly pretend to read to her class at home and picked the new primary song up from just listening to us at times. She sang right along with the Primary program a while back while standing in the isle.

Favorite Quotes / Frequently Heard:

"To POKY" any new outfit that comes her way

"I do it myself"

"OOOh pretty mom or go to church" when I'm actually done up or going out

"Come on Buddy"

"I'll be right back"

"Nana nana boo boo stick your head in doo doo"

"One more time" or "Just one more" (with her index finger held close to her face)

"Read it me"

I say, "My Lexi" she says, "My ma ma" (normally on way up for nap or bed)

"What'd that" and we just recently hit the "WHY" phase

I'm almost done with this post but I have to mention her music and movement class that just ended. She absolutely loved it. She took the first few weeks to warm up but once the routine was down she would go running down the hall as she heard the opening song and chime right in. She knew it was HER special time as she eagerly watches Ky ever week at gymnastics. She called it, "MY CLASS" and would ask every couple days for it. I was so thankful on the days she had it that I could mention, "today is your class" as she would longingly watch Ky and Dad leave for school and work.

She had her friend Chloe in the class and new everyone by name after the second week. She quickly learned many of the songs and several of them are still heard on a daily basis. At times the noise would be too much for her but she would just cover her ears or ask to be held and soon chime back in. She was obsessed with this pink scarf and many weeks never wanted to leave it behind. I think I bribed her with "Santa may bring you one" at our last class, which reminds me...he better get on that one!

I love my "LITTLE LEXI" and all she brings to our family! If any of you made it through this post...WOW! Thanks for putting up with my way over due journal entry.

Alexis will be watching these videos of herself over and over!

WE DID IT!

"WE DID IT!" (as Lexi and Dora would say) It's just not Thanksgiving without the Macy's Day Parade! We had another amazing time at the Macy's Day Parade and things were perfect. It was Lexi's first time, perfect perfect weather, great front row seats as always, my Dad taking care of the driving and the Francis crew was able to join us! Parade Highlights:
-Holding down our spot despite the crazy lady walking by thinking we were blocking the way.
-the phone call where Kylee realized Zana really was going to make it
-shouting for Confetti and getting an entire unopened bag thrown right at me.
-Listening to Lexi ask for more "fretti" (confetti) for several days later and still finding random pieces in the car with pure delight.
-Drinking "HOT" hot chocolate :)
-Bringing back childhood memories and watching our girls
-having this song stuck in our head all day

Check out the pile of confetti in front of us!

We spent a great weekend at my parents and the girls rediscovered little adventures at Grandma and Grandpa's house (ie: cedar closet, attic, our old toys, g-ma's treasure boxes)There were plenty of visits to Santa as Lexi just can't get enough and always some great eating! Thanks Mom and Dad for everything.

We took a great detour for a night on our way home to Hershey and made Lexi ecstatic as she spent time at one of her favorite places on earth...Hershey Park! She ran the show and knew exactly what ride she wanted when. Kylee was ecstatic as she was reunited with another great friend Lindsey. They played together non-stop till we had to part again. Thank you Christenson's for opening your home up and letting us crash!Coolest bunk beds ever and they are know on Kylee's future Christmas list!

This entire house is made out of Hershey products from top to bottom. Pretty cool! Hershey bar roof, white chocolate kit-kats for trimming, cookies n' creme bars for bricks, jolly ranchers stain glass, green twizzlers for garland...etc.

Amusement Square

We have completely fallen in love with the Virginia weather and can't believe that even into November we are still getting weather occasionally in the low 70's. It has been an absolutely gorgeous Fall and we still haven't broken out winter coats or thick sweaters. Sky still insists on wearing shorts at times which of coarse is a little much for me but he is a HUGE fan of the weather and wishes he was out enjoying it on the links! We tried waiting for a cruddy weather weekend but were excited to head to a highly recommended children's museum about 1 hr. away called Amusement Square and took it on as a family last weekend. We had an absolute blast and spent the entire day there!It was 4 stories with a climbing structure running through the middle. We had fun discovering new slides and finding this zip-line that even Lexi was brave enough to try, "just 1 time" She was more entertained by the stairs that lit up when you stepped on them.We filled our time with golf ball mazes and ramps, searching for fossils, playing in the indian hut, racing canoes and teaching Kylee about water canals, pretending to be squirrels and collecting all kinds of food. It was fun listening to them in their own imaginative play and knowing they were fully entertained...no time to be bored. Lexi still asks about going back.
We even tried a little rock band and got a good laugh when sky showed everyone his high pitched voice for 'Livin on a Prayer'. We totally want that set up in our basement one day and can see getting way into it as a fam. Especially since Ky and I are both to embarrassed to sing in public. I really hope I can get Ky over that fear. She was awesome on the guitar and drums!

