Madison's First Pet

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

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

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

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!

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

Madison's First Wedding

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.