Our Family Blog

2012-01-29T19:44:00.000-08:00

We went to see Harold and the Purple Crayon at the Children's Theater. It was a wonderful production done by a traveling troupe from the Seattle Children's Theater. Madison had see advertisements for it on PBS and was really excited to go and watch. We all got dressed up for the evening. Madison picked out my tie for me, a "fun tie" as she called it.

Winter Campfire

2012-01-29T19:40:00.000-08:00

Since we don't actually have much snow this year we went to a nearby State Park and built a fire in one of their outdoor fireplaces and roasted marshmallows and hotdogs for lunch and went for a hike and did some birdwatching. It was great fun, and the firewood was all provided at the visitor center. We will definitely be doing this again!

Glacier National Park

2011-09-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

Our visit to Glacier National Park in August was a great time!

Madison got cozy with the local wildlife. The bears are actually really nice out there, especially if you give them a picnic basket full of food.

Grinnell Lake, it is fed by the waterfall directly from the glacier in the far end. The water was EXTREMELY cold when we waded in (painfully numb in less than a minute).

Jennifer with a western red cedar.

Hiking.

Waterton Lakes Park in Alberta, Canada.

Near East Glacier, Montana.

Stocking Fish with Daddy

2011-06-18T09:32:00.001-07:00

Madison got to go to work with me today and stock some fish into a local pond.

Easter

2011-04-24T15:40:00.001-07:00

We hunted for Easter eggs in the morning and then went for a Sunday Drive to Red Wing to look for birds and have a picnic. We saw over 30 different kinds of birds! We only could ID 28 of them though, there were a couple we didn't know.

Here is our list for the afternoon: Canada Goose, Pigeon, Crow, Red Tailed Hawk, Tree Swallow, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Northern Flicker, Red Wing Blackbird, House Sparrow, Robin, Pied Bill Grebe, Blue Winged Teal, Ring Billed Gull, European Starling, Trumpeter Swan, Bald Eagle (10 of these in one spot, see picture below), Hooded Merganser, Canvasback, Scaup, Killdeer, Northern Shoveler, Common Grackel, Chestnut Sided Warbler, Downy Woodpecker, Brown Headed Cowbird, American Kestral, and a Turkey.

Daddy made special pancakes for Easter...chocolate chip bunny pancakes!

Madison with her babies.

More Birthday Stuff

2011-04-24T15:31:00.000-07:00

Lava cake at Rainforest Cafe

Happy Birthday!

2011-04-20T16:42:00.001-07:00

Birthday Cake and a party with friends.

Bumper Cars are fun!
My very own lava cake!

Chocolate pancakes for breakfast, a birthday treat.

Five years old at last!!!

As the weather turns warm...

2011-03-26T13:05:00.001-07:00

I realized that it has been a long time since we posted anything to our blog. The weather here is warming, the snow is melting, and the river is a rising...ahhhh...SPRING! Here are some recent happenings for our family.

Minnesota Zoo

Winter Carnival

Trying out dad's new sleeping bag!

Going on a ride with grandma at Camp Nickolodeon.

Bowling is fun!
Don't go in the gutter!

Cleaning the house (in her "wedding dress")

Ice fishing with a friend (no bites, but plenty of cookies, marshmallows and hot chocolate)

As the weather turns cold...

2010-12-01T19:18:00.000-08:00

We had to do some shoveling of very wet and heavy snow on this morning.

Up North sledding with friends at their cabin.

Madison went to her first movie at a theater - Tangled

Halloween

2010-11-02T16:19:00.000-07:00

A slice of our fall season

2010-10-25T19:05:00.001-07:00

We visited Vino in the Valley for lunch and a walk around the vineyards with grandma and grandpa.

We planted another tree this fall, Madison had a great time digging a hole for the tree and then giving it a drink every day.

Jim ran a 5K race (first one in 4 years). He did great, mostly because he had such a great cheering section!

Madison went to a friends birthday for afternoon tea and took Zoe Bear with her.

Madison loves helping mommy make cakes and cookies. She is even allowed to use the mixers now.

Open house at the fire station.

Madison loved finding caterpillars in the field.

It has Halloween time again. Madison is going as a unicorn this year.

Going on a hayride at the pumpkin patch.

Look who is in the "witches brew"!!!

The hayride was the highlight of the pumpkin patch.

