Christmas Wishes!

We had a great Christmas this year. We shopped in Salt Lake on Christmas Eve for all of the last minute items, which was about everything. We had a yummy dinner that my sister slaved over while we were shopping. We then opened our Christmas PJ's and read some Christmas stories just like Mom does every year. We put the kids (my sisters and ours) in bed all in the same room... It reminded me of when I was growing up, all seven of us in a bedroom laughing all night and asking Dad if we can get up every 15 minutes. By 5:30, he finally lets us get up. We could not where our PJ's into where Santa had been, we had to be dressed, teeth brushed, hair done...everything but have breakfast. They did try to one year, but it didn't go over very well. Anyway, this year it was not the kids asking to get up... it was Uncle Justin. I went up to the bathroom around 4:30 and Justin came up and woke up the kids. It was fun to see him so excited. All the kids lined up in the hall youngest to oldest and went to see what Santa had brought them. The rest of the day was spent playing with the things Santa brought, playing games and relaxing... Of course, Justin got in his nap! We all got our Christmas wishes!

The Big Two!

Dallin turned two the day we left Michigan, so we decided to postpone the birthday celebration until we arrived to the Waricks. When we got there, they had gone all out... balloons, pizza, birthday cake and of course presents. I think Dallin was happy to just get out of the car, but to have such a fanfare just for him...He was ecstatic. It was also so much fun to have cousins and a Aunt and Uncle to help with the celebration. We are so thankful to have Dallin in our family. He is our special boy!

Craziest Week and a half...

Jonathan receives a job offer Friday December 12. Tuesday night (December 16), our nieces (Mckena and Sidney) convince us to be to their house by Christmas Eve. Wednesday (December 17) take down all 4 Christmas trees and ABF trailer arrives. Thursday and Friday (December 18 and 19) Pack. Saturday (December 20) 9 guys from the ward and 1 from Precorp load the trailer with precision. (I think they have done it a few times!) Sunday (December 21, Dallin's Birthday) load the Civic on a dolly and hook to the Pilot. Leave our house and friends at 4:00 P.M. ...very sad, yet exciting. Bad Weather... drive 100 miles in about 7 1/2 hours. We counted about 10 semis slide offs and accidents. There was even a point when the freeway was closed. We thought we would just get a room. "No Room at the INN." So we had to just continue on the detour and get back on the freeway. Finally, we found a place to stay at 11:30 P.M. Monday (December 22) drive, drive, drive, and drive. Arrive in a town outside of Grand Island, NE. around 9:00 P.M. The kids were so excited to get out and run. They ran and jump in the motel room, until Alexis barfed on her way to the bathroom. Dallin watched in horror, then looked at us... and commenced to barfing as well. We (Jonathan and I) were totally disgusted, but could only laugh. We cleaned it up the best we could, but I feel sorry for who ever stayed there after us. Tuesday (December 23 drive, drive, drive and hit snow storm in Evanston, WY... White knuckle it all the way to my sister's house. ARRIVE at 7:00 P.M. Exhausted and Excited. Tomorrow's CHRISTMAS EVE! We will miss all of our friends in Michigan, but excited to start a new adventure here in Utah.

Big Changes!

Yes, after living in Michigan for almost three years, the Dansie's will be moving back to Utah! Jonathan was offered a job on Friday afternoon with a company in Salt Lake. They want him really fast... January 5. That scares me just a little... Christmas, packing and moving all in about 2 weeks time. We are excited, but a little sad, too. We have many good friends here. I guess that is why there are blogs and email, right?!.

Seaworld...Legoland...Disneyland...Worn Out!

After traveling all day on Thanksgiving, I think we were extra thankful we did not live in California. It took us just about as long to get from Santa Ana, CA to San Diego, CA as it did from Detroit, MI to Santa Ana, CA. Well, OK maybe that was a little bit of a stretch, but at least from Denver, CO to Santa Ana. Need I say more... Traffic was bumper to bumper all the way. My favorite part of the traveling day was when we were almost to the hotel in San Diego, all of a sudden the San Diego Temple popped up from no where. It was amazing. The rest of the day was spent giving thanks for Sleep. (Major jet lag.)

On Friday morning, we were starving and decided to go to IHOP for breakfast. Well, it was short lived when Dallin did not get his pancakes fast enough and started throwing a fit. He just started to cry uncontrollably to the point of coughing. Coughing so much, that yes he gaged himself. Now with Barf all over him and me, I can't say I was too hungry after that. Poor waitress. After that we had to make a trip back to the hotel to get cleaned up, so we could go the Sea World. Sea World had a lot of amazing shows with Dolphins, Seals, Killer Whales, and even Cats and Dogs. Alexis and Dallin even got to feed seals, even though the sea gulls caught more than the seals.

On Saturday, it was to Legoland. Legoland was a lot of fun. It is perfect for little kids. Alexis loved riding this horse and a dinosaur roller coaster (even I thought it was fun). Dallin...well I think he was a little too little most of the rides. He went on a few, not too sure if he had any favorites. There was one ride he could not ride and Grandpa Dansie watched him. Dallin threw a big fit... to the point of laying on the pavement and kicking his legs. Poor Grandpa, tried to keep our little devil quiet. The tantrum continued so he took him into a store and bought him a sword. When we got off the ride, we would have never known such awful behavior was displayed. Sorry, Grandpa!

Jonathan and I loved the Mini Legoland. There were many different cities all made out of Legos. So cool. This is the White House all out of Legos... Amazing, huh!

