Playground

Al and I took the day off on November 20th to spend time with Becky for her birthday. We went to Playground in Ankeny with Julie and the boys and to McDonald's for lunch. Then we did some shopping so she could spend some of her birthday money. Here are some pics from Playground. As you can see, none of the kids had any fun!

Drake

jumping

Drake, Chase, and Becky

not a toddler anymore

I forgot to take Becky's yearly photo with the bear last year, but this is two years ago. She has definitely become quite the little lady. Hard to believe how much she has grown and changed the last year. I am blessed to have such a wonderful little "princess" to call my very own.

Happy Birthday Becky Rae!

Becky's 4th birthday

Becky was excited to wake up on her birthday and find more presents! She had become quite the pro at opening them . . .

and showing them off!
She only got to open one in the morning, so here she is opening the rest.

Then we were off the Chuck E. Cheese's with friends!

Making the kids take time off from playing games to eat pizza. Drake, Chase, and Owen came to help her celebrate.
Posing with Chuck E. Cheese himself. We had to wait a good five minutes or more to get this picture, but she was so excited that there was no way I could tell her no. Quite a big change from a year ago when she wanted nothing at all to do with him!

Becky's 4th birthday party

Here is the cake I made for Becky's princess birthday party. I was a little dissatsified, as it appeared to be leaning, but I think all in all it was a hit. Becky did say to me, though, "Mom, I think it needs some curtains." I asked her why, and she said, "So people can't see in." Great logic. However, due to the falling windows, there was no way that was going to happen!Here a few pics from our photo shoot before company arrived. She's becoming such a pro!

She got to open a couple presents early because people couldn't stay for cake and ice cream. What 4 year old doesn't love that?

Here she is with some of her loot.

Here is my grandma (mom's side) with Becky, Becca, and Katilyn.

more birthday party

Here are some more pics from Becky's birthday. After the candles caught some of the ribbon on fire, she was afraid to blow out the candles so Becca and Kaitlyn had to help her (which was fine with them!) However, she did tell me that night that one of the favorite part of her day was blowing out her candles with Kaitlyn and Becca. Glad she likes to share with others!

I got Becky to stop for about one minute to take a picture with me, even though she was protesting. There was so much fun to be having!

Her present from Eric, Dawn, and the girls was a trip to Build a Bear. It was so much fun, even though the girls were worn out from a busy day of playing. Here are Becky and Becca washing Becky's kitty, which she named Happy Bear.
Here is Becky relaxing at the end of the busy day in her sleeping bag, watching a movie. Oh.... to be 4!

leaf raking

How about this Iowa weather?

Al and Becky went outside to play in the leaves and rake a little on Saturday. He came inside and grabbed the camera to snap a couple pictures. What a great husband. He sure knows how to keep his scrapbooking wife happy!

Look at that pile!

impromptu leaf fun

Last Monday night, Becky and I decided to rake up some leaves to jump in. Boy, was it fun! There is just something about leaves that make everyone happy (when we're jumping in them, not raking them up!)

Becky all covered up. She said, "Not my face, because that will make me cry." Oh, the things she comes up with!

Then Al got home and got to join us. He had fun jumping up out of the leaves and scaring Becky.

The story wouldn't be complete, though, without me telling you that Al came inside while I was getting supper ready and says, "Have you seen my keys?" Oops! They fell out of his pocket while playing in the leaves. After about 10 minutes of searching with flashlights, we were able to locate them. It was really pretty hysterical. Who loses their keys while playing in the leaves? I told him, "You know I'm going to have to blog about this." He said, "I figured." At least he understands and can laugh about it with me. I think he was just glad we found them!

trick or treat

Friday night was Beggar's Night in Des Moines. We went over to Sarah's to go trick or treating with Emma since there aren't a lot of houses in our neighborhood who participate. It sure was fun, even though it was a little cold!

I was so proud of Becky this year. She went up to the doors all by herself and knocked. She had fun but was ready to be done. It was cold and rainy. Emma, on the other hand, loves candy, and when Becky said she wanted to go back to Emma's house, Emma said she wanted more candy!