Balloon Festival, minus the balloons!

Nora has a minor obsession with balloons. Hot air, cold air, no air, whatever. I think she really just likes to say the word. Don't we all have words we love to say? Mine is helicopter. Anyway... she loves to say balloons, and of course when she says it, I run her over to the computer, and we watch balloons on YOU TUBE for a straight 10 minutes. Then she wants more, and I am done! So, this weekend you can imagine her total excitement when I told her it was balloon Fest weekend!!! "You get to see balloons for real! Real up close, in your face hot air balloons! Aren't you excited?" She then runs to the computer and chants "Balloons..." and then begins the routine! So we went with our cousin to the FESTIVAL! Something that I have loved since I was a kid, and now I get to share that same love with my girl! We hit the carnival first. I took her on the Crazy Slide. Just to gripe for a minute. Nora was too little to go alone, so I had to go with her, and of course pay for her and me! $6.oo to stand in line for 15 minutes, and slide for 5 seconds! What a rip! When we got to the bottom, Nora said, "MORE MOMMA!!" Yeah right! So, that was interesting. Of course she doesn't understand money, and time. She just understands that last 5 seconds of her life! So I take a heart broken kid away from the slide in search for the next cheaper excitement! Thanks to cousin Ky, we were able to make this little girls life! Until it was over of course. I have always seen moms like me at carnivals, and thought... what a wacko! I can totally relate to those wacko's now, and I am one! Documented for the world to see, Noras first carnival ride...





When that was over, we said "Goodbye" to Auntie, and cousin (cousin number 3 had to eat... whatever! hehe)and met daddy at the launch pad. While he was saving us a place, he met a few pilots. We were able to run around the launch pad. Nora was wearing her squeaky shoes, so of course was attracting all sorts of attention. We met the photographer for the Daily Argus. He mentioned that he would love put Nora in the newspaper. Not only because of her squeaky shoes, he especially loved her pig tails that stuck straight up, and didn't even notice her shirt had hot air balloons on them. After I pointed that out, it was a for sure deal. OF COURSE! So, add another photographer friend to the list! After that I was able to document the rest of the launch pad experience!

She has been looking forward to this day for a week!



Hot dog in one hand, granola bar in the other!


Nora and daddy actually in a basket of a hot air balloon!



This is Nora being held by the pilot. She is really nervous, and excited to actually meet him. He admires her shirt, and her pig tails, and probably would have taken her up in the balloon, had we let him.


Nora says "My life is now complete. I met the man of my dreams!" (Oh and, there were umpteen million mullets too. I wish the few hair dressers out there that still cut mullets would say something to these poor people! Even David Beckam couldn't pull it off!!!!)

It was a very fun day for her. She loved every minute of it! Oh yeah, the balloons never did launch! They said it was too windy! What a bunch of wimps!

Thank you Grandma!!!

When my grandfather passed away in March, everyone asked Grandma, "What are you going to do now?" Her response was classic Grandma Staub, "I am going to spend more time with my grand kids." We can all agree that we have definitely seen her more, but I don't think it is us she really wants to see. She knows that if she wants to see the little kids, she has to see us! Either way, we love it, and we love her.

She came our way this weekend, with a purpose! She had no idea that her coming here would alter my life in some way. I haven't seen the affects of it yet, but it got me thinking, and I can't wait! The purpose of her coming, other then seeing her BEAUTIFUL, CHARMING, CARING, FAVORITE grand daughter (me of course), was to make a craft with the little kids. (Cousins... you know I'm KIDDING! We all know Natalie is the favorite!)

This craft is the most genius thing I have seen in a while. I asked grandma where she came up with the idea. Of course... she goes to the Red Cross to donate blood, and the cookies they gave her were magnificent! Cookies like that cannot be homemade, so she went to ask the workers where she could buy cookies like that? I can imagine her talking to a volunteer for an hour about these cookies. Turns out, they are homemade. Now, I am not kidding you when I say this, these taste just like the cookies that you can buy from the girl scouts, the peanut butter ones! Why didn't I think of this? This is my new treat that I will be bringing to pot lucks, road trips, parties, during All My Children, whatever (by the way, I don't watch soaps, I made that last one up). I have only tasted the ones that the kids made, kind of scary, but I can only imagine how yummy they will be.

Here are some pictures, and the description you are all dying to know.

Fist of all, I usually recommend store brand products, in this recipe, you must use the name brand. It really does make a difference. RITZ crackers, JIF Peanut Butter, and good quality chocolate. And do what Ky, Nora, and their Great Grandma do:



When you are done with that part, and ONLY when you are done with that part, you are allowed to do this:


Then of course, what is peanut butter without chocolate? GOOD CHOCOLATE!




So that is the short and sweet of it! Put them in the fridge for a half an hour, then you are ready to enjoy! If you do decide to make this with your kids, here is a little look at what you are in for:

Germ free of course!


Happy but dirty, KEEP IT REAL folks! Have fun with it!



I had to add this one of Alie, because I LOVE HER!!!! (Don't be mad)


And this one of Matt... he deserved it!

I had to add this one, because this hasn't happened since I quit nursing last... December. I miss these sweet moments with my daughter.

Complete Cuteness!!!

I know this is like my 19th post today, but I keep coming up with things to post about. Tell me, how could you not post about these two!



Kyree and Marley or Shiiiii and Marmaly!

These are the best cousins ever! Nora loves kids in the 4-10 age range! And she loves babies. So you can imagine her happieness when we get to play with the cousins! Marley has on a Bob Marley onsie! Her mom is so clever! I LOVE THESE KIDS!!!!!!