Cute J

This is how J woke up from her nap yesterday. I thought her hair looked hilarious and, of course, since I was laughing and had the camera, she thought she'd ham it up!

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Later in the day she had wandered into Ains and Z's room to do a little SSR with her feet up. She's making herself at home...must know she's moving in with them soon=)

Halloween Costume

We're going to a Halloween party this year so I'm soliciting costume advice. I don't know if I should incorporate my pregnant belly as part of the costume or go as the pregnant _______? I think it would also be cool if Mike and my costumes went together. It's been a long time since I've dressed up for Halloween so I'm lacking in the idea department. If you have any ideas, post them in the comments or shoot me an e-mail! Thanks=)

Ainsley's New Haircut

I took Ainsley last week to get her haircut. I've been wanting to do this style for quite some time but wasn't thrilled about taking her to Mop Tops, as they always seem to botch her hair and I didn't really want to pay full salon price somewhere else. My friend Shannon found a place that was quite a bit cheaper and more like an actual salon so I felt better getting this style done. And they did Z's hair and didn't charge me for it! I'm sure that was a one-time deal but I was fine with it! Ains doesn't normally wear it back but she wore a crown to school today for the Pep Rally for Jesus. And we're growing her bangs out but you get the idea...

It very much fits her personality and she's "flipping" it around all the time. She has the right hair texture and thickness for it too so I'm happy...less work and tangles for me=)

More Balloon Fiesta 2009

Friday night we headed back out to Balloon Fiesta Park for the Special Shapes Glowdeo and fireworks. We met up with some more friends and their kiddos and had a great time just watching all the balloons, people and fireworks. We parked ourselves in the grass near the area where the Darth Vader balloon would be inflating and was soon told to move because we were in the area they were going to be unfurling the balloon! We moved right across the street so we could still be close=)

Mike and Z with a Stormtrooper

Jess with her bunny ears. We walked over to the Energizer Bunny balloon and got some for the fam!

Lynnea, Ainsley and Brianne with their ears

Vader being inflated
We were all trying to figure out what this was?

This was my favorite special shape this year...it will be a turtle with a hat and some sneakers...you'll see him a little later.

the every popular Nemo

Here's my turtle!

Ains with her glowing butterfly
This is a really cool shot Mike got when some of the balloons were all lit up.

The kids watching the fireworks
One of the finale sequences in the fireworks show

Nice Outfit!

This is one battle I gave up on a long time ago. Ainsley's choice in fashion right now is very...interesting and always entertaining to say the least! I used to compromise with her and she would pick out the top or bottom of the outfit and I would pick out what was missing. Eventually she didn't like anything I would pick out so I leave it up to her now. And nothing completes and outfit like some pink cowboy boots...those are my favorite! I hear mixed patterns are very "in" this fall=)

At the risk of sounding snobby, I used to be pretty particular about how my kids looked when they left the house because I thought of it as a direct reflection of me. Over time I have learned that most other moms can tell that I didn't dress her and that she's at the age where she wants to be in control of those decisions. I'm glad Ainsley has both a sense of style and independence!

Sisters and Jessica's Tower

I snapped this shot when the girls were hanging out in the living room. J is such a ham when the camera comes out. As soon as she sees it, she does this really cheesy smile and squints her eyes...you'll see it in the next picture!

At dinner last night, J made a tower with her milk and water cups and thought she was just hilarious...well, she was! She had all of us rolling with her goofy grin complete with 4 teeth now!

Balloon Fiesta 2009

Saturday morning we woke the kids up at 4:45 and headed to Balloon Fiesta Park. It took quite a while to get there since it was opening day but it was well worth it! We met up with our friends Jen and Kevin and their son Noah and daughter Hannah.

Enjoying some hot chocolate and mini donuts!

Our Family

Noah, Ainsley and Z "helping" get a balloon ready to launch

Mass Ascension

Daddy and J

Ahhh...the sun finally came out!

It was a beautiful day for Fiesta! We had to leave a little earlier than I would have liked but we're going to try and get back there again sometime this week. So far the weather hasn't been very nice so I'm glad we went when we did just in case the weather doesn't get any better.

It's That Time of Year Again!

Balloon Fiesta starts tomorrow! I can't wait...it is always the kick-off of fall for me. Fall is my favorite time of year and I love seeing all the beautiful balloons fill the skies=) We're heading to the Fiesta tomorrow, meeting up with some friends and their kids. Ains and Z don't know we're going yet...we told them we'd go later next week (which we'll probably still do)! I dug out all the winter stuff to see who had gloves and hats etc. and they were running around the house in their pjs, hats and gloves! Everywhere we go, Z tells everyone we're going to the Fiesta to ride in a balloon...not so sure about that part but its funny to hear him say that.