let the fun begin!

fun in the pack in play!

I don't even remember why the pack in play was out but both kids loved it. They got their blankets and pillows and hung out together for at least half an hour. They played peek-a-boo and giggled. They were so sweet together. I wish it lasted longer. Soon, Halle was screaming "madden take" because he took away her baby doll. I'm just glad they can have fun playing together even if they fight sometimes.

Once there was a snowman....

 This was our first snowman of the season. Madden was quite proud of him. Daddy worked very hard to lift the heavy balls of snow up to build such a tall snowman.

Halle's 2nd Birthday!

My baby girl turned 2 years old yesterday. It was a bittersweet day. She's growing up so fast and learning so much but I just need her to snuggle a little while longer. She had a fun birthday. She got to play with a few friends in the morning, take a long nap in the afternoon and have cake a presents with family in the evening. 

Here she is opening a few presents. She wasn't sure about ripping the wrapping paper. I think she got the hang of it by the end of the night. She'll be a pro by Christmas.

 After she opened her presents, she put them all in her new backpack and carried everything around the rest of the night.

 

Madden had fun with Halle's birthday too! This is a picture of Mom, dad, Madden and Halle.

Birthday cake!

Halle's kisses

Halle has recently decided that she doesn't like to give hugs and kisses. When you ask her for a kiss, she responds, "Don't have one!" If you give her a kiss anyway, she wipes it off. It seems like her two year old attitude has come a bit early.

Madden's Dinosaurs

Madden LOVES dinosaurs. He knows a ton about them too. Yesterday, he drew these pictures of dinosaurs and then sorted them in to piles of herbivores and carnivores. Then sorted them in to stegosaurs and others. Enjoy!

 Allosaurus

 Triceratops

 Tyrannosaurus Rex

 Stegosaurus

 Velociraptor

 Giganotasaurus

Halle loves shoes and babies!

Halle puts on any shoes she can find. She pushed her little stroller around the house in Madden's shoes all morning.

Madden's Birthday Celebration!!!

Madden had such a fun birthday. We had a super fun party with a jumpy slide and face painting. He had so many wonderful friends and cousins come to celebrate with him. Below: Tehanie, Lincoln, Halle, Madden, Kaelynn, Gracie, Emmy, Lily, Shaeffer, Teagan, Jekiah, Trezdon, Jenna and Callie. Lexi, Colton and Mikaila were there too.

 Aunt Jenni painted an fantastic rainbow tiger face for Madden. It lasted about an hour before we had our birthday meltdown.

 Opening presents at his party!

 Our sweet little Halle-bear getting her face painted! She really enjoyed the special attention!

 Opening Grandma Cindy's presents at home!

Happy 5th Birthday Madden!

I still cannot believe that my baby is five. I know that's what everyone says as their kids grow up but it seems like just yesterday, he was a busy little baby. And now, he's a busy big guy. A few things about my favorite little guy:

• Loves dinosaurs and knows a ton about them
• Loves super heroes
• Loves his sister and is a big help with her
• Loves craft projects, especially anything involving glue
• Has recently become obsessed with ninjas thanks to the move 3 Ninjas
• Favorite foods: pb&j, mac-n-cheese, meat, Life cereal, yogurt, green beans, pizza, cantaloupe, honey mustard, toast
• Favorite color: BYU blue and red
• Favorite show: Mickey, Curious George, Super Hero Squad, Tom and Jerry
• Favorite thing to do: Puzzles, color, play with Halle
• Favorite candy: CHOCOLATE!
• He is doing so well in preschool and really enjoys going to school
• He's a great soccer player
• He loves to sing and sings while he plays

Halle's first pig tails!

Halle was a bit grumpy this day but she did let me put pig tails in her hair. She finally has enough hair to do it! Before long, I'll be french braiding her hair....maybe that's just wishful thinking.

a penny for your thoughts!?

In the past 24 hours, I have found 3 pennies in Halle's poop. I sure hope there aren't any more.

the cold weather doesn't slow them down

We have been squeezing in a some more outdoor play time before winter really hits. We've been bundling up and braving the cold. Madden doesn't really like to wear his coat when he plays outside, he says it slows him down.

 Halle tries to keep up on her little bike....

 ...but it's just faster to walk!

Halloween Marathon!

Halloween was a little too long for me this year. It started on Thursday with 2 preschool parties. Then on Friday, we went trick or treating at the high school. On Saturday we went to the church carnival and truck or treat.  Halle was a grumpy monkey the entire weekend. She never wanted to wear her costume. I usually had to bribe her with candy. 

This is Madden ready for his preschool party!

Halle dug right into her candy after trick or treating at the high school. She didn't say "trick or treat" to anyone, she just held out her pumpkin and gave them a cute little sad face. It worked like a charm.

Mommy with the grumpy little monkey!

Daddy and Madden playing carnival games!

potty training bear-bear

...if only she were interested in the potty!

Madden's money

Madden loves to count and play with coins lately. A few times a week, he begs for the jar of change. I frequently found towers of coins in the corners of my house. I also find little collections of coins in his pockets. Yesterday we went to Wal-Mart and he pulled out a handful of coins and asked if he could buy a toy because he had his own money and lots of it. I guess I'm going to need to keep a closer watch on the money!

pumpkin carving

We carved our pumpkins last night. Madden had a blast using a "knife". About 5 minutes into the pumpkin carving, our knives broke. Matt got a little creative and used his drill with a tiny drill bit. This really sped up the process.

some of Halle's favs

Halle definitely has a few favorite toys that she takes everywhere. She is obsessed with the pick tub of play food. She sits down like this in various parts of our house and feeds herself and her babies. She also takes her purse with her.  In the purse, she carries only the necessities: cell phone, baby clothes, binkies, toy baby bottle and various Mickey Mouse clubhouse characters. She also bring her blanket and baby. She is always prepared!

new family pics

My dear friend Maggie is a fantastic photographer. She has been taking our family pictures since we've lived in Spokane. Check out her blog: www.maggiefechnerphotography.blogspot.com . Below are our pictures from this year. I love them!

A while back, Maggie watched my kids for me a took some pics of them too. This is Madden's future wife Emmy. If they do get married, we will be using these pictures for their wedding announcements.

Halle is in love with her pink Bear-bear! I love that Maggie captured her sweet little face and her sweet little bear.