Well it has been a long time since I have posted anything so I have a lot to share.

We had a great Thanksgiving. The day started out with Alexa getting her first chance to ice skate. She went with her cousins and Aunt Deb. I was the offical photographer. I have never been on ice skates so I will let the cousins introduce her to that sport! She did great with lot of support from Aunt Deb and Andrew. The day after Thanksgiving is of course the Christmas cookie baking day. I have to say I think the cookies were better than ever! Alexa enjoyed making and eating them. Her favorite - the butterscotch cornflake cookies followed close by the frosted sugar cookies and peanut blossoms! She did eat quite a bit of colored sugar straight out of the jar but she managed to decorate a few cookies.
We paid a visit to Santa at the botanical center. Alexa said she hadn't decided yet when he asked what she wanted. Later a Christmas Barbie and a microphone were put on her list. And she got both.

Alexa had her first Christmas dance recital. She enjoyed it - of course she loves attention.

We celebrated Christmas with a short visit with the Russells on Christmas Eve. Sean was home from basic training and gave Alexa her own "dogtag".

Then we braved the snowy weather and headed to Illinois. The trip was much better than last year when we spent 2 hours stopped on the interstate. It snowed for the first 30 minutes then turned to rain and rained the rest of the trip. We made it to Belvidere in time to put out Alexa's stocking and the next morning we were joined by the whole Emry gang. Alexa was spoiled with lots of presents.

Now we are in a New Year. Alexa is getting used to saying 2010. I am tired of the cold (it was -6 when I took Alexa to school this morning) so I booked us tickets to Florida. I can hardly wait for February!