Saturday, November 29, 2008

Decorating our Christmas Tree



While I was Christmas shopping today, Jon & the girls decorated our Christmas Tree. I am going to put up the rest of the decorations tomorrow if its the last thing I do! I guess its been a busy week for us. The bottom third of our Christmas tree is bare b/c baby Ansley likes to take off the ornaments. Jon said that he & the girls had a good time. I kind wish I was there but I needed to take advantage of Jon being home so I could shop for the girls by myself. We are so excited for Christmas around here. We're watching Christmas movies, reading Christmas stories, & listening to Christmas music...Its the most wonderful time of the year!

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving this year was fun, busy, & filling! We began our day by driving to my Dad's house in Breckenridge Co. My Aunt Mary Jo & my Dad's girlfriend June made most of the fixins & my Dad roasted the turkey. Jon & I knew we had a 2nd dinner to go to but we just couldn't resist all the food & desserts! We arrived at Barbara & Ordie's house a little early b/c we had got the time mixed up. That ended up being a lucky mistake b/c Jon & I were actually hungry for the 2nd go round. Barbara makes the best sweet potato casserole & Derby Pie. We have enough left over turkey to feed us for next 2 weeks. It was nice spending Thanksgiving with both our families this year!

Madelyn & Travis eating before the adults

The kid table at the Day's house

Monday, November 24, 2008

Ode to Ansley Bear



Ansley looked so darn cute today in her new red sweater outfit. Every time I looked at her, I just wanted to hug her b/c she looked so cuddly today! I bought her this outfit at Gymboree in the Edinburgh outlet mall. She had the same outfit, only in peach, when she was an infant. We absolutely loved it so I couldn't resist getting the red one. I guess I just got to thinking about how much she has grown & changed over the past few months. I mean she'll be 15 months old in December...time is flying by. As I was looking through "old" photos on our computer a few minutes ago, I felt so happy remembering all the fun experiences we've had as a family. But at the same time, I felt kind of sad b/c those days are now just a memory. I'm so grateful for digital cameras & camcorders...I know I am going to cry my eyes out when I watch our home videos in 20 years! Ansley is such a special girl (wow, I said girl, not baby). She loves to play peek-a-boo, jump in place, follow big sister around, play with baby dolls (well examine their facial features), play with instruments & dance, & really loves to wrestle with Daddy on our bed! She can answer our questions now with a head nod yes or no. She loves to talk on her toy phone. One of the cutest things she been doing lately is roaring like a lion cub. Madelyn crawls around the house acting like a big lion & so Ansley imitates Madelyn's roar. Another thing that pulls my heart strings is when Madelyn & Ansley play together, which they are starting to do more often now that Ansley is getting older. She can also throw a mean temper tantrum...she will throw things or drop to the ground when she's upset. With that said, Ansley is super sweet. She gives kisses & hugs & cuddles with me when she's sleepy. I cherish the time I spend with her. I love how her hair curls at the ends. I love how she waddles around the house checking things out. I love how she always has her sippy cup at hand, while trying to sneak sips of Madelyn's drink in the other. I love her chubby cheeks & her beautiful smile. Ansley has been the perfect addition to our family. I am so excited to see her personality blossom more & more throughout the years to come.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Indianapolis Children's Museum

The girls & I drove up to Indianapolis on Thursday to meet Jon. Since IU gave him a free night stay at the Omni Hotel for his interview, we thought the girls would have fun doing something out of the ordinary. On Friday morning, we met up with Aunt Brandi, Harper, Emory, & Logan at the Indianapolis Children's Museum. Madelyn was so excited to see her cousins! Unfortanely she wasn't feeling that great. She had a fever the night before & it crept back that morning. None the less, Madelyn still had a fun time! The museum has a great kid zone area but Madelyn's favorite exhibit was the dinosaurs! It featured real dinosaur skeletons, a pretend fossil dig, dinosaur figurines to play with on a activity table, scientists cleaning real dinosaur bones (Harper's favorite part :), & loud dinosaur "roars" echoing through the room. Ansley really enjoyed the kid zone area b/c she got to splash around at the water table, play at the sand table, & crawl around in a baby maze!! I can't wait to take the girl's back!

