Closing Out 2008 Arizona Style

Tuesday we hit the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix to check out their gingerbread house display and Christmas decorations....

...and to watch a performance by a family of Apache dancers.

Sunset in Arizona....

Today we went to Arizona Mills and had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. Kacy does love to cheese it up sometimes for the camera.

We are signing off for 2008, and wish everyone of Kacy's fans a very happy, healthy and prosperous (please let it be!) 2009.

Giddy Up, Cowgirl

Kacy loves the singing Elmo stocking that Boots and GrandDan have at their house. The adults are getting tired of "Jingle Bells" over and over.

Saturday we opened gifts with Boots, GrandDan and Mimi.

Checking out the stocking fullness.

Hmm...what could these be?

Mimi gave Kacy a recorder. Thanks Mimi.

Mimi reading to Kacy.

A one-girl marching band.

B&G rented a trike for Kacy, complete with helmet. She likes to wear it inside. Safety first.

Today we went to McDonald's Ranch (not to be confused with her favorite restaurant, McDonald's). She checked out the goats and baa baa black sheep.

Kacy getting ready to ride, her horse's name was Wendy.

Happy trails to you...

Too Much Fun For One Week

Kacy is getting better with pigtails...still a work in process.

Christmas Eve...Let the fun begin. The good news of the day for those just tuning in as that Mommy, Daddy and Kacy are homeless--they finally sold their condo in Connecticut, and closed on the 23rd. Woo hoo!!!

The Horne's latest addition to their artwork collection, painted by a friend from the yacht club. Anyone think Santa bears a striking resemblance to a certain grandfather we know?

Post Christmas-dinner, with cousins Caleb and Katrina.

Mommy and Daddy let Kacy open one gift on Christmas Eve. Surprise, surprise, it was a Dora gift--Memory!!!

Getting the cookies and milk out for Santa.

Merry Christmas 2008!

Kacy got her first bike--Dora of course.

Reading one of her new books from Santa with Daddy.

Opening up her beautiful new armoire to hold all her American Girl doll clothes. Bitty Baby is one well-dressed dolly.

After all the fun of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Mommy and Kacy headed to the airport at the crack of dawn on Friday and flew to Arizona for a week of fun in the Valley of the Sun. Pics of the adventures to follow...But Kacy was very excited to find this zebra rocking horse waiting for her when she arrived.

Nutcracker Sweet (spelling intentional)

Kacy is very interested in the nutcracker this Christmas. She also enjoyed watching part of "The Nutcracker" last weekend at the club. What better time, mom thought, to pull out Kacy's and her Bitty Baby's matching ballerina outfits (received for her birthday from her special friend Tia) for a photo shoot?

Aunt Mary, the pro (and nearly in possession of an MFA from Marymount Manhattan College to prove it!) tried to teach Kacy some moves.

"Nutcracker, why aren't you doing it?"

"Okay, I'll give you a kiss anyway."

Bitty Baby (at the nutcracker's feet) gets her photo shoot moment. She waited ever so patiently.

Kacy telling us what the ornaments are. Then telling us to "leave them alone". Think she hears that a lot?

Taking a rest.

For busy Sunday-before-Christmas errand running, fun winter boots are definitely called for.