H.O.T. Fair 2011 plus Alyssa's 11 Month Birthday

We won some free passes to the fair on Friday, October 14th and thought it would be a fun family outing plus a fun way to celebrate sister's 11 month birthday! 

As soon as we entered the gates, Andrew wanted to do this obstacle course.  He didn't hesitate and it was pretty high for a little guy!



We were so proud of him! He just kept pushing through and didn't seem scared at all! Andrew is our brave boy! :)

After about $100 of food, games and a few rides...we were leaving with Andrew's arms full.  He won another goldfish which is what started the love of fish and aquariums the last time the fair was in town.  He also won a tiger and a puppy dog thanks to our good friends, the McKown's.  Sister actually loves the puppy to pieces but knowing that, Andrew keeps it hidden well in his room.  Gotta love siblings :)

Birthday Announcement Pictures - Take One

So I thought it would be fun to try and get Alyssa's First Birthday pictures taken for her announcement/invitation.  Easier said than done.  I was lacking creativity and caffeine and so the experience didn't turn out as I planned but we got some cute...and entertaining...pictures along the way....

Obviously, I wanted her birthday banner behind her.  Our original thought was to have a card announcing "Our Little Cupcake is Turning 1!" since she will be a cupcake for Halloween, we thought this would be cute PLUS give us an extra wear out of the outfit!

But after looking at the pics... it didn't look right... cute... but not what I was going for....

So then I kept the outfit on but switched to a headband...cute..but still not it...

Then I thought I'd lose the cupcake outfit and just dress her in her cute new outfit and take some pretty girl pictures :)

Her ability to sit still is waning here...

Yep, I lost her to the beads...oh well... we can try again another day!

Uncle Jeff turns 29

We all wanted to celebrate Jeff's last year in his 20's.. so we had him over for a yummy steak dinner and dessert.  Andrew wanted to add extra strawberries and all the candles he could find - haha!  Happy birthday to my twin brothers... Kelly & Jeff... we love you!!!

The next day, we headed to Melinda and Ed's for Ed's big 5-0 birthday party.  I loved his slogan, "50 is the new 49" :)

The party was FANTABULOUS but best of us we had tons of fun with our friends! That night a huge thunderstorm rolled in and continued into the next morning. Since it was only raining, we thought we would all take advantage of the hot tub... Another first for Alyssa!

After we got everyone dried off, it was time to play : )

On the way home, it was obvious the kids had lots of fun! This was just a few minutes after pulling out of the Adams' neighborhood! :)

First Family Vacation

Last weekend, the 4 of us were able to take our first "family vacation" since Alyssa was born.  Granted, it was only one night but OH how we enjoyed it!!   Below are some pictures of us at the WORST restaurant on the Riverwalk (Cafe Ole)... worst food and definitely the worst and most overpriced margaritas ever... but we made the best of it! :)

We had to have the Mariachi band play.. it's part of what you do on the Riverwalk...

You can see how much Andrew enjoyed it....

Here is where we got suckered into paying $8 for a glow/light-up princess light for Alyssa... yep...we are suckers! (that and the "salesman" had to unwrap one and hand it to her!!!) :)

Here is the 3 of us... the kiddos showing off their light up toys...

Here are some fun pictures from the hotel room:

The next morning we had a yummy breakfast at the Hilton and then headed over to the Riverboat ride...