Happy Halloween 2009

 

 Cinderella

When I showed Madi her costume a few weeks before Halloween she said, "Mommy is that my Cinderella? I LOVE IT!" 

 

Madi is obsessed with dogs! Here she is hugging and loving on a ceramic dog from her Great Grandma Widdison's front yard. Maybe I should have dressed her up as a veterinarian.

The little princess went for a walk out to visit the horses while everyone was getting ready. On her way back to the house she was running and lost a shoe. It was just like Cinderella losing the glass slipper. And just like the real Cinderella, Madi didn't stop to grab it... she just ran through the whole field and garden with one shoe.

"Granny" Shores was able to join us for Trunk-Or-Treating. She was a little slow and awnry, but we were glad she could join us! 

I LOVE My Husband!!

So I came home from work on Wednesday and found this...

... you are thinking "No big deal, a fridge." But let me just say that we were out of tupperware because every piece we owned was crammed in the fridge full of leftovers! My husband (without me asking) cleaned it! That is why I love my husband!!

It is so clean you can see your reflection.

I am publicly declaring my "Thank You" to the best husband ever!

A busy month...

Madi has been working on her artwork. Her faces now include hair and the sides of the head. Maybe ears will be next.

Gioia's Birthday! We celebrated with a little backyard b-b-q, volleyball, and the girls went to a Lonestar concert. Good times as always.

Erin, Mom, Me, Gioia, and Nicki in the middle.

(We missed you Stacey... too bad you had to work.)

Mini Golf Date with the little munchkin

She golfs like her daddy... what a cheater!

Even a cheater deserves a kiss if he's cute.

A fun adventure at Pirate Island

Madi with her favorite Aunt Nicki

We said goodbye to our good friend and Madi's boyfriend!

John left us for sunny California... who can blame him.

Madi and Uncle Jared. Madi and John.

She misses her friend. She picks up the phone often and says, "I need to call John."

Kylie and Bailey Rock!

Kylie was my amazing student last year and her twin sister Bailey was in another class, but I like to pretend like she was my student too. Their awesome mom was also my Room Mother. Lucky me! Their entire family is wonderful, just the best kind of people I know. I am fortunate to call them all my friends. This month Madi and I went to watch the girls play soccer. They are so great, they both scored! Then a few weeks later Madi and I took them to see Kelsey play soccer for the BYU Women's team. I had a lot of fun! They are the best!

Kylie and Bailey

Can you find Madi?

Getting Kelsey's autograph

Wedding Flowers

I did my first wedding flowers (other than my own) for my friend Shay last December. The photos are not very close-up, but you get the idea. The Bride, Shay is way more beautiful than the flowers. Thank you Shay for being my "first".

I had my second attempt when I did the flowers for my cousins wedding last month and they turned out very beautiful, if I do say so myself! The pictures on the other hand, not so nice. Good thing I wasn't her photographer. When she gets her real pictures then I will post some better ones. I had so much fun making the arrangements, bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres, thanks Breann.

So if you are getting married, or know someone who is contact me and I would love to do your flowers. I am gathering experience and adding to my portfolio... so get me while you can afford me because pretty soon I am going to be way out of your price range! Ha Ha!

San Elijo

We just experienced another great year beach camping. My family has been going every year since I was a little little girl. Each time we go the memories get better and better. I love spending this time with my family in one of my favorite places doing just about everything:

• Swimming
• Surfing
• Body Boarding
• Body Surfing
• Snorkeling
• Riding Bikes
• Bocee Ball
• Croquet
• Reading
• Talking
• Playing Cards
• Eating
• S'mores
• Campfires
• Laughing
• Digging Holes
• Football
• Napping
• Relaxing
• Sandcastles

... and just a little bit of sibling rivalry!

Kevin, Kade, PJ

Nicki and Madi

James

Stacey and Chris

Luke

Chris and Madi

Salt, sand and water makes great Bedhead

Lovely Ladies

Cheesie Pie

Madison and Luke

4th of July

I love the 4th of July because it is in the summer, the weather is always beautiful, and there are always lots of things to do with the family.

This year we started celebrating the 4th of July early. On Thursday the 3rd we went to Mount Timpanogos and hiked to the caves. None of us had been there and it was a steeper hike than we expected. Poor James hiked it with 50 lbs. of dead weight on his back: Madi 37 lbs. plus the carrier and snacks!! I felt bad, but he is such a stud he was still the first one to the top. After all, I married him for his bulging muscles. The hike was beautiful and the caves were amazing.

