Christmas Parade

Last weekend we braved the 32 degree chills to go watch the Quad Cities Festival of Trees Balloon Parade. Killian loved all the balloons! We sat right before a walkway overpass that connected a hotel to a conventions center so all the balloons had to "lay down" before going under. We thought that Killian might not get the full effect of the balloons, boy were we wrong. She would yell at every balloon to "LAY DOWN" if the handlers didn't do it fast enough. At first she thought the balloons were going to crash into her so she covered her face. All the people sitting around us got a big kick out of her dramatic personality. Luckily, the parade only lasted about an hour for us. It was freezing when you throw in the wind that blows of the Mississippi River which was located about 2 blocks away. I should have taken a picture of the river because it was so choppy due to the wind. Sean and I took turns holding Killian because she had a warm quilt that I made her. In the end it's all worth it if Killian has a good times!

The opening balloon!

Daddy and Killian snuggling!

It wouldn't be a parade without 8 John Deere tractors pulling a sleigh!

This is a shot of the hard working construction crew stopping to watch and take pictures of the parade. At one point we counted 9 windows full of employees. 

Raggedy Anne....no Andy?

Raggedy Anne "laying down" to pass under the walk way

Killian keeping mommy warm!

This was our Thanksgiving Family text we sent!

Phone bill $90.00
Unlimited text $5.00
Realizing there are 4 people in the picture PRICELESS!

That's right we are having another baby! Baby #2 is due June 9th, 2011.

Killian's Ever Changing Birthday/Christmas List

Lately, Killian has been asked quite often what she wants for her birthday or for Christmas. I would like to share my top two responses!

Number 1: (to our neighbor)

toys, paper plates and food.

Number 2: (to my mother)

toilet paper, light bulbs, socks and crayons. 

If this later one sounds familiar it is from an episode of Caillou.

We are going to keep working on these lists, but we have gotten a good laugh from them and wanted to share. 

So Scary!

For several weeks prior to Halloween we have been hearing the words "so scary" all the time. Every decoration, every costume and every treat with Halloween  pictures has turned Killian into a screeching sissy. The weirdest part was she really didn't act scared and we don't think she was scared, but she would shake and screech "so scary".

While trying to pick out a costume this year, Killian has covered the spectrum of what she wanted to be. Some of the more frequent options: princess, ballerina, TinkerBell, witch, cowboy, and a guy.

Killian pushing her friend on the swing???

We waited until the last minute for both the Halloween party at my work and for trick or treating to get a costume because around here you never know what the weather is going to be like.

For my library's Halloween party it was calling for storms and cold weather. So we went with a Unicorn. It was this awesome coat/costume my mom found at a thrift store for $3.00!

Killian and her fellow Unicorn buddy!

Going through her 1st place prize winnings!

 Killian had a lot of fun at the Halloween party. She ran around with all the kids, had some food and got so make some crafts. This year there were not many people at the party, but most of our good friends from the library were able to make it. And the storms never came!

Enjoying a hayride with her friend Jordan, Austin, Nick, David, Jake and  Billy.
(I don't know who the girl in the grey jacket is...hmmm)

Making a pumpkin treat box.

As Halloween approached we still had not gotten Killian a costume. Yes, I am a bad mother, but with all the play clothes we have I knew we would be okay. As the trick-or-treat hours came quickly Killian still had not taken a nap, but rather screamed and cried for several hours. This is a first for this type a nap time behavior. Sean and I decided that we would just go around our cul-de-sac and then hand out candy at the house. Killian could not care either way. So we dressed her up in a Princess dress and flower crown and got ready to hand out candy. Well no one came for the first hour  so we went to a couple neighbors houses. As we were leaving we saw some kids round the corner to our street. Killian got so excited! We all went right back home and Killian kept watch at the front door. She kept jumping up and down asking where the kids were. Finally, they made and Killian got to hand out candy. She only got scared by one kids costume, but still stood her ground. We had about 10 people come to our house. (Fine by me, more candy for us!) Killian sat all night by the door waiting for trick or treaters and had a blast. After awhile we saw all these lights coming down our street. A couple of parents had converted a four wheeler and trailer into a Haunted Ride for their kids. It was amazing! Killian loved it, but was scared of one of the decorations that moved. She kept imitating it for the neighbors while we all laughed. I will have to try to get her on film doing it. I told Sean that next year we need a Haunted Ride!

Princess Kiki

waiting...

and waiting...

and waiting!

Killian going to our neighbors house for her first trick-or-treat!