120th Alexander Family Reunion

Today was the 120th Alexander Family Reunion (on the Trezona side of Justin's family). We think their were 281 people in attendance!

The girls had a blast. The loved running around, Kaelin bobbed for apples and took part in a potato sack race, and both liked seeing the farm's horses. Justin and Uncle Brad took part in a washer toss game - they were up for the semi-finals before we left and someone took Justin's place.

Here is the picture of everyone in attendance from the Trezona side of the family.

Kaelin's Bday at Red Lobster

Friday was Kaelin's birthday! We let her pick where we would go to dinner. She chose Red Lobster, because she wanted shrimp and crab legs! Not a cheap date! :)

She shared a dinner with Grandma Barb. Kaelin really wanted to crack the crab legs herself but she isn't quite strong enough yet!

One of the gifts we got her was a handwriting marker board. She LOVES to practice her letters.

Aunt Amy made Kaelin cupcakes for dessert :).

Kaelin got a new 'big girl' bike. She LOVES it. She was flying around our little cult-de-sac. She made too tight of a turn once and took a tumble and skinned her knees. She got back on though and we were all amazed by how well she did for her first time!

Kaelin is four now! I can't believe it! While watching her Friday night, I was wiping away tears. She has grown up so much. She is an outgoing, dramatic little girl! She definitely has her own opinions.

She is so amazingly smart! Every day she surprises me with questions I don't know how to answer - Why don't we fall off the Earth because it is round? - that one is my favorite so far! She is writing her letters and knows their sounds. She loves to draw and do any kind of art project. She LOVES doing anything with stickers!! Her favorite toys are her kitchen, her Leapster, and any kind of dress up!

She really loves her Daddy! If he is home, she wants to be near him. She wants to help me cook anytime I am in the kitchen. She loves to be outside on their new swing set. She also LOVES to spend time with her best friend Abby.

She does not like chili, sitting still for more than 30 seconds, or bedtime!

Next Wednesday I attend a meeting at her new preschool. She starts pre-kindergarten 3 days a week the first week in September for 3 hours a day. She is SO excited to 'go to school'. I know she is going to do awesome! I can't believe she is ready to go to school! She is very tall for her age, wearing size 5 clothes and 10&1/2 shoes. (42" tall = 90%, and 35 lbs = 50%)

She is looking forward to her and Hailey's big birthday Luau at our house next weekend.

Hailey's Bday at Chuck E Cheese

Friday was Hailey's 2nd birthday! We went to Chuck E Cheese. In her words, " Yeah, I had Fun!" Aunt Amy made her cupcakes, and Hailey even blew out her own candle!

The favorite ride was a pretend roller coaster ride! The chair vibrated and made the kids' little cheeks shake. There was even a video screen for the parents to watch and I think we had as much watching them as they had riding it!

Daddy even had fun :). Actually there was a lot of basketball being played by Jason, Amy and Justin.

I cannot believe our baby is two! Hailey has changed a lot over the last two years. She was born a very shy, cuddly and fairly quiet little girl. Now she is a sometimes shy, still cuddly and crazy girl!

She likes to dance, pretend she is a frog, play with baby dolls, her sister's video games, and our play kitchen. She loves to snuggle (especially with Mommy!), and watch Mickey. She also loves the outdoors - swinging and her new sandbox are two of her favorite things to do, but wants nothing to do with bugs. She loves to run around our house yelling, "Get me Daddy", while Justin chases her.

She talks non-stop! I love it when she says, "What's that sound?!" and "I Yuv You!" and "MeMo (Nemo)". Her favorite food is bread - Really, that's all she wants to eat, besides ice cream! She also loves her 'big girl' bed (toddler bed). She doesn't like having her hair blow dried, having her toys taken, or getting told no (it breaks her little heart!).

She is beautiful and growing too quickly (size 2t clothes and 7 shoes!), 32" = 75%, and 25lbs = 35%.

She is sweet and caring.

She is such a little blessing to our lives!

