We are thankful.....

 We are thankful that our paths have been chosen by God to be a family.  We live, learn and laugh together always remembering how truly blessed we are to have each other.

 We are thankful for the sunshine that lights up our days just about every day here in our beautiful home.

 We are thankful to raise this amazing child who teaches us everyday that we really aren't as smart as we thought we were. ; )

 We are thankful for our pets, those who have just joined our family and those we have lost.  They teach us so many things about caring, patience, silliness and responsibility.

 We are thankful for the beauty that surrounds us.  Everyday we find the wonder in the sunrise, mountains and landscape, never forgetting how blessed we are.

 We are thankful for our health, even though we have known struggles, we continue to go forward with a positive spirit.

 We are thankful to share and enjoy good food with each other.  I am thankful my daughter will eat anything I put on the table ( with gusto) and The Chief has embraced gluten free cooking.  It's a blessing to have eager mouths to feed when you love to cook! ; )

We are thankful for our family.  We are blessed to have my parents so close by and active in Alexa's life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fall Musical

Here are some photos of today.  Alexa had a little Thanksgiving musical at school.  She did not want to wear her Thanksgiving dress and chose this one which we have gotten tons of wear out of.  I'll take some photos tomorrow of her in her smocked dress.  I have realized that if I wait to edit my photos, they will never get on the blog so here they are unedited.  Alexa wanted her hair to be down today and curled like the girls on "Dancing with the Stars".  I'm not used to even seeing her much with her hair down.  Almost every single day it is up in some style and off her face. She insists on keeping her long hair which is fine with me as long as it is not hanging in her face all the time.  We are looking forward to tomorrow. We have so much to be thankful for!

~My New Business~

Stella and Dot

Independent Stylist

I am so excited to launch my new business as a Stella and Dot Independent Stylist.  If you have not yet heard of this amazing jewelry line, then you are in for a surprise.  Stella and Dot is a new exciting company that sells celebrity coveted, on-trend, irresistible jewelry at in-home trunk shows.

I have been feeling the urge to go "back to work" for a few months and really wasn't sure what I wanted to do.  I enjoyed a successful career as a teacher before becoming a full time mother and really enjoyed it.  I attended a trunk show that a friend was having and absolutely fell in love with this jewelry. I placed an order that day and kept perusing the website.  I was hooked.  Soon after, I decided that this was an opportunity to set my own hours and do something fun and make money.  Plus, wearing all this amazing jewelry every day is a added bonus! 

If you love jewelry, take a peek at my website at www.stelladot.com/suekroger.  I know you will fall in love with it too!!

My Halloween Honey!

Oh, how I love my little honey!  We are gearing up for Halloween around here, decorating pumpkins, wearing festive outfits, and lining up our weekend activities.  First we'll have a Pumpkin Fest at school with games and Trunk or Treat, then it's into town the next day for some good ole' Western Ghoulish fun, then off to Trick or Treat on the big day.  This will be Alexa's first time Trick or Treating at night as we have always had our neighborhood/Fire dept. party on Halloween. She is really excited for all the fun!!  We are too!

Halloween's a Hoot!

What a hoot!  It's Tika's first Halloween and she's a Big Horned Sheep!!

Off to party!

We have been busy beavers here at the ranch!  Today we went to a fabulous girly party for one of Alexa's good friends from dance class.  I am loving those glasses with that dress! 

Life around here has been a warp speed since school started.  We have been attempting to accommodate 3 extra curricular activities in the addition to full time school.  Alexa goes to Chinese School, Karate and Dance and finally something had to give.  We decided to give Karate a break for a couple of months then resume after the holidays.  I really want to be careful about burning Alexa out.  So now we just have two late days a week.  Our weekends have been totally booked with birthday parties and playdates.  I cannot believe sometimes the social life of a 5 year old.  Wears me out!

~Like Mother like Daughter~

Bundle of Joy

With all the excitement of back to school, I forgot to introduce our newest bundle of joy! Her name is Tika ( some of you may recognize that name from a certain Barbie movie) and she is a miniature Brussels Griffon. We got her on July 31 from a breeder here in AZ. She is beyond scrumptious. Right now she weighs about 4 lbs and will get to be about 9 lbs. She is silly and loves to cuddle. Our other two dogs have accepted her into the pack although they tire sometimes of her endless shenanigans. She is tons of fun ( and lots of work) and is a great addition to the brood!!

First Day of Kindergarten

It's official, my baby is all grown up. Nope, no more baby. Just a big girl going to Kindergarten. I'm sad.


She is beautiful inside and out.

So excited about the backpack! The thing almost tipped her over but she was determined to wear it. So cute!

Sassy pants with the equally sassy Chief.

Family photo...shoot, out of focus but still a keeper.

Wearing her "Tea" dress. One of our favorites for dresses. I love the quality and look of these dresses.

Starting the day out on the swings.

With her Kindergarten teacher Ms. Le Ellyn. We are at the same Montessori school as last year but they have a new location so there are many "firsts". Alexa was really excited to get back to school and her routine. She is a really social girl so I am sure she was bored of me and The Chief and ready to get back to it! We are all looking forward to a great year!

~The Farm Part 3~

My parents are the BEST grandparents. Alexa has a great relationship with both of them. We are lucky to have them!!!!!!!!!!

Alexa and Chippy, aka Brittany. Whenever we travel, Alexa can choose one small stuffed animal to bring along in her backpack. Chippy provided lots of entertainment. The whole trip Alexa had 2 books, Chippy, and her wordsearch book. She was so content to be outside in nature with no toys or other stimulus. She has an amazing imagination so she can come up with lots to play and do with just about anything. I personally like the feeling of being stripped of all your "stuff" and just being with yourself.

Love the barn.

Alexa had a blast getting squirted with the hose. It was really hot out so she was having a good time running around the house then getting shot with hose. She also loves hanging out in her underwear. : )

Great memories this year on the farm!!!!