Alexa hanging out in a laundry basket while Daddy was putting her wagon together. Alexa and Kelly Conley the night we had all our friends over (two Saturdays ago) when Art was in town. We stayed up too late, as usual, but had a great time with everyone!
Alexa loves to look at herself in the mirror (two Sundays ago we went shopping down in Jeffersonville at the Outlets). We went for a picnic lunch with Dan two Mondays ago... Alexa wanted Daddy's Cheetos :-)
Saying good-bye to Daddy before we left for Perry. Alexa with Aunt Janine at Gram's house on Wednesday.
Playing with a little doll that Gram had at her house. Making fried zucchini with Noni - Alexa loves to be in the kitchen!
Haha, me and Paul making homemade Spinach-Artichoke Dip for Kelly on Wednesday night. The mini-apron I was wearing USED to fit me (when I was a child, lol).
On Thursday, we helped Noni move all of her stuff into her new office at work! Then, we went to dinner with Noni & Papa at Longhorn. Alexa ate a piece of bread... she LOVES her carbs!
At dinner, we were seated right next to one of my friend's mom, sister-in-law, and niece. Alexa was so friendly, giving Elizabeth kisses :-) Alexa eating her bottle on Friday morning.
Alexa happy that Auntie Kathy (and Uncle Dave, Rascal, and little Chloe) finally arrived in Perry! She definitely likes Auntie Kathy now (back in February and even April, Alexa cried almost every single time she held her). On Friday night, Chris & Gary stop over to see us and we all sat outside enjoying the beautiful weather. The only downfall of the night, I was dinner for the mosquitoes... I mean seriously, I got bit a ton!!!
Daddy and Alexa hanging out in the "Florida room" before bedtime. Noni helping Alexa play "I'm gonna tickle you" with Papa. She thinks it is so funny to tickle people :-)
Outside photos from Saturday - Alexa with JaJa and Alexa with Noni. While they were all hanging out with Alexa, Dan and I went to a fundraiser to benefit Kyle Rusnak. Kyle and I grew up together and in 10th grade was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He was given a 40% chance of living 10 years. At right about that 10 year mark (last winter), his cancer came back with a vengence. He has undergone several surgeries since December and actually had another one this past Tuesday. People in Perry are good - TONS of money was raised (including the 50/50 winner donating her winnings) to help Kyle and Sara (I also went to school with his wife) pay for all of the expensive medical bills. Please add Kyle to your daily prayers, for strength and healing. Please add Sara to your daily prayers, for strength and comfort. He'll hopefully be starting radiation once he heals from this most recent surgery.
On Sunday morning, Alexa tried to steal Chloe's toy (she did eventually end up getting it). She played with Auntie Kathy too - who, let me tell you, was NOT happy that I was taking pictures before she had showered!
I don't know what inspired us to do it, but on Tuesday afternoon (shortly after we arrived in town), Noni and I discovered Alexa's new favorite thing... someone holds her and runs while the other person chases. She laughs and laughs! In this video, Dan and I are playing chase with Alexa on Sunday.
Papa letting Alexa play with the chimes. She is totally fascinated with 'em. Alexa also went for a ride on JaJa's motorcycle.... haha, not really. But she did take a seat on it. I think it'll be a few years before she's big enough for a ride.
She did like sitting on the bike though. Giving JaJa big hugs! It is unreal how much she smiles when she sees him :-)
Aunt Kelly and Alexa hanging out on Sunday afternoon. Then, we went to a picnic at the Evanchuck's house. Alexa just wanted to play with her book (or as she calls it "buk").
We played on a blanket under the big tent. On Monday, Alexa climbed her first tree! She also turned 9 months old... Gosh, that is the equivalent to how long I was pregnant with her and that seemed to drag by whereas her life has flown by!
This is hysterical. Anytime Noni cries, Alexa laughs.
Alexa wanted to go to Cedar Point with us but had to settle for a ride on Gram's leg instead, lol.
Alexa play cooking with Chef Gram :-) And what Perry trip wouldn't be complete without Chloe getting a bath (or three). Who knows what the darn dog gets into!!
