Cupcake anyone?

Well, two months have flown. My favorite season of all is in full swing - colorful falling leaves, pumpkins, hot cocoa, sweaters/jackets, and BYU football. That's right, fall in Arizona! I must admit, we took a trip to Utah to see the Cougars stomp Utah State and see the amazing colors in Provo Canyon. It's the first time I've been back since graduating seven years ago - gasp! - wow, time flies.
Though we enjoyed a couple of gorgeous days, including a little light snow in the mountains, we returned to Arizona only to find fall foliage within an hour drive of our Tucson abode. Believe it or not, Mt. Lemon on the northeast side of Tucson is home to the southernmost ski resort in the United States - something we will be checking out later this year. To my astonishment, it was cold on the mountain last weekend and there were trees! Not cacti or shrubs, but real trees with gold, orange, red, and green leaves. I can get my fall fix right here on the surface of the sun...amazing.
This week, we ventured up to Phoenix where my girl and I attended an incredible Halloween party hosted by some wonderful grandmas - including Bryoney's. There was no contest this year as to her costume, but here she is in all her baked goodness glory with her head pastry chef (Ken referred to himself as the sous chef)...along with many pictures from the last two months:

My little cupcake with whipped cream and a strawberry on top.

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins!

Bry loves choo choo trains as much as her Grandpa Nate. Everywhere we went around this fall fest, she kept saying choo choo, but she also loved the duck races.

Pump, pump, pump Daddy! Go, go, go!

Fall in Utah with a little snow.

Fall in AZ.

Hiking on Mt. Lemon

BYU Football in San Diego. We ran into my cousin Scott and his family (awesome) and my big sis' was there too.

Focused on the prize. We even made a BYU fan out of cousin Noah.

Our first visit to Tucson's Desert Museum (a zoo desert style). Bry loved the kitties, just like mommy.

Big Sisters and Mini Series

If you have a big sister, you have likely been forced to watch many a mini series against your will. Though I acquired a taste for them and love some, Pride & Prejudice the A&E version for example, I wasn't always the best audience - asking many questions since I couldn't understand all the strange "old fashioned" words the characters would use or perhaps their funny accents.

Today, I laughed out loud when a real life situation brought back one of my favorite scenes from a beloved film. I was swimming in the pool with Bry and got out to grab a ball she had ejected from the water. I was about to jump back in when I saw a little mouse on the sidewalk who had obviously drowned in the pool. It was so sad, but the words that entered my brain were, "I suppose it was a romantic way to perish...for a mouse." Gotta love Anne of Green Gables.

Official Arizona Resident

Today, I can officially say that I am a resident of Arizona. Though I got to Tucson about a week and a half ago, today, they punched two holes in my beloved Missouri license and gave me a new one with my pre-Bry weight instead of my current weight listed - hopefully the MVD lady didn't snicker as I walked away. The Old Courthouse has been replaced by the Grand Canyon and long frizzy curly hair by short and straight. It also doesn't expire till 2045, which means I won't need an eye exam for a long, long time.

Well, it has been two months since my last post, so here are some highlights of the rest of our summer. I will make a separate post for Ken's grandpa's 90th b-day we celebrated in San Francisco. So, Ken and I took a trip to Mammoth and Yosemite where we hiked the 16+ miles up to the top of half dome while the grandparents supervised our active toddler. We camped on a cliff overlooking the beach with my brother's family and friends. Then, we travelled to Metlakatla, Alaska to visit family. On our flight up, we stopped in Seattle, so Bry could see her Aunt Hezzy. By the end of the first day with her aunt, she said, "Hezz-aaaa," which made everyone's day. Lastly, we arrived in Phoenix to celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary and wound up in Tucson a few days later. My mom and sister came to help and by the end of their stay, Bry started to shout, "Al!" and grin with pride afterwards. Needless to say, Aunt Aly loved the title.

Here are many (sorry) photos from our travels...with a little commentary...

Mammoth and Yosemite:
Our two mile warm up hike in Mammoth prepping for Half Dome.


Nevada Falls - second waterfall along the hike.


Waiting in line to climb the cables to the top
*Tip: don't hike Half Dome on the weekend, it's packed!


Almost there!



Though a squirrel practically attacked me as I sat for a snack break,
this furry marmot was very docile. They live on top of the dome.


If you ever go to Mammoth, CA, stop for a meal at the Mobile gas station??? When the concierge at our hotel said,"Of course you'll be stopping at the Gas Station for lunch," I wondered what kind of resort we had fallen into. Then in response to my confused stare, he said, "It's the only gas station to be written up in Bon Apetite and the NY Times." We gave it a shot, and the carnitas tacos were awesome.


Stopping for a last eyeful of Yosemite Valley...beautiful.

Camping:
Bry "helping" Daddy set up the tent. I loved the waves crashing to put us to sleep. Thanks Jon and Marianne for sharing!


Bry discovered the joys of bikes and cars on this outing...much to her cousin's dismay who had to share. Luke and Bry love each other, but it is a complex relationship. When Bry sees a picture of him or Jack, she says, "Ckk, Ckk, Uuuuke, Uuuuke!"


Best part of camping at the beach, is playing on the beach...
especially with eskimo kisses from Papa.

Aly, Mom, and Me.


Seattle:
Our first day we went to the Science Fiction/Experience Music Project Museum...awesome. We saw a Jim Henson exhibit and a Jimmy Hendrix exhibit in the same spot. Plus Michael Jackson's sequined glove and jacket he wore for the Motown Special.


