Life Lately...

Well, I've done it again...I have completely neglected posting to this blog and now I have a TON of catch-up photos, so get ready...this might take you a while to get through :) These past few months have been very busy for us! Madison has changed so much since the last time we posted and is now a "paci-free" and "diaper-free" big girl! We got rid of the paci in February and had our big potty day this past week. She is doing very well with her "big girl undies" and we are SO proud of her! She is as busy as ever and is loving life! We are certainly getting into some more two year old drama (I have no idea where she gets her drama!), but our parenting class with our pediatrician and 9 other couples has been an amazing opportunity. We are almost done with the class (18 weeks total) and we learned so much! We are thankful for all of our family, friends, and babysitters that have helped us to watch Madison so that we could both attend our class. Even though we have those whining moments that sound like nails on a chalkboard, Madison is still our happy little lady that we could not be more in love with. She loves learning, singing, talking (not sure where she gets that either) exploring, climbing, dancing, gymnastics, and playing with friends! She is VERY independent, and is growing up so quickly! We are cherishing every (well most every) moment with her :) We are really looking forward to the summer and all the fun outside. It seemed like we had a very short winter but we have really enjoyed this warmer, sunny March weather. Life is good!!

Our pretty little lady!

Last night with her beloved paci!!

"Do I really want to throw this thing away?!?" Well, she did! After she threw it in the trash we told her that the garbage man took it away, so for 2 straight weeks, she would attempt to flag down the garbage man to tell him that he had her paci in his truck :) It was pretty cute!

For throwing her paci away, we got Madison a new "big girl" stroller for her baby! She loved it! It was in the bathroom because I hid it behind that door so that she could find it right after she threw her paci away (so sorry about the toilet in the picture :) )

Such a goofy girl!

Ready to go sledding after the big storm!

One of our snow storms brought so much snow that Ellie had to create her own path to go the bathroom because the stairs were covered for days!

Superbowl party-all the kids were loving on sweet, adorable Baby Aidan

Reading a book to her baby. She kept telling baby, "Sit on my lap and then I read to you"...she sure is a little imitator of EVERYTHING I say...one tricky thing to having such a verbal kid :)

Butterfly Pavilion with one of her best buddies, Elliot

The kids loved following the turtle

Little Miss Fashionista! She told me that she was going to Costco and Target when I asked :) Do I really go there that often?!

Metting daddy for lunch in Boulder

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for the great Valentine's box! Madison loved her clothes, books, shoes, and other goodies!

I told Madison that the card and box was from Grandma and Grandpa, and she told me, "I need to give them a hug"...so sweet :)

A Valentine's box from Nana and Papa too!!

Thanks Nana and Papa for the shoes, clothes, pillow, doll, and other goodies!

Madison is one lucky girl!

Helping mommy bake Valentine's treats for Miss Kiki's house!

Making a Valentine's heart

Mom! Look what I made!

This was the kind of day we had! Mis-matched clothes, crazy hair, food all over, stained clothes :) We sure had fun though!

Madison spilled a smoothie juice drink all of her clothes and was soaked, so she rode home in the car with just her diaper on. When I asked her what happened, she said, "Oh my mom! I spilled everywhere!" :)

"What up guys!!"

Tubing at Keystone. Madison had a great time and has absolutely no fear about anything. Little Miss Independent wanted to go down completely on her own...and it was a big, fast hill!

We got to ride with her a few times :)

Fun times!

The best part of this picture some how got cut off, but its Matt workin' it to pull Madison up this steep hill. Matt was totally out of breath and really working hard, and Madison kept saying, "Giddy-up horsie!"...it was hilarious!

Loving on one of her other very dear friends, Quinn...these girls really love each other :)

Don't mind the creepy doll head in the picture :)

Madison and her Papa!

Reading with Papa. They love each other so much!

Madison having a chat with Ellie, who is clearly not interested in what Madison is saying :)

This picture is our of order, but thought it was too cute not to post...the other night, Casey and Amanda watched Madison for us and looks like they all had a great time

Ellie loves the snow!

Swinging is one of her favorite things

Mommy and Madison

Anderson and Madison trying to figure out that thing in the water :)

Two turtles in love!

Our no fear, confident climber

Daddy is already teaching her to rock climb!

Balancing is another one of her great skills. She also had no fear about walking on the tall balance beam, alone!

"Look at me mom!"

It's Tarzan!

She was so proud of herself for drawing circles!

Pretending to be a baby doll :)

Lunch with Papa

These two can be so silly together!

Showing off her new driving skills to Papa...besides the fact that I am supervising her, I would prefer to not be anywhere around her crazy driving :)

"Arg! I'm a pirate mommy!" Madison is really into reading Peter Pan lately and likes to imitate the pirates

Always wanting to climb things by herself!

Loving the sunshine and warm weather at the park!

She figured out how much fun the teeter totter really is!

Madison is becoming an expert "tower builder" :) She really did make this all by herself!