On the morning of the 4th my sisters and I woke up early at 5:45 and headed up Provo Canyon for our 11 mile run! We timed our running perfectly to end at the Freedom Festival Parade where My dad, James, Nicki and Madi were waiting. After watching a little of the parade we went home and mom had breakfast ready and waiting. We then headed to Seven Peaks Waterpark for a very relaxing and fun day. Following the waterpark was a B-B-Q at our house, cards, fire pit with s'mores, and sparklers. We didn't even watch the fireworks because we were more interested in stuffing our faces with the scrumptious s'mores!!

Ouray and Yankee Boy Basin

We just went on a weekend getaway to Colorado. It has been a long time coming. As we were driving there we realized the last time we were in Montrose was at Christmas. Jared was able to make the trip with us and we had a lot of fun with mom and dad. On Friday we went up to Ouray and walked around town. Madi had fun running up and down the streets, since she is finally big enough to go without being carried or in a stroller. We were going to hike up to a waterfall, but it started raining and James, Madi and I all had flip-flops on. Dumb Californians! Next time we will be better prepared. Here are some photos from the day...

Madi, Grandma and Grandpa Shores

Chris, Madi, and James

Possessed Madi

James, Madison, Christine

On Saturday we made the treacherous, but absolutely gorgeous drive up the canyon to Yankee Boy Basin. We tried to make this drive with my family when they were in Montrose for our wedding four years ago, but we didn't make it to the top. It is a really steep and narrow drive with no railing. My mom is afraid of "scary narrow dirt roads straight up the canyon with all of her beloved children in the car!" When we got to this spot and my dad squeezed my mom's Excursion under this overhang my mom convinced my dad that if he didn't stop he might be leaving Colorado a single man! Needless to say this is where we stopped and turned around.

This trip we made it to the top and hiked around for a bit then enjoyed some yummy snacks.

Madi and Daddy

Madison did a lot of this...

We saw more waterfalls than I could count. About every 1/4 of a mile on the drive up we saw one coming off the mountains and at the top of the basin there was a waterfall every couple of hundred feet! Some were big and beautiful and others were smaller and you could walk through them. Everything was so green and wet this time of year.

Jared, James, Dolly, Roger and Blue

Madi and her favorite dude, Uncle Jar-Jed

** No pictures of me on this hike... I was the designated photographer. I know you are all so sad, but don't worry... I will make an appearance soon :)

I just love all the cute  little things Madi does. I love that she plays "make believe". Just today when she woke up from her nap she got her baby doll and said, "Oh I missed you! I had to go to school. I missed you!"

Everyday when I get home from school Madi runs out to the car and says, "You go to school? I missed you!"

It is always extremely hard to leave and go to work, but coming home to my little Madi makes it even harder sometimes. I dream of the days that I can spend more time with my little munchkin.

Everyday with Madi is a new adventure. At 2 1/2 she is still as independent, smart and funny as ever. Here are a few of my favorite moments from the last couple of weeks.

* Prayers: Madi has become very proficient in her prayers. She prays for almost everyone in the family ( Mom/Dad, Grandmas/Grandpas, Aunts/Uncles, Cousins, Great Grandma, etc.). But my favorite part of her prayers are how detailed they have become. Last week she thanked her Heavenly Father not only for her house, but her bed, and her table as well.  The other day she asked James to go to the park. He told they could go after her nap. So at nap time when Madi was saying her prayers she said, "Thank you for the park. Thank you for the slide. Thank you for the swings." I am pretty sure she was just making sure Daddy understood that she was serious about the park and didn't want him to forget to take her when she woke up!

* Time out: Just a few weeks ago Madi was having a rough day and not listening to anything she was told. It was dinner time and James and I were frustrated so we said, "Madi if you don't stop crying and eat your dinner then you need to sit on your bed." We had never done any form of timeout with her before so we figured she would ignore us (like she had been all day)... However, we were surprised when she said, "Okay, I sit on my bed." She walked to her room, got on her bed and sat there. We were in the kitchen looking at each other thinking, "Wow, that worked." About a minute later Madi yelled to us from her bedroom, "I done crying. I get down now?" We just started laughing... it was the funniest thing ever. She comes walking out of her room sits down and starts eating dinner. Since then she has had to sit on her bed a few times to calm herself down when she is being a drama queen.