Watching a live Muppet sing along show on Sesame Street Steps. We even got to do our own show.


We also went to Pikes market and pet the pig...


and had fish talk to Bry.


I forgot to mention the 100+ degree heat wave hitting Seattle. The next day, we went to Jetty Island and sat on the beach with shallow warm waters. Bry loved it.

Alaska:

We flew into Ketchikan in time to hit the Blueberry Festival and go to Totem Bite Park to see some poles before we had to catch the ferry to Annette Island.


Pole prepped for restoration.

Ken and Bry making up the bottom of this pole,
which is also the entrance to the long house.

Ken, Bry and Jackson - Bry's cousin, who was dubbed Jackson Biehl after his mother hadn't seen him for several days - watching the huge king salmon at the hatchery awaiting spawning.

Feeding the baby salmon.

Watching the Founders' Day parade go by.

Bry chowing on her first edible candy bracelet. Mmmm.

Daddy coaching her in her first foot race. She won the first one, but apparently it was a false start. Still, not bad for the youngest in the age group. Look below for the actual run.

(I love the arms)

Tucson:

Home sweet home...

Boardwalk Birthday

Birthday Girl

I attended two birthday parties this week - both for my wonderful sister, Alyson. The first was an outdoor showing in Alyson's backyard of one of my favorite comedies - So, I Married an Axe Murderer; it still makes me belly laugh. It turned into a slumber party, which even included Bryoney. I love celebrating you, Alyson. I love you and am so glad you were born to be my big sis.
Tonight, we went to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk where Alyson and I rode in the front car of the 85-year-old, wooden roller coaster The Giant Dipper - amazing as usual. This was a family birthday party that included my parents and my brother's family. We partook of incredible corn dogs, fries, and cotton candy. Bryoney attempted her first ride with her cousin Jack - a flying helicopter - only to be refunded her ticket after a melt down. Then, she rode with me on a car ride that glides along in a circle, but whips you around the corners - sort of like a mild version of the teacups. As soon as she got off the ride, she walked around to the entrance for another ride...we indulged. She even rode on a flying dragon, immediately signing for more when it landed.
I have been to the Boardwalk many times during and since my childhood and it always has the effect of turning back the clock - the sea air, sandy sidewalks, junk food, screams and laughter. I love it. My favorite part tonight was seeing Bry's eyes light up with each new experience. She'd look up at the sky ride in amazement - all the colorful cars suspended by cables above. She stared at the garish horses gliding up and down on the carousel that I used to ride over and over again tossing rings into the mouth of the clown on the wall as I rushed past. She danced to the cheesey music playing and pointed to all the lights.
Maybe even better was when loading into the car, I said something about her grandpa standing nearby and she repeated, "Pa pa, pa pa." She'll master the "g" sound soon, but I knew what she was saying - Grandpa, Grandpa. My heart melted.

Here are some shots (forgive the number, we had so much fun):


Arriving for what I remember as 50 cent night, which is now 75 cent night


Jack braving the helicopter flight


Luke after flying high


Bry, not quite making it off the ground


Watching the horsies and her family fly by


Turning a crazy curve on Bry's first successful amusement park ride


Marianne and Luke following close behind

Aly, Jon, and Alicia after a thrilling Giant Dipper ride


Cousins and cotton candy - bonding


Dragon dreams


Pa pa - Grandpa

Happy Father's Day from California

Well, Bryoney and I made the two long flights out to California and are settled into the beautiful weather and comfort of grandma and grandpa's home. The only thing missing is Ken/Daddy. The up side is that it's nice to be with my daddy on Father's Day - you're the best Dad! I love you.

Ken, I love you and miss you. Bryoney and I are the luckiest girls in the world. You make us so happy. Some of the photos below are of Bry saying Da Da this afternoon and grinning. Thank you for being such and amazing father and for all you do for us both. We can't wait to see you soon. Hugs and kisses!

Love,
Alicia and Bryoney

Circus Flora

One of my favorite St. Louis traditions is Circus Flora - a local one ring circus extravaganza including the Flying Wallenda's (high wire), the Flying Pages (trapeze), clowning around, acrobats, aerialists, horse and pony feats, a hula hooping genius and a dog act that can't be beat. Bryoney was particularly taken with the trapeze artists, popcorn, and cotton candy. She actually handed her straw and keys, two very prized and fussed over possessions, to her daddy and clapped enthusiastically when Anthony did a tripple summersault from one bar overhead to his catcher. She was impressed. I'm not sure how she felt about Nino the clown as you can see from the photo below.

Is there a local circus in Tucson? We may have to come back next year.

The big top

The Ring where the magic happens

Get your own, Daddy!

Hmmmmm

Packing, cleaning, packing...

Why is it that a child will ignore certain toys, but as soon as you tape them up in a box, they freak out like you have just stolen their favorite thing in the whole wide world. Bry has no problem with me putting items into boxes, but as soon as I bust out the tape, she cries. It's like she knows we are going away from home. I sat her on my bed this morning to explain why I was putting things in boxes to which she responded in an understanding tone, "aga oooh." Then we laughed, played and of course packed.
Here she is "helping" me to pack...unpack?...reorganize? Well, she was trying to help anyway. And, yes, those are floppy disks from the dark ages. We don't even have a drive anymore, so I should probably throw them out. It would be nice to put them on CD first though - does this make me a pack rat?