Pumpkin Carving

This is what happens when your baby is late . . .

Do you like Aviana's costume?

Before the evening digressed into silliness, pumpkins were carved. Mike is the true talent in the family at pumpkin carving. He even bought a stencil pattern for me this year--to help me out!

Scout participated in ground clean up while Hildy held out for the candy!

Bring on the Trick-or-Treaters!



Friday if it doesn't snow and Aviana stays put we are going apple picking!

Hope you have a Spooky Halloween!

Ready to Pop!

As titled I am ready to pop!

At 39 weeks we can hardly contain our excitement at the pending arrival. But we have managed to distract ourselves the past few weeks thanks to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, a fun time at a college football party, home cooked Thai dinner at a friend's house, and of course more baby preparations!

After giving up several hours of beauty sleep we arrived at the Balloon Fiesta in time for the dawn patrol and start of the day's mass ascensions.




Mike had another successful launch . . .




The special shapes were out and about!


Much to the bump's delight!

And then the baby preparations continued, our dad to be had a very handy helper, thanks Scout!

This weekend, also known as 1 week until due date, was spent hiking in the foothills and dreaming of our baby. We may have gotten carried away!

Mike practices with poop!

And hopefully Ann realizes this is Socks, the sock monkey, NOT her baby!

Silly Monkey!

Fall Breeze

The cool, crisp fall air has found Albuquerque and brings with it our final countdown until launch day! With 20 days until October 24 we can now start counting down with our fingers and toes. Mike and I are both very excited for Aviana's long awaited arrival.

Check out the size of my big belly at 37 weeks!

This big belly has not slowed me down much. Still going strong at work and of course finding time to play!

After 2 failed attempts Mike and I went to an Albuquerque Isotopes baseball game--this attempt to watch them play was only partially successful. A huge lightening storm had us running for cover in the fifth inning! After waiting under cover for 30 minutes our group of friends decided to call it a night--die hard fans we are not! Hopefully Aviana's first ball game will be less soggy but just as fun!


Mike couldn't take the rain and cooler temperature--running off to Hawaii his excuse was starting the preparations for his group's next missile launch. Our dad-to-be spent two weeks on Kauai anxiety ridden at the thought of his daughter arriving early. Fortunately she's proving to be a daddy's girl--respecting his wishes to remain in the womb until his return!






























Meanwhile while the cat's away the mice will play! The doctors at Aztec Animal Clinic threw me a fabulous baby shower--good food and wonderful friends! Aviana is going to be one well dressed baby if my friends have anything to say about it.


Can you guess how big my belly is?

Hildy and Scout got into the spirit and helped me put away all the gifts! Aviana made out like a bandit!

Trouble blew in from the Mid-west--Derek and Leah Rust graced our home for a night on the way to a wedding. Derek and I relived our high school days over beer (water for me) and green chili. Sadly there is no photographic evidence of this mini GBN reunion but trust me it fun times with old friends!

So the nursery is ready, the bag is packed, the car seat installed now all that is missing is our bundle of joy!