Commit me

I swear you are going to have to commit me to the nearest asylum. Matthew has an ear infection and now Madie come down with a new cold and is running a temp of 99.6. Is there any end? Is summer EVER going to get here? Help! I am going looney!

Mmmm...Summer!

Anyone know what this yummy goodness is? Those of you that have had the pleasure of visiting our local ice cream establishment up the road know that this is a piece of summer yummy goodness! That's right folks, the J. F. is now open for the season! Madie even saved some of her birthday money to visit the ice cream store. My favorite - chocolate/vanilla twist.

Madie got in on the action too...strawberry/vanilla twist

Matthew's first experience with JF ice cream. Let's just say he definitely belongs in our family as he loves it!

Good stuff...notice the chin!

Hang on...

...cuz here we go! Now that Matthew has perfected the art of crawling, he has also discovered that it gets him anywhere he wants to go. This week he found the lazy susan as I was fixing supper. He was enthralled with the jelly jars from Grandma R. Of course I uploaded the photos in the wrong order but you get the idea! Oh yeah...he turned 8 months old today, I can't believe how fast time flies!

Madie is a Fabulous Four!

My tender-hearted little peanut turns 4 years old today...here's a little trip down memory lane. *sniff sniff*

Madie last week...

Madie holding Matthew last summer~Matthew was only a week old. She truly is sleeping.

Madie and Emma last in February of 2008 - she was 2 years 11 months

Madie at 2 1/2

Madelyn at 1 1/2

6 months old ~ this is Baptism day

Brand new~

Madelyn Renee

6 lbs. 15 oz.

Happy Birthday Madie - We love you!

The excitement of a 4 year old

I don't know if any of us remember being 4 years old...but after yesterday I wish I could! The excitement has been building since Emma's birthday party last month. We have been giving an almost daily countdown to the big party day. Yesterday arrived with excitement in the air! She couldn't wait for the fesitivities to begin. Grandma G. was making the cake~ she couldn't get here soon enough! Family was gathered in the basement talking about the finishing touches when Madie commented " But what about my party?" Ok - enough said...let's get to the party!

Madie's new suit from Aunt Shel and Uncle Bri

"It shows my belly button!"

The coup de gras - a new bicycle. Emma wanted to bring it in so I let her. Madie saw it and said "Emma did you get a new bike?" I think it took a good 30 seconds for her to realize that it was hers! She loves it. She is the most appreciative child you will ever find. I bought her new socks and undies last week and you would have thought I had given her the moon!

4 candles on the cake! The official day...Wednesday.

(Notice Jacob -gotta blow too!)

The 3 Muskateers

The 3 muskateers after a hard day of preschool/daycare/school.

Matthew crawling into my lap. A favorite spot of his these days. He is such a mommy's boy right now. It is kinda fun after having a couple girls who worship dad! Remember how the girls had fair warning about Matthew's crawling? I caught it on video...click below to see what he has learned! A smalll disclaimer...my house in the middle of the week is not pretty. I think all clean surfaces have a magnetic attraction to stuff! For some reason a husband, 3 kids and a full time j0b take up most of my time...who knew?

They were warned..

Ever since Matthew was born, we have been telling the girls that the day would come he would be into their stuff...well...that day has come! Madie was trying to play Polly Pockets (dangerous for 7 month olds) and Matthew wouldn't leave her alone. "Mom, Matthew keeps getting my stuff. I don't want Matthew to get my stuff!" HA - told you. For some reason I don't think they believed us. Matthew will get his revenge! Madie has been taking his toys since he was born! That is her way of playing "with" him. She takes the toy, plays with it and claims she is showing him how to play. *sigh*

A balmy 103.4

The weather outside yesterday was gorgeous. At one point the thermometer on the car read 75 degrees. I was able to open the windows for a while and air things out. Madie came home with a fever of 103. Tylenol did wonders and she was out riding her bike after an hour. She woke up this morning with 103.4. *sigh* I think we need a quarantine and Lysol bomb... I guess with 3 kids in 3 different places we are going to get the crud! Spring can't come soon enough!

Love that smell!

Ahh the smell of new leather...I LOVE it! We are finally to a place where we can enjoy all the hard work Brandon put into the basement. The sectional arrived yesterday and looks great. We tried it out last night with a movie and Brandon and the girls were all able to fit lying down so I think it will work. It is just fun to finally have it DONE! I never thought I would get to say that!

The color is mahogany - just a tint of red in it

Love it!
The accomodations at the hotel have gone from -3 stars to at least a star or two. Mom was happy she didn't have to walk on sawdust anymore to get to the bathroom or up the stairs!
We welcome visitors anytime!

I have to add...

My cousin, DocMom has a post regarding our grandparents and what she remembers about them. I have to say I have thought about this post since yesterday and it has made me smile remembering all about Grandma and Grandpa G. I do have a few more things to add....
1. Anyone remember Grandma's signature saying after she knocked you off in a heated battle of Aggravation?
2. Grandma knew I loved pickles so whenever I would come she would open either a can of homemade beet pickles or refridgerator pickles! Yummy! No one makes those like Gram!
3. Grandpa's "yo yo yo yo" when calling the sheep
4. Grandpa was always watching for you at the door when you were coming over
5. The sound of the windchimes right outside the front door.
6. Grandma's hat that she wore outside that had the little ball on top - I think she may have had more than one too!
7. Watching the polka show when we stayed all night.

And the signature saying (which we all still say today when we play): Revenge I have!