Sunday was spent at the Doctor trying to help Jonathan get rid of a cough he had for a good month. We waited for him in the car, parked in a parking garage... the whole time I feared an earthquake was going to hit and we would be toast. Just a side note... Jonathan still has a cough and has seen a doctor here in Michigan as well. None of them seem too concerned, so hopefully it will go away soon.

Monday through Thursday was all Disneyland. It was very special for the kids and I, since it was our first time. It was all decorated for Christmas and that made it that much better. The kids got to meet lots of Disney Characters. We even got to eat lunch with the princesses. Alexis was on cloud nine when she saw Sleeping Beauty. We even were able to see Santa Claus and his reindeer. The kids were a little scared to sit on Santa's lap, but Alexis had time to tell him what she wanted.

Our first ride was pirates. Probably not the best ride for Alexis's first ride. Too Dark. But by the end of the trip, she was telling us her favorite ride was Peter Pan and Pirates. Alexis was very brave and rode Splash Mountain with her dad. She said she would never ride it ever again. I think it is kind of funny, because she tells us this with a big smile on her face. So yes, if we go again I am sure she will ride it. Dallin's favorite rides were the new Toy Story ride, Monsters, and of course Buzz Lightyear. He loves Buzz Lightyear now. Jonathan said he does not know what his favorite ride was, but I bet it was the Tower of Terror. It scared me too much for it to be my favorite. It is pretty embarrassing when your 3 year old niece liked it. My favorite ride was Scream'n. We loved all the parades and the fireworks. My personal favorite was the Pixar Parade. We loved spending time with Jonathan's side of the family.

On Friday it was time to go home. I think every time we travel there is a little bit of stress... Making it to the airport in time... getting the kids and ourselves through security and not missing the flight... and hoping the kids behave and not scream while in the air. Well this time was no different. We were trying to get through security, telling Alexis to get he shoes on, Jonathan was getting his shoes on, I was helping have all of the medicine tested since it was 4 oz bottles instead of 3 oz and poor Dallin was just standing there with his pants around his knees... crying of course. We had a great time and loved being there with family.

Family Pictures

We had our family pictures taken a few Saturday's ago. Dallin had fallen asleep right before we got to the spot, so we let him sleep for a little while. He was a little angry when he woke up. Jeanette caught a great shot of him, showing his anger. It happens to be one of my favorite. We had such a good time, even though it was FREEZING. Here are a few of them.

Denise Family?

Well, I guess we have been officially declared as the "Denise Family" instead of the Dansie Family. Alexis came home from school and told me that her name at school is Alexis Denise (first, because there are of course more than one Alexis in the class and second because we have a difficult last name to pronounce, maybe??.) I told Alexis she needed to tell her teacher her name was "Dansie". She said it was her school name and she liked it. Just like Mckena and Sidney call her Lexi, her teacher can call her Alexis Denise. No use arguing with a 4 year old. Right? Well yesterday her teacher had something for us and said "Alexis Denise". I piped up and said, "Oh its Dansie." Whoops! First her teacher apologized and then I got the look of all looks from Alexis. I told her teacher to go ahead and call her "Alexis Denise" at school. She calls it her school name, and likes it a lot. Later on that night, we were driving as a family and Alexis pips up. " I am sure glad we can be the Denise Family, instead of the Dansie family. It sounds more girly." Of course Jonathan could not have that. He tried to explain the importance of our last name. She then said just as innocent..."Well if you want to be Dansie's... there will be 3 Dansie's and 1 Denise." We love her very much and hope she comes back to our side SOON.

Two Wheels

Yes, Alexis is riding a bike with only two wheels. We took off the training wheels yesterday and now she can ride without Mom right by her side. She is growing up so fast. View this momentous day!

Halloween... Fairy Tale Style

This year Alexis and Dallin were Goldilocks and Baby Bear. They looked great and played the part just right too! Goldilocks getting into Baby Bears business and then running off saying.."I didn't do it, he did it himself." It really was a great day. We did the traditional spooky dinner. We ate "Tom" this year. Everything from his head (salad) to his chopped off fingers (rolled up hot dogs) to his stomach juices (special drink). "Poor Tom" They were not to sure about eating "Tom". The kids then got a luxury ride around the neighborhood to fill their baskets full of too much candy... what were we thinking. Dallin really never got a full basket, because as soon as he got a piece of candy, it was opened and consumed. After getting home and half the candy was eaten, for some reason the baskets magically disappeared (not really sure it will reappear any time soon.)

Weekend Get Away

My mom came for a visit and we were so excited she finally made the long trip For the weekend, we went down to Ohio to see Kirtland. We had such a great time seeing the beautiful country and the sacrifice of the pioneers. We saw the Newel K Whitney store, their home, the saw mill, the ashery, the Kirtland Temple, and the John Johnson Farm (where Mom left something and tried to blame me, or maybe it was just those squeaky old floor boards. Ha! Ha!) We even saw a coyote on the side of the road (just for you Trav) The next day on our way home we took the long way home and saw some Amish areas of Ohio. Absolutely Beautiful!

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for Alexis. She was so excited. I think even Dallin may have been a little excited...play with what ever toy he wants and nobody takes it away... When we got home from taking her he ran to the motorized jeep and just sat in it trying to drive it... too bad the battery was dead. Anyway, She was little nervous, but she had someone she knew from church in her class. That made it a little better. I was a little nervous for her, but I guess that is what a mom is suppose to do, right? Her teachers names are Mrs. Every and Mrs Cantu. They seem very fun. Well, when we went to pick her up, she didn't seem to happy. I asked her if she had a good day at school. She told me she was not to happy and not sure she wanted to continue with school, because they did not let her paint. She really has a mind of her own. Hopefully, Wednesday will be just a little better.