MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Kaufusi Family 2011... plus Stephy, Kenny, and Terenn

Merry Christmas everyone! Or as they say in New Zealand, Meri Kirihimete. Can't believe another year has gone by. This Christmas was a bitter sweet Christmas. Sweet because this is Bronson's last Christmas away from home! Bitter because this is Corbin's last Christmas for the next 2 years. So sad but so happy. Those dang missions! So this Christmas has been a blast in a glass. Last weekend was our annual family Christmas party. Its always fun to get the whole family together and see everyone. Especially all my cousin's little girls. They're all growing so big. We reenacted the nativity scene, had Santa come, and of course ate some really good food. Just a fun night. I really do have the best family and extended family ever.

Our Nativity Scene... All the girls and Devin

Good food with good people

My little Ella Girl

Hillary, Carly, and Mark

For Christmas Ever every year we seem to follow the same pattern. Hang out all day, go out to dinner, go see a movie, Steve reads HIS version of the Night Before Christmas (always a treat to see what changes and add ins he makes), then we end the night with a crazy dance party that always makes Michelle so angry. Michelle says we need to be reverent and think about baby Jesus. We think we need to celebrate his birth in song and dance, so we do! This year was different though. We went out to eat at Olive Garden and we all ate way too much! So we took a break between dinner and the movie. Now, as we all know I am an animal lover to say the least. So last night we went and saw "We Bought A Zoo" as a family. This is seriously one of the best movies I have ever seen! You all need to go see it. It makes you cry, laugh, smile, and you learn lots from it. To be honest I now want to own a Zoo! Michelle would never allow that but I think it would be a lot of fun. After the movie we walked around the Riverwoods and looked at the lights. If you haven't gotten a chance to go down there I advise you to. They did a great job with the lights this year. As the night was coming to an end we read our story and got to the part where the dance party is... and then I woke up this morning. I actually fell asleep and ended up wandering up to Michelle's bed. So, there was no dance party. But those things happen. I think my old age is catching up with me. All in all it was a good Christmas Eve. Oh, and its Steve and Michelle's Anniversary! So Happy Anniversary to them. 23 years! Congrats Chelle and Steve-O!

Ready to see We Bought A Zoo

The Girls at the Riverwoods

Someone's poor house we terrorized

Happy 23 Years to the Lovers Steve and Chelle

Christmas day rolled around and I was under the impression we would sleep in. I mean, we are all older and mature now so I thought we were all ok to just sleep in. Well I was so wrong. 8:30 this morning Daryl came in to wake me up. Followed by Corbin 5 minutes later. Its ok though it was nice to be up bright and early and opening up presents. I would have to say I got the best presents this year. Corbin was definitely ripped off. It was the first year he didn't get some kind of an xbox game. But he is in Pre-Missionary mode so instead of xbox games he got missionary stuff. Like new scriptures and marking pencils. Myself on the other hand, well I've reverted back to being a child. So I got two xbox games and just kid stuff. Those things happen though. I will literally be spending all this next week playing my new games and watching my new movies and such. It's gonna be a good week!

Me and My Rock Bands

Corbin and his scriptures...

Along with Christmas Day we also get to talk to our dearly beloved Elder Kaufusi. He's doing so great! Besides pulling his hamstring, hurting his knee, and loosing too much weight he's doing great. He's so weird but I guess thats normal right? He would get so awkward asking me about what I do on the weekends, who I hang out with, and anything about normal life. He's doing so great though. The best was listening to him talk to Michelle. Oh how funny those two are. Michelle made it clear that 1. Bronson isn't allowed to extend his mission. She signed up for 24 months and thats all she's giving up 2. Bronson needs to eat more food and stop being "Mannorexic" 3. How sad she is Corbin leaves this Spring. If you haven't caught on Michelle doesn't like sending her boys away for 2 years. and 4. How Bronson needs to figure out the exact date when he's coming home. He said he's too focused to think about coming home... Michelle didn't like that. But Elder Kaufusi is doing amazing over in Auckland. He's a zone leader and is over 28 missionaries. He'll be home in 6-7 months so we cannot wait to get him back to us. Love you Brons!

Merry Christmas Elder Kaufusi!

So now that the day is almost over its time to start cooking a big dinner and choosing a movie to watch tonight as a family. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my Christmas. My family loves me so much they are leaving me for a week! Yes they are getting ready to head to Dallas for the BYU bowl game. I'm kind of jealous they're leaving me and get to see our dear friends the Wahlin family but I got to stay here and watch the house, feed Josie and Porsche, and of course play basketball. Oh and play Rock Band. Anyways hope you all are as blessed as I am to have such an amazing family and a great Christmas weekend. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Everyone travel safe, especially my family and teammates coming back tomorrow. Love you all!!

