Taylor Swift...what's a mom to do?

So, one of the biggest concerts of the year blew into town and at the last minute I didn't want to be the  only girl sitting at home on a Saturday night because everyone was going, so I pretended Alexa really wanted to go to the concert and went online and bought 4 outrageously expensive last minute tickets for her and her friend and ME, oh, and my hubby who was to become a last minute Swiftie.  Don't get me wrong...Alexa loves her some TS but wasn't dying to go... but I was! So off we went and DANG, it was fun...for all of us, even my Swiftie husband.  We are all still singing her songs 5 days later and I still might go online and try to score a TS 1989 t-shirt that I didn't want to wait in line for....for Alexa of course. ; )

Wow, where to even start....lots has happened since we were last together.  Here is the long and short of it and some pics to catch up.  Best to just jump in and start from where we are at right now....

Alexa is 10.5...hard to believe she is in 5th grade.She is changing before my eyes. She plays piano, and chess and likes gymnastics and Minecraft.  She is funny and sharp and is about to be a tween...I'm relishing in all the moments of AG dolls, horses, and stuffed animals that still exist.  She recently talked us into a fish that she promised to feed and never does...beats the bird she begged for all summer.  She is a master negotiator.  

We left Arizona last year and now live in California....best move ever.  Screw that heat and hello ocean breezes.  So happy here!

3 dogs still, although some have sadly left us and some new fur babies are amongst us.  Just got a rescue Chihuahua we named Halo that wants to fight our sweet Brussels Tika...darn, that wasn't the plan, but we love her...Jinx is 13 and the old lady of the group...bless her old heart...love her.

We are happy silly family of 3, soaking up all San Diego has to offer and living in the moment.  

Update coming soon......

Juicing

 Robert and Alexa are quite a team.  He is such a good dad and they always do fun things together.

 Here they are making some fresh squeezed orange juice that was super yummy!

Good job guys!

Christmas Day

 Christmas morning ( early!) sitting on her new beanbag.  I managed to get up before her but she admitted she peeked at the tree when she had to go potty, therefore missing the authentic first look reaction. 

 Opening up her mermaid fins for the pool. She has been really wanting this for two summers and her feet finally fit in it.

 A dual gift for daddy and Alexa.  They have gotten much enjoyment out of this already.  Check out the hat too...he has been wearing continuously since Sunday morning...guess he likes it. : )

Dressed up before heading out to my sister-in-law's house for Christmas dinner.

Christmas Eve 2011

 Alexa's gift to her Elf on the Shelf Daisy, a book she made about unicorns.

 Love my cheeky girl!

 At my folk's house for Christmas Eve dinner.

 Opening gifts.  As requested, lots of horse toys on the list this year.

 Santa's cookies and note as well as some carrots for the reindeer. 

Christmas Eve night after Santa has delivered his gifts.  I love when all is quiet, everyone is sleeping ( except this hard working elf) and all the preparations are done.  The excitement and joy my girl feels the whole season is so infectious and it really is a wonderful time of the year.

Down on the Farm

 Yesterday we spent a gorgeous sunny day down on Schnepf Farms with our favorite friends www.joyofgeorgea.blogspot.com.

 Aren't the two little pumpkins cute?  Love them!  Alexa adores Georgea and loves to take her hand.  She says "They have many things in common and are just like sisters."  They are very sweet together and it always warms my heart.

 The girls.  We had a really fun day and enjoyed a train ride, corn maze, petting zoo, and of course picking pumpkins.

 So many choices.  It was the highlight for both the girls.

 Alexa giving Georgea a helping hand.

 Can't forget about the carousel.

A day on the farm is not complete with out sitting on a tractor.  What a great day!

Good Ol' County Fun

 Alexa took this shot.  She is actually a very good photographer.  She brings her camera everywhere and captures some really cool things. 

 Love her smile.  She loves being out on the quad.  Our girl has a need for speed just like her parents. 

 She loves her daddy, that's for sure!

