Christmas Cruising

We were so lucky to be treated to a Caribbean cruise by Tom and Susan.  The whole family was able to go on a Caribbean cruise the week leading up to Christmas.  I didn't take as many pictures as I should have, but here are a few highlights:

On the plane to Florida:

 

First stop: The Bahamas

 

 

Our cruise ship was always the biggest ship (by far) in port:

Alexis thoroughly enjoying her first ever ice cream cone:

Formal night:

Having fun on the carousel:

 

Driving on the sport court with Alisi:

 

Second Stop: St. Thomas

We didn't have the best weather, but it was still beautiful.

 

 

 

Third Stop: St. Maarten

 

 

And, my absolute favourite picture from the whole cruise:

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Our Christmas tree before the craziness of Christmas morning:

 

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Christmas Lights

We went to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square last night.  It was freezing!!!  But beautiful as always.

Dancing Queen

Alexis loves to dance, as seen in this video:

She can spend an hour turning this music on over and over again. I've signed her up for a dance class that starts next month; I'm pretty confident that she'll love it. 

Alexis learned how to count to twenty around her birthday, but I just now was able to get it on tape:

Not perfect, but pretty close!

Funny Face

 

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Family Pictures 2011

 

 

 

 (Pictures taken at the Utah State Capital Building.)

Trimming the Tree

We were lucky enough to be able to drive up to Seattle for the day (from Portland) to celebrate Christina's 21st birthday.  First activity on the agenda: decorate the Christmas tree at Nana's house.  This was Alexis' first time decorating a tree.  Not only did she have a ton of fun, but she did a great job!

 

That evening, we went out to dinner and to Snowflake Lane to celebrate.  Alexis loved seeing all of the drummers in their costumes.

 

Thanksgiving at GiGi's

We had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner at GiGi's house:

Alexis had fun getting reacquainted with her cousin Zachary.

I was able to snap this great picture of my Papa:

 

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Seattle Aquarium

Alexis and I had fun at the Seattle Aquarium today with Trevor.  Alexis was very brave and touched the sea stars and the anemones in the touch tank.

 

After the aquarium, we had a delicious lunch at Ivar's.  (They make my favourite clam chowder!)  Alexis got this hilarious mask with her meal:

We fed the seagulls our extra french fries.  Alexis amazed me by holding out the fries all by herself.

 

Three Generations

Alexis and I with my Grandma Lynda.

 

Pre-pre-school

Alexis thinks she's already in pre-school. When we're at my mom's house, she loves to go to pre-school with the big kids (3-4 year olds), and they love to have her. Her favourite thing to do is paint.

The pre-school kids were preparing for their annual Friendship Lunch (Thanksgiving program) and Alexis joined in.  Here she is in her Native American vest:

Alexis also thinks that she is the teacher and loves to help Mrs. Walker (Nana) up in front:

 

Princess Alexis

 

Milestone Pictures

We just got back the professional pictures we had taken of John and Alexis.  It was Alexis' two-year-old pictures, and John's thirty-year-old pictures.  They turned out great.  Here's just a few:

Snow Bunny

Fun in the snow at the cabin:

 

Halloween

This was Alexis' first Halloween celebrated in the United States and her first time going trick-or-treating!  We started off the day by visiting Red Butte Gardens with the cousins:

 

In the afternoon we took Alexis trunk-or-treating at a local elementary school.  She was a ladybug, of course; her favourite!

She loved picking out the candy and putting it in her pumpkin bag.  Grandma Susan was there dressed as a witch, as well as Teisa (geisha), Alisi (Strawberry Shortcake) and Keana (strawberry). 

I think Alexis' favourite part of the whole night was getting to eat her candy at the end.