Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

When we first told the kids we were moving to Albuquerque we mentioned the famous balloon fiesta and we'd be sure to go. They have been talking about going for months. It's a 9 days event which includes 2 weekends. It began the first weekend in October. That Saturday we had errands to do before conference started so while driving we saw hundreds of balloons in the air. The kids were so excited. The following day we let the kids watch the live broadcast of it on TV. That just made them even more excited and choosing what hot air balloons were their favorites. Of course they all choose a special shape balloon. Derek's parents were here the following weekend and we got up early Saturday and went to see the mass ascention of the hot air balloons. It was a very neat experience and I hope we make it back next year.

 This is what we saw when we got onto the field. Tons of people and hot air balloon after hot air balloon all squashed up next to each other airing up.

We choose to stay back put out a blanket for the kids and have breakfast while watching the balloons lift off.

(Not sure who the random dude in the background is watching us.)

We were situated next to a van that was getting their balloon ready to begin airing up. Maeley went hysterical when they began testing their burners. It's really loud and the fire scared her. She wanted off the field right then and there. She really didn't calm down until all the balloons around us took off. Then she enjoyed watching the others from a farther distance.

This gives you an idea at how large they really are.

Papa and Tama

Zoe waving and saying "Bye balloon". She did this pretty much the whole time.

The three bumble bees. The small one in the middle this was it's first year. The other two have been coming for years, they are from Peoria, AZ. They air them up together, they lift off together and...

in for a kiss

Maeley's favorite is the lady bug.

Zoe was so good about staying by us...until she saw a dog and darted off after him.

Derek was our camera man so this is one of only a few that includes him.

I think he took some pretty cool pictures.

ABQ Bio Park Zoo

Derek's parents came to visit this past weekend. We had so much fun with them here. The minute we came inside after waving good bye Monday morning Maeley and Chase were already talking about what they want to do the next time they visit.

Friday afternoon we went to the Albuquerque Zoo. It was a great zoo with so many animals. I didn't feel like they were missing anything. Most of the animals were very active too. The best were the Chimps and Gorillas. Derek took a ton of pictures so its been hard going through them a choosing only some to post.

 We were in the Tropical America exibit and is was humid and smelly. Maeley held her nose the whole time.

This was in the reptile area and Zoe loved it.

Zoe enjoyed this aligator and even put her fingers on the glass as if to put them in his mouth.

Chase liked this Red Panda, however he called it an Orange Racoon.

The Sea Lions were swimming all over the place. It was really fun to watch.

Maeley and Chase just love this picture seeing the hippo playing with the ball.

Papa with Chase watching the gorrillas

These three gorillas definitely put on a show. One of them had something in his mouth,maybe a toy that the other two were fighting him trying to take it away.

So much fun!

The last weekend in September my sister Laurel and my nephew Devan came to visit. I tried to keep it a secret from the kids when they were coming because originally they weren't coming until the middle of October. Unfortunately the day before I accidentally spilled the beans. When I told Chase that Jacob wasn't coming he was nearly in tears. It broke my heart. We had a wonderful weekend though.

Devan brought a lap top in the car so he could watch moves. The kids thought it was so much fun. Probably because they watched more movies than I normally allow. (Ignore the green curtains that don't match and are too short, they have already been taken down.)
 

 We made sugar cookies and frosted them. These cookies were so yummy and I loved the icing. It was so easy to pipe on and then it smoothed out completely. I want to make more so bad just waiting for an excuse.

Such a cutie!

Derek came home from work Friday while we were frosting so he joined in too.

 Maeley, Chase, Aunt LoLo, and Devan making candy necklaces

Maeley and Devan being silly.

We had so much fun with Laurel and Devan. These kids enjoyed being entertained my Devan and spoiled by Aunt LoLo. When they left the kids were already asking when they were coming back.

Dressed up for church

A few weeks ago we had to get the kids some new clothes. Shorts weren't cutting it everyday anymore. We ended up getting Chase a new church outfit and he looked so darn cute I had to take pictures before leaving for church. Of course the girls had to get into the pictures too.

I absolutely love these cute kids. Each one of them puts a huge smile on my face. 

Fun on the stairs

Due to all the excitement of moving in the kiddos forgot about going down the stairs in their sleeping bags for about a week. And I've been slow at updating our blog.

They had a blast. Somehow we didn't get a picture with Zoe going down. She was not as interested as Maeley and Chase were. When Maeley went down the first time she said, "That kinda hurts my bottom." However it didn't stop her from going down a few more times.