But yesterday was the best! James was playing with her and fake crying. Madi looked at him as serious as can be and said, "Daddy no crying. Go sit on your bed two minutes!" James stated laughing and said, "I was just playing." Madi then deferred to me and said, "Mommy daddy not sit on his bed!" And being the fabulous mother and wife I am I said, "Honey you heard her go sit on your bed for 2 minutes!" Hey James, what goes around comes around.

* Reading: Today in church she wanted to read anything and everything she could find. And by reading I mean spelling out the letters of any word she sees. In the middle of sacrament (when it is dead silent) she says, "E-X-I-T... mommy where is the R? I can't find it!" and everyone looks over laughing.

*Sharing: Madi and I cooked cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Saturday and after waiting a bit for daddy to wake up I decided he might need some prodding. So I sent Madi into the bedroom with two cinnamon rolls on  a plate to wake up daddy. When Madi handed them to James, this is what they looked like...

Did you notice she licked/bite the frosting top off the one on the left? What a good little helper. She obviously doesn't want James to eat too many calories!

* We sure love this little girl!

What a difference a year makes!

My family (most of it) ran in the Salt Lake City 1/2 Marathon AGAIN this year! We had so much fun last year we decided to make it a yearly tradition. Maybe next year we can get my LAZY brothers and HUSBAND to do it! 

Last year my goal was to finish, and I did. This year my goal was to run it in under an 11 minute mile pace.

The RESULT... 10:07 minute mile pace! so my official time was 2:12:39!!

I took 33 minutes off my time from last year, and that makes me smile!

Here I am getting my victory kiss

Here is our official FINISH ORDER picture... (I went from 5th to 1st this year)

Here are my sisters. We ran the first 12 miles together and then split at the last mile and it was every chick for themselves

We are already anticipating next year! My goal next year is a 9:15 mile pace... dream big right?

"Mommy, My Turn!"

I finally got my first HAIRCUT! I have been waiting a year and a half, but it was well worth it. Brooke (My Hair Stylist Extraordinaire) did a fabulous job. I can finally wear my hair down without looking like Billy Ray Cyrus. 

While I was waiting on my hair to process, Madi said:

"It's my turn Mommy!"

I already planned on having her get her first trim, but she was much more excited when she thought it was her idea. Here are some shots of the beauty queen. The trim was so little that it didn't even call for before and after shots. I am probably the only one who can even tell it is a tad shorter. Daddy and I are just not ready to say goodbye to the adorable curls!

Grandma and a Baby

Grandma and Grandpa Shores came for a visit a couple of weeks ago. It had been awhile since they had been out to Utah. We had a great, but too short weekend. While they were here we visited my cousins family and their new little boy, Keenan. Madi loved holding him. However, her favorite part of the visit was jumping on the trampoline and playing cars with Jonah and Andrew. 

* Note to picture- this is the first picture I have ever seen of Madi where her head doesn't look bigger than mine.

"Potty Mouth Update"

For all of you that were second guessing whether or not you wanted to let your child play with mine, I am happy to report that we have seen some fabulous improvement. I got a little nervous in sacrament meeting, at church today,  when her little toy went rolling out into the aisle... I was preparing for the worst, but instead she just quietly picked it up. That's my girl! I have not heard the naughty word in 3 days!!

Face of an Angel, Mouth of the Devil

Looking at this face makes me think about how sweet and loveable my little girl is. Although adorable, this little one is too smart for her own good. For those of you that remember an earlier post a few months ago, I am sorry to say I am back again reporting some bad news. We learned early on that Madi is very attentive to the adults in her life and their trademark sayings. In October Madi started say "CRAP" every time she dropped something. I must admit that I take full credit for that saying.

However, this time I do NOT take credit for her new "choice" words. I blame them 100% on her babysitters (Daddy, Auntie Erin, and Auntie Stacey). By their titles you would think she was in good hands, but I am starting to rethink my choice in daycare.

On Sunday morning I very nicely asked Madi to put the cushion back on her chair. And she responded in the most annoyed 16 year old voice, "Dammit, Ughh, Stupid" as she threw the cushion back on her chair. Yes that was all one sentence that came slurring out of my 2 year-old's mouth!