Last but not least was the amazing glass paint room. They were enclosed on all sides and were able to paint on any of the glass walls.

Not Hershey but Pretty Sweet!

Just wanted to say Happy Belated Halloween before I attempt at trying to get caught up with our blog. Despite Ky just beginning to feel better from being sick, Lexi just starting off being sick, Sky's Mom coming and going and Sky and I barely being home from our fabulous, long awaited, perfect, splendid long weekend getaway we still enjoyed the Halloween festivities at UVA!

Every year the students at UVA living on "the lawn" (square of old school student dorms by the Rotunda) hold a trick or treating event which attracks mobs of people. The kids have to walk all of 2 feet to the next door and simple move around in a square. They had bins of candy and when I asked one student they replied, "We were told to purchase $200 worth of candy." Lexi got the hang of it quickly as she rode in luxury from door to door in her stroller with grandma pushing her and simply holding out her hand with her pumpkin in lap. When possible she had a lolly pop in mouth, another in one hand and the other hand waiting for candy. Kylee stayed with it for a little while but was more entertained by trying to find friends, watching the entertainment, face painting and gathering balloons. We had a fun time! and are glad we pulled it off for our only year here.

We were happy to have my parents join us for the weekend and for the Halloween activities as my father anxiously awaited the Duke vs. UVA football game on Halloween Day. Skylar used his medical discount and scored some cheap tickets so the 4 of us could enjoy the event. My parents stayed true to their DUKE ties as they wore the appropriate attire and Duke pulled off the win! Sky and I snuck out at half time to get back for a little more trick or treating with the girls but there is something about being at a college football game that is just amazing...what a fun ambiance!

For not being in Hershey we still ended up with a pretty good load of candy!

Tooth Fairy

Good old me was hoping she would be on the late side for losing her teeth but instead we get to be on the early side! Kylee is of course thrilled and we've enjoyed all the excitement that continues to come with each new growing up experience. (I just wish these experiences didn't feel like they were coming so fast) The tooth fairy was also very excited about its first visit to our home! Mr. Tooth Fairy and Mrs. Tooth Fairy had some different opinions but finally met in the middle. This little tooth has been lose for about 2 weeks and was talked about so much that Skylar told Kylee that the tooth fairy brings more money the longer you wait patiently for it to be ready and are brave when I pull it out. Kylee followed these instructions and when Mrs. Tooth Fairy was ready to put $1 under the pillow Mr. Tooth Fairy said I was thinking like $5!!!!! "That is going to add up to be one expensive mouth over the next little while and do you really think you can give less the next time around. Gotta love these first parenting experiences as well. We met in the middle with $3 and I'm still wondering where the days of 50 cents went. The coolest thing the tooth fairy left was this darling tooth pillow that you put your tooth inside of so the tooth fairy can find it easily and it has a little log in the back to keep track of when you lost each tooth. This was left one night when Kylee's tooth was finally pretty lose with instructions to use it in the future and to make sure Kylee knew that the tooth fairy was aware that she was about to lose her first tooth. (This is so much fun sometimes especially when you find these cool ideas at a garage sale for 50 cents in its original packaging and never been used...I've been saving it for about 2 years!)

Kylee's Quotes

"How does the tooth fairy get in the house?"

"She is so magical I don't even feel it when she is under my pillow?" (little does she know she woke up the first time she tried)

"How can I become the tooth fairy?"

"Let's hurry and get to bed so the morning will come faster!"

"You were right Mom that it was gonna bleed, at first I didn't believe you, it tastes disgusting. Next time I want to wait a little longer so there won't be any gross tasting blood."

Why do they look so much older even after losing just one tooth? May the awkward silly looking mouth stage come slowly from this point forward or move quickly. Thank goodness Sky is around to pull them out or it would still be in her mouth as the whole thing makes me cringe and grosses me out!