What we've been up to

I have been slacking lately. Here are some random pics of the last few weeks. We have been having some awesome weather so we have been outside as much as possible. Madi and I went with some friends to the Rhododendron Gardens . They are beautiful!splashing her feet in the water
Trevor played in his schools golf tournament last weekend.
They played at a really nice course in town and had a really good time.

We went to a picnic on Memorial weekend at Blue Lake park with some friends. I want to get Madi a chair like this, it is so cute.

This is just a random pic of us waiting for Daddy to come home. We sometimes go on the balcony and wave to him and Madi gets so excited for her Daddy!

New Kids are Back!

The New Kids on the Block performed on the Today show on Friday and it was so good, I was dancing in my pjs. I love these guys and they are better than ever. The dance moves were great, even in the pouring rain. Their new song is my new summer theme song. I love it. Also, they just announced they are coming in concert to Portland November 23rd. Anybody in?

Waterfront Park in Bellevue

We took Madilyn to this park on the water by Trevor's grandma's house . It was the cutest little park and you could swim there in the summer, they had lifeguard stations and everything. Too bad it was rainy and cold:( It is amazing how we lived in Seattle for three months and never saw anything. I love having a child, it makes you get out and explore.

A major closeup family portrait.

Take me out to the....

Mariner Game.

We went to Seattle on Friday to see a game. I just love baseball games, the fans, the food (yes, I love junk food), and the fun of course. I even love the little games they play in the middle of innings, you know the ball hidden under the hat or the racing bottles of condiments (Trevor always picks mustard). The dancing grounds crew always makes me laugh. I even love the proposals on the big screen. Lastly, I love the baseball! I do sometimes miss that being such a big part of our lives. It was kind of funny for Trevor to see two of his old teammates playing on the field.

I do like the Mariners but I am still a Diamondbacks fan at heart. Except I still think it is weird to see them wearing red, it's just not right.

We took Trevor's cousin Darren and his wife Brandy. I had never met them before and Trevor had last seen his cousin about 10 years ago. We had a lot of fun getting to know them, they are a cute couple.

Gymnastics

We went to open gym with our friends Angela and Ryder this week and had so much fun. She loved the trampolines and hanging from the bars. She even liked the balance beam. They are really low to the ground for kids and the parents are by them the whole time. She was a little cranky since it was so close to naptime but I hope she will get better as we continue going. They had this 3 person swing that the kids just love. The video is Madi's first time on the swing.

Since my work schedule varies week to week, I love open gyms so I don't have to go every week if I am busy. The pool is open preschool swim too. I decided that is way better than swimming lessons where I hear they don't really teach them much at this age anyways. We love getting out of the house everyday and doing something, even if it is at McDonalds playplace.

18 Months

I can't believe my baby is 18 months old. She has changed so much in the past few months it blows me away. It's like she went from a baby to a little girl overnight. Here are some of the highlights of the past few months:

• Madi learning how to climb out of her crib this week, luckily she is doing really well in her toddler bed. Luckily she can't open doors yet so she isn't just walking out of her room.
  
• She wants to walk up and down the stairs instead of me holding her. What a big girl.
• She has gotten better at swimming. She blows bubbles, doesn't choke when I put her under, and can go down the baby slide without swallowing water. AZ here we come!
• She is climbing on everything, chairs, tables, she is a little monkey.
  
• She is trying to learn her ABCs, she says ABCDE so far. The leap frog video is awesome. She says the letter sounds already.
  
• She can do a somersault and can jump. Her jump is actually one foot at a time. It looks hilarious.
  
• Can't wait for nursery. She is a social butterfly so she will love it!

P.S. I just have to add that the cat blanket was given to me by a little old lady in our ward when Madi was born. It is actually a really nice warm blanket and we haven't gotten her a bedding set. No, I am not a cat lover lady. ( To Shana)

I Passed Boards!!!!

I got my scores this morning and I passed all 6 sections. Pathology I barely squeaked by, but our Path teacher being fired recently might be why some of us were not as prepared for that subject as we should have. No more Chemistry ever!!!!!!

Fun in the sunshine

Madilyn and I went to AZ last week for a quick trip. We didn't really have a reason, just wanted to see some sunshine and play with family. Madi loved hanging out with everyone and could say almost everyone's names. Also she loved playing outside and getting dirty. I was excited that she could finally wear her spring/summer clothes. It was such a nice break from the rain.

Picking up the kids from school.

She fed Sophie cereal and practically shoved it in her mouth faster than she could swallow.
It was hilarious.

Time for kisses! We loved Gramma Tracy's new carpet, so nice for the babies.

The girls hanging out.

My brother Sal had prom while we were there so I got to go and take pictures.
How fun! Isn't he handsome?

The Little Tulip keeps on growing!

We were off to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival this week. Because of the cold cold weather we have been having, not all of the tulips were in bloom yet. Probably about 60% were bloomed but it was still really pretty. Madi really enjoyed running through the rows and rows of flowers and had muddy knees by the time we left. We rode a cow train that was adorable and shared an elephant ear. Good times were had by all.The train was made from old barrels and wasn't the most comfortable ride but a very cute idea.Smelling the flowers.This was taken last year. She was such a round little thing. She has grown up so much this last year.
She was busy eating part of her elephant ear and didn't feel like posing.