Video Clips from Michigan Trip

2010-08-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

Driving the Tractor with Grandpa.

Running down Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Summer Trip to Michigan

2010-08-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

We recently returned from a trip to Michigan. We stopped and saw the Mighty Mac (Mackinac Bridge) on the way. Madison got to splash in a waterpark AND in the straights of Mackinac).

Madison and David splashing in the yard!

Going down the slide together.

David's birthday party...gotta love that blue frosting!

How many guys does it take to put together a little red wagon???

Painting rocks with Grandma and Grandpa! This was part of Madison's "Camping Treasure Box" that she got from them. She thought it might have to be dug up out of the sand because that is where pirates bury their treasure boxes.

Climbing Sleeping Bear Dunes near Traverse City, yes they are bigger than they first appear.

Coming up the dunes.

How Madison made it to the very top!

Duluth Tall Ships Festival

2010-08-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

We went to see friends in Duluth and to see the tall ships that had sailed into the harbor for the weekend. The biggest ship was the Bounty from the movie "Mutiny on the Bounty" and more recently "Pirates of the Caribbean".

We even found Captain Jack Sparrow wandering around looking for the Black Pearl.

Playing in a local fountain.

The Bounty (and Black Pearl, and probably in numerous other movies too).

Fishing Trip

2010-06-20T06:10:00.001-07:00

We went fishing with some friends at a lake near their house and had a fantastic afternoon of fishing. Madison caught her big one on a leech within 10 seconds of casting it into the lake.

Madison with a leech.

Madison playing with the minnows while the other girls fished.

Splish Splash Slip-n-Slide

2010-06-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

Madison got a slip-n-slide for the backyard to play on. It was lots of fun!

Elroy to Sparta Wisconsin Bike Ride

2010-06-12T19:14:00.000-07:00

We went on a weekend trip to Wisonsin to ride the Elroy to Sparta bike trail. This trail is an old railroad track and goes through three tunnels. We had a great time biking and seeing the wonderful green countryside and farms. The tunnels were neat, and we needed headlamps to see in them. Two were about 1600 feet long and one was over 3000 feet long.

Madison had her lantern and was ready for a tunnel!

The tunnel was a little darker (and a lot wetter!) than she expected so she stayed in the bike trailer at the first tunnel.

Madison was more brave at the second tunnel and walked in this one, no water dripping from the ceiling in this one either.

Tunnel entrance.

Walking through the tunnel.

Being silly with dad.

She slept through the third tunnel.

BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!!

2010-04-29T04:45:00.001-07:00

We celebrated birthday number 4 with a princess party and some friends over. They made princess wands and had a "jewel" hunt in the backyard. The Pinata was a lot of fun, some of the girls were a little timid hitting it at first, but you could tell that some of them know how to swing a bat!

Some Madison Pictures

2010-03-19T16:39:00.000-07:00

Our flowers are growing already!
Madison taking pictures of her dolls.

Some recent happenings in our family

2010-03-14T17:50:00.000-07:00

So it has been a long winter around here. Madison loves to get into the hats and glove drawer and try them on...all at once! She also wants to know when winter is coming back since it has actually gotten warm the past week and melted all our snow. Now it is kinda wet and soggy in the yard, not the greatest for playing in.

Here she is playing "Going to the Beach" she actually has her swimsuit on underneath her winter coat. She has a baby in the carrier and her swim board in the bag ready to go. Actually we went to a waterpark with her after this so maybe she was just getting ready...really early!

It is great fun to have a piece of paper bigger than you are to draw on!

She got some dress-up clothes from a friend that she loves to put on, usually she is chaning outfits about every 10 minutes or maybe about 5 minutes!

Madison likes to put this "wedding dress" on play "Going to Mauri's Wedding" (or something like that from the Wiggles movie she saw.

Another planting season has arrived. After watering them she said she was going to wait for 5 minutes and then check on them to see if they had grown yet.

Warm weather finally!!!! Later in the day we were outside without our coats on!

Madison's Princess Snow Fort

2010-03-01T15:11:00.000-08:00

It was a warm sunny day today so after we got home today Madison and I built a snow fort, make that a "Princess Castle" in the front yard.

Madison's Pet Fish

2010-02-13T15:44:00.001-08:00

Here is Madison's newest pet....a yellow bullhead. She named him "Porky."

