March Party

Since Kevin and Tenille were in charge of dinner, Kevin did what Kevin does best...BBQ! We all headed over to their place to party it up! We played a fun game called, "What's Yours Like?" It was a lot of fun!! We sure missed Brian and his family, Brett and his family, and Joni though. 

Lincoln was so sick but it didn't get him down. Look at those eyes...

Cute family photo. We don't usually get them all together because usually Neens has a camera in her hands. But I caught them. Wahoo!!!

Here's Kev and Tenille. I promise, they really were having a good time...although looking that this picture it looks like someone just gave them shocking news off camera.

Kevin got a new awesome camera last fall!!! He seems to love it. We decided to take a picture of each other.

Here's cute little Kambry. She's 4.5 months here. Look at those beautiful eyes. She has the best smile!!

 Since I was holding Kambry, I told Spencer that he could take a couple of pictures with my camera. Here is one that he snapped of Mom. 

OK, so no...Kambry does not have a big head. It's just her shadow on the wall behind us. She loves to be held standing up which suits me fine since I am good to stand.

Little Lucas! He's changing so fast. I always forget how fast they change!

February's Monthly Party

Last posting for the night and I think I will be relatively caught up.

Just this last Sunday, we had our monthly party to celebrate February's birthdays. Everyone was there with the exception of Brett, Becky, and Micah. We missed you guys!!! Here's a few pictures from around the room. Yes, I know they are dark but they're all I have.

Look at Joni's amazing eyes!!! I thought this picture was going to be one of those goofy pictures. It definitely is not. It's beautiful!!!

We decided to put the two babies together and take some pictures. Aren't they so cute together. Can you believe that Kambry is three months older than Lucas. They are so cute together.

Look at them holding hands. Isn't it cute?? Can you say "Ohhhhhhh?"

Now look at the linked arms. Lincoln looks like a giant next to the two little ones.

Then add Spencer and you realize how fast they change. I wonder what Spencer's looking at. Maybe next time Mom will make sure to get the bubbles out before putting Lucas down on the floor. Spit-up alert!!



Cute kiddies!!!! I love each and every one of them!!

A Long-Awaited Visit

So this post should have been before the post about Mom's birthday. Oh well...I never said I was a blogging expert.

Having teenage nieces and nephews makes it a bit harder to find time to have them over. I got very lucky. The last weekend that the temple was closed for maintenance I struck GOLD!! The stars aligned!! Brittney, Cory, and Zachary come and spent the weekend with me. I had such a great time. They met me at my office and we left from there.

OK, let me explain a short story...As I was waiting for them to make their way from the Joseph Smith building to the Administration Building, I looked out the window and what did I see? Yes indeed, Cory wearing this hat making his way to my building. I hurried and dialed Brittney's number. Cory took it off before coming in. Phew!!!

This picture is great of the three of them!! They were gathered around my computer looking at all the pictures I have taken throughout the years. I would hear things like, "I don't remember that!" and "I remember line dancing at Grandma's." "Look how young you are!" "When was this taken??" It was so funny!

That night, we watched movies and had a great time. The next day, Joni came over around Noon to pick up some shoes from the stuff she's storing here and spend some time with us. We hung out a bit, went to lunch at Sampan, and then came back and played "Loaded Questions."

Joni gave Brittney a fancy hairdo. It was beautiful. The end result was a hairdo that looked like it was straight out of a Jane Austen novel.

I had a few of concerts during the day. It is impressive to watch each of them play the piano. That is all thanks to Tena!!

Here's us at Sampan. Joni and I love this restaurant and we had fun introducing it to the teenagers!!

Joni and Cory decided they would play "Uncle." Guess who won...If you think Cory did, you are wrong. Joni took him down! I think the amount Cory was laughing probably didn't help his efforts! Or maybe, just maybe, he let Joni win to be nice to his aunt. We'll never know.

Here's the group playing "Loaded Questions." Brittney is on the other end of the couch from Zachary. Look how deep in thought Cory is. He's trying to pick up on clues from Joni's and Zachary's reactions. Needless-to-say I don't think he guessed everyone's answers correctly. Zachary liked to put his finger over his lips like that. I think he was trying to hold them still. It didn't work. Zachary has no poker face.

Later that night, we were listening to some music. Cory felt like dancing with someone and poor Zachary was the closest. He became the victim. Check out his face.

After dancing, Cory and Brittney decided to start singing into their imaginary microphones. It was the funniest thing ever. I think it was a bit late and we were all a little punchy!!

It was a great weekend. Thanks Brittney, Cory, and Zachary for coming down. We'll have to do it again very soon! I loved our time together!!

Mom's Birthday

So the Sunday after Lucas was born we all got together "randomly" and celebrated Mom's birthday which was the next day. It was wonderful to see the family all together. I love being with my siblings and their families. It's crazy and it's hard to talk with everyone, but it is so much fun. The strangest stories, the worst jokes, etc. are all shared during this time. Well, here are some pictures from the gathering. Here's our newest addition having a very tough day...