I looked at her shocked... and did my best not to laugh. Then I ran in the bedroom and woke up James to tell him about our daughter's "potty mouth". Since Sunday I have been teaching her (every time she says dammit) that it is not a nice word and that we say "uh oh" instead. Now if we can just teach DADDY that!

It is not all dad's fault though.  James is notorious for saying, DAMMIT. Erin is notorious for her moaning, UGHHH, and Stacey is notorious for always saying, STUPID when she is frustrated.  Hence the combination of "Dammit, Ughh, Stupid!" So thank you all for being such great role models in Madi's life. I couldn't raise her without you!

Madi came and brought me lunch today at school like a good little girl. She was being so good I decided to let her stay and play with the class a little bit. We were having a math lesson on Congruent Shapes and she was a big help. She heard us talking about circles so she drew as many as she could fit all over my boards while the class was working.






I told my class how much Madi loved to read and tell stories. They asked if she would read one to them. I didn't think that she would be brave enough... but I guess I was wrong. She read them one of her favorite books, How Dinosaurs Go To School. They were so quiet and attentive... I wish they were that well behaved when I was teaching!

This Post Is For The Grandmas...

Madi is getting so big and so smart. As a teacher I know the capacity that children have to learn so quickly, but as a mom it still amazes me. Madison is doing something new each day that just simply amazes me and makes me feel so proud. So Grandma Shores and Grandma Leavitt, here are her accomplishments just after turning two:

- potty-trained (except at nap/bedtime) 90% of the time!

- Counts to twelve and can identify some of her numbers: 1,2,3,and 6...she really likes 6 for some reason:)

- Can draw a circle and a smiley face

- Knows her shapes: circle, square, and triangle

- Know all the words to "I Am A Child Of God" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"

- Says prayers at every meal and snack and nap and bedtime, or whenever else she feels the need :)

- Knows some of her colors: red, yellow, pink

- Can identify some of her letters: h,w,d,a,m,f,i,e,g...Not sure whey those are her favorites.

- Can spell her name: Madi... it is so cute. I write her name and then she says "M" "A" "D" "I"... then I say, "What does that spell?" then she says, "Madi" and points to herself! It is so cute!!

- Has "Meno" a.k.a. "Nemo" memorized!

- Can completely dress herself from undies to pants, shirt, jacket, socks and shoes all by herself! She will not accept help... she it very independent.

- Can go potty all by herself and brush her teeth all by herself.

- Can make her own chocolate milk and tries to all day long.

- Can still give the best hugs and kisses, smiles, and laughs that any mom could ask for!!

I love my little girl so much and love watching her grow and learn. I am so lucky to have you both as moms and Madi is so lucky to have you both as grandmas.

Post Christmas Fun

DISCLAIMER *** I finally had time to get caught up on my posting... so keep reading until you get bored or fall asleep, whichever comes first! ***

When we got back from Colorado my sister-in-law Kortney came to visit from San Diego with my three adorable nephews (Kade 5, Nolan 3, and Luke 1). We had so much fun with them, especially Madi. She was so excited to have some kids her own age around.
We spent New Year's Eve with Rockband, Fireworks, and food.




Dad pretending he is too big to play with fireworks...


The next day on the 1st we went sledding at Rock Canyon Park.








The kids had so much fun that they went sledding the next day in our front yard on a three foot hill of bushes covered in snow... Hey it worked!



Luke wishing he could go sled with the bigger kids, but it was nap time!

Christmas 2008

We had a great Christmas and New Year's. We were lucky enough to spend time with my parents and James parents and see most of our siblings and some of our extended family.

The best part of Christmas this year was waking up at our own house and opening presents. It is the first year that James and I have been home on Christmas. We went up to the Widdison family Christmas Eve party and had so much fun. We had dinner, a cousin gift exchange and a white elephant gift exchange for the adults. My 2 Great Grandmas were there also and it was nice to spend time with them. After the party my parents and my little sister, Nicki, followed us home and spent the night at our house. Erin and Stacey live with us already (in the basement), so we all opened presents together in the morning and then had brunch.

Madi with all of her presents



Madison played all day long...