He was in the minnows we bought to go fishing with. She is very proud of her pet fish. (and yes it is in a flower vase!)

Hockey Game

2010-01-28T18:47:00.001-08:00

We went to see the Minnesota Wild play the Detroit Red Wings this week. It was a great game with lots of scoring (by the Wild) and we beat the Wings 5-2!

Family Pictures

2010-01-20T18:16:00.001-08:00

I thought I would post some pictures from Chirstmas when we were back home with our families.

BROTHERS!

2010-01-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

We went sledding with friends this weekend at a local park. It was a great day to sled, Madison thought it was great when she had a "mega-wipeout". The girls also slid all the way out onto the ice rink a couple times which was of course lots of fun.

I rode down in a sled next to the girls while making this video, I didn't wipe out like them though (lucky for me).

The Wiggles Dance

2010-01-17T11:39:00.000-08:00

Madison's new favorite movie is "The Wiggles" which we picked up at the library.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2009-12-31T17:32:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

We are having a low-key New Year's Eve this year. It is just the three of us for the evening together to read some princess stories and play games. Our special New Years dinner was crab legs, and if you ask Madison they are not just crab legs but KING crab legs! She loves to eat the crab legs and play with them too as you can see.

Some sledding adventures from our trip to Michigan.

While we were visiting family in Michigan we took a morning to go sledding. It was a great little hill for Madison and David to sled down. Madison did go down the "fast run" on the backside of this hill.....but only once because she had hangtime off the bump at the bottom and she was flying like a rocketship down the icy slope.

Madison Sledding on her new snow tube.

Pulling David around in his new sled.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2009-12-25T10:59:00.000-08:00

We wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Madison got a "Hello Kitty" camera for Christmas and here are some pictures she has taken already.

Cousin David

She is getting good at taking pictures of Mom and Dad.

We left cookies and milk for Santa and Madison insisted we leave some apples for the Reindeer too!

Grandpa and "Fluffy"

Video from Waterpark

2009-12-05T18:48:00.000-08:00

Here is a video of Madison and Dad going down the Lazy River.

Thanksgiving at the Waterpark

2009-12-03T06:32:00.000-08:00

We went to a waterpark for Thanksgiving this year as our own little family getaway. We had a blast! Madison loved doing the lazy river, again and again and again. We even had a Thanksgiving dinner complete with our own turkey at the Lodge restaurant.

Fun at the arcade! Madison went for a bus ride with Arthur Reed from one of her favorite PBS cartoons and she also played "bop the shark", don't worry, no sharks were injured in this game.

Madison also has taken up the hobby of photography like her dad. She must have liked the carpet at the hotel because she took a picture of it along with the animal mounts they had.

When your not quite 4 feet tall it is hard to take a picture over the top of railings!

Madison thought Great-grandpa would like these old motors that they had in the hallways.

Halloween

2009-11-19T11:45:00.000-08:00

We had a lot of fun at Halloween this year. Madison was a genie this year and loved the way she sparkled! Halloween night was of course a little on the cool side so the winter coat came out to bundle up in.

Apple Orchard

2009-10-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

Our recent trip to the Apple Orchard was a lot of fun!!!

Public Works Open House

2009-09-24T18:20:00.000-07:00

We went to the Public Works Open House in Cottage Grove and Madison got to drive the payloader, go up in a bucket truck, and play on the inflata-slide. It was lots of fun! She also ate a sno-cone (make that two sno-cones) for the first time.

Bike Ride Video

2009-08-16T16:40:00.000-07:00

Madison has gotten good at riding her bike. We went to the outdoor ice rink nearby to practice in a nice safe place (i.e. no cars, poles or bumps to hit).

New Bike!!!!

2009-08-01T13:46:00.001-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit in July and Madison got her very own, brand new princess bike with training wheels. She got to ride it around the parking lot and made grandma and grandpa run a lot to keep up with her. She loves her new princess bike.

Learning to play golf just like mom!

4th of July

2009-07-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit us over the 4th of July. We went to see fireworks two nights in a row. Once in St. Paul for the Taste of Minnesota festival and once in Woodbury. Madison stayed awake to watch this year!

Gone Fishing

2009-06-14T16:40:00.000-07:00

We went down to our favorite lake (Powers Lake) to go fishing this weekend and as usual Madison was pulling in Bluegill left and right. After her typical 5 fish she lost interest though, and we headed to the playground.

