Goodbye, Tucson! Hello, more presents!

We got up very early today for our flight home. Alexa was sad to say goodbye to Aunt Kelly and Uncle Ben! We all had such a great time in Tucson. We can't wait to visit again!

Once on the airplane, Alexa played with Daddy and enjoyed snacks. Finally, she took a nap! It was her best flight yet. Thankfully, there were so many other babies on our flight (10 others, including a 2-year-old behind us and twins across the aisle) that no one could really tell whose baby was crying!

We got home around 5 p.m. and Alexa immediately picked out a gift to unwrap. Thanks, Grandpa, for the First Aid kit! And that's it.. She went to bed. We stayed up until midnight, but just barely! Happy New Year, everyone!

Alexa checks out Bobo's and Saguaro Park!

We heard it on good authority that the No. 1 place for breakfast in Tucson is a little dive diner called Bobo's, so off we went! And, oh yes, the rumors are true. This place is delicious! The pancakes are the best, they are huge and yummy beyond belief!

After a very big brunch, we loaded into the car and drove out to the Saguaro National Monument, which is basically a huge wide open desert expanse spotted with thousands of saguaro cactus. Alexa napped while we drove. Finally, she woke up and we braved the cold to check them out!

Back home, Alexa was very happy to see her friends Lorenzo and Moon Doggie. She pet them, let them lick her face and tried to put her hat on them. Ha! How far she's come since her first days with them. I bet she'll miss then when we leave tomorrow!

Tortillas and Puppies!

We took Alexa to Mosaic Cafe today for some homemade tortillas! Actually, Mommy was craving the tortillas... We went there two years ago and LOVED the warm homemade tortillas! Yummy! These were actually Alexa's FIRST tortillas! She had fun trying to eat them! It was chilly out, so after lunch we headed to the Mall to see... puppies! Alexa loved all the dogs!

Speaking of dogs... Alexa's relations with Aunt Kelly and Uncle Ben's two little dogs has been a work in progress. At first, she was curious about Lorenzo and Moon Doggie, but as soon as they came toward her, she ran the other way or hid behind us! But after a few days, her curiosity won out. Check out the photo below right of her petting Moon Doggie! Yay! Breakthrough!

Alexa hits the Wild Wild West!

After a fun day at the zoo, Alexa took a nap before our next adventure. We took her to Trail Dust Town for dinner at Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse! What fun!

One of the attractions in Trail Dust Town was a carousel! Alexa enjoyed her first ride on a carousel, but she was a little unsure what to think of it. There's a carousel at a park back home, so once the weather gets better we'll have to check it out!

Finally, we headed to the restaurant for dinner! Alexa discovered a new favorite food - chicken fingers! Check out her adorable Wild West outfit and pig tails. Our little cowgirl!

Christmas in Tucson again!

This is Alexa's 2nd Christmas in Tucson. Sort of. Last time we were here, Alexa was just a ball of cells! And we didn't even know that she was preparing to join our family. Look how big she is now! It was a tad easier traveling with her last time, especially since she's now so squirmy! Luckily, she slept for the last hour of our 4-hour flight. She wore her Christmas PJs from Grandma and was soooo cute!

After a nap, Alexa helped Aunt Kelly open presents she got for Lorenzo and Moondoggie!

And after another nap, Aunt Kelly helped Alexa open a present the dogs (and Aunt Kelly and Uncle Ben) got for her! Yay, some cool wooden stacking blocks!