Sunset

We had the most beautiful sunset the other day....

This picture doesn't even do it justice.....

But WOW it was amazing......

Sledding

So far this fall/winter we haven't had very much for snow. But recently, we did get a small snowfall - maybe four inches or so but thought we ought to go outside and try some sledding.

Cailin used her new sled from last year and Andrew used his new sled from this year...(it might have been an early Christmas present or something, I can't remember....)

This was also Madeline's first time...

She thought it was pretty cool.

That and the dog chased them up and down the hill and she thought that was pretty funny.....

Buddies

Both of the big kids have LOVED adding Madeline to our family. They both love to hold her, play with her and feed her. And they are both very kind and gentle with her as well.

However, it seems that at this point, Andrew and Madeline are tight. He spends a lot of time with her and she is mesmerized by his presence. He can make her giggle and smile just about all the time. It's wonderful to see Andrew in this new role (of big brother). He's always been a follower of his big sister (which he still enjoys immensely as well) but seeing him as a big brother has been really fun.

They sure are buddies.....

She's lucky to have that boy as her big brother.

Tubby Time

Madeline loves her tubs. Ever since she had her first bath - she has always loved it. She is still in the infant/toddler tub that goes into the sink. But not for long, since she is getting so big and tall.

She has always loved taking a bath. Now she will kick and splash on command. Andrew will stand next to us and help us entertain her - not that it's really needed. But she loves her big brother and will do as he directs. He'll say "KICK!" and she will. Then they both laugh, that kind of huge belly laugh. And then they repeat it over and over and over and over......

It's awesome.....

Halloween 2011

The kids were really excited about Halloween this year. The weather was fantastic (for Minnesota standards...) and the kids were ready to go trick-or-treating as soon as they got home.

Cailin was going to be a cowgirl again (I think she figured out how easy it was to wear that costume...)

Andrew was going to be a Transformer named Optimus Prime. Apparently he's a good guy. We found the costume at Target on the FIRST DAY they put costumes out in September. Andrew carried the mask around for weeks, wanting to 'try it on' repeatedly.

And Madeline, although not going trick or treating, was dressed up as a Ladybug.

The kids had a party at daycare during the day where they got to dress up in their costumes and 'trick-or-treat' at daycare with each other handing out treat bags. Then in the evening, the biggins got to go trick-or-treating with our neighbors and great friends, the Frasers. The four biggins had fun with the moms going to every house in the neighborhood.

Madeline helped hand out candy with Dad at home.

It was wonderful, you looked down the block and all you could see and hear were happy, laughing children running around from house to house with their friends. It was one of those wonderful evenings that you wish wouldn't end.

But alas, the kids did the usual sorting of the candy at home. Cailin was proud to announce that she had collected 67 pieces of candy, three juice boxes and 15 miscellaneous snacks. Not that she was keeping track or anything....

Madeline's Baptism

Madeline was baptized last weekend. She was quite a trooper. They were doing two baptisms and they also had the confirmation ceremony in the same service.




She was all smiles for the baptism part, then as soon as 'her' part was over and we were seated, she was out. cold. naps do a baby good!


Happy Baby!


Her Godparents are Kayla and Christopher - They will be GREAT at it too!



It was a wonderful day!

What's up?

Fall has been busy in our household! School has started, we've been camping, we've been to the apple orchard as well as many other fun and busy activities. So we'll sum a few of them up right here.

First of all - we hit the apple orchard a few weeks back. Madeline went on her first wagon ride and the kids had a great time. The weather was perfect! Very warm and sunny.

Ok, and one funny story about the apple orchard. Mike bought a fresh apple pie from the apple orchard. He heated it up and had it sitting on the dining room table after dinner one night. He had one slice and then forgot to put it away. The next morning, we found the pie dish on the floor, licked completely clean - thanks to our dog Jake! He was one happy puppy after that one.

The kids love to dote over their baby sister and on this day, Dad was with them as they boarded the bus to go to school. Andrew has nicknamed Madeline "Maddle Taddles" or "Maddles" - since he likes to rhyme and all - but it has stuck.

We've done several camping trips this summer and this past month took two - one to Baker Park and one to Willow River State Park. Both times, the weather was wonderful. We played outside a lot. We took hikes, rode bikes - and played and played. The days were warm and sunny and the nights cool and clear - great for watching stars. And lots of campfires and s'mores.





Madeline is one busy girl! She is 4 1/2 months old now. She's working on adding a few teeth (all of our kids cracked their first tooth around 5 months and Madeline is on her way to match that). She's sitting up, wants to crawl, loves to be busy and loves to smile. Oh and she loves to be held....by anyone.


She also loves to eat cereal too! We just started with cereal and of course, most of it ends up on her face, hands, highchair - everywhere - as can be seen in this photo.

First Day of School

The older two had their first day of school yesterday.

Cailin was VERY excited to get back at it.

Andrew was more nervous about starting Kindergarten. He's a tough egg that one. He's always got a lot going in his brain, but it's harder to decode than Cailin. She's ALL out there. She will let you know anything and everything that's on her brain. So we weren't sure what to expect with Andrew. Sometimes he's excited for an activity, then refuses to participate or even go at the last minute for some reason unknown to his parents.


But he did great! And he came home saying "I want to go to Kindergarten every day!"

Hopefully that's truly the case.

Now, we'll see how day #2 goes.......

Checking in

We have been busy, busy, BUSY!

The two big kids are getting ready to start school TOMORROW. Gosh, is it really September?? We'll see how things go tomorrow and of course will report back.

Madeline is growing like a weed. She's almost four months old. Growing in leaps and bounds.

The latest is that she rolls over from her back onto her stomach. Which she usually does while in her bed trying to nap. Turns out that interrupts her sleep. Sooooo, we haven't been napping so much lately. I remember the other two going through this phase as well.

Here's a few pics taken this weekend of the squirt.



More on the other two tomorrow. No, we haven't forgotten about those guys...
;)

The Move

Madeline, as we found out at her last doctor's appointment, is tall. She's very tall.

Ok, and kind of cute too.
So tall, she won't fit into her bassinet any longer. She's been sleeping in the bassinet since she came home from the hospital, but as we put her into it last night (after returning from a week-long vacation) we found that her head AND feet touch the ends.


So we busted out the crib that Cailin used when she was a baby. That was one of the few things we kept. Most of the other baby 'stuff' we donated or gave away since we were done having kids.

Whoops!

But alas, we had the crib and all of it's parts and hardware. So we put it together and Madeline took it for a spin with a nap this morning.


Now, she doesn't look so big anymore...


But I'm sure that will change. Soon. Very soon.

Kamp Dels

We just returned from a week-long trip to our favorite summer water spot. It's Kamp Dels in Waterville.



The kids LOVE being in the water and at the pool.


Andrew, who last year was just getting used to being in the water, is now a full-fledged fish.

Madeline even tried out the pool briefly with her feet. She also took several naps pool-side. I thought that was a great idea too.


The weather was perfect, could not have been any nicer. It was hot for swimming and sunny for playing.

The kids are already counting the days until we can go again next year.


And by then Madeline will be a fish too I'm sure.