My birthday weekend

October is the best. Hands down, no question, most beautiful month of the year. My birthday is on the first, and as an early present I got to spend last Saturday right where I wanted to: in the middle of a forest. We've gone out to this same area to cut wood before, and it became my favorite. This time we also drove to the top of Green's Peak to check out the view. It was gorgeous! 

Not all the leaves were changing yet, but it was still well worth the drive. 

Green's Peak in the distance

View from the top

I love that one, and that one, and that one, and that one.

Attempt at a family picture

On the way down the steep road (with a little windshield blur)

Looking up from the bottom

We found a perfect picnic spot. It even had a swing!

This guy was a happy blur the whole time.

It got chilly. I found these two snuggling in our picnic blanket.

Aspen Pirate

Napping Daddy, and the princess & the pooch

Wanna climb trees?

Or play football?

No smiles from Justin or Griz, but I'll take it.

After our day of fun, the kids stayed at Granny's house to play while Justin and I caught a movie (Looper, and we both loved it) and returned to find the room where we were staying covered in birthday decorations. My sweet little devils also made me banana muffins for breakfast. Birthdays are a lot of fun, even if they do make you feel old. :) I can't wait to turn 29 again next year. 

September outings

Our little ballerina was thrilled that we were able to take our little family to a ballet performance with *real* ballerinas. It was called Ballet Under the Stars, and took place at the Tempe Center for the Arts, right next to Tempe Town Lake. Marnie wore her ballet clothes and danced through the entire show (on our blanket at the back of the amphitheater). She leaned over periodically to comment things like, "The guys are holding the ladies up like crazy!" and, "Those white dresses are my favorite." She was one happy little girly-girl. 

Pre-show warm up.

Dancing back to the car

Aviation museums are tons of fun! We had a great afternoon exploring this one. It's awe-inspiring to see these things up close.  

Pilot practice

Just hanging out...leaning on a bomb.

Always on the go.

I'm touching all the jets! I'm touching all the jets!

Making their best "pilot faces."

Not impressed by my souvenir suggestion. 

A sassypants, an owl, and the stairs

Marnie requested to have pictures taken in her new bedroom. She loves being a big kid in a big bed with blankets she picked herself. Thanks again to Justin's Aunt Tammy and cousin Bridgett for giving Marnie this beautiful bed, and the trundle bed underneath too. She and Britt love having sleepovers in her room and staying up late to talk and giggle together.

Love those cheeks.

She told me, "mom, know what sassy means? It means you have add-uh-tood!"

How adorable is this burrowing owl?! We spent one evening walking around Zanjero Park in Gilbert, following this little beauty from post to post. They're pretty comfortable with people, so this one let us get close enough for the kids to really be excited about it. 

iPhone picture in progress...

Final picture. Owley and the San Tan mountains.

This owl dropped a feather and Britt snatched it right up! I love the spots.

Our new favorite game: Brimhall Ball. (Upside-down skee ball.)

The landing is Griz's favorite place to lounge. He gets sun in the morning, and is always conveniently located halfway from upstairs and halfway from downstairs. 

Pretty Marnie

Handsome Britt

I'm just now noticing the irony of this, but we had been finger painting with pudding, and here he is with clean hands and a pudding-covered face. :)

Afternoon at the moozeewum

Britt had a very enlightening dinosaur obsession this year, and I think we read every book in the prehistoric section of the Snowflake library. We recently had a fun afternoon roaming the AZ Museum of Natural History. Marnie loved it just as much as Britt did. She talked about the "moozeewum" for days.   

Justin! Look out! A pterodactyl is about to eat you!
Funny story: A while ago Britt was playing dinosaurs while Marnie played Polly Pockets. Eventually, as always happens, a rogue pterodactyl flew to Polly Pocket land and "ate" Polly. Marnie exclaimed, "BRITT! Don't do that! You know pteranodons only eat fish!" Haha...the girl knows her stuff.

Marnie said, "AW! Look at this teeny little cutie!" Guess those teeth don't scare her.

Love how Britt is copying Justin's body language here.

Puzzle time!

Marnie and Britt were thrilled at the 10 specks of gold they found in the gold panning river.

I think I see a speck of gold!

Hunting for fossils.

This museum has lots of interesting displays and artifacts.

This mammoth was BIIIIIIG!

The boy who adores theropods. 

This little lady wanted her picture taken with an herbivore, more specifically a ceratopsian, which she often claims to be as she stuffs spinach leaves in her mouth. (Last night, she was the last one at the dinner table, working on her second serving of spinach and snap peas. Finally! Something besides a cheese roll-up or a PB&J sandwich!)

Mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex

Since we were right down the block from Great Grandpa Mel Jones's ball fields, we had to stop and snap a picture of the kids there. Sassy girl and goofy boy. :)