RAINY DAY

Our weekend plans included yard work, picking out pumpkins, and meeting some friends at the apple orchard.  But it rained.  And it rained.  And it rained.

 So we found inside activities to do all weekend.   

 The favorite activity was Bounce House.

 I think the four adults burned off just as much energy chasing the three little ones from one inflatable to another!

I guess we'll postpone our outdoor plans until next weekend!

FALL

Summer

is

over ...

we're ready for fall!

COUSINS

JP and AA stayed at Grandma S and Grandpa J's house for the first time without us this week.  While A joined me for a conference on the East Coast, my kiddos had a blast.  JP rode the tractor and the four wheeler and watched Finding Nemo.  I don't think they even noticed we were away.

We reunited at Cousins E's 6th birthday party.  As the kids get older, birthday parties become more and more fun.  JP and AA sang Happy Birthday right on tune before devouring a piece of chocolate cake. 

And JP was such a good little cousin; he sat patiently and watched E open one superboy toy after another.  Cousin E is truly JP's hero!

Although the bounce house captured my children for most of the afternoon, the pinata stole the show at night!  Even AA had a turn at bat!

NNNNNNOOOOO!

Ah, yes ... my 21 month old is going on 21 years old!  She loves to talk on the phone, play with my makeup and brushes, borrow my shoes ... and shout, " NNNNNNNNNOOO!"

Dear Jesus, please help me.

FOREVER

JP: "Momma, do you want me to be your little baby forever?"

Me: "Why, yes, sweetheart!"

JP:  "Oh, Momma ... but I'm almost 4!"

COLORADO

We've been busy! We took a mini- fall vacation to Colorado for a cousin's wedding.   Although JP keeps asking if we can go back to Denver, I don't think he really cared we were there ... all that mattered was an airplane flight next to Grandpa A!

I carefully planned the short flight over nap times ... Smooth flying!  My little AA was a challenge for the rest of the weekend though.  This brown eyed babe knows exactly what she wants ... And most of the time this means being super glued to me!

This was our first time sleeping in a hotel room without cribs or pack and plays ... JP and AA loved sleeping on the big beds and watching cartoons.

My camera stayed in my purse for most of the weekend ... our only family snapshot of the vacation:

These two are quite the little travelers!

JP TREE

In honor of JP's baptism, we planted a tree in our backyard.  Each year JP's tree grows taller, wider, and even more beautiful ...

 (2009)

 (2010)

(2011) 

 (2012)

just like my own JP!