The Kies Family: Quad City Balloon Festival 2012

Kennon getting his first glimpse at the balloons...he looks thrilled doesn't he??

Maddox 'posing'...Nash and Nolan Wentland in the background checking out the balloons.

So pretty

Nash checking out Kennon...

Nolan checking out Kennon...the Wentlands are a very touchy feely family :)

Maddox decided to crash the Wentland's family picture....sorry Wentlands!!

Nash, Maddox, Kennon, Nolan, and Jason Wentland

Maddie Millage and Maddox

Maddie almost always has a pretty skirt on....

The balloon glow on the 'night' setting on my camera

So we made our annual trip over to East Moline last night to join the Wentland family for the Quad City balloon festival. Unlike last year the weather was perfect for balloons. Our neighbors, the Millage family, joined us too. We even stayed long enough to catch the balloon glow because the weather was so comfortable. The kids had a great time and so did Eric and I. It was nice to see everyone and let the kids run around like hooligans playing football with the dad's in between the balloon launch and balloon glow. Maddox and Kennon were tired pups when we got home. Thanks for joining us Wentlands and Millages. I love a good tradition. The other pictures are just random shots from my iPhone. We are certainly enjoying the fabulous weather and have been spending a lot of time outside playing and getting little outdoor house projects done before it gets too cold. Quick health update. I forgot to mention that I took Kennon for his ear tube check up a couple of weeks ago. The Dr said his tubes look good thus far and are still in place but they will likely fall out on their own in the next few months. At that point, if he starts getting ear infections again they will likely put a second set of tubes in as well as takes his adenoids out while they are in there. Dr. Dvorak was happy with how they looked and said we are just in the waiting game at this point in time. BUT>>>>>the big news we don't have to use those darn ear plugs in the bathtub anymore. Just have to keep his ears dry if he submerges his head for more than 4 seconds....I don't see that happening anytime soon so we'll keep the earplugs in the drawer for now. I also took Kennon for his 15 month check up a couple of weeks ago and he is doing well. He is up to 22 or 23 pounds ( if I remember right) and received a good check up from Dr Anderson. I talked to him about Kennon's almost constant cold ( although knock on wood, he seems fine right now) and that I thought it was allergies and he said I could give him a daily dose of OTC allergy medicine like Zyrtec during allergy seasons. I haven't even had a chance to pick it up but we'll see how we fair the rest of the season. Dr. Anderson recommended continuing with the Lactaid milk until he was 2 years old but to go ahead and give him regular cheese and yogurt. Unfortunately with the colder weather his eczema seems to be coming back a bit.... But, otherwise he is doing well. He is officially in the TODDLER room at Kindercare now and doing well. He actually took a 2.5 hour nap on Friday on a cot. AMAZING!! He is eating well and is very enthusiastic about using his utensils although not all that efficient :) Keep trying Kennon!! He is a happy boy but definitely has a temper...look out if he doesn't get his way. The neighbors can attest to that.... plenty o' screaming coming out of the Kies' windows . Maddox is doing well at Kindercare and at Our Savior Church school. She generally comes home all smiles from both schools and hasn't had any potty accidents. The 3's classroom at Kindercare seems much more structured compared to the 2's which is good for Maddox and I love the BIBLE stories she is learning at Our Savior. We take her for her 3 year old check up in a few weeks. Well ta ta for now!! Off to bed ( or well back to the Nebraska:Wisconsin football game) Way to go Hawkeyes ...!! Finally looked good out there. Sorry to Aaron Stegemann...better luck next year Gopher!!!