Gingerbread House



While we were at Target last week, Madelyn noticed a gingerbread house kit. She has been asking about gingerbread houses after seeing one on Baby Einstein Santa. My plan was to make it after Thanksgiving, but Madelyn was very persistent...she asked me several times each day! After 3 days of asking me non stop, I gave in to her plea. The kit made it nice & easy to build. It came with the gingerbread cookies, icing, candy, & a tray. Madelyn really enjoyed decorating the house & sampling the icing & candy. I have to admit...I enjoyed it too! I hope to make one of these each Christmas with the girls!!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Paw Paw's Photo Shoot





On Sunday morning, we went to Paw Paw & Maw Maw Day's house for a photo shoot. Its a nice set up over there...not only does Ordie have a professional grade camera, but he has lights & a back drop as well. While Ordie snaps the pictures, Barbara tries to get the girls to smile & look into the camera. Jon & I are usually on stand by, making sure the girls don't run off the "set" or touch the hot lights. Its so nice to have a photographer in the family...I think the pictures turned out great!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

incredible DAVE'S




Jon, Madelyn, Ansley, & I went to Incredible Dave's this evening. They have inflatables, games, a climbing maze, Euro bungee, bumper cars, bowling, & video game rooms. There's also a restaurant, bar, & a band. Its basically like Las Vegas for kids! The electronic games reminded me of slot machines with the bright lights & sounds. There was only 1 inflatable Ansley could go on. Jon took her into the climbing maze as well. Madelyn had fun but got hurt a couple of times. It was to crowded for a 3 & 1 year old tonight. If we go back, it will be during the week when hardly anyone is there. You know those games where you try to grab a toy with the electronic claw, using a joystick? Well, we snatched up 4 rubber duckies! Its always nice when you can leave with a souvenier! We decided to leave after Madelyn got hurt for the 2nd time (her only nap was on the way to Salsarita's). We were there for about an hour & a half.


On a side note, Madelyn was so cute during bed time tonight. Jon & I were watching a movie & Madelyn kept coming out of her room saying she was scared. I asked her what she was scared of, & she said lions. I brought her toy lions out of her room so that she would go to sleep. She decided she wanted to bring all of her cat toys out of her room so she wouldn't be scared any more. She did go to sleep after all the scary cat toys were out of her room. Whatever works!


Friday, November 14, 2008

A Great Afternoon


We had a fun afternoon today! The weather was beautiful... sunny & warm. After the girls woke up from their naps we played outside. Madelyn drew pictures with sidewalk chalk (while Ansley tried to eat it), we kicked the ball around, played with rocket balloons, & went for a bike ride. Madelyn is getting pretty good at riding her new bike. She is getting more comfortable with it & learned how to use the breaks today. Sometimes she needs a little push to get her going but she's getting better about going over bumps in the sidewalk by herself. Ansley inherited the tricycle. We purchased a seatbelt for it so she doesn't fall off. As you can see in the photo, I can navigate the trike with the push handle bar. I am so happy that we could take advantage of this beautiful day...especially since it may snow this weekend! We met Maw Maw Day at Mimi's Cafe for a delicious dinner. Then Jon, Madelyn, Ansley, & I went to the bookstore, where the girls got a Christmas book & some instruments with a gift card that we had. After bath, we had an off key & off beat family sing-a-long with the new instrumunts!

Making Cookies




Madelyn & I made cookies the other day. It is one of our favorite things to do together. Every time we go to the grocery, she wants to get chocolate chips. She asks to make them all the time. She doesn't care to much about the cookie itself, but loves sampling the cookie dough! I love making cookies with her too. I measure the ingredients & she pours them in the bowl. After I put the 1st batch in the oven, Madelyn retires her apron & runs off to do something else, leaving all the cleanup for me!!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Gymnastics






Madelyn takes a gymnastics class at All About Kids. She took gymnastics at My Gym for a little under 2 years but grew out of it. She got to the point where she felt like she owned the place & stopped taking direction from the teachers. AAK's gym is pretty big. Its equipped with 3 jumbo trampolines (all connected to a foam pit to jump into), slides, balance beams, bars to swing on, etc. Madelyn wears her gymnastics leotard to class that we bought from Target. Today they worked on cart wheels. Coach Denise said Madelyn is doing "awesome" in class...I'm so proud! Ansley & I observe the class from upstairs...you can see the whole gym. There is a play area upstairs but Ansley is more interested in trying to go down the stairs & crawling on the bleachers. Its kind of like when you give your kid a fancy gift & they play with the box instead! After class, we went to Sam's. Madelyn picked out a Thomas the Train book to take home & Ansley test drove a Radio Flyer rocking horse that I may put on her Christmas wish list. Ansley must have had a big morning b/c she fell asleep on the ride home!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Jon Saves the Day!

