Where does time go?

Our family's forty-two pound pumpkin.

The girls on their annual pumpkin patch trip.

The girls went to Chucky Cheese with Nemaw and papaw.

Getting ready to head to a football game to cheer on the Quakers!!

Alexa playing soccer and not really liking it.

First Day of Kindergarten and PreSchool. Yeh!!!

Well, both of my babies are officially in school. Where does time go? It just seems like yesterday that we were coming home from China with them both. Aleia started all day everyday kindergarten on Tuesday and Alexa started preschool on Wednesday. They both had great first days, unlike their mother. I did ok, but boy was it hard. People always said how fast they would grow up and I didn't really believe them until now. I guess the saying about time flies when you are having fun is so true. Well, I will keep everyone posted with some new updates as they get into this new groove.

Wow. I haven't posted forever!!!

The girls are the best of buds!

We always take family portraits our last day at the beach.

We have a photo of Aleia just like this when she was three and a half. Too cute.

Aleia loved riding the bogey board with the waves this trip.

We have a fancy dinner at the Oak Steakhouse in Charleston.

Sorry posted the same pic twice. ha,ha.

Doing crafts at the Children's Museum in downtown Charleston.

Daddy giving his girls their flowers after their dance recital.

Lili, Alexa, Aleia, and Ryann


Ok, yes I have been a bad blogger. It's only been about four months since my last post. ha,ha. Let's just say the girls are keeping us busy and we are enjoying every minute of it. We went to Kiawah Island with the Bichsel's at the end of March for Spring Break. We had a great time. We rode bikes and played on the beach alot. In May, Bob and I celebrated our "15 th" anniversary. We went to Cincinnati for the weekend. We took in the Reds game, the taste of Cincy, and did some sight seeing. Where has the last fifteen years gone? At the beginning of June, the girls had their dance recital. They both did the dance thing this year. Dance class began in Sept of 08 and finished up in June of 09. Needless to say, Mom was very burn out with Tuesday night classes. The girls both did a great time at the recital doing their stuff. Alexa did ballet and Aleia did ballet and tap. It was a special night for the whole family. Finally, our family along with my parents went to Charleston, SC for a couple of days followed up by our week in Pawley's Island. Can I just say we had a fabulous time!!! The weather was fantastic and we had a ball being with the girls 24/7. It was very hard to come back to the real world. The girls loved the ocean and going for "dips" with their daddy. Mommy isn't a real big ocean fan. We spent tons of time building sand castles and watching Alexa destroy them. Well, I will try to post again before four more months go by. Heck, before we know it, the girls will be starting school.

Chinese New Year!!!

Alexa, Lili, and Aleia. Lili is one of Aleia's best friends from school. They also call each other their sissies.

Trying to get a group picture of all of our china friends isn't always the easiest thing to do as you can see.

Well, another Chinese New Year party has come and gone. We had a party a couple of weeks ago with our "china sisters" at a local restaurant. We had a great dinner, some crafts, a video, and a chinese dance. The girls always enjoy getting dressed up in their silk dresses.

Observation night at dance class.

Aleia, Lili, and one of their instructors, Miss Hannah dancing away.

Aleia's class is much bigger than Alexa's.

Alexa wasn't happy that Nemaw and Mommy were downstairs watching TV and she didn't want to stay in her bed by herself. Well, when we came upstairs to go to bed Alexa was sound asleep in the hallway with her blanket.

Alexa has her instrument and she is getting ready to march.

Doing the bean bag dance.






Aleia wanted me to do a little video of her before class actually got started. They don't do any of these moves in the class. Ha, Ha.

A great ending to another wonderful year.

Aleia, Maryn, Alexa, and Lauryn hanging out while putt-putting.

Alexa doing a pose on the walk to the beach.

Lauryn, Kaitlin, Aleia, and Maryn just hoping they could get into the pool. Please mommy please!!

The girls sporting their new Salty Dog shirts.

Alexa, aka Tinkerbell.

Aleia got some new play make-up for Christmas and she was making Alexa looked beautiful she said.

Santa did make it to our house once again.

The Alsept's had another wonderul holiday season. The girls must have been good girls because HO HO made it to Ohio once again. Aleia received a new make-up vanity with some make-up and Alexa got the American Girl Doll that she wanted. We have had so much fun playing with all of the new things. As you can imagine, the things are too numerous to mention. The day after Christmas we left for Hilton Head, SC for a week at the beach. We had great weather and a fun time. Their were four families on the trip with five children along. Needless to say, it was an adventure. The girls played in the ocean some (which was freezing cold), they wanted to swim in the pool that we rented (also very cold), we rode bikes, built sandcastles, and played with lots of girly toys that santa had brought for everyone. We all wished the trip didn't have to end. Oh well, we are all looking forward to our next trip to the beach and a great 2009!! Happy New Year to everyone!!!