Parties, Shopping & HOT AIR BALLOONS!!!!

What a weekend...why is it that the 2 days you wait ALL week for fly by so incredibly fast? Maybe it is because we pack the weekends sooooo full!
It started Saturday with a birthday party for Jackson's friend, Ian. It was at Little Gym in Cave Creek, a great place for kiddos to run around and burn off all their energy. He had a lot of fun, however Jackson was not happy that the birthday was for someone else. Jackson kept saying "Happy Birthday Jack, not Ian" It was kind of funny to watch him when everyone sang the happy birthday song, when it ended with Happy Birthday Ian and not Jack, you could tell he was confused.
After the party we headed over to costco and looked at the furniture they have in hopes we could find a good deal for Jackson's bedroom. Its getting to the point where we are going to have to transition into a big boy bed and out of the crib/tent. Jackson started to climb out of the crib before he was two. So me not being ready to give up nap time and him staying in his bed, I sent Justin out one Tuesday (his day off) in search of a "tent" to cage him in!!! Jackson loves his tent however he is getting too big for a crib. Costco has a full size bed with a dresser, nightstand and bookshelf. We are in the process of trying to figure out how we want to do the bedroom as his room is not that big and that is a lot of furniture.

After costco we went up to Papa's house and had dinner with Papa, Great Grandma, Amalia and Tarja before we headed up to Cave Creek for the hot air balloon festival. It was super crowded but a lot of fun. Justin and I were looking forward to seeing Jackson with these "giants" and see how Jackson reacted to being right there next to them. He was amazed on the size of them once we arrived. I think the fire shooting up the balloons caught him a little off guard as he held on to our hand very tight when the fire would fire up.
There we met up with some of our friends and their kids; The Zap family with Sofia and Olivia and the Ordell family with Jacksons BEST buddy, Trenton. It was so much fun watching Jackson and Trenton run around all bundled up and dancing to the music. The Herndon brothers were playing live and the music was loud. It was a very lively crowd, even Papa was dancing! It made me smile to see my dad and grandma out there enjoying themselves and having a good time. Grandma was most excited to stand feet from Ray Herndon and listen to him sing our family favorite song..."Ordinary" we named it this however he sold the song to Kenny Chesney and it is named something different. Dad said listening to them sing reminded him of nights back 20 years ago or so when they would go up to Handle Bar J and listen to the Herndon Brothers sing live. I know if was a hard night for dad with all the memories of mom, however he seemed to really enjoy himself.
The best part of the night was the sky divers...Papa held Jackson as we stared up in the sky looking for the plane that would release 4 parachuters. It was for sure a sight to see. They had each parachuter lite up with flares and lights so we could track them as they "skated" thru the air. I over heard Papa promising Jackson that in a few years once Jackson gets bigger that Papa was going to take him to do that. I am not too sure about that, however I didnt want to burst is "parachute" so I let him THINK that some day I will allow my boys to jump from an airplane!

Here are some photos from the festival, you can see how much fun Papa and Jackson were having together!

CHEESY...

Papa and Jackson Cave Creek Hot Air

Balloon Festival 2011

We are not sure what got into Jackson

But he started kssing Papa non stop right

before the skydivers came...He even grabbed

Papa's face and held it tight as he kissed

him. Papa was laughing sooo hard!

Looking up at the sky for the

skydivers...

I love these boys...

Finally Papa got to kiss Jackson....

There Jackson goes again grabbing and kissing Papa,

I can almost hear Papa and Jackson still giggling when

I see this photo...priceless!

Well...its that time again, when you are dead beat from running around all weekend but dreading going back to work for another week. 

Jackson Ryan, I love you and I had soooo much fun with weekend and I loved making more memories with you. You my son have my WHOLE heart for your WHOLE life, Mommy loves you.