The Nutracker

Some of you may know that I grew up dancing. Since the age of three, I've been a ballerina (or was at one point in my life...not currently). When I was five, I was able to join the other girls at the studio I danced at--Maddox Dance Studio--in the production of The Nutcracker. I LOVED trying out for parts, practicing with my friends, and performing on stage, the Astoria High School auditorium. That was such a fun time in my life.

After Anja was born, I thought about how wonderful it would be if I put her in dance class, she actually loved it, and then took her to see the performance of The Nutcracker. Well that wish came true this year. Anja started dance class; she does LOVE it; and she and I attended her first viewing of The Nutracker at the Astoria High School auditorium.

It was such a special experience. We traveled to Astoria for the production. My parents watched the boys so we could go to the performance. We got all dressed up, took some pictures (as seen below), and arrived just in time for the beginning of the show.

What made it even more special was that prior to the show starting, we ran into Jeanne Peterson, my old dance teacher, owner of Maddox Dance Studio, and director of The Nutcracker. I said, "Hello Jeanne" and her immediate response was, "Alexis it is wonderful to see you." And she said, "Oh, your daughter looks just like you did when you started ballet." Oh--I loved our conversation!!

Anja sat on my lap during the performance so she could see the stage better. We had great seats. Anja didn't take her eyes off the stage the entire time! SHE LOVED IT!!! At the end, the children were invited up to get a candy cane and all of the dancers greeted the kids on stage. I walked Anja up and she was timid. But she took a candy cane and had that awe look in her eye, as if she could hardly believe that she was standing next to all of these people.

I will treasure this experience. And it is something that I look forward to continuing to do with Anja.

Our Real Tree

Ok, here are pictures of our tree before we decorated it. I know you can't see the top...so I'll post others later.


Carter with our TreeAnja with our Tree

Anja, Fischer, and Carter

Alexis is 27!!!

On November 5th, I turned 27. It was a fabulous day! I got to exercise, hang out with Clinton (he had the whole day off from work...talk about his schedule working out), go shopping with my mom, Kim, and then go out for a special dinner with Clinton. Then...my sister, Holly came in from Provo to visit Astoria for the weekend, so Clinton and I picked her and her roommate up from the airport, brought them back to the house, and everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' to me and ate the delicious German Chocolate Cake that Clinton made for me.
WHAT AN AMAZING DAY!!!


me waiting for my cakeClinton bringing the cake and everyone singing

Fischer, Alexis, Kim, & Clinton

I want to give a special thank you to my mom for all she does. Thanks for helping my family as we have made the transition to Portland!

We did go trick-or-treating

The kids had fun trick-or-treating in Astoria.
(well...Carter wasn't exactly thrilled about the huge crowds, but he warmed up to it by the end)

Carter the Knight

Anja the Princess

Fischer the Dragon

The Pumpkin Patch aka Sauvie Island

The Saturday before Halloween, we went to Sauvie Island "The Pumpkin Patch" as a family.
The kids had a great time.Fischer is such a cute farmer boy.

On the hay ride to the pumpkins. Alexis felt like she was going to fall off....so she held on to Clinton the whole time. It was really muddy, very big ruts for the tractor to drive through.

Carter picked a great little pumpkin (only $1).
Tons and tons of pumpkins...nearly as far as the eye could see.

Carter and Anja on top of the tall tall tall hay pyramid.
They had fun climbing all over this.

Haunted House

Here is our attempt at making a haunted house.

Thanks for the fun, Aunt Amy and Uncle Andrew!

Pumpkin Visit

We went to the pumpkin patch in Idaho!

This is the pumpkin we picked.

So many different varieties of pumpkins and squash to see. Incredible.

The whole group on hay bales for a picture.

Little Miss A.

Carter enjoyed the wheelbarrow ride Clinton gave him.
our friends Amy, Bryan, Isaac, and Gracie invited us to go with them...thanks!

Snow in Idaho

While in Idaho on our vacation....we had snow!

Fischer would have stayed in the snow all day. At one point we tried to bring him inside and he got upset...so we let him play for a little longer.

Our girl Anja liked the snow...but doesn't like to be cold. And since we weren't prepared for the snow (we had no idea it was actually going to snow) she didn't have her snow pants or gloves. So this little Miss Petunia stayed where it was warm....inside.

Clinton enjoyed playing with the kids in the snow on this vacation. Especially since he was the warmest of all...farm coveralls.

We got to visit with lots of family members, including fun Uncle Aaron who helped build a cool snowman with the boys. If you'll notice...this snowman as legs so they can sit on his lap.

Carter sitting on the snowman's lap. He LOVED building snowmen...they built two.

Carter and Anja posing in the snow. We did everything we could to keep Anja warm. Carter loves to eat snow.

Licorice Kid

On our trip to Idaho (nearly 1 month ago) Fischer enjoyed a couple pieces of licorice. And yes, he REALLY liked them!

Carter's Primary Program

Nearly 1 month ago, Carter had his primary program. He got spiffed up for the occasion. We sat right where we could see him. He had a comfy seat. He knew a bunch of the songs. Yet this lovely boy, decided he didn't want to sing. :) At one point though, he did come down from the stand, give me a hug and a kiss, and then he went back up to sit in his seat. Yeah for Carter!