Madi's first birthday present from dad

I just wanted everyone to know that Madi does enjoy her new Nintendo Wii that her dad so kindly bought for her on her 1st birthday. Even when Daddy plays she needs to have a controller to help dad.

Going stir crazy

With all this rain Madi and I have been a little bored. We can't wait for winter break in Arizona. Here is Madi practicing on the potty.

I decided to try a punk rock look on Madi. It looks pretty sweet.
She usually has bangs so this is a different look for her.

Madi giving Santa a little smooch. I don't think she really knows who he is yet but knows he is someone special. This was while we were visiting family in Seattle last weekend.
Trevor's parents were visiting too so we decided to join in on the fun.

Tag

So I was tagged about a month ago by two people and have been putting this off. I combined the two and made up my own tag. So here it goes:

Here are 6 things you may not know about me.

1. I have many obsessions: mint chapstick, ice (I have to have it in any drink), Dr. Pepper, reality TV , Bajios,
   
2. I have come to admit I am not a very good driver. I have never been pulled over but I just get very nervous when I drive. Also, I am horrible to drive with because I feel it is my responsibility to tell you if a car is coming or the light turns red (just in case you didn't see it.)
3. I love a clean house but I don't like to clean.
   
4. Places I have lived: Phoenix, AZ; Rexburg, ID; Provo, UT; Seattle,WA; Portland, OR;
5. I really wish I could: play the piano, scrapbook, exercise more often, sing!
6. Places I would love to visit: Paris, London, Florida, Oahu, Sao Paulo (this one is for you, trev).

Per Amazing Race lingo, I choose not to tag.

Birthday Party Fun!

We threw Madi her first birthday party with a few friends and family.
The theme was Tinkerbell.
Madi loved playing with all her friends. She loved eating her very own cake!
The adults had some fun too.
Trevor brought his Wii for some serious gaming.

the best present ever

Welcome to the world
Cooper Troit Konopaski,
my new nephew.
He was born 11/8/07 at 8:01pm.
Madi will have to learn to share since they now have the same birthday.
We were so excited to hear the wonderful news.
Congratulations Shana and Chuck!
We can't wait to meet the little guy.

happy birthday madi

I can't believe that one year ago today my precious little girl was born. I remember loving her right away and thinking she was so beautiful. I have loved getting to know her little personality and watching her grow. She has been such a good baby for a first time mom. You know the kind that makes you feel like you are such a good mom but you know really you just got lucky. So this post will be a tribute to my baby girl.

Madilyn Lauren
Favorite shows: Baby Einsteins, Little Einsteins. Sesame Street, Barney(unfortunately)
Favorite toys: anything that sings, baby dolls, my cell phone, the pots and pans in the pantry
Fave foods: bananas, peaches, icecream, goldfish, crackers
New words: ball, shoes, cracker, cookie, doggie, hi, come on, Jesus
Fave activities: playing with toys, shopping with mom, swinging at the park, bath time, going out on the porch and talking to the birds or whatever else is out there.
She has such a fun, loving spirit and I'm so proud to have her as my daughter.

This was taken in the hospital right before we took her home. She was so tiny.

Halloween!

Halloween was lots of fun this year. Madilyn was a chicken and Trevor was a farmer. I was lame-o with no costume. Madi and I went to Trevor's school party last Friday without him because he was in AZ again. Madi was so amazed that her little friend Reese was a lion, she just kept staring at her. She also ran around the gym chasing Elmo. Then, for Halloween night we went to the mall with the Lewis's for some trick or treating and back to their house for some homemade chili. Yum! Madi was so good the whole night. She got her first taste of a sucker and loved it!

so cute

These pictures were really cute so I thought I would post. Madi fell asleep on my bed the other day while I was getting ready. It baffles me that she can sleep this way, legs under her and bum in the air. Her legs have got to fall asleep or something. I often try to move her legs after she has fallen asleep but she usually just goes right back to this.

My little precious girl. I love hats on babies.
She actually kept this one on long enough to snap a picture.

