Dancing Queen

Norah has been asking to take a dance class for a long time now.  After looking into it classes were a little pricey.  A couple of her other friends wanted to do something too but not spend that much money.  We talked one of our friends who used to be a little girls dance teacher into teaching them just at her house.  Miss Jamie was really excited to do it and so were the girls.  Norah has been wearing her ballet shoes around the house for weeks now tip toeing around.

Miss Jamie teaching the girls the rules. 

Doing some stretches.

Trying to figure out 2nd position 

All of the girls pointing their toes.  Norah, Luci, Cora, Maggie, and Ava. 

Norah loves walking on her tip toes.  Even better, she got to wear a crown while doing it. 

Still working on 2nd position. 

Norah had so much fun at her first dance class.  She keeps asking everyday if she gets to go again tomorrow. It is really cute to see her having so much fun. 

Balloon Fiesta 2011

It is once again Balloon Fiesta Time.  We got up at 5:00 in the morning to make it there.  The traffic was awful and what should have taken us 30-45 minutes took us an hour and a half.  We ended up watching the balloon glow from the car while we were stuck in traffic.  And then we had to park like 2 miles away.  Not so good for a large pregnant lady.  But this may have been our last trip to it ever if things go how we want them to for next year.    

Norah loved all the girly balloons (of course).  There was lots of pink ones and special shapes: butterfly, bumblebees, flowers.   

Dad and the kids making goofy faces. 

There were a ton of people there.  I don't remember previous years being as bad.  They did set a world record of how many balloons went up with in a hour so that might be why it was so crazy. 

Not even sure what this is but Owen liked it.  From a distance we saw a Darth Vader one but couldn't get over to it in time.  Owen was pretty disappointed he didn't get to see it up close.

Another of Owen's favorites was Spider Pig. 

The butterfly one.  We watched it blow all the way up and then take off.  Norah loved it. 

Mom and the kids with a few of the balloons. 

It really is quite amazing seeing all of the balloons in the air.  A picture just doesn't do it justice.

After a few hours and some yummy breakfast burritos we headed back home where we all crashed for several hours.

Wimpy Wimpy and Armpitney Whitney

Uncle Wimpy Wimpy and Aunt Armpitney Whitney (AKA Brian and Whitney) came to visit us with their cute little baby boy Hazen.  It had been over a year since anyone had come to visit us.  The kids had a blast with them.  We didn't do anything real exciting but Owen and Norah followed Brian and Whitney around everywhere.

We did go to the zoo the day after Brandon's birthday to celebrate.  The kids had so much fun with Wimpy Wimpy (not sure how he got that nickname but it has stuck and he will probably be called that for the rest of his life by the kids)  

Sitting on the King Chair

Our cute little family 

Not sure why we are hanging in every picture. 

Sitting on the mama lion 

The boys started to roar at the big lion and he started roaring back.  It was pretty cool.

Thanks for coming to visit us.  We had a great time and loved spending time with you guys.

The Big 3-0

Brandon turned 30 this year.  It was really uneventful because he worked all day long.  These are the only pictures I got of him on his special day. Sorry babe.  Next year will be better!

We had a little birthday party with some friends with Funfetti cupcakes and icecream. 

Norah helping dad blow the candles out.

Soccer Time

Soccer started again a few weeks ago.  Owen is on a different team and Brandon is the coach.  Their team name is the Tigers.  They are undefeated after 4 games.  Owen is once again the star.  He loves it.  One mom came up to me a couple games into the season and said, "Oh good, Owen is here.  We are going to win."

Owen was the only one that played last year so the first game was kind of a learning experience for all the kids.  One boy scored in the wrong goal but was so excited that he scored. 

First of many goals this season

Going to score again. 

The 2011 Tigers: Owen, Ivan, Noah, Isaiah, AJ

They all get a long really well together and have a good time.  

New Boots!!

Norah LOVES Cowboy boots.  They are the only shoes that she will wear-even in the summer time.  Her last boots were very worn out so I ordered her some new ones. She was so excited all day when I told her that they were coming.   She kept checking outside to see if the UPS guy had come yet.

The Cowboy Boots

The pair I got her for Winter time but she wears all the time.

Chasing Geese

Owen convinced us to go on a really long bike ride.  We rode down to Tingley Beach.  The highlight of the trip for the kids was chasing the geese.

There started out being about 50 geese and by the time the kids were done there were none left.  They had a blast though. 

Dad and the kids by the lake 

Pregnant mom and Norah