Love,

Alexis Kaufusi, Porsche, Josie and the rest of the Family

Kaufusi Family Christmas Card 2011

Merry Christmas friends and family! So for years my crazy Gypsy hasn't done a family Christmas card. Every year we receive so many Christmas cards and updates on everyone's family. And yet we never send out our own. I thought this blog would be a great way to do a Christmas card without the hassle of having to find addresses and postage and all that fun stuff. So here is the Kaufusi Family 2011 Christmas Card via Blogger...

Once again Merry Christmas! Here is a quick little update on everyone in the family. Even Bronson aka Elder Kaufusi.

Steve: Well Steve is STILL coaching football at BYU. This past year he was put into a bishopric on campus and he loves his calling! His life hasn't changed much its actually quite boring. Same thing different day. Eat food, go to work, eat more food, go to practice, eat more food, watch youtubes, watch movies, eat food, listen to old school island jams, go to In-N-Out.

Michelle: Due to Michelle's new position as a member of the Provo School Board she has been very busy! Not only has she been playing nurse for me but she has also traveling around. This past year she's been to San Francisco, Canada, Long Beach, Hawaii, and most of all China! She's been busy chasing kids around and teaching her dating and relationship class at Steve's singles ward. Right now she's getting ready for a 100 mile bike ride for lymphoma! Go Gypsy!

Alexis (Me): Well I feel like you all know my life already! As you all know I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma back in February. Things were crazy for a little while but now I'm back on track. I won't lie I do miss being bald, but I really don't miss getting poison pumped into my body. During my cancer time I adopted a calico cat named Porsche. She's my pride and joy. I love that kitty cat and she really is like my child. Besides cancer and Porsche I'm back at school and playing basketball at BYU. Everyday I feel a little bit better but its good because I'm learning all about being patient.

Bronson: Bronson is still on his LDS mission in Auckland, New Zealand. He gets home this summer and I couldn't be happier! He's doing great over in NZ though. He was made a zone leader a few months ago and he loves being in the leadership position. He got kinda chunky for a second there but he's lost his weight and is looking like himself again. As cool as these mission things are I speak on behalf of my Gypsy and I that we just want him home! June needs to come a little faster!

Corbin and Kenny: This crazy boy is a Freshman at BYU. He is gray shirting for football and is going to start preparing to go on his mission this spring. Besides school and trying to lift weights he spends a lot of time dating the ladies and spending time with his bromance brother Kenny (Va'a) Niumatalolo. Kenny is our replacement for Bronson. Not only does he look like Bronson but he acts like Bronson! We've adopted Kenny into our family and he's been filling the role of wrestling, eating, and babysitting Corbin. These two boys are my buddies I love hanging out with them.

Daryl: Daryl is just blossoming into quite the young lady! Its normal for us to be out at the mall or Target and someone saying something about her looking like one of the Kardashian sisters. She's so pretty! She started JV soccer this year at Timpview as a freshman as has enjoyed her first high school season. She had more shut outs that just about anyone and everyone. She's quite the little player. Her futsal team played in the National Championship futsal game this summer. It was fun to take part in that. Besides soccer Daryl loves hanging out with her group of friends and being typical 15-year-old girls.

Devin: Devin, like Daryl, is blossoming! The boy is about 2 inches taller than me, but I still have about 70 lbs on him. He played freshman football this year and right now is just starting basketball season. Its fun to be back at Timpview watching basketball! Devin has a fun group of little boyfriends who he likes to cause trouble with. He's at the age where he's actually noticing the girls. Fathers of Provo, lock up your daughters!

Well besides church callings, Timpview basketball, college finals, the BYU bowl game, and some occasional doctor appointments my family and I are great! We've had some crazy ups and downs this year (thankful to my health) but we always find a way to have fun and make the best of every situation. Thank you everyone so much for all your prayers and your kindness! Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Love you all so much!

Love,

Alexis, Porsche, and the rest of the Kaufusi Family

Happy Thanksgiving!

So on this day of thanks I thought it would be appropriate to do a blog post about my top 10 things that I am thankful for! So... let the list begin :)

#1: My Gypsy!

#2: My Fat Man!

#3: My Siblings (Little Boy, Corby, Weiner Dog, and Dev)

#4: My only child Porsche, and the dog Josie

#5: My Friends! ALL OF YOU! (Don't be offended if you aren't pictured! You know who you are though :))

#6: Modern Medicine

#7: My Good Health

The left side if my cancer. Everything that's red and fluorescent is cancerous. On the right its all gone :)

#8: My BYU experience! Basketball included.

#9: My Extended Family! ALL OF YOU! (Sorry I couldn't picture all of you)

Lastly...

#10: FOOD!!

Here is just a small list of some of the things in this life that I am thankful for. I truly feel so blessed to be sitting here alive this day able to spend the Holidays with my family and friends. Thank you everyone once again for all that you've done for me over the past 9 months throughout this cancer battle. Everyday gets a little better. Thank you again. Everyone have a safe and fun Thanksgiving!

Love,

Alexis