Our Little Easter Bunny

Easter was so much fun this year since Madilyn is now old enough to understand about the Easter bunny. We went to our ward's easter egg hunt on Saturday morning and Madi loved finding the eggs and loved the candy inside even more. We got made fun of by the other parents for MAdi being all cute and dressed up. All of the other kids came ready for some serious hunting with rain boots on or tennnis shoes. We got the first time parents comment or you guys must not be from Oregon. They were right about one thing. We should have put some better shoes on MAdi. The field was so muddy and wet, one thing you never have to worry about in Arizona. It was a lot of fun and I got some cute pictures. Easter Sunday we had dinner with the wonderful Church family. It was very yummy. Then we played a serious game of pictionary. We did miss our Arizona families very much and hope everyone had a great holiday.

Jumping time

Madi and I went with some friends to JJ Jump last week and had lots of fun. Luckily they have preschool age open jump time so you don't have to worry about big kids hurting your little ones. Madi was still kind of small for most of the jumping castles and slides but was totally up for doing everything. We had lots of fun going down slides and climbing over and under things. They had one area that reminded me of American Gladiators. Guess who got the best workout that day? We both needed a nap that day.

I didn't get one picture of her facing me, she was too busy to pose.
What a little ball of energy she is!

We had some visitors!

Sorry we've been MIA for a while but we have just been having too much fun with family. Trevor's sister Tiffini, her husband, Derrick, and their two adorable kids Casey and Sophie came to stay with us for about a week. It was their spring break and I felt kinda bad that they didnt choose somewhere sunny and warm. It rained a lot. But I was very happy that they came so I would have some company since Trev took his national boards last week. We went swimming, to OMSI, the Oregon Zoo, the Tillamook cheese factory, and the beach.

Having some quality cousin time in the princess couch. Isn't Sophie a doll? Fun at the zoo. Madi getting snuggles from Aunt Tiff. I swear she wanted to go home with you guys. Hours fishing in the cold-8 . Fishes caught--0.

At least the guys were still happy when they got home.

Are we bad parents?

First we give her pop rocks, then we make her walk on a treadmill.

POP ROCKS!!

We introduced Madi to the always fun candy, Pop Rocks.

Oregon Zoo

Last week we went to the zoo with some friends and had a great time.
It was warm, in the 60s and sunny and just the perfect day to go.

Curlers Update

Well the curlers didn't work out so good. I think I put them in too early because Madi went wild and tore out half of them. So she has a few pretty curls in the back and the rest was straight. I am going to try a few different things and try it again. I'll definately wait until right before bed and maybe use some mousse or something. Here are a few pictures just to show I actually do her hair. Also she is finally growing out of the mullet stage. Hooray!

Her new Princess couch. This reminds me of a sleepover party.

Madi is really into coloring lately, on herself.
We finally got some coloring books and crayons for her.

Everybody do the Broccoli Dance!!!

Madi was dancing to this sesame street song and we had to blog it. More to come on her curlers as well.

North Carolina weekend trip

Madi and I went to see my sister Shana and her family in North Carolina a few weeks ago. Baby Cooper was being blessed and my Dad and stepmom Kim were coming too so we were very excited to come visit. Well our trip didn't get off to a great start. My first flight was cancelled because of a malfunction with the plane and I had to be rerouted (after standing in line with a screaming one year old for over an hour) on two different flights on two different airlines. I was a little bit freaking out! I tried really hard to stay calm and tell myself I can handle this and it all worked out. Madi did really well even though we were at the airport/ flying for over 12 hours. There were many people/strangers that day that really helped me out and I am so grateful. Thank you!

We had so much fun just hanging out with my sis and seeing my new little nephew. My dad got there a few days later and we all went to Charleston for the day. I love Charleston. It had so much character. Madi loved the aquarium. It was the perfect place to take her. Then we went to the beach right at sunset.Madi hanging out with her cousins. My Daddy. Madi at the aquarium.

Shana and Cooper

It was a quick trip but we got lots of quality time. We can't wait to see you all again soon.

Happy Valentines Day!

We had a really great Valentine's Day this year. Trevor surprised me with roses and a homemade card (he said the hearts were pretty difficult to cut out). Also, he got me a spa facial gift certificate. I hinted that I wanted one. Trevor likes hints and I don't mind giving them since then usually I get what I want. he he. We didn't actually go out until the next night. We decided to actually get a babysitter and go on a real date. We went to Cheesecake Factory and then to a movie "Definately, Maybe" and had a really great time. We actually had gift certificates for the dinner and movie so the only thing we had to pay for was the babysitter. How much should you pay a babysitter for one kid anyways?

The next day I went for my facial and it was the best pampering experience ever. It was at this quaint cute little day spa. It was so relaxing and my face felt like it was so clean and glowing, like I had lost 5 years on my face. I want to go back very soon!

Videos by request.

Here you go Ty, these are the newer videos I have on my comp. and we will try to shoot some more.

Potty Talk

I heard Madi doing some grunting and tried to whisk her away to the potty. However, we were too late. She did enjoy sitting and chatting with me. This is a video of the chatty Kathy herself.

Time Out

Madi has been seeing far too much of this corner lately. She is just so cute that it's hard to stick to any punishment. Especially when she says sorry in her own little language. By the way her hair did look cute that day but this was after two naps so it's a little frazzled.

Snow

Last weekend we drove to Mt Hood for some sledding with the Kunz's. It was Madi's real first time in the snow, the actual first was when she was 2 months old so it doesn't really count. She loved sledding down the hill but didn't really know what to think about the snow. Reece was eating the snow and making snow angels, what a cutie! Madi didnt know what to do with this cold wet stuff. There were quite a few dogs there so that made Madi's day. Trevor and the Kunz's all went down a wicked huge hill with bumps all the way down. It was a lot of fun!

By the way Madi's snow suit we got for $3.50 at Goodwill and the boots for $3.99! Sweet deals!