Alexa told her daddy that I was 99% city and 1% Indian the other day which cracked me up.  I am actually 50% Polish, 12% American Indian and the rest Irish.  I do consider myself a city girl at heart and have been "converted" into a quasi-country girl.  I love to get dressed up and go out for sure, but I sure do enjoy my country life out here in the desert.  I love that my daughter can grow up learning all that the outdoors has to offer..now I just need to get that girl to the city more often! ; )

Picture Day

Finally...

It's finally under 100 degrees!!! Yipeeeeeeeeee!  Seriously, I think we had like 30 days in a row over 100 degrees..some days were like 116.  It's been HOT!  I love AZ weather and the heat really doesn't bother me but being stuck in the house does.  My favorite thing is to have the house all opened up and the breeze blowing through it.  I hate air conditioning but the hubby loves it cold in the house and it really is a necessity.

When we woke up and felt how "cool" it was we got our early and took a long quad ride. It was fun and so nice to be out in nature.  After lunch we even spent some good ole' family time lounging on the patio together.  Bliss....this is why we live in AZ!!

Looking back....Summer 2011

 The summer started off with my birthday.  I turned 43 this year which I am really okay with, really truly, I love aging. ; )  My forties thus far have been good.  I feel like I have come into my own and know myself a lot better now.  When I hit 45 though, I am officially going to have the breakdown.

 Next was dance recital weekend.  Alexa took Ballet and Jazz last year and had two performances. 

 I think her favorite part of it all is wearing makeup.

 My favorite photo of daddy and daughter...love!

 We had a big first in June.....the lost tooth!  Very exciting stuff.  The Tooth Fairy came and left $3.00 and it even had her fairy glitter on it. 

 Look at the cute smile!!  Must bust out a ballet move to celebrate!

 This is what happens when the mama is not looking.  Daddy loves to take Alexa up the narrow winding road up to the top of the mountain.  She loves it!

 We did lots of swimming.  The summer started out with Alexa being a bit hesitant in the water.  I kept waiting for that "moment" when it just clicked and she gained her confidence and dove right in.  Well, it didn't happen until late July but boy is she a fish now....she will swim for HOURS nonstop!  We're so happy that it finally happened!

 This is what real life looks like around here.  When it's 112 degrees out and you've been up since 5 a.m and the clock only says 12:00 noon, you just want to lay your head down and take a nap.

 So, what do you do when you want to beat the summer heat?  Head up North about two hours and rent a boat on a cool lake.  We did this twice this summer and it was really fun. 

 Are we not two of the goofiest looking sailors you ever saw?  So cheesy!

 Alexa is a good fishergirl.  She can really cast but will not touch the bait.  I caught her talking to the worms in their little styrofoam cup and telling them that she would set them free.  That's my girl.  The next trip she just wanted to use rubber worms!  No bites though. ; (

 The girls liked to drive while Daddy fished.  It was all good until I ran us into some rocks and nearly broke the motor.  I lost my driving job after that . ; (

 Our last big outing of the summer was to head to Flagstaff ( hence the greenery!) and go to the Grand Canyon.  This was the one thing that Alexa really wanted to do this summer.  I have never been so was really excited too.   Alexa loves to run in the grass.  Because we live in the desert this is a rare opportunity.  Ever since she was just walking, if we would pass grass anywhere she would take off running in it.

 At the hotel pool.  This was where she discovered that she was a fish!

 Checking out the grounds.  The smell of the pine forest is so nice and we love the cooler air!  Please note how darn big my girl is getting...scary.

 Heading into Grand Canyon National Park.  I have to say it really blew me away.  It is enormous. Check out Alexa with the map.  She held on to that thing all day long.  It had pictures of the animals that live in the park and she was on the lookout.

 No sooner did we arrive when this buck literally came right up to Alexa.  Notice her identifying it on the map.  What a hoot!  It was really surreal and reminded me of those moving statue things at Disney.  It was a cool beginning to the day!

 It's very interesting at the Canyon.  At some lookouts they have these railings and others nothing, just off you could go.  Needless to say I had the "deathgrip" on Alexa every single moment!

 What a fun day of exploring and seeing an amazing wonder of the world!  We also went to the IMAX movie that National Geographic puts on at the visitor center.  It was really awesome!

 We caught this amazing storm out in the canyon.

Looking back it was a great summer.  We made some great family memories and hope to top them next summer!!!