Alice is 9!

Alice turned 9 this past week! We are so lucky and blessed to have this sweet little lady in our lives. Alice is a sweetheart and a joy. At nine she loves to create and sings all the time. She's slowly coming out of her shell, but still isn't fully comfortable with adults and talking to others. Alice is doing well in school this year. She's doing well and is going to start working on an Honors Reader for school. She's "casually' taking piano lessons with me this year. It's a slow progression, but she's actually picking up a lot. She still loves to steal a phone and take pictures and watch videos when possible. 

Alice's 9 favorite things /things about her that I put on her card this year. - She has a loving heart - She loves music and to sing - She loves her doll and Barbies - Alice loves art and being creative - Alice's number one food is still noodles - Alice is a girly girl and loves to dress up, be fancy, and wear makeup / jewelry - Alice still likes unicorns and all things cute - Alice loves reading and her favorite books this year are dragon girls, and unicorn academy - Alice loves her fluffy friends, from a new little bunny she got for her birthday to her beloved animals she's had for years she loves being warm and cuddly. She loves all of the holidays and wishes I would decorate and do more for them, she's always happy to add her own crafted decorations to each holiday and helps us be more festive all year long! 

Alice at age 9:

Favorite color : Pink                Favorite activity: art            Favorite food: noodles    

Favorite animal: unicorn          Favorite Holiday: Christmas        Favorite thing about school: lunch

 Favorite song: Golden (k-pop d. .  . she's fallen in love with that show and songs this past year.)

Favorite book: Dragon Girls    When I grow up: "artist"

Nickname: Little Lady and Shortcake 

Alice got to open presents early before school on her birthday. She made sure to wear her princess jammies and the crown she got in primary. She got to have waffles with a candle as we sang and sprinkles on top. Afterwards she opened presents. She got new roller blades and a helmet, she also got a horse for her doll, bath bombs, and a new alarm clock. She got a bunny and Lego figures from Grandma and Grandpa Loosle, and a new outfit for her doll from Aunt Katherine. Grandma D came this weekend with a card and money to spend on something special for herself and then took her out to see Jemma's basketball game and bought her a doughnut. The family was a bit scattered after school on Alice's birthday so we had her favorite (spaghetti) noodles for dinner before the girls and I headed to cold stone for some birthday ice cream! Casey was gone for away games and Pete was at basketball practice that night. We went out as a family the next evening to Pizza Pie cafe to celebrate her some more and she chose a birthday party with friends that we'll host this coming week. 

We love our little caboose so very much and can't imagine life without her. She is special and wonderful in so many ways! 

Christmas break

 Casey and Pete joined part of Brett's crew going up to Boise for the Bowl game that USU was playing in. I had the other five kids here with me (Kendal, Becca, Alice, James, and Naomi). After a quick derm appointment that morning I was home with the kids for the day. They played a bit while I de-cluttered than I took them all out to article circle for lunch and play time. We made and decorated gingerbread cookies that afternoon and the kids played some more before the others came home. Pete had to shoot off to practice that night, but had a great day up with Casey and the others (despite USU loosing their game).

Tuesday Casey had practice in the morning and Pete had practice that evening. In between we got some cleaning done around the house. Pete also got some time over at Austin's that afternoon. 

Wednesday we took the kids to see the movie David in theaters. It was so well done and we all gave it a thumbs up. Afterwards we ran a couple of errands in town then headed home. We had our annual Christmas Eve dinner at Brett and Vanessa's house. The kids ate and played / talked with the adults for a while before we went home for the night. We got ready for Santa with a clean kitchen, cookies out, and 'twas the night. . . ' before the kids wrapped up the stairway for the night. 

Thursday the kids were up early and burst through the paper at 7 am (scaring me to death, even though I was anticipating it). We did our tradition of listening to the Nativity Story before going out and opening presents. The kids were happy to see what they got from Santa and dig into presents from each other / Mom and Dad. This year on the presents Kendal was "Snowshoe" (since she has a habit of leaving shoes everywhere). Pete was "snow angel" (because he can often be an angel underneath it all, truly has a great heart, and we hoped to throw off the girls on who it was). Alice was "snowstorm" (we chose this because she leaves a creative mess wherever she crafts away). Kendal and Pete shared a big gift this year -which was a 3d printer. Once it was set up it's been running for a good part of the day. Kendal got a Lego mural galaxy art piece for her wall, clothes, skincare products, and a few other little things. Pete got a Lego mural set (star Wars theme) for his wall, clothes, a gaming headset, and other little things. Alice got a jeep for her doll from Santa, a doll outfit and desk set, and a Barbie with a dog / puppies as her presents. All three kids got slippers from Santa, fluffy towels as their needs this year, and fidget toys in their stockings they've been playing with all day. The kids have been playing and building away most of the day. We played a round of our new family card game, and then Pete dragged Casey out to build a stand for the 3d printer. Pete and Kendal finished their prints late Christmas evening. 

Friday we headed down to Logan for the weekend. All of my siblings and the Grand kids made it into town for the afternoon / evening. The kids got to open presents from my parents and Aunt Katherine. They played around and we had a nice dinner together. Pete spent the night in Smithfield with David's kids. Saturday we had the whole family together again and went over to the fun park for the afternoon. The kids got to play around in the arcade for a bit before we did bowling. That evening we were able to go out to Kelly's for dinner and some time with the extended Loosle clan. Sunday everyone went to church while I nursed a migraine. We spent the afternoon playing games and the kids played downstairs / with us a bit as well. Monday we all met up at Chili's for lunch. Afterwards Billie and her girls, and Alice and I went out to Linda's to let the kids pick some teddy's / Christmas items from Nana's collection. Pete and Kendal got to go to the Lego store with David, Anica, and their boys. We all met up to go ice skating late that afternoon. The kids had so much fun skating and I managed to stay upright the whole time! We headed out after dinner that night since Casey had basketball practice scheduled the rest of the week. Alice loved all of the time she got with Maggie and they were sad to part from each other. It's always great to see family and have the kids spend quality time with their cousins! 

 

We've had a very easy going time to finish out our Christmas break. Kendal went skiing New Years Eve with Hope and we went to a party at the Bergs for the night. Kendal left part way through to spend New Years at Violets house with friends. We had a great evening with friends. The kids were all around playing sardines and other games while the adults chatted and then played a few games together as well. We've had a lot of game time as a family this week as well as 3d prints happening almost daily. Casey had practices almost every day and Pete had to join practices a couple of nights. Casey, Kendal, and Pete are on a stranger things kick lately as well which has been fun for them. Casey and I also were able to go to the Temple yesterday before we get back into busy days this next week.