Last night, Madelyn was laying in our bed while I was in the other room. I heard her say, "Mommy, I'm all wet." The poor thing got sick all over herself. I also was sick. We both had the same nasty stomach bug. Jon put the sheets in the washing machine while Madelyn & I moved to the couch. Madelyn was so pitiful. She got sick several times throughout the night. This was the first time she's ever thrown up before. She took it so well, she never complained and was so sweet through it all. Jon had to wake up at 5:00 AM to go to work. I was worried how today would go with both Madelyn & I being sick, & Baby Ansley ready to play as usual. Ansley woke up at 7:00. I got her out of bed, changed her diaper, fed her breakfast, then laid on the couch wondering how I was going to get through this day feeling the way I did. Then I heard a car door shut. I thought Jon coming home was to good to be true. But lo & behold it was Jon...I was so relieved! Jon saved the day! I went straight to bed & slept until 10:00. Madelyn & I feel so much better & baby Ansley had a great day with Daddy. The irony of the story is now Jon is feeling sick. He is scheduled to leave today to drive 4 hours to Columbus, OH. I just hope that he feels okay for his interview tomorrow. Thanks Jon, we love you so much!!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Let's Go Krogering



Madelyn, Ansley, & I went to Kroger this Sunday morning. I usually don't go on Sunday's b/c its so packed but we got there before the crowd. Last night, Madelyn brought her toy grocery cart upstairs to play with. I left it upstairs so when she woke up this morning, she played with it some more. Madelyn wanted to take it with us to Kroger. She loved putting food in her very own cart! She ended up with the bread, hot dog buns, & marshmallows (Jon & Madelyn are going to roast marshmallows on the grill, but that's another story). Madelyn befriended the florist by telling her about the cookie her & Ansley were going to get, & that she was 3 years old. The florist must have enjoyed the conversation b/c she inflated 2 balloons especially for Madelyn & Ansley Bear. I normally don't take a camera to Kroger (I know you're shocked), but since I've started this blog, I'll be taking it with us more places.

Rocket Balloons

Paw Paw Day gave Madelyn rocket balloons last year. We played with them for the first time just a couple of weeks ago. They are Madelyn's new obsession. You blow up the long balloon with this air pump. Then you let go of the balloon & watch it twirl around the air. When the air is released from the balloon it makes a funny sound that the kids like. About 5 out of 10 balloons pop as they hit the grass. Some land on our roof, & others disappear. I'm sure Jon & our neighbors will come across them when cutting the grass or raking leaves... hopefully not when cleaning out the gutters! Anyways, we have a lot of fun playing with rocket balloons. It will be a sad day when they've all popped. Ansley was scared of them at first b/c of the loud noise but she is warming up to them now & laughs right along with Madelyn. Ansley likes to use the rocket balloons in a different way. She will pull all the balloons out of the bag and put them in her mouth! Sorry baby Ansley, that's a safety violation (as we say when something isn't safe)!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Henry's Ark

I took the girls to Henry's Ark yesterday. We had the best time! We brought carrots & raisins to feed the animals. The donkeys, alpacas, & an emu were walking around the path we were on. Its a little intimidating to be surrounded by strange animals with your children b/c you don't know what they're capable of. A lady who worked there assured me that none of the animals bite. After you give the animasl a carrot, you've got a friend for life! We walked through once, had a picnic lunch (with an emu), then walked through a 2nd time. This was the first time Ansley had eaten raisins so she wasn't keen on sharing them with the animals. Both Madelyn & Ansley loved feeding & petting the animals...It was a great day to be outdoors!







Madelyn's 1st Haircut

Madelyn got her 1st haircut today! She was so well behaved which is funny b/c she doesn't like me to brush her hair. Madelyn's hair grew out beautifully but it was getting in her face and too long to wear down anymore. Ansley sat patiently in her stroller, taking it all in. Tracy curled Madelyn's hair with the straight iron. She looks so cute with her bangs! By the way, The 2nd to last picture is Madelyn's fake smile, which she does when taking pictures!