Another trophy bluegill landed!

Madison insisted on baiting her hook....with the bright pink powerbait she picked out.

And finally, the last stop at the playground where she loves the tire swing.

COOKIE!

2009-06-03T19:25:00.001-07:00

Madison and her friend Isabel made a giant cookie. Madison thought it was really yummy to her tummy.

Madison's New Bubble Mower

2009-04-20T20:33:00.000-07:00

For her birthday we got Madison a bubble mower. She LOVED it! This is a video clip of her in the backyard using it.

Cupcakes and Birthday

2009-04-20T20:05:00.001-07:00

Madison had a blast at her birthday party with her friends. They went to a playland place and got to run and play and work up a good appetite for lunch and Tinkerbell ice-cream cake.

Blowing Bubbles, a favorite thing to do.

Opening presents (another favorite thing to do).

Madison's Tinkerbell birthday cake!

She has been practicing her "wink"

Easter

2009-04-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

Madison got dressed up for Easter and we went to church at what will be our new Church in Saint Paul. It was a great message of Hope in Christ that we heard and then we were able to spend some time fellowshipping over coffee and donuts with people from the Spanish and English church.

Madison had two easter egg hunts. One was in the morning and one in the afternoon (post-naptime). Outside she had fun finding them all over the yard and on her playset.

Spring Day Fun

2009-04-12T05:14:00.000-07:00

It was such a nice day we took a walk and Madison got to ride her Dora the Explorer bike outside. She did okay as long as we reminded her to steer.

We also had to stop for a break to eat some Dora the Explorer gummi snack.

Madison got to help us paint again. This time we were painting her room. What color did she want her room? PINK of course. We still have to put up some Tinkerbell stickers on the wall that she picked out.

This is coloring eggs for Easter.

Signs of Spring

2009-03-29T18:33:00.001-07:00

It is springtime so we are celebrating by planting some flower seeds. Madison got to pick out the flower seeds at the store that she liked.

We opened the package and looked at the tiny seeds.

Push the seeds down into the soil.

Then we have to water them.

Then 5 minutes later Madison goes to check to see if they grew.

Carnival

2009-03-13T18:06:00.000-07:00

Tonight we went up to workout and when we got there we discovered they had a carnival happening in the gym. After Jim drove back home to get cash for the tickets we had a blast. Madison's favorite part was getting her hair done with pink hairspray and glitter. She also got hearts painted on her cheeks.

Back to Work

2009-03-05T18:16:00.000-08:00

Well I am finally back to work after a 2 and a half year hiatus. I am in the same office as when I went on leave but now I am working with Aquatic Plant Management instead of Urban Fishing. It is a slow time of year for plants (lots of ice and all) so I am getting to know the permit system entering permits and understanding the job more. In the spring I will be out in the field a lot doing inspections I suspect. Madison handled the transition to daycare really well. She really likes going to Miss Kristen's and likes the kids there.
I will still be doing my photography business even while I am back to work. I even had a job pop up to take some pictures my first week back. It is nice to get repeat business. I had one print get a Judge's Choice Medal and an Honorable Mention at a International Print Circuit that was held in the Twin Cities. That was pretty cool. The picture is below.

2009-02-16T13:16:00.000-08:00

We went to the Kalahari Resort at the Wisconsin Dells last weekend and had a BLAST! Madison liked riding the rides and playing games almost as much as the waterpark.

FRIENDS!

The kids ready to head to the waterpark!

Floating down the lazy river.

Taking a break to watch Dora the Explorer cartoons poolside.

Madison decorated the cookie and daddy helped eat it!

This video is of Madison, Josh, Danielle, and Isabel on the carousel ride.

2009-02-11T13:00:00.001-08:00

Madison is ready for winter in Dad's gloves and hat!

Madison and Danielle riding on Lion!

Madison went to a friends birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese's. this is about as close as she got to Chuck-E when he came out for the party.

Madison and Carlos (the birthday boy)

Madison's friends Josh and Danielle liked playing in the tent when they came over. The tent is tipped on it's side and they are all looking out the windows.

January Activities

2009-01-22T14:54:00.000-08:00

Madison doing her "Atlas" impression.

It finally got up to just below freezing ( about 30 degrees F) so we went out to play in the sunshine. That was about 50 degrees warmer than a few days prior.

