Labor Day...

On Labor Day we went to Union Station to check out the trains.  Madi LOVES them and will walk around saying "choo choo, all aboard" so Derrick wanted to go see the trains with us.  There were more open then when we went before.  Madi was able to climb up inside a lot of them and touch things.  They were a little intimidating to her once she saw what was inside.

That didn't stop her though.  She wanted to climb into every one of them.  You can't really tell from the pictures but she was loving it!

"all aboard!" 

Easton and I hung out and took pictures.  I went in a couple of the trains but thought I would let Derrick see them since I can go back easier then he can.

Madi picked a flower that was growing by one of the old trains.  It looked like it had caught on fire or something.  It was rusted and black inside and totally gutted.

Derrick liked this one a lot.  It is the train car used to bring the Olympic Torch into Salt Lake for the 2002 games.  

We walked through the museum which was actually pretty busy.  Madi liked to climb on things and see the model trains.  This is on a caboose.

The horses were still up from the parade of horses.  Madi thought they were cool and wanted to ride them.

I love when we have a three day weekend with Derrick.  It is always fun to take the kids places with him and see and learn new things.  We had a great day and were excited for the weekend since we had lots planned already!

Merry Christmas...

I never got any pictures of Madi in her Christmas dress and I LOVE it so I had to take some when she wore a couple weeks ago (minus the deep red velvet coat).  Derrick is a guy that does not love lace and frill and fluff on dresses, so we compromise.  I get to get a "fancy" dress for Madi for Easter and Christmas as long as it isn't TOO extreme and it is one he can tolerate.  The funny thing is though, Madi gets more compliments when she wears this dress than any other dress.  We have at least three or four people tell us how adorable she looks and how much they love the dress every time she wears it. 

Fun on the 4th!!!

Happy 4th of July!!!

We had an awesome day filled with lots of fun, family and pictures.  We started our day at the parade.  It was Madi and Easton's first parade.  They brought around Krispy Kreme donuts while we waited for the parade to start.  Madi wasn't sure about the whole thing until they started throwing candy at her and then she couldn't get enough!

 I tried to get one with both kiddos lookin' but no such luck.

After some much needed naps we went to the park to enjoy some dinner and fireworks. 

 Madi was in heaven!  What's better than a cookie and a big slice of watermelon? :D

 She played with daddy on the playground and played with the container her glow bracelets came in.

 Mama snuggled with Easton for minute.

 Got a picture with both of my kids.

 And even one of the family!

 Madi was funny about the glow bracelets.  She insisted that they scare her.

 She did eventually warm up to them and thought they were ok by the end of the night.

 Again, I tried to get a good picture of the little ones together.  These are the best I got.

 I love this one of Easton!

 Madi had her first experience with a bounce house and LOVED it!

 She didn't even mind the big kids knocking her down with their bounces.

 We were so glad that Chris and Annie

 and Tiffany and Rick were able to come and share in the celebration.

 We love hanging out with our family and creating new memories.

It was a great day and we are already looking forward to next year!

Sparklers...

We bought some sparklers, snaps and flowers for Madi to do this weekend and it didn't go as well as we had hoped.  Madi was TERRIFIED of them and kept saying "scare ya" and "I scared" while clinging to Derrick or I.  She did like the aeriel fireworks as long as they were at a distance.  The noise of them scared her if they were close. 

Memorial Day weekend...

We had a great Memorial Day weekend!  We had tons of fun seeing family on Saturday and then were so glad to have an extra day with Derrick.  We decided to take the kids swimming for FHE.  It was Easton's first time and I am totally bummed that I didn't bring my camera in.  Madi LOVED it and Easton really seemed to enjoy relaxing in the water and seeing all the people.

 What am I going to do with these bangs???  We are trying to grow them out so we don't want to cut them but the poor girl has them in her eyes all day long because she won't keep her barrette in.

 Here is our little dude all ready for the pool.  Good thing we had a pair of trunks that can cinch up good! :D

 Here is try # 24,357...

The best part of swimming is that it totally tired the kids out.  Easton slept from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am!  I was up checking to make sure he was still alive but it was still a good night for all of us!

Happy Easter!!!

The Easter Bunny made an early stop at our house Saturday morning.  We love that he is so willing to do that so we can turn our focus to the Savior on Sunday.  Madi loved her Easter basket.  I didn't get a picture of it, but it had a Disney Princess sing along DVD, a ball, bracelets and her favorite... lots of PEZ!  She also got a new dress but I don't have a picture of that yet.  Easton's basket had a rattle in it.  Grandma and Grandpa came over to watch Madi do her Easter egg hunt.  Madi has sure taken a liking to her Grandpa.  She LOVES him!  We took advantage of the time and got a few pictures of them with Easton.

 We also took our first picture with the whole family...

 Here's Grandma with her little Easton...

 Madi wasn't totally sure about the Easter egg hunt idea.  Why should she pick up OUR mess?

 Then I showed her there was chocolate inside the eggs and she decided it was ok to pick them up.  Daddy helped her for a minute to get her going.

 She got about half done and lost interest.  She only wanted to eat her "choc".

 A piece in the mouth and one in each hand...

 Here's the guys... Grandpa, Daddy and Easton

 Madi LOVES balls so she was really excited for the one the Easter Bunny brought.

 Such a good daddy!

 Grandpa actually wanted to hold Easton!  (He likes to wait until they are older so he doesn't break them. :D)

After the eggs were all found and picked up we went to the Brick Oven for lunch.  We always have such a wonderful time with mom and dad and are grateful they live close.  We wish we were closer to more of our family, especially around holidays. 

We are so very grateful for our Savior and the sacrifices He made for us.  The atonement brings great peace and comfort to our souls and we hope to teach our children the amazing love He has for us.  Happy Easter!!!

Madi's Valentine...

Derrick got Madi a balloon for Valentine's Day.  She was SOOO excited!  Tuesday we went outside to play and she had to bring it with her.  She is a funny little one...  now that the snow is gone (oh wait, we got some last night) she has decided she LOVES the sled.  (We will be sledding today.)

 And that she needed to bring that with her on our walk too.  I let her drag the sled to the edge of our yard and then told her we needed to leave it.  I didn't want to drag that around the block.

 I LOVE this picture of Madi.  She is so in love with her balloon and carried it around the block.  I have tried to go on a walk everyday since the weather has been a little better (until last night).  Madi has done great and really enjoyed it.  I love to see her get excited and look around when she hears a dog bark or a truck coming.  She points to things and says what they are, especially trees.  She loves to point those out.  It is such a fun age!  I love it!!!

Happy Valentine's Day...

We had a perfect Valentine's Day!  The best part is that Derrick had a meeting in Ogden so he got to come home when it was done.  That meant he got home TWO hours earlier than normal.  He brought me these beautiful roses!  I love the purple on them. 

 I made him a Lion House Cheesecake.  And, to my surprise, the top didn't crack!  It always does on my cheesecakes, so I was very happy about that.  He loved it!

We went to Winger's for dinner and then took Madi to the park for a few minutes.  It was so nice to have him home early and to be able to spend a couple extra hours with him.  I love you Derrick!!!