Tucson Thanksgiving

A large crowd gathered on Friday for Thanksgiving dinner to fill up with favorites that have spanned many Frye generations. No one left hungry or disappointed. Some were happy about the large amounts of cranberry sauce, while others could not get enough stuffing balls, more were pleased with green bean casserole; just to name a few of the holiday favorites. Not to forget the traditional menu items of turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls, and gravy. To top the meal off Lisa and Krista outdid themselves making four pies; pumpkin, pecan, and apple. Kaia, James, and Landis demonstrated their young energy and wore out their parents and grandparents. Elizabeth was too small to partake in the various activities, but enjoyed all the cuddle time. I'm sure next year she'll be in the mix, if not leading it!

In years to come as we remember this Thanksgiving we'll talk about the blanket monsters, wrestling, Kung Fu Panda, dancing & singing queen, lest not forget Dora with her growing hair.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Twenty-five years ago Granny and Grandaddy Frye flew their three daughters and families (6 adults and 6 grand kids; ages 8-15) out to see the Sonora Desert - most of us for the first time - while here for a week we saw many sites, including the Desert Museum. History has repeated itself as the Mount and Kimbrough families descended upon the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum this morning, although this time there were 10 adults, 3 toddlers, and and infant. The Mount family included Papa Jack, Granny Pat, Aaron, Krista, Kaia (age 3) and Landis (age 2). While the Kimbrough family included Grandpaw Jamie, Grammy Betsy, Amy, Jim, Elizabeth (age 7 weeks), Jeff, Lisa, and James (age 2).


Just like 25 years ago three generations hit the dusty trails within the museum to see the sites. Two hours was about all we could handle seeing the desert animals. After the musuem we found the Ironwood picnic area in Tucson Mountain Park for lunch. The weather was perfect, about 80* when we left around 2 p.m.

Seven Weeks Old

As you can see from the pictures Elizabeth continues to change. She is trying to roll over on her own and of course we are pretty sure when she does actually roll over she'll scare herself. She has found her fist and now sucks on it when balled up... its really quite loud when she gets going. Her favorite activity still is lying on her play mat looking at the "little girl in the mirror" and trying to catch the monkey, giraffe, and parrot. Sleeping is going very well, she's only waking up twice at night which allows us to get sleep in much longer stretches - which are most welcome. Along with sleeping more Elizabeth is eating more. We have retired the small 4 oz bottles since she consistently eats 5-6 oz per feeding. Also, her newborn onesies and clothes have been put away for another little girl to use, she's outgrown those and getting into some of her 3-6 month clothes. As with all brands, baby clothes are the same, one size in a brand seems about the same as another no matter what the label says.

This coming weekend Elizabeth will meet her California cousins as they'll be here for the week. Big doings are in the works for fun family events.

Six Weeks Old

Oh my how time is just flying! Elizabeth is now 6 weeks old and it still seems like only yesterday I was pregnant waiting on her arrival. She continues to become much more active every day and many times the only way to stop the moving of the arms and legs is to swaddle her. She still escapes quite often if we don't wrap her "just right." She is working on her neck muscles to hold her head up and look around and starting to smile a lot.

The time of year has arrived when I start thinking about our holiday greeting card and make plans for its design. I've started a little early this year since I know I wont be able to get all of them done in just a few days; it'll take a bit longer with my new duties as a mommy. Anyway, the design is done, now its time for production. The mailing will be a bit delayed this year as final piece will be added when we are all together on Christmas morning. I'm sure you'll all quiver with anticipation until it arrives.

Backyardigans, Part II

I'm so proud of us! We (mom, dad, and I) built a raised bed garden. My first crop is in and now I'm just waiting to be able to use what I've planted! Included in my garden are four different lettuce varieties, green onions, and cilantro. The plants were purchased at Mesquite Valley Growers in Tucson a place Granny Frye swore by... I think she said she would not buy plants from anyone else. I figure it'll be a year before I get the return on my investment of bricks and soil, but in the mean time we'll have fresh veggies.

Wow! Busy Weekend

Which way are we going? We've been north, south, and each direction in between several times.

Saturday morning Jim, Elizabeth and I took off north to letterbox in Mammoth, Oracle, and Oro Valley all north of Tucson off Hwy 77. It was a perfect letter boxing day, we were 5 for 5... a first in a long time! Oh yeah, the weather was great also. It was our first day trip as a family of three with a little one so we did forget a few things... including the camera. Fortunately modern technology has cameras in phones so we did take one picture.

Tired, but home just before dark, we unloaded and relaxed. Amy and Elizabeth went to bed early since they had plans for Sunday as well. The day started at the trailer park for breakfast of pancakes, fried apples, and bacon with Grammy and Grandpaw. Jim joined us, but left after eating. After breakfast Amy, Betsy, and Elizabeth loaded up in the van for a trip to the Green Valley Wal-Mart and Tubac. The windy day put a damper on the Tubac trip, but we did go to a few places and found a few things. Elizabeth slept through most of the trip.

It was a busy, but great weekend outside. Stay tuned for Backyardigans, Part II this week as the raised bed veggie garden goes in!

Backyardigans, Part I

For the past several years Jim and I have worked in the backyard... occasionally. Typically before we could get back out to continue the work the weeds grew back. With the help of Kimbrough Work Crew the back yard is now nearly a clean slate.

In case you are wondering... Elizabeth slept through most of the work, when needed mom, Jim, and I would take turns attending to her.

Plans are drawn and trips to Home Depot, Mesquite Valley Nursery, Wal-Mart, and various other places are on the agenda for our first project... a raised bed veggie garden!

Our first crop will be lettuce and our worker bees will be paid for all their hard work in produce!

Five Weeks Old

With the arrival of Grammy and Grandpaw Kimbrough I have a lot of help in caring for Little Elizabeth and getting my house clean. Grammy, who comes over to help clean, gets easily distracted by Elizabeth. Its up to Grandpaw and I to get her back on track. Tipper is enjoying our house and trying to get to know Alex and Emily, except they want nothing to do with him. We think the cats have been on line or looking at the classifieds to find a new home for the winter or until all the new additions leave!

This week Elizabeth has become much more active. When shes full and you try to feed her she kicks her legs. Also, arms and legs are constantly moving when shes awake - sometimes moving too much.When Jim comes home from work and Elizabeth hears his voice her face lights up. She will definitely be a "daddy's girl."

Grammy Betsy's Birthday Celebration

Yesterday was Grammy Betsy's Birthday Celebration. We (Jim, Amy, Elizabeth, Jamie, Betsy, & Tipper) loaded up in the van and traveled to a park in Gilbert where we met Jeff, Lisa, and James. Upon arrival we were surprised by Gary and Carolyn (Jamie/dad's sister). After a lot of hugs and Grammy and Grandpaw happy to have the family together we visited for quite awhile before Jeff started cooking lunch. Grandpaw kept very busy with James on the merry-go-round, train, and other rides in the small amusement area. Lisa said James was very excited about seeing Grammy, Grandpaw, Tipper, and Elizabeth, but it was not really apparent whom he was more excited about seeing... probably a four way tie! Maybe someday Uncle Jim and Aunt Amy will be in that tie.

After the fun at the park we all loaded up to go see Jeff and Lisa's new house, which they'll move into in January. James already has his room picked out and a spot for his bed as well as a space for Little Bits. We are pretty sure he'd take good care of her, at least the best he could. I'm not sure how he'd do with her midnight feedings. We'll wait until she's older before doing a sleep over.

Grammy said it was the best birthday ever!