My baby is 3 years old!

I really can't believe my baby Kate is already three years old. She has been saying she is three since she turned two, but I just never thought the day would actually come. I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday party and she said, "I want grils (girls) at my party." Since our favorite girls live in New Mexico, and it just happens to be the Balloon Fiesta the week of her birthday, we decided to have her party in Albuquerque. I wasn't planning on a party here, but realized we needed to do something for her actual birthday, and we didn't want to leave out all the grandmas and aunties, so we decided to have a little party at our house too.

Grandpa Mitchell got the prize for the cutest, most adorable, most thoughtful, most get your tissue out gift. He gave her this snow globe with a picture he had taken of her that was engraved, "Happy Birthday Kate. You're Grandpa Mitchell's princess." It's also a music box that plays "Bibbity Bobbity Boo" Seriously Dad? Where did you come from.

Mama and Dada got her a new princess bike that has a baby seat on the back. She LOVES this feature. All of her new babies have had many rides.

With her birthday candles blown out, we were on to her next birthday celebration. Tickets to ABQ were a little hard to come by. We ended up getting the flight that left at 6:30 am, so we had to wake up at 4:30 in the morning. I quietly whispered to the kids that it was time to go to Grace and Hattie's, and they both jumped out of bed and put their clothes on. The excitement didn't last too long. They were both passed out by the time the plane took off.

First stop was the aquarium. We can't get enough of this place. It has the best shark tank and gift store of any aquarium I've ever been to.

I know I've posted a million of this exact shot, but I love seeing them all lined up.

The sillouette shots are even better. I love Sean's hands on his hips.

Well, I know I am a horrible mom for never making my kids a birthday cake, but that's just the way it is. Lucky for Katie, Aunt Shell would never let anyone go without a homemade cake that was both delicious and beautiful. She is amazing. I told her to go buy a Rapunzel cake, but she had a better idea...

Voila!

There is cute, and then there is this. Kate loved this cake so much and was so excited it looked just like her costume.

Hattie found her Rapunzel night gown to match. No need for a wig, she is a natural Rapunzel.

Hattie loved giving Kate her princess dolls. They played princesses the rest of the trip.

I forgot to mention that we drug Grandma Primmer and Grandma all the way to New Mexico for the party. I think both of them will need at least a month to recover from the frigid weather, screaming kids, and early mornings. They are both major troopers. We love going places with them and appreciate all their help more than they'll ever know.

Well, we came to ABQ for the warm weather and hot air balloons, so what the crap is this? Freezing temps, wind that chills the bone, and the balloon fiesta getting cancelled on a daily basis.

We waited and waited for a balloon to go up on the night of the glow. Well, there was one brave soul that risked the wind and blew up their ballon. Really? One whole balloon for us to look at?

Although the balloons were a bust, they did have a fabulous firework show. This is for you little Kate. Everyone is celebrating your birthday.

On to Galloping Grace's pumpkin patch. The barn Michelle volunteers at does an annual pumpkin patch. This one was so much fun with lots to do. I was pretty impressed with the sea of corn. Nothing breaks a fall like six inches of corn kernels.

One of the cowboys locked the kids in the chicken coup. I love that Sean is hiding behind Kate.

The four cutest, funniest, sweetest, meanest, grumpiest, naughtiest kids I know.

Building a scary gingerbread house with Grandma.

"Hey everyone, wanna get up at 4 am to go see the balloons that may or may not go up, right before you have to go to the airport?" Says Michelle.

Kate was not impressed as you can tell from the picture. It was so cold, and dark, and exhausted doesn't even begin to describe how we all felt. But, we did come here to see some stinkin' balloons, and if this is what it takes then fine!

Just before the sun was rising, one brave soul fired up their balloon. Michelle insisted that we needed to be right by the balloon so that we could hear and feel the woosh of the flame. It was pretty cool.

By about 8 o'clock there were many balloons inflating but none were taking off. I was getting a little crazy and wanted to leave. After waiting so long for not a lot of action, I really didn't think I would be missing much.

Just as we were about to hit the road, the first ballon took off. It was pretty cool. Then one after another they all started going off. I seriously can't believe people like to do this. It would scare me to death to be that high in the sky at the mercy of the wind. They all started heading for the snowy mountains. Yikes!

Well Miss Kate Elayne... you're birthday was celebrated to the fullest with family, fireworks and huge balloons. We must really love you. You are an amazing little girl. You are so smart, cute, and funny. I love all the silly things you say like when I tell you, "only 2 more minutes" you'll say, "how 'bout too many minutes." You love singing to "Montana" aka Miley Cyrus. You are known as Little Miss Bossy. You boss your brother around all day, and he actually asks you permission to do things. You have the best puppy dog eyes I have ever seen, and are impossible to say no to.

You say you want to be the Tooth Fairy when you grow up. You ask a million questions everyday, and remember every answer. You love to wear dresses and night gowns and are girl to the bone. You just started ballet and tap lessons and are the cutest thing I've ever seen. You take it so seriously and practice your steps. If you could, you would already be in school. You repeat everything I say and sound like a grown up half the time. You'll tell me your tummy hurts because you ate too much junk. You'll ask me if you can say a swear word, and then say "I can say that when I'm a mommy huh." You crack me up and melt my heart daily. I love when you come up and hug my leg and say "I love you so much. You're my best friend."

You are the best little girl in the whole world. I love YOU so much. Happy birthday to my baby.