Cessiley & Nate

Last weekend we were lucky to be able to go out to California for my niece Cessiley's wedding. She was married in the Sacramento Temple. (these pictures are so out of sequence, I always get all fouled up when I'm trying to post several photos) Steph and I posing... the grounds were beautiful. Unfortunately, the weather was so cold that day, but at least the rain held off until the next day.

Taking a nap on Uncle Brett... too much excitement for one day!

Yes, the idea of leopard print and hot pink as a color scheme took a bit of getting used to, but really it turned out so cute! Cess has always had her very own unique sense of style, and it suited her perfectly.

This would have been a fantastic picture of us in front of the temple, but Mr. Alexander pics the most inopportune moments to be a cheeseball.

Alex has always liked Cessiley, but I don't think he quite knew what to think about all the commotion so he looks a little wary!

These bridesmaids all looked so adorable. You can't really tell from the picture, but Cess has on leopard print shoes!

My nephew Adam with his little shadow, Alex. Alex looooves Adam and asks to go to his house every day.

My brother and two sisters... Lesley was a little hesitant about the "shocking pink" fabric that Cess picked for her dress, but I think she looks fantastic.

Just a little sidenote... contrary to my appearance in this photo, I am not with child, I just eat too much of my mom's good cooking when I go home!

Springtime in the Bay Area can be just about as fickle as it is here in Utah. Our first day there, it was absolutely gorgeous, I just lounged in the backyard and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on my skin for the first time in months. Wouldn't you know, by Monday when it was time to go home, we were having to decide if we'd even be able to make it over Donner's Pass because of the snow?!

In spite of the weather, I'm really grateful we were able to be there and spend time with family. In the end, that's really what matters most, isn't it?!

Playa Got Game

Not sure what got into Steve the other day. Alex's cousin had just bought him this cute Adidas warm up suit, and Steve decided to take it to a whole 'notha level---bare chested, sportin' some bling and wearing a fly skull cap. The expression on his face says it all... he's got game and he's not afraid to use it. Watch out ladies!

Sissy and Bubby

A few weeks ago, Steph was babysitting Alex but wanted to go to the high school basketball game so she took Alex along. It was Senior Night for the team she played on her soph and junior year, and she wanted to show support for the girls, particularly her good friend Christen. She and her friend Kendra had planned on wearing shirts with Christen's number on them, so she wanted to make one for Bubbies (Alex) as well. The only plain white shirt she could find was an old size 18 month onesie. This is why Alex looks like he's dressing up like The Fonz with that tight shirt on.

When I asked Steph if Alex was good at the game, she said yes, but that Alex wasn't even with her most the game. He was hangin' out with some of her guy friends and playing with them. I've noticed Alex loves teenage boys. Perhaps that's because he started going to football games and practices at the age of 3 weeks?!

I'm grateful for Steph and that she's such a good sister to Alex. Alex is kind of mean to her at times, like telling her to go away and such, but I'm sure one day he'll show his appreciation...

It's My Potty and I'll Cry if I Want To...

Alex has been "in the buff" a lot these days, as I'm working on potty training. Little kids just love being naked, don't they? He's making some progress. Today he went all on his own, when I wasn't even in the room. Only problem, he didn't pull his undies down before sitting on the pot. I didn't use pull ups much with Steph, are they easier for kids to pull down than underwear?

Mr. Bubbles

This is a kid who freaks out when I try to tip him back in order to wash his hair, yet he loves to lie back in the bubbles and relax, sometimes to the point where all that's above water are his eyes, nose and mouth.

Alex looks like Steve here circa 1990 with the Kid 'n Play style afro flat top!

Oh Happy Day!

In my previous post, I talked about Steph being accepted to the University of Utah, and how we were hoping she'd be able to get some scholarships. We received an answer to a prayer when Steph was informed that she was one of the recipients of the Pastor France Davis Scholarship Fund! Pastor Davis is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Baptist Church in Salt Lake and is a great man who contributes much to the community, especially on behalf of African Americans in Utah. He has done a lot for the Lilly family over the years, especially when Steve's mom passed away. We were thrilled to find out that Steph will receive $2500 per semester in her freshman year, which should be enough to cover tuition! Can I get an AMEN and Hallelujah?!At a special dinner last Friday, each student was presented and a brief bio of their accomplishments and educational goals were read by Dr. Ron Coleman, a professor at the U.

It was really inspiring to hear about all these awesome young people who have high aspirations and are wonderful representatives of black youth in Utah.

Steph shaking Rev. Davis' hand. As you can imagine, her Granddad Lilly was thrilled to hear the good news, as a pastor himself, he's been a close associate of Rev. Davis for years until he moved back to Mississippi.

The very proud parents!

A Utah (Wo)Man am I

"Rise and shout, the Cougars are out..."
Oops, wrong song! I meant to sing, "Who am I sir? A Utah man am I!"
Contrary to the majority of her aunts, uncles and cousins on the Eide side, this girl's blood does not bleed BYU blue... She's decided to become a Ute! (I'm sure Max Hall will be praying for her, ha ha!) Her dad was kind of hoping she'd want to go to Utah State. I, on the other hand, attended both BYU and the U, and think that the U is a good fit for her. We're really proud of her and the fact that she's worked hard through high school to get to this point where she qualified to be accepted in to a major university. Now comes the really hard part...working on scholarship apps so we can pay to send her to a major university...Wish us luck!!