Birthday Pics 2010

Last Wednesday, Jecca and I took the girls to Fellows Riverside Gardens to take this year's birthday pictures. They had so much fun! We spent almost 2 hours running around through the roses, lawns and other flowers. Hailey however, did not want to pose! Kaelin, on the other hand, was AWESOME! She loved taking the pictures, especially when we told her to make silly faces! Jecca got some great pics of the girls together that I LOVE!

July 4th Fun

Yesterday we went down to the farm in Grove City for the 4th of July. We had a picnic with Papa Tom, Grandma Barb and Uncle Jasey. Then we went down to the pond to join several other members of the family in fishing and riding the paddle boat.

Hailey caught her first fish! She did NOT want to touch it though. She would get close and giggle. She also wanted nothing to do with the worms.

Kaelin on the other hand said she wanted to pet the fish, and LOVED flinging worms around!

I loved this pic of Hailey - she looks so big!

Tom and Justin purchased fireworks on Saturday and along with TR, Glenn and George, they set them off over the pond. Unfortunately the girls and I did not get to enjoy most of the show. Kaelin was behaving very poorly and had a meltdown, and Hailey got scared of the fireworks, so we headed back to the house to get ready to head home. Other than the very end of the day, we all had a great time!

Old Pics

Today I downloaded some July 4th pics from the camera and came across some old pictures. They are from the second week of June. Kaelin and Hailey 'helped' Daddy wash his old (Uncle Jason's new) car to get it ready for Uncle Jason. Hailey LOVED the bubbles, but really only liked to wash the back driver's side door - it got REALLY clean :).

Hailey gave up after a bit to slide and have Grandma Barb push her in the swing. Kaelin also ditched Daddy to play with her friend Abby next door.

2010 - the fairs begin.

We love the fair!

Our first visit of Fair Season began tonight to the Trumbull County fair. Dinner was steak hoagies, italian sausage and french fries, followed by italian ice for dessert. We spent time walking around to see the animals - sheep, cows and horses. Hailey always cracks me up. She has been raised around Papa Tom's farm (cows) since she was 4 days old. She still doesn't want to get within 5 feet of them (or the sheep or the horses). What a weirdo. :) Kaelin on the other hand, LOVES to pet everything that moves! Kaelin also wants to ride every ride. The problem with that is - she is to short for the adult/big kid rides, and most of the kiddie rides completely bore her. About the only ride for her age group that she likes is the mini roller coaster

(go figure!) She does also like to go down the big slide. Hailey is perfectly content to watch Sissy, and look at all the rides. She does not care for the big slide at all! We will see how the summer continues, because she was showing much more interest in the rides this evening. Hopefully we will get her on more rides (other than the Merry Go Round) in a month or two!

Sorry - I haven't posted in a while. Life is busy as usual. Here is a quick update:

Hailey and Kaelin are growing so quickly. I can't beleive that Hailey will be 2 at the end of the month and then just a week later, Kalein will be 4!

The Hermit Crabs are still alive and flourishing. Actually, Kalein's crab should be called Houdini. It managed to get out of the cage twice (both during the night). The next day I found it behind the fridge once, and in the play room behind Hailey's alphabet train. They now go into lockdown at night.

Justin is still doing well at work and is home from Germany safely.

I am doing ok. I have to get a spinal tap on Friday. They are hoping it will give the herniated/compressed disc in my neck some relief as the physical therapy they assigned me too only irritated the problem instead of correcting it. I am so grateful for Amy, Barb and Jecca - they have all been helping take turns watching the girls for me as I had to go to therapy three times a week! I don't know what I would do without them!

Up and coming for our family:

- more trips to the fairs in the area!

- Family Reunions for the Magee's and Trezona's in August.

- The girls' big summer birthday party will be August 14th.

- While the girls' don't know yet, I am getting very excited for my parent's visit in August!

- September brings us Justin's 30th birthday - which he is celebrating by going to Las Vegas for a weekend with my brother (for his 21st) and his brother. Should be interesting :) yes, I am a bit worried!! j/k