The Big Birthday, 3 years old!

Isa trying to warm up to Santa.

 The end is the beginning I guess.  This was the last picture of the night, how it ended up so far up here, I don't know.  All 3 kiddos riding the carousel at the zoo.

 Isa did really well when Santa sang Happy Birthday to her in the middle of the mall before he started taking requests.

 Uncle Terry and Aunt Teresa with Isa at the mall to visit Santa.  This was before the Santa meltdown.

 Caroline was showing Isa how it was done and Isa was not having it.  She cried and did NOT want to talk to Santa at all.

 FINALLY- a decent picture- maybe next year will be easier.

 Isa and Caroline surveying the scene.

 Looking at the cards waiting for everyone to get into the dining room to sing.

 Ariel view of the Ariel cake.

 Getting the candles ready to light so we can sing to the birthday princess.

 Everyone is ready for some cake.

 Some party-going kiddos.

 This is a kitty from Mandy and Gianna, she sleeps with that cat.  And it's loud- Thanks Mandy, I'm remembering this for Gianna's next birthday!

 Miguel made the Ariel out of different colors of paper (seriously there are about 80 different pieces of paper on my wall).

 Everyone looking at the new princess vanity from Grandma and Auntie.

 Isa checking out the decorations while sporting a princess dress up complete with dress up shoes.

 Grammy & Poppy with Isa.

 The birthday girl with a cake fit for a princess.

 Caroline, Isa, and Katie all dressed up to the nines.  Koren make the cake, AND cookies, AND chocolate sea shells.  That cake was amazing- Thanks Koren.

 Grandma and Auntie with the birthday princess.

 A few of the party guests.  Joel, Aunt Karen, and Uncle Dan.  It was so nice to see so many people that day.

 Every princess needs a cake break.

 The little family!  Happy Birthday big girl.  You're a wonderful daughter and you'll make an awesome big sister!  We love you so much.

 Isa loved riding on the monkey at the zoo.

 Sam looking at the name of the animal he chose to ride.

Sam on the tiger at the zoo on the carousel.  We all went to "Wild Lights" to wrap up the day.

Elffed

Crash!

While I was at a meeting one night Miguel took this video of Isa playing with her giant blocks. We LOVE those things. I loved her crash, which she chooses to say every time she bumps into something. Never a dull moment around here.

Halloween 2010

The triumphant completion of this year's jack-o-lantern.
At Boo at the Zoo this year. Yes, we battled out the crowds and went with the Blackwoods.
I think I smell something... like ZOO!
Riding a puffin on the carousel.
Close up shot of a happy bumble bee.
Getting ready to go out trick or treating.
Hauling home the haul.

Pumpkin Patchin

At home all decked out (Thanks Auntie and Joel for those kick'in specs).

At the entrance to the pumpkin patch.
Up on top of one of the slides looking out at all the pumpkins.
Being a scarecrow.
Picking out the perfect pumpkin took some time.
Mommy and Isa with just a few pumpkins in the background.
All of us having a fun morning together (finally)!

A couple of videos about monkeys

Isa was reading her Monkeys Jumping on the Bed book to me this morning. It was so cute I thought I'd share!

Chicago Weekend

From the left, you've got me, Elle, Isa, and Amy. The little girls decided to switch strollers for the ride into the zoo. A great way to spend the morning with great friends.
3 of the loveliest ladies! Isa, Kayleigh (Jen and Bill's daughter) and Elle.
The little girls (Elle and Isa) off on some sort of zoo adventure!

Isa playing on the splash pad at the Brookfield Zoo.
How you like me now?

Post zoo Mickey's lunch. A place I enjoyed in college.

This past weekend (we left last Thursday and got back Sunday) we went to Chicago. Chicago is one of my all time favorite places. Some of the best people in the entire world live there and we're fortunate enough to be friends with them and they let us visit. We stayed with Bill and Jen (thanks! You guys are awesome) and we got a chance to spend some time with Colin and Amy (so much fun!) . It's nice that Colin and Amy moved there so we can get the majority of our out of town visiting done in one swoop. Thanks for making this weekend so much fun!

Last Vacation Day and First Day of School

Now that Mom's at the "All School Kick Off" for her school, let's see what Dad will let me get away with. Here we go!
Playing a little soccer in the driveway. She loves to kick the ball around!
Queen of the castle, ok maybe just the kangaroo climber. You can tell I'm gone and Dad's in charge, I yell at her if she's up there, but here's Dad- no rules, just pictures. These 2 really live on the edge when I'm gone.
Extreme close up! You can tell how much fun she's having by the amount of sweat that's in this picture.
Hurry up and take the picture Dad! I have me some serious learnin to do!
On the front porch waiting to go to school. WE ARE READY!

I made the name tag on the bag. (thanks Koren and I can cut it off when/if Katie wants it back). She was so excited to have her stuff in her own bag that she asked me to take a picture of it. We were in a hurry so Yes, I know my shadow is in the pic and I'm sorry, Miguel's the pro, not me.