Solo

So happy to have the bath to herself.

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

Even if it means taking getting poop all over yourself.

And your bedding.

Itsy Bitsy Spider..

Someone came home from school today with a new version of an old favorite...

Potty Talk

Noelle: "Why is there a little potty in the bathroom?

Mommy: "For Madeleine to use."

Noelle: "For big kids, too!"

Mommy: "Naw! You're too big."

Noelle: "Oh."

Mommy: "Did you already use it?"

Noelle: "Er. Uh. Yeeee-ah???"

Love her to pieces!!!

Ballerina

Miss Carrie let the Mamas come to class and see what our little ballerinas have been learning.

She is such an amazing teacher.

I cannot believe what she has this group of 4 year olds doing.

I couldn't get enough!

Fall Is Falling...

I must admit it's exciting to live in a place that

actually experiences the season, 'Fall.'

Yesterday as we were pulling out of the driveway Noelle burst out,

"Look at the tree! The leaves are falling like Ms. Rebecca said!"

(They're learning about fall and leaves at school.)

The Fall weather here is fabulous.

Cool evenings, crisp mornings, and sunshine-y 70 degree afternoons.

Next week this is supposed to change but we're enjoying it for now.

We've started baking yumming treats and cooking with the oven instead of the BBQ. ;) One of our favorite things has been these apples. Yes, it took me 4 hours to drive up there and wait in line but we've gone through 25 pounds of them in a matter of a couple weeks. I thought I'd be canning and making sauce but we've enjoyed eating them too much. Next year we know to get more!

We've been enjoying family nights at our favorite park before it starts getting dark early. These girls are so much dang fun.

Dipping caramel apples with friends.

Yummy, gooey, sticky...fun.

Safely

I was running behind getting out the door for ballet this morning. I was frantically trying to dry my hair because we errands to run immediately after. I heard the beep that indicates a door has been opened but thought it was the girls going into the garage. I heard it again and thought it was them coming back in. Then all of the sudden I had this strange feeling and started to run.

I got out of the house and to the sidewalk, looked to the left, and I saw them on the corner. Noelle was prompted before I was. She started yelling, "Mommy! She was in the middle of the street!" My heart stopped beating.

We ALWAYS have the front door locked, for this very reason. I have no idea what happened. All I have done all morning is thank my Heavenly Father for keeping her safe and for sending her sister out to get her. People drive too fast down that street. I refuse to think about what could have happened.

Madeleine Grace, I love you.

Never a Dull Moment..

Whether fun or not there is never a dull moment in a home with little ones. Something is always going on, someone always hungry, a chore needs to be done, personalities need entertaining. I feel the busier the better (to a degree). When we're home alone too much we all get a little crazy. Here are some recent haps:

We had a few families from our ward over for dinner.
We moved the coffee table into the hallway for the kids.
Noelle and Daddy set the table, she was pleased as punch with herself.
It was a serious Mexican food fiesta!


There were 8 adults and 11 kids.
It was like a circus and a zoo rolled into one.
Seriously fun!




If Madeleine was not right by me it's because she was eating.
Big surprise? Um, no.
Little Brittan sure enjoyed himself, too.
Homemade ice cream!


Saturday Daddy had a big surprise in store for me.
He'd gotten a refund from an overpaid bill and then
he added a little more and we went SHOPPING!
I have been beyond desperate for clothes.
I dread getting ready in the morning.
Old Navy and the Gap had some great sales,
I got a lot of stuff and feel so much better.
Of course, we had to ride the carousel.


Sunday evening the girls were going crazy and so was I.
I knew we needed some action and fast!
Funny how getting in our jammies and
getting out the popcorn maker out changes everything.
Popcorn! Butter! Parmesan Cheese!
Everyone was immediately happy.


And of course there Madeleine's total obsession with
wearing every one's clothes and shoes.
All day long I get her dressed again and pick up

everything she has strewn around the house.

Here she was digging through her sister's
dirty clothes. *sigh*

(Sorry about the HUGE pictures. By the time I realized I was not going to start over!)

Balloon Fiesta & Ruthie

Last Saturday Balloon Fiesta finally began, we've been looking forward to this since moving here!

For the opening ceremonies someone Aaron works with invited us over to see the balloons from his house. The sunrise was gorgeous but unfortunately the balloons flew the other direction and all we saw was a bunch of little specs. I kept thinking, "I got up at 5:00am for this?"

Oh well, their house was beautiful, the fire was warm, and the company fabulous. And my pumpkin cinnamon rolls? Yum-O!

Next, was home to shower and conference, and to get food ready for a little shower at the park for Casey who should have welcomed her baby boy today...

That evening Daddy went to Priesthood session of General conference, the girls and I went to pick up Ruthie from the airport. YEA! We've been anticipating her visit for weeks.

Sunday was waffles, hanging around the house, conference, a long walk. That evening we went down to the field for the evening glow but before it got dark, there were clouds, thunder and lightening. Balloons had to come down. :(

I was not on top of pictures the rest of the week.

But here are a few highlights...

Balloons from our backyard.:

A trip to Santa Fe:

Eating at Cafe Pasqual

The Basilica

Lots of cooking:

By far our favorite: Tikka Masala.

Let me know if you want the recipe!

We got up well before the Sun to see Wednesday morning's mass ascension. We got to the fields by 5:30 to see the dawn patrol take off in the dark. The dawn patrol are a few balloons who take off first to test the winds and conditions, making sure it is safe for the rest of the balloons.

Pictures cannot even remotely portray the beauty of hundreds and hundreds of balloons taking flight.

Before we knew it, her visit was over and it was time to head back to the airport. We were dipping cookies right up to the very second we walked out the door to catch her flight.

New Mexico State Fair

We had a great family night at the State Fair. Aaron got a free parking pass so we decided to give it a go. Anyone who really knows Noelle, knows exactly how she feels about roller coasters...she LOVES them. We tried walking around all the booths and animals but there were an insane amount of people. It was plain crazy.

Finally, we gave up and went to the rides. My sweet girl could hardly contain herself! The price was ridiculous, but Daddy couldn't deny her. Madeleine did great (with the help of some lollipops and curly fries) and Noelle was in heaven.

I love how it seems that no matter what we do, we find a way to have fun as long as we're together!

Relief

It's after midnight and I just finished my primary lesson.

And I feel BLESSED.

BLESSED to have a husband who adores me.

BLESSED to have extended family that loves me to pieces.

BLESSED to have a comfortable home, healthy food, and clean water.

BLESSED to have a testimony of God and Jesus Christ.

BLESSED to have healthy children.

BLESSED to have friends that have known me for years and still return my calls.

BLESSED to have listened to a prophets voice.

BLESSED that when we went out afterwards I laughed so hard I almost wet myself.

Things are looking up.