One last post before we go . . .

Just a quick post to let all of our loyal fans know we will be offline for the next 3 weeks. I'll be sure to take lots of photos with my cousins, playing in the snow, and all the other exciting things that I do while in Iowa!

Mommy ROCKED 13.1 miles!

Mommy ran in the Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon, today and she did an awesome job! Daddy and I cheered her on from the side lines at mile 6 and the finish line. We forgot the camera so we will have to wait for our friends to send us pictures so we can post them. I met mommy's friend Karen (from college) and her friend Elise from Chicago. They really spoiled me. Karen found me some stickers at the Marathon Expo on Friday and here I am with all of them on my shirt!Here I am proudly wearing mommy's medal and holding her balloon and flowers from her friend JoAnn. We made the sign in the background for mommy to help cheer her on.

Good times at the Zoo

Today, we went to the zoo with some friends. Here Lexi is with the baby elephant.We decided to explore the Children's Trail and had lots of fun at the Little People play area.

Quick Update

For the last week we've just been trying to get back into our normal weekly routine (storytimes, nap schedule, playdates, errands, etc.). Rick's been spending a lot of one on one time with Lexi as I do some last minute training for this weekend's Rock 'n' Roll half-marathon. The training has been brutal at times but it will be nice to have accomplished it once it is finished.
Trevor update - it has been determined that the type of cancer he has is Wilms' Tumor (kidney cancer) and it is in Stage 3 - 4 (to be determined by additional test results). He underwent 6 radiation treatments and is now receiving chemo treatments once a week. Lexi and I will be leaving for Iowa on the 20th for 3 weeks to help care for Trevor and his sister. It's going to be very COLD for us! I hope to get at least one more post in before we leave for Iowa.

Happy New Year!!!

I am bringing in the first day of 2009 cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes! They are playing in the Outback Bowl in Florida against South Carolina. After the game we are going to our friend's house for a New Year's Day celebration! I'm sure there will be a few pictures to share later.May 2009 bring everyone good health and prosperity!Daddy and I wearing our New Year's party hats!

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.