On Friday we drove to Colorado to spend time with James family: Roger & Dolly, Matt & Charlotte, Jared, and Blue. We had a lot of fun eating, playing games, watching movies, and eating some more. It was fun and relaxing as always. We also got to celebrate my sister-in-law Charlotte's birthday. It was nice to spend time with her and get to know her better. I didn't take any pictures over the couple of days while we were there, so sorry.

This picture is actually from Thanksgiving when we cut down our tree in Colorado.

Madison's Sesame Street Birthday Party

Well I am a month late on this post, but I'm sure you all don't care because most of you have been too busy to read my blog anyways.

I was so excited for Madi's birthday this year, because she actually understood presents, candles, and singing. In fact I think I might have been just a little more excited than she was.

I had made some life-sized Sesame Street characters and decorated 'til Elmo was everywhere. While Madison was taking her nap we got everything out so she would be surprised when she woke up.

Needless to say, she was...



This was her face as she came down the hall and caught her first glimpse of Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird. James' goal was to give her a heart attack or make her little brain burst with pleasure... it didn't happen, but we came close!

I made some really fun (and super easy) Cookie Monster cupcakes and an Elmo cake. I can't take credit for the cake though because I ran out of time to frost and my sister decorated the whole thing for me. Thank you Erin.







It was a wonderful party filled with lots of friends and family. Thank you everyone who came to celebrate and make Madi's day so special.

Our First Family Photo...

I got my birthday wish this year... a family picture with James smiling, Madi happy, and me with hair!! Last year we never got a picture of the three of us that was "acceptable" to publish.

For my birthday my great friends Brenden and Shay took our picture and some of Madi. They turned out really nice. Thanks guys.

Here is a preview...

Happy Early 2nd Birthday Madison!

While in Colorado we had an early birthday celebration for Madison. We weren't sure she would know what was going on, but she sure did. She sang Happy Birthday to herself, blew out the candles before we were done singing, and ripped open her presents!! I would say she definitely knew what was going on. The next day James and I found her closing her matching game then opening it over and over again saying, "Yeah!" She was pretending to reopen all her gifts because they were so much fun. She got her first My Little Pony, Memory Matching Game, and a Block/Shape Puzzle Cube.






Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Shores for such a great second birthday! We love you!

No Blue!

We had a great time celebrating Thanksgiving with Grandma & Grandpa Shores and Uncle Jared last weekend. Madi loved having her grandparents attention and love. However, her undivided attention went to their dog, Blue. Madison loves dogs, especially ones she can boss around all week. Here are some of the things she liked to say to the dog:
- "Come here Blue"
- "Down Blue"
- "Sit Blue"
and her favorite...
"NO BLUE!" as she threw her arms out or pointed her finger at him!

Here is a great picture of her and Grandpa hanging out in the back of the pick-up so Blue won't get her baby doll.


Here she is taunting Blue.


Enjoying some much loved puppy kisses.

3 Steps to Pottytraining a Bunny

Step 1: Show immense enthusiasm for potty training...



Step 2: Make sure you don't fall in...



Step 3: Smile to show encouragement and celebrate success! This step is usually followed by "Good Job" and continuous clapping!

Happy Halloween!

I was so excited for Madi to dress up for Halloween this year. Last year I was in the hospital and she wasn't walking yet, so our costume choices were limited. This year James picked her costume... who would've guessed. He said by next year she would know what Halloween was and would most likely be telling us which princess she wanted to be. Being as James is a Batman fanatic... He choose Batgirl! She did make the most adorable Batgirl I have ever seen and I did have a great time making her costume. You must also know that Madi LOVES Elmo so of course her costume was not complete without her Elmo bucket. Here are some pictures of sweet little Batgirl.




We went trunk-or-treating in Hooper at Madi's Great Grandparents. My Grandpa Cooks chili for hundreds of people and everyone lines up their cars to pass out candy. Madi was a little nervous when we first got there with all the masks and scary faces, but after a few minutes she warmed up to the idea of costumes. At about the third car she had the whole taking candy from strangers thing down too. We trunk-or-treated for and hour and then went back to my Aunt and Uncles. When Madi saw that the kids were going to do more trick-or-treating, she was all about that. Grandpa took her out with Nicki for another hour and when she got tired he carried her on his shoulders. What a great Grandpa!







Here is a fun picture of most of my crazy cousins and my Aunt Carol. We had a great time celebrating with them. We are so lucky to live so close to such a fun and loving family.