A Very Merry Christmas

We had a really fun Christmas this year! We spent Christmas Eve at the Shelley's, slept over, and then were able to enjoy Christmas morning with them all. We were also able to talk with Garrett on his mission while we were there. He is doing GREAT! Alexa was so funny to watch on Christmas morning. She really seemed to get the hang of opening her presents (and trying to open other's presents as well). We had a great time.

Later that day, we went over to the Krommenhoek's to spend a little Christmas time with them, as well as to do our little gift exchanges.

We have such great families. We are so fortunate to be able to spend so much time with them all. They are all such great people to be around. We got some really neat things from everyone, Thanks! And THANK YOU for all the memories!

Florida Trip

We just recently got back from a family trip to FLORIDA! We went with Tyler's side of the family. We had a blast! We went to all four of the parks at Disney World, spent some time at Cocoa Beach, did a lot of swimming and hot tubbing, etc! The weather was decent most of the time, we got a little of everything-hot, warm, cold...but never as cold as here in Utah! It was a nice time of year to just get away for a week and enjoy the family. Alexa did great the whole time (even the plane rides)! We got back home just in time for Christmas.

Polar Express

My sister Sara's soccer coach does this really fun train ride around his home, and some of our family were able to go and enjoy it! It was so neat! While we waited to board the train, they have the movie The Polar Express going.

On the train ride, there are cute Christmas pictures, decorations, lights, and music going. Then we made a stop at the North Pole!

At the North Pole, all the children got a chance to sit on Santa's lap and are given a candy cane.

Everyone then got to sing some Christmas Songs with Santa. We then boarded the train again and it took us back. The ride back to the 'station' was a little different than the ride to the North Pole. There were Nativity pictures and other pictures of Jesus, and music was more along those lines.

It was such a fun, little experience that Alexa and I were able to enjoy along with some others in my family! Alexa LOVED it all...the train ride and Santa Claus! Thanks Sara! :)

Crazy Girls

I just had to share these funny pictures of Alexa and Katie last time I babysat. It's even funnier to think that it was SNOWING and FREEZING outside. These little girls have too much fun together. I love it!

Huge Snow Day

We went to bed with it just beginning to snow...and woke up with TONS and TONS of snow! It was Alexa's first time this year 'playing' in it (even if it wasn't for very long). She thought it was the coolest thing!...getting to wear her gloves and snow suit...we probably need to get her a few things for the snow, but she had fun in her cowboy boots and BIG snowsuit. :) The next picture was just a quick shot we got right before our camera ran out of battery...luckily it worked.

We Got Elfed

Want some holiday cheer? Check out our moves here then give it a try yourself!

Haircut

I was trimming Alexa's hair, and her head moved right when I snipped...well, let's just say that it got cut a lot shorter than I was planning on. I was really worried, but it turned out a lot better than I thought it would. It is a nice change and she looks so cute. :) Luckily all mistakes don't turn out bad!

Thanksgiving in St. George

We switch off every year with both families for Thanksgiving, and this year we had Thanksgiving with the Krommenhoeks. We went to St. George for Sara and nephew Samuel's soccer tournament, and decided to make a fun trip out of it! We stayed at Jeff's boss' condo, which was really nice. We had a full weekend of Celebrating Thanksgiving, Soccer, Swimming, the mini "narrows", hanging out, & some more Soccer! It was great to get away to warmer weather, and to get a chance to spend some quality time together!

18 Months Old

These are some pictures we got taken of Alexa when she turned 18 months!

Dress-Up

Can I tell you how much I enjoy babysitting Katie and Sharon once a week?! It has been such a good experience. Alexa is at the perfect age to really enjoy something like this, because she gets to play with friends an entire day! She learns a lot by having them around. Sharon teaches her how to be around a baby, and Katie teaches her how to play like a big girl! She has learned to love dress-up, make-believe, oatmeal, and all sorts of games that I haven't thought to play with her yet. These pictures show the dress-up clothes that Katie brought to share with Alexa...I can't even remember how many times they switched outfits. They also played "baby bear" in the "cave" in between the couches!

Alexa is just so happy when she gets to play with Katie. I wish you could hear how she says Katie's name, it is so cute.

Giddy-Up!

These are some fun pictures from after last Friday's Horse lesson. It was a really fun lesson because we were finally taught how to TROT! It was great! My favorite part was when my teacher held on to our horse with a rope and we trotted around in a circle without using our hands...we had to hold out our hands like we were flying! I felt like the girl on the movie FLICKA! It was a great feeling! :) Alexa had a great time at the stables. She gets so excited when we get to my lessons. She made a cute, loud inhale of breath (what she does when she can't contain her excitement). She loved feeding the horses. My Mom is really enjoying riding her horse, Gideon, bareback(but with a pad so she doesn't get all dirty and sweaty, of course) so she let Alexa and I walk on him bareback to his stable. It was fun, but weird not to feel secure in the stirrups and all.

On Saturday, my Mom took Tyler and I out with the horses! I have really wanted Tyler to experience some of the fun I've been having with my lessons--he was a pro. It took a little bit to get all the horses all saddled up--which I am happy to say that I finally feel like I have that down...finally! We got warmed up for a little while, and then went out to the nearby apple orchard and hayfield. It was the perfect weather, and it was fun having Tyler there. Thanks Mom, if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have a chance to do this.

(click on any of the pictures to see them better, Alexa makes some great faces!)