Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, we had a very nice Thanksgiving today. It was a bit colder and more mellow than we had planned, but nice. We originally invited several families over - and only one made it. We've had a stomach bug going around in Abilene for nearly a month now and it hit Maddy a good 4 weeks ago, however, it struck two of our star families this week and so our party got smaller.
Todd is also visiting (friend we met in England, lives in Montana, visiting family in TX) and he brought his Uncle and Grandma up to eat with us so our party got a little bigger again!
It's nice to share today with old friends and new!

Where in the World.... is Maddy?

I got super excited about the prospect of renting a bounce-house for Maddy's birthday and we never quite pulled it off. So... I decided we needed one to entertain the 7 kids that would be at our house today! Well, as those 7 turned into 2 (and a 5-month old), the house didn't get as much use as I thought. Oh well, If you could see Maddy's reaction to this montrous castle in our backyard - you'd know it was well worth it! We also played with the neighbors yesterday in it and may have to have some kids over tomorrow before we return it Saturday morning.

Jumping with Aiden.

Luckily, the weather took a slight detour and our expected 30's became more of an upper 40's, low 50's today. Now I know it is much colder for most of you, but after a week of nearly 80, we were not quite ready for this chill! It sounds like we are coming back up a little, but I may safely say we are done with the 80's for this year? Who knows... I've never spent a Fall/ Winter here before!

Well, we hope you all had a marvelous/ thankful/ blessed day. Our love to you all until next time! x

As promised from almost two weeks ago... all those great videos I have :)
Maddy helping the boys with the shower:

Riding Rody:

Birthday cupcakes: Please note the adorable shirt that she also wore today: "Everyone is Thankful for ME!" :)

Kitchen play. I love how her imagination continues to grow. She continues to come up with new things to make us (and insists we eat) every day. And she always remembers to serve us our coffee :)

"It's My (Our) Birthday!"

This adorable outfit says, "It's my Birthday!"

Oh my, what has happened in two week?!?
Phew, where to start...

First, I must say, today I am soooooooo excited! Madelyn started her new classroom at school today (I have been anxiously waiting for this), and while I got caught by another parent and didn't get to talk to the teacher - she is wearing Pull-ups and has successfully told me she's had to potty twice in the past 4 hours and is still DRY! Yes, my little girl is so big! I knew she was ready for training and once I got the school on board - we are in business! The teacher even mentioned real underwear soon. Man, this really may be easy (knock, knock).

Okay, now back to the beginning (from Maddy). Nana and Papa drove down on Wednesday (almost 2 weeks ago), straight through, 18 hours. They brought Daddy his Mustang and stayed to play for 10 whole days before driving back home (16 hours straight -yes, we think they are a little crazy ;)

While Mommy had to work the whole time, Nana, Papa, Daddy, and I kept busy. Oh... Huck and Daisy too :) Papa and Daddy got straight to it tearing out and tiling Mommy and Daddy's shower. I got to help a little and I have to say it turned out quite well.

Tearing apart..."My do it!"
(a phrase we hear all too often these days)
Putting up tile.
I helped with the spacers.Grouting.
Ta- Da!

Papa and Daddy and I made lots of trips to Lowe's in the process. We also hung some new shelves in the garage and did a few "maintenance" things around the house. Phew, what a week!

Although Daddy got my tummy bug on Friday (I had it off and on for about a week), Mommy and Daddy took a weekend for themselves and drove to Fredricksburg. (Did I mention, they have been married for 4 years now?) They had a great time sipping wine, shopping (by window mostly), and sleeping in! It is a great little town with much hospitality and charm and vineyards all around. While they were away, I kept Nana and Papa busy - taking them to the park, IHOP, and entertainment at home. Oh, poor Nana got the bug Saturday night. Although I wasn't too sure about Papa's way of bedtime, I worked with it (sorta) and fell asleep.

"What doin' Papa?"
"Why" :)

Mommy and Daddy got home complete with a new toy for Maddy. If you've never seen the Rody (it is Mommy's new favorite thing), you should check it out! I can bounce all over the house now.... so much that Papa invested in a helmet for me :-)

"It's my Birthday!"

Birthday girls

Then it was time to celebrate cause it was my Birthday! I spent the day getting one surprise after another. When mom got home from work that afternoon, we headed to the zoo to celebrate and enjoyed a beautiful day outside.

Yep, this cool (2-seater) stroller from Papa and Nana went all over the zoo with us.
Daddy only had to pull it a little way :)

Baby wanted out for a little bit...

*Maddy even made sure she had a bottle, extra diaper, and phone along for the trip!

Then we all went to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant and home for presents! I got lots of cool stuff - the baby stroller, and a kitchen along with some outfits, babies, money, and even a fishing pole! Mommy was excited that I gave her the new Mannheimm Steamroller Christmas album and Daddy got her Photo Shop. She has been really wanting to edit her pictures more and even make some digital scrapbooks! She also got some nice stuff from Nana and Papa. We are pretty lucky girls to have had such a great day!

"Want pasta? Want coffee?"
"Hot, k? Careful, blow."

Maddy got this great hat from her Auntie Jess.
She insisted on seeing herself in the mirror, and came out of the bathroom boldly stating...

"Maddy so cute!"

I love her. :)

Finally, at the end of the week, the boys took a break from projects, Nana and Papa rested up for their big drive, and Mommy, Nana, and I made cupcakes! What's a birthday without those? I loved helping make them (*eater be warned ;) and sample them all along the way!

**Sadly, my great videos over the past two weeks will have to wait. I've tried endlessly and blogger and I are not getting along :( Enjoy the pictures for now.

Love to you all! x

Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Cool chic.

Aside from a little illness this weekend, I'd say my second Halloween was pretty successful. Did you know that it is just kids hiding under those really scary faces? (Took me a little to figure that out until one boy took the time to show me.) I really enjoy going to people's doors and asking for candy. I often confused "please" for "trick-or-treat" when Mommy would prompt "What do you say?" but no one seemed to mind too much. I occasionally threw out a "Your Welcome" when a "Thank you" was due as well, but again, no one minded :)

Finally, I most enjoyed passing out the candy to other kids. After walking around one block, I decided it was time to be at home. I loved sitting on the front porch (yes, it was a beautiful 70 degrees out) and putting candy in kids' bags/ buckets more than anything else all night.

Want candy?

Pumpkin Patch.

Last weekend, we ventured out to a local Pumpkin Patch where I had fun walking around with Jacob trying to find a the perfect pumpkin. We got to go on a hay ride, Daddy pulled us in a wagon, we climbed on hay bails with scarecrows, and just followed each other around trying to pick up pumpkins. It was GREAT!

Two toddlers to pose? Ha!
Finally, they both look. (Hay ride)

Ewww.

This weekend, we finally carved them. I'll let you watch the videos, but my saying this year was; "Can't do it. Daddy do it." My true artistic ability came through when Mommy got out Markers though!

This week, we are excitedly getting ready for my Nana and Papa to come and visit me. Mommy and Daddy are going on a little trip this weekend for their anniversary so they are going to stay with me... plus, I am going to be TWO and who would want to miss that?!?!

Love to you all! x

PS. I leave you with this last little bit (dark, but worth the smile you'll get:)