Madison loves to help in the kitchen, especially when she gets to make pudding and lick the spoon. (after it is done being mixed of course :)

Madison got to meet Isaiah for the first time. She even let him ride on her pet lion.

Madison likes to eat lemons straight like an orange. Her friend Ellie brought her the biggest lemon we have ever seen, it was bigger than a grapefruit. It was from Texas of course since they grow everything big down there.

Christmas

2009-01-16T05:58:00.001-08:00

This is the wonderful weather conditions we drove in anytime we went somewhere on our trip to Michigan. It was kind of hard to even SEE THE ROAD!

Oh No! Daddy is driving again!

Just a little more to shovel and I will be done!

Madison shook santa's hand at Christmas.

Madison got a pet lion that she can ride for Christmas from her favorite Great-Aunt Ann.

Madison reading a book to cousin David.

Cousin David

2008-12-04T20:13:00.000-08:00

Let it SNOW!!!

2008-11-24T13:20:00.001-08:00

We are getting lots of snow to play in while we are visiting Michigan!

More Pictures

2008-11-20T09:47:00.001-08:00

Since I heard that some people check the blog EVERY day looking for new Madison pictures I thought I would add a couple more today too......for Grandpa G.

Madison making cookies with her friend Ellie.

We had crab legs and Madison thought that the lemon tasted pretty good by itself. She ate more lemon than crab!

STATE of HOCKEY!!!

2008-11-19T12:04:00.000-08:00

Since we live in the "State of Hockey" we took Madison to her first hockey game. Appropriately enough, it was high school girls hockey. Jennifer's Ice Arena addition that she has been working on for 2 years had it's grand opening last night with the ceremonial "puck drop" from the Mayor. Madison really liked to watch the game, she hadn't seen anything like it before. Before we went we told her she would get to go skating. She had no idea what "skating" was but she was really excited to do it. We met some friends there that had a pair of skates just for Madison. Double bladed Barbie ones!

Go Park High Wolfpack!!!

Madison and friends!

First Ice!

Look Mom, I can skate!

All by Myself!!

Chef Madison

2008-11-14T05:47:00.001-08:00

Madison just loves to help out in the kitchen! This week she got her very own Dora the Explorer apron from Aunt Liz. She put it to use right away!

TRICK or TREAT!!!

2008-11-01T07:04:00.000-07:00

We saved the seeds from the pumpkin and then roasted them and ate them.

Madison and her pumpkin. She really likeded it when we lit him up with the candle.

Madison and some friends ready to go to the tailgate trick-or-treat in Woodbury.

After a long night of trick-or-treating Madison needed her morning coffee to get going. (okay she was really drinking her "milk-coffee" as she calls it)

Halloween Costume

2008-10-18T16:50:00.000-07:00

Madison is going to be TIGGER this year.

Minnesota Zoo

2008-10-18T11:15:00.001-07:00

Today Madison and Daddy went to the Minnesota Zoo. Madison got up close and personal with one of the Brown Bears that was swimming.

This animal is a Tapir, in case Madison ever tells you about them. They kind of look like a cross between a pig and cow with a long nose. They are a South American animal.

Waiting to go into the bear exhibit.

The aquarium was really neat, lots of fish and a shark too!

Madison liked to watch the River Otters playing in the water.

Backyard Visitor

2008-10-17T15:49:00.000-07:00

This afternoon we had a special backyard visitor....a redtail hawk. I first spotted him on the other side of the fence on the ground eating a tasty morsel of something. He then flew up onto the fence and then moved over to Madison's playground fort to scan the yard for more snacks. Yesterday, Madison and I saw a demonstration at the library from the Raptor Center. The guy had a kestrel, redtail hawk, great horned owl, and a bald eagle, so Madison was able to see these birds up close then, and now see one in her backyard (she wasn't quite asleep for her nap yet so I went up and she looked down from her bedroom window).

The Apple Orchard

2008-10-11T11:20:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Afton Apple Orchard to pick some apples. It was a gorgeous day with no coat needed. Madison helped pick the apples right off the tree that we are going to use to make apple pie and apple crisp with. She had to really tug on some of them to get them off (see video). They also had a pumpkin patch so she picked out a nice pumpkin and then we also got to pick and eat raspberries (we didn't buy any, just ate them :)

I like my pumpkin!

