Visit to the Minnesota Children's Museum

We recently took a trip to the Minnesota Children's museum with our buds, the Frasers. All the kids had a BLAST! Especially the two little ones (Laney is 18 months) and Madeline who is 13 months, liked the stairs and the water fountain the best. We could have played with those things at home, but I suppose it's always more fun away from home. The big kids got to meet Curious George. That is the current exhibit that is open at the Museum. And a nice way to escape the hot air outside!

Swimming

This past weekend was warm. And although we did get the usual weekend rain (seems like every weekend this spring so far has had rain and storms), we did have quite a bit of sunshine as well. Which is unusual for a Memorial Day Weekend.

The kids got outside and enjoyed some play time in the small pool.

And although Madeline didn't go in the pool, she certainlly walked around it, threw things in it and enjoyed her outside time as well.

1st Grade Track and Field Day

Cailin had her track and field day at school this past week. I remember doing this as a kid too - everyone was always so excited and wound up on track and field day at my school and Cailin was the exact same way. The day was warm and very windy. While waiting for her turn, she was hamming it up.

She participated in the hurdlers (as she called them).

The Bean Bag race

Of which she took 2nd place - and resulted in some celebration.

And of course, the big finale, the Tug O War.

Her team didn't quite win the championship, but they sure gave it their all.

Madeline Grace is 1

Madeline Grace turned 1 year old this past week. She hasn't been feeling well, so sadly she ended up at the pediatrician on her birthday. But got a clean bill of health (other than a cold and some new molars coming in). So that was good. So we had a do a 're-do' for her birthday - and we were able to do that this evening. We have just returned from our first camping trip of the season, so everyone was tired - especially Maddy. We gave her a cupcake after singing the traditional happy birthday song - but then she wasn't exactly sure what to do with the cupcake at first.

But she still managed to take a few bites.

And get it everywhere.

And she liked the singing too.

Happy Birthday Maddy!

Easter

The Easter Bunny recently visited our house..... And left goodies for good girls and boys.

Spring Break 2012

We headed up north again this year for Spring Break. We spent several days in the Lutsen area with our dear friends, the Frasers, at their family's home away from home.

The weather was a bit chilly, but the sunshine was warm. We didn't get any skiing in (since the snow had almost completely melted) but we did get to play at the resort, visit Grand Marais, swim, hike and just enjoy the time away. Enjoy!

What Goes Around.....

Comes around right? After we had Andrew we were all done having kids (I'm sure MOST of you have heard this part of the story before). So, after that I started getting rid of all of our baby 'stuff'. I gave away and donated just about everything including most of the clothes that both kids had. As soon as they grew out of something, it was gone. So once we found out we were having our darling Madeline, I started looking, searching to see if I had accidentally missed any of those bags of old clothes and toys. And as it turns out I had! I didn't find much, but I did find a few things that for one reason or another I hadn't parted with. Recently Madeline grew into one of my all time favorite outfits that Cailin used to wear. Here's Madeline just this week.

And here is Cailin, just a few years back.

Too bad I still don't have those shoes. Since Madeline is walking full-time now, I need to get something solid onto her feet. Off to the shoe store we go!

Enjoying the Weather

This weekend, we are experiencing very warm weather for our parts....

So we had to play outside. We pulled all the summer outside toys out and got some time to play!

The wind was blowing, but the sunshine was warm.


Turns out Madeline loves to be outside just like her big sister and brother. And we've got plenty of loot to play with out there to keep everyone busy.


Welcome Spring!!!

The Kids - February 2012

Here they are - One, two and three.

Moving, moving, moving

Madeline has been very busy.

She spent most of the Christmas holidays sick. Sadly, she had strep throat, then a few colds, which turned into RSV and a stubborn ear infection. After a bad reaction to some potent antibiotics, and a lot of recovery time later....she seems to be back on track. And making up for lost time.

She started to crawl about two weeks ago. Then she quickly learned the beauty of crawling TO something and pulling herself to standing.


So that's what she spends most of her time doing these days.

Crawling. Even under her crib.


Standing.

Walking.

Watching the dog.


Moving.

She can open the fridge and helps herself to whatever she finds....
And she is determined. WOW!

Christmas Photo

As many of you know, this was our "official" Christmas photo this year. Amazing how many pictures it took to actually get this shot....but it was worth it!

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.....