Birthday girl

Recently I celebrated my 31st birthday. The day didn't pass without plenty of old lady jokes, most of which are true. Not kidding. I'd welcome supper at 5, bed at 8. And if turning 31 means it's okay to pee a little when I laugh, I'm on board.
Welcome to life on the other side of the hill, right?
The day also didn't pass without presents, and plenty of them. I was actually lucky enough to celebrate my birthday on THREE different occasions. It was like the party that just kept partyin'; a good way to celebrate if you ask me!
So as I start year #31, I decided I'd better take inventory of the good things in my life. As it turns out I'm pretty darn blessed. Sure I've had downers and struggles to battle, but for the most part life is looking good.
And that's saying a lot considering I could use a package of Depends now and again.
Happy birthday to me! My wish for me is this: give more kisses. Get more hugs. Pray longer. Listen harder. Laugh louder. Take more pictures and live, live, live!

A lovely card from my Jakester which reads (in large letters on the front) "For my adoring husband". This isn't the first time Jakey has made that mistake. :) Sometimes the obvious just flies right past him.
Know what I love best about this pic? Ashley's belly poking over her jeans! And my new printer isn't half bad either.
Snacking on Halloween Oreo's from Aunt Jeans' house the night before (Halloween) - Spunky is a special kind of silly as she doesn't enjoy an Oreo with a glass of milk. Whaaaa?
Now Midget? She'd eat an entire bag of Oreos AND drink a whole carton of milk if she could get away with it. That's my girl!
(the next night, celebrating with Shawna and Jessica)
Rocking the headband, 1985 style
Mm. Pumpkin dump cake, complete with a very rude candle. Thanks, Shawna.

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbits

I'm *almost* afraid to even say it out loud, but it's been over a week since we've seen any funky, nasty, smelly, gross and disgusting drainage from either of Natalie's ears. Is this actually happening?
On another note, Ashley has recently taken to enlightening our lives with dance performances. It isn't uncommon to hear "Mommy, I've got a new dance to show you!" at least 3 or 4 times a day. Most of her programs include a lot of jumping, leg kicking and falling down. But you know what? I'd take her recitals over any professional dance troupe any day of the week.
Just another day filled with love and craziness at our casa. You?

The more the merrier

This seems to be the mantra at our house when it comes to pumpkin patches. I believe there are around a dozen pumpkins and gourds decorating our front porch. When it comes to patch picking, the girls are always game.
Good thing we've got such a big front porch!

A great craft project for Jake next year. Or wait. I mean me. A great craft project for ME next year.
Squished in love
What's a elf doing at the pumpkin patch? Wrong season, Elfie. You're about 2 months too early!
What's a trip to the pumpkin patch without a trip down a giant tube slide?
Punk'in pickin
Putting Nana to work
While digging around in the wheat/grain box:
"Mommy, maybe Daddy could make one for Sister and I?"
Not on your life, Ashley. Not on your life. You don't even want to know where I picked grain out of after her little frolic.
Chilaxin, taking a load off
Midget: See the baby cow Natty Kat? What does a baby cow say Natty Kat?
Spunky: Cow! Baby cow, Tissy! Moooooooooooooooo!!
Midget: Very good Natty Kat. You so smart!
Me: ***heart melting with love and pride***
Love me some Midget
You can't even convince Natty Kat to put her pumpkin down for pictures!

Aviators

Even when the mercury is barely tickling 40, the girls still request, no make that beg, to be taken to a park. Since Shawna and I had already made plans to go to the grocery store (Ooh! Watch yourself with those big plans!), we figured a stop at the rocket ship park couldn't hurt. When Ashley spotted Aunt Katie's car, she wouldn't rest until she got a chance to say hi.
And scoring a ride on the airplane ride wouldn't hurt, either.
These girls are so spoiled, even if they don't realize it. Thanks for letting us crash your workday, Katie. It wasn't the first time, and I can guarantee it won't be the last!

Teeter tottering with Aunt Shawna
Taking a spin
Goose and Maverick
Air Boss
Mini boss

Last minute

Robyn and Isaiah came to visit a few weekends back and when Robyn mentioned she wanted to go to a pumpkin patch, I said let's do it! Well, in true Jake fashion, it was a few hours before we even got on a road, and by that point the patch was due to close in a few minutes.
And I won't even mention the fact that the needle on my gas tank was BELOW the line.
Talk about poor planning, one thing I'm generally not know for.
But, despite all of those things, we had a great afternoon. It's always fun times when Robyn and Isaiah are around; Ashley is so in love with Uncle Isaiah, and I can tell Natty is headed down the same road. Lucky girls!

Hanging out, waiting for the hayride
Midget suckered Uncle Isaiah into a ride
Snuggled in and happy
Mommy n' Spunky
Cheese!
"Over here Uncle Isaiah! Come look at this one Uncle Isaiah! I like this one Uncle Isaiah! Uncle Isaiah I wanna show you my favorite pumpkin! Uncle Isaiah! Uncle Isaiah! Uncle Isaiah!!!!"
Spunky little green pumpkin for Spunky
Refusing to cooperate with a smile but...
....Stink face? Of course. Or perhaps you'd like...
...gangsta face? Not your style? Then how about...
...wild child? Well then wild child it is!
Natty Kat finally decided on a funky little 1/2 rotten gourd. She knows what she likes, so don't even bother trying to talk her out of it.
Getting ready for the Punkin Chunkin show
Chowing on kettle corn
Hanging out
Daddy and Midget
Loving on Robyn
Family shot
Checking in. Thanks for the back-up Isaiah and Ash!
Such a perfect afternoon
"Again! Again Uncle Isaiah!"
Totally whiped, Midget wiggled right into her favorite play toy and dosed off

Yabba-Dabba-Do!

Because I can't possibly wait another second to share, I took pictures with my celly of the actual prints of Ashley and Natalie's Halloween photo-shoot.
Did you follow that?
Not that it matters. What matters is cuteness like this should be illegal!
I now present you Wilma Flintstone and Betty Rubble: