Well, that time of year has finally come and you know what that means... There is a chill in the air, it gets dark earlier, and the smell of burning leaves and earth are in the air. The leaves are changing into brilliant colors and I get this need for cake, hmm... Oh yeah, that's right... It is birthday party time!!! Woo-hoo!!!
We had a weekend packed full of fun planned... Ellie's (much anticipated) Fairies and Wizards Birthday Party was on Saturday at Irvine Nature Center. Sunday was Andrew's bounce party and there was other fun mixed in! Grandma and Daddy even came into town for the festivities.
Saturday before the Ellie's party started Grandma and Ellie posed for a photo.
Ellie and I while we waited for the guests.
Some of the kids exploring the classroom while the rest of the guests arrive. 
Evie and Grant checking out the painted turtle. Evie insisted on the hat and Grant had to have the wings... Angie claims that he was a firefly and not a fairy. If that makes you feel better, than sure, your son is a firefly!! :)Love you Ang!!
Some of the girls and their wings.
More wing shots!
The Marrs enjoying story time.
Grant learning more about the fairies. 
Some of the girls listen all about the fairies. They were all adorable!!
Two of the wizards touching the turtle.
The fairies waiting their turn to check out the turtle too!
Nora getting a close up of the turtle. 
Chris and (the other one) Ellie.
Ellie was very adamant that she was NOT going to touch the corn snake. I really tried not to pass along my dislike of snakes... Looks like it was nature over nurture! 
Now the boys on the other hand... Well, Max, Noah, and Gavin all seem to be thrilled with the snake!
Craft time... All the kids made magic wants to go with their wings and hats. 
Nora, her dad, and brother work to make the best wand ever!
Joelle during craft time. 
Ellie and her dad work on her magic wand.
Some of the girls working on their wands. 
More craft time...
Takara and her mom working on her wand.
Papoo Wizard... I think he was more excited about the hat than anyone else!
Happy 4th birthday Ellie!!
Getting ready to blow out her candles. 
Evie and Genny enjoying cake!
Ellie and Ellie
All of the partiers (starting at top left): Joelle, Grant, Evie, Nora, Erica, Ellie, Genny, Ellie, Andrew, Noak, Takara, Gavin, and Max
HPU/ Phi Mu buddies... Angie, MB, and Carey. I just love the fact that there are stuffed animals behind us... So classy!
Cousins... Ellie and Andrew
Buddies: Nora and Ellie
Packing up and getting ready to go... Cover everything up, it is raining cats and dogs out there. Don't step in a poodle!!
Takara and Ellie
The display table in the classroom.
Opening gifts at the hotel on Saturday evening.
Ellie is so excited about new toys!! Yay!!
Sunday morning coloring on her new sparkle princess paper with special markers... Awesome!
Grandma sporting a beautiful tiara. 
Looks like an awesome tea party with Grandma, Ell, Daddy, and baby Deanna.
Cousins: Ellie and Andrew at Andrews bounce party on Sunday.
Cousin Robert still working on his bouncing legs.
Andrew taking a bouncin' break!
Erica getting used to it all!
Andrew is all smiles at his party!!
Ellie head first down the slide... Weeeee....
Good times!
Here I come... Watch out!!
Break time!
Maddie is just hanging out!
Erica working on the hopscotch board.
Ellie and Maddie
Erica and Ellie bouncing the afternoon away!
Brendan relaxing among the ciaos!
Robert on his first slide down! His face is just priceless!!
Ellie even got me bouncing! But don't worry, when I woke up the next morning I realized why I don't bounce. Even my armpits hurt!! Ugh! It was a lot of fun though! :)
Ellie, Erica, and I at the bottom of the slide.
Ellie and Bill going down the slide.
Ellie on her own!
Grandma even got to bounce!!
All of the jumping beans at the party. What fun!
The Marr Family... Brendan, Lisa, Andrew, and Erica
Ellie signing Andrew's Frisbee.
Happy 4th birthday cake-faced Andrew!!
Shoe shopping after the bounce party.
Making her new Hello Kitty at Build-A-Bear
Grandma and Ellie 'washing' Hello Kitty off. 
Story time with Bill after a busy, busy day.
Cartoons with Grandma. 
Heading home on Sunday night. Bye-bye!
Ellie and her home-grown giant pumpkin the night we took it off the vine... 6 days before Halloween!
Ellie and her ginormous pumpkin!
Decorating the front of the house for Halloween.... Spooky!!
Making sure she gets all of the spider webs on the tree just right!
