Halloween 2009

Halloween 2009 was quite fine. I not only celebrated my SECOND consecutive Halloween out of the hospital but I have done and said things that I have never done or said on a Halloween before.
Halloween in Florida is so different that Halloween in Utah. Jack and I got to go to a trunk or treat with mom and dad on Friday. They were dressed as Mary Poppins and Bert. They were so great they stayed in character all night .

I was Peter Pan and Jack was Captain Hook of course. Jason was going to be Smee but was unable to come with us because of school. I was going to be Tinkerbell but could not find an adult Tinkerbell costume that fit. So I put this together last minute for Jack. What I will do for a cute boy. I got so HOT in long sock and long sleeve shirt. That is not something I have ever been..dying of heat on Halloween.

It was a great party at the church with a fun dinner decorated so cute. They had a carnival for kids and a haunted stage as well. My mom and I sent Jack and my dad through and I think it was a little too much for a 3 year old. We felt so bad sending him through. But he was so excited standing in line with the big kids. This is the first year I had been to a trunk or treat and it was great. Bert took Captain Hook to get candy and Mary Poppins passed candy out of her carpet bag and I helped. The camera of course was malfuntioncing so I didn't get any pictures of mom digging in her carpet bag. At the end of the night as I was strapping Jack into the car seat I noticed Jack's curls all wet and matted down on his head. I took of his Jacket and he was so sweaty. I just laughed at the contrast between Jack's post trick or treating to my childhood ones.Jack and I spent the night at Mom and Dad's. Once Jack was down mom, dad and I watched a scary movie where Mom scared dad and I and the dogs half to death with her scream. Halloween day was spent going out to lunch, shopping and swimming.We made it home just in time for dinner. We had our traditional Halloween dinner of chili and cider (traditions will be traditions wherever we live in the country) I made sugar cookies and had just finished decorating them when Jack got out of the tub. We finished our Halloween night with a cookie.

So yes it was quite the different Halloween for the Balls family...it was a very Florida Halloween.

Arrr you Ready....

For the Halloween Weekend?

Our Captain Hook sure is!

Bring on the candy or you'll get the hook!

Happy Halloween!

My Fall Fix.

I have been envious of posts and hearing of activities of people going to fall festivals and pumpkin patches. I miss those fall activities and to see the leaves changing. Ranell brought us a bag of colorful fall leaves and the minute I got them out I had to smell them. They are so beautiful. Since we don't have pumpkin patches or canyons to see the fall scenery. I had to get my fall fixes at theme parks.

The Magic Kingdom was decorated so cute. I loved all the pumpkins and all the orange.

Main Street USA all decked out.

Fall Leaves!

At Sea World they have a Spooktacular. Kids could go around to the different candy stations. I loved these fish pumpkins.

One day I will remember to take off my huge sunglasses for pictures!


It was great fun seeing all the pumpkins and such it got me into the spirit. I am told Disney World and Sea World look awesome at Christmas even including some fake snow. That is my kind of snow. It sure is different this year but has been fun to experience the "seasons" here in Florida.

Mama Who?

Aunt Ranell flew in Tuesday night! It has been great to see and spend time with her. With two aunts in our house I have been neglected.
I feel like Woody and two Buzz Lightyears just showed up. (I have seen toy story way too many times.)

Jack with his two cute aunts at our Sushi lunch.Nell and Jack getting in a little pool time.

We had a disney day today and Jack was always cuddling with Ranell or Kate.

To tell the truth. I love that Jack has such two cute girls who adore and love him. It is a nice break for me. I have loved being around girls which has helped me do girly things. Like having some time off to get a nice hair cut with styling included. And being talked into a purchase of a pair of skinny jeans.

Here is the ONE time Jack came to me today. He sat by me at the parade. We were sharing ice cream though.
This week I have to take what I can get!

Jason Say's

We are going soft!

This morning it was 62 degrees, we finally got a cold front. Jack and I had to put on sweatshirts because Jason went around and opened all the windows, he told us that they were going to stay open all day long.

We ate breakfast outside. Jack didn't last long he wanted to go back inside. We came in and Jack said it is cold. Jason told us we were going soft and that we needed to go back to the cold.

This was quite the sight our curtains blowing in the wind. Jason was a giddy little boy opening all the windows and while exclaiming I have been waiting for this for five months! Oh it is a good day for Jason today.

We later went out to lunch and I got to do something that I have wanted to do for months. Sit outside and eat. It has always been too hot for Jason.
Jack has become a Florida boy, he had to borrow my scarf to stay warm while he ate his soup.

Welcoming Fall in Florida.

So I finally got around to welcoming fall at our house this weekend. My fall decorations got put up (working on it still), blog background got changed and I have started making my favorite pumpkin treats. Pumpkin bread for dinner last night and today Jack and I made a pumpkin pie.

My parents always said that time goes by so fast here and I totally understand what they mean. I can't believe it is October already. It is hard to remember it is fall when it is still 90 degrees outside. However one big up side I have found was when I was looking at Halloween costumes I didn't have to worry about incorporating a coat to go along with the costume!

Jack and I had some pie after bath time. Jason was at school and Kate was at work and I needed a bribe to get Jack out of the tub.

(photo taken by Jack) The pie was almost as good as........

this boy...he is just so kissable fresh from the bath all clean and good smelling.

Oh fall in Florida is...well just like Summer in Florida...so far at least.

Jack's Great Adventure

We were in Tampa last weekend and stopped at Busch Gardens for a couple hours Friday afternoon. They have some awesome kiddie rides that Jack got to go on. Our favorite...his too were the airplanes. The cutest thing was that Jack was the only one on the ride when he went.

It was quite the sight to see him gripping the control stick, to see his little smirk and his blond curls blowing in the wind. Jason, Kate and I watched Jack.... our hearts melting during his great pilot adventure.

Later at dinner Jack told Nana and Pepi all about his trip to Busch Gardens, what animals he saw and of course the rides that he went on.

The Greatest Gift.

Five years ago on this very day I was sitting on the back steps of my childhood home on Center street with a bunch of flowers in my hand full of joy and humility and utter gratitude. I had just completed 12 rounds of chemo and I was still alive, my hair was already growing back and I knew that I had found my eternal companion. Jason and I had been dating all through my first round of chemo treatments and that day, on HIS day, he sent me flowers and a card of encouragement and hope. It was the greatest gift I could have gotten.
Today he sat by my side yet again with words of encouragement and hope and support when we got the news that my scan was CLEAN. These last couple of weeks I have been filled with anxiety. I had found lumps on the side of my neck that had me upset and sick. After delayed scan after scan my body was at it's end. Comfort came in many forms and through many people. When the doctor relayed the information that the lumps were just swollen lymph nodes that had been there previously and were actually shrinking in size. That joy and gratitude that is beyond words was there yet again. It was a renewal of life. Now when I think of the next three months I am not filled with dread and uncertainty that another holiday season will be filled sick and in treatment. Jason said it was the greatest gift he could have gotten today. I think after five years of Jason at my side through the sickness that He is the greatest gift that was given this day the 5th of October. I am so glad that this man was born. Happy Birthday Jason. I love you so and I am at a loss of words to say more than that.

27 Years old!
Kate's gift was in the form of babysitting. We had a night out to a nice dinner Jack Free. It was a night of reminiscing of the last five years and talk of the future. It was quite the celebration and the amount of food we consumed further complimented the feeling of contentment we felt.

He had quite the card collection today. It was fun to see them all lined up on the table with his name on them.

Thank you everyone for your love of our family.

Now I am off to bed to be reacquainted with my old friend....sleep.