This Year's First Snow!

We have four inches of snow on the ground! It was absolutely beautiful outside today, but COLD!!! The wind chill made it hard to be outside for very long. We had just enough time to play for awhile then walk to Starbucks and back before Lexi complained of being cold.

Checking out the snow!

Nothing says snowy day like a cup of hot cocoa!

Mmmmmmmmm....

This is going to be sooooo yummy!

Hi Mom!

Our (growing) family!

Check out our new snow covered car in the back ground!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

It's cold here. Currently, we have 4 inches of snow (bythe way, all of it has fallen in the last 3 hours). Stay tuned for more updates and snow pictures. Here are some others of the past week.

The sunrise from our deck a few mornings ago.
We were listening to Christmas music, Lexi came to me, held her hand out and said "Mommy, would you like to dance with me?" It was so sweet.

Helping with house cleaning. Somehow, I don't think her enthusiasm about chores will last forever!

One of my favorite times during the day is the time between when Lexi and I get home and Chris gets home. We usually snuggle and read together or watch a video. Such special bonding time. We felt silly this day.

Making cut out cookies "all by herself" with Grandma.

Thanksgiving, Chuck E. Cheese and a Dislocated Elbow

We spent a great holiday weekend in Vancouver with our families. From eating, playing Wii for hours, shopping at 4:45 am on Friday morning with my dad, watching movies and visiting with family, we had a great time. Thanks to both moms for a great feast!

Lexi eating her favorite dessert...Grammy's chocolate pie

Playing Chinese Checkers with Grandma

Lexi, Grammy and I made 4 new matching stockings to hang on our fireplace this year. Okay, reallly it was just Grammy that made them, Lexi and I were the support team. Thanks, Mom!

On our way back to Bellingham, we stopped in Olympia at the Sledge's new house to stay the night. We had a great visit and Lexi and Xander loved playing together. Here they are enjoying their dinner. The grown ups enjoyed a lovely meal after the kids were in bed!

On Monday night, we took Lexi to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time. She loved it and had a blast "playing" the games. Mom and dad also got to refresh our ski ball skills!

She rode this horse game for about 3 seconds before asking to get off.

Her new friend Chuck!

The latest news at our house is that Lexi dislocated her elbow yesterday while at daycare. After 3 hours in the doctor's office followed with another visit today, we think she is finally better. Ugh. What a painful thing to watch your child go through. She was quite sore all day today, we hope tomorrow is a better day.

This is before bed tonight. She insisted on wearing her hat backward while I brushed her teeth. Whatever makes a 2 year old happy completely depends on the moment!

Caught Ya Purple Handed!

On Sunday night, we were visiting with a friend in our living room, Lexi was playing nicely by herself in the kitchen. A few moments later this is what the conversation sounded like...

Amy: "Chris, can you see Lexi in the kitchen?"

Chris: "No I can't."

Lara (our friend): "I think she is playing with the magnets."

Amy: "It's awfully quiet in there."

(Lara gets up to check)

Lara: "Oh my Gosh!" (Then she doubles over in laughter)

Here is what we saw...

This was a whole container of purple cookie sprinkles that Lexi had opened and had been shoving in her mouth handful after handful. They are now almost gone!

What? I didn't do anything, there is no evidence!

You caught me! I'm guilty!

But aren't I cute with my purple hands, face, lips and teeth?

We tried really hard not to laugh, but how could you not? You notice we also took advantage of the photo opportunity before cleaning her up. Parent lesson learned...when it is "too quiet", go check!

Just a random cute picture from this evening. She was enjoying a yogurt covered pretzel for dessert after dinner.

Just an Update!

There hasn't been anything too extraordinary going on at our house...just regular life. We made it through a bout of the flu with Lexi a couple of weeks ago and it is pretty much business as usual! Thought I'd share some random photos/videos of the last week. Lexi is becoming quite the character...don't know where she gets that. Enjoy!

Sharing cereal with mommy before heading out for the day.

Making homemade pizza for dinner. Of course she insisted on doing everything by herself.

Say "Pizza!"

Hey Uncle Tom, hang loose (we've been practicing for when we see you at Thanksgivng!)

Who called the plumber? "Fixing" the garbage disposal with daddy!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, everyone! Lexi had a great time trick-or-treating tonight. We practiced and practiced saying trick-or-treat and she did great...until it was time to actually say it to someone. Then, she got stage fright. We mainly traveled around to our friends' houses and visited some neighbors. For only going to about 5 houses, her pumpking bucket is full. How did that happen? Hope you had a great night too!

Trick-or-treat!

Wandering over to the neighbor's house for our first shot at trick-or-treating

Cutest little kitty face

Enjoying one of her treats en route to another friend's house

Hmmmmm, shoud I really go up to the door?

Happy Halloween!!

She's A-Growin'!

22 weeks pregnant! Alyssa is growing more and more each day and is starting to become quite the acrobat. It is hard to believe that we are over half way there! Here are a couple pictures of my growing tummy!

I think I am finally out of denial that my real clothes are not fitting any longer...back to the maternity clothes.
The little bump!

Fall is upon us!

Last weekend we had a great time getting ready for fall. The weather was beautiful, so we went for long walks, raked leaves while daddy did lots of yard work, and carved our pumpkins with our friends Staci Shrum, Brian Henderson, and Katie and Mike Singletary. Hooray fall!(when the weather is nice)

Taking a break from carving.

Believe it or not, Lexi didn't mind the guts.

Pretend you like pulling out the guts and smile.

Pulling out the pumpkin guts.

The girls making the yard look good!

Daddy and Lexi doing a little walk time.

Look Mommy! My special stick!

Daddy's girls walking down the trail

Mommy's turn to pull the wagon!

We love the trail in the fall!