Trevor Update

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Trevor has underwent surgery to remove the large mass that had engulfed his right kidney and is continuing to recover from the surgery. We are still awaiting the final pathology reports; we will know more about his full diagnosis and treatment plan once they receive them. The doctors are suspecting that it may be Wilms' tumor. Thanks for your continued prayers.

Merry Christmas!

Alexis had a great 2nd Christmas! She is so fortunate to have so many people that love her and think of her. It took her all day to open all of her gifts. We had a nice day at home just the three of us with lots of phone calls from Iowa and New York. Here are a few highlights from the gift opening.Santa brought Alexis a play kitchen and she has been banging pots and pans ever since!One happy baby on Christmas morning when we finally let her tear into the presents under the tree.Look Santa brought me "big girl" spoons and forks.Finally, my very own pony and he makes cool sounds.Not sure if we should take offense to this or not - she loves to kiss the bear but we have to beg her for a kiss.Trying out this chicken leg to make sure it passes the test.My new very own bible to take to church with me on Sunday.Vacuuming with Elmo & Cookie Monster. I vacuum better with my tongue out.Taking my "bay-be" for a ride to the fridge to get some milk. Rudolph was getting a bath in the sink.

Santa Baby

We are ready for you to come down our chimney tonight!I helped Lexi pick out the perfect cookies for Santa :) Oops, we forgot the reindeer this year, I think they will understand we are new to this whole thing!

Christmas Carols

A Christmas Carol from our family to yours. Click here.

Teddy Bear Tea

Today we joined Laurence and her mother for Teddy Bear Tea at the Ritz Carlton. Auntie Laurence has wanted to take Alexis to tea for sometime and it was a very nice treat to be able to have her mother in attendance, too. It was Tea designed just for little girls.Alexis enjoying her ham & cheese sandwiches with a fancy fork.
This was the desert plate and Alexis enjoyed almost all of it.
A ginger teddy bear cookie almost as big as her ~ without even telling her she ate his feet first so that he couldn't run away!Mrs. Claus and an elf came to tell a few stories about the North Pole.I think she enjoyed Footz the balloon clown the most - she scored three balloons and a bracelet!We ended the tea party with sitting on Teddy Bear's lap because Santa got ill and wasn't able to make it.

Reason for the Season

We traveled to "Bethlehem" to see baby Jesus. It was quite the journey and celebration with all the lights. The three wisemen and their camels led the way to the manager.What a beautiful sight - seeing baby Jesus in the manager with Mary and Joseph.A quick family photo in front of one of the light displays.

We need a few prayers . . .

Can everybody please pray for my cousin, Trevor? He was diagnosed with cancer today. Here is a picture of Trevor and me from this summer when I was visiting him in Iowa.
Thank you, Lexi.

Only One More Week!!!

Christmas in approaching fast and there is still a little shopping that needs to be done. But today Lexi and mommy took a little time away from the holiday hustle and bustle and celebrated the holidays at Missy and Sophie's house with our friends. It was a holiday potluck and grab bag! We both had an excellent time enjoying ourselves and our friends because that is what the holidays is really about spending time with friends and family.Lexi and Lizzy playing together so well.Alexis and Sophie!All the girls together: Olivia, Isabella, Alexis, Sophia, and Lizzy.This is what Christmas looks like for 2008 at our house - kind of tacky with the gate but it keeps our curious kitty Lexi safe!This is her very own ornament from Grandpa & Nana that she can get off the tree and play with.

First Road Trip to California

This past weekend, we took Alexis on her first road trip over to California. Grandpa Larry & Nana Sandra were vacationing in Palm Springs so we went to visit them. It was a nice getaway and Lexi really enjoyed being the center of attention with lots of spoiling from Grandpa & Nana. On Sunday, we took a ride on the Palm Springs Ariel Tramway. It was 26 degrees at the top so we were a little chilly.We took a little hike and came across this big rock!Here we are at 8500 feet.
And at the bottom at 2500 feet.Nana & Grandpa bought me this cool, pink Hawkeye t-shirt for Christmas!On Tuesday morning, there was a little surprise on top of the mountains - SNOW!

Christmas Parade

Tonight, we went to the Carefree Light Parade with our friends Giavanna, JoAnn, & Tomas. It was a nice winter evening and we enjoyed watching the first ever light parade around Easy Street. There was snow and Santa and a good time was had by all.See how excited the girls were waiting for the parade to begin.There were a few small ponies that captured Lexi's eye.

Cowboy Claus

Tonight, we went to see a "hor-sey" at the library. Ever since Lexi got a stuffed animal horse for her birthday it is one of her favorite animals. We all sang a few Christmas carols with "Cowboy Claus" and Dusty the horse.

Clapping our hands to the beat.Daddy was even able to join us for some fun at the library.

Growing Big and Strong

Alexis had her 15 month well check with Dr. Z today. The visit went well and we have these stats to report: Weight: 21 lbs. 9 oz and Height: 31.75 inches
I think she would be really happy if Santa had room on his sleigh to bring her one of these! We will have to see if he thinks she has been good enough this year for a rocking animal.

Santa's helpers

I love seeing Christmas and the holidays through the eyes of a child. She gets so excited when she sees the lights on the trees and houses. If only they could stay little, right??Alexis helping arrange the branches on the Christmas tree.

15 Months Old

Showing me her leaves at the "train" park today.Lizzy stopped by to play - Lexi's giving her a push in the car

Lexi's new thing is to put on her "necklaces" every morning and carry around her purse. Here is a short video with her necklaces and purse.