Mmmmm raspberries.

Picking Apples, Pumpkins and Raspberries just tires me right out!

Cooking and Painting

2008-10-05T16:30:00.000-07:00

Madison has been quite the little Martha Stewart lately. She helped Mommy make cupcake ice cream cones one night, and she helped make a pizza for dinner tonight. She liked eating the pepperoni as much as putting it on the pizza. Of course the part she really likes best is EATING whatever we make!

This weekend we decided to paint the "blue room" in the house. This is the third bedroom upstairs that we don't really use right now and we thought brown was a little nicer color for it, plus it had some patches on the walls that needed to be covered and we didn't have any of the original blue to cover them with.

Daddy and Madison went to the Como Zoo this week and saw lions, tigers and giraffes. One of the lions was really roaring while we were there and Madison likes to imitate it. Inside the other male lion was standing right up to the glass looking outside to where the other lion was, it was a little intimidating to be inches from his face when we were the only ones in the building at the time. At home now when we talk to Madison about something and have to ask her if she is lying about it she says she is "lion" about it. We are still working on this concept of truth and lying.

Madison Rides a Horse!

2008-09-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

Madison, our little girl who has been afraid to touch a kitten or baby bunny actually went for a horse ride. She didn't technically touch the horse of course, since she was sitting in the saddle though. Her friend Tabitha rode with her on Sparkles and Anna walked the horse around. Madison did really good at holding on. We were so shocked that she went for the ride that we even made a video of it for you to watch.

Madison's Uncle Mark

2008-09-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

Madison's Uncle Mark (Jim's brother) was involved in a very serious car accident in North Carolina. Since a lot of you are praying for him right now we wanted to put up some pictures of him in case you had never met him.

Wyoming 2007

Madison with Jim, Great-Grandpa Levitt, and Uncle Mark, 2007.

Christmas 2006.

Going to School

2008-09-25T17:58:00.001-07:00

Today Madison put on my backpack and told me she was "going to school". Then she tried to go out the front door before I stopped her!

Potstickers

2008-09-11T12:09:00.001-07:00

Madison learned how to make potstickers (dumplings) the way our friends Gaofeng and Minya taught us to do it. It was a lot of fun, she got to wet the edge of the potsticker wrap and then Jennifer would seal it up. They did really good too, not one of them busted open when we cooked them (granted, they were not as full as Gaofeng can make them).

Then, because Jim was using chopsticks, Madison insisted on her having them too. She understood how she was supposed to use them even if it took two hands at times. She liked the potstickers and ate several of them.

Madison's First Pet

2008-09-07T10:28:00.002-07:00

Okay it isn't much of a "pet" but a cricket is a good place to start! He didn't last very long between Madison squishing him up (I mean picking him up) to put in the jar and all. She loved walking around with him and looking at him in there (and shaking the jar too!). He was quietly laid to rest when she wasn't looking after a couple days. I spotted a little tree frog the other day in the back yard but Madison was napping so I didn't catch him. Maybe if we see him again she will get her second pet.

Car Wash and Chuck-E-Cheese

2008-08-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

Madison got to go to her favorite place this week...CHUCK-E-CHEESE for some pizza and games. She was still hesitant to go on a lot of the rides but she did sit with Chuck-E on this one. She wasn't about to go hug him or get her picture with Chuck-E when he came walking around the place. Last week we were at the libray for story time and Madison was sitting by herself up front listening really well. Well that is, until Clifford the Big Red Dog came walking in and she freaked out and started crying and wanted to "GO HOME!". She doesn't like character's dressed up in costumes yet. Someday I am sure she will love them.

Madison helped daddy wash Jennifer's car this week too. The previous day she helped me when I waxed and cleaned my car....she "drove" it the whole time I did it. She thought it was so cool when she found my stash of coins in the armrest and she took everyone last one out! Washing mommy's car was fun because she got to help do it. She then decided her princess car needed a washing too. She even learned (kind of) to use the hose to rinse it off. I of course had to dry the car multiple times since she would spray it too, and then we both had to change before we all went for a walk because Madison sprayed daddy with the hose (which got lots of laughs from mom) and was pretty wet herself too.