Tournament Time in AZ

We all went down to AZ last weekend to work at the AZ Fall Classic Tournament that Trevor's family runs. We had a blast, got a lot of sun (and wind), and got to make some money. It was so worth the quick trip.
Some highlights of the weekend:
Batman nicknames on the walkie talkies
Fantasy football updates by Matt Spring
Wicked wind storm Sunday night that broke three tents.
Sno-cones from the concession stand
Lots of Dr Pepper
Snuck in a game of Alhambra. Trevor wins everything :(

Trevor and Casey taking a ride in the golf cart.

Madi snuck in a visit at the pro shop. My mom watched her the whole weekend. thanks mom

Here is a look at my new haircut. Short but I love it.

Adventures in House Sitting

We house sat for the Church's over Conference weekend while they went to Hawaii. It really was a crash course for me in what it was like to be a busy Mom with carpools, soccer practice, spelling tests, play dates, dinner for 5, all the while working too. We had a lot of fun with Tyler and Bryce and Toby the dog. Madi and Toby became fast friends. Toby would sit by Madi's high chair and Madi would throw him food off of her tray. She was very interested in Toby's food too, but Toby was very protective. Luckily, she didn't get to taste any dog food the whole week. It was difficult baby proofing in such a big house. Madi rearranged almost every cupboard in the entire kitchen.

First Haircut

Madi's bangs were getting a little bit long so I decided she needed a little trim. Since I was already going to get my hair cut while we were in AZ, we made it a girls day and were both beautified. She was a little uneasy at first but then Candace brought out this car toy that did just the trick. She was so into that toy she didn't care what was going on.

The New Ride

We got a new car over the break and we love it. Our snuggly old car was breaking down on us. It is a Chrysler Pacifica, a crossover (not a station wagon). I wasn't ready for a van quite yet. It seats six so we can have at least 3 more kids, right Trevor? I'm ready to be a soccer mom already (or maybe a t-ball mom).

Oregon Coast

Okay so you would think our vacation would be over but no. Our friends the Olsens invited us up to their time share for a night on Gleneden Beach. It was beautiful. I had heard that Oregon beaches are the prettiest but I was skeptical. The water was freezing but luckily they had a hot tub! My favorite kind of swimming is hot tubbing. Tracy even came along and watched the kids while we swam. What a great grandma! We played games and had a delicious breakfast in the morning. It was a nice escape. Thanks John and Jessie and Sophia!

Our view from the condo. Gorgeous.

Madi and Grandma Tracy getting their snuggles in.

D.C. or Bust

We met Shana, Chuck, Kylan, and Brayden in Washington, D.C. and took a trolley bus tour. It was such a gorgeous day, perfect for touring. We saw many monuments, went to museums, got some good grub. What more could we ask for?

My Sweet Baby

Madi watching a movie on our laptop while on the plane ride.
Yes, that is a mohawk. She took out her ponytail.

My poor baby was so good on our trip. She was stuck in the kelty pack most of the time but seemed to like it. I think she got a better view that way. She even snuck in a few naps.

NYC

We toured Manhattan on Saturday. We went to times square, central park, FAO Schwartz toy store, south tip where you could see the Statue of Liberty, Wall st., China town, Greenwich village for NY style Pizza, and a cool street market that was probably a mile long.

Tyler really enjoyed the famous Naked Cowboy. We couldn't get Tyler to stop staring!!

Yankees Game

We decided you can't do New York with out going to a Yankees game. Not that we are Yankees fans or anything but they do hold a place in baseball history. Luckily we found a babysitter for Madi so we didn't have to take her with us to The Bronx at night. We drove into Manhattan and then took a subway to the yard. The Yankees fans were more entertaining than the game. They were hilarious and always had something to say to the ump. One guy walked past us with a Boston Red Sox hat on. Big Mistake!

Philadelphia Fun

It all started in Philadelphia where we saw the Liberty Bell.

We had a philly cheesesteak sandwich in the Reading Market.

Ashley, Madi, and I with Benjamin Franklin, both young and old.