Alexa is totally in love with Chloe, but we are definitely going to have to start monitoring their interactions more closely. On Monday (shortly after this photo was taken), Chloe reached her paw up (like she would to "shake") and scratched Alexa's face. It was fine within an hour or so, but it was so scary because it was by her eye.
Before going to bed, Alexa helped Auntie roll coins. Daddy helped too. In all, she had over $140!! Uncle Dave & Auntie Kathy saying goodbye to Alexa - can't wait to see them (and Rox, John, Bella, & Jack) again in September!!! And look closely... we took Auntie Kathy to get her nose pierced on Monday!
While we were having Sibs Cedar Point 09 Day on Tuesday, Alexa spent the entire day with Noni and eventually Papa too (he got off of work early). They had a fun day together, went shopping, and bought Alexa a walker, which she is still a little too short for (her toes only touch).
The idea to go to Cedar Point had been mine earlier this summer, and originally it was supposed to just be us siblings - me, Dan, Paul, and Danielle. Then, Paul decided he didn't want to take any vacation days from work so Danielle invited her boyfriend, Anthony. Well, he ended up having to work too so Danielle's friend, Kaitlyn came :-) Here are the girls in the front seat - it's 9:35 am and we had just arrived! Dan and I rode in the back.
SURPRISE!!! Paul and Kelly ended up meeting us! I was so excited that we were all together!!! The original four of us rode three coasters, Raptor, Mantis, and Millenium Force, before Paul and Kelly arrived. Then, we rode Cedar Creek Mine, Gemini, Mantis (again), Magnum, Raptor (again), and finally Top Thrill Dragster (which we waited in line for twice, the first time it broke down and we left the line, the second time it broke down and we waited). Kelly kept telling us it was the best coaster, but as we got closer we all got pretty nervous... Paul's hands were soooooo clammy! In the end, Kel was right - Top Thrill Dragster is now my favorite roller coaster!!!
D, P, and me in line for the Magnum. Paul and Dan ate these GIANT BBQ turkey legs for lunch. Good protein, just like Paul wants, haha.
Haha, Paul wanted to be in the smallest one. Paul & Kel with Snoopy.
Danielle and Kaitlyn kissing Snoopy. Dan and me with Snoopy. I had to switch to flip flops because my new tennis shoes were killing my feet - you should see the size of my two blisters, ugh! I was able to return them, thank goodness.
Right upon arriving, Paul kept saying that he had to win Alexa a giant gorilla before we left. So as we were heading towards the entrance at 9:40 pm (yes, we put in over 12 hours at Cedar Point), he stopped to play the game. I was shocked when I saw the gorillas initially, and I was even more shocked when (on the fifth ball) he hit the easel and the ball dropped in the basket thus winning George. Look at how huge this thing is! We couldn't even bring it back to Columbus! Alexa told Papa he's gonna have to bring it down in the truck, lol.
Our day at Cedar Point was AMAZING, except that we missed Alexa FINALLY start to crawl!!! At least she was with Noni and Papa :-) And at least, they got videos right away!!!
Alexa's crawl is kind of silly. She only uses one leg :)~
Kelly and Paul with George on Wednesday morning. Chloe and Dixie were exhausted from all of their playing!
Here is a video of JaJa showing Alexa what he won for her.
George is still a little scary... he is enough motivation to crawl away.
It was really hard to say goodbye to everyone on Wednesday afternoon. Alexa and I had a wonderful 9 days in Perry (16 total for the month)! It's been really nice to get her used to other people taking care of her too - she was starting to go through a bout of separation anxiety, and my family has managed to break that. She loves them all so much!!! When she cries, she stops for Noni (not Mommy), and when she sees Papa her legs kick so fast she could win a 100 meter swim race! While there she learned her fourth word, "Papa."
Not sure when our next trip home is going to be :( Hopefully, it'll be in the next few weeks - or maybe we'll convince them to come see us! Well, I gotta boogie we have a busy Friday head of us! Pictures for Alexa, Verizon because my phone is messed up, and bridesmaid dress shopping with Tiffanie. Will post about life since Perry-cation sometime this weekend (which will include Alexa's new stats). Ciao.