Trip to Michigan

2008-07-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

We made the long drive back to Alpena to see family and friends in July. It took us about 13 hours to get there, but that included about an hour swimming in Lake Michigan on the way. We stopped at a beach in the U.P. and Madison loved the water and sand as a break from the carseat. Madison got to ride on the lawnmower with Grandpa Gagnon. She got to ride while I cut the grass prior to leaving for vacation too... did I mention we have a push lawnmower? She rode in her backpack carrier while I mowed the grass, my back took a few days to recover.

Madison couldn't get enough of the blackberries growing in Grandma and Grandpa Levitt's backyard. She would eat as many as we would let her. She also loved blowing bubbles and was showing Grandpa how she does it.

Madison thought the boat was really really cool, and that was while it was parked in the barn! When we actually took it for a ride on the river she was super excited. She even got to drive the boat! Playing up front in the cabin and peeking out the window was a lot of fun too.

We timed our trip home to be able to go to the Gagnon Family Campout which was at Beaver Lake Park this year. Madison got to play with the kids, swim, roast marshmallows and go for a boatride.

We also went to Aunt Alissa's baby shower and Madison was a great helper opening the gifts, and telling Aunt Liz what they were. Madison left her Pack-N-Play crib in Alpena for the baby. We are trying to convince her that it would be a good idea to mail her pacifiers to Aunt Liz since they baby will need one. I think she is on to us though, since she doesn't agree with that idea :)

Soccer Camp

2008-07-11T12:35:00.000-07:00

Madison goes to soccer camp on Wednesday nights at Betel Spanish Church in Saint Paul. She usually doesn't do much soccer playing but spends a lot of time on the playground. She has been a great helper around the house getting things unpacked. She even helped Jim assemble the new kitchen table we bought.

At Soccer Camp.

On the Swing...for about an hour!

She learned how to use the spigot on the water cooler.

This is Madison "helping" unpack the box of shoes.

OUR NEW HOUSE!

2008-07-04T10:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a week it has been. Last Thursday we packed up a U-Haul truck with what was left in our house (stuff not in storage) and slept on an air mattress that night. Friday we sold our house in the morning and closed on the new house in the afternoon. The U-Haul had to be back by 6pm so we unloaded everything into the garage at the new house. We did get to sleep on our own bed that night. On Saturday we had a lot of friends over to help us move things into the new house and also get everything out of storage. It was a great afternoon (morning had scattered showers) to move in and then grill some hot dogs and hamburgers. All the kids played in the backyard and on the playset, we love our yard! Today is Independence Day and we are still unpacking boxes! Here are a bunch of pictures of the weekend.

Madison needed a break from all the hard work!

Jim and Jared loaded up the freezer while telling fishing stories.

The U-Haul is almost loaded up.

The unloading crew was out in force on Saturday afternoon!

Maybe easier for some then others...is that a Starbucks!

Jimmy Z manned the grill for some fabulous burgers and brats!

Fabian helped install the new door knobs for us.

Everything is unloaded. Time to EAT!

Dad's little helper!

Our friends Anna, Melanie and Evelyn (baby).

Jennifer got to mow the grass with her brand new lawnmower.

Madison Making Cookies

2008-06-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

Madison's First Wedding

2008-06-22T13:45:00.000-07:00

This weekend Madison went to her first wedding! It was for our friends Tom and Colleen who Jim knows through his camera club. She loved getting dressed up like a princess and even wore one of mommy's necklaces. At the reception Madison made some friends with all the other kids that were there.

Father's Day Special

2008-06-15T16:41:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated Father's Day. Madison was so excited to give daddy a card this morning and to also help him open his present. Madison is able to say "Happy Father's Day!" which just melts a daddy's heart to hear. We went out to dinner last night as a combination Anniversary and Father's Day to Saint Paul and then walked along the Mississippi River afterwards. It was a beautiful night for a stroll.

First haircut

2008-06-14T13:38:00.000-07:00

On Friday the 13th we took Madison to get her first haircut at "Wildchild Hair". Even with the ominous sounding day for her first haircut it went really much better than we ever thought it would. She sat very nice for the lady and she also got to watch cartoons. Her hair looks waaaay better now than the wild hair she had before.

This is Madison before the haircut!

Sitting so nice while she watches cartoons.

Our first post

2008-06-10T10:04:00.001-07:00

Today I decided we would start a blog instead of monthly updates for Madison. I still need to figure out how to do all the cool things like pictures and video, but that will be coming soon enough. More to come soon.....