Taylor Swift

So, the girls had their very first concert experience... and oh what an experience it was!

Taylor Swift: Speak Now Tour

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

I think this was an extra special night for me because my dad took my to my first concert when I was little (well not as little as these lucky ducklings). I got to see both Madonna and Billy Idol when I was about in 6th grade and I remember every moment of those nights with my dad!

I totally believe that Ryan and Charlie will take this night with them forever...

The final outfit choices

(after several try on possibilities)

Everyone (even daddy) wore their cowboy boots for the big night.



Daddy looked more handsome than ever.

Waiting for our ride to arrive... but shhhh... they had no idea...

that not only was this going to be their first concert but also

their first LIMO ride! "Awesome!" as Ryan screamed!

Can you believe that we have waited since Christmas for this night to arrive? The girls got the Taylor Swift tickets in their stockings!

Mommy and Daddy were so happy that the girls were so excited for the night ahead!

We also picked up our friends Genny and daughter Ally to join us for the ride to the Staples Center!

Look at those smiles!

Family limo pic

Genny and Ally DeRosa

When we got close to the Staples Center, we were still way too early. We told the limo driver to drive around a bit until it was a better time to go into the show. Charlie and Ally had this great idea to wave out of the limo and have Charlie show her blonde curly hair out of the window in hopes that people would think it was Taylor in the limo. They thought this was hilarious.

Sneaky girls.

We finally decided to get out of the limo and head in.

The girls were priceless inside the theatre. So happy. So mesmerized. So wanted to know when the cotton candy guy (think Angel game) was going to come down the aisle. LOL...

The girls spent the day in curlers so that they could get their hair to look just like Taylor's hair.

the glowsticks were a hit... for sure.

time to dance and sing to a little Taylor Swift... they knew every song.

A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.

Signature Taylor Swift sign... nice Charlie.

Taylor did start on stage until about 8:30. Can you tell who started to get a little sleepy mid show?

A second wind for Ryan Corinne...

(yes, a few unnecessary concert shots on the blog, I know.... but I wanted there to be a few pics on here so that when the girls look back they will remember the night and Taylor)


10:40 p.m.

Uh oh...

They missed the encore :(

Oh well... a few missed songs didn't ruin the night! They spent the next few days wearing their new concert shirts full time, singing every song to the top of their lungs, and telling anyone who would listen that they got to ride in a limo! Great experience for sure.

Nighty night Grace Girls!

Oh ya, they also asked the next day, "When is Justin Bieber doing a concert?"

Oh no, not again... at least not for a little while I hope.

Park Moabi

THE GRACES ARE ANIMALS!! Two river trips in one summer! Whoosh...loved every minute of it. Different from the trip we took two weeks ago... the last trip we stayed in a motel and were on Lake Havasu. This trip... we stayed in a trailer and camped on the river. Same great company, two different kinds of trips. Loved them both.

One of the first joys of camping... being able to bring along an ATV.

Brandon and Jackson give it a spin to show the girls how it's done!

Around, around and around again.

Charlie gets a turn with Jackson. Can you see the hint of smile peaking out behind Jackson?

Have you ever seen a grin as big as this one? Charlie is in heaven.

No fear in this child. Time to try it solo.

And she's off...

All is fun and games until someone gets hurt.

Actually, this happened when Jackson was giving Ryan a ride. They tipped over and brave Ryan had to lift the bike off of Jackson. I was so proud of her. Needless to say, that was Ryan's last quad ride. She was too nervous to try again so I never got a pic. Brave Jackson was just fine...(actually feeling kinda cool with his injury)

Ryan was able to find plenty to do in her new favorite fort... the bunkbeds of the trailer.

As the sun goes down, and the kids are getting all snuggled in bed... the grown ups find plenty to keep them entertained. Nothing like a mid-desert-100+ degree - night time beer pong tournament.

Tony and Genny... not only our hosts but the beer pong champion team.

The winners circle.

The Grace team lost their round but enjoying a little time to hang out!

Love my girl Genny :-)

The next morning...

The whole gang went out to te Sand Bar.

Steve says that a day at this place made for one of his best days of his life.

(ha, and he says he's not a "river guy?")

Ryan hanging out dancing to music on the boat.
There is "smiles" again. Charlie is a true "river rat." She insisted on the buying boys board shorts for this trip so she could be just like her friends. She rarely took them off the whole trip.

In her element...

The Sand Bar at its finest. Not a care in the world.

The Holmes Family. Such good people. Alix, the daughter, is moving to Colorado this week for college. This is their last big family trip before she leaves home. Lots of tears throughout the weekend.

After the Sand Bar... on to tubing.

Here is my "extreme tuber" ... little miss River Rat herself.

Go Charlie and Jackson!

Ah man... Charlie makes me so nervous on the tube. She always wants to go faster, faster, faster inside and OUTSIDE the wake. She even tried to turn over on her belly mid-ride and continuously lifts her hand in the air like she is on a roller coaster. No fear at all. Who is this kid????


Relaxing. Post tube ride.

If Charlie is the Grace River Rat, then I would consider Ryan our "River Mouse." She is a little more cautious than Charlie (to say the least). Ryan went on the tube with mommy (for safety reasons) and we coasted along for a little fun in the sun.

After tubing... we stopped the boats for a "dip."

Ski time.

Ryan went first. Unfortunately, she didn't get up this trip. I think her nerves got the best of her from being so scared the last time. No worries. She will be up and ready to go next summer!

Daddy's job was to get the ski ready between each attempt. Nice work Daddy.

Next up...

The River Rat herself. And look... she does not disappoint.

Little Chuckie GOT UP!!!
And stayed up...

And longer, and longer, and longer...

And when she finally went down... she was as happy as can be! She screaming and doing the happy dance in the water.

And the quote of the trip immediately followed Charlie ski run...

Tony said, "Steve, that might have just been a $50,000 ski run."

He might be right... the Grace Girls L.O.V.E. the river! Every single part of it. And we know Daddy will do just about anything (except get a dog) to make his girls happy.

Watch out people... there might be a boat in our future!