See...he's even doing the "poor woe is me" face. It's so tough to be held and loved on all day! If you're wondering who's holding him, it's Bri. He was having a great time holding one so small. After all, he's very experienced. He's now a grandpa of 4 (almost 5). 

Kambry is starting to be so alert and interacting with everyone. When she smiles, she smiles with her entire face and ears and it lights up the room. She is so cute! Kev was thinking that Kambry was getting annoyed with her overalls. I thought they looked good on her.

Here's Zachary looking so cute!

Tena's turn to love on Lucas!

I finally was able to get a picture of Brian. He's warning me I better not though. Oh well.

Look at Micah. She loves to have her hair straightened. I can't believe how much she changes so fast!! Notice the clips in her hair? She gave a couple to Mom for her birthday. Mom wore them all night. It was so cute!

I know the picture is dark but you can see the clips in Mom's hair!

After everyone left, we took these picture of the three brothers. It was a bit hard being that it was the end of the night but they are so darn cute!

Look at the feet. Lincoln's being on top of each other is classic. If he is standing still, or sitting with his feet in front of him, he always has one foot on the other, so it's funny to see it in this photo. Look how red Lucas' legs and feet are.

Boy oh boy!!!

It's been awhile since I've posted so I thought I would go back to our biggest news (so far) of 2011. The birth of a new nephew is a great way to start the year. Now we have two little babies in the family. It's so much fun!! Two new little individuals to start convincing that I'm their favorite aunt...at least favorite aunt named Alisa.

Lucas was born January 24th. Isn't he so cute?

Janine was a real trooper. I was GREATLY impressed with her. She went in to the hospital early that morning so they could flip him. She went all day with no food. Lucas (referred to as "Jeffrey" all day--RE: "Bill Cosby Himself") took all day to come. He finally arrived that night at 8:08 p.m. With the exception of a little more hair, Lucas looked exactly like Lincoln  when he was born. I can't wait to see how he changes.

It was a great day and I'm so excited that Lucas is here, safe, sound, and healthy! Congratulations Janine and Jason!

Here are some pictures from the next night. Many visitors...full room. It was fun! I brought Jamba Juice for each of them. Look how much Jason enjoyed his...

Yep, that's Lincoln drinking down Jason's Jamba Juice. Luckily, Jason drank a little bit before the grandmas came with the boys. I don't think there was any looking back for Lincoln. He was sucking that Jamba Juice down the rest of the night.

Kevin, Tenille, and Kambry showed up as well. Mom had a great time holding Kambry since everyone else was taking turns holding Lucas.

 

Look at this VERY cute picture of Janine and her oldest boy! Spencer was having a great time and looking forward to feeding, holding, and loving on Lucas.

Lucas stole my scarf again. He walked around the hospital room wearing my scarf. He just loved wrapping it around his neck. Isn't this the cutest picture of Tenille and Lincoln?

Overall, it was a great couple of days!!! Congratulations again to Janine, Jason, Spencer, and Lincoln and their new little addition.

The Joy of Being an Aunt!

There are so many times I stop and think, "Man, it's cool to be an aunt!"

I just received a call on the phone a few minutes ago. As soon as I heard, "Hi Seesah" I knew who it was. What a total surprise. I expected another little boy's voice on the phone. One who has called me many times. One with whom I have had 1/2 hour or longer conversations with. This was not Spencer on the phone (at least originally). "Hi Seesah!" There is only one little person who calls me "Seesah". It's so much fun to have Lincoln getting old enough to call and talk on the phone. On New Year's Day, we watched "Despicable Me." It's a cute movie. Well, with the movie Janine and Jason got one of the minions as a toy. When Lincoln saw it, he said, "apicable". It was the cutest thing. So then of course we all had to hear him say it again and again and again. "Apicable." "It's apicable." For the longest time this kid didn't talk. We knew he had it in him, but he wouldn't let it out. He didn't need to. Spencer is his older brother. But now that he's talking, it's so cute. Kevin's got him convinced that Grandma's name is "Oldie" of course it comes out, "Orldie." Spencer is still as cute as ever. It's always fun to talk to him. He was having a hard time not speaking over Lincoln. it's great to watch how Lincoln really looks to Spencer. They have such a good time together. Spencer is a very good big brother. I have a great time with these boys.

I look at Spencer and Lincoln and remember Cory and Zachary at that age. Stories of "water, that comes out of the mountain, and trees burn, and people die" (i.e. a story about lava). Watching an X-Man complete with fingers that served as Wolverine's knives that "Phoom"-ed out of the hands and every time with the saying, "I'm and X-Man. Phoom". Jumping off the furniture and zooming around the room. They are now getting more interested in videogames and girls. Pretty soon they are going to be on their missions. It's been so much fun to watch them grow up but it's going so fast! They are amazing young men! Looking at them I realize how fast time really does fly!!

