An Apron For Alexis

At the Art and Apple Festival this year we bought Alexis an apron. This lady, Alison, sews out of her house and she makes the cutest things. Among the cute towels, onesies, and purses there were aprons. Alexis loves helping me in the kitchen and especially loves MY aprons so I thought she would love this, her very own monogrammed apron. Well, she doesn't exactly love it yet, which is why I did not have any pictures of her actually wearing the apron, but hopefully she will love this cute little apron that is made just for her.

Puzzles, Please!

I got Alexis a couple of puzzles to prep her for nursery, and since being in nursery, she loves doing them. The other day, she was concentrating so hard, trying to do it right. When she discovered it was too hard and she was not doing it right, she started banging the pieces on the ground and then decided to eat the sheep and the cow pieces instead. Needless to say, she has the passion, now she just needs the skills. One day she will do it and surprise herself I just know it. Until then, it is fun wathcing her make an effort.

Stony Creek Park

There are lots of Metroparks here in Michigan. Among them is Stony Creek. Stony Creek is about a 20 minute drive from our house, and since it is close this is the one we decided to go to while Chris is on break from school. Our good friends Calle and Zac Wagner and their cutie girls came with us. We packed a picnic, swung the kids on the swings, tried to fly our kite we have had for three years and never used, and then, we went to check out the swimming area. After "swimming" (we forgot to bring suits), we found a spot on the grass and played with beach balls, bubbles, and ate lots of brownies. Alexis LOVES brownies, just like her dad, and we had to pry the box from her fingers so that she wouldn't o.d. on them. Anyways, we had so much fun. We cannot wait to try some of the other metroparks!

August 2009 Trip with the Farrellys

My parents, and Aaron came to visit us last week. We had a wonderful time together.

Here is a day by day itinerary:

Thursday: They arrived to the DTW airport early in the morning. We took naps and then went out to lunch. We ate at an old burger joint named, Red Knapps. Delicious! Then, we went to the Rochester Park and let Alexis play. We had fun at the park and we were thankful the weather was absolutely beautiful! We then got a sitter for Lexi and we all went to do a session at the Detroit temple. Afterwards, we ordered pizza from Georgios pizzeria in downtown Rochester. It was a great day.

Friday: After Chris got out of school, we went to eat at Steak and Shake for lunch. Then, we headed out of town to go UP NORTH! We spent the night in Mackinaw City. Mackinaw is known for their fudge and fish. So, we went to a nice fish restaurant for dinner and then got a lot of yummy fudge!

Saturday: We woke up and took a 15 minute fairy ride to Mackinaw Island. We spent all day on the island. Although it was rainy and gloomy most of the day, we had a blast. We rode bikes all around the island, went to a butterfly house where butterflies were flying all around us and we just spent a beautiful day on this wonderful island. That night, we drove back to Rochester.

Sunday: My parents and Aaron were able to come to church with us and meet all of our church friends. Then, we just spent the day playing games, eating, talking, and enjoying each other's company.

Monday: This happened to be my 24th birthday, so before they took off to the airport to go back home to AZ, they took us out to lunch to a restaurant I have always wanted to eat at since moving here, called Andiamo. It was delicious italian restaurant. Then, we went to the local bakery in downtown and my parents got us a bunch of cookies. It was wonderful. I am glad my parents could be here to spend most of my birthday with me.

We had a blast and I am so glad Aaron was able to come last minute. Alexis had fun being with her family and we enjoyed having people to talk to. I cannot wait to see my family again in October when my twin brothers, Shane and Shawn come home from their missions. Then, my whole family can be reunited again.

July 2009 Trip with Glidewells

We have just spent a wonderful week with the Glidewells. They arrived to our house in Michigan on Tuesday, July 21 and left Tuesday, July 28. We packed in so much in these seven days so I think the best thing to do would be to give a travel log of our days.

Tuesday: The day they arrived happened to be my father in law, Chris's, birthday. So we went out to a nice restaraunt in downtown Rochester where we live called Krues and Muer. We enjoyed a nice dinner. Afterwards, we ate cherry pie and homemade rocky road ice cream, two of Chris's favorite desserts.

Wed and Thurs: On these days, my husband, Christopher, had to work and go to school, so me and the in laws just hung around the area. We went out to lunch each day and we basically went sightseeing locally.

Fri: We left after Christopher got out of school to head to Kirtland, Ohio. While we were there, we were fortunate to see the Kirtland Temple, the Newel K. Whitney store, and other wonderful church sites. We enjoyed being in Kirtland very much and learning more about our church history.

Saturday: After Kirtland we went up to Canada where we went to go see Niagra Falls. How beautiful the falls are on the Canadian side! We got to take a boat ride entitled, The Maid of the Mist, where it took us right to the bottom of the falls. We got the best view that way. We also got very wet! It was grand. Too bad Alexis was asleep for the majority of the boat ride. Oh well, I guess we will have to take her back when she is older so she can really experience it! Bummer :) Anyways, it was beautiful and fun to be in Canada for a little while since I have never been.

Sunday: From Niagra Falls, we drove up to Palmyra, NY. On Sunday, we went to the Sacred Grove, and Joseph Smith's Childhood home. I loved being in the sacred grove since that is where God and Jesus Christ appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith so many years ago. The spirit I felt was so strong and the beauty from the groves was captivating. The only downside was I received over 6 mosquito bites while being in the groves. Alexis received 2 bites and Christopher received 0! Anyways, it was magnificent. I also loved being in the log cabin where Joseph and his family lived. It made me so grateful for the life I have and made me realize I could have it way worse. The cabin was ever so tiny and Joseph Smith had a large family so I cannot imagine how cramped it must have been. But, that house is so special because that is where the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith giving him instruction and from the angel Moroni the prophet learned about the book of mormon. What I think is neat is that the angel Moroni appeared to him at night in his bedroom upstairs, a bedroom in which Joseph shared with all of his brothers, and when the angel appeared none of his brothers woke up or saw the angel. If you ever go see the size of the room you will know that is a miracle. Anyways, it was great.

Monday: ON Monday, we went to the Palmyra Temple and to the Hill Cumorah. The hill cumorah is where the gold plates were buried by Moroni and where Joseph Smith went to retrieve the plates years later. From those plates we now have the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It was neat to go to the hillside where one day the gold plates lay in the ground. We also went to the building where the first book of mormon was published. A sister missionary explained to us the process of creating the book and the extensive work it was to accomplish it. I am amazed at the diligence the saints had to publish the first books of mormon. The entire process took a little over 2 years to complete. I love the book of mormon and know that it is true. And from that small printing room in Palmyra from where it originated it is now published all over the world and translated into 107 different languages. It is amazing how the gospel is going into ever nation. I love it and am excited to be part of such an amazing work.
After seeing all the sites in Palmyra we headed back to Michigan.

Tuesday: This afternoon, the Glidewells took off to the Detroit Airport where they will be going back to AZ. My house is all of the sudden quiet again and i hate it. I loved having them here. The entire vacation was a blast and it made me realize how fun and important it is to have family around. Because we now live so far away from family I cherish every moment I have to spend with them. I am glad I have great in laws and who love us enough to come and visit us in our new home. I hope they come back soon!