Lexi's 1st Report Card

Lexi got her first report card today at swim lessons and she has passed Parent and Child and is ready to move on to Level 1 next year.

Garbage Truck

Whenever Alexis hears the garbage truck coming down the street, she runs to the window to watch it. So today, we made arrangements to go learn all about the garbage truck. It was an interesting field trip for me and a lot of fun for Alexis. We watched the whole process from weighing the full truck when it comes in, to dumping the load, to filling the truck that takes the garbage to the landfill.
Her favorite part: sitting in the driver's seat beeping the horn

Another trip to the farm

Lexi just can't get enough of pumpkins this year. Today, we took a little drive to a small local farm. It was perfect for her and she had a wonderful time. It's just so nice to be able to be outdoors and not cooped up in the house.We had to sit by the really large award winning pumpkins.Isa and Lexi measuring up to the big pumpkin
"Look Mommy, I found the perfect pumpkin."decorating their pumpkins with stickerstrying to find our way through this hay mazeposing with the animalswe ended the day with a tractor ride around the farm

An Arizona Pumpkin Patch

There are many reasons why we choose to live in beautiful Arizona, but the desert's version of a pumpkin patch just can't compare to the real kind found in the Midwest. We still try each year to go out and visit a farm, though. This year we took a day trip to Chino Valley and had a nice sunny day at the farm. There was lots to do at the farm; including drive tractors, pick pumpkins, walk thru the corn maze, hay ride, petting zoo, and even a carousel.Driving the tractor, I think you could make a little farm girl out of her.Lexi and the "skee-crow" in the corn maze.She had so much fun petting the goats and sheep, she wanted to hug them all.We walked thru the pumpkin patch for the experience because almost every pumpkin is rotten and ends up costing a fortune (you know, you pay by the pound). We always buy our pumpkin at Wal-mart, $4 and a great selection.
We left the farm with a small pumpkin, a fun day filled with great memories, and a squash.

Isa's Princess Party

Today, we helped Isa celebrate her birthday at her princess party. Every girl got a tu-tu and a crown. They were all so cute dressed up in their tu-tu's and crowns.Yes, even princesses can play in the dirt in their tu-tu's.All four princesses drawing with chalk (Isa, Olivia, Giavanna, & Lexi).

Spending some time in Iowa

Alexis and I made an unexpected trip to Iowa last week to celebrate the life of my grandma and her great-grandma. Grandma had a long good life and was ready to go see grandpa. One of the last things she said was "It's been a long time since I've seen Walt". The whole family gathered together just like we all used to for holidays at grandma & grandpa's house to celebrate her life and all the wonderful years and memories we had with her.
The grandchildren & great-grandchildrenEating "chips" with Papa Tom and Gramma Cindy. I think all she ate that day was chips.
When I think of fall, some of the best memories are times spent at the apple orchard in Iowa as a child. It wouldn't have felt right to be in Iowa in the fall without taking Lexi to one of my favorite places that I remember growing up. So we bundled up and headed to the apple orchard. The apple orchard also has a pumpkin patch this time of year.Lexi wanted to touch every "pup-kin" in the patch.Great-Grandma Shirley helped me find the perfect size pumpkin.Cutest little pumpkin in the whole patch!Lexi and cousin Trystin standing by the apple tree (and of course, they tried to pick the apples). It was so cute when Lexi and Trystin saw each other, they immediately recognized one another and called each other by name. We have a picture of Trevor and Trystin in the hallway and when asked who's in the picture, she calls them both by name.And you can't leave the apple orchard/pumpkin patch without buying any apples or apple cider because it doesn't get any fresher any where else.
On Monday, Gramma Cindy wanted to do something special with Lexi so she decided to take her to ride the choo-choo train in Boone, Iowa. Lexi had a great time!First, we had to ride the small version in the lobby.A quick photo with the conductor.And a kiss for gramma to thank her for the fun train ride.

Railroad Park Tour

Today, we went on a guided tour by Hank, the conductor, at the local railroad park. It's one of our favorite parks that we go to at least a couple times a month and since Alexis had really been into Choo-choo trains lately, it seemed like it would be a good field trip. The City of Scottsdale did an awesome job. We highly recommend it and I am sure we will be signing up again soon.We got to see how to move the turn table.
We went back into the train yard and saw some old cars they are restoring.Lexi sitting on the engine and ringing the bell.Conductor Hank and Alexis
The best part - riding the train.
After the train ride, was a craft to make your own visor and then the tour ended with a carousel ride.

Sweet as can be, when she wants to be

Cute little piggy tails!Sitting by the "ski-crow"(scarecrow).

Dancing at the library music class.

2 year pictures

Cardiologist Visit

Today, Lexi had her 6 month follow up appointment with Dr. J., her cardiologist. Overall, it was a good appointment and she doesn't have to go back for 9 months. The pressure in her valve is getting a little higher (gradient was 44 today - normal valves should have no pressure, meaning 0) according to the echocardiogram and probably will continue to do so over time. But that should happen very gradually because her growth will also become a lot slower than it did her first 2 years of life. We will continue to keep her on the medicine as it seems to be doing it's job and there is no real reason to discontinue it at this time. If and when the pressure gets too high, she will need some sort of intervention - hopefully another catheter procedure. But time is on our side and we will just continue to pray that god watches over her and her heart and that the advances in medical science and technology will be on our side.