She is so silly! Lately, Madison has been loving burying her feet with the wood chips at the park. This time, she was brave enough to bury her entire legs! Its surprising though that she has not gotten a splinter yet.

Madison was SO happy one day when we went to Whole Foods and there was a cart for her! Usually they are out or I'm in a hurry and I try to distract her from seeing them :) But this day, she finally got one and she was thrilled! Not only was she putting all of Nana and my goodies in her cart, but she was also pulling random things off the shelf when we weren't looking. We had quite a few things to put back :) Oh, and of course, Stella (Madison's favorite baby doll) had to ride in the cart too. When Madison saw that there was no separate seat for her in the front of the cart, she was very confused :)

Thanks to my mom and dad for taking Madison, Matt and I enjoyed a great Spring ski day at Keystone!

It was a beautiful sunny day and there were many great runs open

Unfortunately, not all of the runs were fully covered :( This has been a very short winter and the mountains have been having warm weather and little snow lately.

A few Sundays ago, our dear friend, Baby Aidan, was baptized! It was a beautiful ceremony and Sarah & Justin had a great brunch afterwards, with amazing food, of course! Justin is quite the cook!
Madison has been in love with baby Aidan since the day she met him and she just cannot stop playing with him :) They do go to daycare together, but the rule there is that she cannot touch him, so she tries to get as close to him as she can when they are away from daycare :)
She just loved pushing Aidan in his swing and he was really loving it too! Look at that smile!

Poor Aidan had had enough! He even fell asleep in his swing with the party going all around him. Isnt he precious??

Now that the weather is warmer, Madison is riding her bike as often as she can! She loves it.

I know that I already posted this on Facebook, but I had to post it to the blog too, because it was hilarious! One day Madison continued to put all of her letters in "room time" for "hitting" and telling them that they are "naughty kids"...while I do put her in room time for serious offenses, I have never called her a naughty kid...kids say the darnedest things!!

When I asked Madison where she was going, she said, "Im going to see daddy at work because I miss him so much"...so sweet!

Fun at the Denver Auto Show! Matt and I have attended for many years now and we always love going and seeing all of the new cars

At the Land Rover station, Madison got a "Land Rover" tattoo and while she liked it, she was a little unsure, so she kept checking it out in the car's review mirrors

Family Fun Night!

Matt was sure in heaven when he saw this beauty!

Such a sweetie pie :)

Madison clearly has no fear of bugs, unlike her daddy who is terrified of spiders! This isnt a spider that she was holding, but I couldn't believe that she picked up this bug and talked to it as it sat on her arm!

Trying to be a real big girl like our 4 year old neighbor, Jordyn, who has the same pink bike as Madison.

So happy!

My two handsome brothers (Kyle and Bryan)
My mom actually sent this to me when Kyle was in Arizona with them last weekend. Wish I could have been there to see my bros, but it was fun to get a picture of them together.

This past week was my Spring Break, and between all the errands and projects that I got done, I took a little time to enjoy myself at home too :) I enjoyed some quite time, outside with lunch, wine, the sun, and a book!

When we went to visit the Easter Bunny, they had a story time for all the kids waiting in line before they had their picture taken. Haven't ever experienced this, but it was a neat idea!

I wasn't sure how Madison would react to the Easter Bunny this year. Last year, she was NOT a fan and was screaming in the picture. I thought that this year would be different. While we waited in line we talked about the Easter Bunny and how nice he was, Madison came up with a few questions to ask him, and she even drew him a picture. I was so excited to see her sit with him and give him her picture :)

I was wrong!! Madison did not like him at all!
In fact, when she got up to him, she told him, "Easter Bunny, please no touch me!" I couldn't help but laugh :) She did however agree to sit with him as long as he did not touch her...that's why he is sitting with his hands in his lap. I can only imagine what he thought when this little 2 year old came up and told him that :) Bet he has seen it all though!

"Oh mom! Do I really have to take more pictures after that traumatic experience?!?"

Oh fine! Here you go, a really big smile!

Remembering to look both ways for cars when she gets close to the street

Papa is so silly! He let Madison put all of these stickers all over his face!

When Papa stayed with us, we enjoyed a nice dinner on Pearl Street and the tulips were in full bloom! So beautiful!

Papa got to go to gym class with Madison (Nana went a few weeks ago when she was in town, but I took all the pictures with her camera and forgot to get any with mine). Madison has so much fun at "gym class" and Papa and Nana really enjoyed seeing her in her element :)

This child seriously has NO fear about climbing and heights!

Lining up all the rocks outside at lunch with Papa

The other night Quinn came over and the girls had SO much fun! They are so silly together and get along so well. Its fun to watch them grow up together :)

Eating their dinner like big girls at the big girl picnic table

Quinn feeding Madison :)

Showing each other their strong muscles because they are big girls and eating their dinner :)

Cutie Pie Quinn!

The girls had a great night together! They are such cuties :)