Micah is a cutie who blows me away each time I see her. She is getting so big, and I don't mean that in a physical way. She is getting so tall...so beautiful. And yet she has a resiliency to her as well. She knows what she wants and doesn't let anyone get in the way. She shares everything. I have a lip gloss sitting on my coffee table right now that she gave me when we were at "Forgotten Carols." She insisted I have it even after I showed her I already had some lip gloss. She simply took my pouch that I keep my lip stuff in, added her lip gloss, and closed it up. After she continued to insist, I told her I would hold on to it so I had it when she came to visit.

I have many other nieces and nephews, many of whom are now adults and three have children of their own. It blows my mind. A couple live very far away (Georgia and Arizona) which is tough because I don't get to see them often.

I love all of my nieces and nephews and am very proud to be their aunt.

MAN, IT'S COOL TO BE AN AUNT!!

Happy New Year!!

The past couple of months have been so crazy. I am sorry that I haven't updated my blog lately. Let's catch up:

Well the biggest news of course was Kambry joining our family. It has been so much fun to watch Kevin and Tenille with her. They are the cutest parents and Kambry has successfully wrapped both of them around her little (long) pinkie finger. She is a growing every day and, while they have had a bit of a problem finding a good formula for her, they have it figured out and she has settled down. She is such a smiler and melts all of our hearts when she is around.

Halloween to now feels like it's been a major whirlwind. I love the holidays but every year it feels like it passes too fast!! Thanksgiving was wonderful. After that, it's been a bit of a blur.

• Right after Thanksgiving, I went to the Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Concert with Dad and Marilyn. It was great!! We were up in the rafters and couldn't see the videos they were showing very well, but they still have it with their singing. It was great!
• That Friday was our Ward Family Christmas Party. They decided to do both a family one (mainly for the kids) and an Adult one later in the month. I didn't make it for the Adult Christmas Party. It was on the 21st and, I'm sorry, but that week was entirely too busy!
• December 11th was our annual tradition with Mom and family to go to "The Forgotten Carols". This show sets such a beautiful tone for the Christmas holiday. It's always interesting to see how Michael McLean changes the show each year. The past few years end on a very different tone than the years before. It used to end with such a high, happy feel. Lately, the show ends with a much deeper more sober feel. Beautiful either way.
• The next week I went to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert twice. David Archeletta was the guest vocalist. He did a fantastic job. This will definitely be a CD I buy next year. I must admit that I had never really heard David Archeletta sing. I am not an "American Idol" fan, so I had no real reference for what he sounded like. I knew he must be good because when he was on that show, that was all anyone really wanted to talk about. I was pleasantly surprised. He has a very clear voice.
• The next week was Christmas week and finishing everything that needed to happen. I had in mind what I wanted to do for my mom and for my dad. I really wanted to make something. I was unable to finish Moms project and never got around to Dads gift. I felt so terrible because I had to give Moms gift to her unfinished. I have been working on it as I could since then. I'm nearly done and I am so happy.
• We had our family Christmas party on the 23rd. It was fun to be with everyone. Spencer was going to come over and spend the night at my house. He was a bit excited...so excited that all evening he was ready to leave and go to Aunt Alisa's house. We had a lot of fun. Spencer is so cute. The next day we ran a few errands and Spencer melted the heart of more than one grumpy Christmas Eve shopper. He had decided to wish everyone he saw a "Merry Christmas." We walked around and he would smile, wave, and say "Merry Christmas." Between that and the jingle bells on his shoes, we were both having a great time!
• Christmas morning was spent with Mom. That afternoon I went over to Dad's house. Both were a lot of fun! Christmas was a great day!!
• In addition to all of this, December is a busy month for Primary as we start to organize for the new year. Preparing for the new year includes new classes, shifting kids, manuals, lists, CDs, teachers, etc, etc, etc. It's a lot to prepare for but we are ready to go (thank goodness since this Sunday is the first Sunday of January). We are off and running. Sunday will be interesting but we'll handle it. I've got a great presidency and each of them are such wonderful women and friends. We all get in there together and battle through the busy times. Our teachers are great, and the kids are a blessing. I love being down there with them. It's been five years, six programs, and I'm looking forward to another year with them.

Overall, this holiday season has been a great one. Lots of activity. Lots of family. Lots of snow (Unfortunately, we didn't have a white Christmas. Oh well, the snow came the day after and has been coming down since. It's been beautiful!). I've had almost a full week in jeans which has been strange. I was called in to work yesterday but now am off again until January 4th. I am looking forward to 2011. I'm so grateful for all of my blessings. I hope you each have a wonderful New Year's Eve and Day!! Happy New Year!! I hope 2011 brings loads of laughter, joy, love, warmth, and all that your heart desires.

Happy New Year!!!!