Chicago/Green Bay

 We recently ventured back to Chicago for the first time in six years, almost to the day.  Felt so good to be back in our favorite city.  We only had one evening there, though, en route to Green Bay.  Just enough time to catch up with Scott's parents and drop Amaya off for a fun-filled weekend with grandma and grandpa.  We must plan a trip back soon with enough time to visit our ol' Chicago peops and take in all our favorite places!




Dear Chicago, You are the most wonderful city in the world.  We have missed you and are so excited to see you again. 

Amaya's full circle moment.



My Handsome Husband

Mommy and daughter 'L'-ing it up on the way into the city.

The next morning Scott and I ventured north with our fabulous friends the Stephenson's.  The weekend was a blast!  Time spent with the Stephenson's always is, but add in Green Bay and hello great memories. 

The fall foliage was fun to take in considering we are all from the midwest but currently reside in Phoenix.

Brett and Mae with the great Vince Lombardi.

Visiting this place never gets old.

Mae showing her NFL form.

Channeling Coach Lombardi.



Mae and Brett were beginning to feel a little green and found their team colors just in time.

No comment needed. :)

Greg Jennings

James Jones

Charles Woodson

Tailgaiting (Brett and Mae decided to wear Packer colors despite being a Vikings fan and Bears fan respectively to show support for our team in light of what transpired earlier this week.  True friends and what great sportsmanship.  We appreciated it.)

My streak continues.  I have been to approximately 20 Packer games and they have won every time.  I think they should pay me to attend all Packer games as the official good luck charm of the team.



Time To Celebrate!

 While mom and dad were busy playing in Green Bay, Amaya was busy taking in Chicago with Grandma Kim and Papa John.  They went shopping at American Girl and for lunch at American Girl Restaurant.  They also took in the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, a boat ride, Navy Pier, Children's Museum, a horse-drawn carriage ride, and lunch at Ditka's to watch the Packer game.  Needless to say the trio had a fabulous time. 

Amaya picked out matching outfits for Kanani and herself.

Kanani was giddy with excitement.

Lunch at the American Girl Restaurant.

Special memories made with Grandma and Grandpa.





Boat Ride Time

Chicago Skyline Via Boat

Field Museum

Shedd Aquarium

In Honor of the Game Tonight

Go Pack Go!

Palm Springs

Over Labor Day weekend we traveled to Palm Springs with our fabulous friends the Stephensons.  Thanks to the matriarch of the Stephenson family, I can blog about the adventure.  Thanks Mae for taking some photos.  I can't believe I never got out my camera.  Guess I was just too busy having fun.  I do wish I had snapped a shot of the beautiful and scenic views overlooking the resort we stayed at, especially the views from the pool area.  Breathtaking!  Oh well.  Guess we'll have to go back.  ;)

 

The weekend was sooo much fun we definitely all plan to go back.  It was the perfect mix of friends, fun, golf, pool, sun, water, and sand....and a few umbrella drinks thrown in there, too.  I love, love, love Palm Springs.

The resort we stayed at was absolutely fabulous, and having a beach there to play in was the cherry on top.

 

Sheasus fell asleep on my back while playing "chugga chugga choo choo."  Such a sweet little girl!

 

 Tuckered out!

 Amaya, Brooklyn and Alexis made a couple of friends at dinner one night.  They had so much fun playing the parents had a relaxing and leisurely sushi dinner.  Gotta love outdoor dining in an out of the way area with only 2 tables when the other table is other parents.  So nice!

Amaya's First School Dance

Letting Them Grow, Letting Them Go...

...The Biggest Challenge of a Parent.

*FYI:  I did not write this.  I borrowed it from cyberspace.

Blogging Hiatus Over

I clearly took the summer off from blogging.  My blogging hiatus was intentional.  Knowing Amaya was going to be starting all-day Mon. through Fri. school, I focused as much time as possible during summer break enjoying my little sweetheart.  I knew I'd have lots of time once school started to work on projects, blogging, etc.  Now that day has come and gone, so back to blogging I go.

I will start off blogging about the biggest event of late in our family...the start of Amaya's elementary school career.  Then I will throw in a few pics from some other random moments of the summer.

Kindergarten

Our little sweetheart on her first day of kindergarten.



Daddy took the day off to be a part of the festivities.

 What's a first day of kindergarten without a Tangled backpack, lunch box, and water bottle?

 Even mommy gets a photo with the kindergartener.

 Amaya got to choose where we took her for breakfast.  She picked donuts at the local grocery store/starbucks.  Surprise, surprise.  An employee offered to take a picture for us.  Amaya wanted to do it in front of the flowers rather than with our donuts, thus the strange background.

 The latest Riggs Roadrunner.

 There goes our little girl.....sigh.  No parents allowed past the gate.....another sigh.

 The adventure begins.

 A staff member showed Amaya where to put her things and pointed to the playground.  Off and running just like usual.

 There just aren't words....or actually, there are too many for a blogpost.

 First day done.  We were soooo excited to pick up Amaya we felt like kids waiting to open presents on Christmas.  We had brought flowers to Amaya's babysitter on her last day there, so Amaya had asked if she could get flowers for her first day of school.  We couldn't resist.  She told us she wanted pink roses without knowing they are mommy's favorite flower.  Like mother, like daughter.  She was so excited to get flowers for the first time.  It was the perfect way to welcome her home from her first day of school.

 Karate

 Amaya belt tested for the first time earlier this summer. 

 Here she is getting her new Karate belt.

 So excited and so proud.  Click on the picture below to see her beaming face better.  ;)

 Teppanyaki

 Teppanyaki for the first time is always an event/experience to remember.

 So much fun.

 And the food is always awesome, too.

 Circus

 We took Amaya to ringling bros. and barnum & bailey dragons earlier this summer.  We went early and enjoyed pre-show festivities. 

 It was a fabulous circus.  We had a wonderful time.

 Some more than others. ;)  This is what I found after dropping off some documents shortly after the circus. 

 July 4th

 Our star spangled beauty...

 ...sparkling it up...

 ...while waiting for fireworks.